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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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December
Govt prepares 426 million doses for vaccine program
Written by Nur YasminThe Indonesian government has prepared 426 million COVID-19 vaccines for around 181 million Indonesians in a bid to create herd immunity against the virus.
Taking into account that a single person would need to be given two doses of the vaccine and in compliance with the WHO guidelines, the government has prepared 15 percent of vaccine reserves, so the total number of doses required is around 426 million, said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Tuesday.
"Of the 269 million Indonesians, if we want to pursue herd immunity over the age of 18, there are 188 million [citizens]. Of these 188 million, the target of vaccination is 181 million people," he informed.
According to the minister, this number is quite large and the government has been trying hard to ensure that there will be adequate doses of the vaccine available.
To secure the vaccines, the government has used four bilateral channels and one multilateral route.
"Of the four bilateral routes, we have signed a contract with Sinovac for 125 million vaccines and have the option to add [to] them. We have also signed with Novavax for 100 million doses, and there is a portion that we will definitely take and there is a portion of options [doses reserved for optional expansion]," Sadikin informed.
A contract with AstraZeneca for 100 million vaccine doses will soon be signed, of which 50 million doses have been confirmed and the rest have been reserved for optional expansion, he said.
The government will also sign a contract with BioNtech Pfizer soon for 100 million doses, of which 50 million doses have been confirmed and the rest have been reserved for optional expansion, he added.
Contract finalization with AstraZeneca and Pfizer will take place in the near future, Sadikin said.
"So, [of] a total of about 400 million doses of the vaccine, 100 million will be imported from China, 100 million from Novavax, namely an American-Canadian company, 100 million from AstraZeneca, a company from England, 100 million more from Pfizer, a joint company from Germany and US," Sadikin stated.
The agreements with four different companies were made to guarantee the arrival of vaccines, he noted.
"It is hoped that the vaccines will come gradually to Indonesia and [the authorities will] immediately inject all the people of Indonesia, namely 181 million people, so we hope that at the beginning of next year all the vaccine procurement readiness processes will be completed," Sadikin said.
Meanwhile, through the multilateral approach, Indonesia has entered into the GAVI COVAX Facility, which is providing vaccines for free to member countries.
"The numbers are still moving on how much is [to be] given to Indonesia, but the range is 3 percent of the population, [or] 100 million doses. So, we are making contracts with options from vaccine suppliers so that there is certainty of procurement from GAVI, which is free, so we don't need to take vaccines from the company, " Sadikin remarked.
This means, according to Sadikin, Indonesia has secured around 330 million doses and reserved 330 million doses for optional expansion.
"So, we have secured 660 million [doses]. We have a sufficient buffer if there are several sources that fail to be clinically tested or [there is] delay in the delivery process," he said. (antaranews)
December
Indonesia adds 7,903 COVID-19 cases, tally touches 727,122
Written by Nur YasminIndonesia added 7,903 fresh coronavirus infections in a single day, bringing the total case tally to 727,122, the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling reported here on Tuesday.
With 6,805 more people recovering from the virus, the total number of COVID-19 recoveries reached 596,783.
With 251 COVID-19 patients succumbing to the virus, the total death toll reached 21,703.
The data was obtained from 65,143 specimens examined in a day. The cumulative number of specimens examined in Indonesia has reached 7,224,452 so far.
The country also registered 68,181 suspected COVID-19 infections in 510 districts and cities in 34 provinces.
Jakarta contributed the highest number of fresh cases at 2,056, followed by West Java (1,329), Central Java (1,056), East Java (789), South Sulawesi (568), East Kalimantan (314), Yogyakarta (282), Bali (172), North Kalimantan (166), and Banten (121).
Three provinces reported less than 10 new cases — Aceh, which recorded nine new cases, North Maluku six new cases, and West Papua five new cases.
Central Java province reported the most deaths in a single day at 91, followed by East Java (64), Jakarta (18), Southeast Sulawesi (11), and Yogyakarta (10).
Meanwhile, the provinces that reported the most recoveries were West Java (1,158), followed by Jakarta (1,007), Central Java (794), East Java (793), and South Sulawesi (512).
The COVID-19 tally in Jakarta has so far reached 179,660, East Java 82,321, West Java 81,322, Central Java 79,826, and South Sulawesi 30,030.
Jakarta also recorded the highest total number of COVID-19 recoveries at 161,243, followed by East Java (70,467), West Java (68,353), Central Java (53,428), and South Sulawesi (25,440).
Meanwhile, East Java reported the highest death toll at 5,701, followed by Central Java at 3,422, Jakarta 3,228, West Java 1,159, and East Kalimantan 731.
December
Indonesia to get 370 million vaccine doses by 2022
Written by Nur YasminThe Ministry of National Development Planning / National Development Planning Agency (PPN / Bappenas) has revealed that Indonesia will receive around 370 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by different pharma companies by 2022.
"The target for the vaccine (program) is (ensuring) 181 million people to achieve herd immunity and there are reserves, so that the number reaches over 370 million," Suharso Monoarfa, Minister of National Development Planning concurrently Head of Bappenas, said at an online press conference here on Monday.
Meanwhile, Bappenas deputy for economic affairs, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, provided further details on the plans for vaccine delivery, based on data discussed at the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN). Around 116 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine are expected to arrive in Indonesia by 2021, she said.
Novavax has confirmed it will ship about 52 million vaccine doses in 2021, she added.
Indonesia is in the process of ordering doses from Pfizer, she informed adding, 45 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine are expected to arrive in 2021. Another 12 million doses from Covax and 50 million doses from AstraZeneca are also being ordered, Widyasanti said.
"If all three brands can [fulfill the] order, there will be 275 million vaccines that we will get in 2021," she said at a press conference that took place in Bali.
Meanwhile, in 2022, shipments will continue based on confirmed orders, namely from Sinovac and Novavax, both of whom are expected to dispatch around 87 million vaccine doses.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, had revealed that the government has prepared a budget of Rp73 trillion for vaccine procuremen
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, said the state has already allocated a budget for vaccine procurement, which is estimated to reach Rp54.44 trillion. A total of Rp18 trillion in reserves and the remaining budget in the national economic recovery program for 2020, which has not been absorbed will be redirected into the new budget, she added. (antaranews)
December
Uno views Bali as benchmark for economic revival amid pandemic
Written by Nur YasminTourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno perceives Bali as a benchmark for the revival of tourism and the creative economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the preparedness of the tourist resort’s tourism destinations and creative economy, Bali can rise up from its economic downturn as well as become a role model for other regions in the country.
"Bali is the backbone of Indonesia's tourism and creative economy," he noted in a statement here on Monday.
Uno spoke of being handed over a special task by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to focus on five super-priority destinations. Bali should serve as a paradigm for the five super-priority destinations to revive the tourism sector and creative economy.
"President Jokowi urged me to focus on the five super-priority destinations. However, these five super-priority destinations should take a cue from Bali since it is a world-class destination. Hence, if we want to develop it, we have to learn from Bali all aspects of readying tourist destinations. Everyone wants Bali to become the main reference," he asserted.
During a dialogue with businessmen engaged in the tourism sector and creative economy in Bali, Uno claimed to have a program to boost economic recovery.
"I encourage innovation, adaptation, and collaboration programs. In the framework of collaboration, I need inputs from champions of the creative economy. I will study these inputs to later become our materials for reviving the economy," he explained.
The minister plans to expand grant funds for tourism entrepreneurs and the creative economy under the short-term plan for the recovery program.
"For the short term, it is to expand grant funds to cover tourism and creative economy businesses outside hotels and restaurants in addition to covering many elements of the creative economy," he stated.
The new minister spoke of having received requests from the governor and deputy governor of Bali for the government to facilitate local businessmen through the provision of soft loans amounting to Rp9.9 trillion in total. In connection with this matter, Uno highlighted his intent to coordinate with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. (antaranews)
December
Social Affairs Ministry launches social entrepreneurship program
Written by Nur YasminThe Social Affairs Ministry has launched the Social Entrepreneurship Program (Prokus) targeting graduated beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program (PKH) to assist them in keeping their businesses afloat.
"Prokus is aimed at empowering people through business approaches," the ministry's Director General of Social Empowerment, Edi Suharto, noted in a statement here on Sunday.
The first strategy is the B-for-S business approach to address the social risk, while the second is the B plus S approach, a business and social integration for the people’s empowerment.
The program is expected to lower poverty and unemployment.
Prokus has three components known as the Triple Power, comprising social assistance in incentive for working capital (BSiMU), Business Mentoring Incubation (IMB), and social mentoring.
For implementation of the program, the ministry has involved Oorange Unpad (Padjajaran University), State Polytechnic of Semarang (Polines) ZFN Agape Indonesia (Titipku), Bina Swadaya, and mentors from social affairs office in sub-districts.
"The entrepreneurship program is part of the government's intervention to help graduated PKH beneficiaries to survive in this pandemic," Suharto stated, adding that this is an anchor of the ministry's social empowerment program.
In 2020, Prokus fund of Rp3.5 million each was distributed to one thousand graduated PKH beneficiaries in the five regions of Majalengka District, West Bandung District, Jakarta, Semarang District, and Bantul District. (antaranews)
December
Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur investigates Indonesia Raya parody video
Written by Nur YasminThe Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur has coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked the Malaysian Police (PDRM) to investigate the maker of the national anthem Indonesia Raya parody on YouTube.
"We have communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the PDRM team will carry out an investigation," said the Coordinator of the Education and Culture Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Yoshi Iskandar when contacted in Kuala Lumpur, Monday.
Yoshi said based on his monitoring the video had also been taken down from YouTube.
"If you look at the video, it has also been taken down. That is from the channel side. But maybe it still exists because it is circulating in the media," he said.
Yoshi said on Sunday (27/12) his party had coordinated fast movement.
"As soon as the video went up, we immediately coordinated with the PDRM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. From there a statement came out from the Malaysian Embassy. That was the result of our coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to reduce the situation we see now because it is busy in the media and there are many comments," he said.
Yoshi emphasized that in principle we will solve it in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
"We'll see. The process just flows. We entrust it to the Malaysian side. We entrust the Malaysian PDRM to investigate this matter. So let it go like that. We will continue to monitor it," he said.
Yoshi said that his party knew about the video last Sunday based on reports from the public.
"As soon as we know, we trace back that there are several channels, but if we enter the local PDRM area, we will follow the applicable corridor," he said.
He said he appealed to the public to hold back together.
"The actions taken are sensitive, of course, provocative. It can affect the good relations between people to people and Indonesia - Malaysia. So don't be provoked. What is clear is that we trust the law. Their response is also fast. We appreciate it," he said. (Antaranews)
December
President Asks New Social Affairs Minister To Finish Social Assistance 2020
Written by Nur YasminThe newly appointed Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini said President Joko Widodo mandated her to finish the 2020 Social Assistance by the end of the year.
"Then next year in early January it has to be distributed to run the economy," she said after the handover ceremony in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Her role was previously filled by Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendy. He was appointed by the president as Acting Minister of Social Affairs.
After being inaugurated, Risma, the Minister's nickname, said that she would move quickly, including improving data, especially the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS).
According to her, whatever work program to be implemented must have benchmarks so data is very much needed. For example, if the government provides assistance, it should show its impact on the lives of aid recipients.
"There must be a measure," she said.
Apart from improving the data, Risma said that she would also focus on paying attention to other social problems, including on handling people with mental issues who are homeless.
In fact, she admitted that she had coordinated with the Minister of Health regarding this problem.
"Nobody cared for them, now we have to treat it, and I believe it can be handled," said the PDI-P politician.
She will also focus on handling street children.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture said that the Ministry of Social Affairs has a strategic and important role in efforts to overcome social problems.
This is in line with President Joko Widodo's program, namely human resource development, simplification of the bureaucracy, infrastructure development, simplification of regulations, and finally economic transformation.
To realize these five national programs, Muhadjir hopes that all levels at the Ministry of Social Affairs can work optimally and carry out the assigned tasks well.
On that occasion, the former Minister of Education and Culture also reminded the Ministry of Social Affairs to immediately update the DTKS. (antaranews)
December
Russia Hopes To Materialize Strategic Partnership With Indonesia
Written by Nur YasminRussian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva hopes that Indonesia and Russia can immediately sign a strategic partnership between the two countries.
In a press statement that was held virtually on Wednesday (23/12/2020), Ambassador Lyudmila said that the signing was supposed to take place in 2020 when the two heads of state met on the agenda of the High-Level Conference as part of the 70th anniversary of cooperation between Indonesia and Russia.
However, according to her, the agenda should be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As you know the plan Summit between our two leaders to commemorate the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations did not happen this year because of the pandemic," Vorobieva said.
"We hope that the Summit will take place after the pandemic is over probably next year if the conditions are favorable and we will sign final declaration on Strategic Partnership between our two countries," she added.
Ambassador Lyudmila Vorobieva further said that during 2020 or during the Covid-19 pandemic, the value of trade and investment cooperation between Indonesia and Russia did not change significantly.
Therefore, she hopes that the strategic cooperation between the two countries can be signed soon so bilateral cooperation between the two countries can be increased. (VOI/Andy)
December
Vietnam Ambassador upbeat about cooperation in digital technology
Written by Nur YasminVietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang urged to intensify bilateral cooperation between both nations to cover new sectors, including digital technology, particularly to face the post-COVID-19 pandemic economic situation.
Indonesia and Vietnam commemorated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. Quang remarked that the COVID-19 pandemic that rages on this year has had social and economic impacts and disrupted implementation of the partnership agenda between both nations.
"The governments of the two countries must expand their collaboration to cover new fields, such as digital technology, new technology, intellectual property rights and clean energy, smart city (...) and startup ecosystem, with the aim of seizing opportunities in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era," the ambassador noted in a written interview with ANTARA on Wednesday.
Under the bilateral trade, Vietnam exported farm, forestry, and fishery products to Indonesia, while Indonesia exported manufactured goods, automotive components, coal, paper, and palm oil to Vietnam.
Trade between the two countries rose by 60 percent, from US$5.6 billion in 2014 to US$9.1 billion in 2019. In 2020, trade value is projected to increase to US$20 billion.
"However, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from achieving the target, and that the governments and businessmen of the two countries need to be proactive to increase two-way strong, balanced, and sustainable trade," Quang emphasized.
Akin to most countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has also severely battered the tourism sector, both in Indonesia and Vietnam, especially owing to the restriction policy adopted by their governments to contain the spread of COVID-19, he stated.
Indonesia has begun promoting a new normal in the tourism sector that applies to both tourists and tourism operators through the InDOnesiaCARE Program that lays emphasis on health protocols to fight COVID-19 transmission in the tourism business.
"Last year, Vietnam and Indonesia had welcomed 18 million foreign tourists. We can cooperate and share experiences in again attracting foreign tourists during the post-pandemic era wherein health and cleanliness play a key role," he added. (antaranews)
December
Parents urged to stay alert for marijuana-laced food, beverages
Written by Nur YasminAmid reports of drug syndicates lacing instant food and beverages with marijuana to get children addicted to the narcotic, South Jakarta police have urged parents in the capital city to exercise care while buying packaged products.
"Please stay alert. Do not let yourselves get deceived by the pack cover of the cannabis-infused food and beverage products," South Jakarta Metropolitan Police chief, Sen.Coms. Budi Sartono, was quoted by ANTARA as saying here on Wednesday.
The warning has been issued after the recent arrest of two suspects, identified by their initials as AK and SN, over sale and production of marijuana-infused food and beverage products, he informed.
AK was apprehended in South Jakarta on December 11, 2020 for ordering and selling products made by SN, while SN was nabbed from his house in Aceh Besar district, Aceh on December 17, 2020, he said.
When investigators got several samples of chocolate milk powder that SN had supplied to AK examined in a laboratory, they were found to contain marijuana, he added.
Police also found substantial traces of marijuana in milk, coffee, and "dodol" (a traditional snack made of coconut milk, glutinous rice, and palm sugar) products confiscated from SN, he continued.
The suspects have been placed under police custody for further questioning since there is reason to believe SN may have supplied his products to Jakarta and its outskirts, Sartono said.
"We are still probing this possibility," he said, adding that the cannabis-laced milk powder was being sold in sachets like the ones usually found in cafes.
The marijuana-laced coffee powder was also being sold in sachets to avoid making consumers suspicious, said Sartono adding, police will seal the premises of shop-owners found selling any such products.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers consider Indonesia a potential market owing to its vast population and millions of drug users. Drug trade in the nation is valued at nearly Rp66 trillion.
People from all strata of society are falling prey to drugs, regardless of their socio-economic and professional backgrounds.
The Indonesian government has taken harsh punitive action against drug kingpins found smuggling and trading drugs in the country over the past few decades.
National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief, Commissioner General Heru Winarko, has sought capital punishment for those involved in drug trade in the country. Meanwhile, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.
According to National Police chief, General Idham Azis, Indonesian district courts have awarded capital punishment to at least 100 drug offenders in the first half of this year.
However, this has failed to deter drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as a main market, prompting Indonesian law enforcers to tighten vigilance against them.
