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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
Govt to procure 426 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccines
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 16 - The government is planning to secure 426 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the national vaccination program, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said.
“For the vaccines, we plan to buy 426 million doses of vaccines. Of the total, the prices and delivery schedules of 275 million doses have been confirmed,” Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said during a hearing with Commission IX of the House of Representatives here on Monday.
The prices and delivery schedules of the remaining 151 million doses of vaccines are yet to be confirmed as the government is waiting for free vaccines from the COVAX Facility, coordinated by the WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), he explained.
Beside the government-purchased doses for the national vaccination program that will be distributed for free to the public, the government is also planning to secure COVID-19 vaccines for Gotong Royong, the self-funded vaccination program under which private companies would provide vaccines free to employees.
To ensure that the Gotong Royong program does not affect the implementation of the national vaccination program, the private sector will use different vaccines than those currently offered by the government, he added.
Vaccines from Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Novavax, and Pfizer are being administered under the government's vaccination program. The self-funded vaccination program will use Sinopharm and Moderna vaccines, the minister informed. So far, Indonesia has received 11.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX Facility. Based on the latest information, Indonesia may receive 54 million to 108 million doses of vaccines, Sadikin said.
"If you can get as much as possible for free, then you don't need to buy bilateral vaccines. This is still on the move. We all know that (procurement of) vaccines remains a worldwide struggle," he added.
In line with the Health Minister's Regulation (Permenkes) on the Gotong Royong vaccination program, issued on March 5, 2021, the government has tasked state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Biofarma with vaccine procurement. The company will also coordinate with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on vaccine procurement.
"The one that will purchase Gotong Royong vaccines will be Biofarma as a state-owned company. Then Biofarma can sell them to corporations. And corporations must give them for free to employees and their families. Biofarma has been deliberately (tasked) to buy these vaccines to ensure that the vaccines are genuine as Biofarma is already engaged in this field," Sadikin explained.
The Ministry of Health is still waiting for the price and quantity of Moderna and Sinopharm vaccines to be set, based on the agreement between Biofarma and Kadin. Once the amount and price are agreed on, the Ministry of Health will issue a regulation, he said.
"In order to not affect the government program, different locations for health service facilities have been determined. The Gotong Royong will use private facilities. But the same database will be used so that we can monitor who has been vaccinated and monitor the Post-Immunization Influence Incidents (KIPI). Hence, it could be guarded jointly, " Sadikin said. (Antaranews)
March
Imports see first double-digit growth since June 2020
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 16 - Indonesia’s imports rose by 14.86 percent year on year to reach US$13.26 billion in February, 2021 — recording their first double-digit growth since June, 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported.
Compared to the previous month, imports in February this year showed a decline of 0.49 percent, BPS chief Suhariyanto informed during an online press conference on Monday.
The drop was mainly caused by a 15.59-percent decline (month on month) in oil and gas imports, he explained adding that non-oil/non-gas imports grew by 1.54 percent for the same period.
In February, 2021, imports rose by 14.86 percent (year on year), with non-oil/non-gas imports rising 22.03 percent and oil and gas imports plummeting 25.37 percent, he said.
"Oil and gas imports, which declined, include crude oil imports, which tumbled 62.3 percent, and oil product imports, which declined 18.75 percent. However, gas imports still increased," he added.
According to BPS data, the import of capital goods in February, 2021 rose 9.08 percent month on month and 17.68 percent year on year. The imports of machines and electrical appliances increased US$172.8 million, the agency reported.
"Taking into account the import structure in February, 2021 that 75 percent of the import comprised raw materials, the prospect for imports is promising because it indicates the movement of industries, which will eventually attract investment," Suhariyanto said. (Antaranews)
March
West Kalimantan governor warns residents against travelling to Malaysia
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 15 - West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji has warned local people against travelling to Malaysia on account of high COVID-19 transmission rate.
"Don't travel to Malaysia for any purpose and in any way. The result of a laboratory test shows that 69 out of 77 Indonesian migrant workers deported (from Malaysia) on March 11 have tested positive for the COVID-19," he said here on Sunday.
He said the 69 migrant workers have been confirmed positive for the COVID-19 with a high virus content (CT/threshold) and even some of it has hundreds of millions of copies of virus content.
"This suggests that the transmission rate in Malaysia is still high and even is getting higher. so we should not travel to Malaysia for the time being. . In case of Indonesian migrant workers deported formally through illegal path, make sure that they conduct stringent self-isolation," he said.
Separately, on Sunday, Chief of the West Kalimantan Provincial Health Office Harisson said 69 out of 77 Indonesian migrant workers deported from Malaysia have tested positive for COVID-19 with high viral load.
"The Indonesian migrant workers deported from Malaysia through the Entikong border post on March 11, 2021 were immediately taken to the shelter of the West Kalimantan Provincial Social Affairs Office and the West Kalimantan COVID-19 Task Force to take swab tests. The result is surprising wherein 69 out of 77 people have tested positive for COVID-19 with viral loads reaching millions," he said. (Antaranews)
March
WHO pays no attention to new coronavirus N439K: Health Ministry
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 15 - Vaccination spokesperson for the Health Ministry Dr Siti Nadia Tarmizi said the mutation of the new coronavirus N439K, which was first detected in Indonesia in November 2020, has yet to receive special attention from the World Health Organization (WHO).
"This is actually a single mutation. There is only one mutation in this type of variant. This type of variant is not the one that draws special attention from WHO," she said here on Sunday.
She said that the N439K mutation was found earlier than the B117 variant. However, WHO has only paid special attention to the new coronavirus of B117 from the United Kingdom (UK), B1351 from South Africa, and P1 from Brazil.
The Health Ministry alleged that there are various variants of the coronavirus in Indonesia, such as D614G, B117, and N439K.
She believes that WHO will conduct a wider study of the N439K mutation.
"We don't know whether this virus is one that deserves special attention or not," she said.
The new coronavirus variant of N439K is the same as the variant of D614G, a mutation in the virus. According to a recent journal, the new coronavirus variant of N439K could camouflage the production of antibodies, she said..
She said that usually the WHO would make an announcement after conducting studies with experts from various countries, including a study on the level of malignancy of the N439K coronavirus which might aggravate the COVID-19 disease.
"So indeed this virus is a new variant of the corona virus. This variant is in and attached to the ace receptor. This virus is reported to be stronger. But the findings are based on the results of a trial. It means that only one journal has reported the new variant. And we haven't heard what this virus looks like from the WHO," she affirmed.
She ensured that the government was always aware of the spread of the coronavirus mutation.
"Mutations are always monitored by the government, as we know that mutations always occur, and that is the character of the virus. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has said that indeed the state must pay attention to the development of these virus mutations," she said.
Meanwhile, she also continues to urge the public to implement the 5M health protocols by wearing masks, washing hands with soap, maintaining social distance, staying away from crowds, and limiting mobility as an effective way to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus, in addition to the 3T protocol by testing, tracing and treatment.
"Then, if we experience symptoms, immediately identify and have ourselves checked. Then the current vaccine is also a way to fight so that we don't get sick because of exposure to COVID-19," said Tarmizi. (Antaranews)
March
Wisma Atlet Hospital treats 3.110 COVID-19 inpatients as of March 14
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 15 - The Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, treated 3,110 inpatients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday at 8 a.m. local time.
"The figure declined by 110 people," said Head of Information for the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) I Colonel Marine Aris Mudian here on Sunday, March 14, 2021.
He explained that the total number of patients under treatment on Saturday was 3,220. The patients who had recovered from the infection were allowed to return home.
He said that the COVID-19 patients who developed mild symptoms were treated in towers 4, 5, 6 and 7. Meanwhile, the total number of beds in the four towers is 5,994, so that the number of empty beds is 2,884.
Overall, the Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital has registered 73,098 patients from March 23, 2020 to March 14, 2021. Of the total, 69,988 were discharged, 69,191 recovered, 70 were referred to other hospitals and 87 died.
Meanwhile, Pademangan Atlet Emergency Hospital treated 5,259 patients as of Thursday morning. The figure increased by 125 compared to 5,133 on Saturday. The patients were treated in towers 8, 9 and 10. (Antaranews)
March
Minister encourages tourism villages to strengthen attractions through storynomic
Written by nuke
Indonesian Tourism and creative economy Minister, Sandiaga Uno - biro komunikasi kemenparekraf
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy / Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, continues to encourage the strengthening of tourist villages as one of the elements of the national tourism industry.
One of them is through strengthening storynomic or attraction based on narrative to draw more tourists to visit.
In the press statement on Saturday, during his working visit to Central Java, Minister Sandiaga said Karangrejo tourism village and other villages should be part of the tourist travel plan.
Sandiaga said, tourism villages must be able to design 3-4 days’ travel packages juxtaposed with the concept of ecotourism or sport tourism. (PTR-VOI).
March
Local vaccine development process should follow scientific principles
Written by nuke
President Joko Widodo (second right) and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan HB X (right) held a dialog with a COVID-19 vaccine recipient at the Beringharjo Market in Yogyakarta on Monday (1/3/2021). ANTARA FOTO/Andreas Fitri Atmoko/wsj. (ANTARA/Andreas Fitri Atmoko)
President Joko Widodo highlighted the government’s support to the development of local COVID-19 vaccines, such as the Red and White and Nusantara, albeit stressing that scientific principles should be followed in the process.
"The vaccines now being developed in the country are the Red and White and Nusantara that we must continue to support. However, scientific principles should be followed to produce safe, effective, and good-quality drugs and vaccines," the head of state noted in a press statement posted by the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday.
Scientific principles in the development of the vaccine must follow the standard procedures, be open and transparent, and involve several experts. The scientific principles and procedures must be applied to demonstrate that the production of vaccines has prioritized the principles of prudence and can be accounted for scientifically, he emphasized.
"May the vaccines be safe and effective," he remarked.If all procedures and production phases have been followed suitably, the government will encourage swift production of the vaccines to fulfill domestic requirements, according to the president.
The head of state echoed the government's commitment to supporting Indonesian scientists to make innovations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Of course, we all support any research and development pertaining to drugs and vaccines to achieve self-reliance in pharmaceutical production as well as to accelerate access to vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic," he remarked//ANT
March
Bali police apprehend three released drug convicts in Klungkung
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 12 - During the course of a week, police officers in Klungkung District, Bali Province, arrested three released drug convicts for reverting back to committing drug crimes in the resort island.
The suspects are believed to belong to a syndicate of drug dealers in Bali, Klungkung Police Deputy Chief Coms. Luh Ketut Amy Ramayathi Prakasa stated.
IKM alias Semal, PAP alias Anjas, and AJ alias Jebing, could be sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, Prakasa noted in a press statement that ANTARA quoted here Thursday.
The Klungkung police investigators suspected them of repeated involvement in the trade of crystal methamphetamine in the resort island of Bali.
IKM and PAP are drug dealers, while AJ is a drug lord, Prakasa remarked, adding that they were all arrested in Denpasar Utara Sub-district's area, Denpasar City, on March 5.
Based on his criminal records, IKM has served jail terms for drug crimes on four instances, while AJ is a drug convict released from prison in 2019.
PAP is also a released drug convict, who has intensively assisted AJ in running his drug business, Prakasa revealed.
During the arrest, Klungkung police officers confiscated 15 small packs of crystal meth and Rp11.885 million in cash from them.
According to local media outlets, the Bali police headquarters forecast that some 50 percent of drug trade in Bali might have been controlled from the penitentiaries of Kerobokan in Badung, Bali Island, and Banyuwangi in East Java Province.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers perceive Indonesia as a potential market owing to its huge population and millions of drug users.
Drug trade in the nation is valued at nearly Rp66 trillion.
People from all strata of society are falling prey to drugs in the country regardless of their socio-economic and professional backgrounds.
Over the past few decades, the Indonesian government has taken harsh action against drug barons found smuggling and trading drugs in the country.
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has sought capital punishment for those involved in drug trade in the country.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.
However, this has failed to deter drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as a major market, prompting Indonesian law enforcers to step up operations against them. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia invites Singapore investors to invest in tourism
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 12 - At least 140 businesspersons and investors from Singapore joined a webinar on investment opportunities in Indonesia's tourism sector, organized by the Indonesian embassy in Singapore on Wednesday.
The webinar provided information on Indonesia’s highly-prioritized tourism development projects in Tanamori Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, and Borobodur temple and investment opportunities in the country.
During the webinar, businesses and investors from the city state were also invited to contribute to Indonesia’s efforts to revive its tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryo Pratomo, said in a press statement that ANTARA received here on Thursday.
Singapore and Indonesia have exchanged the instruments of ratification of their bilateral investment treaty (BIT) on March 9, 2021, Ambassador Pratomo told participants at the webinar.
The BIT provides Indonesian and Singaporean investors guarantee, trust, and legal certainty, he remarked.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the Indonesian government is offering several investment incentives and facilities to foreign investors, including tax allowances, a super deduction tax, and public private partnerships.
Indonesia is focusing on creating a good quality and sustainable tourism industry by attempting to accelerate investment for the development of a green economy through sustainable tourism, he added.
The Indonesian embassy in Singapore is intensively promoting business and investment opportunities in Indonesia and Indonesian products that can potentially infiltrate regional and international markets amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On August 27, 2020, Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto launched a virtual showcase of Indonesia's products through a new website, http://showcase.indonesiastore.sg , as part of endeavors to reinvigorate the nation’s export performance which has been direly affected by the ongoing pandemic.
"I congratulate the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on the launch of this virtual showcase. We do support the promotion of our commodities through digital platforms," he noted in a statement issued in August last year.
Suparmanto said he believes that the role of digital platforms in assisting Indonesia's economic recovery has become more significant. Such platforms would help the country's exporters to explore the market in Singapore and globally, he added.
Singapore's importers would also find it easier to have access to good-quality products and credible business partners in Indonesia, Suparmanto pointed out.
The Indonesian government has been making sustained efforts to boost the country's digital trade activities in the Southeast Asian region, including through participating in ASEAN's Online Sale Day (AOSD), he stated.
The government is also collaborating with Bukalapak, one of Indonesia's leading unicorns, to promote the products made by local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Mainland China's Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
"Under the name of the Archipelago, we have now placed Indonesian products on Amazon. We have also been intensifying the Indonesian-made movement to support the promotion of products of local SMEs via the country's unicorns," he remarked.
The digital platforms are expected to further promote Indonesian products and boost exports, thereby supporting national development programs, he stated.
The launch of the website showcasing Indonesian products is also expected to strengthen partnerships between businesspersons from both Indonesia and Singapore, according to Suparmanto. (Antaranews)
March
Indonesia, Singapore travel bubble will aid tourism: envoy
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 12 - The planned travel bubble between Indonesia and Singapore could aid a recovery in the national tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Indonesian envoy to Singapore.
The Indonesian government has already made efforts to recover the tourism sector, including deliberations on creating a travel bubble, said Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryo Pratomo.
“Amid the obstacles and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian government and stakeholders in the tourism sector are consistently trying to revitalize tourism, which has been hugely affected by the pandemic,” wrote the ambassador in an official press release issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on Thursday.
In the first stage of its implementation, the travel bubble between the two countries will initially run between Singapore and Bintan, Riau Islands.
During a visit to Bintan at the end of January this year, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, had said that Bintan is ready for a limited opening of its border through the travel bubble.
In addition, he pointed out, the implementation of health protocols in the Bintan Resort Area and other areas is extremely strict.
“Bintan, among other tourism destinations, is ready,” he remarked.
To ensure that plans for a limited opening of the Bintan border run smoothly, the Tourism Office of Riau Islands has invited a cleanliness certificate publisher in Singapore for checking the implementation of health protocols in the region, according to head of the office, Buralimar.
The certification from SG Clean is needed to convince travelers from Singapore to plan a holiday in Bintan, Buralimar said. (Antaranews)