Indonesia has been working so hard to defend its national interests in facing the European Union's ban on the use of crude palm oil for biofuels, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.
"In facing the discrimination of several countries against our government in handling this CPO issue, we all must be solid," he told around 2,000 oil palm farmers of Labuhan Batu in North Sumatra Province, during his visit to the district area on Thursday.
During his visit to Labuhan Batu, known as one of Indonesia's main palm oil production centers thanks to the presence of state plantation company PTPN III, Pandjaitan said Indonesia would challenge any party hampering the country's palm oil products.
The government remains committed to defending the country's palm oil industries because they have a significant contribution to the efforts to decline poverty rate and absorb workforce, he said.
Therefore, if the European Union implements its ban on the use of crude palm oil for biofuels, the Indonesian government has prepared several options, including filing a complaint with the WTO and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
In response to this EU's ban, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo deplored the decision saying that the EU had applied double standards in banning Indonesia's CPO commodity.
In responding to the EU's discriminatory decision, the House supports the Indonesian Government's necessary measures, including the possibility of filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), he said.
The House and the government should walk hand-in-hand to face this challenge, Soesatyo said, adding that maintaining a good friendship with other countries is important, but preserving Indonesia's national interest and the interests of its people are above all.
The noted politician of the Golkar Party also hinted that a retaliation policy against the products of the EU member countries might be applied in response to this ban. As revealed by media reports, the European Parliament had recently decided to ban the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021, as it was considered environmentally unfriendly.(ant)
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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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April
The history of the Air Force began with the formation of the People's Security Agency (BKR) on August 23, 1945, to strengthen the Air Fleet which at that time was very short of airplanes and other facilities. In line with its development, it changed to the People's Security Army (TKR) on October 5, 1945 under the name TKR Aviation Office under the leadership of Air Commodore Suryadi Suryadarma. On January 23, 1946 the TKR was upgraded to TRI. As a continuation of the development of the Air Force's buds, then on April 9, 1946 the Flight Bureau TRI was abolished and replaced with the Republic of Indonesia Air Force which is now commemorated as the birth day of the Indonesian Air Force which was inaugurated simultaneously with the establishment of the Indonesian National Army (TNI). Source: http://www.tni-au.mil.id/sejarah.asp
April
Indonesia will file a lawsuit with the European Court, if the Delegated Regulation Supplementing Directive of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II, which will impact palm oil, is finally approved by the EU parliament.
Coordinating Minister of Maritime Luhut Panjaitan said that the government will keep trying to negotiate over the discrimination of palm oil by the EU in order to fight for the small palm oil farmers, who will be affected by these policies.
“Along with Malaysia, we would like to avoid those regulations; of course, negotiation is ongoing with the EU. But, if this continues, we might have to go to the European Court, or the World Trade Organization (WTO),” he said to reporters in Jakarta on Monday.
According to the minister, the process of applying for a lawsuit in the European Court is shorter and more effective than it is at the WTO, which may take years to process.
Another option, such as leaving the Paris Agreement, is also being considered in a bid to counter the pressure of the EU.
"Another option would be leaving the Paris Agreement. America and Brazil have done it, why can’t we? Indonesia is one of the largest producers of this oil, along with Brazil and Columbia. Columbia also has a large palm oil forest, so these developing countries might also be affected,” he stated.
To counter the anticipated reduction of demand in the EU market, Indonesia will target other markets and continue to boost the use of palm oil in Indonesia.
“B20, B30, until B100 or green energy will be encouraged further,” Panjaitan noted.
A joint letter signed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, raising objections on the discrimination of palm oil products and their derivatives has also been sent to the EU.
The objections were conveyed on behalf of palm oil farmers, whose lives depend on the industry.
Indonesia and Malaysia together supply 85 percent of palm oil products in the world. (ant)
April
FM Marsudi Discusses Palm Oil Issue with Dutch Foreign Minister in Den Haag
Written by Published in Program Highlight
Den Haag, 5 April 2019: “Palm oil issue holds significance interest for Indonesia, especially for the country’s poverty alleviation efforts. For Indonesia, palm oil issue is not a mere sustainability concern, but it also correlates with the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals,” stated Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno L.P. Marsudi, during bilateral meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister, Stephanus (Stef) Blok in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on 5 April 2019.
In the meeting, FM Marsudi expressed her disappointment towards the adoption of the discriminatory Draft Delegated Act that classifies palm oil as a high risk Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) vegetable oil by the European Commission. Further, she stated that a balanced discussion on the palm oil issues is highly necessary. Other than palm oil, the two ministers also discussed various other issues within the bilateral framework between the two countries. FM Marsudi also shared about various human rights achievements in Indonesia.
Besides, both Foreign Ministers discussed several issues within multilateral framework, including the agenda of Indonesian presidency for the UN Security Council in May 2019. In this regard, FM Marsudi invited Minister Blok to attend one of the open debates of UN Security Council in New York during the period of Indonesian presidency. (mofa)
April
Universal health coverage is WHO’s number one goal. Key to achieving it is ensuring that everyone can obtain the care they need, when they need it, right in the heart of the community.
Progress is being made in countries in all regions of the world.
But millions of people still have no access at all to health care. Millions more are forced to choose between health care and other daily expenses such as food, clothing and even a home.
This is why WHO is focusing on universal health coverage for this year’s World Health Day, on 7 April.
April
Indonesia's shoes production ranks fourth in the world level with 1.4 billion pairs in 2018, contributing 4.6 percent of the global production.
"Indonesia is on the fourth rank as the largest shoes producer in the world after China, India and Vietnam. Meanwhile, as a shoes consumer we are on the fourth rank with 886 million pairs of footwear," the Director General of Small, Medium and Various Industries at the Industry Ministry, Gati Wibawaningsih, said in a statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Sunday.
She noted that the number of footwear industries in Indonesia currently reaches 18,687 units, consisting of 18,091 small-scale businesses, 144 medium-scale businesses, and 155 large-scale businesses.
"These footwear businesses have absorbed 795,000 workers," she added.
Gati said in order to develop the national footwear industries, especially the small, medium-scale businesses, the ministry gives opportunity to the younger generation to participate in the Indonesia Footwear Creative Competition (IFCC) 2019.
April
Indonesia calls on international cooperation for UN Security Council
Written by Published in Program Highlight
At the Alliance for Multilateralism forum held in New York, USA, on April 2, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi called on international cooperation for the United Nation Security Council.
“Indonesia is very concerned about the lack of respect toward multilateralism and the increasing unilateral actions across several fields,” Marsudi said in a press statement received here on Thursday.
Emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in inter-state relations, she said, “Multilateralism gives our countries a chance at equality, despite differences in economic and geographical status. Multilateralism will encourage respect among countries.”
Marsudi cited the Palestinian issue as proof of the sincerity of the international community toward fulfilling their commitment to multilateralism.
Stating that supporting the multilateralism principles of the UN Charter and the international law are an inseparable part of the Indonesian foreign policy, Marsudi said that Indonesia would always be one of the countries that would protect and promote multilateralism.
The Alliance for Multilateralism is a forum to discuss and enhance joint efforts and international cooperation in maintaining and strengthening multilateral principles amid growing unilateralism tendencies and dynamic global challenges.
The forum was organized by the German and French foreign affairs ministers in the context of their joint Presidency of the UN Security Council.
The ministers of other countries, including Canada, Japan, England, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, India, Norway, Chile, Tunis, South Korea, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Nigeria were also present at the forum. (ant)
April
April
Indonesia Sponsors Global Consensus to Combat Terrorism caused by Hatred against Religion
Written by Published in Program Highlight
No country is free from racism, intolerance, and hatred". It was stated by the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, during the signing of the resolution of UN General Assembly (GA) on combating terrorism and acts of violence motivated by hatred against religion in New York Monday.
In response to the growing phenomenon, Minister Marsudi reiterated that “There is a demand for joint actions to encourage global dialogues promoting tolerance and peace".
The efforts include promoting inter-religions and inter-civilizations dialogues, in the world. As a country of various races, ethnic groups, and religions, Indonesia claims its readiness to share its experiences in living the cultural diversity that has become a part of the daily lives of Indonesian people.
Indonesia is one of the co-sponsors of the resolution that firmly address the terrorist acts in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. Indonesia strongly condemns the action that claimed 50 lives, including one Indonesian citizen, as well as dozens of other injured victims.
On 15 March 2019, Indonesia and Kuwait sponsored a Press Statement of the UN Security Council condemning this vile incident. With the adoption of the UN GA Resolution through consensus, Indonesia's efforts to respond the acts of terrorism in Christchurch, quickly and firmly, have succeeded in gaining wider support from the states all over the world.
At the same time, the Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasizes the importance of the government's role in creating and maintaining the culture of tolerance among its people.
Therefore, Minister Marsudi expressed her appreciation to the leaders and people of New Zealand who reacted quickly and showed their solidarity for Muslims after the terrorist act broke in Christchurch. (kemlu)
April
Indonesia Encourages International Commitment to Comply with NPT
Written by Published in Program Highlight
Indonesia will always place the issue of nuclear disarmament as one of its prioritized agenda and consistently support the NPT implementation". Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs stated at the High-Level Briefing on Supporting the Non-Proliferation Treaty Ahead of 2020 Review Conference in New York, the United States on Monday (2/4).
The High-Level Briefing was held within the framework of the UN Security Council meeting, which was chaired by Germany's Presidency this month. The briefing, led by Germany's Minister for Foreign Affairs and France's Minister for Foreign Affairs, highlighted the limited progress of nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Indonesia encourages that the main goals of the NPT need to be achieved through consistent implementation of its three pillars: pillars of disarmament, non-proliferation, and the use of nuclear for peaceful purposes, in a balanced, comprehensive, and non-discriminative manner. So far, the NPT agreement implementation is still considered impartial and has yet provided sufficient attention towards developing countries' access for the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
The year 2020 will become the milestone for the five-decade commemoration of the NPT agreement officiation. Indonesia plays an important role in the process by acting as the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement Group for non-proliferation and disarmament, and thus represents the voices of the developing countries.
Indonesia emphasizes that the results of the 2020 NPT Review Conference has to perform progressive steps, especially to ensure the rights of all countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Indonesia also affirms its commitment to constructively engage with all parties in the issue of nuclear disarmament as an attempt to establish a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous international world.
Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs stated, "The survival of humanity will depend on our courage to abolish the nuclear weapons, forever". (Min. Foreign Affairs)
April
Isra ' Ascension event marking Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to the Palestinians get to Heaven Muntaha. There are many lessons that can be taken all believers, one of them God will exalt us if we patiently received trials from him. (kominfo)
