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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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May
Environment Ministry highlights need for better waste management strategies
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has stressed on the need for changing public behavior and implementing better strategies to manage Indonesia’s waste problem.
“(Our) Waste problem is indeed extraordinary (complicated). Every day we produce waste. In one day, the assumed waste production in big cities is 0.7 kg per person. Meanwhile, the assumed waste production in small cities is usually 0.5 kg per person," director general of waste and B3 (hazardous and toxic materials) management at the ministry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, told the press at the opening of the 2021 National Waste Care Virtual Festival here on Monday.
Waste production by the community involves throwing away leftovers and single-use plastic bags, which, in turn, contribute to the growing pile of waste, she observed.
That fact further emphasizes the importance of better waste management, because most of the landfills in Indonesia still use an open dumping system without any treatment at all, she said.
“Others (trash) are dumped into the neighborhood illegally," she added.
The director general then emphasized the need for educating and raising awareness among the people so that they can change such habits.
During the event, the ministry's waste management director, Novrizal Tahar, said the 2021 National Garbage Care Festival is being held virtually to showcase the various achievements made in waste management in Indonesia.
The achievements include the formation of waste banks by communities, and waste reduction carried out by producers and various other parties, which are expected to serve as examples in increasing waste management capacity, he informed.
The government is targeting to achieve a waste management capacity of up to 100 percent by 2025, 30 percent in waste reduction and 70 percent in handling, Tahar said.
“This (virtual event) is also an effort to share knowledge, so that success stories in other places can be transmitted quickly to other areas," he added. (Antaranews)
May
Escalating COVID-19 cases cast pall over global economic recovery
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mounting COVID-19 cases have dashed the prospects of global economic recovery in several nations, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, concurrently the Financial System Stability Committee chairperson.
"Concerns ride high about global economic recovery continuing to be shadowed by the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases on the global scale as well, especially in several countries covered by the press," Indrawati stated during the Committee's press conference, here on Monday.
The minister expounded that the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in scores of countries will cast a shadow and pose downside risks to the global economic growth that had actually seen a positive increase.
Indrawati believed that the global economic trend had continued to strengthen since the start of 2021, mirrored by an increase in the global trade volume and commodity prices, among other factors.
Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised the projection of global economic growth, from 5.5 percent to six percent.
On the other hand, the minister believes that the progress in global vaccination in several developed countries will drive optimism over economic recovery.
"The progress of global vaccination campaigns in several countries speeds up optimism about recovery," she stated. (Antaranews)
May
Health minister confirms three coronavirus strains in Indonesia
Written by Nur Yasmin
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed the entry of three new coronavirus variants into Indonesia, including those originating from India, South Africa, and Great Britain.
"It has been reported to the president that new mutations (of the coronavirus) have entered (Indonesia), including the mutation from India for which we have seen two incidents and both were in Jakarta, and one incident involving the South African variant found in Bali," Sadikin noted at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
"Apart from the Britain variant, for which we have found 13 cases, two cases involving the Indian strain and one case involving the strain from South Africa were also detected," he revealed.
The mutated coronavirus strain first found in Britain was named B117, while the variant initially found in India was identified as B1617, and the mutated strain from South Africa was named B1351.
The minister remarked that the new coronavirus mutants are listed under the "variant of concern" category, highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
"We need to manage this on account of the fact that the number is still small, as they can spread rapidly due to their higher infection rate as compared to other variants," he stated.
Isolation measures should soon be applied by those having contracted the new coronavirus strains, and those who came in contact with them should be traced and examined at the earliest, he stated.
The minister also recapped the criticality of applying health protocols to contain the transmission of COVID-19.
"It is of utmost importance to wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain distance. Whatever the virus or the strain is, if we are disciplined in implementing health protocols, infections should be averted," he stated.
"To this end, I will continue to reiterate that health protocols should be followed by all of us, everywhere we are," the minister emphasized. (Antaranews)
May
Govt determined to realize structural reforms in educational sector
Written by Nur Yasmin
The government is determined to realize structural reforms in the educational sector to face a major change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.
"The government is determined to realize structural reforms in the educational sector," she said in her personal instagram account @smindrawati in Jakarta on Sunday.
The minister's statement came as the nation commemorated the National Education Day on Sunday (May 2) in remembrance of Ki Hajar Dewantara, Indonesia's first education and national hero.
Sri Mulyani said the extraordinary change in the educational sector is because the COVID-19 pandemic has changed all aspects of education, leading to online/virtual learning.
"The change due to the COVID-19 pandemic is not easy for everyone. Children, teachers and parents are all facing the challenge," she said.
However, the extraordinary change has made the public aware that education plays a crucial role in bringing about progress and civilization.
To that end, she appealed to teachers and parents to take prompt action to create freedom of learning.
She also asked all Indonesian students to rekindle the spirit of study. to get their ideals realized and play a role for the sake oif the nation's progress.
"Remain disciplined to follow health protocols in all learning and teaching activities," she said. (Antaranews)
May
Education Day offers momentum to find solution to school dropouts
Written by Nur Yasmin
House Speaker Puan Maharani said the commemoration of National Education Day which falls on May 2 offers a momentum to map school dropouts during the COVID-19 pandemic and find solution to the issue.
"The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology must find the cause of school dropouts during the pandemic. The commemoration of the National Education Day 2021 themed "Move Simultaneously, Create Freedom of Study" offers a right momentum to map problems and find solutions to the problems." she said in a statement released here on Sunday.
She asked whether the school dropouts resulted from long distance learning or economic difficulties faced by families due to the pandemic.
Since the pandemic is still not over, schools may apply long distance leaning, she said.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology needs to improve learning infrastructures, she said adding equitable distribution of infrastructures for long distance learning must absolutely be met by the government.
To make preparations for long distance learning and ensure equitable distribution of long-distance learning facilities, the ministry needs to test the effectiveness and quality of teachers, students and learning materials.
The step must be taken to prevent educational disparities from widening, particularly during long distance learning that need digital infrastructures, internet access and other supporting facilities.
"It is necessary to assess the effectiveness of online learning. Unless step is taken, education disparities will be widen," she said. (Antaranews)
May
National Education Day, momentum to revive Ki Hajar Dewantara's idea
Written by Nur Yasmin
Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim stated that the National Education Day is a momentum to revive the ideas of Ki Hajar Dewantara, Indonesia’s father of education.
“Starting today, the ideas of Indonesia’s father of education must be ingrained and revived in order to create a qualified education for all Indonesians and bring about a genuine independence of learning,” Makarim noted in his speech to the National Education Day here on Sunday.
Clad in traditional attire from Rote in East Nusa Tenggara to mark the 2021 National Education Day, Makarim added that the ideas of Ki Hajar Dewantara has not been well-implemented for so long.
Education in Indonesia must lead to the revelation of mental happiness and life safety. The basic essence of education is to liberate human’s life, he emphasized.
“This is the right momentum for us to reflect what has been done optimally and what needs to be improved. A new chapter of Indonesia’s education means transformation, one that still refers to people's history and also a bravery to create a new and bright history,” he highlighted.
Makarim expressed aspiration that Indonesian children can be the learners who hold tightly on Pancasila’s philosophy, the learners who are free throughout their lives, and the learners who are able to face the future confidently.
Hence, the ministry strives to transform the education with a breakthrough namely “Merdeka Belajar” (free to learn). Four steps to mirror the efforts of improvement are continually implemented by involving all elements of society.
The efforts of improvement encompasses infrastructure and technology, policy, procedure, funding, and autonomy grant for educational units.
“Since the beginning I served (as a minister) , including during the pandemic, ten episodes of Merdeka Belajar have been launched and more breakthroughs of it that we will continue to do,” he pointed out.
Such meaningful transformation has to be done to change from what makes this nation go nowhere to some leaps of advancement.
“From the bottom of my heart, the extended family of the ministry and I would like to thank you profusely,” he said.
The breakthroughs of Merdeka Belajar must entirely cover the public, starting from the educators and students from early childhood education to higher education. parents, people’s representatives, regional administrations, community organizations, business and industrial sectors, from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote Island,he pointed out.
“The pandemic crisis is a field of optimism waiting for being harvested. Crisis is a chance to reap the progress,”he noted.
Recently, some schools have resumed a restricted face-to-face learning, while others are still preparing for it.
He expressed spirit in seeing the public that are aware to move forward and do some leaps in pursuit of advancement without doubts, by surely paying attention to the safety and security.
“We need to understand that the pandemic is not the only challenge we are facing. In the near future, there must be abundant of challenges we need to meet together. Let us meet the challenges with innovations and solutions,” he remarked.
“Let us make a bright history that the world cannot deny. Merdeka Belajar can be quickly realized if we educate, take care, and love each other for one goal— the top-notch human resources, Onward Indonesia,” he added.
The 2021 national education day commemoration is organized on topic “Moving Together, Realizing Merdeka Belajar”. (Antaranews)
May
Labor Ministry extends assistance on International Labor Day 2021
Written by nuke
Indonesian Labor Minister Ida Fauziyah during a group photo after handing over assistance to workers' representatives while celebrating May Day 2021 at the Center for Job Training Development of the Ministry in Bekasi City of West Java Province, on Saturday. (ANTARA/ Pradita Kurniawan Syah) -
The Indonesian Labor Ministry extended assistance of varying forms at the commemoration of International Labor Day 2021 at the Center for Job Training Development of the ministry in Bekasi City, West Java Province.
"Happy Labor Day. I hope our workers would become more productive, competitive, and prosperous," Labor Minister Ida Fauziyah stated after handing over assistance to workers here on Saturday.
The aid comprised 18 thousand packages of basic food for workers and 85 packages of assistance for business facilities in the independent labor programs for laid-off workers, and provision of the COVID-19 vaccine to 800 workers.
"We also laud companies that have persisted and are able to make various adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic," the minister remarked.
Furthermore, the ministry has offered Eid packages to health workers and non-medical supporters working at the Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta, as a form of the government’s concern for the fighters involved in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Fauziyah affirmed that the assistance was extended as a morale-boosting step for health workers to stay enthusiastic and continue to extend help and care for people infected with COVID-19.
"Keep up the spirit and continue to work hard in order to realize all achievements to build Indonesia. Long live all workers in Indonesia and around the world," she remarked.
Meanwhile, President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSBSI), Eli Rosita Silaban, lauded and encouraged all trade unions and laborers across Indonesia to continue to harbor a fighting spirit amid the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Happy International Labor Day. I hope we are always healthy. We do not celebrate it in a big way, but still solemnly. We will continue to assist the government in its efforts to eliminate the spread of COVID-19," she stressed.
Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani emphasized that the commemoration of May Day 2021 offers the necessary momentum for economic recovery through collaboration with all parties, so that the COVID-19 pandemic can be tackled at the earliest.
"It is time to strengthen synergy between the government, employers, and workers. Currently, the employment of labor has also begun to show an increasing trend. It is expected to continue to increase and compensate for the decline that occurred at the start of the pandemic in order to prepare for further investment," she stated//ANT
May
Parliament adopts consistent stance in upholding labor interests: Puan
Written by nuke
Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani. ANTARA/HO-Indonesian House of Representatives/aa -
House of Representatives speaker Puan Maharani ensured that the parliament had consistently fought for labor interests by pushing the government to involve labor groups in discussing regulations derived from the Job Creation Law.
These regulations include those regarding wage, work relations, and job loss insurance, as well as foreign manpower.
"It is the House's commitment to consistently fight for labor interests. We are keen to see the Indonesian economy recover and the welfare for the Indonesian labor improve," according to a press statement made by Maharani at the commemoration of International Labor Day received here, Saturday.
The politician urged employers to fulfil the rights of their employees, particularly in connection with the holiday employee benefits, popularly called THR, in line with the implemented government regulation that this year's benefit around the Eid Al-Fitr holiday be paid in full and on time.
The policy on the benefit this year is slightly different from that of last year when leeways were granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The government should conduct active surveillance to ensure that companies are paying holiday benefits to their employees," she affirmed.
Maharani is also optimistic of the economy bouncing back and of job vacancies opening up wider and for higher absorption of manpower.
The speaker admitted to being concerned after finding out that the wages and workload of several workers were reduced, and some were also dismissed and their work contract terminated owing to the difficult times faced by companies reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Happy Labor Day. I hope this year would be the year of our awakening towards a more prosperous and advanced Indonesia," she remarked//ANT
May
CPO exports fetch US$3.74 billion in March -
Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) exports in March this year reached US$3.74 billion, an increase of 80 percent from US$2.08 billion recorded in the previous month.
The foreign exchange earnings were obtained from the export of 3,244 tons of CPO, an increase of 62.7 percent from 1,994 tons in February, 2021, chief of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki), Joko Supriyono, disclosed in Jakarta on Friday.
“An increase in price and volume is believed to have led to palm oil exports soaring to around US$3.74 billion," he said.
According to Supriyono, national palm oil production in March this year rose by more than 20 percent to 3,712 thousand tons from 3,079 thousand tons the previous month. Compared to January, 2021, production was 10 percent lower in March.
“But, yoy (year-on-year), CPO production in the year ending March, 2021 was 1.6 percent higher,” he informed.
He said domestic palm oil consumption stood at 1,599 thousand tons in March, or lower than 1,604 thousand tons recorded in February, 2021.
Meanwhile, palm oil consumption for biodiesel production fell 0.5 percent to 625 thousand tons from 635 thousand tons in February.
However, domestic consumption in the first three months of 2021 was 3.8 percent higher than in the same period last year, Supriyono said//ANT
May
Indonesia incorporates Islamic values in economic recovery policies
Written by nuke
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin delivered his keynote address to an online discussion on Sharia Business and Academic Synergy (SBAS), on December 9, 2020. (Asdep KIP Setwapres) -
The sharia economy is believed to enable the nation implement the recovery of its economy battered by the COVID-pademic, toward a just, sustainable, and green economy.
To develop the sharia economy at its full potential, the government in 2020, issued a presidential decree on the National Committee for Sharia Economy and Finance (KNEKS).
The Indonesian government, in fact, has mobilized innovative financing instruments, such as the issuance of Green Sukuk since 2018 to fund climate change action and support targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The government has also set up the Environmental Fund Public Service Agency (BPDLH) to manage environmental financial resources and facilitate the development of trade and carbon pricing, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
Indonesia is currently preparing a regulation on carbon pricing to serve as a guideline in formulating domestic policies and an institutional framework for setting carbon prices.
Meanwhile, according to Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Indonesia needs to apply aggressive strategies to drive Islamic-based economic and financial development, as the nation is eyeing to be the world's biggest producer of halal products by 2024.
The government is strongly committed to developing sharia economy, focusing on developing halal industry, sharia financial industry, sharia social fund, and developing and expanding sharia business, he reiterated, while speaking during a meeting with the Sharia Economy and Finance National Committee (KNEKS) on April 26, 2021.
Amin quoted the State of Global Islamic Economy Report 2019-2020 that highlighted an improvement in Indonesia's ranking as the world's producer of halal products, from 10th and rising up to fifth-largest scoring 49, after Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
The newly-formed PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk (BSI) is expected to rank among the world's top 10 Islamic banks, as its assets surpassed Rp240 trillion. Islamic banking assets in 2020 grew by 10.9 percent, while conventional ones only clocked a 7.7-percent growth.
The government is upbeat hat the Islamic-based economy would improve and boost the nations economic growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic//ANT