Joint Defense Regional Commands (Kogabwilhan) Commander I Rear Adm. Yudo Margono made assurance of the Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels having departed from Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Natuna waters, Riau Islands Province.

However, the maritime security operation in the Indonesian EEZ will be conducted round the clock during the year. Seven naval ships were deployed to support the routine patrols there, he notified journalists in Natuna District on Sunday.

"There is no time limit. The operation to safeguard our waters will be conducted during the year," he noted, adding that the Chinese vessels had exited the Indonesian EEZ by referring to reports of an aerial reconnaissance and naval ships' commanders.

While drawing reference to an aerial reconnaissance conducted by the Indonesian Air Force's reconnaissance aircraft at 2 p.m. local time, the Chinese vessels had already exited the Indonesian EEZ, Margono explained.

Reports on Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels no longer being visible near the Natuna waters were also backed by the commanders of the Indonesian naval ships that expelled the Chinese ships from the Indonesian EEZ, he stated.

Margono expressed keenness to bring to light this latest condition to rectify the information been circulated among members of the Indonesian public, he added.

On Saturday, three Indonesian naval ships still spotted several Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels in Indonesia's EEZ near Natuna waters.

The warships then drove the Chinese fishing boats out of the Indonesian EEZ when they were attempting to spread their fishing nets.

If the Chinese fishing vessels remain in the Indonesian EEZ, they will be apprehended and tried in court.

President Jokowi has instructed the Indonesian authorities to act sternly against those violating the Indonesian EEZ, Yudo Margono stated.

"Do not allow the relations between Indonesia and China to be disrupted by the Chinese fishing vessels' illegal activities," Margono noted in a press statement after joining an aerial reconnaissance of the Indonesian Air Force's reconnaissance aircraft on Saturday. Escorted by six Chinese coast guard vessels and a Chinese ship from its maritime surveillance agency, the Chinese fishing boats were found spreading their fishing nets for poaching. (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Indonesia's PT Pembangkit Jawa Bali Investasi (PJBI) inked a power purchase agreement with Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar to construct a US$-129 million floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS) at Cirata Dam, West Java.

The agreement for building the PLTS, claimed to be the largest solar plant in Southeast Asia, was signed by Chief Executive Officer of Masdar Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, President Director of state-owned electricity company PT PLN (Persero) Zulkifli Zaini, and President Director of Indonesia’s electricity investment firm PT PJBI Gunawan Yudi Hariyanto in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (Jan 12).

The inking of the agreement was witnessed by Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia, State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Deputy State Enterprises Minister Budi G. Sadikin, and Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto.

"The project’s investor is Masdar. It is the largest company in renewable energy in the Gulf," Director of Promotion of the BKPM Imam Soejoedi noted in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

He cited the BKPM head as saying that the government will expedite the licensing process, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

Investment in the project is expected to total Rp1.8 trillion, and the solar power plant will become the largest in the ASEAN, with a capacity of 145 MW, larger than the 132.5-MW capacity Cadiz Solar Power Plant in the Philippines.

BKPM Head Bahlil Lahadalia affirmed that renewable energy had solely contributed some 10 percent to the energy mix.

Indonesia has outlined a target for renewable energy to account for 23 percent of the country’s energy mix by 2025, with PLTS contributing 5 MW of the existing national power capacity.

Some 16 cooperation agreements were signed between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprising five cooperation pacts with two governments and 11 cooperation agreements with business operators in some countries. (ANTARA)

Palembang is again believed to be one of the hosts of the Indonesia Triathlon Series (ITS) tournament with the title Palembang Triathlon 2020. Palembang is believed to be the opening of ITS event after last year successfully held a series of sports that consisted of swimming, cycling and running. The Palembang Triathlon 2020 will be held on February 22nd and will be located at the 2018 Asian Games venue, Jakabaring Sportcity. Unlike the previous year's event, Palembang Triathlon is believed to be the opening of ITS which has six series or six different places. Palembang Triatlon Deputy Chairperson 2020, Liza Sako, Saturday (11/1) said, besides Palembang, other ITS series will be held in Jakarta, Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara), Pariangan (West Sumatra), Belitung, and  Bandung. Later, all triathlete participants will collect points from Palembang to the last series. (antara/trans by PUTRI)

Four large-scale companies are prepared to invest trillions of rupiahs in the industrialized island of Batam this year, Chief of the Batam Free Trade Area and Free Port Management Board, Muhammad Rudi, said.

"This year, representatives of four large companies came to Batam and talked with us," he said during the launch of the Batam regional head election here on Saturday.

He expressed hope that the regional head election would run smoothly so that it would not disturb the plan of the companies to invest in the industrialized city.

"The investment amount is huge. It will run up to 20 trillion rupiahs," he said.

However, he refused to divulge the type of investment the companies will make in the city, which shares sea borders with Singapore.

He feared if the security in the city is disturbed the companies would cancel their investment plans.

"If it is disturbed even a little bit they will return to their place of origin. We hope the organizer of the regional head election will ensure Batam is secure and peaceful," he said.

The Batam city administration is ready to help organize the regional head election in accordance with the law and regulation, he said.

A total of 270 provinces and districts across Indonesia will hold simultaneous regional head elections on September 23, 2020. (ANTARA)