VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo has decided to return all investment licensing authority from the ministry to the Investment Coordinating Board -BKPM. Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung said that as a follow up, all ministers are asked to revoke 40 ministerial regulations considered to hamper investment and ease of doing business at least late December 2019.

After attending a limited meeting about the acceleration of ease of doing business at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, last Thursday (11/21), Pramono Anung said that his side has made an official letter to BKPM in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction that once again the licensing authority becomes the full responsibility of BKPM. According to Pramono, the decision is aimed at improving the ease of investing or doing business in Indonesia.

In a World Bank report released last October, the rank of the ease of doing business (EEDB) in Indonesia was 73, down from 72 in 2018. The government targets Indonesia to be 50^th rank in the ease of doing business in 2021, then 40^th rank in the following years. Thus, President Joko Widodo assesses that there is a need for licensing reform. Pramono explained that licensing is made at the one door of BKPM because in such a world condition, Indonesia could not possibly move forward if obstacles in the government still exist.

Meanwhile, Head of BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that his side has begun to change the paradigm. So far in obtaining permit, the investors have been through some ministries by the assistance of BKPM. This case is considered difficult. Through President Joko Widodo's instructions, investors can invest their capital in Indonesia and they no longer need to go back and forth to the ministries to arrange a permit so that they can choose any regions across Indonesia to invest.

As new Head of BKPM, Bahlil added that there was an unexecuted  investment worth Rp 708 trillion. After a month in office or until last week, there has been an investment worth Rp 89 trillion which has been executed. Bahlil also pointed out that the government would form a one-stop system in managing ship permits.

The discourse about the proposal to add the term of office for the president is heating up again. It is related to the plan for a limited amendment of the 1945 Constitution. The ongoing discourse is related to the changes in presidential terms. Some figures propose the president's term of office to be only one period for eight years and some also propose to be extended to 3 periods.

Based on the current rules, the president and vice president hold a five-year office and can be re-elected for one term. Thus, the president and vice president can serve a maximum of 10 years in two periods as stipulated in Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution. Actually, the proposal related to changes in the term of office of the president does not emerge for the first time. Previously, this matter also came up.

Inevitably, some people are now enthusiastically talking about the discourse which is rejected by several parties, especially political parties. Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Bambang Soesatyo said the president's tenure for two periods and the direct presidential election by the people are already appropriate.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the majority in parliament as well as the supporting party of President Joko Widodo assesses that the current presidential term is still ideal and it does not need changing.

Senior Golkar Party figure, Andi Mattalata said that the discourse of three periods for presidential tenure could lead to authoritarian rule. According to him; limiting the president's term as now is the main essence of reform and amendment.

The opposition party, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) considers the discourse to be a dangerous proposal. The PKS said the decision to limit the president's term of office for two periods was obtained through the struggle in “bloody reform”. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Gerindra Faction at MPR, Ahmad Riza Patria said, the two terms of leadership are the ideal periods for presidential terms. He considers that the decision is final because it is regulated in the 1945 Constitution. Riza also said that the current presidential term of office does not need changing. Because it is in accordance with the spirit of reform; the power and authority must be limited.

The president's tenure of two periods, each for 5 years, is the outcome of the "bloody reforms" in 1998 to step down the Old Order government presided by Suharto who served as president for 32 years. Determination of the term of office of 2 periods also came through in-depth discussions. Currently, the system which has been agreed upon is the most ideal. Extending the term of office to 3 periods is likely to propose the return of Old Order system in which the president will tend to be authoritarian.

Bono is wave at estuary of Kampar River in Pelalawan regency, Riau province, Indonesia. Bono wave of Kampar River is a natural phenomenon due to confluence of river current to sea and sea current which enter to the river due to high tide. Usually, bono wave only happens at the edge of the beach or vast lake due to changes in water and wind flow. The wave which is quite large is usually used for surfing. Therefore, if seeing surfer who is surfing at the sea, it is something familiar, but seeing surfer who is surfing on river current is extra ordinary thing. The largest Bono usually happens when rainy season in which water discharge in  Kampar river is quite large. It is around November and December.

Scientifically, bono wave is one of natural phenomena which rarely happens. Bono wave happens due to  the collision of three currents of water which come from Melaka Strait, South China Sea and water flow of Kampar river which creates wave at estuary of Kampar river as high as 4 -5 meters. This is signed by great thunder. Bono wave usually happens every 13-18 of the middle month in Islamic calendar. The wave has white and brown colors following water of Kuala Kampar River. In addition, Bono wave also happens in the beginning and at the end of Islamic calendar.

To go to Kampar River is quite difficult because there is not a lot of public transportation to go there. So, you should rent car in Pangkalan Kerinci. To the location from Pekanbaru, it can be accessed by two ways. The first one is through  Pekanbaru - Pangkalan Kerinci  road then turn left at Bunut  junction and then enter to Jalan poros Bono to Teluk Meranti village. The second way is through water line. You should drive car from Pekanbaru to Pangkalan Kerinci. From Pangkalan Kerinci Bridge, it can be continued by speed boat to Teluk Meranti village or Pulau Muda village. So, you can choose what route you want to go.

Kampar River creates heaven not only for surfing lovers but also for lovers of photography. Here, you can take picture of Malayan typical stage house with beautiful and natural scenery as background. In addition, you can also catch fish, have a fun with local people and see fisherman’s activities in the morning. Do not forget to see art performance which is usually held at hall. Local people here are very friendly. Enjoying art and traditional instruments will become media to release your fatigue.

Iran has again been hit by demonstrations. People took to the streets in Tehran and other cities. The demonstration, marked by the destruction of public facilities, was triggered by the government's decision to raise fuel prices. It was reported, in the demonstration that began 3 days ago, more than 10 people were reportedly died . In addition to deploying security forces, the Iranian government has also closed national internet networks in almost all regions of the country. At least 100 demonstrators have been arrested by security forces.
 
Widespread demonstrations in Iran have not only happened once. The economic hardships that hit the middle and lower classes had previously led to demonstrations. In the midst of this difficult economic situation, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made the decision to raise fuel prices. The decision was actually a difficult one. But the government was forced to do it.  The main reason was for overcoming the country's economic problems. As a result of the imposition of US sanctions, Iran can no longer export oil. While in fact  oil exports are the mainstay of the government to sustain and maintain the country's economy.

The policy of the Iranian President which  was  also supported by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,  immediately ignited the demonstration as a form of rejection. Rising fuel prices by around 50 percent were indeed very unpopular. Even though President Rouhanni has stated that the proceeds from the sale of domestic oil will be used to subsidize the poor.
 
The latest conditions in Iran which were rocked by massive demonstrations also marked the deterioration in Tehran's relations with Washington. Tehran accuses Washington of supporting the  rallies. The accusation is indeed reasonable. In Washington, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo even made it clear that the United States government was with the protesters. Pompeo accused the Iranian government of using violence against the protesters.
 
The demonstration that caused death in Tehran has led to a new dispute between Iran and the United States. This condition certainly makes it increasingly difficult to overcome or at least reduce tensions between the two countries. Previously the Tehran government had succeeded in quelling demonstrations which had also been  triggered by the deteriorating economy due to US sanctions. How about this time? It is yet  still to be seen.