Live Streaming
Program Highlight
Company Profile
Program Highlight (3017)
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
January
Breaking transmission chain prevents SARS-CoV-2 mutation: Expert
Written by Nur Yasmin
Breaking the chain of COVID-19 transmission could prevent mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that could produce new variants, researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency's (BRIN's) Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology Amin Soebandrio stated.
"Mutation could generally be prevented by breaking the chain of transmission, so that the virus does not find a new host (human) and this stops the mutation," he told ANTARA here on Sunday.
Mutation, which led to the emergence of new variants, occurs when the virus replicates itself within a person's body cells, Soebandrio noted.
Replication occurs when the virus infects someone or when it finds a new host and enters a new cell, he remarked.
If the virus does not find a new host, then replication would not occur and mutation would not take place, according to Soebandrio.
The chain of transmission can be broken by consistently implementing the 5M health protocols and by getting vaccinated, he affirmed.
The 5M health protocols comprise wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining social distance, reducing mobility, and avoiding crowds, he explained.
Implementation of health protocols and vaccination should also be conducted along with intensifying the 3T strategy of tracing, testing, and treatment.
"If we could break the chain of transmission, then we could minimize replication and mutation," Soebandrio affirmed.
The Health Ministry recorded a surge in the number of confirmed Omicron cases, with the tally reaching 414, as of Saturday, out of which 34 are locally transmitted.
The Ministry's COVID-19 Vaccination spokesperson, Siti Nadia Tarmidzi, urged the public to not travel abroad if it is not too urgent.
"Most cases of Omicron came from international travelers. Hence, the people are expected to delay their plans to travel abroad," Tarmidzi noted in a written statement here on Sunday. (Antaranews)
January
BNPB reports 68 natural disasters on January 1-8, 2022
Written by Nur Yasmin
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 68 natural disasters that affected several parts of Indonesia in the first week of January 2022.
Based on data received from the agency here on Sunday, these natural disasters were hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, extreme weather, forest and land fires and tidal waves.
Floods were the most frequent disasters recorded at 38, followed by 16 extreme weather events, 12 landslides, and one forest and land fire as well as tidal wave.
All of these natural disasters left seven people dead, 15 people injured, and 140,620 others affected and displaced.
Meanwhile, 528 houses were damaged by the disasters, of which 46 were heavily damaged, 72 were moderately damaged and 410 others suffered minor damage. The natural disasters also caused damage to three educational facilities, six places of worship, and one health facility.
Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto previously appealed to all parties to increase resilience in dealing with natural and non-natural disasters.
Besides members of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Suharyanto also asked community leaders, religious leaders, and tbusiness actors as well as the media to increase this resilience.
"Let's work together to increase Indonesia's resilience in dealing with natural and non-natural disasters," he said.
Suharyanto said Indonesia is located in the world's volcanic belt flanked by two oceanic and continental plates, thereby making Indonesia's volcanic tectonic and hydrometeorological activity the highest in the world. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia sends humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia has sent humanitarian aid in the form of foods and nutrient to Afghan people who are currently facing worsening humanitarian situation.
"As per Mr. President's directives, this humanitarian aid is the addition of humanitarian aid and development cooperation assistance commitment from Indonesia," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said while seeing off two planes carrying Indonesian humanitarian aid for Afghan people at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Sunday.
The humanitarian aid is a response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan where some 23 million people are under the threat of starvation and more than three million children are under the threat of malnutrition.
In preparing the humanitarian aid, the minister said Indonesia coordinated with several UN bodies particularly the World Food Program (WFP. The aid will be distributed among Afghan people in cooperation with WFP under the supervision of Indonesian mission in Kabul.
The minister said without support from the international community, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will increasingly become heavier and may have an impact on stability in the country as a whole.
In addition to short-term humanitarian aid, she said Indonesia is also in the process of preparing long-term assistance including educational assistance and capacity building particularly for Afghan women.
Earlier, at the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC in Islamabad, Indonesia reiterated the importance of respecting Afghan women's rights and empowering them.
"In the near future, I will discuss details of cooperation in education and women's empowerment in Afghanistan with Qatar and representatives from Afghanistan," she said. (Antaranews)
January
Growth must be strengthened by knowledge based economy: Minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said that economic growth should not merely rely on natural resources but also needs to be strengthened by knowledge-based economy.
"Knowledge based economy is crucial. We must have skilled workers who understand technology," said Erick Thohir when delivering a keynote speech at the University of North Sumatra as monitored online here on Sunday.
The minister said that by 2035 Indonesia needs 17.5 million workers professionals and young entrepreneurs who understand and can adapt to technology.
"If digitalization is only related to the Internet and Wifi, in the future, then we must build a very important digitalization infrastructure, because this is the backbone of its strength. That infrastructure includes healthtech, fintech, edutech, and mediatech. All efforts are to achieve that target," he said.
In the meantime, the pandemic, said Thohir, could still happen again. Hence, digitization in the health sector must also be ensured to run well so that the potential for growth continues.
Through cooperation and mutual help in implementing health protocols, Indonesia is successfully holding back a surge in COVID-19 cases.
"When COVID-19 cases spike, the economy goes down. When a new pandemic emerges, it will have an impact on life as a whole. That's what we have to overcome," said Minister Thohir.
He said that so far Indonesia still relies on natural resources that can run out and cannot be used again in the future.
"Our challenge is the knowledge based economy, where humans are the center of growth, human innovation is the center of growth. Hence, we cannot rely solely on the natural resource market," he said.
The minister reminded the Indonesian people that if in 2045 the Indonesian generation is not productive, then Indonesia Gold will not be achieved. (Antaranews)
January
Tourist accommodations prioritized ahead of MotoGP at Mandalika: gov't
Written by Nur Yasmin
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno spoke of the authority prioritizing the provision of accommodation for tourists visiting the Mandalika International Street Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara, in March 2022 to spectate the MotoGP championship.
The ministry has begun coordinating with regional governments, industry actors, and tourism village operators in the province to ensure accommodation preparedness, he remarked.
"The MotoGP championship is our opportunity to innovate regarding the provision of homestay for tourists as President Joko Widodo has instructed us to develop an equitable tourism industry. Hence, we also support local homestay operators in operating their establishments, particularly homestays in tourism villages," Uno noted in his press statement in Jakarta on Friday.
The minister is sanguine that the development of new accommodations and conversion of local houses into rented homestays would offer more choices for tourists visiting the Mandalika Circuit.
The ministry will operate transportation modes for tourists as shuttle transportation from their accommodation to the circuit and other locations in Lombok Island, he noted.
The ministry has also collaborated with industry actors for the provision of accommodation facilities, Uno noted, adding that local capsule hotel company Bobobox and natural recreation apparel company Eiger will develop camping accommodations in the region.
"Hosting the MotoGP championship requires not only coordination between ministries and government institutions but also necessitates collaboration with all stakeholders, including the local community,” the minister remarked.
Apart from ensuring the provision of tourists’ accommodation, the ministry is committed to empowering the local economy in Lombok Island and the surrounding islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, he remarked.
The MotoGP championship hosted at the Mandalika Circuit will also create new job opportunities and boost employment in the local tourism sector and creative economy, he added.
"We are optimistic that economic activities, human resources, and the level of employment in the region will soar because we expect the MotoGP championship to offer long-term sustainable benefits to the locals," Uno remarked. (Antaranews)
January
Government to distribute 15.1 million kl diesel fuel in 2022
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian government, through the Oil and Gas Downstream Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), has assigned PT Pertamina Patra Niaga and PT AKR Corporindo to distribute 15.1 million kiloliters (kl) of diesel fuel in 2022.
"We have taken into account the aspects of public demand and government fiscal capacity in determining the final quota," the agency's head, Erika Retnowati, stated in Jakarta on Saturday.
The three main variables taken into account in determining the annual quota are the regional governments' report on the proposed diesel fuel quota; the two companies' diesel fuel distribution realization report in 2021; and the final formula determined through deliberations among relevant stakeholders, she explained.
Apart from distributing 15.1 million kl of diesel fuel, the government will also distribute 480 thousand kl of kerosene this year, she said.
The regulatory agency has allowed Pertamina Patra Niaga and AKR Corporindo to adjust the distribution quota in the event of a sudden diesel fuel demand hike or disruption in the distribution line, provided that the adjustment will not affect the total quota assigned for the region, Erika stated.
If the companies decided to modify the distribution quota, they are necessitated to inform BPH Migas at the latest a month after the modification was made, the agency's head remarked, adding that the report is necessary to ensure the special fuel -- the grouping for diesel oil and kerosene -- will be properly distributed only to eligible residents.
The agency's committee meeting also determined that the distribution of diesel fuel and kerosene that surpassed the assigned quota will be regarded as the distribution of a general fuel instead of the special fuel type, she noted.
Assigning special oil distribution tasks to companies aligns with BPH Migas' duty to ensure nationwide availability of oil and gas and proper distribution of the special fuel type to eligible residents, Erika noted.
The agency is also tasked with evaluating diesel fuel consumption and disseminating information about the government regulation to relevant stakeholders and the industry, she added. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia records 518 COVID-19 cases in single day
Written by Nur Yasmin
The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia increased by 518 on Friday, with Jakarta contributing the most daily infections at 300, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force reported.
Riau Islands recorded the second-highest number of cases at 60, followed by West Java (36), Banten (30), and Central Java (28).
Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 cases since the first case was confirmed in March 2020, reached 4,265,187, according to data released by the task force.
On Friday, the number of patients who recovered from COVID-19 stood at 214, taking the total tally to 4,115,572. Jakarta recorded the highest recoveries at 77, followed by Central Sulawesi (27) and West Java and Central Java (18 each).
Meanwhile, five provinces reported fatalities: Central Java, East Java, Central Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and Riau.
According to the task force, the total number of citizens who succumbed to the virus reached 144,121 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the number of active cases increased by 299 from the previous day to reach 5,494.
Earlier, spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, affirmed that the government is continuing to strictly supervise the country’s entry gates and implement the quarantine policy for international travelers.
Regarding the arrival of international travelers, the Ministry of Transportation has predicted that the number of arrivals will increase from January 5, 2022, to the next three weeks, Adisasmito said.
“For that reason, anticipatory measures must be prepared including the decision to postpone all forms of non-urgent and non-planned travel, especially in large numbers," he added. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia is pushing for a roadmap from the Taliban on its commitments for supporting peace and improving the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has said.
The roadmap was included in the resolution of the Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad, Pakistan, in December 2021, which was held specifically to discuss the issue in Afghanistan, she added.
"Indonesia was among the meeting's initiators, considering Afghanistan's worsening humanitarian situation. Indonesia's position has always been consistent, wanting to see Afghanistan be peaceful, stable, and prosperous," Marsudi said while issuing her annual press statement (PPTM) here on Thursday.
According to the minister, Indonesia has continued to encourage the fulfillment of the Taliban's promises in August 2021, such as respect for women's rights. It is also committed to sending help for humanitarian issues there, she added.
"Two Indonesian aircraft carrying food and nutrition assistance to the Afghan people will soon arrive there in cooperation with the United Nations (UN)," she informed.
This year, Indonesia will focus on Afghan women's education and empowerment through efforts such as offering scholarships, she said.
The United Nations has earlier stated that Afghanistan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world in terms of food, fuel, and liquidity, she noted.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, who has been appointed by the Taliban as the acting foreign affairs minister of Afghanistan, had said earlier that the country's new regime would allow women to pursue education and work, she said.
However, four months after the statement was made, news reports emerged of Afghan girls being banned from school and the Taliban only allowing women to work in certain sectors such as health, Marsudi noted.
Therefore, the resolution of the OIC meeting is deemed important to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, she said. The document stipulates some measures such as providing supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs and stresses the eradication of terrorism in the country, she added. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia calls for ASEAN unity amid challenges
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must build strong unity and centrality amid various challenges facing the regional grouping, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi has said.
"ASEAN must continue its work to build an ASEAN community and create a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," she said in an annual press statement, accessed from Jakarta on Thursday.
Various conflicts and tensions, coupled with natural disasters and refugee crises, are among the challenges the world has faced in the past year, she noted.
One of the challenges facing ASEAN today is the rivalry between large countries, which has continued to sharpen and is visible in the Indo-Pacific region, she said.
This has become a special challenge for ASEAN and the regional grouping needs to strengthen unity and centrality to address it, she added.
In the meantime, ASEAN is also facing regional tensions due to the political crisis in Myanmar. Therefore, solidity among member states has become increasingly crucial to be strengthened, she said.
"ASEAN has taken a unanimous stand in Jakarta in April 2021 to help Myanmar overcome its political crisis through the Five-Point Consensus in order to stop violence and restore democracy through inclusive dialogue," she said.
She further highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic, which continued in 2021, when inequitable access to vaccination prevailed and the impact of the pandemic was inevitably felt.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has also eroded the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries, she said.
Health diplomacy became a priority agenda of Indonesia in 2021, including at a regional level, she noted.
Indonesia led ASEAN health cooperation in 2020–2021, when it encouraged ASEAN's initiatives for overcoming the pandemic and strengthening the health resilience mechanism in the region, she added. (Antaranews)
January
Indonesia's G20 Presidency to prioritize world health architecture
Written by Nur Yasmin
The global health architecture is one of the priorities of Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said.
"Indonesia's G20 Presidency is also expected to be a catalyst for global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic," she said in her annual press statement, accessed from Jakarta on Thursday.
"This is one of Indonesia's three focuses besides energy transition and digital transformation for its G20 Presidency," she said.
Indonesia wants G20 to be a catalyst for global recovery and concrete cooperation that benefits developing nations, she said.
The minister further highlighted unequal access to COVID-19 vaccines. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 41 countries currently have a COVID-19 vaccination coverage of less than 10 percent and 98 countries have vaccination coverage of less than 40 percent, she noted.
Indonesia will continue to seek equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries through the COVAX facility, she informed.
"The pandemic has taught us to improve national and global health resilience. Long-term cooperation is needed to strengthen national health infrastructures and health industry, including medicine and vaccine producers," she added. (Antaranews)