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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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February
Ministry makes 5-day quarantine mandatory for international travelers
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 25 - All international travelers, including Indonesian nationals, entering Indonesian territory will have to compulsorily undergo five-day self-isolation at government-designated facilities from now on, a Health Ministry official said.
The guideline has been included in the COVID-19 Handling Task Force’s Circular No. 8 of 2021 on health protocols for international travelers amid the pandemic, the ministry's sub-coordinator for the territorial health quarantine and land border cross post, I Made Yosi Purbadi Wirentana, said during an online discussion held here on Wednesday.
"The obligation to follow health protocols for international travelers applies not only to foreign nationals, but also Indonesian nationals," he added.
The preventive screening of foreign and Indonesian nationals traveling to Indonesia will start from an examination in the country of origin and end with an examination at the self-isolation facility, he said.
All foreign or Indonesian nationals traveling to Indonesia will be required to secure a negative RT-PCR test certificate, issued a maximum of three days prior to departure, he informed.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, international travelers will need to undergo another RT-PCR test and a mandatory five-day centralized quarantine, he said.
International travelers categorized as Indonesian migrant workers, students, and government officers will be required to undergo a five-day quarantine at the Pandemangan House in Jakarta upon arrival.
Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens outside the category and foreign nationals will be required to quarantine at 20 recommended hotels for 20 days at their own expense.
International travelers will have to undergo another RT-PCR test after completing the five-day quarantine. If they test negative for COVID-19, then they will be allowed to proceed with their journey in the country.
If both the first and second RT-PCR tests show positive results, they will be referred to a COVID-19 hospital. The government will only bear the medical bills of Indonesian nationals, while foreign nationals would have to pay the treatment costs themselves.
Foreign nationals who hold diplomatic visas, and official visas related to official or state visits for minister-level foreign officials, and foreign nationals traveling to Indonesia under the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme will be exempt from mandatory quarantine, Wirentana informed. (Antaranews)
February
1.3 million Indonesians get COVID-19 vaccine shots
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 25 - A total of 1,363,138 Indonesians have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Wednesday, with 825,650 people receiving their second vaccine dose, too, according to the Health Ministry.
The number of people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine rose by 93,233 on Wednesday compared to the day before. Meanwhile, the number of people receiving their second dose increased by 35,684, as per ministry data.
The 1,363,138 Indonesians mainly comprised healthcare workers, who have been prioritized under the first phase of the vaccination program, and public service officers, who are being vaccinated under the second phase of the program.
A total of 1,468,764 healthcare workers across Indonesia are expected to get vaccinated in the first phase of the vaccination program.
The government has set a target of inoculating 181,554,464 people, or 70 percent of the total population of Indonesia, with the aim of building herd immunity against the coronavirus.
It launched the second phase of the vaccination program on February 17, 2021, with the inoculation of traders in the textile market Tanah Abang in Jakarta.
The next targeted group under the vaccination program are public service officers, including police and military personnel, and journalists.
The government is planning a mass vaccination program for journalists and media workers at the Basket Hall of the Bung Karno Sport Stadium in Jakarta on February 25, 26, and 27 this year. (Antaranews)
February
Peaceful protest held at Indonesian Embassy in Myanmar: FM spokesman
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 24 - A protest on Tuesday supporting ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi held before the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon ran peacefully, though the embassy's authority should ensure the safety of all Indonesians in the country.
The protest that arose following a Reuters' report ran without acts of violence, Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Teuku Faizasyah, informed journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.
However, Faizasyah admitted that over the course of the past few weeks, waves of protests against the military coup on February 1, 2021, had continued in Myanmar and made the country's condition unstable.
"This is a factual reality that our embassy in Myanmar needs to manage to ensure that all members of the Indonesian community in the country remain well-protected," Faizasyah affirmed.
A journalist in Myanmar named Hnin Zaw uploaded four photos of the rally at the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon on Tuesday on her Twitter account @hninyadanazaw.
In one of the photos shared by Zaw, the demonstrators brandished their posters bearing the words "Please save our leader, future, hope" and "We don't need another election. Respect our votes" outside the embassy's compound.
Faizasyah denied the Reuters' news report released on Monday that said Jakarta had agreed on Myanmar junta's action plan to conduct a new election.
Faizasyah affirmed that supporting the new election was not the Indonesian government's political stance.
"I deny there is a plan of action. It is absolutely not Indonesia's position," he emphasized.
On the contrary, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has been striving to consult with her counterparts from other ASEAN member states to obtain their views on Myanmar's political crisis, he pointed out.
Marsudi's meetings with her counterparts had been mandated by President Joko Widodo's recent meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in Jakarta early this month, according to Faizasyah.
To this end, over this past week, Foreign Minister Marsudi had embarked on a visit to Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.
The minister will continue her trip to Thailand in the near future to consult with her counterpart on how ASEAN plays a role in seeking solutions to Myanmar's political crisis, he noted.
"What we want to underline is how we can find a peaceful solution in Myanmar, an inclusive democratic political process that involves all parties," he affirmed.
Over the course of the past few weeks, Myanmar has been hit by a series of large-scale demonstrations against the military coup taking place on February 1, 2021.
The protesters in Myanmar demanded an immediate release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and recognition of her National League for Democracy's (NLD's) victory in the second parliamentary elections held on October 29, 2020.
According to BBC on Feb 1, 2021, following the coup, Myanmar's military seized power, while Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders were detained. (Antaranews)
February
Govt highlights increased 2021 PEN budget to reach Rp699.43 trillion
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 24 - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati revealed that budget for the National Economic Recovery Program (PEN) had increased to Rp699.43 trillion in 2021, from Rp688.33 trillion.
This year's budget is up 21 percent, from last year's PEN realization, at Rp579.78 trillion, and is expected to be an effective driving force for economic recovery, especially in the first quarter of 2021.
"We are optimistic that the PEN budget, which has increased by 21 percent, will be an effective driving force for recovery, especially from January to February. This is expected to continue until March," Indrawati stated during an online press conference on the KiTA State Budget here on Tuesday.
The budgeted Rp699.43 trillion is focused in five areas: health, social protection, priority programs, business incentives, and support for MSMEs and corporate financing.
In the health field, the government has allotted a budget of Rp176.3 trillion, including Rp58.18 trillion for the vaccination program, Rp9.91 trillion for diagnostics (testing and tracing), Rp61.94 trillion for therapeutics, Rp18.61 trillion for health tax incentives, and Rp27.67 trillion for other treatments.
Some Rp157.41 trillion is allocated for the social protection programs that includes Rp20 trillion for pre-work allowance and Rp14.4 trillion for rural funds.
The government's priority programs receive Rp125.06 trillion of which Rp27.33 trillion is set aside for labor-intensive projects, Rp47.1 trillion for food security, Rp11.33 trillion for industrial areas, Rp10 trillion for regional loans, Rp16.65 trillion for ICT, Rp8.66 trillion for tourism, and Rp4.11 trillion for other priorities.
To support MSMEs and corporations, the government has assigned Rp186.81 trillion, including for interest subsidies for MSMEs amounting to Rp31.95 trillion.
As for business incentives, the apportioned budget reaches Rp53.86 trillion, including for tax incentives.
"PEN has jumped close to 21 percent of its budget since this is the most important driving force in our economy today," she stated. (Antaranews)
February
Foreign Ministry denies Indonesia backing new election in Myanmar
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 24 - The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has refuted a Reuters report saying Jakarta has agreed to Myanmar junta’s action plan for holding fresh elections, affirming that is not the Indonesian government’s political stance.
"I deny there is a plan of action. It is absolutely not Indonesia's position," Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah told journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has been striving to consult with her counterparts from other ASEAN member states to gather their views on Myanmar's political crisis, he said.
Marsudi's meetings with her counterparts have followed President Joko Widodo's recent meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in Jakarta early this month, he added.
Foreign Minister Marsudi has visited Brunei Darussalam and Singapore over the past week, Faizasyah informed.
She is scheduled to make a trip to Thailand in the near future to consult with her counterpart about how ASEAN can play a role in seeking solutions to Myanmar's political crisis, he said.
"What we want to underline is how we can find a peaceful solution in Myanmar… an inclusive democratic political process that involves all parties," he stated.
The news report from Reuters, an international news agency, on Monday had prompted loyalists of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to stage a peaceful rally in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon on Tuesday.
Over the past few weeks, Myanmar has been hit by waves of protests against the military coup of February 1, 2021.
The protesters are demanding an immediate release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and recognition of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party’s victory in the second parliamentary elections, held on October 29, 2020.
According to a BBC report on February 1, 2021, following the coup, Myanmar's military seized power while Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically-elected leaders were detained.
Myanmar is one of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The nine other member countries are Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. (Antaranews)
February
U.N. rights boss welcomes Biden stance against death penalty
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 23 - The U.N. human rights chief on Tuesday welcomed a pledge by U.S. President Joe Biden to work towards abolishing the death penalty in the United States.
Biden, a Democrat, promised voters last year he would seek to end the federal death penalty, and took office last month as the country’s first abolitionist president.
“I welcome the pledge by the new U.S. Administration to work towards ending the death penalty, both at federal and state level,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said.
The punishment at a federal level was revived by Donald Trump last year after a 17-year hiatus caused in part by the increasing difficulty of obtaining drugs for lethal injections.
Merrick Garland, Biden’s nominee for U.S. attorney-general, on Monday told Congress his support for the death penalty had eroded amid concerns it disproportionately affected Black Americans and other communities of colour and that too many were wrongfully convicted.
“Deterrence is often an argument of those who oppose its abolition. However, there is no evidence that it deters crime more effectively than any other punishment,” Bachelet said during a U.N. Human Rights Council debate.
“On the contrary, studies suggest that some states that have abolished the death penalty saw their murder rates unaltered or even decline,” she said.
The U.S. delegation, which has observer status, did not speak at the debate, held every two years.
The “vast majority” of countries have abolished the death penalty in law or do not carry out executions in practice, Bachelet said.
Iran and Saudi Arabia, among the top five countries carrying out executions according to Amnesty International, defended the practice during the debate as being only for the most serious offences, in line with sharia law. (Reuters)
February
Minister declares formation of team to review Indonesia's ITE Law
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 23 - Indonesia's top security minister, Mahfud MD, announced the formation of an inter-ministerial team to review the country's Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law to follow up on President Joko Widodo's request to revise the law.
The team members will work for a period of three months until May 22, 2021, to decide whether the ITE Law needs to be revised, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated at a virtual press conference that ANTARA participated in from Jakarta on Monday.
The team members, recruited from his ministry, the Communication and Informatics Ministry, and Ministry of Law and Human Rights, will review the existing law's chapters that can give rise to various interpretations, he pointed out.
"Reviewing or revising the ITE Law, whose articles, according to several elements in the society at large, can lead to multiple interpretations is necessary," he emphasized, adding that the joint team comprises a steering team and organizing team.
Mahfud MD, Communication and Informatics Minister Jhonny G. Plate, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly, Attorney General S. T. Burhanuddin, and National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo are members of the steering team.
The organizing team, whose members are tasked with reviewing the ITE Law's chapters, is headed by Deputy for Coordinating Legal and Human Rights Issues at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Sugeng Purnomo.
The organizing team alone is divided into two sub-teams that prioritize formulating criteria for implementing the ITE Law, and on comprehensive examination of the law's legal content, determine whether the law needs amendment.
The enforcement of Indonesia's ITE Law has brought to the fore several pros and cons in society over the past few years after it was applied to send several people to court over allegations that they have slandered figures or organizations on YouTube and social media platforms.
ANTARA noted that Soni Eranata, alias Ustadz Maaher At-Thuwailibi, a popular and outspoken Muslim preacher was one of those charged by police investigators under the ITE Law.
Ustadz Maaher was arrested at his house in Bogor, West Java, on December 3, 2020, after Husin Shahab filed a defamation case against him.
The complainant had accused Ustadz Maaher of slandering Maulana Al-Habib Muhammad Luthfi bin Ali bin Yahya, also known as Habib Luthfi, a noted ulema of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), on his Twitter account.
A day after his arrest, on December 4, 2020, police investigators named him a suspect and detained him at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim).
On February 4, 2021, the public prosecutors' office accepted Ustadz Maaher's dossier, thereby amending his detention status, from police detainee to the public prosecutors' detainee.
The public prosecutors' office decided to detain Ustadz Maaher at the Bareskrim prison cell from February 4 to February 23, 2021.
On February 6, 2021, Ustadz Maaher again complained of illness, and the doctors advised that he be sent back to the Said Soekanto Police Hospital.
However, the police confirmed that he repeatedly refused to get re-admitted to the police hospital, but instead, reportedly insisted on staying at the prison and receiving treatment from the police's team of doctors.
Ustadz Maaher died in his Bareskrim prison cell at 7:30 p.m. local time on February 8, 2021.
Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has sought an inquiry by the National Police into his death. (Antaranews)
February
Jokowi seeks local governments' continued vigil against forest fires
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 23 - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded local governments to remain vigilant in facing the threat of forest and land fires even as the transition to the dry season is projected in May 2021.
At the 2021 National Coordination Meeting for Forest and Land Fire Control at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday, the head of state sought a detailed and mature national planning for the prevention of forest and land fires.
Furthermore, Jokowi drew attention to several areas, such as in Riau and West Kalimantan, which were hit by forest and land fires since the end of January 2021.
"Despite facing floods and landslides in several areas, we must not become less vigilant in facing the threat of forest and land fires," the president remarked.
Quoting a report from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), La Nina phenomenon is forecast to occur until the first semester of 2021. A transition from rainy to the dry season will occur in May 2021.
However, Jokowi cautioned local governments, the National Police, and the Military to not let their guard down against the threat of forest and land fires.
The president urged that forest and land fires that hit Riau and West Kalimantan would not recur.
"In Riau, 29 incidents were reported. Hence, be careful the Governor of Riau since despite it being handled, do not allow it to recur. Moreover, 52 incidents occurred in West Kalimantan. Be careful since despite West Kalimantan being handled, we all have to be careful," he stated.
In February 2021, forest and land fires are likely to occur on the island of Sumatra since the hot season has already set in. Forest and land fires are estimated to occur during the period from May to July 2021 in Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Meanwhile, forest and land fires are estimated to peak in August and September 2021.
"We have to know when forest and land fires will peak, so that preparations can be made soon. The organization is checked whether it is working," he remarked.
"We expect detailed and mature prevention planning, strong synergy, and more effective execution on the field," President Jokowi affirmed. (Antaranews)
February
Stamp out forest fires before they spread: Jokowi
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 23 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has directed regional government heads as well as local military (TNI) and police commanders to deal with forest fires before they can grow and become widespread.
"Don't let the fire get bigger; don't be late (so) that it becomes difficult to control. This is important, don't let the fire get bigger. Don't be too late so it's difficult to control," the President told participants at the National Coordination Meeting for Forest and Land Fire Control in 2021, held here on Monday.
The meeting was attended by governors of provinces that are prone to forest and land fires, such as Governor of Riau, Syamsuar, Governor of South Sumatra, Herman Deru, Governor of West Kalimantan, Sutarmadji, and Governor of Central Kalimantan, Sugianto Sabran.
The district heads of Siak, Ogan Komering Ilir, Sanggau, and Pulau Pisau also attended the meeting at the palace.
Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), Marshal Hadi Tjanjanto, National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, and Minister of Environmental Affairs and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, also joined the meeting.
During the meeting, Jokowi gave orders to put out any forest fire while it is still small, so that it does not become necessary to deploy helicopters to put it out.
"If it's a must, then we must use water bombing, like what we have done frequently. However, if it's possible, (we should) not do that. When there is a small fire, flush it, and the fire is gone. Water bombing requires huge funds. But if it's too late (to put out the fire), whether (we) like it or not, we must use (water bombing)," he said.
He also asked regional heads and field officers to prioritize prevention efforts.
"Prevention must be prioritized; don't be late. In big countries, there were also major fire incidents, and a city was also gutted by fire. We really have to learn from those lessons. Once again prioritize prevention, don't be late," the President stated.
Each stakeholder must be mobilized for early detection and monitoring in hotspots or areas prone to forest fires, he added.
Widodo then asked for the use of technology for monitoring and supervision of fires by applying the dashboard system.
In his report, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, said there has been a decrease in the number of forest and land fires. In 2015, forest and land fires gutted 2,610 thousand hectares of land, he informed. The figure declined to 1,592,010 hectares in 2019 and 296,942 hectares in 2020, he said. (Antaranews)
February
E Nusa Tenggara's COVID-19-related deaths reach 216
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 22 - -East Nusa Tenggara Province has recorded a total of 216 coronavirus-related deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020, according to data from the local health office.
The COVID-19-related deaths were found in 19 out of 22 districts and city in the province, Secretary of the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Health Office David Mandala said on Sunday.
The districts and city include Sabu Raijua, Sumba Barat, Sumba Barat Daya, Rote Ndao, Timor Tengah Utara, Flores Timur, Ende, Malaka, Alor, Lembata, Sikka, Belu, Manggarai, Kupang, Timor Tengah Selatan, and Sumba Timur, he said.
He said the East Nusa Tenggara provincial capital of Kupang recorded the highest
number of deaths at 94.
"In general, the patients who died of the COVID-19 had comorbidities," he said.
The COVID-19 deaths represent 0.62 percent of the national death toll which reached 34,316 as of Saturday (Feb 20). (Antaranews)