VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government is seriously implementing a 20 percent biofuel mixed-use (Biodiesel 20/B20) diesel to all diesel-engined vehicles in Indonesia. In addition to being able to save foreign exchange, the utilization of local raw materials can also reduce the import of fuel oil (BBM), said Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto through his statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

"It means that this CPO (crude palm oil) can be used for energy without putting pressure on the food sector," he noted.

Furthermore, the minister said, previously B20 in diesel consumption is only required to subsidized vehicle or public service obligation (PSO) such as train. However, later on, B20 will be mandatory for non-PSO (public service obligation) vehicles such as heavy equipment in the mining, tractor or excavator sectors, as well as extended to private vehicles.

"Therefore, the government will revise Presidential Regulation No. 61 of 2015 on the collection and use of oil palm plantation funds, which only implies the obligation of B20 to PSO vehicles," he explained.

In his assessment, the private sector will certainly be involved. According to Minister Airlangga, the supply of non-subsidized biodiesel is greater than subsidized. The amount of non-subsidized biodiesel is currently projected to reach 16 million tons.

"That means that there is an increase in demand for biofuels up to 3.2 million tons per year. However, the technical stages will be discussed on how long it could be achieved, "he explained.

Airlangga added that Indonesia is still sufficient in raw materials for biodiesel production, namely CPO (crude palm oil).

"The national CPO capacity reaches 38 million tons in 2017. A total of 7.21 million tons are for national exports and food needs of 8.86 million tons," he said.

The mid-term development plan after the B20 program is mandatory and non-PSO is encouraging the biofuel industry 100 percent. Minister Airlangga said, there is already a technology for 100 percent biofuel, and the same technology with fuel oil.

"The national CPO capacity reaches 38 million tons in 2017. A total of 7.21 million tons are for national exports and food needs of 8.86 million tons," he said.

The mid-term development plan after the B20 program is mandatory and non-PSO is encouraging the biofuel industry 100 percent. By doing so, it would not disturb the technical condition of motor vehicles or generators and others. Thus, the government encourages that there will be import substitution with biofuel or biodiesel that 100% is often referred to as green diesel.

"So, we switch from bio 20% in the future to medium term, the time will be determined by the government, to green diesel, 100% diesel. Thus we have endurance or independence, "explained the minister, adding that this is fully done in the country by optimizing local raw materials.

Hartarto believes, the effort will have a positive effect on the chain of 17 million farmers and 17 million planters.

"So, this is the government`s alignment to continue developing our own capability-based economy," said Minister of Industry.

In a limited meeting, President Joko Widodo encouraged his staff to continue to optimize the use of biodiesel and renewable energy in the national energy mix. To that end, the President requested a mixture of biodiesel in fuel is increased, so it can save foreign exchange for imports of crude oil or fuel.

"I get the information that every day if we can do it we will save about 21 million US dollars per day, if really we can do it," he said.

In front of the meeting ministers, Jokowi confirmed that he will continue to monitor the implementation of the use of biodiesel, by instructing the relevant ministries, agencies and SOEs to prepare in detail the implementation. ( ant ) 

Four Indonesian students have brought home four silver medals following their participation in the 29th International Biology Olympiad in Tehran, Iran`s capital city, this week, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran said.

Indonesian Ambassador to Iran Octavino Alimuddin said he was so proud of the achievement. "During our team members` participation in the International Biology Olympiad, we fully support them," he said in a statement made available to ANTARA on Sunday.

The silver medals were obtained by Samuel Kevin Pasaribu, student of SMA Unggul Del High School in North Sumatra Province, Syailendra Karuna Sugito of SMA Semesta BBS High School (Central Java), Aditya David Wirawan of SMAK Petra 1 High School (East Java), and Silingga Metta Jauhari of SMAN 8 High School (Jakarta).

Taking place at Tehran`s International Convention Center from July 15 to July 22, the 29th IBO was joined by 65 secondary school students coming from 78 countries. Indonesia sent four participants to compete with their colleagues from 78 countries in tackling biological problems and dealing with biological experiments.

This annual competition challenges and stimulates the secondary school students to expand their talents, and to promote a career in science. The event cannot be separated from the history of the biology competition between Czechoslovakia and Poland from 1985 to 1989 because it had paved the way for the birth of the IBO. Next year, Szeged, the third largest city of Hungary, will host the 30th IBO. ( ant )

 The current extreme bade weather condition has not yet affected the aviation sector as it has on shipping, yet caution must continue to be exercised to prevent accident, a minister said.

"So far, extreme weather has not impacted aviation but we should always monitor the possibility of the bad weather to disturb flights," Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said in Jakarta, on Sunday ( 22 July )

He said, so far, no reports on flight disturbance have been received due to bad weather. But that does not mean that stakeholders in the aviation sector are negligent. They are required to remain vigilant and carry on standard operating procedures that have been in place for long.

"We will still intensively monitor the weather in the air along with the airlines and airport operators every day," said the minister of transportation.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), extreme bad weather is more experienced by the shipping sector characterized by high sea waves and strong winds. ( ant )

To improve the economic community in the border region, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea –PNG agreed to increase interaction between businesspeople of both countries. One of these efforts to be realized is through the visit of Indonesian business delegation to PNG next September. In addition, Indonesia also invited businesspeople in PNG to attend the International Trade Exhibition (ICE) at BSD, South Tangerang, Banten.

“We welcome significant increase in bilateral trade from $179, 2 million dollars in 2016 to $208,89 million dollars in 2017. We enjoyed an increase of 17 percent in our bilateral trade. I mentioned to Minister Pato that a business delegation from Indonesia will make a visit in September 2018. Indonesia also invites PNG business community to attend Indonesia Trade Expo in October 2018,”said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi in a press statement with Papua New Guinea Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Rimbink Pato at Gedung Pancasila of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday, (July 19th, 2018).

In addition to inviting Papua New Guinea businesspeople to come to Indonesia, on the occasion, Minister Retno Marsudi also returned an invitation to Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato to attend the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ which will be held at the end of October and the Bali Democratic Forum; both of which will be held in Bali. So far, with regard to economic cooperation between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, there have been some sectors of cooperation, such as food and beverages between PNG and Indonesia. In addition, there are also exports of household appliances, soaps, and electronics. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)