VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan is a strong proponent of the view that the time has come for Indonesia to produce electric cars since several supporting materials exist in the country.

Some 70-80 percent of the components to produce lithium battery required for electric cars had been available in Indonesia, the minister remarked while speaking at the Indonesia Electric Motor Show (IEMS) 2019 held here on Wednesday.

Panjaitan noted that several investors were keen to develop plants for the production of components for electric cars.

There is a pressing need to switch to electric cars, which are environment-friendly, from vehicles powered by fossil fuels that are major contributors to air pollution in the country and Jakarta, in particular.

While speaking on the same occasion, Chief of the Presidential Staff retired general Moeldoko affirmed that electric cars can assist in lowering oil and gas imports and bringing about an improvement in the air quality.

Furthermore, electric cars will help strengthen state electricity company PT PLN’s position, as several electric cars will need to refill batteries with electricity from PLN.

Electric cars are yet expensive, but following their mass production, they would become affordable to the public.

In the meantime, Research, Technology, and Higher Education Minister M. Nasir opined that air pollution in Indonesia’s major cities will reduce with the use of electric cars.

Indonesia has low-grade nickel of 0.8-1.5 percent, or known as limonite, viewed as the best material for the production of lithium ion battery.

The ministry's Director General for Mineral and Coal Bambang Gatot recently noted that the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry had drafted a ministerial regulation on a ban on nickel ore exports. (ANTARA)

Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Darmin Nasution pointed to the quality of human resources emerging as a challenge in the development of financial technology (fintech) in Indonesia.

"The government has anticipated problems that might crop up in the development of financial technology while opening the space for innovation," Nasution remarked during the Indonesia Fintech Forum 2019 held in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In 2020, the government will focus on the development of education and vocational training to enhance the quality of human resources as a future investment for the nation.

"Digital economy is set to redefine the future of work. Some remain, and some have just been born. Fintech is an area where future jobs are being created," he pointed out.

Indonesia's digital economy has shown rapid growth, with online transactions in 2018 amounting to Rp47.16 billion, or a 281.39 percent increase, as compared to Rp12.38 billion worth of online transactions in 2017. The government's support is elicited to offer facilities for fintech to drive further growth through innovation.

Nasution affirmed that qualified human resources will facilitate the government in providing supporting facilities for fintech, such as big data and other technological innovation. (ANTARA)

The West Jakarta Police took into arrest some members of an international drug smuggling syndicate after 30 kilograms (kg) of illicit drugs were seized in Siak, Riau Islands, in June.

Head of the West Jakarta Police's anti-drug unit Adjunct Senior Commissioner Erick Frendriz remarked here on Wednesday that the suspects were allegedly linked to an international drug syndicate from Malaysia that had smuggled methamphetamine through the eastern coast of Sumatra.

"Our team had conducted analysis and surveillance before we arrested the suspect at the Griya Tika Utama housing complex in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Tuesday (Sept 3)," Frendriz stated.

The syndicate is believed to plan the smuggling of drugs from Dumai in Riau to Jakarta.

During the raid, the police confiscated three suitcases containing the drugs. However, no further information is yet available on either the quantity of the drugs seized by the police or the number of suspects in the case. (ANTARA)

National railway company PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA) is currently in the process of developing battery-powered tramway as a more convenient and environmentally safe means of transportation.

"The battery-powered tramway will have run smoothly instead of the one with locomotive. Thus, it will be more convenient to operate," President Director of PT INKA Budi Noviantoro remarked in Madiun, East Java, the company’s home base, on Wednesday.

Noviantoro revealed that the tramway prototype had been modeled, and the battery testing process was currently underway.

"The trial run will be off for 20 to 30 round trips to figure out the battery endurance," Noviantoro added.

Noviantoro stated that the brand-new technology tramway was manufactured over the past year. A unit comprised two cars equipped with passenger seats and standing passenger grab handles.

PT INKA has pinned high hopes on this battery-powered tramway becoming a popular choice of public transportation owing to its selling price being designed to be low-priced.

"This tramway is well-suited as the city’s futuristic mode of transportation that is eco-friendly and efficient," Noviantoro emphasized.

Since the tram is yet on trial, its mass manufacturing had yet to begin. After the conclusion of the trial period, the tramway will be launched and marketed, both locally and abroad. (ANTARA)