Indonesia Morning News For March 22

EU removes duties on Biodiesel imports for Argentina and Indonesia
The European Union has removed duties on biodiesel imports for 13 Argentine and Indonesian producers following the end of legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), an EU document shows.
— Devdiscourse

Indonesia Among Least Attractive Markets for Startups & Venture Capital
Indonesia has a thriving digital economy due to the huge population that is increasingly connected to the Internet. Meanwhile, growth still comes from a low base and therefore there are plenty of foreign and domestic investors ready to invest in Indonesia’s digital economy, for example through capital injections in startups.
— Indonesia Investments (media release)

Malaysia to move up deportation of 4,000 Indonesians
The Immigration Department of Malaysia plans to expedite the deportation of about 4,000 undocumented Indonesians currently held in its detention centers, so they may arrive home in time for the fasting month starting on May 15.
— The Jakarta Post

The Guide to Employment Permits for Foreign Workers in Indonesia
There are two types of employment visas available for foreign workers planning to work and live in Indonesia: Work Visa KITAS, a limited stay permit, issued by the Indonesian Immigration Directorate General through the local immigration office; and KITAP, a permanent stay permit that is available for application to only those foreign workers who have held KITAS for a minimum of three consecutive years.
— Asean Briefing

Indonesia, Australia push for free trade deal by August
Indonesia and Australia are pushing to get a free trade deal done by August, leveraging off
the strong relationship between Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and President Joko Widodo, who
gave their support for a swift conclusion to the agreement in their bilateral meeting last
week.
— Financial Review

Indonesia Wins Appeal Against EU Over Anti-Dumping Duty on Biodiesel
Indonesia has won an appeal against the European Union in a dispute over the bloc’s anti-dumping duty on biodiesel, the Ministry of Trade said in a statement on Wednesday (21/03).
— Jakarta Globe

BNI Organizes Cash for Work Program in Three Provinces
PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (IDX:BBNI) or BNI became the first state-owned enterprise to start the Cash for Work (CFW) program.
— Netral News

Ministry optimistic of revealing 80 percent of TB cases
The Health Ministry has set a target to discover 80 percent of the estimated 1,020,000 cases of tuberculosis (TB) patients in the country.
— Antara News

Indonesia’s electricity subsidy reforms led to improved efficiency
Indonesia has been home to some of the world’s largest subsidies for electricity use. Electricity prices have been set at low levels, with the government making transfers to Indonesia’s electricity utility, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), to cover its losses. In 2012, electricity subsidies cost the government US$10 billion.
— The Jakarta Post

F&B Industry Set to Become Pilot for Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technology
The food and beverage (F&B) industry is set to become one of the national pilot manufacturing sectors in the application of Industry 4.0 technology. The performance of the national F&B industry which consistently strengthens also supported competitiveness in global markets.
— Netral News

Indonesia buys about 50,000 T rice in tender
Indonesian state food procurement agency Bulog bought about 50,000 tonnes rice in an international tender, European traders said on Wednesday.
— Business Recorder

Indonesia Economic Outlook
According to available indicators, the economy continued to perform robustly in Q1. Consumer confidence remained elevated in the first two months of the year: This, together with declining inflation, bodes well for private consumption, a picture only partially obscured by a dip in retail sales in January.
— Focus Economics

Pre-election politics heating up in Indonesia
Nearly one year until Indonesia’s parliamentary and presidential polls, speculation is already rife over who President Joko Widodo will tap as his running mate.
— Asia Times

Agribusiness, Base Industry Sectors Push JCI up by 1.1 Percent
The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) was up 69.2 points (+1.1 percent) to 6,312.8 on trading closed on Wednesday (3/21/2018). Agribusiness and basic industry sectoral index of stocks rose the most and pushed the JCI to positive area.
— Netral News

Civil Coalition Demand Jokowi to Assure Press Freedom
The Civil Society Coalition and other social agencies in Indonesia demanded Jokowi assure the press freedom following the act of persecution conducted by Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) against Tempo on Friday, March 16.
— Tempo.co

Indonesia’s Inalum expects to line up Freeport sale bank financing soon
Indonesia’s state mining holding company, PT Inalum, expects to reach an agreement soon on bank financing to buy a controlling stake in the local unit of Freeport McMoran Inc (FCX.N), the holding company’s chief executive said on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Protests sweep Indonesia over new law criminalising ‘criticism’ of MPs
A wave of protests has swept Indonesia in recent days after legislation criminalising criticism of lawmakers took effect last week.
— Asia Pacific Report

Indonesia’s Central Bank Has Bigger Worries Than Its Next Rates Move
Indonesia’s central bank has more pressing things to worry about than its next interest-rate move.
— Bloomberg

Suicide, depression and poverty: Indonesia’s refugees’ bleak future now there’s almost no chance of being resettled
Hassan, 29, a native of Afghanistan, has thought about taking his own life. He has been a refugee in Indonesia for four years, and is depressed and anxious.
— South China Morning Post

LGBT communities brace for criminalization
The Indonesian parliament is expected to vote in favor of proposed Criminal Code amendments that will criminalize consensual same-sex behavior and sex outside of marriage (extramarital and premarital).
— Asia Times

Feature photo McKay Savage

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 March 22 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on March 22, 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.