Indonesia Morning News For July 26

China invests US$2.54 billion in steel plant in Central Java
China-based steel company Hebel Bishi Steel Group has invested US$2.54 billion in Central Java Province, Indonesia, to build a steel plant to have a production capacity of three million tons.
— Antara News

‘Black River’ nylon net costs Rp 580 million
The Jakarta administration has spent Rp 580 million (US$40,002) on a giant black nylon net to cover Sentiong River, which has been nicknamed Kali Item (Black River), in Kemayoran, North Jakarta.
— The Jakarta Post

Jakarta Provincial Govt Disburses Budget of IDR600 Mln to Repair Kali Item
The Provincial Government of Jakarta is repairing Kali Item (Black River), Central Jakarta.
— Netral News

Bank Indonesia projects current account deficit to hit $25 billion this year
Bank Indonesia (BI) has projected this year’s current account deficit to hit US$25 billion, a significant increase over last year’s $17.53 billion or 1.73 percent of the gross domestic product.
— The Jakarta Post

Over 3,000 Indonesian families receive Qatar Charity’s food aid
Qatar Charity’s (QC) office in Indonesia distributed food baskets to benefit more than 3,000 families in the city of Tangerang.
— The Peninsula Qatar

Indonesian gold medalists promised Rp1.5 billion
Indonesian athletes who win gold medals in the upcoming Asian Games have been promised Rp1.5 billion (more than US$100,000) each.
— Antara News

BRI Agro Partners with Ministry of Public Works Distributing Subsidized Housing Loans
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Agroniaga Tbk (IDX:AGRO) or BRI Agro together with the Ministry of Public Works and People’s Housing signed a cooperation agreement on the Distribution of Subsidized Housing Loans (KPR) in the Framework of Acquiring Houses for Low-Income Communities or MBR.
— Netral News

Toyota Eyes 53 New Export Destinations for Indonesia-Made SUV
oyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, the local unit of the Japanese automotive giant, aims to expand its export market by shipping its all-new Rush sport utility vehicle to 53 countries in Asia and Africa this year.
— Jakarta Globe

IFC mulls up to $50m debt financing for Indonesian power project
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has proposed to extend a debt financing package of up to $50 million to support the development of a 275-megawatt (MW) combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Riau Province, Sumatera, Indonesia.
— Deal Street Asia

US investors offered projects in seven sector
Minister of State Enterprises Rini Soemarno has offered US investors projects in seven sectors in Indonesia – renewable energy, mineral mining, infrastructure, land , sea and air transport facilities , manufacturing and tourism.
— Antara News

Pertamina saves $137m from operational efficiency
State energy holding company Pertamina has saved around Rp 2 trillion (US$ 137 million) in the first half of 2018, thanks to the firm’s efficiency measures, such as cutting its management’s travel budget.
— The Jakarta Post

The rise of Indonesia’s tech startup scene
Indonesia’s strong economic growth in recent years has led to a flourishing digital economy.
— The Asean Post

How Indonesia plans to close Series B funding gap among its startups
Indonesia is home to four out of 10 Southeast Asian unicorns, but their success is more of the exception than the rule.
— e27

Prabowo, Yudhoyono Discuss Possible Coalition, Pledge to Avoid Ethnic, Religious Campaigning
Prabowo Subianto, chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party, or Gerindra, finally met with Democratic Party chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday (24/07) to discuss a possible coalition in next year’s presidential election.
— Jakarta Globe

RI’s policy with US to remain mutually beneficial
Indonesia has emphasized its trade policy with the United States will not only benefit Southeast Asia’s largest economy, but was also aimed at achieving a win-win solution in the long run.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)

Indonesia seeks ban on Islamic State linked group
Indonesia’s government has asked a court to ban Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, a militant network linked to the Islamic State group, hoping to strangle its funding and support.
— ABC News

Suharto-Era Indonesian Generals Signal Alliance to Fight Jokowi
Two former Suharto-era Indonesian generals are edging closer to a deal to challenge incumbent President Joko Widodo, who is set to seek a second five-year term in office.
— Bloomberg Quint

Indonesian Christian sentenced for anti-Islam Facebook post
An Indonesian Christian has been sentenced to four years in prison for a derogatory Facebook post about the prophet in the latest conviction under a controversial hate-speech law.
— Devdiscourse

Declassified Files Provide Insight into Indonesia’s Democratic Transition
Newly declassified files from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta from 1997 to 1999 provide fresh insight into American foreign policy in Indonesia during its tumultuous transition from the Suharto military dictatorship to fledgling democracy, as well as into the Asian financial crisis that swept the region around the same time.
— VOA

Lawsuit filed in Indonesia against Noble Group subsidiary
A LAWSUIT which is seeking damages of over US$20 million from a subsidiary of Noble Group has been filed in the District Court of South Jakarta by PT Alhasanie, which is a subsidiary of PT Atlas Resources Tbk.
— The Business Times

Indonesia’s tattoo removers zap the sin from your skin
Indonesian tattoo remover Sandi Widodo does a brisk business zapping sin from skin—at bargain-basement prices.
— Manilastandard.net

Freeport profit jumps, miner flags market jitters over trade rows
Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX.N), the world’s largest publicly listed copper miner, reported bigger-than-expected earnings on Wednesday, as production and prices soared above last year, but flagged market jitters from global trade disputes.
— Reuters

Indonesia government asked to recalculate Freeport mine damage
Indonesia’s parliament has asked the government to recalculate damage to the environment from the giant Grasberg copper mine operated by the local unit of Freeport McMoRan Inc, the environment ministry said.
— Business Inside

Jakarta Restaurants To Be Inspected Ahead Of The Asian Games
The Jakarta administration is set to inspect restaurants to ensure their safety ahead of the Asian Games.
— Indonesia Expat

Ahok is Said to Take Remission, Released in January 2019
One of the persons close to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, Nathanael Ompusunggu, said that the former Jakarta Governor is planning to take a Christmas remission.
— Tempo.co

Indonesian Government Wants More Social Assistance Ahead of 2019 Elections
Traditionally the Indonesian government wants to raise spending on social assistance programs when legislative and presidential elections are around the corner in an attempt to become more popular, hence attract more votes.
Indonesia Investments (media release)

Feature photo Patrik M. Loeff

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Indonesia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Indonesia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities and is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Indonesia morning news for July 26 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on July 26, 2018
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.