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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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April
BNPB records 1,118 natural disasters until April 14
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. A total of 1,118 natural disasters struck various parts of Indonesia in the year ending April 14, 2021, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported.
The natural disasters comprised 473 floods, 305 whirlwinds, 217 landslides, 17 earthquakes, 90 forest and land fires, one drought, and 15 high tides and abrasions, the agency said in a statement released in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The natural disasters forced 4,901,400 people to flee their homes.
According to the agency, 472 people lost their lives, 60 people went missing, and 12,872 others sustained injuries in the disasters.
The disasters damaged 137,719 homes, with 24,987 houses sustaining severe damage, 25,926 houses moderate damage, and 86,806 houses suffering light damage.
Meanwhile, 2,547 public facilities were damaged, comprising 1,316 educational facilities, 926 places of worship, 305 health facilities, 402 offices, and 297 bridges, BNPB reported.
On April 13, 2021, the government declared the spread of COVID-19 as a non-natural national disaster.
Most of the natural disasters were reported in West Java (284), followed by East Java (157), Central Java (156), and Aceh (76). (Antaranews)
April
Indonesia ranked ninth among nations for COVID-19 vaccination
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Indonesia is ranked ninth among countries that have vaccinated their citizens against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated.
Indonesia is also ranked fourth in terms of inoculation conducted by the state rather than the vaccine producers, the minister noted in a written statement released on Wednesday.
Hartarto remarked that 15.6 million doses of the vaccine were administered to the public as of April 13, 2021.
Moreover, the minister pointed out that the country's COVID-19 caseload was relatively lower than the global average owing to the implementation of the micro-scale social restrictions (PPKM) policy.
"The micro-scale social restrictions policy has proven effective (in stemming the transmission of COVID-19) owing to a downward trend in the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in almost all provinces, including Jakarta," he pointed out.
The percentage of active cases in Indonesia currently stands at 6.9 percent, well below the global average of 17.35 percent, the minister remarked.
The country's recovery rate, recorded at 90.4 percent, is also higher than the global recovery rate of 80.46 percent, Hartarto stated.
The positive results achieved in handling the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the national economy that has begun to show signs of recovery, including in the sectors contributing to the gross domestic product, such as manufacturing, construction, and trade industries.
Meanwhile, several other sectors, such as information and communication technology, health, agriculture, and education, were still able to withstand the difficult situation and have clocked significant growth. (Antaranews)
April
BNPB issues tropical cyclone warning to provinces
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has appealed to all Indonesian provinces to remain on alert for the potential seeds of tropical cyclone 9AW detected by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
BNPB deputy chief for prevention Lilik Kurniawan wrote to all provincial governments on Tuesday, asking them to keep watch for the tropical cyclone, issue early warnings, and take precautionary measures.
"BNPB has instructed provincial governments to take several steps, and the first is stepping up coordination with local BMKG stations (to monitor) the development of the potential seeds of the tropical cyclone," he said in the written statement released on Tuesday.
Provincial governments must intensify vigilance for potential extreme weather, including whirlwinds, heavy rains accompanied by flashes/lightning, hail, and the impact of the extreme weather, such as floods, landslides, flash floods, and strong winds.
Kurniawan called for inter-agency and apparatus coordination in taking precautionary measures, in accordance with the main task, function, and authority of each of the agencies and apparatuses, with the aim of thwarting any potential impact of the storm.
The coordination would need to target risk communication to communities in high-risk areas, warning them of the potential danger so that they can keep away from valleys, rivers, landslide-prone slopes, and coastlines in the event of a disaster, he said.
In addition, the coordination must also be aimed at preparing and managing human resources, logistics, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure to deal with any emergency situation and prepare health facilities in accordance with the COVID-19 health protocols, he added.
He also appealed to provincial governments to prepare to evacuate people from high-risk areas, such as valleys, river basin areas, landslide-prone slopes, and coastal areas.
"Activate disaster standby teams to monitor nearby environments in the event of initial phenomenon of flash flood, landslide, strong wind, and high tide," he urged. (Antaranews)
April
Jakarta. Indonesian Muslims welcomed the fasting month of Ramadhan on Tuesday even as the national vaccination program continued full steam with a target of inoculating 40,349,049 citizens by June this year.
According to the Indonesian government's COVID-19 task force, at least 10,261,791 Indonesian citizens have been inoculated against the coronavirus as of April 12, 2021.
Of the total figure, 5,310,739 people have received their second vaccine shots.
Speaking on immunizations during Ramadhan, the Health Ministry's spokesperson for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, disclosed that the fasting month would not disrupt the COVID-19 vaccination program.
"The vaccination takes place at noon. The alternative time for the vaccination is at night in certain conditions," she said during a webinar on vaccinations during Ramadhan, originating from here on Tuesday.
Indonesia has been striving to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since March last year.
To stem the spread of the disease, the government has rolled out a nationwide vaccination program since January 13 this year.
According to the Health Ministry, it will take about 15 months to vaccinate about 181.5 million people under the national program.
The time-frame for conducting the vaccination extends from January, 2021 to March, 2022.
During the period, the government is targeting to inoculate about 181.5 million people, including 1.3 million paramedics and 17.4 million public sector workers in 34 provinces.
The first phase of the government's immunization program has been divided into two periods: January-April, 2021 and April, 2021-March, 2022.
Even amid vaccine rollouts, Indonesia has remained in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected nations globally.
As of early this week, Indonesia recorded 4,829 new positive cases, which took the country's coronavirus tally to 1,571,824 cases since the government officially announced the first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic has severely hit public health and economy in Indonesia, and even crippled some sectors, such as travel and tourism.
To revive the tourism sector, the Indonesian government is planning to implement a travel bubble.
In the first stage of its implementation, the travel bubble between Indonesia and Singapore will run between Singapore and Bintan, Riau Islands. (Antaranews)
April
Govt to save Rp22 trillion if power subsidy scrapped: official
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The Indonesian government stands to save Rp22.12 trillion in state spending if it scraps the electricity subsidy for 15.2 million 450 VA customers, an official has said.
"With the number of (450 VA customers) reaching 15.2 million, the state spending that can be saved will be Rp22.12 trillion," director general of electricity at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Rida Mulyana, said during a meeting with the budget committee of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta recently.
The government is in the process of formulating an electricity subsidy scheme to be implemented in 2022, he informed.
The policy will refer to integrated data on social welfare from the Social Affairs Ministry and is based on the 2022 macroeconomic assumption, under which, economic growth is projected to reach 5.7 percent, inflation rate 3 percent, rupiah's exchange rate Rp14,450 per US dollar, and Indonesian crude price (ICP) US$50 per barrel, Mulyana said.
Unless the electricity subsidy scheme is revised, the state will spend Rp61.09 trillion, he pointed out.
"If the classification can be done, the electricity subsidy which previously reached Rp61.09 trillion could be kept down to Rp39 trillion," he added.
He said the plan to implement a new subsidy scheme should be disseminated widely to avoid public refusal such as in 2017.
“This (plan) needs dissemination because it involves a sizable amount," he explained. (Antaranews)
April
Indonesia looks to domestic tourists for tourism revival in 2021
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The government is optimistic of ecotourism being among the driving forces for comprehensively implementing a green economy to boost Indonesia’s economic revival. Ecotourism can be defined as tourism that is conducted responsibly to conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of the local people. Its benefits comprise promoting environmental awareness, offering direct financial benefits for conservation, and monetarily benefitting and empowering the local people.
Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Forestry (LHK) Alue Dohong affirmed that the management of nature tourism areas can generate income for the region and society in addition to creating jobs whilst abstaining from damaging and exploitative actions.
West Java has several ecotourism destinations, such as the Gede Pangrango National Park, which can boost local economic activities, and the Situgunung suspension bridge that has become a popular tourist attraction.
In West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), the LHK ministry has reopened Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island and Mount Tambora on Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara to climbers and tourists since April 1, 2021.
Climbing tourism activities at the two sites had earlier been closed since January 1, 2021, due to inhospitable weather in the mountains that endanger human life.
"Climbing activities at Mount Rinjani are still limited to a maximum quota of 50 percent of the normal capacity, and the length of the climbers' stay is only three days and two nights," Head of the Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) Dedy Asriady remarked.
Tourists keen on conducting climbing activities are required to place an order for climbing tickets through the e-Rinjani application downloadable via the Playstore.
The TNGR officers also enforce stringent COVID-19 health protocols on tourists, right from the entrance, at the tourist sites and while leaving the national park area.
Moreover, three COVID-19 green zones in Bali are planned to be opened from July this year amid a marked decline in the number of Indonesia's daily coronavirus disease cases and the nationwide mass vaccination campaign.
"I see that in the province of Bali we want to concentrate on three designated green zones, specifically Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. We are optimistic of these becoming green zones, green areas that we can fully open to tourists," President Joko Widodo remarked while witnessing a mass vaccination campaign at Puri Saren Agung, Gianyar District, Bali, recently.
Ubud is located in Gianyar District, Sanur lies in Denpasar City, and Nusa Dua is situated in Badung District. The Bali authorities had administered COVID-19 vaccines to tourism workers, Balinese religious leaders, and cultural and youth representatives, among others.
"Hence, later, they (tourists) will feel safe and comfortable to stay in Bali. With our focus on these three zones, revival of the tourism sector in Bali Province will start," he affirmed. (Antaranews)
April
Govt readying roadmap for Making Indonesia 4.0 : President
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The government is preparing a roadmap for the implementation of Making Indonesia 4.0, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said, while inviting Germany to partner with Indonesia to bring about a digital transformation in the country.
"I want to invite Germany to establish a partnership in realizing digital transformation in Indonesia. Indonesia is preparing a roadmap for the implementation of Making Indonesia 4.0," the President said in his opening remarks at the Hannover Messe 2021 expo, delivered online from the State Palace here on Monday.
He was flanked by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi.
"There are three main things. First, in the industrial era 4.0, strengthening human resources is a necessity," the President said.
Indonesia also has a demographic bonus, he pointed out.
"In 2030, the number of productive age (citizens) in Indonesia will double. The challenge is to prepare human resources capable of facing future challenges, challenges of big data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of things," he observed.
He said he believes Germany can support the strengthening of Indonesian human resources through the development of vocational education and strengthening of research and technology-based universities.
"Second, creating an investment climate that is conducive to Industry 4.0. Improving the investment climate requires structural reforms, the passage of the Job Creation Law is one of them," he added.
The Job Creation Law will make business permits easier to obtain, provide legal certainty, and provide incentives, he said.
"The Job Creation Law also provides incentives for the digital economy. The Job Creation Law will support the development of Industry 4.0," the President remarked.
The third is investment in green development, he said.
"This pandemic is a momentum to encourage green development. According to the WEF (World Economy Forum), the potential for green economy or green development is enormous — business opportunities amount to US$10.1 trillion and (there are) opportunities for 395 million new jobs by 2030," he noted.
According to President Widodo, Indonesia has made several breakthroughs in green industry development, including obtaining biodiesel from palm oil and installing rooftop solar power plants for households.
"This project will not only create tens of thousands of new jobs, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
As the world's largest nickel producer, Indonesia is also developing nickel ore for processing into lithium batteries, the main component of cellphone and electric car batteries, he added.
"The partnership between Indonesia and Germany for future green development is one of the priorities. I appreciate the German Green Infrastructure Initiative with a value of 2.5 billion euros. This program is expected to support the development of green infrastructure in Indonesia," he stated.
He said he hoped Germany would come out of the crisis, recover, and grow stronger.
"I am sure that Indonesia and Germany can partner to come out of this pandemic as winners," he remarked. (Antaranews)
April
Ramadhan 2021: Fasting to start on Tuesday, declares govt
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has set the start of fasting, or 1 Ramadhan 1442 Hijri fall, on Tuesday (April 13, 2021).
The decision on the start of fasting was reached in an isbat (confirmation) meeting on Monday.
“The decision of the isbat session is without any differences. Agree and stipulate 1 Ramadhan to fall on April 13 (2021),” Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.
With this stipulation, Muslims in Indonesia could perform tarawih prayers on Monday evening. The isbat session was attended by a number of representatives from religious organizations, astronomers, and other invited guests.
The Unification Team of Hijri calendar of the Religious Affairs Ministry stated that there was a reference that the hilal (crescent moon) was observed in Indonesian territory on Monday evening.
The observations of the beginning of Ramadhan are quite old or have been more than eight hours. In Indonesia, the hilal is in a significant position to be seen, it said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs imposed restrictions on trial participants and all representatives who attended were required to follow health protocols.
In addition, the implementation was conducted both online and offline. Thus, the public could immediately watch it via a broadcast on the official social media page of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The isbat session itself was held on Monday from 5 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) and was closed with the determination of the beginning of this year's fast.
The activity began with an open exposure to the position of the crescent moon (hilal), based on astronomical data by experts.
The activity was continued with the Maghrib prayer in the congregation and followed by a closed session.
The isbat trial was announced through a press conference. (Antaranews)
April
10,045,575 Indonesians have been vaccinated against COVID-19
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. A total of 10,045,575 people have participated in the COVID-19 vaccination carried out by the Indonesian government, according to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force on Sunday (4/11) afternoon.
That figure was reported after an addition of 90,142 people who received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday.
According to the data, there was also an additional 49,466 for people who received a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Then, 5,099,990 people have completed their COVID-19 vaccination, with each person having to get two vaccine shots.
In the phase I and II vaccination, the government is targeting 40,349,049 people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes health workers, public service workers and the elderly.
The 40,349,049 people consist of 1,468,764 health workers, 17,327,167 public officials, and 21,553,118 elderly people.
The government has set a target of vaccinating around 181.5 million Indonesians to develop a herd immunity.
Indonesia on Sunday reported an addition of 4,127 new COVID-19 cases, while 5,219 patients recovered and 87 people succumbed to the disease.
Indonesian has recorded a total of 1,566,995 cases of COVID-19 since the government announced its first cases in March 2020, while 1,414,507 COVID-19 patients have recovered and 42,530 people have died.
The country had 109,958 active cases on Sunday, a decrease of 1,179 people compared to the number on Saturday. (Antaranews)
April
Indonesian embassy responds to rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in USA
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The Indonesian embassy in Washington DC responded to the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes by inviting two US police officers at a webinar highlighting the issues on Saturday.
They are Captain Stacey Flynn and Sheriff Almiggabber. They belong to the Maryland State Police, the Indonesian embassy said in press statement that ANTARA received here Sunday.
At the webinar highlighting a theme of "preventing and facing hate crimes", Flynn shared advice for avoiding the anti-Asian hate crime incidents.
She also hinted that the US police do their utmost efforts to guarantee the safety of all Asian American citizens and foreign nationals in the country, including Indonesians.
Captain Flynn was quoted by the Indonesian embassy's press statement as saying that the Maryland police would seriously handle cases of reported anti-Asian hate crimes.
Therefore, Flynn suggested that those experiencing the anti-Asian attacks report the cases to the police.
The webinar was participated in by several members of the Indonesian community and diaspora as well as Indonesian diplomats residing in suburbs near Washington DC.
At the webinar, Gustaav Ferdinandus, coordinator for protocol and consular affairs at the Indonesian embassy in Washington DC, and Brig.Gen.Ary Laksmana Widjaja, police attache at the embassy, shared practical guidelines on how to prevent, respond, and report hate crimes.
"Please protect, and take preventive measures to save ourselves. If we fall victim to the hate crime incidents, do not hesitate to report them," Widjaja said.
Over these past two months, the United States has repeatedly borne witness to the anti-Asian hate crime incidents amid the ongoing threats of COVID-19 pandemic.
CNN reported on Sunday that the New York Police Department recorded 31 anti-Asian hate crimes between January 1 and March 28 this year.
One of the suspected perpetrators is identified as Joseph Russo, a 28-year-old resident of Brooklyn, New York.
Russo is accused of having involved in three violent incidents against Asian New Yorkers which occurred on March 5, March 22, and April 5, according to CNN. (Antaranews)