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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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March
Jakarta. Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said the Indonesian government will build a national fish storage center under a solicited scheme or the government's initiative.
"Our President's direction is to carry out a solicited development, meaning that the government will begin to acquire 200 hectares of land and prepare basic infrastructure," the minister said at a press conference after a limited meeting with President Widodo in Jakarta on Monday.
The Minister of Transportation said that eastern Indonesia is rich in fish.
According to the report of the Marine and Fisheries Minister, there are many things that can be made effective so that fishing functions can be scaled up, he noted.
"From there, we see that to make a national fish storage center, it is not enough that the existing ports are developed or used, but we need one port where the port is shared with industrial areas," he pointed out.
Therefore, the government has decided to carry out development under the solicited scheme, he added.
The government will thereafter conduct a cooperation auction between government and business entities (KPBU), with an investment value of approximately Rp5 trillion, he informed.
In addition, he said, there is an opportunity to develop the area over 900 hectares, of which 700 hectares would be released by the private sector.
"We also discussed that the construction period was two years, but we want to restructure the fishing count methods so that for the past two years, we can operate the two ports in Ambon," he explained. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia among top 10 countries in vaccinating citizens: Bio Farma
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Chief of PT Bio Farma, Honesti Basyir, has said that Indonesia has been listed among the 10 countries in the world that are leading in vaccinating their people against COVID-19.
"Thank God (Alhamdulillah), Indonesia is considered to have been leading in its vaccination program. As of March 27 (2021), 10.4 million vaccine doses have been given to the people and we are included in the top 10 among other countries in the world," he said during a meeting with the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday.
During the meeting, he said that Indonesia is ranked 9th, after the United States of America, China, India, Great Britain, Brazil, Turkey, Germany, and Russia, followed by France, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.
"Our position is even better than some countries in Europe. Of course, we must maintain this and continue to increase the speed of vaccination because we are also racing against the mutation of the virus itself," he said.
The speedy vaccination campaign in Indonesia was supported by the readiness of the vaccine supply itself, he pointed out. In addition to reaching commitments with several vaccine developers a while back, Indonesia has also been one of the countries to have conducted clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine, he added.
In addition, the support of a number of ministries/agencies for the vaccination program has also been a factor driving the speed of the vaccination program, he explained.
"This speed will determine how Indonesia can achieve herd immunity in approximately 15 months. Maybe, hopefully, if it can be faster," he said.
Furthermore, he said that up until March 28, 2021, as many as 7.2 million doses of the first stage of vaccination have been administered. As for the second stage of vaccination, the number of doses administered has reached 3.2 million.
For 2021, Indonesia has secured most of the shots needed to achieve herd immunity, which is pegged at 426 million doses, he revealed. The Indonesian government, through state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma, has entered into contracts to purchase raw materials for vaccines and finished vaccines with a number of developers for 329.5 million vaccine doses.
"In addition, there is an option to increase the supply. We are optimistic that the need for vaccines will be met. Most of it will be done in 2021. Even if it crosses to 2022, we hope that by the first quarter of 2022, everything can be resolved," he reiterated. (Antaranews)
March
Japan vows to help Papua send native students to Fukuoka
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. The Japanese government has hinted that it is ready to help native Papuans take their graduate diploma in agricultural studies in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Japan is committed to making the Papua provincial government's vocational program successful, said Education Attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Takahashi Yusuke.
As of this year, there are six native Papuans opting for higher education in Fukuoka, he informed in a press statement that ANTARA received in Jayapura on Monday.
The Japanese government's support would cover the administrative processes for immigration and cooperation, and Japanese language and cultural training, Yusuke said.
On behalf of the Japanese government, he praised the Papua provincial administration's scholarship scheme for native Papuans studying in Fukuoka.
The provincial government has made the right decision to send native Papuan students to Fukuoka to pursue vocational programs at universities, he remarked.
Fukuoka is one of the Japanese cities whose agricultural sector is well-developed, and its universities are listed in the world class groups, he said.
In Japan, the number of international university students from Indonesia is large enough, he said. But, the figure is expected to go up, including students from Papua, he added.
Meanwhile, assistant director of the Japan Foundation, Hiruta Mari, said she would help make the vocational program for native Papuan students a success.
The Japan Foundation would provide Papua’s scholarship recipients with Japanese language teaching materials and language training with trainers, she informed.
Secretary of the Papua Human Resources Development Agency's (BPSDM's) team for educational cooperation, Karsudi, had visited the Japanese embassy in Jakarta recently.
The visit was aimed at following up on the cooperation in human resources development with the government of Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture, Karsudi said.
During the visit, BPSDM team members also met with representatives from the Japan Foundation to get information on the Japanese language and the cultural education program, he added.
Under the Papua provincial government's scholarship scheme, 60 native Papuans would be sent to Fukuoka to pursue graduate diplomas in agricultural studies, he said.
The native Papuan students would be trained at Japanese universities in the prefecture so they can gain expertise in agriculture, he added. (Antaranews)
March
Jakarta. The Agriculture Ministry stated that the country has the potential to export rice during the grand harvest time on account of high demand abroad.
Head of Public Relations and Public Information Bureau of the ministry Kuntoro Boga Andri in a written statement received here on Sunday said that Indonesian rice, especially organic rice, is in demand in foreign market, with good price.
"Based on IQFAST data of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency which was collected at our export port, the demand for local rice abroad is quite large," said Andri.
He said since 2017 Indonesia had exported 2,100 tons of rice to five countries, the Netherlands, United States, Malaysia, Belgium and Bangladesh. Even Indonesia's rice exports to 14 countries, including Japan, Vietnam and Chine, in 2018 had reached a total of 1,400 tons.
Andri explained that the demand for local premium rice such as organic rice is still very large, considering the foreign market demand for Asian organic and Horeka rice is quite good. Based on data from the Agriculture Ministry, the volume of rice exports in 2020 reached 230.2 tons, and in 2019 it was 341.1 tons.
"The volume has indeed decreased slightly in 2020, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number of export destination countries has increased to 20 worldwide. This is an opportunity that must be achieved," Andri pointed out.
The Agriculture Ministry believes the opportunities to export rice will be even greater if countries begin to open access to their ports like before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Indonesia still has considerable potential to increase rice production as it has agricultural land and has the ability to produce rice. However, the management system still needs to be improved to make it better.
"We are sure that the opportunity to export rice to the international market will continue to open up and we will be able to meet the needs of the domestic and international markets. Minister of Agricultural Syahrul has given specific directions related to increasing the added value and exports of our agricultural products. We just need to maximize its potential," affirmed Andri. (Antaranews)
March
Digital technology helps Indonesians pass through difficult time: VP
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said digital technology has helped Indonesia pass through the difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, economic, government, educational, and social communication activities continued to run thanks to digital technology, he said in a written statement released on Sunday.
"Innovations in the use of digital technology have actually been ongoing since some time ago and have been accelerated globally due to the pandemic. The pandemic has compelled us to adapt (to the existing condition) and spur literacy and technology use," he said while addressing the digital business forum of Nahdliyin Business Association (HPN) held virtually in Bali on March 26-28, 2021.
He said the "forced" process of adapting to the current condition and increasing literacy and technology use has eliminated all hindrances related to age, gender, geography, and educational level.
"Now we are part of global digital community," he said.
The vice president further highlighted the development of sharia economy.
The government is strongly committed to developing sharia economy, focusing on developing halal industry, sharia financial industry, sharia social fund, and developing and expanding sharia business.
All these will drive micro small businesses to become stronger as part of global value chain.
He further encouraged HPN to build inclusive cooperation with various stakeholders, including regional government, industry, technology supplier, small and large businesses to boost the growth of sharia business centers across Indonesia.
Ï call on all sides to develop incubation centers to help would-be businessmen at all levels in many regions," he said. (Antaranews)
March
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) condemned the suicide bombing in front of Cathedral Church in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Sunday.
"In regard to the terror act at the entrance gate of Makassar Cathedral Church today, I strongly condemn the terror act," Jokowi said at the Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor,West Java on Sunday.
A bomb exploded at 10.30 a.m. local time at the entrance gate of Makassar Cathedral Church, allegedly killing two suicide bombers and injuring 14 people.
The explosion occurred when churchgoers were just finished Sunday Palm services.
"I have ordered the Indonesian Police Chief to investigate thoroughly the (terrorist) networks and uncover it to its root," Jokowi stressed.
The President said, terrorism is a crime against humanity and has no relations to any religious teaching.
"All religions are against terrorism whatever the arguments. All state apparatus will not let this terror acts happen," he noted.
Jokowi has called on people to remain calm because the state guarantees people's safety to perform worship without fear.
Fourteen people were injured due to a suicide bomb attack outside Cathedral Church in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Sunday morning, police said.
The Indonesian Police spokesman Insp. Gen Pol Argo Yuwono said three of the injured are being treated at Stella Maris Hospital, seven at Akademis Hospital, and four at Pelamonia Hospital.
Some body parts were also found along with damaged motorcycle in the bomb attack scene.
It is believed the body parts belonged to two suspected suicide bomb attackers.
Shortly before the explosion, two people on a motorcycle tried to enter the church compound and were stopped by church security personnel.(Antaranews)
March
COVID-19: Indonesia records 4,461 fresh cases, 4,243 recoveries
Written by nuke
Indonesia records 4,461 fresh cases, 4,243 recoveries
Indonesia added 4,461 confirmed coronavirus infections, 4,243 recoveries, and 198 deaths over 24 hours ending Saturday, according to the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling.
With the additional cases, the cumulative confirmed cases in Indonesia reached 1,492,002, while the number of people completely recovering from the infection touched 1,327,121, and the death toll climbed to 40,364.
The government reported the country's first confirmed cases in March, 2020.
At least 54,980 suspected COVID-19 cases were detected on Saturday, while 67,548 specimens were tested in the country. Meanwhile, the number of active cases increased by 20, bringing the tally to 124,517 cases.Jakarta reported the highest number of fresh COVID-19 cases at 1,354, followed by West Java, which added 476 cases.
Meanwhile, the highest recovery rate was seen in West Java, where 1,182 people made a complete recovery from the infection, followed by Jakarta (651) and East Java (303).
Most of the deaths occurred in West Java, which recorded 102 fatalities, followed by Central Java (19) and Jakarta (18).
Meanwhile, the highest cumulative COVID-18 cases were reported in Jakarta (378,222), West Java (246,252) and Central Java (167,176).
Meanwhile, Jakarta also recorded the highest number of people recovering from the infection at 364,175, followed by West Java (218,100), and East Java (126,575). Meanwhile, most of the deaths occurred in East Java, which recorded 9,810 fatalities, followed by Central Java (7,207) and Jakarta (6,278)//ANT
March
Food estate projects must not contribute to deforestation: experts
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo visiting the food estate location in Central Sumba District, Tuesday (23/2/2021). ANTARA/HO -Presidential Press Bureau/pri.
The Indonesian government last year started developing a food estate project in Pulang Pisau district, Central Kalimantan province to ensure national food security and resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it is currently spread over 30 thousand hectares of land, the size of the food estate will be extended over the next two years.
Now, the food estate project has been expanded to several other regions such as North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), South Sumatra, Papua, and Riau.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on February 23, 2021 reviewed the implementation of a food estate project in Central Sumba district, NTT. Currently spread over five thousand hectares comprising three thousand hectares of rice and two thousand hectares of corn fields, the estate will be eventually expanded to 10 thousand hectares to comprise 5,600 hectares of rice and 4,400 hectares of corn fields.During his visit, Widodo said he is optimistic the food estate will encourage rice farmers in Central Sumba to harvest rice twice a year, and corn and soybean once a year.
"As per data I have received, 34 percent of the residents in Central Sumba live in poverty and farmers harvest rice only once a year. We want them to harvest rice twice a year and corn or soybean once a year," Widodo said.
To scale up the irrigation system for farming, the government has built a number of reservoirs and dams in NTT, an arid province that often bears the brunt of water shortages.Earlier, on February 11, 2021, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, visited a Herbal and Horticultural Science and Technology Park (TSTH2), which is currently being developed and will be part of a two thousand-ha food estate project in Pollung district, North Sumatra.
"Indonesia has 30 thousand herbal species, therefore the President is aiming for a world-class herbal research center (here), which we are currently developing together with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and five universities led by IT Del," the minister said.Supporting facilities for TSTH2 will also be built in the area and will include laboratories, collection gardens, hatcheries and research centers, silvopastures, natural tourism, artificial tourism, offices, and accommodation for researchers as well as guest houses.
"I hope we can plant good and superior seeds here, so that we can be proud to say these seeds are from Pollung. For this reason, it is hoped that the community and the government can cooperate with each other, and most importantly work with the heart," the minister remarked.
In Riau province, about 30 thousand hectares have been allocated for a food estate project for planting rice and corn, among other things."The Riau provincial government has filed an application with the Agriculture Minister and allotted 30 thousand hectares of land in the hope of being able to develop a new food estate," Riau Governor Syamsuar said on March 5, 2021.
The government came up with the idea of developing a three-year food estate project following a warning by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that the COVID-19 pandemic is posing a serious threat to food security and nutrition. It has also urged governments and other stakeholders to build more resilient food systems.
The President has asked three ministers — Defense Minister Prabowo Susanto, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir — to implement the program, with the support of other ministers."The ministry is implementing sustainable food estate development and management to increase food security while supporting national economic recovery by providing jobs for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," minister Hadimuljono said in a statement issued on February 28, 2021.
He cited a number of challenges to the development of food estates, including water management, community economy, the environment, institutions, and financing//ANT
March
Government to disburse social aid to 17 million beneficiary families
Written by nuke
Director General for the Handling of the Poor at the Social Affairs Ministry Asep Sasa Purnama monitored the distribution of cash social assistance in Cipondoh Subdistrict, Tangerang City, Banten Province, on January 10, 2021 ANTARA/HO-Kemensos RI
The Social Affairs Ministry has set a target to hand out social assistance to 17,496,185 beneficiary families (KPM) throughout Indonesia until the end of March 2021.
"In total, the number of beneficiary families will reach 17,496,185," Director General for the Handling of the Poor at the Social Affairs Ministry Asep Sasa Purnama noted in a press statement released on Saturday.
The number includes beneficiary families originally planned to receive the aid in April 2021, he remarked.
In March 2021 alone, the number of beneficiary families had reached 11,746,119 from 509 districts and cities nationwide, Purnama remarked.
"Hence, we are awaiting the updated data that will become available on Saturday night at 23:59 WIB at the latest," he noted.During the month of March 2021, the Social Affairs Ministry has handed out non-cash food assistance (BPNT) in stages to 10,496,451 beneficiary families comprising 4,502,451 on March 22 and 5,993,734 on March 25.
Social assistance for some four million beneficiary families will be distributed on March 29 and for some five million beneficiary families on March 30.
The social assistance to all beneficiary families was distributed earlier than projected owing to the assistance and support of the Home Affairs Ministry and provincial, district, and municipal governments, the acting chief of the Center for Social Welfare Data and Information at the Social Affairs Ministry stated.
Moreover, it is inseparable from the role of provincial, district, and municipal governments to update data of beneficiary families and match their population numbers//ANT
March
President stresses no rice imports have entered Indonesia so far
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo has assured that the National Logistics Agency will absorb farmer's rice. He has also instructed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to help provide budget funds for the purchase of rice from farmers. (ANTARA News (Agus Salim))
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has assured farmers that Indonesia will not import rice, at least until June, 2021.
"I assure that until June, 2021, no imported rice will enter our country," the President said in a video uploaded through the Youtube channel of the Presidential Secretariat on Friday.
Several parties including secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, had objected to the government's plan to import 1 million tons of rice.
Hasto had argued that the rice import would only benefit foreign farmers."We know that almost in the past three years we have not imported rice,” the President said.
He admitted that there have been agreements with Thailand and Vietnam for the import of rice.
“It will merely serve as standby stock on account of the pandemic, which is full of uncertainty. I stress once again the rice has not entered (Indonesia),” he said.
He also assured that the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) will absorb farmer's rice. He said he has instructed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to help provide budget funds for the purchase of rice from farmers.“I know that we are entering the harvest time and the price of farmer's rice is lower than expected. Therefore, I call for (an immediate halt to) the debate on the import of rice, which can cause the price of farmer's rice to fall or plummet,” he said.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto had hinted that the import of 1 million tons of rice in 2021 was under discussion. Of the total, 500 thousand tons were to be earmarked for the government's rice reserves and 500 thousand tons to meet Bulog's needs.
Rice stocks need to be maintained since the government requires large quantities of rice for social assistance during public activity restrictions (PPKM), he said//ANT