VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The State-owned Electricity Company (PLN) of East Nusa Tenggara assured that current electricity power supplies are sufficient to support investment in the province, its General Manager Ignatius Rendroyoko said.

"Our available power reserves are quite large, at around 76 mega watts, and can be used by all investors or potential investors in East Nusa Tenggara," Rendroyoko said, at the Multi-stakeholder and Collective Action Forum in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday.

He added that PLN's commitment to improving electricity services has been proven through the generating of electricity, which is currently at a surplus.

According to Rendroyoko, power in East Nusa Tenggara reached more than 60 mega watts (MW), and a peak load of 185 MW. Of note, there are still more than 70 MW of power reserves to be used for investment needs in various fields.

To that end, Rendroyoko has invited stakeholders participating in the forum to use the electricity for their business needs.

"Let us also invite investors to invest in East Nusa Tenggara, as their projects will be supported by substantial electricity supplies," he said. (ant) 

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has confirmed that availability and prices of basic commodities will remain stable, and not increase, ahead of Eid-al Fitr-festivities.

"We have monitored food prices and stocks at a number of traditional markets, and also coordinated with the national logistics agency. This is the third year that the availability and prices of basic necessities remain stable," Enggartiasto Lukita said in Jakarta on Monday.

Lukita stated that supply and demand of basic commodities are currently balanced. As a result, inflation is expected to remain under control, and even deflation may occur this month. The minister was speaking after monitoring food prices and stocks in 34 provinces.

"Deflation occurs when prices remain stable," Enggartiasto Lukita stated.

He suggested that the level of public consumption will increase, because employees receive holiday allowances (THR), and stocks and prices of food remain stable.

"The retail businessman said public consumption has increased," the minister said.

Enggartiasto Lukita praised entrepreneurs and traders who contributed to holding down prices of basic necessities during the fasting month and Eid-al Fitr-festivities.

"Thank you for maintaining prices during the fasting month," the minister said. (ant) 

As many as 40 world leaders and three international organizations have congratulated Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on winning the 17 April presidential election, following the May 21 announcement made by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

KPU's final tally indicated a win for incumbent President Jokowi and his running mate Ma'ruf Amin in the election by garnering 55.5 percent of the votes, outshining Prabowo-Sandi, who had received 44.5 of the votes.

"At the time the announcement was made by KPU, a number of heads of state congratulated the President. As of today, 40 countries plus three international organizations have expressed congratulations," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, after meeting President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace on Monday.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in were the among the world leaders who telephoned Jokowi to congratulate him.

Other leaders sent their congratulations through personal Twitter posts and diplomatic notes, including Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as the U.S President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

With the development of technology, according to Marsudi, options for sending congratulatory messages have become varied, and no longer are transmitted only through diplomatic channels.  She also expected Jokowi would receive more congratulatory messages, as diplomatic notes continue to arrive.

Marsudi noted that world leaders appreciated the elections in Indonesia, which were carried out by upholding democratic values, transparency and peace. (ant) 

Dune-Network, one of the French companies engaged in the tourism sector, will invest an initial Rp90 billion in North Sulawesi province, Provincial Secretary Edwin Silangen said in Manado, North Sulawesi province on Monday.

"They will invest in diving and life aboard ships," Silangen said.

Tourists will be taken to diving or snorkeling sites by boat, and they are scheduled to remain aboard the boats for several days, he said.

Silangen expressed his appreciation for this investment plan. Meanwhile, Dune-Network officials, during a visit to North Sulawesi, conducted a survey of the location of the area that is to become a branch of the tourism company, which will meet international standards.

"The North Sulawesi provincial administration makes it easier for all who invest in North Sulawesi. The very conducive investment climate, supported by the hospitality of its people, is very attractive to all investors, including Dune-Network," he said.

Meanwhile, Saribua Siahaan, Head of the Sub Directorate of Regional Promotion of the Investment Coordinating Board, said Dune-Network will bring thousands of divers for vacations to the waters of North Sulawesi.

"There are three thousand divers who will be brought by Dune-Network to North Sulawesi. In addition, this investment will increase employment and benefit other sectors in this area," he said.

Besides the waters of Pulau Lembeh and Likupang, there are other areas in North Sulawesi which are being surveyed by investors before being designated as diving and life aboard ship business locations. (ant)