Indonesia Eyes Biggest Deficit in Three Decades as the Country Sets to Cut Corporate Income Tax
The Finance Ministry has projected the government to post its biggest deficit in at least three decades this year as a combined result of shrinking state revenues, including from the corporate income tax cut, and the government’s continuing efforts in providing stimulus to businesses coping with a prolonged impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia reports 486 new coronavirus infections, 30 deaths
Indonesia reported on Tuesday 486 new coronavirus infections, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 18,496, the country’s COVID-19 task force reported on its official website.
— Reuters
Endangered Sumatran tiger found dead, ensnared in Riau
A critically endangered Sumatran tiger was found dead in a conservation area in the Siak administrative region of Riau on Monday with one of its legs caught in a wire trap.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia seeks clarity as pandemic threatens Hajj
Indonesia on Tuesday urged Saudi Arabia to announce a final decision and end speculation on whether the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage will be canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
— Anadolu Agency
Indonesians least likely to use hand sanitizer among ASEAN peers: YouGov survey
Indonesians are less likely to use hand sanitizer compared to citizens of other Southeast Asian countries, according to a recent survey by global public opinion and data company YouGov and Imperial College London.
— The Jakarta Post
Jakarta Extends Large-Scale Social Restriction Until June 4
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan confirmed on Tuesday that the large-scale social restriction, or PSBB, in Jakarta will be extended until June 4 to contain the spread of coronavirus.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia Surprises by Holding Key Rate Amid Volatile Market
Indonesia’s central bank unexpectedly left its key interest rate unchanged for a second month to bolster the currency in the face of a flagging economy and volatile financial markets.
— Bloomberg
Mass Idul Fitri prayers against law, govt says
Mass Idul Fitri prayers, such as those in mosques or public squares, are currently prohibited by public health laws, Coordinating Legal, Political and Human Rights Minister Mahfud MD said on Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
More than 100,000 citizens return to Indonesia, 591 test positive for COVID-19
A total of 132,978 Indonesian citizens abroad — consisting of crew members, migrant workers and students — had arrived in the country as of Monday, the national COVID-19 task force has said. Of those, 591 had tested positive for COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post
Mahfud Md Asserts Ban on Mass Eid Prayer during Pandemic
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md asserted the government’s policy stating that religious activities leading to mass gatherings such as Eid al-Fitr prayer in mosques or fields are prohibited during the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Tempo.co
Gov’t to Use Pandemic Reproduction Number to Evaluate Reopening of the Economy
The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs is formulating a scoring system to determine if a region is ready for reopening under the coronavirus pandemic.
— Jakarta Globe
Jakarta Ombudsman: Soekarno-Hatta May Cause New Covid-19 Outbreak
The Ombudsman of Jakarta said that the Soekarno-Hatta Airport has great potential to become a new cluster for coronavirus spread in Indonesia; and a source for new outbreaks.
— Tempo.co
4,324 patients recover from COVID-19: spokesperson
As many as 195 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in Indonesia on Monday, taking the total count of recoveries to 4,324, government spokesperson for the handling of COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto, said.
— Antara News
Indonesia exploring options to ease social restrictions
The government is using research and surveys to explore ways to ease its large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), an official has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Pre-Employment Card Program officially logs 680 thousand enrollments
Some 680 thousand are currently listed for the Pre-Employment Card Program, a cumulative figure of three terms since mid-April, with the forth term opening shortly, Denni P. Purbasari, program’s management’s executive director, stated here, Tuesday.
— Antara News
Minister: May 25 Not Time for SOE Employees to Return to Office
Minister of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Erick Thohir, has claimed that there is a public misconception, resulting from the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises’ circular number S-336 / MBU / 05/2020 dated May 15, 2020.
— Tempo.co
President Jokowi Grieves Over Death of COVID-19 Health Workers
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday went on Instagram to convey his deepest condolences for the deaths of each and every health worker in the frontline battle to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co
In Indonesia’s new rice plan, experts see the blueprint of an epic past failure
Nyoman Suryadiputra says he still vividly remembers the time he traveled deep into the heart of the lush tropical peat forests of Indonesian Borneo in 1996 to document an ambitious agricultural project.
— Mongabay
Indonesian Smartphone Market Takes Huge Hit From Pandemic
According to the latest data from market research firm International Data Corporation, or IDC, smartphone shipment to Indonesia reached 7.5 million units in the first quarter of 2020, down 24.1 percent from the previous quarter.
— Jakarta Globe
A Call for Help: Refugees Risk Catching Covid-19 in Overcrowded Shelters
Last Friday, a refugee living in a shelter run by the International Organization of Migration, or IMO, in Makassar, tested positive for Covid-19. Since then, as many as four other refugees are also suspected of having the virus.
— Jakarta Globe
Istiqlal Mosque Confirms No Eid Al-Fitr Prayers This Year
Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, will not hold the Eid al-Fitr Prayers this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Tempo.co
President stresses on swift synchronization of aid recipient data
President Joko Widodo urged ministries to promptly synchronize data on recipients of the central government’s village funds-sourced cash social assistance and direct cash transfer (BLT) to data in neighborhood units (RT) and community units (RW).
— Antara News
Pandemic; Bali Economy among Indonesia’s Worst-hit
The cancelations of numerous travel plans as well as meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) events in Bali hit the island’s economy.
— Tempo.co
Jakarta registers 6,010 confirmed coronavirus cases until May 18
The Jakarta Health Office revealed that Jakarta had recorded 6,010 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Monday (May 18), with 1,301 people recovering and 483 other virus deaths.
— Antara News
22-month old baby in N. Sulawesi may be Indonesia’s youngest COVID-19 related death
A 22-month-old baby boy who tested positive for COVID-19 has died in Manado, North Sulawesi, the province’s COVID-19 task force announced on Monday.
— The Jakarta Post
China’s Robocop-esque Surveillance Helmet Used to Fight COVID-19
Riau Police spokesperson Grand Commissioner Sunarto on Tuesday announced the use of ‘smart helmets’ able to let police personnel detect a person’s body temperature aptly dubbed the Robocop N901, which is imported from a company in Shenzen, China.
— Tempo.co
Leading up to Eid, More Markets Found in Violation of PSBB
Chief of the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), Arifin, has admitted that numerous violations have occurred against the Large Scale Social Distancing Restriction (PSBB) policy throughout the week leading to Eid al-Fitr, known also as Lebaran.
— Tempo.co
Bandung extends PSBB until May 29 over persistent high risk
The Bandung city government in West Java took the decision to extend the period of applying large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) until May 29, as the city remains at high risk of further spread of COVID-19.
— Antara News
OJK Asks Banks to Take 4 Steps to Curb Covid-19 Impacts
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) asked the banking sector to mitigate and contain the impact of Covid-19 on the industry.
— Tempo.co
Ahmad Yani Airport Eases Restrictions, Reopens Flight to Malaysia
The Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang City is reportedly opening AirAsia international flights to and from Kuala Lumpur within the period of May 18 – May 23.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia wholly backs sustainable funding of CTI CFF amid COVID-19
The Indonesian government lends its full support to the sustainable funding of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI CFF) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Antara News
Government accused of undermining rule of law in JKN premium hike
After being criticized for undermining the rule of law in a series of COVID-19 pandemic response policies, the government is under scrutiny once again for reviving a national health insurance (JKN) premium hike after it was annulled by the Supreme Court.
— The Jakarta Post
Pregnant nurse suspected of having COVID-19 dies in Surabaya hospital
A four-month pregnant nurse suspected of having COVID-19 in Surabaya, East Java, died on Monday after receiving treatment at two different hospitals, officials reported.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia committed to continually supporting Palestine despite corona
The Indonesian government and people remain committed to extending continued support to Palestine despite the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Jordan.
— Antara News
Indonesian coal miners suffer impact from India’s lockdown
Indonesian coal miners are struggling with slow demand this year as businesses in India, one of the country’s major coal markets, hit the brakes due to a prolonged lockdown to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, a data firm has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Jakarta builds COVID-19 satellite laboratory for diagnostic procedures
The Jakarta provincial government has built a COVID-19 satellite laboratory under the endeavors to boost the capacity of COVID-19 testing through rapid test and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.
— Antara News
Indonesia’s clean energy program faces setback, ETI ranking plunges
Indonesia’s readiness to shift toward a clean energy economy took another step back last year because of fossil fuel subsidies and faces a monumental hurdle this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia Port Corporation readies scenario for navigating new normal
Indonesia Port Corporation (IPC) is currently preparing a scenario to better navigate through the new normal in terms of the work and operational environment at ports nationwide amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
— Antara News
Kresna Life Insurance prepares scheme to pay policyholders
Privately-owned insurer PT Asuransi Jiwa Kresna (Kresna Life Insurance) is preparing a scheme to pay out its policyholders, as the company reels from the impact of COVID-19 on its finances.
— The Jakarta Post
Balinese Kecak dancers artfully disseminate information on COVID-19
Nine Kecak dancers from the Yeh Gangga Traditional Village, Tabanan District, Bali, drew the community’s attention to the COVID-19 preventive measures to alleviate public anxiety and innovatively raise awareness during this pandemic, an official stated.
— Antara News
Ganjar: Let’s Make Peace with Covid-19
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo called on the public to start making peace with the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, President Jokowi made a similar appeal.
— Tempo.co
Feature photo Swiss Beekeeping for Development
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on World Bee Day, May 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 May 20 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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