Indonesia Morning News For September 15

ADB to Provide Indonesia’s Energy Sector with Over $1 Billion in Loans
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors on September 14 approved two loans totaling up to $1.1 billion to strengthen and diversify Indonesia’s energy sector — considered key to promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development in the country.
— The Financial

Widodo rides a popular populist wave
President Widodo’s approval rating stands at 68.3% in the latest Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) poll, despite policies that disturb the business community and point the country in the direction of more state and bureaucratic control.
— Asia Times

Indonesia raises alert level for Bali volcano
Indonesia has raised the alert level for the Mount Agung volcano on the tourist island of Bali following an increase in volcanic and tectonic activity.
— Inquirer.net

Indonesia stations PC-40 class boat in North Sulawesi port as Islamic State militants flee Marawi
The vessel, KRI Tatihu , has been deployed to support other government vessels, including those from the Indonesian Coast Guard, currently on patrol in the wider Celebes Sea
— Jane’s 360

Rohingya aid from India, Morocco, Indonesia arrives
Two Indonesian flights carrying aids for the Rohingya refugees arrived at Chittagong’s Shah Amanat International Airport, carrying 4.5 tonnes of big tents (10 pieces) and 2.5 tonnes of blankets (5,000 pieces), while another flight carried 10 tonnes of rice and one tonne of sugar.
— The Daily Star

Indonesia taps former Bank Mandiri chief as mining boss
Budi Sadikin to prepare to transform Inalum into state-owned holding company
— Nikkei Asian Review

Indonesia Coal Pricing One Issue Under Review in Lower Power Tariffs Push: Minister
Indonesia’s energy minister said that revisions to domestic coal pricing were one of several measures being considered in efforts to reduce electricity tariffs charged by state power utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).
— Jakarta Globe

Indonesia Ranks Third in Utilization of Geothermal Energy
The optimism of this projection is based on the state of the geothermal industry in the Philippines that will soon reach its maximum potential. While in the United States, the development of geothermal-based plants is stagnant due to lack of new exploration incentives.
— Netral News

Govt to Simplify Permit Application for Developers in Regions
The government through the Home Affairs Ministry will streamline the permit application process for property developers in a bid to develop regions across the country.
— Tempo (EN)

Indonesia’s August motorbike sales grow 5.2 pct y/y
Sales surged 76.4 percent in July from a year-ago period, rebounding from a
fall in the previous month, and the strongest increase in many years.
— Reuters

Golden Agri-Resources JV opens 200 kilotonne oleochemicals plant in Indonesia
The plant is owned by Sinar Mas Cepsa, a joint venture between Golden Agri, the palm oil unit of Indonesia’s Sinar Mas group, and Spain-based oil and gas group Cepsa, and it represents a 300 million euro (S$484 million) investment from its owners.
— Business Times

Indonesia: Co-working chain EV Hive raises $3.5m in Insignia Ventures-led pre-Series A
EV Hive claims to be Indonesia’s largest co-working space operator, with a network of seven locations and a pipeline of nine other locations under construction.
— Deal Street Asia

Sonoro sees Indonesia spud this month
Canadian operator sets sights on spudding onshore appraisal well in West Sulawesi within weeks
— Upstream Online

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta to make its sidewalks more ‘high-heel friendly’
The administration, through the Bina Marga road agency, will develop 80km of the city’s sidewalks and allocating 412 billion rupiah (S$42 million) from the city budget for the development.
— Straits Times

Journalist faces defamation probe over Indonesia’s treatment of West Papua posting
Journalist and documentary filmmaker Dandhy Dwi Laksono wrote on Facebook that Megawati and Suu Kyi were alike in many ways, noting that both were former opposition leaders who now head the ruling parties in their respective countries.
— Asia Pacific Report

Deal inked with Indonesia for modernisation of train service
Bangladesh Railway today signed a deal with an Indonesian company to procure 200 meter gauge passenger coaches to provide modern, safe and comfortable passenger service.
— The Daily Star

Indonesia’s IT Ministry threatens to block gaming platform Steam over controversial ‘Fight of Gods’ video game
Indonesia’s IT Ministry has issued a warning to PC gaming platform Steam to remove a controversial game called Fight of Gods, which features Zeus, Moses, and Jesus together brawling it out Street Fighter-style.
— Coconuts

Indonesia to get pandas from China
Indonesia is set to receive two giant pandas from China next week, a gesture now widely known as “panda diplomacy” and symbolising Beijing’s close relations with the country receiving the bears.
— Straits Times

Minister Luhut Criticized in Indonesia – Singapore Gas Deal
According to economist Faisal Basri, Minister Luhut had effectively taken over the role of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and is not in accordance with his post.
— Tempo (EN)

Non-cash toll will affect 10,000 workers in Jakarta
The implementation of e-payment systems at tollgates has met resistance from worker unions, as the system will affect some 20,000 workers, half of whom are in Jakarta, who stand to lose their jobs.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia aims to be corn exporter by 2020
Corn production in 2016 was said to be 23.5 million tonnes, while this year production is expected to reach 24.5 million tonnes. The national demand is estimated at 19 million tonnes.
— UkrAgroConsult

Nokia’s Android smartphones launched in Indonesia
The lowest model of the three, Nokia 3, reportedly priced at Rp 1,899,000 (US$143), boasts 5-inch display, Mediatek MT6737 chipset, quad-core 1.3GHz CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 1630 mAh battery and 8-megapixel front- and back-facing cameras.
— The Jakarta Post

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