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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
Feb. 3 - The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is drafting a roadmap for the management of wetlands for mangrove and peatland forests to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
"The roadmap is one of the instruments supporting the important pillars to achieve Indonesia's Vision 2045, namely sustainable economic development," Bappenas deputy head for maritime affairs and natural resources, Arifin Rudiyanto, said here on Tuesday.
The mangrove and peatland ecosystem has multiple benefits, which can potentially support several aspects, including economic growth, creative economy, tourism, maritime interests, food security, water resources, and the environment, he observed.
Hence, the roadmap for the management of wetlands will be drafted to also serve as a long-term guidance to support the achievement of the vision, he said.
Three working groups will supervise the formulation and implementation of the roadmap in collaboration and consultation with a number of ministries and institutions that have adopted a strategy, management plan, and data related to the mangrove and peatland ecosystem, he said.
Bappenas had set up a wetland management strategy coordination team on October 30, 2020 and tasked it with accelerating the attainment of sustainable development goals, he informed.
As carbon-rich ecosystems that store and absorb much more carbon than tropical forests, mangroves and peatlands are one of the nature-based solutions to sustainable development, he pointed out.
Mangroves and peatlands also benefit the national economy, the environment, and social life, including supporting mitigation and adaptation to climate change, he said.
Proper mangrove and peatland conservation and management will support the target of greenhouse gas reduction and prevent the release ofcarbon stored in the two ecosystems, he added.
He said he hoped the roadmap for the management of wetlands would help achieve several targets of sustainable development in 2030. (Antaranews)
February
Ministry drafts roadmap for Indonesia Digital 2021-2024
Written by Nur YasminFeb. 2 - The Communication and Informatics Ministry has drafted a roadmap for Indonesia Digital 2024 in four strategic sectors.
"In broad lines, the roadmap for Indonesia Digital 2021-2024 clarifies the direction of policies to implement and achieve the target of Indonesia’s digital transformation in four strategic sectors," Communication and Informatics Minister, Johnny G Plate, said during a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Monday.
The four strategic sectors are digital infrastructure, digital administration, digital economy, and digital community, he informed.
He said the formulation of the roadmap has involved the partners of the Communication and Informatics Ministry, including ministries and government institutions as well as representatives of the private sector and the community.
A draft of the roadmap has been submitted to President Joko Widodo for further directives before it is made public, Plate revealed.
The roadmap for Indonesia Digital 2021-2024 was formulated based on five directives from the President in relation to expediting the digital transformation in the country, he added.
The Presidential directives were translated into four strategic directions, which were later classified into four strategic sectors, he said.
The strategic directives in each of the sectors were later broken down into more specific strategic initiatives to aid their implementation in the future, he added.
"Just as a note, in making the strategic initiatives the Communication and Informatics Ministry has tried to cover various fields comprehensively," he remarked.
"We do it as part of efforts to open room for stakeholders to work together to drive Indonesia's digital transformation, which covers about 100 activities," he said.
In addition to the roadmap, the Communication and Informatics Ministry also has a number of programs which it will prioritize this year, including plans for the national data center, he added. (Antaranews)
February
Islamic banking grew faster than conventional banking amid pandemic
Written by Nur YasminFeb. 2 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted the performance of Indonesia's Islamic banking industry that grew at a faster rate than that of conventional banking despite the challenging times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased to be informed that the performance of the Indonesian Islamic banking continues to record stable growth, and that Islamic banking has managed to grow, even higher than conventional banking. We should be grateful," President Jokowi stated while inaugurating PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk at the State Palace here on Monday.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Islamic banking industry marked a 10.9 percent (year-on-year/yoy) growth in assets or higher than conventional banking that recorded a 7.7-percent growth, according to the head of state.
Moreover, from the collection of third-party funds (DPK), the Islamic banking industry was able to record a growth of 11.56 percent, while conventional banks grew up to 11.49 percent.
Meanwhile, from the financing side, the Islamic banking industry in the country had grown about 9.42 percent, or much higher than conventional banks that recorded a 0.55-percent growth.
With such growth data, President Jokowi expressed confidence that Indonesia's Islamic economic industry would continue to grow rapidly.
"I believe Indonesia's sharia economy will grow very fast and will contribute significantly to the welfare of our people and society," President Jokowi stated.
However, Jokowi also reminded all parties to relentlessly strive to encourage growth of the national sharia economy, so that Indonesia will later become a sharia economic hub at the regional and global levels.
Currently, Jokowi noted that the Islamic economic sector in Indonesia had experienced significant growth and was ranked fourth in the world this year in line with the data from The State of Global Islamic Economy Indicator Report.
"In 2018, Indonesia's sharia economy was ranked 10th in the world. In 2019, it rose to the fifth rank in the world, and in 2020, Indonesia's sharia economy was ranked 4th in the world," President Jokowi stated. (Antaranews)
February
President Jokowi inaugurates Bank Sharia Indonesia
Written by Nur YasminFeb. 2 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Monday inaugurated PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk, merged from three state-owned sharia banks — PT Bank BRI Syariah Tbk, PT Bank Syariah Mandiri, and PT Bank BNI Syariah.
The inauguration, which took place at the State Palace, was well-received by the market, with the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) shooting up at the start of the new week.
The newly formed entity, Bank Sharia Indonesia (BSI), will be one of the largest sharia banks in Indonesia and also the world, with total assets of Rp214 trillion and core capital of Rp20.4 trillion.
On Monday, the JCI was up 205.19 points, or 3.5 percent, at 6,067.55 at close of trade. Meanwhile, the index of 45 leading stocks, or the LQ45 Index, rose 35.32 points, or 3.87 percent, to 947.3.
The JCI was already oversold after seven consecutive days of correction so the index bounced off its support area, Foster Asset Management analyst Hans Mulyadi Irawan said here on Monday.
"Today it strengthened in almost all sectors, especially by SOE stocks in the mining, banking, and construction sectors, which have been oversold and have experienced consecutive decreases. Today, the sentiment is the effective operation of Bank Syariah Indonesia (BRIS), SWF, and data. The improving Indonesian manufacturing index has also been the trigger for a stronger index, " he observed.
The merger of sharia banks, subsidiaries of state-owned lenders, is also expected to propel the development of the halal value chain in the country.
Based on the global index, Indonesia’s ranking in sharia economy and finance is among the top 10 in the fields of finance, food, and fashion, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said earlier.
Earlier this week, BRIS shares shot up 360 points, or 14.75 percent, to reach Rp2,800 per share. This week, the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) will still have a chance to strengthen, even though it will tend to be limited due to the lack of positive sentiment in the market, Hans forecast.
JCI, which opened lower on Monday, strengthened later and continued in the green zone until the close of trade.
Based on the IDX-IC Sectoral Index, all sectors recorded an increase, with the technology sector seeing the steepest jump at 10.07 percent, followed by the raw goods sector (8.25 percent) and the real estate infrastructure sector (5.24 percent).
The closing of the JCI was accompanied by sales of shares by foreign investors. The net foreign sales were recorded at Rp594.83 billion.
Meanwhile, 22.39 billion shares, valued at Rp24.02 trillion, were traded in 1,884,555 transactions on Monday. (Antaranews)
February
28 Acehnese fishermen self isolate after being repatriated from India
Written by Nur YasminFeb. 1 - Some 28 Acehnese fishermen who have just been repatriated from India are conducting self isolation in Jakarta before being flown to Aceh province.
"They will be quarantined for five days and then flown to Aceh after they are really declared free from the COVID-19," Chief of the Liaison Agency of the Aceh Provincial Government (BPBA) Almuniza Kamal said on Sunday.
While in Jakarta, the 28 Acehenese fishermen stayed at Mercure Hotel on Gatot Subroto Street to conduct self isolation and undergo swab test, he said.
Almuniza said the Aceh government will continue to pay attention to the entire people of Aceh as a manifestation of Aceh Governor Nova Irfansyah's commitment.
The Aceh government expressed gratitude to all sides, particularly the Foreign Ministry, the Indonesian Embassy in India, and the fisheries resources surveillance station of the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (PSDKP-KKP RI)), that have assisted the repatriation of the Achenese fishermen.
Since early last year a total of 160 Acehnese fishermen have been detained abroad for trespassing in the waters of other countries such as Myanmar, Thailand and India, he said.
The 28 Acehnese fishermen arrived in Indonesia on Friday after being set free in India's islands of Andaman and Nicobar.
The Indian coastal guard police Durgabai Deshmukh arrested them at a location 55 nautical miles from Nicobar Island on March 3, 2020.
"With the advocacy of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi, and the hard work of the Aceh government and the PSDKP-KKP), the Andaman court set them free on January 16, 2021," deputy secretary general of Panglima Laot Aceh (leader of the local traditional sea community) Miftach Tjut Adek confirmed here on Friday.
Miftach expressed gratitude to the Aceh governor and the central government for their hard work and tireless advocacy for the Acehnese fishermen that led to their immediate release. Normally, the detention period may last for up to three years.
"In the past two years, our 160 fishermen were detained in the three countries of Myanmar, India, and Thailand. They were released immediately owing to the advocacy of the Aceh government and the central government," he affirmed.
With the repatriation of 28 Acehnese fishermen, three other fishermen from Aceh are yet being detained in India. (Antaranews)
February
Bali's GWK Cultural Park will be closed temporarily
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 1 - The Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park in Bali will be temporarily closed from February 1, 2021 to curb the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the increased number of visitors.
"The decision was taken as our support to the government's policy to stop the COVID-19 transmission, especially in Bali Province," GM Marketing Communication & Event GWK Cultural Park, Andre Prawiradisastra said here on Sunday.
Previously, the popular tourist destination was closed when the pandemic gripped the country in March and was only reopened in early December 2020.
Prawiradisastra said the cultural park's management paid serious concern on the efforts to stop the spreading of the coronavirus.
"The decision to close the park has considered the fact that the increased number of visitors has, at the same time, increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission," he stated.
The park closure, he added, would also protect its workers from being infected with the virus.
Meanwhile the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said the decision to close GWK Cultural Park is a synergy to curb the COVID-19 transmission.
"Once we can lower the COVID-19 curve, we will give adequate time for them to prepare for reopening (of the tourist destination)," he said.
The minister would work in coordination with Bali Province and Badung District administrations on the closure of GWK Cultural Park.
"I will surely coordinate with the provincial and district governments, because GWK is a popular destination visited by up to 5 thousand tourists per day," Sandiaga Uno said. (Antaranews)
February
Aceh BKSDA releases Sumatran tiger cub to Mt Leuser National Park
Written by Nur YasminFeb. 1 - The Aceh Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) released a Sumatran tiger cub (Panthera tigris sumatrae) that has recovered from the snare wound, to Mt Leuser National Park.
"After some observations and thorough health check, the veterinarian team said that he has recovered and could be released to his nature," head of Aceh BKSDA Agus Arianto said here on Sunday.
Arianto said, the tiger cub named Danau Putra was released to the Mt Leuser National Park (TNGL) on Saturday (Jan 30) with the help of the military and police, the Forum for Leuser Conservation and the subdistrict head.
Danau Putra was found trapped on its right foreleg in a villager's field in Gulo Village, Darul Hasanah Subdistrict of Southeast Aceh District on January 22, 2021.
"The wire snare has caused serious wound to the tiger cub, when he tried to free himself from the snare," he said.
The BKSDA team evacuated the tiger cub to Kutacane, the capital of Southeast Aceh District, for further medical treatment.
The Sumatran tiger cub aged between 1-1.5 years and weight 50 kilograms was released in a forest area some three kilometers from the location where he got trapped.
"Local villagers believe that the tiger cub came from the Mt Leuser National Park hence he should be returned to where he belongs," he said.
Arianto has called on people living around the forest to help protect the endangered species and its habitat.
The law has banned the use of snare, poison, and high-voltage fence that could harm the protected animal. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia adds 14,518 COVID-19 cases, tally reaches 1,066,313
Written by nuke
Updated covid-19 patients in Indonesia - Task Force
Indonesia on Saturday recorded 14,518 new coronavirus infections, 10,242 recoveries, and 210 deaths over a single day, the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling reported.
With this, the total tally of cases in the country has risen to 1,066,313, while total recoveries have reached 862,502, and the death toll has climbed to 29,728.
At present, Indonesia has 174,083 active cases and 80,114 people in 510 districts and cities are suspected to have contracted the virus.
In the last 24 hours, a total of 70,026 specimens from 40,629 people have been tested in 613 laboratories across the country, bringing the cumulative examined specimens to 9,194,031 so far. The country's positivity rate is currently pegged at 17.4 percent.The provinces with the highest number of new cases on Saturday comprise West Java with 4,601 cases, followed by Jakarta (3,491), Central Java (1,237), East Java (830), and East Kalimantan (701).
The largest number of daily recoveries have been recorded in Jakarta (3,885), followed by West Java (1,484), East Java (830), South Sulawesi (627), and Central Java (528).
Jakarta has so far recorded the highest cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 266,244, and total recoveries at 238,438.
In terms of the death toll, East Java has recorded the highest number of deaths at 7,754//ANT
January
Hungary welcomes selection of Roatex for Indonesian e-toll project
Written by nuke
Cimanggis-Cibitung toll road. (ANTARA/HO Waskita Toll Road)
The Hungarian government, through its embassy in Jakarta, has welcomed the selection of Hungarian company Roatex Zrt by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing for implementing an electronic tolling project in Indonesia.
“I am very proud and excited that following long years of preparatory work, Hungary can contribute to Indonesia’s infrastructure development in the toll road sector!” Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia, Judit Pach, posted on Twitter.
In a statement received here on Friday, the Hungarian Embassy in Jakarta said the multi-lane free-flow electronic payment system project is an important milestone and an example of the strengthening bilateral ties between Hungary and Indonesia.“The Embassy is confident that as a result of this joint cooperation, the number of traffic jams on Indonesian roads will be soon be reduced and an efficient MLFF e-toll system will be established,” it stated.
The cooperation between both countries in the sector began four years ago in 2017, when the Hungarian government offered to conduct a preliminary feasibility study on the MLFF project, “rooted in Hungarian expertise and best practices yet still tailor-made to the specific needs of Indonesia”.
The preliminary feasibility study was submitted to Indonesia in 2019, following which Roatex began working with experts from the Indonesian Toll Road Authority (BPJT) and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.In March, 2019, Minister Basuki Hadimuljono invited the company to prepare a detailed feasibility study for the project's implementation as per the ‘Priority Right Framework’ requirements.
After submitting the detailed feasibility study, which was entirely designed to fit the specific requirements and conditions of Indonesia, in September, 2019, the MLFF tender was announced in May, 2020. Roatex participated as the initiator of the project.
Following a technical and financial evaluation, the Ministry announced on January 27, 2021 that Roatex had won the MLFF tender.
The implementation of the MLFF system in Hungary resulted in well-maintained toll roads, a significant increase in government income, reduction in traffic jams, and the establishment of a comfortable, user-friendly system providing a structured and transparent tolling environment, which greatly reduced the potential for abuse.
“Planning to implement the MLFF system with the involvement of Indonesian companies, Roatex has been working together with Indonesian experts for a long time from both the private and governmental spheres, and has an in-depth knowledge regarding the Indonesian toll road environment,” the Embassy stated//ANT
January
Indonesia's ranking improves with better export performance to China
Written by Nur YasminJan. 29 - Indonesia climbed up a notch to fourth position in the latest ranking of ASEAN member states exporting different commodities to China last year.
Indonesia improved its ranking owing to a 10.1-percent increase in its exports to China to reach US$37.4 billion last year.
"We still have to struggle and work hard to increase the exports of value-added products to China, so we can improve our achievement and performance in 2021," Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun told ANTARA in Beijing on Thursday.
Last year, Indonesia's exports to China were below those of Vietnam, at US$69.5 billion; Malaysia, US $66.7 billion; and Thailand, US$43.billion.
Quoting data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), the ambassador remarked that the China-Indonesia trade was valued at US$78.5 billion last year, with Indonesia's imports from China reaching US$41 billion, down 10.1 percent as compared to a year earlier.
As such, Indonesia succeeded in narrowing its trade deficit with China by up to 68.9 percent in 2020.
In 2019, Indonesia had recorded a deficit of US$11.7 billion in its trade with China. The deficit fell to only US$3.6 billion in 2020.
Iron and steel, swallow's nest, paper and paper products, coffee, tea, cashew nut, and spices were among Indonesia’s key commodities whose exports to China rose significantly.
The ambassador further noted that China's investment in Indonesia increased to US$4.8 billion, last year, thereby making it the second-largest foreign investor in Indonesia next to Singapore, with US$9.3 billion.
China's investment in Indonesia excluded the US$3.5-billion investment by Hong Kong that ranked third.
"Several large Chinese investors have expressed their investment commitment in the renewable energy sector. This will play an important role for Indonesia in contributing to the development of the global electric car industry," he stated. (Antaranews)
