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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.
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December
Indonesia supports security cooperation with India: KSP
Written by Nur Yasmin
Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Moeldoko, has said that Indonesia supports the strengthening of defense or security cooperation with India.
During a meeting with India's Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA), Pankaj Saran, and India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Manoj Kumar Bharti, here on Thursday, Moeldoko pointed out that Indonesia and India have some common interests.
For instance, he said, the two countries have the largest populations in the world and an incredible market share. In addition, Indonesia and India have similarities in relation to their geopolitical interests, he added.
"We have the same interest in facing radicalism and extremism. Therefore, we can develop a closer relationship in the defense sector," he remarked.
Moeldoko said he did not doubt India's capacity in building a resilient military power.
Meanwhile, Deputy National Security Advisor Saran said that the changing global situation has made cooperation between Indonesia and India very important.
"We are both maritime countries that are directly adjacent to the sea. But unfortunately, we have not maximized the potential of this cooperation to create a safer territory," Saran added.
India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Manoj Kumar Bharti, informed that the two countries' cooperation in the defense sector will focus on technology transfer and the development of the local manufacturing industry.
That way, although all knowledge of defense technology will come from India, the process of making defense systems will be carried out in Indonesia by local Indonesian skilled personnel, he explained.
In an earlier agreement on the defense sector, Indonesia and India had decided to explore collaboration with arms industry company PT Pindad and automobile manufacturer Tata Motors to produce water cannons and military vehicles in 2018, he noted.
In 2018, Indonesia and India held "The First Indonesia-India Security Dialogue" (IISD-1) in New Delhi, India.
India's NSA has expressed the hope that a second security dialogue between the two countries would be held. (Antaranews)
December
Global recovery hinges on equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines: FM
Written by Nur Yasmin
A smooth and sustainable post-pandemic recovery hinges on the ability of nations to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for the entire global population, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said.
She made the remark in her opening address at the 14th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), accessed from Jakarta on Thursday.
“We must maintain equitability to ensure that recovery will run fast. In a democracy, equitability is about justice, and in the context of the pandemic, it means giving all people an equal chance to win the battle against COVID-19,” the minister said.
With 28 different COVID-19 vaccines receiving emergency-use authorization, the world already has the weapon needed to put an end to the global pandemic and accelerate recovery, she highlighted.
Yet, equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all people is sorely needed to ensure that the recovery runs well, she said.
“Unfortunately, the current global vaccination gap is still very large. Nearly 8.2 billion doses have been distributed on a global scale. However, 80 percent of them went to G20 member states, while low-income countries have received 0.4 percent,” she pointed out.
Judging by the gap, she stressed that democracy is needed in the global distribution of vaccines, with a special focus on those that have not received their first vaccine dose.
According to Marsudi, 64.94 percent of people in high-income countries have received at least the first dose compared to 8.06 percent of citizens in low-income countries.
The Indonesian government has made every effort to ensure that all levels of the community have equitable access to vaccines, she said. Over 142 million Indonesians have been vaccinated so far, she added.
“This is a huge effort but our commitment does not fade away. We have cut bureaucratic obstacles to ensure easier access to vaccines. We also have involved various parties to accelerate our vaccination campaigns,” Marsudi said.
Indonesia’s commitment to equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines is also being realized at the global level through its role as co-chair of the COVAX AMC Engagement Group and will be demonstrated during its G20 presidency in 2022, she added.
Indonesia is determined to raise the issue of strengthening global health architecture during its G20 presidency, she said. (Antaranews)
December
Sumadi highlights Indonesia's contributions at IMO assembly
Written by Nur Yasmin
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi highlighted Indonesia’s commitment and contribution to the maritime world on the second day of the 32nd International Maritime Organization Assembly, which was attended online by 175 state members.
The pandemic has hit the maritime world, the backbone of trade and global economy, hard, he highlighted.
“The pandemic has shown us the importance of seafarers as key workers in the maritime world to keep the shipping and global supply chain on track,” Sumadi said in a press statement issued here on Wednesday.
To this end, Indonesia conveyed the issue to the United Nations (UN) to be adopted in the UN Assembly’s resolutions on "International Cooperation to Help Seafarers Meet the Challenges amid the Pandemic" on December 1, 2020, he informed.
In addition, Indonesia is committed to supporting the crew change process and seafarer repatriation, which is aimed at ensuring their safety and welfare, he said.
Indonesia has prepared and provided as many as 11 ports for crew change activities and repatriation, he informed.
In accordance with MSC.473 of the IMO Resolution, Indonesia has so far repatriated 60 thousand seafarers and has facilitated over 8 thousand crew changes, either for Indonesian or foreign seafarers, he said.
Sumadi also provided details of Indonesia’s contributions and initiatives as an IMO council member over the last two years, including playing an active role in IMO’s long-term programs, such as the Marine Environment Protection of the South East Asian Seas (MEPSEAS), GloFouling Partnerships Project, GloLitter Partnerships Project, and Blue Solutions Project.
“Furthermore, we have continually cooperated with coastal countries and the countries using the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait for maintaining traffic in the two straits securely and safely,” he said.
Indonesia is also committed to protecting and enhancing shipping navigation safety in the Sunda Strait and Lombok Strait by implementing the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) adopted at the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in 2019, he added.
As an IMO state member since 1961 and a dedicated council member since 1973, Indonesia will continue to take part in improving the implementation of IMO’s conventions, standards, and guidelines, according to the minister.
The 32nd IMO Assembly is taking place from December 6–15, 2021. It was virtually opened by IMO’s secretary general, Kitack Lim, on Monday (December 6, 2021).
One of the key agendas at the assembly is the IMO’s council member election, where Indonesia has been re-nominated as a Category C council member for the 2022–2021 period. The election will be held on December 10, 2021. (Antaranews)
December
Demand for green economy opportunity for Indonesia: BI
Written by Nur Yasmin
The global demand for green finance has created an opportunity for Indonesia’s economic sectors, senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia (BI), Destry Damayanti, said at an online discussion on Wednesday.
"The opportunity comes from Indonesia's vast and diverse natural resources. Thus, we can achieve zero emissions earlier," she added.
President Joko Widodo has said that Indonesia has a very large source of renewable energy from biothermal, tidal, and wind power plants, which are estimated to generate 418 thousand Megawatt (MW) of power, she noted.
"Hence, we have to take advantage of the potential and manage it well to make various breakthroughs, thus it can become our economic strength in the future," she remarked.
The transition to a low-carbon economy can invite global investment into Indonesia, which can boost economic growth and foreign exchange reserves, she said.
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) calculation, it is projected that Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) will rise by 0.62 percent per year, while its foreign exchange reserves increase will reach US$51.9 billion, Damayanti informed.
However, the senior deputy governor emphasized that climate change will pose a threat to the global economy in 2050 and its impact is estimated to be much larger than the 2008 global financial crisis.
Indonesia is very vulnerable to the impact since it is located in the Ring of Fire, she pointed out.
According to the 2020 Catastrophe Insight, published by multinational professional services firm Aon, global economic losses due to extreme weather have reached US$5.1 trillion in the last 20 years, she said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia is losing Rp100 trillion per year according to the National Development Planning Agency’s data in 2021, she added.
“The loss is predicted to grow exponentially as the weather becomes more extreme in the future. Thus, if we don't take additional mitigation attempts, the loss is estimated to reach 40 percent of the GDP," Damayanti said.
Furthermore, with strong global demand for a green economy, Indonesia will have a larger global transition risk if it is too late in taking mitigation actions, she added.
For instance, export barriers for prominent products are expected to become tougher due to additional carbon taxes, she said.
Global finance access will also become restricted due to the carbon tax on the purchase of securities of high-carbon entities, she added.
Hence, BI has been actively establishing green finance initiatives since 2010, she said.
Furthermore, in 2020, BI drafted a green financial framework, conducted research on green macroprudential policies, and strengthened BI regulations on green loan to value (LTV), which would be used for the green financial system, she added. (Antaranews)
December
IK-CEPA a boost for Indonesia, S Korea relations: deputy minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) will further strengthen relations between the two countries, Deputy Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga, said in a statement received here on Wednesday.
"With the agreement, the two countries have agreed to bring their relationship to a higher level in the industry, infrastructure, employment, economy, and trade sectors," he remarked while providing information on the agreement at a hybrid event in Surabaya city, East Java province.
According to Sambuaga, IK-CEPA provides a comprehensive institutional framework for bilateral cooperation, thus the agreement will provide new opportunities for economic growth, trade, and investment for the two countries.
Furthermore, through the agreement, both Indonesia and South Korea have committed to opening additional markets, besides the ones included in ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA), he noted.
The commitment provides wider and preferential access to the South Korean market both for large companies as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he said.
Regarding investment, both countries are committed to providing more opportunities for South Korean investment in Indonesia which can encourage employment, he said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia will provide additional preferences for 104 raw material tariff posts for South Korea, the deputy minister said.
Both parties are also committed to cooperation in agricultural, fisheries, forestry, technology and innovation, culture, and creative activities, and SMEs sectors, he informed.
"Through the cooperation, Indonesia can request technical assistance, experience sharing, and training to improve our human resources quality," he said.
Meanwhile, member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Nasim Khan, said he expected IK-CEPA to become a milestone to strengthen mutually beneficial relations between the two countries.
It is also hoped that the agreement will be able to have a real impact on the welfare of the Indonesian people amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.
"Commission VI of DPR RI will continue to monitor the agreement, thus it can benefit the community since all government’s attempts must bring prosperity to the people," the house member remarked. (Antaranews)
December
Indonesia receives 1.5 million Moderna vaccines from US
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesia received an additional 1.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine from the United States government on Tuesday as part of the 148th vaccine consignment.
"Today, Indonesia once again received vaccine donation from the United States government through the COVAX facility," the Ministry of Health's vaccination spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi informed in a written statement issued here on Tuesday.
The United States government has provided vaccine donations to Indonesia several times, she noted.
According to Tarmizi, the two countries are closely cooperating with one another, including in pandemic handling, and are working on improving their relations.
"For this arrival, the Indonesian government expresses its gratitude to the United States government," she remarked.
Securing vaccine stocks is crucial for Indonesia so that quick distribution can be carried out, she added.
Vaccine equity has become important for Indonesia to be better protected from the threat of COVID-19 that continues to persist to this day, she said.
Domestically, the vaccination effort continues to be expanded, Tarmizi informed.
"Currently, the government is trying to increase vaccinations in the outer and remote regions, reaching which presents its own challenges," she elaborated.
The increasing COVID-19 infections in a number of countries should prompt all parties to become more disciplined in protecting themselves by getting vaccinated and following the health protocols, she said.
"The people's obedience in implementing the health protocols and vaccinations has become the key to controlling the pandemic," she affirmed.
Earlier on Sunday, Indonesia had received 1.9 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines through a direct purchase agreement, director-general of information and public communication at the Communications and Informatics Ministry, Usman Kansong, said.
"With the arrival of the 147th stage amounting to 1,932 thousand doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the total number of vaccine doses that Indonesia has received, both in finished and bulk form (raw materials), has reached 395,544,580," Kansong informed in a press release issued here on Monday. (Antaranews)
December
Indonesia underscores need for global partnership to overcome pandemic
Written by Nur Yasmin
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi emphasized the need for global partnerships to bolster the capacity of developing nations in order to bring the pandemic to an end.
Marsudi also stressed the importance of achieving the vaccination target of 40 percent of each country's population by the end of 2021 set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
She made this statement during a virtual USAID development ministerial meeting on COVID-19 initiated by the United States and led by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, held on Monday night (Dec 6).
“Currently, the global vaccination gap is still wide, with low-income countries receiving only 0.6 percent of all available vaccines. As many as 96 countries have not yet met the WHO target of vaccinating 40 percent of their population by the end of 2021 despite only a few weeks being left," Marsudi noted in a statement, Tuesday.
During the meeting, Marsudi highlighted two efforts to respond to the issue, specifically in the short term, related to equitable access to vaccines, and in the long term, building a stronger health resilience.
In the short term, the minister remarked that the main focus was how all countries can intensify cooperation to meet the WHO targets.
This can be achieved through accelerating global access to vaccines, including by sharing doses.
“The doses given must have a long expiry date, and there should be a clear distribution timeline. Not much information is available about the Omicron variant. The policies of countries in the future should not further complicate efforts to achieve vaccine equality," Marsudi stated.
Second, strengthening the absorption capacity in recipient countries on account of the fact that several nations do not have adequate resources and infrastructure to distribute vaccines to their population.
In this case, she shared Indonesia's experiences in distributing vaccines to all Indonesian islands.
Meanwhile, for the long term, Foreign Minister Marsudi emphasized the importance of strengthening the involvement of developing countries in the global vaccine supply chain.
This can be achieved by diversifying global vaccine manufacturing, establishing regional vaccine production and distribution centers, facilitating technology transfer, and increasing access to vaccine raw materials.
The USAID meeting on COVID-19 was attended by some 20 ministers and nine representatives of international organizations from various countries, including the Director General of WHO and CEO of GAVI, the President of the World Bank, and the Director General of UNICEF. (Antaranews)
December
RI-Malaysia discussions prioritize MoU on migrant workers' protection
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Indonesian government has continued discussions centering on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia regarding the employment and protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI).
After meeting Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Saravanan Murugan at the Manpower Ministry's Office here on Tuesday, Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah confirmed that the technical team from both countries will resume the discussion on the MoU in Jakarta, December 14, 2021.
"The negotiation process of the MoU on the employment and protection of Indonesian domestic workers is a commitment of both countries in protecting Indonesian migrants' rights and welfare, especially in the domestic sector," Fauziyah explained.
According to the minister, the placement of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia will be conducted after the MoU discussion is completed.
"We agree to complete the MoU first and then we will open the PMI employment in Malaysia," she remarked.
She pointed out that the step to complete the MoU first before opening the job placement aligns with the directive of President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Fauziyah noted that Indonesia and Malaysia had agreed on the implementation of a one-channel system for PMI employment in Malaysia.
The application of the one-channel system that integrates all employment processes, starting from recruitment, preparation, departure, and placement to repatriation aims to reduce the recruitment costs as well as to ease both nations' surveillance of the process.
In addition, the one-channel system is expected to thwart the entry of PMI into Malaysia that are not based on the procedure.
At the meeting, both ministers reached an agreement that PMI can work for a maximum of six family members. Moreover, the job placement for babysitters and caretakers will be regulated specifically, including the level of competency and salary. (Antaranews)
December
PPKM to be extended outside Java-Bali from December 7-23
Written by Nur Yasmin
The government has decided to extend community activity restrictions Levels 1-3 outside Java-Bali regions from December 7 to December 23, 2021.
"Outside Java-Bali regions, in particular, there will be an extension of community activity restrictions from December 7 to December 23, 2021," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said at a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Monday.
Level 1 PPKM will be implemented in 129 districts and cities, he informed. This is an increase compared to the previous period, when the restriction level covered 51 districts and cities, he said.
Meanwhile, Level 2 PPKM will be implemented in 193 districts and cities compared to 175 districts and cities earlier, and Level 3 PPKM will be applied in 64 districts and cities compared to 160 earlier.
"And as for Level 4, there's zero districts and cities (applying it)," he reported.
Although the national vaccination rate for the first dose has reached 68.42 percent and the second dose 47.55 percent, there are still some areas outside Java-Bali regions where the vaccination rate is low or less than 50 percent, Hartarto noted.
There are at least nine provinces outside Java-Bali region where the vaccination rate is less than 50 percent, he said. They are West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Maluku, Central Sulawesi, West Papua, Maluku, Southeast Sulawesi, Aceh, and Papua, he added.
Based on the assessment in the last few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia has shown continuous improvement, he said.
The national active cases of COVID-19 on December 5, 2021, reached 7,526 or 0.18 percent, he informed. This figure was below the global average of 7.91 percent, Hartarto said. (Antaranews)
December
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, has said that the G20 Sherpas' Meeting will begin on Tuesday with representatives from 21 nations participating physically, 14 nations virtually, and three nations in a hybrid format.
During a press conference at the Presidential Office here on Monday, he informed that the government will carry out antigen tests on all G20 meeting members every day to prevent the risk of infection.
The government will also implement the bubble health protocol or mobility restriction for Sherpa meetings members and committee in order to prevent contact to and from the outside, he said.
The PeduliLindungi application, used by the government to conduct COVID-19 tracking and tracing, will also be utilized for the meeting, he said.
In addition to the Sherpa Track, the G20 Financial Track meetings will also be carried out in Bali, Hartarto informed.
The G20 has split the meetings leading up to the summit into two tracks: the Financial Track and the Sherpa Track.
The Financial Track will exclusively discuss issues concerning the financial sector and will be participated by the Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank, and all G20 members, Hartarto said.
Meanwhile, the Sherpa Track will discuss agendas outside of the financial sector as well as prepare various documents that will be discussed during the summit, he added.
To this end, the Sherpa chairman will directly be appointed by the head of the government or state and will be its representative during G20 meetings beyond the summit, he informed.
G20 is a global forum that comprises 19 nations and the European Union (EU). The members of the G20 account for 60 percent of the global population, 80 percent of the global GDP (gross domestic product), and 75 percent of the world's exports.
Indonesia will hold the G20 Presidency till November 30, 2022. It took over the mantle from Italy. (Antaranews)