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.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan made a working visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 1–2, 2022, to explore investment opportunities and bolster relations between the countries.
Upon his arrival, Pandjaitan was welcomed by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
"I am glad that my visit to Saudi Arabia could be conducted smoothly. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has also welcomed investment opportunities in various aspects that we have discussed," the coordinating minister said in a written statement released in Jakarta on Thursday.
During their meeting, Pandjaitan and the Crown Prince reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia and expanding investment in various sectors, such as the development of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara; renewable energy; environment; and other areas of mutual interest.
The coordinating minister also affirmed that the Crown Prince will reciprocate his visit and meet with President Joko Widodo in the near future.
"The Crown Prince has expressed his plan to visit Indonesia and meet President Joko Widodo, which I believe will be a good commitment to further discuss our cooperation. The Crown Prince also said that if Indonesia progresses, Saudi Arabia must also progress," he remarked.
During his visit, Pandjaitan met the Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, and CEOs of several major Saudi companies to discuss the realization of the investment plan of Saudi companies in Indonesia.
"This demonstrates Indonesia's openness to investment from any countries as long as the investment will benefit our nation. We hope this will become a good step toward enhancing Indonesia and Saudi Arabia relations in more aspects in the future," he said.
Besides focusing on the investment sector, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia also share the same stance on climate change issues faced by all nations in the world, the coordinating minister noted.
While the Saudi government has launched an initiative to reduce carbon emissions in several decades and continues to boost investment in the green energy sector, the Indonesian government is also exerting efforts to address climate change and is targeting net-zero emissions by 2060, he added. (Antaranews)
Thailand, the host of APEC 2022, announced that the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will take place on November 18 and 19 this year in Bangkok.
The announcement was made after the conclusion of the First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting last week, where members reiterated their commitment to reinvigorate regional economic integration, reconnect the region, and reassure sustainability for future growth, as noted in a release received from the APEC Secretariat here on Thursday.
"Entering the third year of the pandemic, economic recovery has become a matter of utmost urgency for all member economies," the 2022 chair of APEC Senior Officials, Thani Thongphakdi, said. He is also Thailand’s Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
"We must embrace inclusiveness and sustainability in our growth strategy, balancing between health, the economy, and the environment," he added.
Thailand is aiming to bring physical dynamism back to APEC as it is looking to host APEC ministers and leaders physically this year, he said.
A series of gatherings from November 14 will precede the Leaders’ Meeting: The Concluding APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting, as well as the APEC Ministerial Meeting, which will be attended by trade ministers and foreign affairs ministers, he informed.
Concurrently, the annual APEC CEO Summit will take place during the week, he said.
Next on APEC’s meeting calendar is the Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting, which will be held virtually on March 16 and 17, he disclosed.
Preparations are underway in Thailand for hosting the Second APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and the Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in the physical format in Bangkok in May this year, he added. (Antaranews)
Eighty Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were evacuated from Ukraine arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang City, Banten Province, on Thursday and were received by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
At a virtual press conference on Thursday, she informed that the evacuees arrived at 5:10 p.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB) on an aircraft belonging to Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.
In addition to the 80 WNIs, there were three foreigners (WNAs) who were related to them, she noted.
They were picked up from Bucharest, Romania, after leaving Ukraine following Russia’s military attack on the country, she said.
"The pick-up team left from Jakarta for Bucharest on March 1, 2022 at 6:40 p.m. WIB, and arrived at Henri Coanda Airport, Bucharest, Romania, on March 2, 2022 at 3:10 p.m. local time," the minister added.
The evacuees departed from Bucharest to Tangerang City on March 2, 2022 at 8:23 p.m. local time, Marsudi said. The journey home took approximately 17 hours, she added.
Fourteen Indonesian nationals, who are staying in Bucharest since 12 of them tested positive for COVID-19, remain to be flown back to Indonesia, she informed.
Meanwhile, two others have chosen to stay to accompany their family members who have been exposed to the virus, she said.
"The 14 people will continue to be monitored and accommodated by the Indonesian Embassy in Bucharest. Once they have recovered, they will be sent home by commercial aircraft," Marsudi informed.
On the same occasion, she lauded the Indonesian embassies in Bucharest, Warsaw, Kiev, and Moscow, as well as all the parties involved in the evacuation process.
In addition, she thanked the pick-up team, which consisted of military personnel, State Intelligence Agency (BIN) officers, Garuda Indonesia officials, and other stakeholders.
"We also thank the Defense Ministry that has given a number of advices during the evacuation process," the minister added. (Antaranews)
Indonesia will raise three priority issues at the 2022 G20 Environment Deputies Ministerial-Climate and Sustainable Working Group (EDM-CSWG) meetings, including marine management to achieve climate change mitigation targets.
"In addition to encouraging environmental and climate change aspects to be included in the global recovery agenda, Indonesia has raised the importance of marine issues to be discussed at the G20 forum," Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said.
At the ‘Kick-Off G20 on EDM-CSWG: Leading for Sustainability’ event, which was held online on Tuesday, she stated that the marine issue will be raised considering the great potential of blue carbon, especially in the mangrove ecosystem, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As the chair of the 2022 G20 Presidency, Indonesia will promote three main issues at the G20 EDM-CSWG, including supporting a stronger sustainable recovery, she added.
The other issues will be promoting effective land and marine ecosystem management as well as encouraging the mobilization of resources to support environmental conservation attempts and achieve climate change mitigation targets, she said.
"The agenda of encouraging the mobilization of resources, such as technology and finance, is important to push developed countries to fulfill their commitments in providing US$100 billion in assistance to help developing nations tackle climate change impacts," the minister added.
She then informed that three 2022 G20 EDM-CSWG meetings have been scheduled and they will end with a ministerial-level meeting at the end of August 2022.
Considering that the issues raised by G20 EDM-CSWG are also related to other 2022 G20 agendas, a number of joint meetings will be conducted with other working groups, such as energy transition, sustainable finance, business, and youth, she said.
"Through the 2022 G20 Presidency, we want to show that Indonesia has an important global role, especially regarding the issues of environment and climate sustainability," Bakar added. (Antaranews)
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi informed that 99 Indonesian citizens (WNI) have been evacuated from Ukraine so far.
"A total of 99 WNI have left Ukraine. The number has included the five WNI who were conducting self-evacuation," she said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
In addition to the WNI, the government has evacuated four foreigners who were related to the Indonesians, she added.
The first evacuees—25 WNI who were evacuated from Odessa, Ukraine — arrived in Bucharest, Romania, on February 27, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. local time, the minister said.
All of the evacuees were well, she informed. However, one of them had tested positive for COVID-19, she said. Currently, the person is being treated, she added.
During the government’s second evacuation, six Indonesians and one foreigner -- who is related to one of the WNIs -- were evacuated from Lviv, Ukraine, Marsudi said.
They arrived at the Indonesian Embassy in Warsaw’s safe house in Rzeszow, Poland on February 27, 2022, at 8:45 p.m. local time, she added.
Meanwhile, in the third evacuation, four Indonesian citizens as well as two foreigners who were spouses of the WNI were picked up by a team from the Indonesian Embassy in Warsaw from Lviv, Ukraine, and brought to Poland, she said.
The evacuees reached the Indonesian Embassy in Warsaw’s safe house on February 28, 2022, at 7:40 p.m. local time, she added.
The last group of evacuees comprising 59 WNI and one foreigner were evacuated from Kyiv, Ukraine, to Moldova and are on their way to Romania, she said.
"Previously, the evacuation attempt from Kyiv was planned to be carried out on February 27, 2022. However, due to the implementation of curfew policy and the damaged road due to the war, the evacuation had to be rearranged," Marsudi said.
She was involved directly in the evacuation plan rearrangement.
Currently, all Indonesian citizens are in two safe houses -- Bucharest, Romania, and Rzeszow, Poland, she said.
However, there are still four WNI in Kharkiv and nine WNI in Chernihiv in northern Ukraine who have not been evacuated since the battle is still taking place in the region, she added.
“The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv and the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow continuously keep in contact with them. They are healthy and have adequate logistical supplies," the minister said.
The Indonesian government is still waiting for the right time to evacuate them, she said.
Furthermore, there are 24 Indonesian citizens who have chosen to stay in Ukraine since they are married to local citizens, she informed. (Antaranews)
The Russia-Ukraine conflict may slow down economic recovery in Indonesia and other developing countries, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) researcher Eisha M. Rachbini has predicted.
“The Russia-Ukraine conflict that has had a negative impact on global economic growth will impact and slow down economic recovery, particularly in emerging markets such as Indonesia,” she said in a written statement released here on Tuesday.
If the conflict gets drawn out, it may prompt several countries to ban imports of Russian commodities such as oil, nickel, aluminum, palladium, and wheat, and consequently, global commodity prices will increase, she projected.
A rise in global crude prices could increase the domestic prices of fuel oil and other essential commodities, including foodstuffs, she said.
"The government needs to exercise caution in responding to the crude oil and wheat price hike. It also needs to keep inflation under control by maintaining the stable domestic prices of fuel oil and foodstuffs and preventing them from becoming more volatile," she added.
The government's spending on energy subsidies may increase if the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, she said. As a result, the state budget (APBN) may come under pressure, Rachbini added.
The energy subsidy skyrocketed by 347.2 percent to Rp10.42 trillion year-on-year in January 2022 compared to Rp2.3 trillion in January 2021, she noted.
"The consequence of counter-cyclical policy, for instance, by intervening in prices or providing subsidy, will put pressure on the budget deficit. Thus, the state budget needs to be managed efficiently by prioritizing economic growth and considering suspending the relocation of the capital city," she advised.
In connection with the US sanctions on Russian money market players and technological companies, coupled with potential for higher inflation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict may prompt the Fed to raise interest rates to a higher-than-expected level, she said.
"This may lead to the rupiah's depreciation, capital outflows, and a negative impact on the balance of payments (BoP). In the money market, conflict can also have an impact on credit distribution and corporate performance," she added. (Antaranews)
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) has provided a media center to disseminate information on Indonesia's G20 Presidency pertaining to events during discussion forums and the country's role in chairing the international event.
Director General of Information and Public Communication (IKP) of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Usman Kansong, stated that the existence of the media center will facilitate communication between ministries and institutions as well as serve as an information bridge for people keen to know about Indonesia's role in the G20 international forum.
"The media center for Indonesia's G20 Presidency is in accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo, who pressed for public communication management in echoing Indonesia's role in the G20 Presidency. In accordance with Presidential Decree No. 12 and Presidential Decree No. 18 of 2021 on implementation of the G20 Event, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics is in charge of coordinating the execution of communication," Kansong noted in a statement here on Tuesday.
The media center for Indonesia's G20 Presidency will be located in the Kominfo Building, Jalan Merdeka Barat 9 Jakarta. The facility will be a means of coordinating public communication activities and media services of ministries and institutions in the series of Indonesia's G20 Presidency.
According to Kansong, the agenda for activities in the media center encompasses interactive dialogs, media briefings, and chief editorial meetings with competent sources in their respective fields.
"Various data and information in the form of press releases, photos, and graphics are also presented in the media center. These contents can be used by the media and the public for re-distribution. There is also QnA, including G20pedia," he noted.
G20pedia is an electronic book divided into two major themes: G20 Overview and the G20 Presidency of Indonesia. The G20 theme at a glance discusses information about members, roles, agenda, and the importance of the G20. Meanwhile, based on the theme of the G20 Presidency, Indonesia highlights information on Indonesia's progress in the G20, priority issues that are brought up, and benefits for Indonesia while assuming the G20 Presidency.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics also provides access to information related to the G20 Indonesia Presidency to the public through the websites https://g20-indonesia.id/ and https://www.indonesia.go.id/g20/.
"Other ministries and institutions are also expected to make the most of the existence of the media center to convey information to the media and the public at large regarding the 2022 G20 Indonesia Presidency," Kansong stated.
The Director General of IKP of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics spoke of his plan to disseminate information on the G20 Presidency of Indonesia to several media abroad.
In coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kominfo will collaborate with several communities, such as the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) in various countries, in the hopes of invigorating Indonesia's spirit to lead the G20 in 2022.
During the G20 Summit held on November 16, 2022, in Nusa Dua Bali, Kominfo will also build a media center located at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Nusa Dua, Bali. The media center will become operational since November 13, 2022.
According to Kansong, the G20 Summit media center can accommodate some 534 journalists with work area facilities, press conference rooms, interview corners, health rooms, relaxation rooms, dining areas, and media booths.
"The media center will provide various information content as well as facilitate and make it easier for journalists to conduct reporting work around the implementation of the summit," he explained.
The series of activities for Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022 has officially started since December 1, 2021. While serving as the G20 chair to last until November 2022, Indonesia is focusing on three main issues: global health architecture, digital-based transformation and energy transition.
In the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) under Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, as the leading sector, raised the issue of digital connectivity after the COVID-19 pandemic, digital expertise, and literacy as well as cross-country data flow and the free and reliable flow of data. (Antaranews)
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged all stakeholders to prioritize research and innovation for formulating modern policies and building systems that are more resilient to future crises and shocks.
"Research and innovation must be prioritized to formulate modern policies," he said while joining the Merdeka Economic Forum via video conferencing from Jakarta on Monday.
In economic policy, research and innovation are needed to change the economic order and make it sustainable through the development of a green economy and a blue economy with inclusive participation, he explained.
The Vice President also emphasized several requirements for accelerating economic recovery from the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Amin, strengthening the national health system and controlling the pandemic are vital for scripting an economic recovery.
Therefore, the government has continued to strengthen support for health facilities, health workers, and the availability of medicines, he noted.
"The development of domestic vaccinations, the application of health protocols, as well as public health services must also continue to be strengthened," he said.
Furthermore, the Vice President said, structural reform, as a prerequisite for economic recovery, must also be guarded.
"The focus of sustainable development is directed at strengthening quality human resources, infrastructure development, creating a conducive business and investment climate, including support for MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprise) players, creating quality jobs and digital transformation," he explained.
In addition, Indonesia's Presidency of the G20 Forum in 2022 must be used to increase trade cooperation, industrialization, mastery of technology, and handling the climate crisis, he said.
"Similarly, the direction of Islamic economic and financial development that prioritizes justice, inclusion, and sustainability must continue to be encouraged to strengthen national economic resilience," the Vice President remarked. (Antaranews)
Indonesia's position in various international forums must be optimal in order to boost public welfare as well as a form of Indonesia's contribution to the world, Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin stated.
The vice president conveyed the statement during his virtual speech at the Merdeka Economic Forum held in Jakarta, Monday.
"Indonesia's position in various international forums must also be optimized, especially this year's G20 Presidency. We want to increase cooperation in the fields of trade and industrialization, as well as for gaining mastery in technology to handle the climate crisis, both for the welfare of the Indonesian people and as Indonesia's contribution to the world," the vice president noted.
The vice president affirmed that the direction of Islamic economic and financial development, which prioritizes justice, inclusion, and sustainability, must also continue to be encouraged to strengthen national economic resilience.
In addition, Amin remarked that the pandemic had spurred contemplation. The pandemic has forced changes in several aspects of life and humans, as individuals, inevitably have to adapt.
"Hence, it is time for us to increase competence and strengthen hard and soft skills, so that we become human beings, who are empowered and able to overcome future challenges," he remarked.
It was also stated that a series of national economic recovery agendas must be implemented in an integrated, collaborative, and inclusive manner through active participation of people from every societal strata, the central government and local governments, large entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, as well as academics, practitioners, and individuals.
"Hence, I invite all parties to move together, rise together, and become strong together for the recovery of the economy of our beloved country," Amin affirmed.
The vice president is optimistic that the Free Economic Forum would produce several new ideas that support the realization of the welfare of the community, nation, and state. (Antaranews)
The COVID-19 Handling Task Force reported that as of Saturday, 9.8 million Indonesian citizens have received the third booster COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the task force data, the number of people receiving the booster dose rose by 267,325 on Saturday, taking the total number of people who have received the booster dose to 9,809,490.
Meanwhile, the number of people who have received at least the first dose under the national COVID-19 vaccination program reached 190,672,288, with 141,174 Indonesians receiving their first dose on Saturday.
As for the second dose vaccinations, the number of recipients increased by 494,396 on Saturday to 143,774,691, as per data.
The Indonesian government is targeting to inoculate 208,265,720 citizens, in a bid to achieve community or herd immunity.
The government continues to increase administering COVID-19 vaccinations in various regions in order to accelerate the completion.
The Ministry of Health has reduced the waiting period for people to receive the booster COVID-19 vaccine, from initially six months after their second dose to three months.
"It means the vaccine (shot) interval for all target groups is now three months, from initially six months after completing a primary vaccination series," spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Siti Nadia Tarmizi stated.
Tarmizi remarked that the latest provision was regulated in Circular Number SR.02.06/11/1180/2022 on Adjustment for the Implementation of COVID-19 Booster Vaccination for the general public, issued on February 25, 2022.
"Protection for the community against COVID-19 should be increased, including by administering the booster shot," she said.
The Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021, as part of the efforts to boost the community's immunity against COVID-19. President Joko Widodo was the first vaccine recipient under the program.
The government commenced booster vaccinations for the general public on January 12, 2022. (antaranews)