Govt relaxes fines for underpayment of import/export duties
The government has relaxed fines imposed on exporters and importers who fail to pay import and export duties to the government or who do not pay the full amount due.
— The Jakarta Post
Ministry projects Rp 140 trillion shortfall in 2019 state revenue
The Finance Ministry has projected a revenue shortfall of Rp 140 trillion (US$10.02 billion) from the revenue forecast of Rp 1.58 quadrillion in the 2019 state budget, and thus expects to collect Rp 1.44 quadrillion in revenue by the end of the year.
— The Jakarta Post
Passengers amused by handwritten menu on Garuda flight face defamation charges
An Instagram photo depicting a handwritten menu for in-flight meals on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Sydney, Australia, to Denpasar in Bali has caused a stir on social media and prompted some workers of the national flag carrier to seek legal recourse.
— The Jakarta Post
Rights body receives 139 reports of alleged human rights violations
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Office in Central Sulawesi Province had received 139 reports of alleged human rights violations since 2016.
— Antara News
Indonesia Is Poised for Its First Rate Cut in Two Years
Indonesia is poised to cut interest rates for the first time in two years as the prospect of the U.S. unwinding some of its policy tightening bolsters the case for Jakarta to embark on an aggressive easing cycle.
— Bloomberg
Govt estimates lower subsidy spending amid global decline in gas price
The government expects to spend less on this year’s subsidy for 3-kilogram canisters of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid the declining trend in the global gas price.
— The Jakarta Post
Food & Hotel Indonesia 2019: Underpins New Market Benchmark for Indonesia’s Culinary and Hospitality
Food & Hotel Indonesia 2019 returns for its 15th edition from 24-27 July 2019, at JIExpo Kemayoran Jakarta. Organized by Pamerindo Indonesia, it converges over 1,300 manufacturers and business owners with over 30,000 trade visitors from across 41 countries.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
Indonesia boosts its arsenal in battle against fall armyworm
Indonesia is prepping itself by securing all necessary arsenal in an uphill battle against the fall armyworm, an invasive pest that can infest and damage or destroy fields of corn and other crops overnight.
— Antara News
2020 budget reflects Jokowi’s campaign promises
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is set to swiftly implement his campaign promises as reflected in the 2020 draft state budget, which includes state funds for education, staple foods and skills training.
— The Jakarta Post
Observer suggests placing refugees on empty reclamation islands
Dinna Wisnu, a teacher and observer of international relations from Bina Nusantara University, opined that refugees can be placed on empty reclamation islands in North Jakarta to prevent new social problems from cropping up.
— Antara News
Poverty rate at 3.47% in Jakarta, but 27.53% in Papua: BPS
The wealth disparity between Indonesians living in urban and rural areas remains even as the country’s poverty rate decreased to 9.41 percent in March from 9.66 percent in September 2018 and 9.82 percent in March 2018, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
— The Jakarta Post
Why Thailand, Indonesia and India are three markets to watch for rapid online grocery growth
Thailand, Indonesia and India will experience rapid growth in the online grocery sector, although they are coming from such a low base that it will only account for market shares of 2.8%, 1.5%, and 1.2% respectively by 2023.
— FoodNavigator-Asia
The House approves science and technology bill
The House of Representatives (DPR) passed a science and technology national system bill into law at its plenary session here on Tuesday.
— Antara News
Stunting: Indonesia’s most ‘Neglected’ issue
Growing up: A 1000 Hari volunteer explains the features of a height chart to a mother in Rinca, on the fringes of Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia could halt palm oil shipments to Europe
Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil exporter, is ready with countermeasures if the European Union (EU) goes ahead with plans to restrict the use of palm oil in biofuels.
— Straits Times
How Indonesia finds itself in the middle of a US-China trade war
Jakarta is attempting to navigate tensions between Washington and Beijing by backing the multilateral system.
— The Interpreter
Tanjung Mas crane accident costs port operator Rp 60 billion
State-owned port operator Pelindo III has said the collapse of three container cranes after being hit by a container ship at Tanjung Mas Port in Semarang on Sunday has cost the company Rp 60 billion (US$4.30 million).
— The Jakarta Post
Jokowi, Balakhrisnan talk about infrastructure, investment issues
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakhrisnan talked about infrastructure, investment, and development of human resources at the Bogor Palace, here, on Wednesday.
— Antara News
Bio Farma exports new polio vaccine to Africa
State-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma exported 3.4 million vials of its new product, monovalent Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 ( mOPV2 ), to Angola on Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
Startups offer wider health access to people
Indonesian-born Jonathan Sudharta felt proud of his country when a top Health Ministry official defended his then untested idea of health technology (healthtech) startup HaloDoc.
— The Jakarta Post
BPBD confirms 971 houses damaged in Halmahera 7.2-magnitude earthquake
North Maluku Province’s Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported here on Wednesday that the recent strong earthquake that rocked South Halmahera District claimed six lives, displaced 3,104 residents, and caused serious damage to 971 houses.
— Antara News
Government urged to find uninhabited island for UNHCR office
The Indonesian government could find an uninhabited island for a new office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to process the would-be refugees administratively, an international law professor said.
— Antara News
Indonesia Seeking Closer South Pacific Engagement
Indonesia, in collaboration with New Zealand and Australia, hosted the 2019 Pacific Exposition in Auckland, between 12 and 14 July.
— Future Directions
Mandalika construction should comply with natural disaster resistance guideline
Authorities have implemented a natural disaster resistance guideline for buildings and the environment in the Mandalika Tourism Special Economic Zone, which is located along the coastline of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
— The Jakarta Post
PDI-P to get most seats in Cabinet, politician says
Select Cabinet positions in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s new government will be distributed among ruling coalition parties according to how many seats they gained at the House of Representatives, a United Development Party (PPP) politician said on Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
Tangerang mayor and law minister involved in tit-for-tat in land dispute
Tangerang Mayor Arief Wismansyah is in the spotlight after openly challenging Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly in one of the most detrimental land conflicts between regional and central authorities.
— The Jakarta Post
Stunting: Indonesia’s best-kept secret
Stunting was thrust into the spotlight during a debate between two then-vice-presidential candidates, Ma’aruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno.
— The Jakarta Post
Boosting ties with Indonesia
Officials from Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. (KDIC) and its Indonesian counterpart Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corp. (IDIC) pose at KDIC headquarter in Seoul, July 10.
— Korea Times
Can a Foreigner Buy Property in Indonesia?
Buying property is one of the most common ways for Indonesians to protect and increase the value of their assets.
— Indonesia Expat
Jokowi-Prabowo meeting is emblematic of Indonesian unity
A meeting between President-elect Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, held on July 13, marked the first time ever between the duo following the election period.
— Antara News
Depok to octuple groundwater tax
The administration of West Java’s Depok is planning to increase its groundwater tax from the current Rp 500 to Rp 4,000 (2 US cents) per cubic meter to push customers into using piped water provided by the city-owned water utility.
— The Jakarta Post
Government wants fish cages removed from Lake Toba to boost tourism
The government aims to clear Lake Toba of floating net cages (KJA) companies and individuals use for breeding fish because they are damaging the environment and polluting the lake water.
— The Jakarta Post
Six fatalities identified from South Halmahera 7.3 quake
The South Halmahera Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has identified six people killed in the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the region on Sunday.
— The Jakarta Post
Visa invests in Go-Jek to push digital payments in Southeast Asia
Visa Inc. has become the latest investor in ride-hailing giant Go-Jek as the two companies push digital payments across Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post
PUPR Ministry inspects availability of clean water in regions
The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry inspected the availability of clean water in dams, lakes, and reservoirs in regions, as Indonesia is currently experiencing a severe dry season resulting in a water crisis.
— Antara News
Business watchdog to hold hearing for Grab, partner
The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) said it would schedule a hearing for ride-hailing app Grab Indonesia and its business partner, PT Teknologi Pengangkutan Indonesia (TPI), after they were accused unfair business practices.
— The Jakarta Post
Weak raw material imports do not indicate slowdown in manufacturing
A decline in the import of raw materials and capital goods from January until June does not reflect a slowdown in the output of the manufacturing industry, business players have said.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia central bank seen starting to cut rates before Fed moves: Reuters poll
Indonesia’s central bank is likely to begin an easing cycle with a rate cut on Thursday, ahead of an anticipated Federal Reserve reduction of US rates at the end of July, the majority of analysts in a Reuters poll said.
— Intellasia
Gov’t to Study Policy on Direct Imports via E-Commerce
The government decided to soon study a scheme to control rampant direct imports through e-commerce trade.
— Tempo.co
Sexual harassment in public spaces rampant among minors: Survey
One out of every two Indonesians recently surveyed revealed that he or she had been sexually harassed in a public space before turning 16 years or age.
— The Jakarta Post
Draft bylaws piling up month before term ends for Jakarta councillors
With just one month left before the end of their term, sitting Jakarta councillors have been criticized for putting off the deliberation of crucial draft bylaws as well as meetings to determine a new deputy governor.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia supports outcome of palm oil producing countries’ meeting
Indonesian Palm Oil Businessmen Association (GAPKI) General Chairman Joko Supriyanto affirmed that the association, representing the palm oil industry players, fully supported the result of the Palm Oil Producing Countries’ (CPOPC’s) meeting.
— Antara News
West Jakarta mall has restrooms for app-based motorcycle taxi drivers
Puri Indah mall in Kembangan, West Jakarta is in the spotlight for having separate restrooms for app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers.
— The Jakarta Post
Rp 10.3 trillion allocated for Jokowi’s preemployment cards
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani says the government has allocated Rp 10.3 trillion (US$737.51 million) for preemployment cards as part of a program designed to aid job seekers in accessing skills training.
— The Jakarta Post
President calls upon military, police cadets to safeguard Indonesia
President Joko Widodo called upon the Indonesian National Armed Force (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) cadets to safeguard Indonesia while bearing in mind the five principles of Pancasila.
— Antara News
FBI seeking victims of Indonesia showbiz scam masterminded by the ‘Con Queen of Hollywood’
The United State’s Federal Bureau of Investigations has created a website to seek information for their investigation into the so-called “Con Queen of Hollywood”, who operates a scam that involves victims coming to Indonesia on fake promises of work only to be swindled out of their money.
— Coconuts
Astra’s market share drops to lowest level in years
Indonesia’s largest automotive company, Astra International, saw its market share for domestic car sales drop to 45 percent in June, the lowest level in years, as the rival brands of Mitsubishi and Isuzu reported rising sales.
— The Jakarta Post
Singapore’s Foreign Minister pays courtesy call on Jokowi
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a courtesy call from Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Bogor Presidential Palace here on Wednesday.
— Antara News
Military readies six command posts to prevent land, forest fires
The Indonesian military (TNI) has set up six command posts to prevent land and forest fires in Bulu Nipis Village, Kampar District, Riau Province.
— Antara News
Sriwijaya closes routes for efficiency
Domestic airline Sriwijaya Air has closed several routes to improve efficiency after it recorded a Rp 1.2 trillion (US$86.14 million) loss last year, the airline’s commercial director Joseph Dajoe K. Tendean said on Monday.
— The Jakarta Post
KPK finds money during search at Basirun’s house
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) found money strewn around during a search in the official residence of the non-active Riau Islands Governor, Nurdin Basirun, Friday, July 12.
— Antara News
Former house speaker Setya Novanto moved from supermax prison over concerns about his comfort
About one month ago, corruption convict Setya Novanto — the formerly “invincible” house speaker who was sentenced to 15 years in prison last year on corruption charges — was moved from the notoriously cushy Sukamiskin prison for corruption convicts to the super maximum security Gunung Sindur Detention Center after getting photographed at a luxury shopping center without police guard, allegedly after he evaded his security detail after receiving treatment at a hospital.
— Coconuts
Laborers found dead from consuming too many energy drinks: Police
Two workers of a housing complex in East Jakarta were found dead in their rented rooms in Cakung on Tuesday after drinking too many energy drinks, the police claim.
— The Jakarta Post
Not silent anymore: Sexual abuse victims speak up for justice
Kartika Jahja had been silent for more than 25 years until she became determined to come out as a survivor of the sexual abuses she endured as a 6-year-old girl.
— The Jakarta Post
Bosscha celebrates 50th anniversary of first moon landing
The Bosscha Observatory in Lembang, West Java, held on Saturday an open house to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
— The Jakarta Post
Planetarium hopes TIM revitalization brings back stellar shows
Mega Paramitha, 24, longed to see the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory on Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta and was finally able to visit in June.
— The Jakarta Post
Netizens have a good laugh at Depok plan to play music at traffic lights
Indonesian netizens are poking fun at the Depok city administration in West Java for its unorthodox plan to play traditional Indonesian music at traffic lights to ease the stress of being stuck in congestion for motorists.
— The Jakarta Post
IE-CEPA ratification expected to be completed in 2020: Deputy Minister
Deputy Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir has said that Indonesia and the member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are in the process of ratifying the Indonesia-EFTA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IE-CEPA), expected to be completed next year.
— The Jakarta Post
Coach named suspect in fatal hazing case in Palembang school
The South Sumatra Police named a coach at the semi-military SMA Taruna Indonesia Palembang state high school in Palembang a suspect on Monday for allegedly beating a student who participated in the school’s orientation program, leading to the student’s death last week.
— The Jakarta Post
Nondepressed teens can have suicidal thoughts, expert says
Feelings of helplessness and loneliness can increase the chances of having suicidal thoughts, even among those who do not exhibit signs of depression, a recent study on teen mental health suggests.
— The Jakarta Post
‘Tauge goreng’ given away to promote Bogor’s culinary heritage
Up to 4,000 bowls of tauge goreng (stir fried beansprouts) were distributed during a culinary festival at the BTM Mall in Bogor, West Java, to promote the city’s culinary heritage on Wednesday.
— The Jakarta Post
Feature photo WorldSkills Thailand
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on World Youth Skills Day, July 15.
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 18 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on
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Justhine De Guzman Uy
After graduation she worked at the Philippine Broadcasting Service performing transcription and business news writing, before moving to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation where she worked as a news editor, translator and production assistant.
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