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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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January
Govt spends Rp14.5 trillion on treatment of COVID-19 patients
Written by Nur YasminJan. 28 - The Indonesian government spent Rp14.5 trillion on the treatment of COVID-19 patients at more than 1,600 hospitals across the country from March to December, 2020.
"Up till now the total amount that we have paid to 1,683 hospitals since March (2020) is more than Rp14.526 trillion, or close to Rp15 trillion," director general of Health Services at the Health Ministry, Abdul Kadir, said in a written statement at an event FMB9 monitored online in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Responding to a report that the government has not cleared COVID-19 service claims from privately-run hospitals, he said there was a technical obstacle to the disbursement of hospital claims submitted to the government in late December, 2020 due to the New Year holidays.
"We have not paid claims filed in January (2021), because the budget fund that we will pay to them is still being processed at the Finance Ministry. So the budget fund has not been disbursed," he said.
President director of Pertamedika Fathema Hospital, Djan Rachmat, confirmed the delay in the payment of hospital claims for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in January, 2021.
However, the state-owned hospital has so far faced no issues in claiming COVID-19 patients' bills from the government, he added. (Antaranews)
January
Minister appeals to medical workers to get vaccinated soon
Written by Nur YasminJan. 27 - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has called on medical workers, who had yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, to get the shot without further ado.
"This has demonstrated that the first batch of vaccination can be completed fast and to motivate other medical workers in Indonesia to get the vaccine for those, who have yet to receive the first jab," Sadikin noted at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Sadikin received his second shot of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine along with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and some other public figures at the Merdeka Palace.
"The antibody will be formed one or two weeks after vaccination, and Insya Allah (God willing), they can work more comfortably because medical workers are among those at higher risk (of COVID-19)," he remarked.
Sadikin pointed out that the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia had surpassed one million as of January 26.
The minister has urged the public to continue to adhere to health protocols while the government would concomitantly work towards thwarting the infection by intensifying the tracing, testing, and treatment of the cases of coronavirus infections.
The government has targeted 181.5 million people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and to create herd community against the novel coronavirus.
The government has ordered 329.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd, US-Canada firm Novavax, British AstraZeneca and joint US-Germany pharmaceutical firm Pfizer BioNTech.
In its first stage, medical workers and non-medical workers at health facilities will be accorded priority in the vaccination program. (Antaranews)
January
General public to receive COVID-19 vaccine shots in February: Jokowi
Written by Nur YasminJan. 27 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted the likelihood of the general public receiving the COVID-19 vaccine shots in mid-February of 2021.
"As I mentioned earlier, first priority will be given to medical workers, including doctors and nurses. (The vaccination of) military and police personnel and public service officers may coincide with that of ordinary people. I think (they can be vaccinated) in mid-February," he remarked after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the center yard of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
The head of state noted that the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program prioritized those on the forefront in the battle against COVID-19, such as medical workers.
"The first priority is medical workers and the next are military and police personnel and public service officers," he remarked.
With 30 thousand vaccinators, 10 thousand public health service posts (puskesmas), and three thousand hospitals across Indonesia, the president expects 900 thousand to one million people to be vaccinated per day.
"This is (our) target. I always tell the health minister that it requires time and good management," he affirmed.
Despite being vaccinated, the public must continue to follow health protocols, such as wearing masks, washing hands, and observing physical distancing, he noted.
"This is important because that is the key. Apart from vaccination, the key is following health protocols. Reduce mobility to anywhere. I think that is all," he stated.
The president spoke of not having felt a thing while receiving the second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
"It is the same (as the first shot of the vaccine) two weeks ago when I felt nothing. Only two hours later, I felt stiff," he stated.
President Jokowi received the first shot of the Sinovac vaccine on January 13, 2021. He was the first Indonesian to receive the vaccine.
The Sinovac-made CoronaVac vaccine should be administered twice, at an interval of 14 days, with each inoculation dose at 0.5 milliliters.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, revealed that 179 thousand out of the 1.48 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered across Indonesia as of January 25, 2021.
Indonesia is among the ASEAN member states to roll out a COVID-19 vaccination campaign at the start of this year, Hartarto stated.
The minister remarked that the first phase of the free COVID-19 vaccine program, from January to April 2021, will focus on 1.3 million medical workers, 17.4 million public service officers, and 21.5 million senior citizens.
The second phase of the program, from April 2021 to March 2022, will cover 63.9 million vulnerable people living in areas with the highest risk of COVID-19 transmission and another 77.4 million people. (Antaranews)
January
President Jokowi receives second dosage of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine
Written by Nur YasminJan. 27 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was administered the second shot of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Before being given the vaccine's second dose, the president got his vital signs checked, akin to the protocol followed before his first coronavirus vaccine injection on January 13.
"After the first vaccination on January 13, two weeks ago, today, I got the second shot of the vaccine. Similar to the first one two weeks ago, I did not feel anything. Only some muscle aches after two hours, and I can engage in normal activities," Jokowi remarked after receiving his second vaccine injection.
The head of state admitted that the number of people being vaccinated is still low.
"This was just the beginning, started from the doctors and nurses, and as of today, we have at least 250 thousand (being vaccinated). The number has sharply increased in the past two days," Jokowi stated.
According to the Health Ministry, 161,959 medical workers received the COVID-19 vaccine shot as of January 25.
The ministry has targeted 1.48 million medical workers to receive the vaccine, and of the target, 1.45 million were re-registered for the inoculation.
"With more than 30 thousand vaccinators in 10 thousand public health centers (Puskesmas) and three thousand hospitals, we hope that 900 thousand to one million people would be vaccinated. However, this will need time and good management, as I always conveyed to the Health Minister," Jokowi stated.
By mid-February of 2021, people could start getting the vaccine.
"First, we prioritize medical workers and thereafter the military and police personnel and public service officers. I hope by mid-February, all people can get (the vaccine)," he stated.
Other public figures to have received the second dosage of the vaccine comprised Chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) Daeng M. Faqih, Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Amiesyah Tambunan, advisory leader of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Ahmad Ishomuddin, Indonesian Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Police Chief Gen. Idham Azis, and celebrity Raffi Ahmad.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, head of the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM) Penny Kusumastuti, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Rosan Roeslani Perkasa, and Secretary General of the Indonesian Midwives Association Ade Zubaedah also received the second shot of the vaccine.
The Sinovac-made CoronaVac vaccine should be administered twice at an interval of 14 days, with each inoculation dose of 0.5 milliliters.
President Jokowi received the first shot of the Sinovac vaccine on January 13, 2021. He was the first Indonesian to have been administered the vaccine. (Antaranews)
January
President welcomes inauguration of sharia economic brand
Written by Nur YasminJan. 26, 2021 - President Joko Widodo has welcomed the inauguration of the Sharia Economic Brand to increase public awareness of sharia economic activities.
"I welcome the inauguration of the Sharia Economic Brand. This is very important to increase public awareness as support for sharia economic activities," the President remarked at the launch of the National Movement for Cash Waqf and Inauguration of the Sharia Economic Brand at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
The President, who is also chairman of the National Committee on Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS), said the Sharia Economic Brand will join forces to increase the added value of the sharia economy in Indonesia.
The President said that the sharia economy still has enormous potential to be developed.
Sharia economic development is not only being carried out by countries with a majority Muslim population, but also other countries such as Japan, Thailand, Britain, and the United States, he added.
"We must seize this opportunity by pushing for the acceleration, accelerating the development of the national Islamic economy and finance. We must prepare ourselves as the center of the global Islamic economy," the President explained.
Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, as chairman of the KNEKS, said the Sharia Economic Brand is a logo or symbol belonging to the state, which will be used to unite togetherness in all activities related to sharia economics and finance in Indonesia.
The Sharia Economic Brand is also aimed at increasing literacy, education, and massive socialization of Islamic economics and finance with the aim of increasing public knowledge, skills, and confidence in Islamic economics and finance.
"I hope that the Islamic Economic Brand can be used by all ministries, institutions, and stakeholders engaged in sharia economics and finance, in every activity and product they have," the Vice President remarked.
Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, had earlier said the total cash waqf collected and deposited in banks as of December 20, 2020 stood at Rp328 billion.
"Meanwhile, the project based waqf has reached Rp597 billion," she said at the launch of the Sharia Economic Brand in Jakarta on Monday.
Sri Mulyani emphasized that the government is very committed to promoting the integrated Islamic economic and financial sector.
This is being done in order to accelerate, expand, and develop the economy and finance to support national economic resilience, she added.
The minister said in the sharia social fund sector, which includes zakat (alms), sodaqoh (simple alms), and infaq (disbursements), waqf is a part that has a very strategic potential to be developed.
The Islamic social fund sector has enormous potential in supporting efforts to overcome problems of development, poverty, and improving the welfare of the community, Sri Mulyani remarked. (Antaranews)
January
Police should act against racist remarks on social media: KSP
Written by Nur YasminJan. 26, 2021 - Indonesian presidential chief of staff office (KSP) deputy urged the National Police to act sternly against Ambroncius Nababan for his racist remark on his social media account, allegedly targeting a noted Papuan human rights defender.
The presidential chief of staff office is scrutinizing the racist remark posted by Nababan on his social media account that fueled massive protests from the public, especially Papuan communities, Jaleswari Pramodhawardani stated here on Monday.
"A discriminative response is not allowed for every different opinion on a specific issue since it violates notions stipulated in Indonesia's Anti-discrimination Law No. 40 of 2008," Pramodhawardani noted in a statement.
Nababan's racist remark on his social media account does not align with the principles of unity in diversity that respect differences based on races, tribes, religions, genders, disability, pluralism, and multiculturalism, she pointed out.
Hence, racist remarks over all forms of discriminative acts would have no place in Indonesia, Pramodhawardani emphasized, adding that the Indonesian State Constitution also guaranteed the nation's unity in diversity.
The notion of unity in diversity was then elaborated in various legal instruments, including the country's Human Rights Law No.39 of 1999, she noted.
"Based on this, the National Police must not hesitate to handle this case immediately and harshly," she affirmed.
Pramodhawardani appealed to all societal elements, at large, to not play with fire by abusing the issues of ethnicity, religion, and race (SARA) since the government will fiercely crackdown on those threatening the unity of the nation and state.
Meanwhile, Nababan disclosed to CNN Indonesia the reason behind him posting the photos of Natalius Pigai, a former commissioner of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), and a gorilla on his Facebook account.
Nababan, general chairman of the Pro-Jokowi-Amin Volunteers (Projamin), was quoted by CNN Indonesia on Monday as saying that he did so to respond to Pigai's statement containing his rejection of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.
As a volunteer of incumbent President Joko Widodo, Nababan voiced his discontent over Pigai's statement, according to CNN Indonesia.
In response to Nababan's racist remark, Pigai wrote a statement directed to Lloyd Austin, a retired army general, that US President Joe Biden had appointed him to be his defense secretary, on his Twitter account @NataliusPigai2.
Austin is the first African American to hold the top Pentagon position in US history.
"I am proud of you, mr@LloydAustin, black African American most powerful gentleman in the world. We have been on fire against Indonesian Collective (state) Racism against black African Melanesians (Papuan) for more than 50 years. Torture, killing & slow-motion genocide. We need attention," Pigai wrote.
In August and September 2019, Papua and West Papua had come under the radar of both Indonesian and foreign media after a spate of violence broke out in several parts of these two Indonesian provinces.
On August 28, 2019, violence erupted in Deiyai District, some 500 kilometers away from Jayapura, resulting in the deaths of an army soldier and two civilians.
The indigenous Papuan residents of Jayapura again held protests on August 29, 2019, as they vented their ire over the alleged racist behavior against their Papuan compatriots in Surabaya, but their rally then took a violent turn.
On September 23, 2019, a deadly riot had erupted in Wamena, the capital city of Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, killing 33 civilians, including a senior medical doctor, who had served the native Papuans for 15 years. (Antaranews)
January
Singapore remains largest investor in Indonesia in 2020: BKPM
Written by Nur YasminJan. 26, 2021 - Singapore remained the largest investor in Indonesia last year, with investments totaling US$9.8 billion, according to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
Next was China with an investment of US$4.8 billion, followed by Hong Kong with US$3.5 billion, Japan with US$2.6 billion, and South Korea with US$1.8 billion, BKPM chief Bahlil Lahadalia said during an online press conference on Monday.
He specifically highlighted the investments made by Japan and South Korea.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, South Korea invested US$699.5 million, overtaking Japan, which pumped in US$453.7 million as the fourth largest investor in Indonesia. But overall, Japan was still ahead of South Korea in terms of foreign investors in Indonesia last year.
"In the fourth quarter (of 2020), South Korea was ahead of Japan. But cumulatively, Japan was ahead of South Korea. The difference (in their investment) is small — US$800 million," Lahadalia informed.
The competition between the two countries will get tighter in 2021, he said, without elaborating on which country is likely to invest more in Indonesia.
In the October-December, 2020 quarter, Singapore still ranked first with an investment of US$2.6 billion, followed by China (US$1.3 billion), Hong Kong (US$1 billion), South Korea (US$699.5 million), and Japan (US$453.7 million).
He further disclosed the next top five investors in Indonesia last year: the Netherlands, Malaysia, the United States, Taiwan, and Australia
"The Netherlands is also interesting since they (are expected to) serve as a European hub in the future," he said. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia adds 11,788 fresh COVID-19 cases, tally reaches 989,262
Written by Nur YasminIndonesia on Sunday added 11,788 COVID-19 infections, 7,751 recoveries, and 171 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 989,262, while total recoveries have reached 798,810, and the death toll has climbed to 27,835.
At present, Indonesia has 80,114 people in 510 districts and cities who are suspected to have contracted the virus.
In the last 24 hours, a total of 48,002 specimens have been tested in laboratories across the country, bringing the cumulative examined specimens to 8,754,507 so far.
Provinces that have reported the highest number of new cases on Sunday included Jakarta, with 3,512 cases, followed by West Java (2,328), Central Java (1,515), East Java (901), East Kalimantan (432), Banten (410), Bali (292), North Sumatra (241), Yogyakarta (210), and South Sulawesi (205).
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).
Gorontalo and North Maluku Provinces reported fresh COVID-19 cases below 10 cases.
East Java registered the highest number of deaths in a single day at 56, followed by Jakarta (39), and Lampung (14).
The capital city also added 2,328 new recoveries, followed by West Java (1,767), East java (948), South Sulawesi (554), and East Kalimantan (388).
The highest cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Jakarta (249,815), followed by West Java (125,376), Central Java (115,013), and East Java (106,162).
So far, Jakarta has registered the highest number of total recoveries at 221,300, followed by West Java (102,341), East Java (90,942)., Central Java (72,659) and South Sulawesi (44,683.
In terms of the death toll, East Java has recorded the highest number of deaths at 7,381, followed by Central Java (4,892), Jakarta (3,988), West Java (1,517), and East Kalimantan (939). (antaranews)
January
Over 190 natural disasters struck Indonesia during January 1-23
Written by Nur YasminIndonesia had been stricken by a total of 197 natural disasters during the January 1-23 period, according to data of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
Most of those disasters were hydrometeorological disasters, the agency wrote on its official Twitter account on Saturday.
The disasters comprising 134 floods, 31 landslides, and 24 whirlwinds, claimed 184 lives, injured, 2,700 people, rendered nine people missing, and affected or displaced 1.9 million people.
In January 2020, during the same period, BNPB recorded 297 disasters affecting across Indonesia, particularly massive flooding in Jakarta and surrounding areas, and claiming 91 lives.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned of likely hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides and whirlwind, occurring simultaneously in several regions during the peak of the ongoing rainy season.
Related news: Bareskrim probes major flooding in S Kalimantan
"Since October 2020, the BMKG has issued early warnings of potential extreme weather-related conditions due to various phenomena that are feared to coincide with the rainy season," BMKG Head Dwikorita Karnawati said.
A powerful earthquake recently rocked West Sulawesi and claimed nearly 100 lives, and destroying homes, infrastructure, and public facilities.
In South Kalimantan, massive floods triggered by incessant heavy rains, inundated 10 districts and cities, and paralyzed the local economic and daily activities in the province.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), while visiting Banjar District, South Kalimantan, on January 18, said that the massive flooding was the first to have occurred in the province in the past 50 years. The 10 flood-affected districts and cities are Tapin, Banjar, Banjar Baru, Tanah Laut City, Banjarmasin City, Hulu Sungai Tengah, Balangan, Tabalong, Hulu Sungai Selatan, and Batola.
The floods claimed 15 lives, swamped 24,379 houses, and displaced 39,549 people. (Antaranews)
January
Jakarta extends social distancing measures until Feb 8
Written by Nur YasminJakarta Governor Anies Baswedan extended the implementation of the Transitional Large-Scale Social Restrictions until February 8, 2021, in order to reduce the rate of exposure to COVID-19.
Anies, in a written statement received in Jakarta, Sunday night, said that one effort was made by strengthening the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 at the sub-district level.
"The COVID-19 Task Force at the RW level has almost a year of experience. They will focus on reaching and suppressing the family cluster," said Anies.
The former Minister of Education and Culture said that the family cluster contributed 566 cases of COVID-19 transmission in Jakarta, while the office cluster accounted for 312 cases.
Anies also reminded the importance of cross-sectoral consolidation with local governments around Jakarta to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
This decision is based on observations of data per January 24 in health facilities in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, and the surrounding areas.
According to Anies, the atmosphere of residents in Jakarta feels dreadful to the spread of COVID-19, so it is important to increase awareness.
"And we hope that this atmosphere will also be felt by residents outside Jakarta, so that the responsibility to tackle and prevent exposure to COVID-19 can be carried out together," said Anies.
The decision to extend the transitional PSBB from January 26 to February 8 is stipulated in the Governor Decree (Kepgub) Number 51 of 2021 regarding the Extension of the Enforcement of the Period and Limitation of Outdoor Activities.
This decision was made based on data compiled by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office regarding the growth rate of active cases in the Capital City which was still high in the last two weeks.
The data on active cases on January 11, 2021, was 17,946 with a total of 208,583 confirmed cases in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, as of January 24, 2021, the number of active cases increased by 34 percent to 24,224, with the total number of confirmed cases in Jakarta totaling 245,815 cases.
"The number of active cases of 24,224 exceeds the highest point of active cases in Jakarta. So, this is a message to all citizens that the pandemic is not over," said Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office, Widyastuti.
Likewise, the condition of the availability of isolation beds as of January 24, 2021, leaving only 14 percent of the 8,055 available isolation beds that were filled with 6,954 beds.
This condition, continued Widyastuti, made the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government prepare a plan to increase the capacity of isolation beds by 1,941 beds. So, the total will be 9,996 beds.
The same thing happened to the ICU in Jakarta, it was noted that the ICU capacity had been filled by 84 percent with 1,097 ICU beds and 921 ICU beds had been used.
"We will also increase the ICU capacity to 1,362 ICU beds," said Widyastuti.
The DKI Provincial Government has also made additions to health facilities and health workers in order to reduce the mortality rate and increase the cure rate.
As of January 24, 2021, of the total cases, 221,567 people were declared to have recovered with a recovery rate of 88.7 percent, and a total of 4,024 people died with a death rate of 1.6 percent while Indonesia's death rate was 2.8 percent. (antaranews)
