VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The April 2019 trade balance is again in deficit. The April 2019 export and import balance showed a fairly high deficit of USD 2.5 billion, compared to last month which experienced a surplus of USD 0.7 billion. "The trade balance deficit in April 2019 was due to the weakening of exports due to a decline in global demand," said Head of the Trade Assessment and Development Agency, Kasan. Furthermore, Kasan explained, the deficit in April was also due to an increase in the oil and gas trade balance deficit from USD 0.4 billion last month to USD 1.5 billion in April 2019. Meanwhile, the non-oil and gas trade balance also declined, from a surplus of USD 1.1 billion to USD 1.0 billion. "Trade partner countries such as the United States, India, the Philippines, the Netherlands, and Malaysia accounted for the largest non-oil and gas trade surplus during April 2019, totaling USD 2.0 billion. Meanwhile, China, Thailand, Japan, Australia, and South Korea contributed the largest non-oil and gas trade deficit which reached a total of USD 3.0 billion, "explained Kasan. Cumulatively, the trade balance for the January-April 2019 period still has a deficit of USD 2.6 billion. This is due to the large oil and gas trade balance deficit which reached USD 2.8 billion, while the non-oil and gas trade account only contributed a surplus of USD 0.2 billion.

Gobal Conditions Press April 2019 Export Performance April 2019 export performance was recorded at 12.6 billion or 13.1 percent compared to the month's exports same in 2018 (YoY). The weakening of exports was due to a decline in oil and gas exports by 37.1 percent and a decline in non-oil and gas exports by 11.0 percent. "Cumulatively, exports from January to April 2019 amounted to USD 53.2 billion, decreasing by 9,4 percent compared to January-April 2018," continued Kasan. In detail, exports in April 2019 weakened in all sectors. Last year's export of agricultural sector rose 7.4 percent this year down 15.9 percent (YoY). Industry sector exports last year rose 8.1 percent, while this year it fell 11.8 percent. Exports of the mining sector rose 12.7 percent last year, while the year is 6.5 percent. The oil and gas sector exports last year rose 324.1 percent, while this year it dropped 37.1 percent.

Cumulatively from January to April 2019, exports of all sectors also experienced weakening. Agriculture sector exports fell 3.3 percent (YoY) and last year also fell 5.2 percent. Industrial sector exports fell 7.8 percent, while last year rose 5.4 percent. The mining sector was down 12.3 percent, while last year it rose 33.4 percent. Exports of the oil and gas sector fell by 18.2 percent, while last year it rose 2.5 percent. In addition, the decline in non-oil and gas exports during the January-April2019 period was also triggered by weakening exports to the top ten markets, except the Philippines and Vietnam which rose 2.9 percent. "This shows the condition of weakening market demand for the main destination countries of Indonesian exports," explained Kasan. April 2019 imports decreased compared to April 2018. April 2019 imports were recorded at USD 15.1 billion, up 12.2 percent compared to imports in March 201 (MoM), but experienced a 6.6 percent decrease in April 2018 (YoY).

The decline in imports in April last year was triggered by the decline in non-oil and gas imports by 7.0 percent and oil and gas imports which fell by 4.0 percent. Cumulatively, total imports during January-April 2019 reached USD 55.8 billion, or decreased by 7.2 compared to the same period of the year then that reached USD 60.1 billion. The decline in imports from January to April 2019 was triggered by a decline in the demand for imported oil and gas which was quite significant, which amounted to 22.8 percent, and non-oil and gas imports which also declined by 4.5 percent. goods. Imports of consumer goods fell by 11.9 percent, imports of raw / auxiliary materials fell 7.1 percent, and imports of capital goods fell 5.4 percent. Goods whose imports experienced a significant decline included fuel and lubricants (-33.4 percent), automotive parts and equipment (-15.8 percent), and capital goods spare parts and equipment (-8.8 percent). (kemendag)

The Financial System Stability Committee (KSSK) Coordination Meeting assessed that after the announcement of the results of the General Election (Election) recapitulation on Tuesday (21/5) and before Eid early next month, the Indonesian economy was still in good condition.

"To this day the public and business people believe and believe the Indonesian economy after the announcement will remain good," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said after the KKSK meeting, in the Djuanda Hall, office of the Ministry of Finance, Jakarta, Thursday (5/23) afternoon .

Besides the Minister of Finance, the KKSK meeting was also attended by the Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI Governor) Perry Warjiyo, Chairman of the Financial Services Authority Board of Commissioners (Chairperson of DK-OJK) Wimboh Santoso, and representatives of the Deposit Insurance Agency (LPS) Chairperson.

Minister of Finance deeply regretted the riots. However, the Minister of Finance believes that all investors and business people have understood the electoral process and that law enforcement officials can anticipate and resolve the incident according to the applicable law. According to him, this belief is the basis of the implementation of the entire country and will be reflected in national economic indicators.

In addition, the Minister of Finance also said that the holiday allowance (THR) disbursement process had been realized in half and would continue to monitor the remaining disbursement. He hopes the community can celebrate Eid with a safe atmosphere after fasting for one month.

"We hope that the security atmosphere will be maintained so that people can hold Ramadan services and at the same time celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities with their families and relatives who also usually have a positive impact on the economy," continued the Minister.

Minister of Finance stated that KSSK in accordance with its mandate will continue to maintain financial sector stability as a very strategic and important sector in maintaining Indonesia's economy without compromise.

Meanwhile, BI Governor Perry Warjiyo on the occasion stated that Bank Indonesia had increased money exchange services to welcome holidays at 2,975 points, both at the central and branch offices. He also assured that the need for money in the community for Eid would be fulfilled by Bank Indonesia. ( Ministry of Finance )

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi, at the UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, presented and explained in detail three vital measures for dealing with the Palestinians' problems. 

The UN Security Council meeting, chaired by Marsudi, was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United States, on Wednesday (May 20), according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry's written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

The meeting to deliberate on the Middle East situation was led by the Indonesian foreign minister in Indonesia's capacity as the UNSC president for May 2019, and all members of the Security Council were in attendance.

The meeting was held to get the latest updates on the current situation in the Middle East, including the issue of Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Through a video conference, recent developments in the Middle East were delivered by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Nickolay Mladenov and Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Pierre Krhenbhl.

At the meeting, the Indonesian foreign minister highlighted the need to adopt three key measures in a bid to solve the problems faced by the Palestinian government and people.

Firstly, the Indonesian government laid emphasis on the importance of providing protection to Palestinian civilians. Minister Marsudi cited the independent commission's report earlier this year indicating human rights violations by the occupying power, including violence against the media and health workers in Palestine. To this end, Marsudi reiterated the importance of offering international protection to Palestinian civil society.

Under the second measure, the Indonesian government also focused on the necessity to take concrete steps to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Minister Marsudi affirmed that the efforts to bring about an improvement in the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian society is one of the key measures to be adopted. She lauded the UNWRA for its various programs implemented to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Marsudi further echoed Indonesia's readiness to continue to support UNRWA's endeavors.

Finally, the Indonesian government has pushed for restarting the peace process between Israel and Palestine without further delay. Hence, it is necessary to promptly establish a credible peace process that guarantees equality for all parties in peace negotiations.

"The new perspective in the peace process does not mean overlooking the prevailing global parameters. For Indonesia, there is no other alternative than the two-state solution," Marsudi stated.

In addition to the Palestinian issue, the Indonesian foreign minister emphasized that the security condition in the Middle East will impact the global security situation. Hence, the UN Security Council should ensure concrete progress.

The meeting, led by the Indonesian foreign minister, demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to the peace process in the Middle East, particularly the issue of peace in Palestine. During its membership in the Security Council, Indonesia has consistently voiced the struggle of the Palestinian people as one of the priority issues.  (ANTARA)

Transportation Minister Budi Karya has said that the Eid al-Fitr exodus this year must run smoothly and remain safe.

"In accordance with the directives of President Joko Widodo, this year's Eid al-Fitr exodus must be carried out smoothly and safely. There should be no problems encountered by travelers. Moreover, our exodus theme is 'Eid al-Fitr exodus together, fun and smooth'," Budi Karya said in Bandarlampung on Thursday.

The minister attended a coordinating meeting on the 2019 Eid al-Fitr travel period in Lampung on Thursday to discuss preparations for assisting homebound travelers at Bakauheni Seaport, toll roads, trains and airports in Lampung.

The ministry offers free travel in Merak and Bakauheni seaports by ferry and naval ship to assist travelers crossing the sea between Java Island and Sumatra Island from Merak Seaport in Banten Province (Java) and Bakauheni Seaport in Lampung Province, Sumatra Island.

During the meeting, Governor of Lampung M Ridho Ficardo expressed his gratitude to the Transportation Minister for attending the meeting.

"I am very grateful that this year travelers can use the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll road, up to the Simpang Pematang toll road," he said.

Indonesian Muslims, constituting over 85 percent of the country's 260 million population, will celebrate Eid al-Fitr Islamic Holiday on June 5-6, 2019, following the Ramadan fasting month.

Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating Eid al-Fitr Holiday in their hometowns with their families.

As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of year. (ANTARA)