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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
Food Agency encourages stakeholders to enhance food resilience
Written by Nur Yasmin
The National Food Agency (NFA) has encouraged stakeholders to enhance market connectivity to support national food resilience, according to the agency;s Head Arief Prasetyo Adi.
"The ecosystem must be properly integrated from the upstream to the downstream phases. This will need support from stakeholders because the existence of the market is essential for the food distribution process from producers to residents as consumers," Adi noted in his statement here on Monday.
The agency head also encouraged traditional market merchants affiliated with the Indonesian Traditional Market Traders Association (Ikappi) to adopt a cold chain system to prolong the freshness and longevity of their products and commodities.
"Food connectivity is essential to maintain food resilience. Through synergy in our food ecosystem, food will be available anytime and everywhere, consumers can purchase food at a stable price, and farmers and fishermen will be assured regarding the markets of their products," he remarked.
To bolster national food resilience, the National Food Agency is committed to encouraging relevant stakeholders to enhance connectivity from the production, distribution, and consumption phases, particularly during major religious observances, such as during the Ramadan fasting and Eid al-Fitr periods, when the surge in commodity demand is expected, the agency head noted.
"We have readied several schemes and policies to enhance food resilience through bolstering the upstream process and absorbing farmers' products in the downstream process to optimize domestic food absorption to satisfy market demands," Adi stated.
The agency head emphasized that the government should also prepare food stocks that will be connected to the market and the procurement for it could be assisted by state-owned enterprises in the food industry through an assignment to State Logistics Board (Bulog) and state-owned food holding company ID Food as well as cooperation with ministries and institutions.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of Ikappi Abdullah Mansuri stated that the association is ready to collaborate with the National Food Agency in improving food commerce.
"We will improve national food resilience along with the National Food Agency and relevant institutions because we do not want to face issues on food availability every year," Mansuri remarked. (Antaranews)
April
Gov't optimizes potentials for sharia social financial sector
Written by Nur Yasmin
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed that the government will continue to take optimum advantage of the potentials of the sharia social financial sector to create sustainable social safety net.
"The model of sustainable social safety net is realized by improving the role of inclusive sharia economy and finance and optimizing the sharia social financial sector," he said at an event "Economic Challenges, Special Ramadhan" broadcast by a private television station on Saturday.
The potentials for the sharia social financial sector include zakat (tithes) , infak (disbursements), sedekah (simple alms), and waqaf (awqaf).
He said only Rp71 trillion out of the potentials for zakat estimated at Rp327 trillion per year has been collected.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has encouraged the use of zakat for social assistance for the poor and small entrepreneurs, he said.
"By doing so, the low income people can continue economic activities," he said.
He estimated potentials for asset awqaf at Rp414 trillion per year, and potential for money awqaf at 181 trillion per year.
"That is what we are developing and encouraging through sharia bond awqaf while the outcome is distributed to the public in the form of social assistance. The capital has been developed and (the program) has been launched as a national movement," said. (Antaranews)
April
US donates 35.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Indonesia
Written by Nur Yasmin
United States has donated some 35.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Indonesia and 500 million doses of vaccine globally as of March 17, 2022.
With an additional 3.5 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arriving in Jakarta on Sunday (April 3), the United States has donated 35.8 million doses of COVID vaccine to Indonesia and over a half billion vaccines to more than 110 countries in every region of the world, the US Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement here on Sunday.
According to the Embassy statement, for every vaccine administered in the United States, nearly one more has been shipped overseas. Such an effort has been carried out in nine months towards reaching President Joe Biden’s pledge to donate more than 1.2 billion safe and effective vaccines worldwide.
"Vaccines are one of the best tools to control this pandemic. With vaccines, we help protect each other from infection and engage again fully for a healthier and more productive world," US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director in Indonesia Jeff Cohen said.
"The United States remains committed in solidarity and partnership with the Indonesian people and our many partners. Together, we will defeat COVID-19," he stated.
With a commitment of US$4 billion, the United States is so far the largest donor to COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX). In partnership with UNICEF, COVAX has delivered over a billion vaccine doses to countries around the world, including over 100 million doses for Indonesia.
In addition, the United States supports vaccination sites in Indonesia, including mobile clinics for the elderly and disabled just outside their homes.
The US government through USAID also has been training health workers and supporting vaccine distribution in remote areas in Indonesia so that people in all provinces have access to COVID vaccines.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the US government has provided more than US$77 million to support Indonesia’s COVID-19 response, the US Embassy stated.
Moreover, USAID has directly supported more than 10,000 vaccination events in Indonesia. (antaranews)
April
President instructs staff to anticipate fuel shortage: VP
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said that President Joko Widodo has instructed his staff to anticipate a shortage of subsidized diesel during Ramadan and Eid.
"The President has given instructions so that this is immediately anticipated, the shortage of diesel fuel," the Vice President said on the sidelines of his working visit to Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday.
The Vice President said the President has also assigned the relevant ministers to take steps to fulfill the availability of subsidized diesel.
He stressed that the government will continue to monitor the fulfillment of subsidized diesel.
"I think we just have to wait a few days for something to be announced regarding the steps we are discussing," the Vice President said.
House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani had earlier urged the government to ensure the availability of diesel to prevent hindrances in logistics distribution during Ramadan and Eid.
"Shortly, we will enter Ramadan. Thus, the biodiesel crisis that occurs must be addressed immediately. The government must be able to ensure the availability of biodiesel supply so as not to disrupt the distribution (process) of logistics transportation," Maharani said.
She urged the government to promptly find a solution to the subsidized diesel crisis, as it has the potential to trigger problems in various regions. The diesel fuel crisis can disrupt logistics distribution and cause losses to farmers due to problems in the distribution of produce, she pointed out.
In line with the meeting of Commission VII of the DPR and the government, Maharani deemed it necessary to increase the quota of subsidized biodiesel, so that the community's needs can be met.
The DPR speaker said she understood that the subsidized biodiesel quota reduction was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Maharani noted that the increase in biodiesel demand was due to economic recovery.
"This condition must become a consideration for the government. The crisis in subsidized diesel will cause a broad impact if not handled promptly, especially ahead of the Ramadan month," she cautioned.
The DPR speaker emphasized the importance of supervising the subsidized fuel distribution process. To this end, she urged the government to coordinate with law enforcement officers for the distribution process.
"The distribution of subsidized diesel must be right on target. Strict action must be taken on all types of misuse in the distribution of subsidized diesel," she said. (Antaranews)
April
Carbon tax imposition put off till July 2022: minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has informed that the imposition of the carbon tax has been postponed till July 2022 since the government is still synchronizing the implementation road map for the tax.
Speaking at the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center’s (PPATK’s) 3rd Legal Forum here on Thursday, she said that according to the Tax Regulation Harmonization (HPP) Law, the policy was initially to be implemented from April 1, 2022.
However, the postponement of the implementation of the policy will not interfere with the national economic recovery program.
The government is still coordinating to synchronize the road map to ensure the implementation of the policy runs well, the minister said.
There are a number of difficulties regarding the imposition of carbon tax since international carbon trading requires a joint global agreement, she noted.
There are differences in tax implementation in each country, especially regarding the quantum of tax, thus a road map for the imposition of a carbon tax must be prepared properly, she said.
For instance, the carbon tax per ton of CO2e in Japan is US$3, France US$49, Spain US$17.48, and Colombia US$4.45.
Moreover, according to calculations, if the international community is successful in overcoming climate change, the carbon price could reach US$125.
"If the prices are different, they will possibly cause a leakage. The development of a market regime and design for carbon policies is quite complicated," Indrawati remarked.
Hence, she assured that the Indonesian government will impose the policy carefully and gradually, especially in the midst of a pandemic situation and efforts to restore the national economy.
"Climate change disaster is almost certain to occur considering the trend of rising global temperatures," she added.
Earlier, the minister had said that the implementation of the carbon tax is part of Indonesia’s commitment to cut carbon emissions by 29 percent on its own or by 41 percent with international support by 2030, in accordance with the target of Nationally Determined Contributions. (antaranews)
April
First Lady, PNG PM's wife visit Bogor Botanical Gardens
Written by Nur Yasmin
First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo invited the wife of Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Rachel Marape, for a tour of the Bogor Botanical Gardens.
The tour was organized to welcome the official visit of PNG Prime Minister James Marape, to Indonesia.
The First Lady also joined her husband President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to receive Marape and his delegates at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Thursday.
Iriana Joko Widodo and Rachel Marape planted sandalwood trees with President Jokowi and Prime Minister Marape.
The two also chatted warmly on the veranda during a face-to-face meeting between Jokowi and Marape.
After that, the First Lady invited Marape’s wife to a tour of the Bogor Botanical Gardens in a golf cart and showed her the diversity of plant species in the garden.
After touring the Bogor Botanical Gardens, which were built in 1817, the two first ladies returned to Bogor Palace. They then accompanied President Jokowi and Prime Minister Marape to a joint press conference.
The state luncheon closed the official welcome series.
On the occasion, First Lady Iriana gifted Rachel Marape a silk shawl as a memento. Meanwhile, Rachel Marape gifted the First Lady a carved ebony bowl and a cane basket.
The wife of the Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ella Andriana Supandy, also accompanied the Indonesian First Lady.
A series of state welcome functions were conducted as part of the visit, starting from entering Bogor Presidential Palace with a marching band convoy, an official welcoming ceremony, a group photo session to the signing of the guest book.
James Marape and his wife arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday (March 30, 2022) and were scheduled to return to Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby, on Thursday evening.
According to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea established bilateral relations in 1973, two years before Papua New Guinea achieved its independence from Australia. (Antaranews)
March
DEWG G20 agrees on importance of equitable telecommunication access
Written by Nur Yasmin
Delegates at the first G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meeting agreed on the importance of equitable telecommunication access for all sections of the community, particularly vulnerable groups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Equitable digital connectivity for all layers of the community has increasingly become important, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged various human activities to (be shifted to the) digital space amid physical limitations. Hence, the approach is not only limited to physical infrastructure aspect but also must be human centric-oriented,” Secretary General of the Communication and Informatics Ministry and DEWG Chair Mira Tayyiba said.
This applies to all sections of the community, particularly to ensure the continuation of MSMEs’ businesses and vulnerable groups’ activities, she added in a press statement released on Wednesday.
During the meeting, delegates from other G20 member states provided constructive inputs to support post-pandemic connectivity so that it can be realized optimally, she informed.
Of course, this will facilitate the execution of decisions in the future as many deep discussions have been held in accordance with the vision of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, she said.
“In the first session of the 1st DEWG Meeting this time, the delegates have expressed their support for the issue of DEWG Priority One that the Indonesian President has raised. Several G20 member states have also given various constructive inputs by expanding the priority issue of connectivity and post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery into sub-topics or more concrete detailed agenda,” she said.
While discussing the first DEWG priority issue, G20 member states also welcomed the Indonesian President’s proposal to elevate the Digital Innovation League (DIN) and hold a Digital Transformation Expo (DTE), she added.
“The delegates also paid attention to the application of multi-disciplinary approaches for discussing digital connectivity. In addition, they also warmly welcomed (the proposal to) elevate Digital Innovation League into Digital Innovation Network and expressed support (for the proposal) to hold Digital Transformation Expo. We have made a note of various inputs conveyed at the forum that we will consider later on,” she informed.
The 1st DEWG meeting was opened by Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, and was led by DEWG chair Tayyiba and alternate chair Dedy Permadi.
Delegates of G20 member states and international organizations, including Global Knowledge Partners and National Knowledge Partners, joined the meeting virtually. (Antaranews)
March
President Jokowi warns of climate change impact on food resilience
Written by Nur Yasmin
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has warned that the impact of climate change will increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of geohydrometeorological disasters may threaten Indonesia’s food resilience.
“The adaptability and the productivity of plants will increasingly decline, thereby threatening food resilience in our country,” he said in his address at the virtual commemoration of the 72nd World Meteorology Day, accessed from Jakarta on Wednesday.
The impact of climate change will increasingly do harm to Indonesia, which is an agrarian and maritime country, he added.
Extreme weather and climate phenomena will occur more frequently as a result of climate change, he said.
“The rising air temperature, the increasingly warm sea surface temperature, and the increasing sea level are endangering coastal areas and islets,” Jokowi added.
He then appealed to all stakeholders to pay serious attention to any information on weather and climate change from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and other relevant institutions.
The government, on its part, will need to prepare climate change mitigation and adaptation policies as soon as possible.
"Also prepare better steps to minimize the negative impact of climate change,” the President said.
The head of state further called for efforts to strengthen early warning systems for disasters by relying on artificial intelligence (AI), big data, assimilation methods, and high technology computerization.
Fast and accurate meteorological, climatological, and geophysical data and information are badly needed to formulate measurable handling steps, he said.
"This is intended to build public awareness, resilience, and participation,” he remarked.
The President also expressed the hope that disaster education for the public will be continued.
He further asked his rank and file to ensure sustainable education, literacy, and advocacy for the public, and at the same, increase people’s resilience to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
“That way the public will be able to quickly respond to potential disaster risks,” he said.
Climate change-prone groups, including farmers and fishermen, should also receive disaster education so that they can adapt to the impact of climate change. This will allow them to continue to work productively and maintain food resilience, he said. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia, Bangladesh Trade Value Reaches 72 percent In 2021
Written by Nur Yasmin
On its 51st anniversary held in Jakarta on Tuesday night, Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman said that Bangladesh's bilateral relationship with Indonesia has been excellent.
"Our bilateral relationship in diplomatic relations was established in 1972. Hence this year Bangladesh and Indonesia is also celebrating the 50th year of diplomatic relation," Ambassador Rahman said.
Various programs are currently underway to mark the diplomatic relations anniversary.
On the same occasion, the coordinating minister of Indonesian cultural and human development, Muhajir Effendy revealed that trade volume between both countries has increased by 72 percent in 2021. The trade between Bangladesh and Indonesia is also witnessing an almost 50 percent of growth rate in the last decade.
"Throughout the year 2021, our trade volume increase 72 percent compared to 2020. I also noted that last year's bilateral trade volume has reached USD 3.3 Billion, an extraordinary number compare to USD 1.76 Billion in 2020. Our trade balance still growing and I'm confident that both countries could walk together to minimize the imbalance," Minister Muhadjir said.
Muhajir added that the development of the economy between Indonesia and Bangladesh could strengthen the relationship in the coming years. (VOI/NK)
March
Jokowi lauds role of rural govts in COVID handling, vaccinations
Written by Nur Yasmin
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has lauded rural governments for their role in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and the national vaccination drive.
The rural governments' contribution successfully helped reduce COVID-19 cases, which reached a record at 64 thousand cases a day in mid-February, the President noted while speaking at the 2022 National Gathering of the Association of Local Governments Across Indonesia (APDESI) at Istora Senayan, here on Tuesday.
"Alhamdulillah, (the daily COVID-19 cases dropped) from 64,700 to 2,700 (as of Monday afternoon). This is also thanks to the hard work of all of you in informing the public, encouraging people to vaccinate, wear masks, keep distance, wash hands," he said while speaking to local government heads attending the meeting.
The contribution of rural governments to COVID-19 handling efforts in Indonesia has been unique, according to the President.
"It doesn't exist in other countries. They have concentrated on the solution in hospitals. We haven't. (We conducted) gotong royong (mutual help or working together) up to the lowest level," he said.
The authorities have administered a total of 374 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines thanks to the gotong royong mechanism.
"It's also thanks to all of you for inviting the public to be vaccinated; 374 million is not a small number. Injecting 374 million times is not easy, but we could do it because of, once again, our gotong royong," Jokowi said.
The President urged local government heads to continue to play an active role in encouraging people to get the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Currently, only 20 million people, or 9.6 percent of the targeted recipients, have received the booster dose, he said.
Among the ministers present at the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian; Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Abdul Halim Iskandar; and Minister of State Secretary, Pratikno. (Antaranews)