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PLN Gradually Recovers Electricity Supply (0)
State-owned electricity firm PT PLN has recovered electric power to Balaraja Extra High Voltage substation in Banten Province, and furthermore it will be channeled to Suralaya steam-fueled power plant (PLTU) to gradually recover its operation to reach its capacity of 2800 MW of electricity.
In addition, power supply from Gandul Extra High Voltage substations in Depok, West Java Province, will be channeled to Muara Karang gas and steam power plant (PLTGU) to supply electricity to the Indonesian capital city, Jakarta.
Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani said here on Sunday that the power supply to Jakarta was expected to recover within three hours.
"We apologize for the inconvenience today, and currently all efforts have been made to recover the Java-Bali power system, especially in the area of West Java, Banten, and Jakarta," Cahyani said.
The company has focused on power supply to PLTGU Muara Karang and PLTGU Priok to recover the system in the capital city.
Previously, PLN has recovered the operation of hydro-generated power plant (PLTA) Saguling and PLTA Cirata which are functioned as power stabilizer, and, at the same time, supply the electricity to PLTU Suralaya through Cibinong, Depok, Gandul, Lengkok, Balaraja and Suralaya extra high voltage substations.
PLTU Suralaya is expected to return to its normal operation within six hours to normalize power system in West Java and Banten.
Blackout that affected thousands of homes and public facilities in West Java, Jakarta, and Banten was caused by several troubles in the extra high voltage 500 kV transmission of Ungaran - Pemalang.
"PLN has taken its best efforts and will have evaluation to prevent recurrence of today's incident," Cahyani said.
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July
Indonesia needs 2,500 tons of oxygen per day: minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia needs 2,500 tons of oxygen per day to meet soaring demand amid an exponential spike in COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said.
"Our daily oxygen requirement stood at 400 tons before the Eid al-Fitr festivities, and now (it) has climbed to 2,500 tons. Meanwhile, our production capacity is 1,700 tons per day," he informed at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Monday.
Every 1 thousand oxygen concentrators can produce nearly 20 tons of oxygen per day, he added.
"The donation of 17 thousand (oxygen concentrators) has begun to arrive (in Indonesia). We plan to buy 20 thousand (oxygen concentrators) that we will distribute to all hospitals with isolation rooms. Thus, patients in dire need of oxygen can inhale oxygen produced by the oxygen concentrators," Sadikin said.
He expressed the hope that the arrival of oxygen concentrators would reduce the need for procuring oxygen cylinders in large quantities.
The second strategy to meet the country's oxygen requirement is utilizing the extra production capacity of domestic oxygen manufacturers, he said.
"It is true, we must use liquid oxygen for hospital ICU rooms since their oxygen requirement every minute is high. To offset the lack of oxygen need, we will utilize the extra capacity of domestic oxygen producers and the extra production capacity of other companies producing oxygen, such as steel nickel and fertilizer producers," he added.
The excess oxygen will be distributed to all provinces across Indonesia, he said.
"Once again, may we distribute the oxygen to all hospitals in the country. We also would like to express gratitude to social organizations and neighboring countries for their oxygen assistance to Indonesia," he remarked. (Antaranews)
July
Digital trade between Indonesia, Philippines must be strengthened
Written by Nur Yasmin
Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi has called for the strengthening of cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines in the field of digital trade, saying digital economic opportunities must be utilized for community welfare through fair trade.
Digital economic opportunities can provide benefits and advantages to various parties, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he remarked.
"The digital economy is something that cannot be avoided. For this reason, every country must be able to take advantage of this opportunity and ensure an increase in people's welfare," the minister said at the 'E-Commerce Seminar and Short Video Contest Awards 2021', according to a statement released in Jakarta on Monday.
The virtual event was organized by the Manila Philippines trade attaché in collaboration with the Indonesian Diaspora Network, Manila chapter (IDN Manila).
The event, themed 'Strengthening Indonesia-Philippines Relationship Through E-Commerce', was attended by the Philippine Minister of Trade and Industry, Ramon Lopez, ad interim Charge d'Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, Widya Rahmanto, vice president of Asian Development Bank, Bambang Susantono, and chairman of IDN Manila, Lusie Susantono.
Speaking at the event, Minister Lutfi said that Indonesia's gross domestic income is expected to triple from US$1.1 trillion to US$2.8 trillion by the end of 2030. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought benefits to the world of digital commerce, he noted.
"The digital economy will grow significantly from around US$40 billion to US$323 billion," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Lopez said that Indonesia has become a potential trading partner for the Philippines.
Cooperation between the two countries in the digital economy must be boosted, especially in increasing the facilitation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), he added.
"Cooperation between the two countries, especially the digital economy, must be strengthened in post-pandemic economic recovery. So that it can create a better shared future for the people of both countries," Lopez said.
Meanwhile, head of IDN Manila, Lusie Susantono, said the pandemic has had a major impact on digital growth in all walks of life.
Nowadays, it is commonplace to shop online, transact digitally, or do activities virtually, she pointed out.
"This is reflected in the holding of this seminar, which is expected to provide benefits for preparation in dealing with the changes in digital trading activities," she remarked. (Antaranews)
July
Switzerland ships 600 oxygen concentrators to Jakarta
Written by Nur Yasmin
Switzerland has sent 600 oxygen concentrators to Indonesia on Saturday (24/7) in an effort to assist the country currently battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of growing threats of more contagious Delta variants.
In a statement received here on Sunday, the Swiss Embassy in Jakarta explained that the Swiss Humanitarian Aid decided to show its support for Indonesia's fight against the pandemic, considering the situation in the country with exponential increases in COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks.
A Swiss cargo plane, carrying medical supplies, departed from Zurich to Jakarta on Saturday, in the sixth shipment of oxygen concentrators sent out to other countries to help with COVID-19 responses.
Aside from the 600 oxygen concentrators, Switzerland also sent medical protective equipment, including 12,000 protective suits and over 45,000 masks. The shipment was received in Jakarta by local authorities to be then transported to various locations.
The Swiss Embassy in Jakarta stated that it maintains close contact with the authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid items can be distributed fairly based on need, in accordance with humanitarian principles.
The shipment to Indonesia is Switzerland's sixth international humanitarian shipment in recent weeks, the Swiss Embassy said.
The Swiss Embassy also said that its government keeps monitoring the global public health situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and stands ready to provide assistance as much as possible, should it be necessary. (Antaranews)
July
Indonesia receives 300 oxygen concentrators from India
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia has received 300 oxygen concentrators and 100 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen from India as the country is coping with the growing threats of more transmissible Delta variant that has triggered soaring COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks.
The aid, that arrived in the Tanjung Priok Port of North Jakarta, was symbolically handed over by the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Manoj Kumar Bharti to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, represented by the Head of the Ministry's Crisis Center, Eka Jusup Singka.
The Indonesian government expressed its appreciation and gratitude towards the Indian government for the aid that would help Indonesia's fight against COVID-19, according to a press statement that ANTARA received from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs here Sunday.
In his address, the Indian Ambassador expressed his government's commitment and hope to continue working with Indonesia in battling the pandemic, both in the short and long run.
The concentrators and medical oxygen units are directly distributed through the Ministry of Health to various parties in need. Indonesia had previously sent equipment as assistance to India when the country experienced an extraordinary spike in COVID-19 cases last May.
India is a strategic comprehensive partner country for Indonesia in the region, and the two countries continue to develop cooperation in various fields, both through bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums. (Antaranews)
July
President Jokowi extends level 4 restrictions with adjustments
Written by Nur Yasmin
President Joko Widodo on Sunday announced the second extension of level 4 public activity restrictions, made effective from July 26 to August 2, as Indonesia still copes with the COVID-19 surge.
"I have decided to extend the level 4 restrictions, but we are making some adjustments of rules related to public activities and mobility," he said in an official statement.
In the statement broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube channel on Sunday, President Widodo said cautious measures would be applied when implementing the adjustments.
The extension of the level 4 restrictions in the islands of Java and Bali has considered the aspects of health, economy, and social dynamics of communities, he said.
Due to the considerations, the government has made some adjustments to rules related to the operations of people-based business activities under a strict implementation of health protocols.
Those allowed to serve consumers include vendors at traditional markets selling basic necessities, laundry service providers, barbershops, street vendors, and traditional retailers.
Vendors at traditional markets selling non-staple foods are, for instance, allowed to run their business from morning to 03:00 p.m. local time by applying a maximum 50 percent capacity, he said.
Meanwhile, traditional retailers, laundry service providers, and those running barbershops, among others, could run their businesses from morning to 09:00 p.m. local time.
Those running small food stalls and street vendors could run their business from morning to 08:00 p.m. local time but they are obliged to comply with strict rules of health protocols.
Detailed regulatory and technical guidance for local businesses would be made by regional administrations, he said.
In reducing the burdens on communities and small businesses due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is committed to providing them with social assistance.
Indonesia has been struggling to deal with a drastic surge in COVID-19 cases in the midst of growing threats of a more contagious Delta variant of coronavirus.
In addressing this alarming situation, the government has been enforcing the emergency and level 4 restrictions in the islands of Java and Bali since July 3, 2021.
On Saturday, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto also held a virtual meeting with heads of regional governments to discuss the enforcement of the level 4 restrictions outside Java and Bali.
At the meeting, Hartarto disclosed the government's assessment that the level 4 public activity restrictions need to be enforced in 45 districts and cities in 21 provinces to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Antaranews)
July
Widodo congratulates lifter Aisah for winning Indonesia's first medal
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo. (ANTARA/BPMI Setpres/pri) -
President Joko Widodo has congratulated Indonesian weightlifter Windy Cantika Aisah for winning the first medal for the Red White team at the Tokyo Olympics.
“From homeland, I would like to congratulate (Windy Cantika Aisah),” Widodo posted on his Instagram handle @jokowi on Saturday.
Aisah, who competed in the 49-kg class, bagged the bronze medal after recording a total lift of 194 kg, with 84 kg in snatch and 110 kg in clean and jerk, according to the official Olympics record.
“Good news comes from Tokyo. Today, Indonesian women’s weightlifter, Windy Cantika Aisah, presented the first medal at Tokyo Olympics by grabbing bronze medal in 49 kg class,” Widodo wrote in his post.
Aisah was the first from the Red White team to win a medal while competing at the Tokyo International Forum.
Chinese lifter Hou Zhihui took the gold medal with a total lift of 210 kg (94 kg in snatch and 116 kg in clean and jerk ).
Meanwhile, Indian lifter Chanu Mirabai secured the silver medal after recording a total lift of 202 kg, with 87 kg in snatch and 115 kg in clean and jerk.
In her debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Aisah failed in her first attempt lifting 84 kg in snatch. She was able to lift 84 kg of barbel in her second attempt.
Unfortunately, she failed again when trying to add the lift to 87 kg in the third attempt. But, she managed to lift clean and jerk in three chances.
The 19-year-old athlete easily lifted 103 kg, 108 kg, and 110 kg to secure a bronze medal for Indonesia//ANT
July
Children should stay spirited despite homebound activities: President
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo during a teleconference with elementary school students on Friday (July 23, 2021). ANTARA/Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau -
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stressed that children in Indonesia should continue to be passionate about learning, enjoy themselves, and stay diligently devout despite homebound activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"All my children, the future of Indonesia, must continue to be enthusiastic about learning, keep having fun, be diligent in worshiping, and do not forget to pray to Allah SWT, God Almighty, to ask for protection for all of us, for the Indonesian nation," President Jokowi stated while greeting elementary school children during a video conference on the occasion of National Children's Day 2021 in Jakarta, Friday.
The head of state highlighted that the plan to start face-to-face schooling, originally scheduled to open in July 2021, was canceled whilst awaiting an improvement in the situation.
Jokowi urged the children to continue to study, always wear masks while leaving the house, wash hands regularly, and remind friends and neighbors to follow suit.
As many as 548 thousand children out of the targeted 11.9 million children in the age group of 12-17 years have received COVID-19 vaccine shots, the Ministry of Health had earlier announced.
"The vaccination drive for children in the age group of 12-17 years is focused on local health facilities or their respective schools," the Health Ministry's COVID-19 vaccinations spokesperson, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated during an online dialog hosted by the National COVID-19 Handling and Economic Recovery Committee (KPC-PEN) here on Thursday.
Vaccination drives at local healthcare facilities are focused on vaccinating teenagers in the age bracket of 12-17 years, who are not enrolled in any educational institutions, while teenagers enrolled in schools are being directed to get vaccinated at schools hosting vaccination drives, Tarmizi revealed.
Vaccines for teenagers have been distributed nationwide, with 50 percent of the vaccines allocated for the Java-Bali provinces while the rest proportionately to other provinces, she noted.
"We currently have a policy of distributing 50 percent of the vaccines to the Java-Bali provinces due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases there, while the rest of the vaccines will be distributed proportionally to other provinces. That portioning already includes vaccines for teenagers," she stated.
Vaccine stocks in Indonesia currently reach just 130 million doses, a mere 30 percent of the 426 million doses required to meet the national vaccination target, she pointed out.
The target of the vaccination program has also been increased to 208 million, from 181.5 million, Tarmizi remarked//ANT
July
AP II airports implement restrictions on entry of foreigners
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia's state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II said it has implemented the Legal and Human Rights Minister's Regulation Number 27 of 2021 on the Restrictions on Foreigners Entering Indonesia amid the Community Activities Restrictions (PPKM).
“International AP II airports, including Soekarno-Hatta Airport, have been aware of the regulation Number 27 of 2021 and coordinated with the stakeholders to implement it,” stated the PT AP II president director Muhammad Awaluddin in a written statement on Thursday.
The regulation restricts foreigners from entering or transiting through Indonesia, except diplomatic and service visa holders; diplomatic and service residence permit holders; limited and permanent residence permit holders; individuals arriving on medical and humanitarian purposes (at the recommendation of a ministry); as well as, transportation crews arriving with the said transports, he explained.
All international passengers arriving at AP II airports -- foreigners belonging to the five categories allowed entry and Indonesians -- have to comply with the health protocols, bring a RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) test result, as well as go through quarantine, according to the procedure, he said.
Foreigners excluded from the categories are prohibited from entering Indonesia and will be checked at the international arrival area by the immigration office, he informed.
Prior to the regulation's issuance, foreigners were allowed to enter the country if they were working on national strategic projects or for a family union. However, the Legal and Human Rights Minister has affirmed that travel to Indonesia for those reasons is no longer allowed, in accordance with the new rule.
“Almost all international flights amid this pandemic take place in Soekarno-Hatta Airport. AP II along with all stakeholders will work closely under the COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force to carry out the procedure for international passengers,” Awaluddin said.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Ministry Circular Letter Number 53 of 2021 has regulated domestic routes.
According to the letter, passengers traveling from or to Java or Bali airports have to bring vaccination cards (showing they have taken at least one vaccine dose) and RT-PCR test results taken maximum 2x24 hours before travel.
Meanwhile, passengers traveling from or to other airports will need to bring an RT-PCR test result taken maximum 2x24 hours before travel or an antigen rapid test taken maximum 1x24 hours before travel.
During the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha 1442 Hijri from July 19-25, 2021, an age limit of 18 years has been imposed, except for essential or critical sectors workers (identified by Employee Registration Certificate/STRP or other certificate from the authorized institutions); seriously ill patients; pregnant women, accompanied by one family member; women traveling for childbirth, accompanied by maximum two people; and, company for a non-COVID-19 dead body with maximum number of five people (identified by a hospital referral letter or other authorized letter). (Antaranews)
July
Kominfo to switch off analog television broadcasts from Aug 17
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) is preparing to start the first phase of the analog television broadcast switch-off from August 17, 2021.
“The government and stakeholders are preparing to ensure a smooth transition to digital broadcasts from August 17, 2021,” according to a press statement issued by the ministry here on Thursday.
The broadcasting areas that will be covered by the first phase of the analog switch-off (ASO) include Aceh 1 in Aceh Besar district and Banda Aceh city; Riau Islands 1 in Bintan district, Karimun district, Batam city, and Tanjung Pinang city; Banten 1 in Serang district, Cilegon city, and Serang city; Kalimantan 1 in Kutai Kartanegara district, Samarinda city, and Bontang city; North Kalimantan 1 in Bulungan city and Tarakan city; and, North Kalimantan in Nunukan district.
The government has asked residents living in the areas covered by the first phase of the ASO to switch to digital transmission, saying almost all analog broadcasts are now available in better-quality digital format.
Digital television broadcasts can be accessed through television sets equipped to receive such broadcasts, the ministry said. For television sets that do not support digital broadcasts, a set top box will need to be installed, it added.
The ministry said it is currently preparing to distribute set top boxes to low-income households. Set top boxes will be proportionally contributed by multiplexing operators and the government through the TVRI Public Broadcasting Institution, it added.
The set top box distribution under ASO’s first phase will be undertaken by private broadcasting institutions Surya Citra Media group, Media, and Rajawali, which have met the government's criteria for carrying out the task, the ministry said. The institutions will coordinate with regional administrations for distribution in regions included in ASO’s first phase, it added.
Since April 9, 2021, the ministry, through the evaluation team of terrestrial digital television broadcast multiplexing operators, has been conducting evaluations to qualify private broadcasting institutions as digital television broadcasting multiplexing operators in 12 provinces.
The evaluations are based on nine considerations -- national interest protection; information dissemination; equitable distribution of information; infrastructure readiness of broadcasting multiplexing operators; installation the multiplexing operators have earlier invested in; radio frequency spectrum utilization plan and/or radio frequency spectrum interference prevention; broadcasting ecosystem readiness; broadcasting industrial efficiency; investment protection; and/or analog switch off/ASO, the ministry informed.
Based on the evaluations, three private broadcasting institutions have met the criteria -- Surya Citra Media group comprising SCTV and Indosiar in 12 provinces; Media group: Metro TV in 11 provinces; and, Rajawali group or RTV in one province, it informed.
Four other groups— Trans Media, Media Nusantara Citra, Berita Satu, and Viva— are still being evaluated as of today, the ministry added. (Antaranews)
July
Telkom discusses satellite utilization with SpaceX
Written by Nur Yasmin
State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk said it has discussed collaboration on the utilization of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites with SpaceX to improve digital connectivity in Indonesia.
“Considering the geographical conditions of Indonesia, satellite technology has become crucial to stabilize digital connectivity all over the country,” Telkom vice president (VP), corporate communications, Pujo Pramono, said in Jakarta on Thursday.
In order to achieve the purpose, Telkom is ready to cooperate with any party that is proficient in developing satellite technology, he added.
“SpaceX’s strong competence and remarkable reputation in the development of satellite technology encouraged us (PT Telkom) to have this discussion," he informed.
He said he wished a partnership would provide a solution for accelerating connectivity in remote areas through affordable, excellent, and affordable satellite services.
Earlier, Indonesia had involved SpaceX in the development of the Satellite of Republic of Indonesia (Satria) that was planned to be launched in 2023. The American space company was entrusted with manufacturing the launch vehicle for Satria.
Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate has affirmed that the launch of the satellite would improve the development of infrastructure in the middle mile. (Antaranews)