Indonesia Morning News For April 3

Supporting Tourism Sector in NTT, Village Ministry Prepares IDR2.4 Bln for Homestay, Facilities
The Ministry of Village, Development of Underdeveloped Regions, and Transmigration (Kemendes PDTT) together with the Government of Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara plans to develop Mules Island as a leading tourist destination.
— Netral News

Tourist arrivals up 9.12 percent in February
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has announced that foreign tourist arrivals in February reached 1.2 million, or 9.12 percent higher than 1.10 million arrivals in January.
— The Jakarta Post

PLN to get additional LNG supply of 2.85m tons from Tangguh plant
State-owned electricity firm PLN is set to get an additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply of 2.85 million tons per year once the Train 3 of the Tangguh LNG plant in West Papua begins commercial production in the second quarter of 2020.
— The Jakarta Post

Borneo oil spill: Fishermen and environmentalists concerned over spread of slick
An Indonesian oil company has denied responsibility for a major oil slick off the coast of Borneo, which appears to be spreading and contaminating new stretches of coastline and local fisheries.
— ABC News

Indonesia says Go-Jek needs to register as transport businesses
Indonesia is making it mandatory for Go-Jek and Grab to register as transport companies within two months to ensure they meet safety requirements as a public transport provider, potentially increasing costs and scrutiny of the ride-hailing firms.
— The Express Tribune

Indonesia threatens to shut down Facebook
An Indonesian cabinet member has threatened to shut down Facebook if there is any evidence the personal data of citizens is being harvested or the social media giant fails to crack down on “fake news” during upcoming elections.
— The Sydney Morning Herald

Consumer Price Index Indonesia: Inflation at 0.20% in March 2018
Indonesia’s Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that the nation’s headline inflation rose 0.20 percent month-to-month (m/m) in March 2018 especially due to a rise in prices of fuel and spices.
— Indonesia Investments (media release)

JCI Ends Strengthening 0.8 Percent to 6,240, Majority Sectors Rise
The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) was up 51.5 points (+0.8 percent) to 6,240.5 in trading closed on Monday (4/2/2018). A total of 216 shares rose in price, 160 stocks fell, and 110 other stocks did not change in price.
— Netral News

BPS: March 2018 Inflation Edges up to 0.20 Percent
Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded inflation rate in March 2018 reached 0.20 percent. However, compared to February 2017, the realization of inflation is still experiencing a slight jump by approximately 0.17 percent.
— Netral News

Indonesian palm oil farmers may get US$2-billion boost
Nearly US$2 billion could be diverted from a fund that supports palm oil companies in Indonesia and used instead to improve the lot of palm farmers.
— UCA News (media release)

Pertamina barred from reducing subsidized fuel supply
The government has prohibited state-owned energy company Pertamina from reducing the supply of subsidized transportation fuel, particularly gasoline of the Premium brand.
— The Jakarta Post

BI Grants Registration for 15 Fintechs
Bank of Indonesia (BI) has granted the registration of payment system for 15 technology-based financial services providers (Fintech).
— Tempo.co

Indonesia’s Widodo backtracks on fuel aid as elections near
Indonesian President Joko Widodo plans to raise diesel subsidies amid worries that higher fuel costs threaten his bid for re-election next year, backtracking on a policy to cut aid and allocate funds to more productive projects.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)

Indonesia to build world’s biggest tidal power plant
Dutch consortium Tidal Bridge BV is set to construct the world’s biggest tidal power plant in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), along with a floating bridge, a project that is expected to cost US$200 million in its initial phase.
— The Jakarta Post

BI Signals to Maintain Benchmark Rate
Bank Indonesia (BI) said it will not give room to re-lower the benchmark interest rate or 7-day Reverse Repo Rate which is currently at the level of 4.25 percent. Although globally interest rates tend to rise, in the near future BI also ensures not to follow the trend by also raising the benchmark rate.
— Netral News

Indonesian headline inflation accelerates in March, Bank Indonesia likely to maintain neutral stance in 2018
Indonesian headline inflation accelerated in the month of March. All items saw higher prices over the month, led by expected gains in food and transport costs.
— EconoTimes

Indonesia may need extra 1,1 mln tonnes of raw sugar imports
Indonesia may need to import 1,1 million tonnes of raw sugar for household consumption in 2018 to avoid shortages, said Musdalifah Machmud, an official at the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs.
— UkrAgro Consult

Feature photo Jean-Marie Hullot

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).

Indonesia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Indonesia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities and is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Indonesia Morning News For April 3 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on April 3, 2018
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.