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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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February
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin. (ANTARA/HO-Press Bureau of Vice President Secretariat/am/uyu) -
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has said he hopes the country can become a nation of inventions that is able to master science and technology.
He made the statement at the virtual graduation ceremony of Brawijaya University students on Saturday.
He also said that as a tool, technology can bring either more benefit or disaster.
“Hence, we have to understand how to make technological advancement to bring more benefits,” he remarked.
Changes will always occur in human life, and innovation is the best method to mitigate those changes, he added.
He then urged graduate students to use the knowledge they have obtained and to improve their entrepreneurship skills to create innovations.
Furthermore, Amin said that for Indonesia to become a nation of inventions, its human resources must be inventors — not copiers.
In addition, formal and informal education must aim to increase the knowledge and skills of the country’s human resources, rather than preparing them for pursuing a bachelor's degree, he added.
In addition, funding and incentives must be provided to encourage innovations, he said.
He then took note of the low number of researchers in Indonesia compared to other countries, resulting in a low number of patents filed in the country.
"The number of full-time researchers was only 216 people per one million population in Indonesia in 2016–2018," he said.
Meanwhile, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics for 2016–2018, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea had 1,307, 2,784, 5,331, and 7,980 researchers per one million population, respectively, in 2018, he pointed out.
"Furthermore, the percentage of graduates of higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Indonesia was also low," Amin added.
Based on the World Bank’s Education Statistics for 2016–2018, the percentage of STEM graduates in Indonesia was only 19.42 percent of the total graduates in the country in 2018, he said.
The figure is lower than for other G20 member countries, such as India and Russia, which had 32.65 percent and 31.06 percent STEM graduates, respectively. in 2018, he added//ANT
February
VP offers condolences over MUI Fatwa Commission chief's demise
Written by nuke
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin offered condolences over the death of Chief of the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Hasanuddin A.F. (ANTARA/HO-Setwapres) -
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has offered condolences over the demise of Chief of the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Hasanuddin A.F.
"I express my deep condolences over the death of Prof. Dr. K.H. Hasanuddin A.F., chief of the MUI Fatwa Commission and professor of the Sharia and Law Faculty of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta," Amin noted in a written statement released on Friday.
Hasanuddin passed away on Thursday night at around 11 p.m. local time.
The vice president affirmed that Hasanuddin had contributed significantly to development of the country's educational and religious sectors.
"During his lifetime, K.H. Hasanuddin contributed a lot to the nation and state not only through the educational sector but also through his endeavors at MUI," he added.
One of his endeavors was the result of a study and halal fatwa of the MUI pertaining to the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, named Merah Putih (Red and White) vaccine, he remarked.
"Before his death, he got involved in deciding the fatwa for the Merah Putih vaccine developed by Airlangga University," he stated.
This role demonstrated Hasanuddin's commitment as an ulema, who cared about the public and supported the government's efforts to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, he remarked.
"This shows his commitment and hard work to protect the public from the danger threatening their life, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic," he noted//ANT
February
Indonesia to discuss blue economy, blue carbon during G20 presidency
Written by nuke
A screenshot of President Joko Widodo delivering a speech at the One Ocean Summit in Jakarta on Friday (February 11, 2022). (ANTARA/Indra Arief/rst) -
Indonesia will highlight the importance of the blue economy, blue carbon, and also marine debris handling during its Presidency of the G20, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said.
Indonesia is ready to partner with all parties to create a sustainable marine ecosystem, he added.
"At the global level, Indonesia continues to support the mainstreaming of marine issues. Indonesia's Presidency of the G20 will highlight the importance of a blue economy, blue carbon, and marine debris handling," he remarked at the One Ocean Summit, which was broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube Channel on Friday.
At the domestic level, Indonesia has made several breakthroughs for managing the marine environment in a sustainable manner, he noted.
The breakthroughs include policies for fish handling in a measured and quota-based manner, supported by a technology-based monitoring system, he said.
Another breakthrough has been the development of an aquaculture village based on local wisdom for poverty alleviation and preservation of high economic value commodities, he added.
"The management of the marine environment needs to be placed on the dimension of sustainable development and becoming a part of supporting economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic," he remarked.
He also emphasized that as the largest archipelagic country in the world, a healthy marine environment is key to the sustainable development of Indonesia.
"We are proud to be one of the countries who are fighting for marine protection," the President remarked.
Indonesia is holding the G20 Presidency for the first time since the grouping was initiated in 1999. The global forum comprises 19 countries and the European Union. Its members account for 80 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP), 75 percent of international trade, and 60 percent of the global population//ANT
February
Extraordinary measures prudently taken to handle pandemic: President
Written by Nur Yasmin
The government’s measures were taken with great prudence and meticulous contemplation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, according to President Joko Widodo.
“I want to emphasize the government’s extraordinary measures that were taken with great prudence and careful consideration in pandemic handling in a bid to maintain the measures to align with the law and constitutional corridors,” President Jokowi noted during a special plenary session for the 2021 Constitutional Court’s report held virtually here on Thursday.
The president spoke of his intent to ensure that all measures, regulations, and policies were taken into account and decided on the basis of factual, measurable, and objective reasons.
“(The decisions were) based on the careful consideration to tackle the crisis and save people,” he highlighted.
In the last two years, Indonesia has faced a dynamic constitution, the president remarked while adding that the crisis situation had forced the government to carefully and quickly respond to it in flexible and responsive ways by prioritizing the people’s safety.
“Many countries decided to take extraordinary measures and actions to respond to the crisis situation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the challenge and also the real test in constitutional practices,” the Jokowi pointed out.
Related news: Indonesia pushes three main global health architecture programs
As a state of law, all parties should collectively enforce the law and justice for the people’s sake and nation’s advancement, the head of state highlighted.
The president believed that the state's life will be governed well if based on the Constitution.
“I hope that the Constitutional Court would continue to make the decisions that solve our country’s problems in upholding the Constitution as well as to strike a balance between certainty, justice, and expediency,” the president remarked. (Antaranews)
G20 ETWG to raise three priority issues on sustainable energy
February
G20 ETWG to raise three priority issues on sustainable energy
Written by Nur Yasmin
Three priority issues of access, technology, and funding for sustainable energy development will be raised through the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG), Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Arifin Tasrif stated.
Tasrif noted at the virtual launch of the G20 Energy Transition forum on Thursday that sustainable energy development was being encouraged to boost clean technology utilization and energy transition funding.
Indonesia’s 2022 G20 Presidency had launched the forum to encourage stronger global commitments to achieve the targets on universal energy access set in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"Achievement of the targets is the main outcome expected during Indonesia's 2022 G20 Presidency as a follow-up to the agenda of the 2021 COP26 and the 2021 G20 Presidency on energy transition," the minister stated.
The ETWG will focus on discussions on more specific issues of energy security, access, and efficiency; transition to low-carbon energy systems; as well as investment and innovation in cleaner and more efficient technologies.
Indonesia raised the issues at the G20 forum since the government assessed that the potential development for renewable energy must be supported by a clear scenario and roadmap.
Hence, through the forum, Indonesia has the opportunity to push for global collective efforts in realizing policies to expedite an inclusive global economic recovery by utilizing renewable energy, considering that the G20 members are the suppliers for some 75 percent of the global energy demand.
"The energy transition forum is expected to encourage more concrete actions from the G20 meetings to strengthen a sustainable global energy system and to provide equitable energy transition for achieving a sustainable recovery," Tasrif remarked.
Indonesia has committed to conducting an equitable energy transition whilst still fulfilling its domestic energy demand, as the country targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060. (Antaranews)
February
COVID-19: 6.3 million Indonesians receive booster shots
Written by Nur Yasmin
More than 6.3 million Indonesian adults have received COVID-19 vaccine boosters, accounting for 3.5 percent of the 181.5 million targeted recipients, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto informed here on Thursday.
"The government continues to encourage the administration of booster vaccines to face the Omicron variant," he added.
Meanwhile, 187.6 million or 90.1 percent of the 208.3 million targeted recipients have received the first dose and 133.5 million or 64.1 percent have received the second dose of the vaccine, the minister informed.
Among the 34 provinces in the country, Jakarta has logged the highest vaccination coverage, with 12.4 million or 147.4 percent of the targeted 8.4 million people receiving the first dose and 10.3 million or 122.6 percent receiving the second dose, he said.
Jakarta has also recorded the highest number of booster dose recipients at 900 thousand or 12.3 percent of the targeted recipients, he added.
"The number of Omicron cases in Jakarta is the highest in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi). To increase immunity, third dose vaccination is needed," he stressed.
Hartarto said he will continue to encourage booster vaccination campaigns in various parts of the country so local residents are better prepared to face the Omicron variant of COVID-19
He assured that booster vaccination campaigns have run well based on observations at state and private vaccination centers in several parts of the country, including the Indofood Tower in Jakarta.
The five-day third dose vaccination campaign in the area aimed to target 500 to 600 people per day, he informed. However, on the first and second days of the vaccination drive, nearly one thousand people were vaccinated, he said.
The booster vaccination campaign was conducted in cooperation with the Health Ministry, the National Police, PROJO, Yellow Clinic, Indofood, ACA Asuransi, and Indomaret, he added. (Antaranews)
February
Merah Putih Vaccine included in super-priority program by Jokowi
Written by Nur Yasmin
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has said that the Merah Putih Vaccine, which is currently in its first day of clinical trials, has become one of the super-priority programs, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
"I am in charge of coordinating, synchronizing, and controlling priority programs. This vaccine is included in the President's super-priority program towards Indonesia's vaccine independence," Effendy said during the Kick-Off of the Merah Putih Vaccine Clinical Trial at the Dr. Soetomo Surabaya Hospital, Wednesday.
Effendy later said that the Merah Putih Vaccine entering the clinical trial stage was an extraordinary success by local scientists.
On the same occasion, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the success of the Merah Putih Vaccine in undergoing clinical trials was the result of cooperation between various parties.
Parawansa stated that all groups must continue their collaboration in developing the Merah Putih Vaccine, in an effort to gain World Health Organization (WHO) recognition.
“Hopefully, the communication with WHO will be successful so that the Merah Putih Vaccine will have approval from them," she noted.
Meanwhile, the Rector of Airlangga University (Unair), Professor Mohammad Nasih, said that the clinical trial of the Merah Putih vaccine will be carried out in three phases.
"The first phase will be attended by 90 participants. While the second stage will be followed by 400 participants, and the third stage will be attended by 5,000 participants," he said.
Unair would continue to focus on developing the Merah Putih Vaccine and become one of the initiators in Indonesia's vaccine independence.
"Thank you for the support from all parties, including Minister Effendy, Health Minister, The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), the provincial government, and of course the research team, as well as the team from Dr. Soetomo Hospital. They have worked together to produce a local vaccine made in Indonesia," Nasih noted. (Antaranews)
February
Indonesia committed to protecting foreign refugees: Minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly has stressed Indonesia's commitment to providing protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees despite their using the nation as a transit point illegally.
"Indonesia remains committed to providing special considerations based on the principles of humanity and global human rights aspirations," Laoly said during a meeting with Chief of Mission of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), UN Migration, Louis Hoffmann, here on Wednesday.
Hoffmann paid a courtesy call on Laoly during a visit to Jakarta to improve cooperation and discuss the continuation of cooperation between IOM and the Law and Human Rights Ministry.
Indonesia is not legally bound to provide permanent settlement to international asylum seekers or refugees on the grounds that it is not a party to the Refugee Convention 1951 and Protocol 1967 on Refugee Status, Laoly said.
Related news: Eight Rohingya refugees flee from Aceh shelter
For its part, as a non-party to the convention, Indonesia is not obliged to provide settlement to foreign migrants who come to the country as refugees, the minister added.
The cooperation with IOM is designed to improve the understanding of refugee-related issues, assist the government in tackling migration challenges, and encourage social and economic development related to migration, he said.
The cooperation also includes upholding the dignity and welfare of refugees, their families, and the community, he added.
The presence of international refugees has become a sensitive issue in international discourse, Laoly noted. They flee their country and take refuge in another country due to domestic conflicts that threaten their safety, he said.
Several countries currently deny entry to foreign refugees on the grounds that they may disturb internal security stability, he added.
A refugee-related international regime is set forth in the Convention 1951 on Refugees and Protocol 1967 on Refugee Status, he said.
Indonesia has not ratified the convention, he added. Although Indonesia is a non-party to the convention, it does not refuse the presence of foreign refugees, he highlighted.
Laoly said the government treats foreign refugees and asylum seekers based on Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2016 on the Handling of Foreign Refugees.
To that end, Indonesia has coordinated with IOM and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), he added. (Antaranews)
RI raises four educational, cultural priorities during G20 presidency
February
RI raises four educational, cultural priorities during G20 presidency
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia will raise four educational and cultural priorities during its G20 presidency, an Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry official said.
"During Indonesia's G20 presidency, the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry will lead the G20 education working group," the ministry's director general of teachers and educational workers, Iwan Syahril, said during the Kick Off of the G20 on Education and Culture, monitored in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Under Italy's presidency last year, the G20 discussed the issue of inadequate learning and unequal access to education during the COVID-9 pandemic, he said.
Indonesia opined that the initiative taken during Italy's G20 presidency last year must be strengthened to restore access to education and make classrooms better than before the pandemic, he said.
G20 member states must work hand in hand to address unequal access to education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
There will be four educational issues to be discussed during Indonesia's G20 presidency, including universal quality education, Syahril said.
"This issue is raised to respond to a challenge to equal access to education in all levels, particularly vulnerable groups in order to recover from COVID-19. This issue is also a manifestation of Indonesia's commitment to realize quality educational access for all, in accordance with the fourth SDGs,” he noted.
The second issue is digital technologies in education. Indonesia is looking forward to discussing in details how digital technology offers a solution to equal access and social justice in the educational sector, he said.
The third issue is solidarity and partnership. This issue is related to the Indonesian nation's wisdom, particularly in encouraging mutual help.
"We will offer the Indonesian nation's wisdom, as part of the effort to re-imagine the future. We believe that only through cooperation and mutual support could we solve a myriad of global issues,” Syahril said.
The fourth issue is the post-COVID-9 future of work. The ministry noted that post-COVID-19 job needs will change, so that the world needs to make changes, particularly how education can answer the global challenge in the future, he said.
The ministry urged all stakeholders to collaborate and strengthen each other. Indonesia will show that a culture of culture mutual assistance will inspire the world to recover together and build a better future. (Antaranews)
February
Foreign tourists allowed to enter Indonesia via Bali, Riau Islands
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian government allows foreign tourists to come to Indonesia through two entrances, namely Bali and Riau Islands Provinces.
Foreign tourists having B211A visas and entering through Bali or Riau Islands are allowed to visit other areas and return to their respective countries from the Immigration Checkpoints (TPI) in those areas outside Bali and Riau Islands.
"Foreigners using tourist visas do not have to exit the country through Bali, they can leave through other areas, for example, if they also want to visit Labuan Bajo," Amran Aris, the Immigration Traffic Director of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights' Immigration Directorate General, said in a press release here on Saturday.
The mechanism for issuing visas for tourism is an agreement from all concerned parties, according to Aris.
Basically, the Directorate General of Immigration follows the Ministry of Law and Human Rights' Regulation No. 34 of 2021 and the circular letter No. 4 Year 2022 of the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling .
"In terms of health insurance, for example, based on the agreement of the relevant ministries and institutions, foreigners are asked to have health insurance, considering the existing risks." he added.
Based on the government's evaluation, the amount of health insurance coverage for potential foreign tourists who will travel to Indonesia, is reduced from US$100,000 to US$25,000.
He said, foreign tourists must be able to show the documents of health insurance upon their arrivals in Bali or Riau islands.
The Indonesian authorities can issue visit visas for foreigners and guarantors for a duration of stay of 60 days in Indonesia and can be extended to a maximum of six months in total.
During the 15 October 2021 – 28 January 2022 period, Indonesia had issued a total of 273 electronic visas (e-Visas) for tourist visits to Bali and the Riau Islands.
The highest number of travelers came from India with 47 people, followed by France (42), South Korea (20), Spain (17) and Sweden (16).
Among requirements for applying for a B211A tourist visit visa to Bali and Riau Islands are having a passport valid for at least next six months, a guarantee letter from a guarantor, and copies of a bank account, deposits or bank's passbook records over the last three months.
They must have a minimum balance of US$2,000, a return ticket or a canal ticket to continue the journey to another country, a health insurance coverage, a proof of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccination, and a statement of willingness to comply with the health protocols while in Indonesia. (Antaranews)