Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly signed a regulation concerning a temporary suspension of visa-free entry, visas and residence permit for Chinese citizens. The Ministerial Regulation No.3/2020 signed by Laoly on Wednesday is an effort by the government to prevent the spreading of novel coronavirus originating from Wuhan, China into Indonesia.

"Based on WHO's announcement, the coronavirus has become an international outbreak. Therefore, Indonesia has placed restrictions mainly on the movement of Chinese nationals and other nationals who have visited China within 14 days before entering Indonesia," said Arvin Gumilang Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Section of the Directorate General of Immigration, Thursday.

The 14-day entry ban specified in the regulation is determined based on the coronavirus incubation period.

Besides, the Ministerial Regulation also regulates the requirements for temporary stay permits. The permit could be given to Chinese citizens who have fulfilled several requirements.

The regulation will take effect on February 5, 2020 until February 29, 2020, and will then be re-evaluated. (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Deputy Defense Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono will increase defense digitalization amidst the defense management revolution through technological advances. "There has been a revolution in defense management globally as technology takes over the old military concept," Trenggono said in a statement received in Jakarta Thursday.

Global expansion needed a change in the way of thinking future defense strategies.

The digital age had changed the aspect of war when cyberspace and space became a strategic part of a country, instead of land, sea, and air, Trenggono said.

Therefore, flow and data security became an important part of the modern military because of the digital era.

"Artificial Intelligence, autonomous systems, sensors, additive manufacturing technology, and quantum science are driving the success of digital transformation in the military," he said.

Trenggono recalled the mandate of Indonesian President, Joko Widodo who urged the national defense industry to adapt digitalization.

Jokowi also called for the independence of the national defense industry because many countries had begun to adopt advanced technology in their defense systems.

Previously, the Deputy Defense Minister along with several officials of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) attended the exhibition of defense industry, the DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, India, last Wednesday, February 5.

"I have realized that the statement of President Joko Widodo regarding digitalization in defense systems was true after attending this exhibition," he said.

Manufacturing in the defense industry that was successful in the digital era must have its foundations in software development, master information technology, and collaborate with other sectors to make weapons that provide the needs of the future era.

"I will use the knowledge that I have gained to accelerate digital transformation in Indonesia's defense," the deputy defense minister said in conclusion. (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Indonesia's rupiah closed higher by 55 points, or 0.41 percent, to Rp13,635 against the United States dollar on Thursday evening, following the failed impeachment of the U.S President Donald Trump.

According to PT TRFX Garuda Berjangka Director, Ibrahim Assuaibi, in Jakarta, the failed impeachment sends a positive signal to the global market.

"There is hope more policies supporting economic growth will be executed by Trump, and it will keep global economic growth high," Assuaibi said.

Apart from Trump's failed impeachment, traders and investors see the Coronavirus outbreak brought under control, and it sends a positive signal to the market, he added.

On Thursday morning, the rupiah opened higher Rp13,655 against the dollar. Throughout the day, the Indonesian rupiah moved within the range Rp13,610 to Rp13,670 against the U.S dollar.

Meanwhile, according to Bank Indonesia's exchange rate, the rupiah climbed Rp13,662 against the dollar, while the day before, it was recorded at Rp13,717. (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to pay a state visit to Australia on February 8-10 to discuss economic cooperation, especially the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), currently entering the final phase of ratification.

During the visit, both nations are expected to launch a plan of action to implement the IA-CEPA, acting spokesman for the Indonesian Foreign Ministry Teuku Faizasyah revealed in Jakarta on Thursday.

Indonesia is expected to endorse the IA-CEPA into law after the government secured a seal of approval from the House of Representatives (DPR).

The president submitted a bill on the ratification of IA-CEPA to the DPR chairman on January 24 this year.

The two neighboring nations had inked the CEPA on March 4, 2019. Indonesia believes the agreement will be able to boost the competitive edge of its human resources, industry, and service sector.

Additionally, the agreement is expected to step up the access of Indonesian goods and services to the Australian market.

President Jokowi will visit Canberra to attend an annual leaders' meeting as well as to celebrate seven decades of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia.

During his visit to the Australian capital, President Jokowi will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, meet Governor General of Australia David Hurley, deliver his speech to the Australian Parliament, and attend a business meeting between both nations. (ANTARA)