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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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March
Japan vows to help Papua send native students to Fukuoka
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The Japanese government has hinted that it is ready to help native Papuans take their graduate diploma in agricultural studies in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Japan is committed to making the Papua provincial government's vocational program successful, said Education Attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Takahashi Yusuke.
As of this year, there are six native Papuans opting for higher education in Fukuoka, he informed in a press statement that ANTARA received in Jayapura on Monday.
The Japanese government's support would cover the administrative processes for immigration and cooperation, and Japanese language and cultural training, Yusuke said.
On behalf of the Japanese government, he praised the Papua provincial administration's scholarship scheme for native Papuans studying in Fukuoka.
The provincial government has made the right decision to send native Papuan students to Fukuoka to pursue vocational programs at universities, he remarked.
Fukuoka is one of the Japanese cities whose agricultural sector is well-developed, and its universities are listed in the world class groups, he said.
In Japan, the number of international university students from Indonesia is large enough, he said. But, the figure is expected to go up, including students from Papua, he added.
Meanwhile, assistant director of the Japan Foundation, Hiruta Mari, said she would help make the vocational program for native Papuan students a success.
The Japan Foundation would provide Papua’s scholarship recipients with Japanese language teaching materials and language training with trainers, she informed.
Secretary of the Papua Human Resources Development Agency's (BPSDM's) team for educational cooperation, Karsudi, had visited the Japanese embassy in Jakarta recently.
The visit was aimed at following up on the cooperation in human resources development with the government of Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture, Karsudi said.
During the visit, BPSDM team members also met with representatives from the Japan Foundation to get information on the Japanese language and the cultural education program, he added.
Under the Papua provincial government's scholarship scheme, 60 native Papuans would be sent to Fukuoka to pursue graduate diplomas in agricultural studies, he said.
The native Papuan students would be trained at Japanese universities in the prefecture so they can gain expertise in agriculture, he added. (Antaranews)
March
Jakarta. The Agriculture Ministry stated that the country has the potential to export rice during the grand harvest time on account of high demand abroad.
Head of Public Relations and Public Information Bureau of the ministry Kuntoro Boga Andri in a written statement received here on Sunday said that Indonesian rice, especially organic rice, is in demand in foreign market, with good price.
"Based on IQFAST data of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency which was collected at our export port, the demand for local rice abroad is quite large," said Andri.
He said since 2017 Indonesia had exported 2,100 tons of rice to five countries, the Netherlands, United States, Malaysia, Belgium and Bangladesh. Even Indonesia's rice exports to 14 countries, including Japan, Vietnam and Chine, in 2018 had reached a total of 1,400 tons.
Andri explained that the demand for local premium rice such as organic rice is still very large, considering the foreign market demand for Asian organic and Horeka rice is quite good. Based on data from the Agriculture Ministry, the volume of rice exports in 2020 reached 230.2 tons, and in 2019 it was 341.1 tons.
"The volume has indeed decreased slightly in 2020, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number of export destination countries has increased to 20 worldwide. This is an opportunity that must be achieved," Andri pointed out.
The Agriculture Ministry believes the opportunities to export rice will be even greater if countries begin to open access to their ports like before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Indonesia still has considerable potential to increase rice production as it has agricultural land and has the ability to produce rice. However, the management system still needs to be improved to make it better.
"We are sure that the opportunity to export rice to the international market will continue to open up and we will be able to meet the needs of the domestic and international markets. Minister of Agricultural Syahrul has given specific directions related to increasing the added value and exports of our agricultural products. We just need to maximize its potential," affirmed Andri. (Antaranews)
March
Digital technology helps Indonesians pass through difficult time: VP
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said digital technology has helped Indonesia pass through the difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, economic, government, educational, and social communication activities continued to run thanks to digital technology, he said in a written statement released on Sunday.
"Innovations in the use of digital technology have actually been ongoing since some time ago and have been accelerated globally due to the pandemic. The pandemic has compelled us to adapt (to the existing condition) and spur literacy and technology use," he said while addressing the digital business forum of Nahdliyin Business Association (HPN) held virtually in Bali on March 26-28, 2021.
He said the "forced" process of adapting to the current condition and increasing literacy and technology use has eliminated all hindrances related to age, gender, geography, and educational level.
"Now we are part of global digital community," he said.
The vice president further highlighted the development of sharia economy.
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.
All these will drive micro small businesses to become stronger as part of global value chain.
He further encouraged HPN to build inclusive cooperation with various stakeholders, including regional government, industry, technology supplier, small and large businesses to boost the growth of sharia business centers across Indonesia.
Ï call on all sides to develop incubation centers to help would-be businessmen at all levels in many regions," he said. (Antaranews)
March
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) condemned the suicide bombing in front of Cathedral Church in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Sunday.
"In regard to the terror act at the entrance gate of Makassar Cathedral Church today, I strongly condemn the terror act," Jokowi said at the Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor,West Java on Sunday.
A bomb exploded at 10.30 a.m. local time at the entrance gate of Makassar Cathedral Church, allegedly killing two suicide bombers and injuring 14 people.
The explosion occurred when churchgoers were just finished Sunday Palm services.
"I have ordered the Indonesian Police Chief to investigate thoroughly the (terrorist) networks and uncover it to its root," Jokowi stressed.
The President said, terrorism is a crime against humanity and has no relations to any religious teaching.
"All religions are against terrorism whatever the arguments. All state apparatus will not let this terror acts happen," he noted.
Jokowi has called on people to remain calm because the state guarantees people's safety to perform worship without fear.
Fourteen people were injured due to a suicide bomb attack outside Cathedral Church in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Sunday morning, police said.
The Indonesian Police spokesman Insp. Gen Pol Argo Yuwono said three of the injured are being treated at Stella Maris Hospital, seven at Akademis Hospital, and four at Pelamonia Hospital.
Some body parts were also found along with damaged motorcycle in the bomb attack scene.
It is believed the body parts belonged to two suspected suicide bomb attackers.
Shortly before the explosion, two people on a motorcycle tried to enter the church compound and were stopped by church security personnel.(Antaranews)
March
COVID-19: Indonesia records 4,461 fresh cases, 4,243 recoveries
Written by nuke
Indonesia records 4,461 fresh cases, 4,243 recoveries
Indonesia added 4,461 confirmed coronavirus infections, 4,243 recoveries, and 198 deaths over 24 hours ending Saturday, according to the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling.
With the additional cases, the cumulative confirmed cases in Indonesia reached 1,492,002, while the number of people completely recovering from the infection touched 1,327,121, and the death toll climbed to 40,364.
The government reported the country's first confirmed cases in March, 2020.
At least 54,980 suspected COVID-19 cases were detected on Saturday, while 67,548 specimens were tested in the country. Meanwhile, the number of active cases increased by 20, bringing the tally to 124,517 cases.Jakarta reported the highest number of fresh COVID-19 cases at 1,354, followed by West Java, which added 476 cases.
Meanwhile, the highest recovery rate was seen in West Java, where 1,182 people made a complete recovery from the infection, followed by Jakarta (651) and East Java (303).
Most of the deaths occurred in West Java, which recorded 102 fatalities, followed by Central Java (19) and Jakarta (18).
Meanwhile, the highest cumulative COVID-18 cases were reported in Jakarta (378,222), West Java (246,252) and Central Java (167,176).
Meanwhile, Jakarta also recorded the highest number of people recovering from the infection at 364,175, followed by West Java (218,100), and East Java (126,575). Meanwhile, most of the deaths occurred in East Java, which recorded 9,810 fatalities, followed by Central Java (7,207) and Jakarta (6,278)//ANT
March
Food estate projects must not contribute to deforestation: experts
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo visiting the food estate location in Central Sumba District, Tuesday (23/2/2021). ANTARA/HO -Presidential Press Bureau/pri.
The Indonesian government last year started developing a food estate project in Pulang Pisau district, Central Kalimantan province to ensure national food security and resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it is currently spread over 30 thousand hectares of land, the size of the food estate will be extended over the next two years.
Now, the food estate project has been expanded to several other regions such as North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), South Sumatra, Papua, and Riau.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on February 23, 2021 reviewed the implementation of a food estate project in Central Sumba district, NTT. Currently spread over five thousand hectares comprising three thousand hectares of rice and two thousand hectares of corn fields, the estate will be eventually expanded to 10 thousand hectares to comprise 5,600 hectares of rice and 4,400 hectares of corn fields.During his visit, Widodo said he is optimistic the food estate will encourage rice farmers in Central Sumba to harvest rice twice a year, and corn and soybean once a year.
"As per data I have received, 34 percent of the residents in Central Sumba live in poverty and farmers harvest rice only once a year. We want them to harvest rice twice a year and corn or soybean once a year," Widodo said.
To scale up the irrigation system for farming, the government has built a number of reservoirs and dams in NTT, an arid province that often bears the brunt of water shortages.Earlier, on February 11, 2021, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, visited a Herbal and Horticultural Science and Technology Park (TSTH2), which is currently being developed and will be part of a two thousand-ha food estate project in Pollung district, North Sumatra.
"Indonesia has 30 thousand herbal species, therefore the President is aiming for a world-class herbal research center (here), which we are currently developing together with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and five universities led by IT Del," the minister said.Supporting facilities for TSTH2 will also be built in the area and will include laboratories, collection gardens, hatcheries and research centers, silvopastures, natural tourism, artificial tourism, offices, and accommodation for researchers as well as guest houses.
"I hope we can plant good and superior seeds here, so that we can be proud to say these seeds are from Pollung. For this reason, it is hoped that the community and the government can cooperate with each other, and most importantly work with the heart," the minister remarked.
In Riau province, about 30 thousand hectares have been allocated for a food estate project for planting rice and corn, among other things."The Riau provincial government has filed an application with the Agriculture Minister and allotted 30 thousand hectares of land in the hope of being able to develop a new food estate," Riau Governor Syamsuar said on March 5, 2021.
The government came up with the idea of developing a three-year food estate project following a warning by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that the COVID-19 pandemic is posing a serious threat to food security and nutrition. It has also urged governments and other stakeholders to build more resilient food systems.
The President has asked three ministers — Defense Minister Prabowo Susanto, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir — to implement the program, with the support of other ministers."The ministry is implementing sustainable food estate development and management to increase food security while supporting national economic recovery by providing jobs for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," minister Hadimuljono said in a statement issued on February 28, 2021.
He cited a number of challenges to the development of food estates, including water management, community economy, the environment, institutions, and financing//ANT
March
Government to disburse social aid to 17 million beneficiary families
Written by nuke
Director General for the Handling of the Poor at the Social Affairs Ministry Asep Sasa Purnama monitored the distribution of cash social assistance in Cipondoh Subdistrict, Tangerang City, Banten Province, on January 10, 2021 ANTARA/HO-Kemensos RI
The Social Affairs Ministry has set a target to hand out social assistance to 17,496,185 beneficiary families (KPM) throughout Indonesia until the end of March 2021.
"In total, the number of beneficiary families will reach 17,496,185," Director General for the Handling of the Poor at the Social Affairs Ministry Asep Sasa Purnama noted in a press statement released on Saturday.
The number includes beneficiary families originally planned to receive the aid in April 2021, he remarked.
In March 2021 alone, the number of beneficiary families had reached 11,746,119 from 509 districts and cities nationwide, Purnama remarked.
"Hence, we are awaiting the updated data that will become available on Saturday night at 23:59 WIB at the latest," he noted.During the month of March 2021, the Social Affairs Ministry has handed out non-cash food assistance (BPNT) in stages to 10,496,451 beneficiary families comprising 4,502,451 on March 22 and 5,993,734 on March 25.
Social assistance for some four million beneficiary families will be distributed on March 29 and for some five million beneficiary families on March 30.
The social assistance to all beneficiary families was distributed earlier than projected owing to the assistance and support of the Home Affairs Ministry and provincial, district, and municipal governments, the acting chief of the Center for Social Welfare Data and Information at the Social Affairs Ministry stated.
Moreover, it is inseparable from the role of provincial, district, and municipal governments to update data of beneficiary families and match their population numbers//ANT
March
President stresses no rice imports have entered Indonesia so far
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo has assured that the National Logistics Agency will absorb farmer's rice. He has also instructed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to help provide budget funds for the purchase of rice from farmers. (ANTARA News (Agus Salim))
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has assured farmers that Indonesia will not import rice, at least until June, 2021.
"I assure that until June, 2021, no imported rice will enter our country," the President said in a video uploaded through the Youtube channel of the Presidential Secretariat on Friday.
Several parties including secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, had objected to the government's plan to import 1 million tons of rice.
Hasto had argued that the rice import would only benefit foreign farmers."We know that almost in the past three years we have not imported rice,” the President said.
He admitted that there have been agreements with Thailand and Vietnam for the import of rice.
“It will merely serve as standby stock on account of the pandemic, which is full of uncertainty. I stress once again the rice has not entered (Indonesia),” he said.
He also assured that the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) will absorb farmer's rice. He said he has instructed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to help provide budget funds for the purchase of rice from farmers.“I know that we are entering the harvest time and the price of farmer's rice is lower than expected. Therefore, I call for (an immediate halt to) the debate on the import of rice, which can cause the price of farmer's rice to fall or plummet,” he said.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto had hinted that the import of 1 million tons of rice in 2021 was under discussion. Of the total, 500 thousand tons were to be earmarked for the government's rice reserves and 500 thousand tons to meet Bulog's needs.
Rice stocks need to be maintained since the government requires large quantities of rice for social assistance during public activity restrictions (PPKM), he said//ANT
March
UAE investment in INA reflects confidence in Indonesian govt
Written by nuke
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan - birkom kemenkomarves
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said the United Arab Emirates’ investment in the Indonesian Investment Authority (INA) reflects the confidence of the international community in the Indonesian government.
"On Tuesday (March 23, 2021), the government of Abu Dhabi announced that it will make an investment of US$10 million in the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund (INA). I believe this conveys a positive message on how the confidence of the international (community) towards the Indonesian government is so high," he said at the 2021 Bali Investment Forum, which was streamed online on Friday.
He explained that such trust was also reflected in the decision made by ratings agency Fitch, which has maintained Indonesia's Sovereign Credit Rating at the BBB level with a stable outlook.
The agency has noted that the key factor that supports Indonesia's affirmation level is the positive prospect of mid-term economic growth and low level of government debt, despite increases. "This is very good for Indonesia," he remarked.
The United Arab Emirates had earlier announced plans to invest US$10 billion in the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund.
According to a statement issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the investment will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in various sectors, and, at the same time, reflect the close personal ties between their leaders.
With this investment, the UAE has become the anchor investor for INA. A number of countries, including Japan, the United States, and Canada, have announced investment commitments to INA//ANT
March
Merah Putih vaccine to help Indonesia handle future pandemics: govt
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The Merah Putih vaccine candidate, which is being developed by Indonesian scientists, is part of an initial effort launched to handle coronavirus pandemics in future, a minister has said.
"This vaccine is our initial endeavor," Research and Technology Minister Bambang PS Brodjonegoro told a webinar highlighting health security concerns here on Thursday.
With the Merah Putih vaccine candidate, Indonesia is expected to be better equipped to cope with future pandemics more quickly, he said.
Due to the urgent need for ensuring public health, vaccine development has been made a part of the government's priorities, remarked Brodjonegoro, who also heads the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
The Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology in Jakarta has said it is planning to hand out vaccine seeds for the Merah Putih vaccine candidate to state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma at the end of March this year.
"The first batch of vaccine seeds will be handed out at the end of March, 2021," head of the Eijkman Institute, Amin Soebandrio, said recently.
PT Bio Farma has partnered with the Eijkman Institute to hold trials and produce the Merah Putih COVID-19 vaccine, developed using a recombinant protein subunit platform.
The vaccine seeds will likely be delivered as per schedule, Soebandrio said, adding that the recombinant protein platform is available and is in the process of being transitioned from the laboratory to the industry.
The vaccine seeds will be subject to preclinical tests as well as Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials before being allowed for use, he informed.
Coronavirus infections initially surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019.
Since then, COVID-19 has spread across more than 215 countries and territories, including 34 provinces in Indonesia, leading to a huge number of deaths.
To safeguard Indonesians from the lethal virus, the Indonesian government has secured COVID-19 vaccine doses through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.
While Indonesia has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech, it is also leaving no stone unturned to develop its indigenous vaccine.
Indonesian scientists are currently rushing to develop Merah Putih, named after the country's national flag.
To win the fight against the coronavirus disease, Indonesia has rolled out a national vaccination program since January 13, 2021.
President Joko Widodo became the first recipient of the Sinovac vaccine jab.
The Health Ministry is planning to inoculate about 181.5 million people under the vaccination program, which is expected to take 15 months.
Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate surpassed one million cases on January 26, 2021.
To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has said due weightage needs to be attached to successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population.
This is considering the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease has left the nation in grave public health and economic crises. (Antaranews)