Central Bank Cuts Benchmark Rate After Three-Month Break
The central bank decided to cut its benchmark rate on Thursday in the wake of a global coronavirus outbreak it believed would trigger a short-term slowdown in the economy in the near future.
— Jakarta Globe
President to take immediate decision on evacuation of 74 ship crews
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will take immediate decision on the evacuation of 74 Indonesian crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship that is currently being quarantined off Yokohama, Japan.
— Antara News
Family Resilience Bill Set due to High Divorce Rate: Initiator
The initiator of the draft on family resilience from the PAN faction, Ali Taher, explained that the high divorce rate was among the drivers of the bill proposal.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia in a make or break reform showdown
Indonesian Economic Coordinating Minister and Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto likes to put an historic spin on the 1,028-page Job Creation Omnibus Bill tabled last week in Parliament, calling it the country’s third great structural reform program.
— Asia Times
India allots import licenses for 1.1 million tons of refined palmolein from Indonesia
India has issued import licenses for 1.1 million tons of refined palmolein from Indonesia, government and trade sources told Reuters, a move that has surprised the industry as only last month New Delhi restricted imports of the commodity.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian Crews of Ship Docked in Cambodia to Be Re-examined
Director for the Protection of Citizens and Legal Entities Overseas of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Judha Nugraha, said hundreds of Indonesian nationals who are crews of MS Westerdam cruise ship will be re-examined by Cambodian authorities after a passenger reportedly carried the novel coronavirus.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia posted Rp36 trillion budget deficit for January
Indonesia’s state budget deficit reached Rp36.1 trillion, or 0.21 percent, of the national gross domestic product (GDP), as of late January 2020, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.
— Antara News
Minister Clarifies Statement on ‘the Rich’ to Marry ‘the Poor’
Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy cleared up a controversial statement suggesting “the rich to marry the poor” in an attempt to reduce Indonesia’s poverty rate, defending that it was just an off the cuff statement from his hour-long speech.
— Tempo.co
Jokowi criticizes lackluster management of potential $116b foreign investments
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has criticized what he claims is the lackluster management of potential foreign investments amounting to Rp 1.6 quadrillion (US$116.8 billion) to date.
— The Jakarta Post
Coronavirus: Foreign sailors aboard cargo vessel quarantined off West Sulawesi coast
Forty foreign crew members aboard a vessel that had been scheduled to transport palm oil from Pasangkayu, West Sulawesi, have been quarantined inside the ship off the coast of the province over fears of China’s deadly coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post
‘It’s necessary’: Greenpeace lauds government’s plan to tax plastics
Environmental watchdog Greenpeace Indonesia has applauded the government for planning to impose a levy on plastic products, describing it as an important measure to reduce the plastic waste that is damaging the environment.
— The Jakarta Post
Govt Wants Bahasa Indonesia to Be Southeast Asia’s Lingua Franca
Education, and Cultural Affairs Minister Nadiem Makarim wants to adopt the Indonesian language, or Bahasa Indonesia, as a common language among different native speakers in Southeast Asia, or “lingua franca.”
— Tempo.co
Indonesian coal miners say buyers divert purchases due to unclear vessel rules
Indonesian coal exports are being disrupted because the government has not issued technical guidance on the implementation of new shipping rules, an industry group said on Thursday.
— Reuters
This company wants to build Indonesia’s first commercial nuclear power plant
ThorCon International Pte Ltd has been pushing to build an experimental nuclear power plant in Indonesia over the past five years, but with unproven technology and regulatory limitations, the company is unlikely to finish the facility by the expected deadline.
— The Jakarta Post
Eight dams to be ready in 2020: Public Works Ministry
The government has targeted to complete the construction of eight dams under the National Strategic Program in 2020 at several food production centers, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry stated.
— Antara News
For Indonesia’s Javan deer, non-protected areas play key conservation role
A significant portion of the total population of Indonesia’s Javan deer occurs outside protected areas, highlighting the role of such zones as wildlife refuges, according to new research.
— Mongabay
Can Indonesia move its capital before Jakarta succumbs to traffic?
Peak-hour driving across the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, is infuriating.
— The Article
Netherlands All for Sustainable Palm Oil, Against EU Biofuel Ban
The Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Stef Blok said the Netherlands is not backing the European Union biofuel ban that targets Indonesia-produced crude palm oil (CPO).
— Tempo.co
Government undecided over revising 2020 growth forecast of 5.3 percent
The Indonesian government is yet to take a decision on revising its economic growth forecast of 5.3 percent for this year despite global slowdown over the spread of coronavirus, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.
— Antara News
No permits required by foreigners in start-ups
The omnibus bill on job creation would scrap requirements for foreign workers in start-ups to obtain written permits, a move seen by businesses as an effort to help bridge the country’s skills gap.
— The Jakarta Post
Government discusses procurement of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets
Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud M. D. held a coordination meeting with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and relevant ministers here on Thursday to discuss a plan to procure Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets.
— Antara News
Private investment contributes 77 percent to economic growth, says Jokowi
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on regional administrations to fully cater to investors’ needs in starting businesses to boost investment, which plays a major role in the country’s economic growth.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia’s strict laws on foreign researchers lead to deportation of sailing enthusiasts
A group of sailing enthusiasts attempting to conduct a rafting expedition from the Timor Sea to Darwin, Australia, has been deported from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), in the latest wave of stricter measures applied by the government on research conducted by foreign nationals in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian Coronavirus Patient in Singapore Declared Cured
An Indonesian migrant worker in Singapore treated for the coronavirus at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has been declared free of the infection and released from the hospital.
— Tempo.co
KPK to Continue Investigation on 4 Major Corruption Cases
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) assures that the investigation on four major national-scale cases will not be stopped after it ceased investigation on 36 cases.
— Tempo.co
Transportation Minister: Airline Incentives to Complete Next Week
Transportation Minister on Minister Budi Karya Sumadi says the government will give direct subsidies for airlines to reduce losses due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
— Tempo.co
‘It’s only a matter of time’: Ex-terrorists in Central Java to reintegrate with society
The Central Java administration is currently assisting 127 former terror convicts in a community reintegration program, head of the Central Java National and Political Unity Office Haerudin has said.
— The Jakarta Post
More than 100 pigs die of unknown cause in East Nusa Tenggara
Around 120 pigs on farms across North Central Timor regency in East Nusa Tenggara have died suddenly of unknown causes, with the number likely to rise as officials begin collecting data.
— The Jakarta Post
Helicopter service, glamping sites proposed to boost tourist experience on Mount Rinjani
Airbus Helicopters Indonesia and PT Rinjani Glamping Indonesia (RGI) are eyeing opportunities to boost the tourism experience for visitors to Mount Rinjani, one of Indonesia’s most popular hiking destinations, on Lombok Island.
— The Jakarta Post
There’s no way to boost exports: Jokowi says investment key to push economic growth
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said investment is the key to accelerating economic growth amid a slowing global economy.
— The Jakarta Post
Clean toilets, water ‘top priorities’ in improving Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness
With Indonesia scoring low in health and hygiene by international tourism standards, the government is focusing on the quality of public toilets and sanitation facilities at tourist hotspots, an official has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Bank Mandiri to pay $1.2b dividends, appoints Chatib Basri as top commissioner
Indonesia’s largest lender by assets, state-owned Bank Mandiri, announced on Wednesday a plan to distribute Rp 16.49 trillion (US$1.2 billion) as dividends to its shareholders and the appointment of former finance minister Chatib Basri as its president commissioner.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia eyes bigger role in intergovernmental antimoney laundering body
The government’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) hopes to see Indonesia obtain full membership in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) this year so it can play a bigger role in international efforts to stop illicit cross-border movements of capital.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian embassy monitors COVID-19 positive Indonesians
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that the Indonesian Embassy in Japan continues to monitor Indonesian citizens, who had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) aboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner.
— Antara News
Hundreds seek refuge in Central Java’s Pekalongan following floods
Floods, triggered by torrential rains, claimed one life and compelled 818 others to evacuate to higher ground in the Central Java city of Pekalongan on Thursday.
— Antara News
All countries compete to draw foreign investment: Jokowi
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) pointed to the competition among countries in the world, including Indonesia, to attract foreign investment to boost their economies.
— Antara News
Government plans to build 11 integrated border checkpoints in 2020
The Public Works and Housing Ministry plans to build 11 integrated border checkpoints in five provinces this year.
— Antara News
Demand drops as N95 masks priced higher amid coronavirus outbreak
The demand for N95 masks among buyers has plunged recently at medical shops in Pramuka Market, Matraman, East Jakarta, as their price spiked amid fears over the coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak.
— Antara News
Investment drives economic growth: Jokowi
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes investment is a means to spur economic growth amid the sluggish global economy.
— Antara News
Nuclear agency collects more samples in probe into irradiated area in Banten housing complex
The Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) has continued efforts to decontaminate an area exposed to high levels of radiation from radioactive Caesium-137 waste in the Batan Indah housing complex in South Tangerang, Banten.
— The Jakarta Post
Minister encourages utilizing android technology for fishery services
The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Edhy Prabowo, encouraged the strengthening of fishery services using smartphone technology, for instance, the android-based platform for fish quarantine certification.
— Antara News
Flooding hits some 100 homes in East Jakarta’s Cawang
The Ciliwing River overflowed its bank, triggering floods that swamped some 100 homes in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Thursday afternoon.
— Antara News
Former Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Appointed OVO Chief Commissioner
Visionet Internasional, the operator of leading digital payment platform OVO, has appointed former Bank Indonesia deputy governor Mirza Adityaswara as a chief commissioner.
— Jakarta Globe
Golkar Withdraws Support for Family Resilience Bill
The Golkar Party faction of the House of Representatives (DPR) said they have been caught off guard that a cadre Endang Maria Astuti proposed a draft bill on family resilience or RUU Ketahanan Keluarga.
— Tempo.co
PSI’s Works Inspired by Ahok, Says Deputy Sec-Gen
The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) deputy secretary-general, Danik Eka Rahmaningtiyas, said that a lot of her party’s works were inspired by Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP) or familiarly called Ahok.
— Tempo.co
Megawati Hopes No Party Building Political Dynasty
PDIP Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri delivered hopes that no political party in Indonesia building a dynasty, wishing them to prioritize cadres rather than family members.
— Tempo.co
Man Charged with 12 Years in Prison for Growing Marijuana
A 38 years old man was arrested by Depok Police for growing marijuana as an ornamental plant.
— Tempo.co
Feature photo Indonesia Watch
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on World Day of Social Justice, February 20.
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).
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Indonesia morning news for February 21 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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