Indonesia has been working so hard to defend its national interests in facing the European Union's ban on the use of crude palm oil for biofuels, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.
"In facing the discrimination of several countries against our government in handling this CPO issue, we all must be solid," he told around 2,000 oil palm farmers of Labuhan Batu in North Sumatra Province, during his visit to the district area on Thursday.
During his visit to Labuhan Batu, known as one of Indonesia's main palm oil production centers thanks to the presence of state plantation company PTPN III, Pandjaitan said Indonesia would challenge any party hampering the country's palm oil products.
The government remains committed to defending the country's palm oil industries because they have a significant contribution to the efforts to decline poverty rate and absorb workforce, he said.
Therefore, if the European Union implements its ban on the use of crude palm oil for biofuels, the Indonesian government has prepared several options, including filing a complaint with the WTO and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
In response to this EU's ban, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo deplored the decision saying that the EU had applied double standards in banning Indonesia's CPO commodity.
In responding to the EU's discriminatory decision, the House supports the Indonesian Government's necessary measures, including the possibility of filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), he said.
The House and the government should walk hand-in-hand to face this challenge, Soesatyo said, adding that maintaining a good friendship with other countries is important, but preserving Indonesia's national interest and the interests of its people are above all.
The noted politician of the Golkar Party also hinted that a retaliation policy against the products of the EU member countries might be applied in response to this ban. As revealed by media reports, the European Parliament had recently decided to ban the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021, as it was considered environmentally unfriendly.(ant)
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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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April
The hundreds of trillions of rupiahs that have been rolled out by the central government for village development for almost the last five years are a manifestation of the country's presence in the development of villages and communities. President Joko Widodo said, building villages that exist throughout Indonesia, is the same as building this country.
This was conveyed by the President while attending the Indonesian Village Government National Gathering event held at the Indoor Tennis Stadium, Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
"The village is always in my mind and heart. Not because I come from the village, not only that. But in my opinion building a village means building Indonesia," he said.
For information, up to 2019, a total of Rp257 trillion in budget has been channeled by the central government to villages throughout Indonesia, reaching 74,900 villages. The budget is intended for villages to have adequate resources to develop their own territory.
"So if the government since 2015 disbursed IDR 20 trillion in village funds, 2016 IDR 47 trillion, 2017 IDR 60 trillion, 2018 IDR 60 trillion, and this year 2019 IDR 70 trillion is correct and mandatory. We have not paid attention to the village for years," he said.
The President said, the key to the success of village development also means that there are two successes in building a country. The first is that leadership that truly understands the governance that is beneath it simultaneously brings it towards the birth of innovation and progress. Then secondly, leadership that cares about the development of Indonesian human resources in all its regions, including rural areas. (biro pers )
April
President Jokowi Inaugurates the Pasuruan Probolinggo Toll Road Section
Written by Published in Program Highlight
President Joko Widodo inaugurated the operation of the Pasuruan-Probolinggo toll road on Wednesday, April 10 2019. The inauguration was held at the East Probolinggo toll gate, Sumber Kedaung Village, Leces District, Probolinggo, East Java.
With the existence of this toll road, the President believes that the mobility of people and goods will increase and be easy so that it can provide an economic boost for Probolinggo and East Java as a whole.
"We hope that with the passage of this toll road there will be goods mobility, people's mobility, faster logistical mobility. We also expect industrial estates, small industries, micro industries in fast-growing regions," said the Head of State.
The toll road construction process began in 2017 for an overall length of 45 kilometers. When the President was inaugurated today, three sections of the toll road with a length of 31.3 kilometers were ready to be operated.
The three sections are section I which links Grati-Tongas with a length of 13.5 kilometers, section II connects West Tongas-Probolinggo with a length of 6.9 kilometers, and section III that connects West Probolinggo-East Probolinggo along 10.9 kilometers.
The construction of this toll road makes Jakarta and Probolinggo connected to the 840 kilometer toll road. Whereas when calculated from Merak, the toll road stretches for 962 kilometers.
"If later from Merak to Banyuwangi it is 1,148 kilometers, which means less than 186 kilometers, Insyaallah will break in 2021. In the past there was Anyer-Panarukan done by Daendels, now there is Merak-Banyuwangi that the Minister of Public Works has done," said the President.
After the inauguration, the Head of State reiterated that the community, goods, and logistics will be increasingly connected with the construction of toll roads which are the priority programs of the governments of Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla. Connecting the community and goods and logistics will also further enhance and facilitate mobility so that it can reduce logistics costs. (biropers)
April
Indonesia Named as The World's Best Halal Tourist Destination
Written by Published in Program Highlight
Indonesia has been named as the world's best halal tourist destination based upon Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2019, outclassing 130 destinations across the world.
Mastercard-Crescent rating agency put Indonesia on the first place based on GMTI standard, with a score of 78, along with Malaysia on the upper ranking, Crescent Rating CEO Fazal Bahardeen while delivering a GMTI Report 2019 said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
"Indonesia is the only country which is most aggressively to develop halal tourist destination," he said.
As the world's best halal tourist destination, Indonesia has gradually improved its ranking from sixth in 2015, to fourth in 2016, third in 2017, second in 2018 and first in 2019, he said.
To become the best tourist destination in the world, Indonesia has made serious efforts by, among others, adopting Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) which refers to GMTI standard, he said.
The GMTI report analyzes halal tourism based on four criteria including access, communication, environment and services, of which IMTI has also adopted
Indonesia has also aggressively provided technical coaching and organized workshop to operators of 10 excellent halal tourist destinations in the country.
Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya who also attended the function marking the release of GMTI Report 2019 praised Mastercard –Crescent Global Muslim Travel Index for giving the highest score to Indonesia.
"Eventually, what we have dreamed of Indonesia being the world's best halal tourist destination has come true. This proves that we must make a plan to achieve victory," he said.
With Indonesia ranking first as halal tourist destination, the minister expressed hope that more and more foreign tourists will visit Indonesia.
Indonesia has targeted to attract 20 million tourists this year, of which 5 million will travel to the country on halal tourism.
Director of Mastercard Indonesia Tommy Singgih said halal tourism market is one of the tourism segments which recorded the fastest growth in the world.
Halal tourism's contribution to the global economy is projected to jump 35 percent to US$300 billion in 2020 from US$220 billion in 2016.
The 10 best halal tourist destinations include Indonesia and Malaysia with a score of 78, Turkey (75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Marocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66), and Brunei Darussalam (65). (ant)
April
The history of the Air Force began with the formation of the People's Security Agency (BKR) on August 23, 1945, to strengthen the Air Fleet which at that time was very short of airplanes and other facilities. In line with its development, it changed to the People's Security Army (TKR) on October 5, 1945 under the name TKR Aviation Office under the leadership of Air Commodore Suryadi Suryadarma. On January 23, 1946 the TKR was upgraded to TRI. As a continuation of the development of the Air Force's buds, then on April 9, 1946 the Flight Bureau TRI was abolished and replaced with the Republic of Indonesia Air Force which is now commemorated as the birth day of the Indonesian Air Force which was inaugurated simultaneously with the establishment of the Indonesian National Army (TNI). Source: http://www.tni-au.mil.id/sejarah.asp
April
Indonesia will file a lawsuit with the European Court, if the Delegated Regulation Supplementing Directive of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II, which will impact palm oil, is finally approved by the EU parliament.
Coordinating Minister of Maritime Luhut Panjaitan said that the government will keep trying to negotiate over the discrimination of palm oil by the EU in order to fight for the small palm oil farmers, who will be affected by these policies.
“Along with Malaysia, we would like to avoid those regulations; of course, negotiation is ongoing with the EU. But, if this continues, we might have to go to the European Court, or the World Trade Organization (WTO),” he said to reporters in Jakarta on Monday.
According to the minister, the process of applying for a lawsuit in the European Court is shorter and more effective than it is at the WTO, which may take years to process.
Another option, such as leaving the Paris Agreement, is also being considered in a bid to counter the pressure of the EU.
"Another option would be leaving the Paris Agreement. America and Brazil have done it, why can’t we? Indonesia is one of the largest producers of this oil, along with Brazil and Columbia. Columbia also has a large palm oil forest, so these developing countries might also be affected,” he stated.
To counter the anticipated reduction of demand in the EU market, Indonesia will target other markets and continue to boost the use of palm oil in Indonesia.
“B20, B30, until B100 or green energy will be encouraged further,” Panjaitan noted.
A joint letter signed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, raising objections on the discrimination of palm oil products and their derivatives has also been sent to the EU.
The objections were conveyed on behalf of palm oil farmers, whose lives depend on the industry.
Indonesia and Malaysia together supply 85 percent of palm oil products in the world. (ant)
April
FM Marsudi Discusses Palm Oil Issue with Dutch Foreign Minister in Den Haag
Written by Published in Program Highlight
Den Haag, 5 April 2019: “Palm oil issue holds significance interest for Indonesia, especially for the country’s poverty alleviation efforts. For Indonesia, palm oil issue is not a mere sustainability concern, but it also correlates with the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals,” stated Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno L.P. Marsudi, during bilateral meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister, Stephanus (Stef) Blok in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on 5 April 2019.
In the meeting, FM Marsudi expressed her disappointment towards the adoption of the discriminatory Draft Delegated Act that classifies palm oil as a high risk Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) vegetable oil by the European Commission. Further, she stated that a balanced discussion on the palm oil issues is highly necessary. Other than palm oil, the two ministers also discussed various other issues within the bilateral framework between the two countries. FM Marsudi also shared about various human rights achievements in Indonesia.
Besides, both Foreign Ministers discussed several issues within multilateral framework, including the agenda of Indonesian presidency for the UN Security Council in May 2019. In this regard, FM Marsudi invited Minister Blok to attend one of the open debates of UN Security Council in New York during the period of Indonesian presidency. (mofa)
April
Universal health coverage is WHO’s number one goal. Key to achieving it is ensuring that everyone can obtain the care they need, when they need it, right in the heart of the community.
Progress is being made in countries in all regions of the world.
But millions of people still have no access at all to health care. Millions more are forced to choose between health care and other daily expenses such as food, clothing and even a home.
This is why WHO is focusing on universal health coverage for this year’s World Health Day, on 7 April.
April
Indonesia's shoes production ranks fourth in the world level with 1.4 billion pairs in 2018, contributing 4.6 percent of the global production.
"Indonesia is on the fourth rank as the largest shoes producer in the world after China, India and Vietnam. Meanwhile, as a shoes consumer we are on the fourth rank with 886 million pairs of footwear," the Director General of Small, Medium and Various Industries at the Industry Ministry, Gati Wibawaningsih, said in a statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Sunday.
She noted that the number of footwear industries in Indonesia currently reaches 18,687 units, consisting of 18,091 small-scale businesses, 144 medium-scale businesses, and 155 large-scale businesses.
"These footwear businesses have absorbed 795,000 workers," she added.
Gati said in order to develop the national footwear industries, especially the small, medium-scale businesses, the ministry gives opportunity to the younger generation to participate in the Indonesia Footwear Creative Competition (IFCC) 2019.
April
Indonesia calls on international cooperation for UN Security Council
Written by Published in Program Highlight
At the Alliance for Multilateralism forum held in New York, USA, on April 2, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi called on international cooperation for the United Nation Security Council.
“Indonesia is very concerned about the lack of respect toward multilateralism and the increasing unilateral actions across several fields,” Marsudi said in a press statement received here on Thursday.
Emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in inter-state relations, she said, “Multilateralism gives our countries a chance at equality, despite differences in economic and geographical status. Multilateralism will encourage respect among countries.”
Marsudi cited the Palestinian issue as proof of the sincerity of the international community toward fulfilling their commitment to multilateralism.
Stating that supporting the multilateralism principles of the UN Charter and the international law are an inseparable part of the Indonesian foreign policy, Marsudi said that Indonesia would always be one of the countries that would protect and promote multilateralism.
The Alliance for Multilateralism is a forum to discuss and enhance joint efforts and international cooperation in maintaining and strengthening multilateral principles amid growing unilateralism tendencies and dynamic global challenges.
The forum was organized by the German and French foreign affairs ministers in the context of their joint Presidency of the UN Security Council.
The ministers of other countries, including Canada, Japan, England, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, India, Norway, Chile, Tunis, South Korea, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Nigeria were also present at the forum. (ant)
April
