Indonesia morning news for March 20

Indonesia morning news for March 20
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Indonesia morning newsIndonesia should ‘prepare for the worst’ on coronavirus, Red Cross says
Indonesia is likely to have a far higher number of coronavirus cases than it has reported due to low levels of testing and needs to consider tougher measures like lockdowns, the head of the country’s Red Cross told Reuters.
— Reuters

President Jokowi, First Lady Iriana Test Negative for COVID-19
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo along with First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo announced the result of their COVID-19 test.
— Tempo.co

15 recover from COVID-19, death toll rises to 25
Fifteen COVID-19 patients in Indonesia have made a full recovery, while the death toll from the virus has increased to 25, said Achmad Yurianto, the spokesman for the Indonesian Government’s coronavirus response team.
— Antara News

Bank Indonesia Cuts Rate, Vows to Maintain Financial Stability
Bank Indonesia, the country central bank, cut its benchmark interest for the second time this year on Thursday, as it bid to strike a balance between providing support for domestic economic growth during the harsh period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and maintaining stability in the financial market amid a massive capital outflow.
— Jakarta Globe

COVID-19: South Sulawesi cancels mass religious event, but not before thousands arrive on site
The South Sulawesi provincial administration has cancelled an international Islamic event that was set to take place in Pakkato village, Bontomaranmu district, Gowa regency over heightened concerns about COVID-19, but not before thousands of participants had already arrived at the site.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia late to respond to COVID-19 pandemic, former VP Kalla says
Former vice president and chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross Jusuf Kalla criticized the government’s slow response to the COVID-19 pandemic and called for mass testing to prevent further spread of the virus.
— The Jakarta Post

East Timor imposes month-long coronavirus lockdown
East Timor has implemented a lockdown from Thursday as a precautionary measure to check the spread of coronavirus in the region and has closed its border with Indonesia. The lockdown will be in place till April 19.
— Antara News

Garlic, onion import licenses temporarily removed to stabilize soaring prices
The government has temporarily removed licensing requirements for imports of garlic and bawang Bombay (brown onion) to increase supply and suppress the soaring prices of the two commodities amid a shortage of supply in the domestic market.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian stocks hit circuit breaker again as dollar nears Rp 16,000
Indonesian stocks hit yet another circuit breaker on Thursday morning, prompting the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) to halt trading for 30 minutes for the fourth time in a week.
— The Jakarta Post

Jakartans Asked to Cancel Friday Prayer as COVID-19 Cases Rise
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan publically asked Jakartans to cancel conducting Friday prayers as recommended by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) even though the Istiqlal Mosque announced that it would continue to hold Friday prayers tomorrow.
— Tempo.co

BI lowers economic growth projection for 2020 to 4.2-4.6 percent
Indonesia’s central bank trimmed its economic growth forecast for 2020 to 4.2-4.6 percent, from the earlier 5.0-5.4 percent over high global uncertainty fueled by the coronavirus, or COVID-19 outbreak.
— Antara News

Haj embarkation on schedule despite coronavirus pandemic, Indonesian govt says
Amid the global coronavirus pandemic, Indonesia has ensured that Muslim citizens slated to embark on this year’s haj will be able to depart for Saudi Arabia, as the first Indonesian haj embarkation is still on schedule for June 26.
— The Jakarta Post

Coronavirus Pandemic; State of Emergency
The government’s stance in mitigating the coronavirus pandemic continues to invite criticism. Hospitals in the regions and research institutions are questioning the monopoly of the health ministry in virus testing.
— Tempo.co

Lion Air Group suspends flights from and to Malaysia amid lockdown
Lion Air Group has temporarily suspended its international flights from and to Malaysia from Wednesday until March 31 following the Malaysian government’s decision to lock down the country, effectively barring people from crossing its borders to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post

‘Stay alert’: BMKG monitors fault in South Sumatra after consecutive earthquakes
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has recorded an increase in seismic activity around a local fault in Pagar Alam city, South Sumatra, beginning on Feb. 27.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia not ready to impose lockdown, says Sri Mulyani
Indonesia is not ready to impose a lockdown to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus as the measure will disrupt the distribution of basic commodities to rural and densely populated areas, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has said.
— The Jakarta Post

Asymptomatic patient tests positive for COVID-19 in West Java
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil says the West Java Health Laboratory has detected one positive COVID-19 case who showed no symptoms at all among the hundreds of independent sample examinations the province conducted.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia records spike in COVID-19 deaths after days of central govt data confusion
After days of confusion about the death toll in Indonesia, the country’s spokesperson for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reported a jump from five to 19 deaths, citing “a problem in data input” that caused a delay in reporting the deaths.
— The Jakarta Post

Prabowo Orders Military to Collect COVID-19 Medical Kits Abroad
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has asked the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Hadi Tjahjanto to prepare air transport to collect medical kits in Shanghai, China, which will be used to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indonesia.
— Tempo.co

Rapid Coronavirus Testing Prioritized for Certain Groups
Head of the COVID-19 task force, Doni Monardo, said that the rapid coronavirus testing will target specific groups of people which focuses on those with the history of making contact with positive cases of COVID-19 transmission.
— Tempo.co

Tax revenue down 5 percent as COVID-19 hits businesses
National tax revenue has fallen by 5 percent to Rp 152.9 trillion (US$9.62 billion) as of February compared to the same period last year as corporate income was severely hit by an economic slowdown blamed largely on the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post

Jokowi orders ministries to crunch numbers on plunging oil prices
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his ministers to calculate the impact of plunging global crude oil prices on Indonesia’s economy so as to “make use of this momentum and opportunity’.
— The Jakarta Post

Public e-ticketing services tout online bus, ferry bookings for ‘mudik’
The government and public transportation companies have launched online booking systems for purchasing bus and ferry tickets for the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday in May.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian SOE Ministry searches for volunteers to assist with coronavirus handling
The Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry is looking for people with a medical background and members of the general public to serve as volunteers to help the government in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

COVID-19: N. Sulawesi endorses hand sanitizer homemade from local alcoholic beverage
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the country, people in Manado, North Sulawesi have started to buy a local alcoholic beverage called Cap Tikus (Mouse Brand) – not to drink, but to make homemade hand sanitizer.
— The Jakarta Post

Bank Indonesia Buys Rp195tn Securities to Stabilize Rupiah
Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo said the central bank continues to monitor rupiah’s movement.
— Tempo.co

People with COVID-19 symptoms still need to perform full tests: Health Ministry
The Health Ministry has said that people showing COVID-19 symptoms still need to undergo the regular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to determine their next medical treatment despite having previously taken rapid tests — which will be provided by the government in upcoming days.
— The Jakarta Post

Ministry offers staples at low cost to stabilize prices
The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to offer staples at low prices at 49 points of sale in Jakarta in a bid to stabilize prices and prevent panic buying,
— Antara News

SOE’s Perindo exports 15 tons of octopus to Japan amid pandemic
Perum Perindo, the state owned fisheries company, has bolstered its income during the novel coronavirus pandemic by exporting octopus products to a Japanese company.
— Antara News

Indonesia’s several hotels to serve as emergency hospitals: government
The Indonesian government plans to prepare several state-owned hotels and Wisma Atlet (athletes’ residence) in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, to serve as COVID-19 emergency hospitals to treat those who contracted the new coronavirus, a minister stated.
— Antara News

Civil groups work to help low-income citizens weather COVID-19 hardship
Doris Sianturi, 40, a street vendor from North Jakarta’s district of Pademangan, has stayed home for the last five days.
— The Jakarta Post

Working visit budgets channeled to assist Indonesians in need
A top Indonesian minister spoke of the working visit budget encompassing domestic and overseas trips being diverted to help people, so that the country’s economy runs smoothly amid global concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Antara News

South Pesisir screens 61 Chinese workers for coronavirus
The authorities in South Pesisir District of West Sumatra Province tested 61 Chinese workers, employed in a project to build a micro-hydro power plant in the Ranah Pesisir Sub-district, for coronavirus.
— Antara News

Govt works with agencies for research to develop COVID-19 vaccine
The Indonesian government, in cooperation with relevant agencies, is conducting research to develop a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin stated.
— Antara News

President orders incentives for doctors treating COVID-19 patients
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered the allocation of financial incentives for doctors and other medical workers handling COVID-19 patients at hospitals in Indonesia.
— Antara News

President calls to apply simple health protocol for COVID-19 outbreak
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for the application of a simple health protocol for the public keen on undergoing health testing for coronavirus at hospitals.
— Antara News

Cruise ships barred from entering Komodo National Park due to COVID-19
The Komodo National Park (BTNK) has temporarily barred cruise ships from entering the park, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the tourist area.
— Antara News

Rapid Covid-19 Test Kits from China Arrive in Indonesia
The SOE Ministry said that the rapid Covid-19 test kits from China have arrived in Indonesia.
— Tempo.co

Islamic World Ijtima Gathering in Gowa Canceled over Coronavirus
The South Sulawesi Provincial Government has officially canceled an Islamic gathering dubbed the World Ijtima Asia scheduled on March 19-22 in Gowa District’s Pakkatto Village.
— Tempo.co

Two children die of dengue fever in Cianjur
wo children have died of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), while dozens of other people remain hospitalized across Cianjur, West Java, according to the Cianjur Health Service.
— Antara News

Jokowi Guarantees Supply of Household Staples amid COVID-19
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ordered state-ministries to maintain control of the national supply of household staples and its prices amid the national emergency on coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co

COVID-19 Prevention; Jakarta Police to Wear Protective Equipment
Jakarta Metro Police’s Traffic Directorate is preparing personal protective equipment for its personnel on field who deal with certain cases such as road accident, regarding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co

Armed Group Denies Burning Church in Papua
The Indonesian Military and National Police have accused what they call an “armed criminal group,” or KKB, of burning down a church in Tembagapura, Papua, on March 12.
— Jakarta Globe

President to evaluate mass religious events amid COVID-19 outbreak
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that government will shortly assess any religious events involving masses or crowds congregating at one place at a time to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Antara News

Indonesia pins hope on Australian cows to fulfill surging demand during Ramadan
Indonesia has prepared its beef supply early from Australia to anticipate a spike in meat consumption during Idul Fitri when families across the archipelago celebrate the end of Ramadan.
— The Jakarta Post

Conservation, fisheries development need to go hand in hand: Jokowi
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said in addition to curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to preserve the archipelago’s marine environment, the nation’s fishing industry needs to be developed to improve conditions of fishermen.
— Antara News

Grab, Gojek offer contactless services amid COVID-19 outbreak
Grab and Gojek, as providers of online on-demand services in Indonesia, have put in place social distancing to ensure the health of drivers and customers of their food delivery services.
— Antara News

Indonesia to welcome foreign help in support of nationwide COVID-19 rapid tests
The government is set to welcome offers from foreign countries to assist Indonesia in obtaining COVID-19 rapid testing kits amid the Southeast Asian country’s efforts to prevent wider transmission of the coronavirus disease.
— The Jakarta Post

Govt urged to close Papuan ports, airports to prevent COVID-19 spread
The Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) called on provincial administrations to close off entry to Papua in an effort to contain the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— The Jakarta Post

‘If not us, who else will do it?’: Sweat and tears of Indonesia’s COVID-19 nurses, doctors
On a Friday night several nurses were seen sitting on the floor of an intensive care unit (ICU) in a hospital in Jakarta. Near the ICU were the isolation rooms.
— The Jakarta Post

Company commissioner named suspect in Maluku illegal logging case
The Environment and Forestry Ministry has named an individual identified as IQ, the commissioner of logging company CV. Sumber Berkat Makmur (SBM), a suspect in an illegal logging case in Sabuai village, Eastern Seram regency, Maluku.
— The Jakarta Post

Semarang lawyer slams arrest of student for hate-speech against Jokowi
The Semarang Legal Aid Institution (LBH Semarang) has questioned the Central Java Police’s detention and naming as a suspect a student of Surakarta Muhammadiyah University (UMS), identified only as ISS, for allegedly spreading hate speech against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on March 13.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian couples hold off wedding plans for better days … after COVID-19
April 11 was supposed to be the happiest day of her life so far for Anifa Ludfiani and Firdausyah Bela, and the couple had looked forward to their families watch them as they tied the knot on that date in Sidoarjo, East Java.
— 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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