Livestream
Special Interview
Video Streaming
Program Highlight (3001)
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.
more news
March
Indonesia to push community-based vocational training at G20
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia will promote community-based vocational training through the establishment of Community Work Training Centers (BLK) at the G20 forum, Secretary General of the Manpower Ministry Anwar Sanusi has said.
"We will encourage community-based vocational training, such as the Community Work Training Center. We want to convey to G20 member countries that we are using a community-based approach," Sanusi informed before the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting here on Wednesday.
People were earlier more familiar with vocational training based on private and government collaboration, he noted. However, currently, Indonesia is also encouraging community-based vocational training through collaboration with the government, he said.
With community-based vocational training, people can become involved in and contribute to improving the competence of human resources, he said.
Sanusi said Indonesia will introduce the concept of Community Work Training Centers, which have been running in the country, at the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) forum.
"At the offline event, we will also show a number of Community Training Centers managed by the community and how they run the program. Hopefully, it will become a model that can be a reference for G20 countries," he added.
Indonesia held the first EWG meeting in Jakarta from March 8–10, 2022. The meeting was part of a series of five meetings to be held in 2022.
The second EWG will be held in Yogyakarta in May, the third EWG in Geneva in June, the fourth EWG in Bali in September. The meeting will conclude with the Labor and Employment Ministers Meeting (LEMM) in Bali in September. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia's budget deficit may widen due to Russia-Ukraine war: Indef
Written by Nur Yasmin
The state budget deficit will potentially widen in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Eisha M. Rachbini has predicted.
"Looking ahead, if oil price persistently hovers at a high level of above US$100 per barrel and essential commodity prices increase, the government will likely conduct price intervention, provide subsidies and social assistance, which will eventually put pressure on the state budget deficit," he said in a press statement released in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Each US$1 per barrel rise in the Indonesian crude price (ICP) will raise the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy by Rp1.47 trillion, kerosene subsidy by Rp49 billion, compensation to state oil and gas firm Pertamina by Rp2.65 trillion, and electricity subsidy by Rp295 billion, he projected.
In the meantime, state revenues from tax receipts and non-tax state revenues will increase by Rp0.8 trillion and Rp2.2 trillion, respectively, so the budget deficit could potentially widen, Rachbini said.
The government is expecting the 2022 state budget deficit to reach Rp868 trillion or 4.8 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP), he noted.
"The state budget needs to be managed accurately and efficiently by prioritizing economic recovery, maintaining the people's purchasing power and economic growth," he said.
The government also needs to increase subsidies to maintain the purchasing power of the community, particularly low- and middle-income people, to prevent them from falling into deeper poverty, he said.
"The future risk is that inflation threat may lower the purchasing power of the community and may have the risk of impeding economic growth," he added. (antaranews)
March
C20 urges G20 leaders to ensure equal distribution of vaccinations
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Civil 20 (C20), under the G20 Presidency of Indonesia, has asked the members of the grouping to ensure equal distribution of vaccinations throughout the world.
“The C20 calls on G20 countries to distribute vaccines to developing and poor countries and encourage vaccine production in developing and poor countries,” Chair of C20 Sugeng Bahagijo said during the C20 kick-off meeting and ceremony in Bali, on Tuesday.
C20 has also urged G20 countries to commit to vaccinating at least 90 percent of the world's citizens by the end of 2022, he said.
He said that the pandemic has disrupted global development and affected millions of people, especially those in developing countries.
While variants of the virus are continuing to mutate, as of February 3, 2022, only 11 percent of the population in the African continent has been fully vaccinated, while half of the countries in Europe have reached more than 85 percent vaccination rate and have already initiated booster shots, he noted.
The C20 represents not only the voices of civil societies in G20 countries, but also globally, including those in the global south, he added.
“Recalling Indonesia’s commitment for this year’s G20 on collaboration and cooperation as the key to producing solutions to combat many world issues, the C20 believes that the goal of ‘Recover Stronger, Recover Together’ can only be achieved if this collaboration involves the participation of countries who have the same vision of bouncing back from the pandemic era equitably together, and jointly with the inputs and collaboration of civil society,” Bahagijo said.
The event brought together more than 100 civil society organizations (CSOs) across the globe divided into seven thematic groups: (i) Vaccine Access and Global Health, (ii) Gender Equality, (iii) Taxation and Sustainable Finance, (iv) Environment, Climate Justice, and Energy Transition, (v) SDGs and Humanitarian, (vi) Education, Digitalization, and Civic Space, and (vii) Anti-Corruption, he added.
In addition, Sherpa of C20, Ah Maftuchan, said that the C20 had its official kick-off on March 7–8, 2022, with a public event hosted in a hybrid format from Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia.
“The theme of the kick-off meeting is ‘C20 Indonesia: Listening to the World,’ which aims to emphasize the C20 demands to the G20 leaders in listening to the needs of civil society across the world and developing more inclusive and adaptive policies post the COVID-19 pandemic,” Maftuchan added. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia, Saudi Arabia discuss defense industry cooperation
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met with Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday to discuss the potential for defense industry and education cooperation.
During their meeting, Subianto and Prince Khalid, who is also Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister, discussed efforts to enhance military and defense cooperation as well as global and regional issues related to the interests of the two countries.
The meeting was a part of Subianto's working visit agenda in Saudi Arabia, which included attending the IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) Riyadh 2022 and the World Defense Show 2022 events in Riyadh.
During the meeting, the Prince warmly welcomed Subianto and they ate breakfast, accompanied by the Commander of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.
Subianto and Prince Khalid also enjoyed Saudi Arabian coffee while exchanging ideas about defense.
So far, defense cooperation between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia has been well established, Subianto noted.
The defense cooperation was strengthened through the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on January 23, 2014, in Jakarta, which was ratified in 2018, he said.
Meanwhile, in defense education, the ministries of both countries are already running the commissioned officer exchange program as part of education and training collaboration, he added.
During 2014–2022, Indonesia also sent 178 people to attend courses in Saudi Arabia such as the military college and enlightenment course on countering extremism.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia sent two officers to the Indonesian Army Command and General Staff College, and requested the addition of seats for each force. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia devises strategies to achieve 23% energy mix by 2025
Written by Nur Yasmin
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif has said that Indonesia has prepared several initiatives to achieve the target of 23-percent new and renewable energy mix implementation by 2025.
"The attempts include the development of large-scale hydro, geothermal, as well as hydrogen power plants," he informed at the opening of the G20 Civil Society 20 (C20) forum on Monday.
In addition, the government will install a 3.6-gigawatt (GW) rooftop solar power plant (PLTS), which has the potential to increase the utilization of clean energy mix by 0.8 percent, he added.
The use of biofuels is also going to be encouraged to reach up to 11.6 million kiloliters, he said. The attempt is expected to increase the clean energy mix utilization by 4 percent, he added.
Furthermore, the government will provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives on clean energy utilization, the minister said.
To expedite carbon emission reduction, Indonesia has also applied several eco-friendly technologies, such as carbon capture, storage, and utilization (CCUS) technology as well as super grid electricity technology, he noted.
The government is also striving to promote the utilization of electric vehicles and the implementation of energy management, he said.
However, Tasrif emphasized that collaboration between the government, private actors, and non-governmental organizations is required to overcome the various challenges to reaching net-zero emissions.
Hence, he said he expected the implementation of the 2022 G20 C20 forum to include various inputs for a just and sustainable collective agreement on environmental issues.
"C20 can encourage G20 leaders to adopt concrete action to address the impacts of climate change through the implementation of energy transition," he added.
Furthermore, he affirmed that Indonesia is committed to implementing various energy transitions to achieve the nation’s emission reduction target by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060.
The C20 is a platform that engages more than 800 civil societies from various countries to convey the people’s aspirations regarding global crucial issues to G20 leaders. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, which extended a special invitation to Jokowi on behalf of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ).
Members of the delegation invited the President to witness the signing of a trade agreement between the two countries at the end of March 2022, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan informed.
"President Jokowi had a talk with Emirati Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, as Prince MBZ’s special envoy for almost an hour," he said, according to an official statement received here on Monday.
In addition, the meeting, which took place at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, also discussed the follow-up of the realization of an investment agreement between Indonesia and UAE that was brokered by the Indonesian Investment Authority (INA), he added.
Thereafter, the coordinating minister said President Jokowi directed him to settle several pending matters regarding investment cooperation between the two countries.
"President Jokowi had asked me to have a meeting today to solve any pending issues," the minister added.
The Emirati delegation also conveyed the UAE government’s interest in investing in the development of Indonesia’s new national capital (IKN), Nusantara, in East Kalimantan province, he said.
Therefore, Pandjaitan informed that he will hold a meeting with Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and National Development Planning Minister/head of the National Development Planning Board, Suharso Monoarfa, to discuss the Emirati government’s investment offer.
In addition to Al Mazrouei, the UAE delegation also included the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdulla Salem Obaid Salem Al Dhaheri, and chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company Group 42 Ltd., Peng Xiao.
Meanwhile, President Jokowi was accompanied by Pandjaitan, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, Husin Bagis. (Antaranews)
March
China vows to support Indonesia's G20 agenda for global recovery
Written by Nur Yasmin
China will actively support and assist Indonesia, which is currently holding the G20 Presidency, in promoting global economic recovery, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.
"This year, Indonesia will host the G20 Summit, themed ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger.’ Of course, China will actively support and assist Indonesia in promoting global economic recovery by improving global governance to enable developing countries to play a greater role," Yi told ANTARA on the sidelines of a Parliamentary Session in Beijing on Monday.
China will also fully support Indonesia’s push for digital economy, green economy, and global health and welfare, he said.
"As fellow developing nations, China and Indonesia have similar interests to mutually strengthen the market in developing nations," he said when asked about increasing trade relations between the two countries.
The heads of state of the two countries also have close relations so bilateral cooperation has continued to become more strategic and comprehensive, he said.
"China-Indonesia relations serve as a model of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said via video streaming from the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
In fact, in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the first country to donate medical equipment and provide mitigation supervision to Indonesia, he noted.
Up till now, 290 million doses of China-made COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to the Indonesian people, he said.
"The next step is that China will intensify vaccine cooperation with and make Indonesia a hub for vaccine development and production in Southeast Asia,” he added.
The cooperation with Indonesia has also been expanded in the political, economic, humanitarian, and maritime fields, dubbed as the "four-wheel drive,” he said.
Yi also warmly welcomed the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway line, which is scheduled to become operational at the end of this year.
"Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway line is part of cooperation conducted under the ‘Belt and Road Initiative' that the two heads of state have agreed upon,” he said. (Antaranews)
March
SMEs Minister encourages Indonesian consumers to buy domestic products
Written by Nur Yasmin
Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki has encouraged Indonesian consumers to buy domestic products.
"Local products are cool and unique, it's different from foreign brands," he said, during a discussion with denim clothing entrepreneur at the 2022 Wall of Fades (WOF) event in Bandung, West Java Province, as quoted in a press statement on Sunday.
The minister said that Indonesia should emulate South Korea whose K-pop music has influenced the world, thanks to their love of domestic culture.
He hopes the Indonesian people will be able to create world-scale trends so that they can influence the global community.
On the occasion, he appealed to darahkubiru denim community, which is the organizer of the WOF 2022 event, to make a proud movement for local brands.
He conveyed the appeal given that many young people are currently more interested in unique local products than foreign products.
"I think nowadays many youths prefer to use unique local products such as shoes, clothes, pants and bags rather than using products from big brands or foreign brands. This may be the first step to create a narrative that is not only accepted domestically but also abroad," the minister said.
Local denim businesses, he said, could take advantage of the high interest of young people for unique items.
"Artisanal products are unique and different from mass-produced products. Many young people today prefer unique products over mass-produced products," he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of WOF 2022 Rizqi Alkautsar said that the event he held at the Roastman Experience, Bandung, from March 4-6, presented 20 local denim brands.
Besides Bandung, WOF 2022 will also be held at Jakarta Senayan Park from 24-27 March 2022 by presenting 60 local denim.
"We are targeting two thousand visits in WOF 2022 held in Bandung and 15 thousand to 30 thousand visits from events held in Jakarta," said Alkautsar. (antaranews)
March
Indonesian Ambassador presents letter of credence to FAO DG
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Ambassador Muhammad Prakosa presented a letter of credence to Director General of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Qu Dongyu, in Rome, Italy.
Muhammad Prakosa, concurrently Indonesia's Ambassador to Italy, Malta, Cyprus, San Marino, IFAD, WFP and UNIDROIT, submitted the letter on Thursday, the Indonesian Embassy in Rome said in a statement on Saturday.
On the occasion, Prakoso conveyed greetings from the Indonesian Government and people to FAO Director General Qu Dongyu, who accepted it warmly as he is also an Asian representative, the statement said.
The Indonesian ambassador expressed his commitment to improving cooperation between Indonesia and FAO, in particular to increase Indonesia's strategic role in various FAO forums.
Indonesia will also strengthen the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between FAO and Indonesia regarding Southern and Triangular Cooperation (KSST) through the Transforming Agri-Food Systems initiative in Indonesia, he added.
In addition, Ambassador Prakosa also expressed his appreciation for FAO's support for Indonesia's G-20 Presidency this year.
Meanwhile, Qu Dongyu expressed his appreciation and support for stronger cooperation between FAO and Indonesia, particularly for Indonesia's active role in various committees, forums, and dialogues within the Rome-based FAO framework.
He emphasized the importance of efforts to improve efficiency and food security for Indonesia's 270 million people.
He also expressed his optimism in the transformation process in Indonesia, especially in the fields of green development, digital-based agriculture and a green economy.
On the occasion, the Indonesian Ambassador was flanked by Deputy Chief of Mission Lefianna Ferdinandus, Coordinator for Economic Affairs/Minister Counsellor Caka Alverdi Awal, and Multilateral function officer/First Secretary Purna Cita Nugraha .
The FAO Director General was accompanied by Director of Cabinet Godfrey Magwenzi, Chief of Protocol Paola Dini, Deputy Director of Cabinet Hua Yang, and Coordinators of the Office of Director General (ODG) Gabriella Piacentini and Xiaoruo Jiang. (antaranews)
March
Some 11.94 million Indonesians received third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Written by Nur Yasmin
A total of 11,942,963 Indonesians have received the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from the COVID-19 Task Force as of Saturday afternoon.
The Task Force said in its statement, there were additional 485,249 people who have received the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, 147,280,509 people have received the second or full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the data.
The number of recipients of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine increased by 725,625 people.
Meanwhile, overall COVID-19 vaccination recipients in Indonesia has reached 191,835,428 people, with an additional 203,986 people receiving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The government is still targeting 208,265,720 people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to create herd immunity against infection with the virus. (Antaranews)