Indonesia morning news for March 18

Indonesia morning news for March 18
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Indonesia morning newsIndonesia to ban entry from 6 European countries, Iran as COVID-19 tally rises to 172
Indonesia will prohibit the entry and transit of visitors who have travelled in the last 14 days to Italy and Vatican City, Spain, France, Germany, the UK, as well as Iran due to COVID-19 concerns, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Tuesday (Mar 17).
— CNA

Government advises citizens against overseas travel due to corona
Given the increasing number of nations affected by the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, the Indonesian government has asked all citizens to restrict non-essential travel to other countries.
— Antara News

Indonesia’s confirmed COVID-19 cases may spike in upcoming days, govt warns
The government has warned that the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Indonesia may spike in the upcoming days as they are set to receive more results from 12 laboratories across the country that were recently authorized to conduct COVID-19 tests.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian stocks fall to 4-year low following Wall Street crash
Indonesian stocks continued their steep fall on Tuesday morning, crashing to a level unseen since January 2016, following Dow Jones’ worst decline since 1987’s Black Monday.
— The Jakarta Post

Covid-19 Emergency Period Extended; Garuda Urges Reschedules
Garuda Indonesia president director Irfan Sebuahutra advised passengers to immediately reschedule or refund their ticket reservations for flights within the coming weeks.
— Tempo.co

Jokowi Diverts $2.7b in Gov’t Meeting Budget to Prop Up Pandemic-Ridden Economy
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has told Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to divert Rp 40 trillion, or around $2.7 billion, from non-urgent government budget to increase spending in programs that could provide direct support to household consumption or increase people’s purchasing power during the Covid-19 outbreak.
— Jakarta Globe

Rupiah weakens to Rp 15,000 per dollar amid stronger greenback, COVID-19 fears
The rupiah fell to below the psychological level of Rp 15,000 per US dollar on Tuesday as the greenback strengthened amid investors’ fears over the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

One more Indonesian tests positive for COVID-19 in Singapore
The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore confirmed one more Indonesian had tested positive for coronavirus in Singapore, bringing the total number of Indonesian nationals contracting COVID-19 in the island state as of Tuesday to nine.
— Antara News

Bank Indonesia, OJK limit direct services as social distancing measure to contain virus
Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) have limited their direct services while pushing their online services in a bid to implement social distancing to contain the COVID-19 spread.
— The Jakarta Post

Ombudsman Slams Govt for Permitting Entry of Chinese Workers
The Indonesian Ombudsman Commissioner Laode Ida blasted the government for permitting the entry of Chinese nationals to Indonesia amid the coronavirus crisis.
— Tempo.co

Indonesia removes price floor for unsubsidized fuels amid global oil price war
Indonesia has revoked the price floor for unsubsidized gasoline and diesel as the government expects falling global oil prices to push down retail costs, but distributors look less likely to drastically cut prices with some already providing discounts.
— The Jakarta Post

Pressures on for Jokowi to close cities
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has come under increased pressure to impose a partial lockdown on virus-plagued areas, with scientists saying the country is racing against time to curb the spread of COVID-19 before Idul Fitri and that a community quarantine could be the only solution to do exactly that.
— The Jakarta Post

3 Indonesians Cured from COVID-19 Send Message: ‘Don’t Judge’
Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, Case 01, Case 02, and Case 03 are officially declared cured of the virus in a press conference on Monday night, March 15, at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Saroso).
— Tempo.co

Civil servants allowed to work from home for two weeks
The Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry has allowed civil servants to work from home for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in state offices.
— The Jakarta Post

COVID-19: West Nusa Tenggara closes Gili islands while denying lockdown rumors
The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) administration has restricted access to its popular tourist destinations, the three Gili islands off Lombok, for 14 days over concerns of a nationwide COVID-19 outbreak.
— The Jakarta Post

Govt Finds 242 Hoaxes and Disinformation on Coronavirus
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology identified a total of 242 hoaxes and disinformation contents related to coronavirus (Covid-19) spread on social media as well as websites and instant messaging platforms, as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
— Tempo.co

Understanding Indonesia’s Coronavirus Acronyms and Terms
There have been many acronyms and terms the government uses in reporting about coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, which has also been adopted by news media outlets.
— Tempo.co

Jokowi Urged to Fire Health Minister Over COVID-19 Incompetence
A member of the Indonesian civil society coalition and Migrant Care activist, Anis Hidayah, urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to discharge Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto after the minister has shown what the activist claims as the tendency to underestimate, belittle, and be anti-scientific in the wake of a pressing issue such as the coronavirus outbreak.
— Tempo.co

COVID-19: Government calls for limits to all tourist activities
The government has finally called for the suspension of meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) activities, after previously trying to promote a tourist sector severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post

Vice Minister apprises foreign embassies of efforts to check COVID-19
Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar highlighted the directives issued by President Joko Widodo on COVID-19, including social distancing, in a video conference on Tuesday with more than 100 embassies and international organizations in Jakarta.
— Antara News

Ministry ensures people about hygiene of public transportation
The Transportation Ministry has ensured the proper hygiene on public transportation by spraying disinfectant three times a day in all modes of transportation, amidst fear of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the country.
— Antara News

Hotels, banks, airlines join forces to attract tourists amid Covid-19 pandemic
Indonesia’s hotels, airlines and banks and other tourism-related sectors have joined together to offer attractive travel packages to promote domestic travel, despite the government’s appeals for people to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post

BKPM suspends face-to-face licensing services to contain COVID-19 spread
The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) will temporarily close its One-Stop Integrated Service (PTSP) licensing outlets to minimize the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia pledges to safeguard investments as Covid-19 fears grow
Indonesian authorities have provided assurances to investors that they will be shielded from potential disruptions amid the coronavirus outbreak that has discouraged investment into the country.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia’s Gojek closed US$1.2 billion funding last week – internal memo
Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek closed an additional US$1.2 billion of funding last week, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
— CNA

Another denial, another death: West Java finds out about fatal COVID-19 case on social media
The West Java Health Agency said it only discovered later that a patient who died while being treated in a hospital in Cianjur had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post

Supreme Court inundated with cases amid shortage of justices
The Supreme Court has said it has been inundated by an increasing number of cases as it struggles with a shortage of justices.
— The Jakarta Post

Toddler with COVID-19 in Yogyakarta Improves, Now Tests Negative
The condition of a toddler in Yogyakarta that was declared positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) is reportedly getting better.
— Tempo.co

COVID-19: Regions postpone national exam amid ‘social distancing’ call
Regions across the country have postponed the national exam and ordered students to study from home amid the government’s call for people to practice social distancing in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

President instructs to expedite post-quake reconstruction in NTB
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered his aides to accelerate the completion of post-quake rehabilitation and reconstruction in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), as it has missed the government-set deadline.
— Antara News

Indonesian Ulema Council urges govt to map COVID-19 prone areas to support fatwa on mass prayers
The Indonesian Ulema Council has urged the government to map coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) prone areas following its issuance of a fatwa that advises Muslims to avoid praying in congregations, including for Friday prayers.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian Transport Minister’s health reported stable
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi’s health is stable after he tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), a spokesman for coronavirus handling, Achmad Yurianto, said.
— Antara News

Panama-flagged vessel under tightened surveillance in N Kalimantan
The Nunukan Seaport authorities have tightened watch on a Panama-flagged vessel currently docking off the port’s pier to load coal to be transported to mainland China amid the ongoing concerns over the spread of novel corona virus disease (COVID-19).
— Antara News

BI maintains public duty, services to mitigate COVID-19 spread
Reflecting on the latest developments in the transmission of COVID-19 in Indonesia, Bank Indonesia (BI) is coordinating with the government and other relevant authorities to institute collective monitoring, assessment, and mitigation efforts over its spread.
— Antara News

Police Nab Person Recording Chinese Workers Entering Indonesia
Southeast Sulawesi Police announced that it has arrested Harjono, a resident of Kendari, for spreading a video related to 49 foreign workers from China at Kendari’s Haluoleo Airport.
— Tempo.co

Economist says lockdown not ideal solution for controlling COVID-19
Country-wide lockdown to check the spread of the coronavirus would not be an ideal solution for Indonesia, said James Adam, an economist from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
— Antara News

49 Chinese workers hold medical certificates to visit Kendari
The Directorate General of Immigration has reported that 49 Chinese nationals who arrived in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial capital of Kendari on Sunday (March 15) have been issued medical certificates from the health office at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport west of Jakarta.
— Antara News

State, private hospitals ready to contain COVID-19: Government
Hundreds of state and private hospitals across Indonesia are being kept in readiness for treating coronavirus, or COVID-19, patients, said Achmad Yurianto, the government’s spokesman for COVID-19 matters.
— Antara News

Social Stigma Worsens Condition of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
The recent coronavirus outbreak has caused a sense of social stigma, blaming positive COVID-19 patients as culprits, to develop among the people.
— Tempo.co

Sri Mulyani Approves Reallocating Ministries’ Budget for Covid-19
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has permitted all ministries and state agencies to reallocate their budgets for Covid-19 response.
— Tempo.co

COVID-19 Outbreak, Jakarta MRT Continues Normal Operation Today
PT Mass Rapid Transit, also known as the Jakarta MRT, has returned train operation hours normally as before, while still enforcing social distancing to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission.
— Tempo.co

Jakarta District Court Accepts Class Action Against Governor Anies’ Flood Mismanagement
Judges at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday accepted a multimillion-dollar class action against Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s alleged mismanagement of deadly flooding in Jakarta on New Year’s Day that killed at least 67 people.
— Jakarta Globe

I Try to Get Myself Tested for Covid-19 After Interviewing Budi Karya Sumadi
When the Health Minister said Indonesia was prepared to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, did he mean everyone?
— Jakarta Globe

Telkomsel prepares network for spikes in data traffic
Telkomsel has prepared their network for an anticipated spike in internet data usage as a result of the work and study from home advice issued by the government to stem the spread of COVID-19.
— Antara News

Papua’s Tolikara residents asked to refrain from holding hands
The government of Tolikara in Papua province has urged residents to refrain from practicing a local custom of holding hands, temporarily, in wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.
— Antara News

20 illegal gold miners arrested in West Sumatra
The West Sumatra police have arrested 20 persons suspected of mining gold illegally at two sites in Sijunjung District, West Sumatra Province, amid a central government push to enforce a law against illegal mining.
— Antara News

140 portable sinks installed in Surabaya to tackle COVID-19 outbreak
Some 140 portable sinks, or hand wash basins, were installed at several public facilities and areas in Surabaya, East Java, to encourage people to diligently wash hands to prevent the contagion of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Antara News

Indef asks firms to allocate CSR funds for coronavirus fight
The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) has appealed to national companies, particularly state-owned firms, to contribute their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to the fight against COVID-19.
— Antara News

Minister instructs local governments to apportion budget for COVID-19
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati here, today, ordered local governments to allocate health budgets in response to the novel-coronavirus (COVID-19), aimed at disease control and prevention.
— Antara News

Fintech industry players urged to take up work-from-home option
The Indonesian Fintech Association (AFTECH) has urged players of the Financial technology (Fintech) industry to work from home in accordance with the government’s suggestion.
— Antara News

COVID-19: Civil society groups call on govt to clear up confusion over social distancing
A coalition of civil society organizations has called on the government to better explain its social distancing recommendation to clear up confusion among the public over how to handle the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— The Jakarta Post

East Java prepares 120 more isolation wards to anticipate COVID-19 outbreak
The East Java administration has prepared 120 new isolation wards to add to the existing facilities in 44 referral hospitals in the province in anticipation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
— The Jakarta Post

North Sulawesi governor asks residents to pray simultaneously to dispel COVID-19 pandemic
North Sulawesi governor Olly Dondokambey asked residents of the province to pray together on Tuesday, with each person conducting their prayer in private, in an effort to ward off the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
— The Jakarta Post

Bareksa reports 20% growth in asset under management despite market rout
Bareksa, an online mutual fund marketplace, has reported an increase in its assets under management (AUM) by 20 percent despite plunging Indonesian stocks as a result of COVID-19 pandemic fears.
— The Jakarta Post

Jakarta’s office market to continue its decline as investment slows: Analysts
Jakarta’s office market is predicted to continue its declining trend as multinational companies remain cautious about expansion amid the growing uncertainties surrounding the country’s economy, property consulting company Knight Frank Indonesia has said
— The Jakarta Post

Legal support lacking for victims of childhood sexual abuse
A recent court ruling on child sexual abuse in Jambi province has exposed the shortcomings of Indonesian court procedures in dealing with the human impact of violence against children.
— The Jakarta Post

Auto association shows bold face amid February sales dip, ‘nixed’ top motor show
The Indonesian automotive industry is not anticipating a heavy blow from the novel coronavirus outbreak, although the February sales figure dropped to the lowest level in eight months and the industry’s top event, the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2020, had been “postponed indefinitely”.
— The Jakarta Post

 

 

Feature photo Greenpeace

This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Forests, March 21.

 

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).

 

 

About Indonesia morning news.

Indonesia morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Indonesia English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Indonesia English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Indonesia daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Indonesia news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.15am Jakarta time.

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Justhine De Guzman Uy completed a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication at New Era University, Quezon City, the Philippines in 2016

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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