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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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June
MPR backs uses of 27 hajj dormitories for treating COVID-19 patients
Written by Nur Yasmin
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid has expressed support for the government's decision to use 27 hajj dormitories across Indonesia as self-isolation centers for COVID-19 patients.
To this end, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is suggested to coordinate with related ministries and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), he said in a statement that ANTARA quoted here Sunday.
"May the preparation for necessary health facilities at the hajj dormitories be completed soon as several hospitals are being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients," Wahid said.
Over the past few weeks, Jakarta and several other provinces across Indonesia have witnessed a significant increase in new COVID-19 cases in the midst of ongoing vaccination drives.
As a result, according to the government's COVID-19 Task Force, as of June 23, 2021, the bed occupancy rates at many referral hospitals in six provinces had exceeded 80 percent.
To prevent the country's hospitals from getting overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, the Ministry of Religious Affairs' decision to use hajj dormitories as self-isolation centers is appreciated, he said.
Indonesia's daily coronavirus cases climbed by 21,095 on Saturday, taking the total number of cases recorded since the start of the pandemic in March, 2020 to 2,093,962.
Jakarta added the highest number of daily cases at 9,271, followed by West Java (3,787), Central Java (2,305), East Java (989), and Yogyakarta (782).
Only North Kalimantan reported no new cases, according to the government's COVID-19 Task Force.
In response to the alarming resurgence of cases, President Joko Widodo has highlighted the necessity for state institutions and all levels of government to be on the same wavelength.
The current situation that Indonesia is facing is still an extraordinary one and must be responded to with fast and appropriate policies, the President added.
Such a fast and appropriate response requires state institutions, the central government, and regional governments to be on the same frequency, he said on Friday.
The COVID-19 pandemic initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019 and thereafter spread across the world, including to nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Indonesian government announced the nation's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.
Since then, the central and regional governments have striven incessantly to flatten the nation's coronavirus curve by applying healthcare protocols and social restrictions.
As part of efforts to win the fight against COVID-19, the Indonesian government has also been conducting a nationwide vaccination program to contain infections since January 13, 2021.
Indonesia recently received 10 million doses of bulk vaccines from China's Sinovac.
As of June 20, 2021, the nation has received 104,728,400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, comprising 94.5 million Sinovac vaccines, 8.228 million AstraZeneca vaccines, and 2 million Sinopharm vaccines.
The Indonesian Health Ministry has estimated that vaccinating the 181.5 million recipients targeted by the nationwide immunization program would take around 15 months. (Antaranews)
June
Indonesia's daily vaccination rate has surpassed one million doses
Written by Nur Yasmin
The government has reached the target of one million COVID-19 vaccine jabs per day faster than its target on July, as on Saturday (June 26) alone it had administered 1.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
"It's a good news. Yesterday, Indonesia had administered 1.3 million (COVID-19) vaccines in a day. Thanks to the Indonesian Military/Police, local governments, and state and private enterprises, for their help," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said in a statement here on Sunday.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has set a target of conducting a daily vaccination rate to one million doses starting in early July.
Sadikin said the target could be reached with the support and help of various parties, including the military and police that held simultaneous vaccination drives by providing one million doses across the country.
"Vaccination is a key to curb the virus transmission hence it would lower the spike in COVID-19 cases, and help us survive the pandemic. One of the government's strategies is seeking efforts to secure vaccine supplies, and speed up vaccination program to protect people," he said.
As of June 26, he said, more than 27 million people had received their first shots while at least 13 million people had got their second doses of vaccines.
The Health Ministry has continued to increase the pace of vaccination in cooperation with all elements in the society at large.
The ministry has issued a circular that instructed all heath facilities across the country to give the vaccine jabs to all people regardless of their domicile as stipulated in their ID cards.
The government, he said, would secure the availability of vaccine stocks through multilateral as well as bilateral schemes to maintain the high pace of vaccination at one million doses per day.
"I call on all Indonesian people to take this opportunity because only with vaccination and strict implementation of health protocols, we can survive the pandemic," Sadikin said. (Antaranews)
June
Over 13 million Indonesians fully get vaccinated: COVID-19 task force
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia's COVID-19 Task Force announced that as of Sunday at 12 noon, the country has got 13,109,031 fully-vaccinated citizens.
The total number of fully-vaccinated citizens was reached after 90,507 more Indonesians got their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines in the past 24 hours, the task force noted.
The single-day increase of second-dose recipients, however, was much lower that of the first-dose ones that was recorded at 1,083,632, according to the task force.
The single-day increase has brought Indonesia's first-dose recipients to 27,115,763 as of Sunday at 12 noon, the task force said.
Over the past few weeks, Jakarta and several other provinces across Indonesia have witnessed an alarming resurgence of COVID-19 cases amid the government's ongoing vaccination drives.
Indonesia's daily coronavirus cases climbed by 21,095 on Saturday, taking the total number of cases recorded since the start of the pandemic in March, 2020 to 2,093,962.
Jakarta added the highest number of daily cases at 9,271, followed by West Java (3,787), Central Java (2,305), East Java (989), and Yogyakarta (782).
Only North Kalimantan reported no new cases, according to the government's COVID-19 Task Force.
In response to the alarming resurgence of cases, President Joko Widodo has highlighted the necessity for state institutions and all levels of government to be on the same wavelength.
The current situation that Indonesia is facing is still an extraordinary one and must be responded to with fast and appropriate policies, the President added.
Such a fast and appropriate response requires state institutions, the central government, and regional governments to be on the same frequency, he said on Friday.
The COVID-19 pandemic initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019 and thereafter spread across the world, including to nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Indonesian government announced the nation's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.
Since then, the central and regional governments have striven incessantly to flatten the nation's coronavirus curve by applying healthcare protocols and social restrictions.
As part of efforts to win the fight against COVID-19, the Indonesian government has also been conducting a nationwide vaccination program to contain infections since January 13, 2021.
Indonesia recently received 10 million doses of bulk vaccines from China's Sinovac.
As of June 20, 2021, the nation has received 104,728,400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, comprising 94.5 million Sinovac vaccines, 8.228 million AstraZeneca vaccines, and 2 million Sinopharm vaccines. (Antaranews)
June
President urges local governments to double vaccination target
Written by nuke
President Jokowi during a dialog with the Regional Police Chief and regional leaders via video teleconference while observing the COVID-19 mass vaccination at Bhayangkara Square, Jakarta, Saturday (6/26/2021). (ANTARA/Indra Arief) -
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called upon local governments to double the COVID-19 vaccination target to expedite the realization of herd immunity.
Jokowi made the statement during a dialog with regional police chiefs and regional leaders via video teleconference while observing vaccinations at the Bhayangkara Square here on Saturday.
The president sought information regarding the vaccination in Central Java from the province’s Regional Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi. The inspector general explained that the COVID-19 vaccination target within the Central Java Regional Police on Saturday had reached 141 thousand vaccine recipients.
"Are you ready to double the vaccination target?" the president asked to which Luthfi agreed.
The president will thereafter instruct Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin to boost supply of the COVID-19 vaccine to Central Java.
"Good, the health minister will prepare the vaccine," the president remarked.
The president then posed the same question to Head of the North Sumatra Regional Police, Inspector General of Police Panca Putra.
Inspector General Putra revealed that vaccination was conducted on Saturday by the police in collaboration with the North Sumatra regional government, targeting 66,790 registered recipients. Some 121 thousand vaccine doses were received for inoculation until June 30, 2021. Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be conducted in North Sumatra.
"Are you ready to double the vaccination target?" the president asked.
"We are ready, president," the police replied.
The president then threw the same question at the East Kalimantan Regional Police Chief Inspector General of Police Herry Rudolf Nahak.
"Are you ready to double the vaccination target?" the president asked.
"I am ready, president. As the people are also waiting for the vaccination," the East Kalimantan police chief replied.
The head of state lauded the mass COVID-19 vaccination conducted at various Regional Police Headquarters and Regional Military Command (Kodam) in several regions this Saturday.
"I would like to thank you for the mass vaccination agenda that was held simultaneously this morning at all Regional Police, Kodam, in collaboration with the local governments. I hope that starting today, the target of one million vaccines for all of Indonesia can be continued until July and August. We will increase the target to double the current target," the president emphasized//ANT
June
Ministry urges vaccination organizers to protect personal data
Written by nuke
Minister of Communication and Information (Kominfo) Johnny G. Plate. (ANTARA/Screenshot of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology TV) -
Minister of Communication and Information (Kominfo) Johnny G. Plate urged the public and vaccination organizers to protect personal data.
"As it involves personal data, I expected the vaccination program to protect the personal data of participants well. We have prepared legal protection by issuing a Decree of the Minister of Communication and Informatics," Plate remarked after observing vaccinations for media workers here on Friday.
Vaccination organizers are necessitated to maintain and ensure the protection of people's personal data properly.
After being vaccinated, the public will receive a digital certificate as proof of having participated in the COVID-19 vaccination program.
The digital certificate of COVID-19 vaccination can be downloaded on the PeduliLindungi application after registering the Indonesian resident identity card or NIK number.
The certificate contains personal data, such as full name, date of birth, and NIK number. The certificate also carries a QR code that contains personal data when scanned.
Plate urged the public to not share the QR code after undergoing vaccination, so that their personal data is not misused.
"Do not upload the certificate on social media, as it has a QR code. In the QR code, there is personal data. When we get the digital certificate, we need to protect it by not sharing it for improper purposes," Plate cautioned.
The minister explained that the COVID-19 vaccination certificate can only be given for special purposes, for instance, when the document is requested during a business trip or other urgent activities.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has been quite high in recent times. Hence, Plate has called on the public to not panic, fear, or become pessimistic but to be consistent in applying health protocols in an orderly and disciplined manner.
"This is since it is a very effective way to prevent transmission. The health protocol is very important to be implemented in the midst of a fairly high transmission rate. However, this rate should not make us fearful and pessimistic," the minister emphasized//ANT
June
Indonesia, US to build multimillion dollar maritime training center
Written by nuke
Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the maritime training center at the Batam Navy Base on Friday. (ANTARA/HO-Kedubes AS di Jakarta) -
Indonesia and the United States have commenced work on building a maritime training center that will cost millions of dollars.
Indonesian Maritime Security Board (Bakamla RI) Deputy for Policy and Strategy Rear Admiral Tatit E. Witjaksono and US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Y. Kim led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the maritime training center at the Batam Navy Base on Friday.
Witjaksono noted that Bakamla RI will own and operate the training center.
"This training center will serve as an important facility for Bakamla to improve the competence of its personnel in answering the challenges to its tasks to ensure security and safety at sea,” he affirmed.
The maritime training center, to be constructed at a cost of US$3.5 million (nearly Rp50.55 billion), is the result of collaboration between Bakamla RI, the US Coast Guard, the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section (INL) of the US Embassy, Joint Interagency Task Force West, US Indo-Pacific Command, and US Navy Technical Facility Command.
"The training center will comprise class rooms, office rooms, barrack, kitchen, and ship launch pad. This place can accommodate 50 students and 12 instructors," he revealed.
Ambassador Kim affirmed that the initiative was part of the US’ continued efforts to collaborate with Indonesia in fighting international crimes by offering equipment, support, training, and technical assistance to BakamlaRI since its inauguration in 2014.
“As a friendly country and partner of Indonesia, the United States remains committed to supporting the main role of Indonesia in promoting regional peace and security by fighting domestic and international crimes,” Kim noted in a statement issued by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Friday//ANT
June
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (right) delivered a joint press statement with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong (left) after a bilateral meeting at Pancasila Building, Jakarta, Friday (25/6/2021). (ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) -
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her South Korean counterpart, Chung Eui-yong, accentuated the significance of bolstering bilateral cooperation in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In difficult times arising during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea is one of the countries with which Indonesia has established health cooperation," Foreign Minister Marsudi noted during a virtual media statement on Friday after a bilateral meeting with the South Korean foreign minister.
Both nations have forged collaborations in areas encompassing the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic equipment, and medicines.
In addition, the Indonesian foreign minister welcomed several ongoing collaborations, specifically the development of a vaccine between PT Kalbe Farma and Genexine that is scheduled to conduct phase 2 and 3 of the clinical trials in Jakarta and Central Java in July 2021.
"If all stages run properly, the vaccine is expected to be available at the end of 2021," Marsudi noted.
Both nations are also building therapeutic alliances through a collaboration between the National Institute of Health Research and Development and Daewoong Infion and PT Kalbe Farma and Genexine (GX-17) for the production of COVID-19 drugs that are currently in the testing phase.
Cooperation in diagnostic tools is also being initiated with investment plans for Korean diagnostic companies SD Biosensor and Sugentech to open a factory in Indonesia.
In the context of health cooperation, the Indonesian National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have inked the Minutes of Understanding on the Inclusive Program for COVID-19 Response, worth US$4 million (approximately Rp57.7 billion), to support various pandemic prevention programs and their socio-economic impacts in Indonesia.
"These various collaborations are certainly expected to strengthen the national health industry and increase our preparedness to face the threat of pandemics in the future," Foreign Minister Marsudi remarked.
Not only bilateral cooperation but Indonesia and South Korea have also agreed to actively cooperate internationally to promote equal access to COVID-19 vaccines.
"We also agreed to expand cooperation for the development and availability of vaccines," Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong stated.
In his presentation, Foreign Minister Chung highlighted that President Moon Jae-in had delivered a commitment worth US$200 million (approximately Rp2.9 trillion) to the vaccine-sharing facility for low- and middle-income countries (COVAX AMC), in which Indonesia is one of the co-chairs.
Through this donation, the South Korean government expects to support Indonesia and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in procuring and distributing vaccines.
“We highly laud Indonesia, which has played a major role as the co-chair of COVAX AMC. We believe that Indonesia, as the host of the G20 Summit next year, will also make a major contribution in overcoming COVID and bringing about economic recovery," Foreign Minister Chung affirmed.
On the sidelines of his visit to Jakarta, Chung also sought special attention for South Korean citizens in Indonesia, so that they can participate in the COVID-19 vaccination//ANT
June
Indonesia to become world's leading battery producer: Lahadalia
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia should become the world's largest battery producer, with the government's plan to develop an electric vehicle environment in the country, Investment Minister, concurrently Coordinating Board of Investment (BKPM) Head Bahlil Lahadalia stated.
"I think it is time for Indonesia to become the world's largest player. It should not only be known for its Bali but also as an industrialized country that produces battery for electric vehicles," Lahadalia noted during a webinar on the prospects of the national battery industry here on Thursday.
The BKPM head noted that Indonesia was known for its natural resource wealth, including wood, gold, fish, and coal, but it did not offer added value to the country, as several of them are exported in raw material form.
Lahadalia pointed out that 25 percent of the world's nickel reserves were found in Indonesia, and it should be used for the development of batteries, the main component of electric vehicles.
The raw materials to produce battery for electric vehicles are nickel, manganese, and cobalt that are available in Indonesia.
"In Europe, by 2030, 70 percent of the vehicles in the region will have switched from fossil fuel to renewable energy. It will also be the case in some Asian and Latin America nations, including Indonesia," he stated.
The government has outlined some comprehensive measures to encourage investors to invest in Indonesia, he noted.
In its first move, the government has banned the exports of nickel ore since the end of October 2019.
The government has also offered various incentives, comprising tax holiday and the simplification of machinery import license to attract investors. (Antaranews)
June
Investment Ministry boosts upstream oil and gas investment partnership
Written by Nur Yasmin
Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has fostered partnership with local and regional entrepreneurs in the upstream oil and gas sector in the midst of sluggish growth in global investment.
Under these endeavors, the BKPM has worked with the Upstream Oil and Gas Special Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas) to conduct a workshop to help increase investment realization in the upstream oil and gas sector.
“The Ministry of Investment and SKK Migas expect this workshop to help increase investment in Indonesia in the near future. We boost partnership in the upstream oil and gas sector by involving local and regional entrepreneurs,” Investment Ministry’s expert staff on investment competitiveness, Heldy Satrya Putera, noted in a press statement here on Thursday.
Central Management Board (BPP) of Energy Task Force, Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIMPI), East Java Regional Management Board (BPD) of HIPMI, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of East Java, and all related business associations attended the 2021 Increasing National Business Competitiveness workshop held in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday (June 23).
“We see that SKK Migas is striving to boost its productivity to one million barrels per day. Meeting the target is no easy task. Hence, the ministry has closely scrutinized all potentials in Indonesia that should be involved, especially the regional entrepreneurs. HIPMI, Kadin, and other business associations in East Java are here to build synergy and participate in the upstream oil and gas sector,” Putera expounded.
Putera is sanguine that the involvement of various stakeholders, either from governmental side to regional entrepreneurs, would usher in economic equality, not only from the oil and gas sector but also from the abundant potentials in Indonesia in order to boost investments to drive the nation’s economic growth.
“In this workshop, we will see business opportunities offered in the upstream oil and gas sector, and through this workshop, we will understand the procedures of goods and service procurement along with the tender process in SKK Migas and also the bank’s support for such activities in this sector,” he emphasized.
The Investment Ministry/BKPM has also worked with the Indonesian National Bank (BNI) as the bank’s support for local entrepreneurs. (Antaranews)
June
Govt working with Twitter to increase social media literacy
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology is working with Twitter to increase social media literacy among students, teachers, and educational workers at the junior high school (SMP) level. “Social media, of course, was initially designed for good things and has many benefits if used wisely and in accordance with needs. Unfortunately, a large number of users in Indonesia are yet to be balanced with the level of good technology literacy and social media literacy. Currently, the digital literacy index in Indonesia has only achieved medium level,” Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, said here on Thursday.
He added that negative behaviors, such as spreading of hoaxes, bullying, and gender-based harassment, are emerging on social media.
“And what makes me concerned is many negative behaviors on social media involving students, either as actors or victims,” Makarim stated.
Hence, the minister said he has decided to work with Twitter to help improve digital literacy among the younger generation. To this end, an agreement was signed by the ministry’s acting secretary general, Ainun Na’im, and Twitter's chief representative for Asia Pacific, Jakarta office, Agung Yudhawiranata.
“I hope that the education on social media literacy for young generations would help strengthen the character and form the Pancasila-profile students,” said Na’im after signing the cooperation agreement.
Educating students at junior high school level on social media use is a good move and is in line with the character-building of Pancasila students, he noted.
“Being wise in using social media at early ages will shape good character, especially in developing critical thinking, creativity, the ability to work together, (building) self-esteem, and (inculcating) respect for others, and empathy,” he highlighted.
Through the collaboration with Twitter, a syllabus and learning module on social media literacy will be developed for students, teachers, and educational workers at SMP level. Also, education support on social media literacy will be provided to SMP students who represent the average age of novice social media users, he added.
Kemendikbudristek has lauded the private sector for providing support and cooperation for advancing national education.
“We welcome this collaboration. Hopefully, this will give positive impacts for all citizens of education,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Yudhawiranata acknowledged that social media literacy has emerged as a problem in Indonesia. The age limit for users of Twitter and other social media platforms is 13 years, he noted.
“The main objective of Twitter is to facilitate public conversation. We are present to create a safe space in order that people can search for information, find various perspectives, and brainstorm with anyone else from all over the world,” he said.
With the increasing gap in social media literacy, which has become a challenge in Indonesia, as well as digital literacy, which is yet to become a part of the formal curriculum, he expressed the hope that the cooperation between the ministry and Twitter would help Indonesian youths to easily navigate digital platforms. (antaranews)