Live Streaming
Program Highlight
Company Profile
Program Highlight (3019)
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.
more news
August
President Joko Widodo Inaugurates the New Building of the ASEAN Secretariat
Written by Ani HasanahIndonesian President Joko Widodo, Thursday (8/8), inaugurated the new ASEAN Secretariat building in South Jakarta area. The new building is located just behind the old ASEAN Secretariat building. It was built using a grant land from the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta. In his remarks, President Joko Widodo mentioned a number of challenges that ASEAN would face in the future, starting from the tug-of-war of major powers in the world to the relevance of ASEAN in responding to all global challenges in the future. Indonesia's commitment is to continue supporting ASEAN. This support is given so that ASEAN can answer the challenges of the times and answer the questions of the community, especially in the region. One form of Indonesia's support is the construction of a new ASEAN Secretariat building.
“The tug-of-war between large forces will certainly be sharper. While in our respective countries, people will continue to ask the benefits of ASEAN for the people of ASEAN. Therefore, ASEAN must maintain its reputation. Relevant to new developments in the world, relevant to the fulfillment of the interests of the people of ASEAN, and ASEAN must work faster in responding to changes very quickly. All are moving fast. ASEAN must move quickly and solidly. As the host, Indonesia is trying to facilitate ASEAN in working quickly and solidly, effectively and efficiently. With that in mind, we build the ASEAN building. This new building shows the new spirit of ASEAN, reflecting the new ASEAN. And I hope that in the future most ASEAN activities should be carried out in this building,” said Joko Widodo.
The new ASEAN Secretariat building has 2 towers, each of which is 16 stories high. Both towers are connected by a connecting bridge or a 40.5 meter long skybridge. This bridge is the longest bridge in Indonesia for the building bridge category without support. Attending the inauguration of the new building of the ASEAN Secretariat were a number of Working Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of friendly countries, representatives of friendly countries in Indonesia, Secretary General of ASEAN and the Governor of DKI Jakarta. (VOI/ANDY/AHM)
August
First Lady Plants Mangroves and Releases Bondol Eagle in Batam
Written by Ani HasanahFirst Lady Iriana Joko Widodo planted mangroves and released bondol eagles in Batam on Wednesday, August 7. The activity was carried out together with the Organization of Solidarity Action Cabinet Work and the Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, as a series of activities to commemorate National Day of Nature Conservation 2019. Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar in his speech at the peak of the commemoration of the National Nature Conservation Day at the Muka Kuning Tourism Park said, the participation of the First Lady as a sign that concern for conservation has become a public concern.
“This means that conservation is now a concern for the people of this nation. I and all of us, I'm sure are happy because the first lady has been so concerned about mangroves that are valued and can actually provide welfare for the people. The first lady invites all of us,” said Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar in his speech at the peak of the commemoration of the National Nature Conservation Day at the Muka Kuning Tourism Park .
Minister Siti further explained, during a G20 discussion in Osaka, Japan at the end of June, Mrs. Iriana explained about Indonesian mangroves and how Indonesia gave concern to mangroves. 170 thousand mangrove stems have been planted in 34 provinces in Indonesia. She explained mangroves are the second best plant for storing carbon after peat, or equivalent to five times normal forest. Currently, Indonesia has more than 3 million mangroves, 54 percent are in forest areas, 46 percent are outside forest areas, and in several places it has become an industrial location. Related to that, her office is currently making regulations to overcome the problem of mangrove land transfer. At the climate summit meeting in New York, in September, President Joko Widodo will raise the issue of mangrove conservation. (VOI/SEKAR/AHM)
August
New ASEAN Secretariat Building to be Opened by Jokowi on ASEAN Day
Written by Wenny ZuliantiIndonesia will mark ASEAN Day with the opening of a new ASEAN Secretariat building in Jakarta on Thursday, a Foreign Ministry official has said.
The new building, located on Jalan Trunojoyo in South Jakarta, near the current ASEAN Secretariat building, will better accommodate and promote cooperation among the ASEAN community.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry's acting spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo would attend the opening ceremony of the new building.
The Foreign Ministry has also invited representatives of all the ASEAN members and is currently waiting for their confirmation.
With the development of the new building as well as the location of the ASEAN secretariat being in Jakarta, Faizasyah said that “it’s becoming clearer” that Jakarta was shaping up to be the “capital of ASEAN”.
He said he hoped that future ASEAN meetings would be held in Jakarta as well.
Thursday’s event will include the creation of time capsule containing the hopes and visions of ASEAN member states for the future -- which will be opened in 2042 on what will be the 75th anniversary of the signing of the ASEAN Declaration.
Signed on Aug. 8, 1967 in Bangkok, the declaration marked the establishment of ASEAN.
Indonesia is one of the five founding members of ASEAN and plays a significant role in the group as the home of the ASEAN Secretariat.
August
Pro-democracy Push Causes Transport Chaos in Hong Kong
Written by Wenny ZuliantiPeak-hour morning train travel and international flights in Hong Kong were thrown into chaos on Monday as pro-democracy protesters launched an attempted city-wide strike to ramp up pressure on the financial hub's embattled leaders.
Activists descended on key subway stations during the morning rush hour, deliberately keeping open doors to stop trains departing, causing long queues and triggering occasional scuffles between angry commuters and protesters.
More than 100 flights at the city's airport -- one of the world's busiest -- were also listed as cancelled on Monday morning after aviation authorities warned passengers about potential disruptions.
Key roads were also blockaded causing tailbacks in parts of the already congested city.
While some commuters were angered by the morning transport chaos, others said they supported the action after more than two months of extraordinary protests aimed at securing democratic freedoms.
"As long as the government doesn't respond then for sure the movement will escalate," a civil servant, who gave his surname as Leung, told AFP as he tried to make his way to work.
Most of the disrupted flights were with Cathay Pacific -- which did not give a reason for the cancellations.
But the carrier's flight attendants union confirmed its members were involved in the walkout.
"Over the last 50 days, the government has been ignoring the demands of the people and using only police force to try to suppress voices, causing countless Hong Kong people to despair," the union said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The office of city leader Carrie Lam -- who has kept a low public profile as the protests have escalated -- announced she would hold a press conference later Monday morning.
- China warnings -
The strike -- a rare sight in a freewheeling finance hub where unions traditionally have little sway -- is aimed at showing Beijing that there is still broad public support for a protest movement that keeps hitting the streets but has so far won few concessions.
The protests in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city were triggered by opposition to a planned extradition law but quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reform and a halt to eroding freedoms.
But there is little sign on any solution on the horizon as both sides dig in for what increasingly feels like a long war of attrition.
Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have signalled a hardening stance with the Chinese military saying it is ready to quell the "intolerable" unrest if requested.
Dozens of protesters have been charged with rioting, a charge with a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
Over the weekend riot police fired tear gas at protesters in multiple districts throughout Saturday and Sunday night.
The largely leaderless protest movement uses social messaging apps to coordinate.
At a press conference on Saturday, strike organisers -- many hiding their identities behind masks -- said 14,000 people from more than 20 sectors had committed to civic action on Monday.
People from all walks of life indicated plans online to either strike or phone in sick on Monday -- from civil servants and social workers, to flight attendants, pilots, bus drivers and even employees of the city's Disneyland.
- Government warning -
In a statement late Sunday, Hong Kong's government warned people against joining the strike, saying it could further hamper the city's already sputtering economy.
"Any large-scale strikes and acts of violence will affect the livelihood and economic activities of Hong Kong citizens," it said.
Alongside the strike, protesters plan to hold rallies in seven different parts of the city, the fourth day in a row that protests have been scheduled.
The past fortnight has seen a surge in violence on both sides with police repeatedly firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse increasingly hostile projectile-throwing crowds.
A group of men suspected to be linked to triads -- Hong Kong's notorious gangsters -- also attacked demonstrators, putting 45 people in hospital.
Under the terms of the 1997 handover deal with Britain, Hong Kong has rights and liberties unseen on the Chinese mainland, including an independent judiciary and freedom of speech.
But many say those rights are being curtailed, citing the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers, the disqualification of prominent politicians and the jailing of pro-democracy protest leaders.
Public anger has been compounded by rising inequality and the perception that the city's distinct language and culture are being threatened by ever-closer integration with the Chinese mainland.
August
No Indonesians Reported Injured in Hong Kong: MOFA
Written by Wenny ZuliantiNo Indonesian worker in Hong Kong has been reported injured and the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong has advised migrant workers not to engage in any dangerous activity, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday.
"They have complied with our recommendations, and we are yet to receive any news about any Indonesian working in Hong Kong being in trouble, so it’s good news," Foreign Affairs Ministry's acting Spokesperson, Teuku Faizasyah, said.
According to the Association of Indonesian Migrant Workers (ATKI), migrant workers from Indonesia comprise more than 40 percent of the total foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has been hit by multiple widespread strikes since June due to the opposition to a bill that would allow extraditions to China.
In terms of the current situation in Hong Kong, Faizasyah said that he couldn't comment because it is an "internal situation" of the city.
However, the ongoing protest in Beijing's "One country, two systems" will not only impact the economy in Hong Kong and China, but also the countries in the region, Faizasyah added.
August
EU Criticizes 'Militarization' Of South China Sea
Written by Wenny ZuliantiThe "militarization" of the South China Sea is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the EU's top diplomat said Monday in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing's ambitions in the region.
China has been accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels in the resource-rich sea, sparking ire from other claimants.
On Monday, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc was concerned over "increasing tension" in the area.
"We believe that this tension, this militarization, is definitely not conducive to a peaceful environment," she added.
Beijing says it has sovereignty over the majority of the sea based on the so-called nine-dash line it uses to back its claims.
The long-running spat was center stage at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers last week, where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to push back against Chinese "coercion" in the sea.
Hanoi has emerged as one of Beijing's most vocal critics in the waterway, a key global shipping route believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves.
Tensions between the communist neighbours have soared after a Chinese geological survey vessel entered waters around the Spratly Islands claimed by Hanoi in early July.
Vietnam has repeatedly called for the ship to leave, while Beijing has refused to confirm the vessel's presence.
It is not clear if the ship remains in Vietnam-claimed waters, and the foreign ministry did not respond to AFP's request for comment.
The US, EU and Australia have all called for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which is also contested by Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.
August
Cause Of Major Blackout Remains Under Police Investigation
Written by Wenny ZuliantiNational Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) is conducting a full root-cause investigation to identify the reason behind the major over-six-hour blackout in Jakarta, Banten, and West Java on August 4, 2019, a police spokesman stated.
The investigation is designed to ascertain whether the blackout resulted from human error, Chief of the Public Relations Bureau of the National Police Brigadier General Dedi Prasetyo stated on Monday.
"It is being investigated to establish its cause. It could be the result of technical disruption, human error, or some other reason," he noted.
To this end, the police have established an investigating team, led by the department's criminal offence director, which will cooperate with state-owned electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).
He desisted from divulging details on how long the investigation will last.
"It largely depends on the team on the field. For the time being, it was caused by disruption at the extra high-voltage power line between Pemalang and Semarang in Central Java," he pointed out.
The blackout affected thousands of homes and public facilities in the areas of Greater Jakarta, Banten, and West Java on Sunday afternoon. The electricity went out at 11:48 a.m. local time.
The blackout also affected Jakarta's commuter train and MRT services.
PT PLN has gradually recovered the power supply. It has tendered an apology for the inconvenience caused and would conduct an evaluation to prevent recurrence of the incident.
August
President Leads Cabinet Meeting on Draft 2020 State Budget
Written by Ani HasanahPresident Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led a plenary cabinet meeting to discuss the draft 2020 state budget and its financial notes at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
The plenary cabinet meeting took place before the head of state delivers the draft 2020 state budget and its financial notes to the House of Representatives (DPR) normally on August 16, a day before the nation celebrates its independence.
Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla was also present at the meeting.
At a limited cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on July 15, 2019, President Jokowi gave directives to draw up the indicative ceiling of the draft 2020 state budget.
"We keep it sound and responsive to strengthen the competitive edge and boost economic growth," he explained.
The president highlighted four aspects to draw up the indicative ceiling of the draft 2020 state budget.
"Firstly, as I have stated, the 2020 state budget prioritizes the promotion of human resources through education, healthcare, training, and so on," he stated.
Secondly, five percent of the state budget allocated to the health sector will be able to improve the quality of health across the country, and more importantly, eradicate cases of stunting and malnutrition, and promote the health and safety of pregnant women as well as the immunization program.
Thirdly, the development of infrastructure must be focused, followed by the development of production centers in special economic zones, tourist resorts, and small industrial estates.
Fourthly, the draft 2020 state budget must be able to reduce the poverty rate. "The poverty control program (PKH), village fund, and subsidized basic necessities must reach those really entitled to them, and so also capital assistance for micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs," he remarked.
Speaking in connection with the personnel budget, the president reiterated that all must be related to bureaucratic reforms, both at the central and regional levels.
"Utilize the budget fund as efficiently as possible, reduce unproductive budget, and ensure that everything will meet target," he added. (ANTARA)
August
President Discusses Power Supply Recovery Efforts
Written by Ani HasanahPresident Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with state-owned electricity firm PT PLN's board of directors, Monday, to discuss efforts to recover power supply following a major blackout in Jakarta, West Java, and Banten on Aug 4.
"In a big company, such as PLN, I think a risk management system must be in place. Of course, there are contingency plans, back up plans," Jokowi remarked during the meeting held at PLN's office in Jakarta.
The president delved at depth to unearth the reason behind the company's failure to run its risk management system.
At the meeting, the president was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara.
Also present at the meeting were Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani, some regional directors, and its board of commissioners.
The blackout that affected thousands of homes and public facilities in West Java, Jakarta, and Banten was caused by several issues in the 500 kV extra high voltage transmission in Ungaran and Pemalang.
PT PLN has gradually recovered the power supply and tendered an apology for the inconvenience and will conduct evaluation to prevent recurrence of such incident, Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani remarked at a press conference on Sunday. (ANTARA)
August
Death Toll of Banten's Earthquake Has Climbed to six
Written by Wenny ZuliantiThe death toll of the strong earthquake that rocked Banten Province on Friday has increased to six, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"The casualties are recorded in Pandeglang, Lebak and Sukabumi Districts," Spokesman of the BNPB Agus Wibowo said in a statement ton Sunday.
In Pandeglang District, one resident died and two others got injured while in Lebak District, three residents died. Pandeglang and Lebak Districts are located in Banten Province. Two other dead victims were the residents of Sukabumi District in West Java Province.
The strong earthquake also wounded another resident of Sukabumi and forced 114 families to take refuge to their relatives' houses.
In Lampung Province, some 1,000 residents fled their homes as they could also felt the tremor. But, they had already returned to their houses.
The 6.9-magnitude quake's epicenter was located at 7.54 degrees southern latitude and 104.58 degrees eastern longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers (km) below sea level, and 147 km southwest of Sumur, or 164 km southwest of Pandeglang in Banten Province.
The National Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) promptly issued a tsunami early warning, though it was revoked two hours later.
The tremor was felt in Pandeglang at Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) of IV-V; Jakarta, at III-IV MMI; Bandung, Serang, Bekasi, Tangerang, Bandar Lampung, Purwakarta, Bantul, and Kebumen at II-III MMI; and Nganjuk, Malang, Kuta, and Denpasar at II MMI.
The BMKG noted that the earthquake was due to the Indo-Australian plate subducting under the Eurasian plates.
