Indonesia's National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) is offering foreign partners an opportunity for cooperating with the Indonesian government to develop a new Indonesian capital city in Kalimantan.
Bappenas is drafting a concept to develop the new capital city as part of the efforts to specify the model of cooperation with foreign partners, Bappenas Deputy for Development Funding Leonard Tampubolon stated in Jakarta on Friday.
"In fact, we are open, but we still have to look at the model of cooperation in detail. The concept is being drafted. Only after the concept is ready, we will see the requirement," he remarked in Jakarta on Friday.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has reached a decision to relocate the capital city of Indonesia from Jakarta to East Kalimantan and to this end appointed Bappenas as coordinator to plan the concept of the new capital city.
Leonard stated that several countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, have offered to cooperate with Indonesia for development of the new capital city under varied financing schemes, including investment, grant, and loan.
"They have inquired which (area of cooperation) they can become involved in. However, we must first look at the details (of the concept) and the model of cooperation," he stated.
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin had earlier remarked that foreign partners offering to cooperate with Indonesia in developing the new capital city should meet qualifications in line with the government's requirements.
"We will choose those with adequate technology in line with the plan and conditions agreed upon," he remarked on Thursday.
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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
Man claiming to be final prophet gets reported for blasphemy
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
The Tana Toraja Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) in South Sulawesi has issued a fatwa declaring a local organization led by a man named Paruru Daeng Tau, who claims to be the final prophet, a heretical organization. The council filed a police report against the leader alleging blasphemy.
Paruru, who comes from the neighboring Gowa regency, is the spiritual leader of an organization called the Customary and Pancasila Implementing Agency (LPAAP) in Tana Toraja.
The group’s presence has caused disquiet among local residents because although the organization declared itself Islam-based, its teachings appeared to be against Islamic tenets.
The religious group chose Mambura village in Lembang Bantu Datu, Mengkendek district, as its headquarters. Its followers reportedly believed that Paruru was the final prophet of Islam rather than the Prophet Muhammad.
Tana Toraja MUI chairman Ahmad Zainal Muttakin said the edict was issued in response to reports from local residents and local authorities who grew suspicious of the group’s teachings.
Prior to issuing the edict, the MUI opened an investigation of the group. MUI representatives visited its headquarters in October.
The MUI said the LPAAP taught that the five daily prayers, fasting, paying alms and embarking on a pilgrimage – some of the core principles of Islam – were not obligations for the group’s followers. The MUI also found that the followers were only required to pray two times a day.
Based on the findings, the MUI issued an edict maintaining that the group had spread heretical teachings.
“The leader, Paruru Daeng Tau, refuted the edict so the Tana Toraja MUI and the Religious Ministry office summoned him to explain his objections last Tuesday,” Zainal said on Monday, as reported by kompas.com.
The MUI filed an official report to the police against Paruru’s alleged blasphemy on Monday.
The MUI asked local authorities to close down the headquarters and revoke the LPAAP’s permit, which was first issued in 2016.
Zainal explained that, from residents’ testimonies, Paruru was first brought to Tana Toraja by a villager named Syariffudin who worked as a teacher at the SMPN 3 state junior high school in Lamasi, Luwu regency.
“The LPAAP in Tana Toraja currently has eight families or about 50 people as its followers,” he added.
Tana Toraja Police spokesman First. Adj. Insp. Erwin said the police had only apprehended Paruru for his safety to prevent backlash from local residents following the MUI’s edict. Paruru was not detained further. After his release, Paruru left his home and there were no longer any LPAAP activities in the neighborhood, according to Erwin.
“From our latest information, he has traveled to Palopo and Luwu,” Erwin said.
Tana Toraja Police criminal investigation unit head Adj. Comr. Jon Paerunan said the police would begin an investigation.
“We will summon related parties for the investigation,” he said, adding that local authorities had started to give guidance to Paruru’s congregation to return to traditional Islamic beliefs.
December
Minister seeks transfer of authorities to better tackle SOEs’ troubles
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
The government plans to revise a regulation and issue a ministerial decree to improve the performances of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), according to a minister.
SOEs Minister Erick Thohir said during a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VI on Monday that his ministry was still reviewing Government Regulation No. 41/2003 on the transfer of authorities for overseeing of SOEs from the Finance Ministry to the SOEs Ministry.
"The 2003 regulation prevents us from merging or liquidating companies, while there are a number of problematic companies," he told the commission overseeing SOEs, trade, investment, industry, cooperatives and small and medium enterprises.
According to chapter three of the regulation, the transfer does not include the authority to provide SOEs with state capital injections (PMN) nor the authority to establish new companies.
Erick said the planned revision was necessary so that his ministry could address the problems faced by a number of SOEs. A recent example is state-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya’s liquidity problem.
Many SOEs’ problems stem from low productivity. The country’s 142 SOEs and their subsidiaries last year made Rp 210 trillion (US$14.92 billion) in total revenue, of which 70 percent was contributed by just 15 companies.
Furthermore, Erick said, SOEs had too many subsidiaries, many of which operated in sectors outside of the parent company’s core line of business.
For example, many SEO have subsidiaries that operate hotels, industrial estates and hospitals. Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, for instance, has a subsidiary that provides ground handling services, while ship financing company PT Pengembangan Armada Niaga Nasional (PANN) has a subsidiary that leases aircraft.
“How can a ship financing company survive if it also operates aircraft leasing and hotel businesses?” Erick said.
The minister said his office had prioritized revising the 2003 regulation during the first six months of his term.
He said he would also issue a relevant decree to formulate the steps that needed to be taken to improve the performances of SOEs and to oversee their subsidiaries.
The minister told the commission he had simplified the bureaucracy within his ministry and within SOEs by reducing the number of ministerial deputies and SOE commissioners. For example, he has cut the number of PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) commissioners to seven from eight and the number of its directors to eight from nine. (dfr)
December
Int'l Islamic University construction completed in 2020: Jokowi
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
The work to construct the International Islamic University of Indonesia, as a place of Islamic study, will be completed in 2020, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
"As a National Strategic Project, construction of the campus is expected to be completed by December 2020," Jokowi noted on his official Twitter account as quoted by ANTARA on Monday.
The president expects the university to become a place of study and research of Islamic civilization.
The government is building a campus, spanning 142.5 hectares of land, in Cimanggis, Depok, West Java in three stages.
Under stage one, the construction work comprises the rectorate building, faculty building, and the three pillar area, while the second phase entails the construction of five lecturer housing units, student dormitories, and renovation of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) engineering Building, and the third stage is the construction of a perimeter fence and the infrastructure of the campus area stage one.
The president had conducted the groundbreaking in June 2018.
The total budget to develop the university was estimated to reach Rp3.97 trillion.
In addition to buildings for academic activities, it will also house libraries, sports centers, religious asylum parks, and conservation parks.
The campus will have seven faculties: the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Architecture and Art.
December
Ukraine president denies quid pro quo with Trump
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
Ukraine's president on Monday renewed his denial of a quid pro quo with Donald Trump over military aid, despite a growing case against the US president in impeachment proceedings in Washington.
"I did not speak with US President Trump in those terms: you give me this, I give you that," Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with European publications including Germany's Der Spiegel magazine.
In remarks published in German, Zelensky said he "did not understand at all" the accusations heard at the hearings and did not "want to give an impression that we are beggars" in Ukraine.
The scandal centres around a phone conversation on July 25 in which the Republican leader is suspected of putting pressure on Ukraine to launch investigations against former Democratic vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who worked for a Ukrainian gas company.
The key issue is whether Trump set up a "quid pro quo" -- Latin for seeking one action in exchange for another -- with Zelensky by holding back promised US military aid for Ukraine until the Bidens were investigated.
In the interview published on Monday, Zelensky also played down expectations ahead of a summit on December 9 in Paris in which he is set to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the first time.
He said that an end to the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine could not be discussed until three preliminary steps had been taken.
He said there should first be a prisoner exchange within a "reasonable time period", followed by a genuine ceasefire and the retreat of all armed forces to allow local elections to be held in the region.
"If these three issues are resolved, then we can see if everyone wants to put an end to the conflict."
The conflict in Ukraine, which broke out in 2014 after pro-Western politicians took power in Kiev and Russia annexed Crimea, has killed more than 13,000 people.
December
China slaps sanctions on US over Hong Kong unrest
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
China suspended US warship visits and sanctioned American NGOs on Monday in retaliation for the passage of a bill backing pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
The financial hub has been rocked by nearly six months of increasingly violent unrest demanding greater autonomy, which Beijing has frequently blamed on foreign influence.
Last week US President Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which requires the president to annually review the city's favourable trade status and threatens to revoke it if the semi-autonomous territory's freedoms are quashed.
The move came as the world's two biggest economies have been striving to finalise a "phase one" deal in their protracted trade war.
"In response to the unreasonable behaviour of the US side, the Chinese government has decided to suspend reviewing the applications for US warships to go to Hong Kong for (rest and) recuperation as of today," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.
China had already denied requests for two US Navy ships to dock in Hong Kong in August, without specifying a reason why.
Behaving 'badly'
Hua said they would also apply sanctions to a number of US-based NGOs, although failed to give any specifics over the form sanctions would take.
Sanctions will apply to NGOs that had acted "badly" over the recent unrest in Hong Kong, she said, including the National Endowment for Democracy, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House.
There was "already a large amount of facts and evidence that make it clear that these non-governmental organisations support anti-China" forces and "incite separatist activities for Hong Kong independence", Hua added.
She accused them of having "great responsibility for the chaotic situation in Hong Kong".
Protesters in Hong Kong are pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability, but the city's pro-Beijing leadership has refused any major political concessions.
The increasingly violent rallies have hammered the retail and tourism sectors, with mainland Chinese visitors abandoning the city in droves.
The city's finance chief warned Monday that Hong Kong is set to record its first budget deficit in 15 years.
December
Jakarta governor vociferously lauds 212 reunion rally
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan unequivocally praised the peaceful manner in which this year's 212 reunion rally ran, thereby mirroring Indonesia's unity in diversity.
Addressing the annual event at the area of National Monument (Monas) Square in Central Jakarta on Monday morning, the Jakarta governor pointed out that those thronging the venue hailed from different parts of the archipelago.
In his speech at the event, Baswedan, dressed in his daily uniform as Jakarta governor, drew attention to the significance of ensuring justice for all to preserve genuine unity in diversity of the nation.
Baswedan joined respected figures on the stage of this 212 reunion rally at the invitation of the organizing committee.
Attendees at the event also held to commemorate Maulid Nabi Muhammad, or the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, comprised the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) Chairman, KH Ahmad Sobri Lubis, and Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party's elite, Fadli Zon.
FPI leader Habib Rizieq Shihab was offered the opportunity to deliver his recorded speech from the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in which he apologized for being unable to partake in the event directly.
Shihab, living in Saudi Arabia since May 2017, expressed keenness to return to Indonesia, but the Indonesian government has banned him from leaving Saudi Arabia to return to Jakarta.
Speaking in connection with the Shihab-related issue, Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD had claimed earlier of no valid evidence of the government having barred Muslim cleric Shihab from returning to Indonesia.
Mahfud believed it would be impossible for the government to impose the almost 1.5-year ban for Shihab since the regulation only allows a six-month ban.
The 212 reunion rally has been convened consistently since 2017 to commemorate the historic moment of the 212 rally that the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) had held on December 2, 2016.
Participating in the rally at that time were some seven million Indonesian Muslims hailing from different parts of the country and abroad to demand the prosecution of then Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) after he was accused of insulting Islam.
Despite the huge number of participants flocking to Monas Square and its adjoining areas, the rally proceeded peacefully. The areas that the crowds of people occupied and passed by also appeared clean owing to those, who voluntarily collected the trash.
Taking into account the significance of this commemorative event for strengthening "silaturrahim" (communal togetherness) among Muslims, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI)-Jakarta Chapter has let Muslims across the country join the 212 reunion rally.
December
Tens of thousands rally in Europe, Asia before UN climate summit
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
Tens of thousands of protesters, primarily in Europe and Asia, hit the streets on Friday to make a fresh call for action against global warming, hoping to raise pressure on world leaders days before a UN climate summit.
Carrying signs that read "One planet, one fight" and "The sea is rising, so must we", thousands flocked to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate for the latest "Fridays for Future" protest inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg.
In total, about 630,000 people demonstrated across more than 500 cities in Germany, the Fridays for Future movement said.
In Hamburg alone, some 30,000 mainly young people gathered and another 17,000 congregated in Munich to voice alarm at rising temperatures, police said.
Thunberg, meanwhile, was on a boat sailing across the Atlantic, but tweeted a photo of herself holding a sign that said "School strike for climate."
Rallies took place across Europe, although on a smaller scale than during September's wave of "climate strikes" when organizers said some four million people filled city streets around the world.
Approximately 1,700 turned out in Madrid, the host city of next week's 12-day COP25 conference, which aims to encourage governments to increase their commitments to cut emissions and combat climate change.
In France, climate activists focused their anger on the "Black Friday" sales bonanza with protesters blocking a distribution center of online retail giant Amazon outside Paris and others near Lyon and Lille.
Protesters in Paris also formed a human chain at La Defense shopping mall that prevented people from reaching stores, to highlight the climate costs of consumerism.
The Dutch branch of "Fridays for Future" said demos were taking place in around 15 cities, culminating in an evening march in Amsterdam where protesters would observe a moment's silence for victims of the climate crisis.
Several hundred young people also took to the streets of Lisbon, where Thunberg is expected to arrive shortly before making her way to Madrid.
Turnout was low in the United States and Canada, with the protest taking place during the American Thanksgiving holiday weekend. A demonstration in Washington drew about 50 people, another in New York had 100.
"It's important to keep showing up, keep being out there and talking to people about how this is not a problem that can go away, unless we address it head-on," said 24-year-old Frank Fritz in Washington.
New York police arrested 23 anti-consumerism protesters who staged a sit-in outside Macy's department store.
In Montreal, environmental groups distributed second-hand clothing.
"We are trying to create an eco-responsible movement against mass consumption, so we are giving away clothes for free to encourage people to consume less," protester Germain Desloges told AFP.
December
Hong Kong Airlines delays salaries as protests hit tourism
Written by Wenny Zulianti Published in Program Highlight
Low-cost carrier Hong Kong Airlines said Friday it will delay salary payments to some staff, warning its business has been "severely affected" by the political unrest in the city.
Nearly six months of protests in the international finance hub have dealt its tourism sector a massive blow, and airlines serving the city have struggled.
"Hong Kong Airlines' business is severely affected by the social unrest in Hong Kong and a sustained weak travel demand," the carrier said in a statement.
"With November being a low travel season, our revenue has dipped significantly, impacting our payroll for the month."
It said November salaries for all staff except cabin crew and overseas employees would now be delayed until December 6, but insisted the "one-off salary arrangement does not impact our daily operation".
Hong Kong Airlines is owned by struggling Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, which has been looking to lower its debt burden.
Earlier this year it unloaded another low-cost carrier -- HK Express -- to rival Cathay Pacific and it also cut some operations.
In early November, Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau ordered the airline to take further steps to improve its financial situation.
The tourism industry in Hong Kong has been battered by nearly six months of pro-democracy protests that have become increasingly violent, with arrivals falling by half.
The crisis comes as the economy was already feeling pressure from the China-US trade war, plunging into recession during the third quarter.
Cathay has also had a torrid year, hit by the collapse in arrivals and punished by Chinese regulators because some of its staff voiced support for the pro-democracy protests.
Singapore Airlines, China Eastern and Virgin Australia have all cut flights to Hong Kong this year.
December
November
Jokowi Orders Ministries to Trim Weapon Imports
Written by Ani Hasanah Published in Program Highlight
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has ordered his ministries to trim firearm imports and instead strengthen the local weaponry defense system industry.
"First, I would like to mention that the country's roadmap on the weaponry industry must prioritize the state-owned companies and domestic private sector. As a result, we can be less dependent on weapon imports," President Widodo remarked at a meeting with ministers at the president's office in Jakarta, Friday.
The ministries must ensure that each firearm import deal will include the tech-transfer as well as cooperation between Indonesia and the foreign countries involved, he stated. With the orders he has issued, the President hoped the quality of capital resources of the domestic weapons industries could be enhanced.
Apart from highlighting the importance of the domestic industry, the president also ordered ministries to keep up with the latest weaponry systems. "I don't expect us to still use the old, conventional firearms as it will not be suitable against future threats," he added.
Last month the Minister of Defense, Military Lt. Gen. (retired) Prabowo Subianto vowed to strengthen the country's weapons defense system during a visit to the National Military Force's (TNI) HQ in Jakarta.
"The TNI must be strong in all branch of services, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. For this reason, together with the Vice Minister, we want to strengthen the operational ranks of the TNI's real combat force, and we will strengthen the TNI," Prabowo remarked.
Firearms imports of Indonesia in 2018 amounts to US$354 million, far higher than the country's weapon exports that reach $15 million, according to a research launched by World Bank. (ANTARA)
