Indonesia Morning News For March 27

ADB provides $175.3m to support SERD’s geothermal project in Indonesia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $175.3m loan to PT Supreme Energy Rantau Dedap (SERD) to support development of the second phase of the company’s geothermal power project in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia.
— Renewable Energy Magazine (media release)

Indonesia’s first edible food packaging firm reveals automation plan to drive down costs
Indonesia’s first edible packaging firm, Evoware, has unveiled plans to automate and rapidly scale up production of its seaweed-based items, which will lead to a big cut in the final costs of its products.
— Food Navigator Asia

Ahok to stay in jail as Indonesia court rejects appeal
Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the Christian ex-governor of Jakarta to review his conviction for insulting Islam, a court spokesman said on Monday, so the politician will serve out his two-year sentence.
— The Edge Markets

Democracy takes a step back in Indonesia
Twenty years after the fall of president Suharto’s authoritarian regime, Indonesians are waking up to the fact that new laws which have either been passed or are under consideration threaten to erode the hard-fought concepts of freedom of speech and expression.
— Asia Times

Commentary: In Indonesia, a highly combustible political atmosphere until presidential election
The year 2018 will be an eventful year for Indonesian politics. In June 2018, 171 regional areas will simultaneously take to the polls to elect new mayors, regents and governors.
— Channel NewsAsia

Indonesia’s Feb crude palm oil fell after India import duty hike – Reuters survey
Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) exports in February are forecast to have declined from the previous month, a Reuters survey showed on Monday, as India’s import duty hike reduced demand for the vegetable oil.
— Reuters

Indonesia to cut distribution of low-octane fuel to address air quality during Asiad
Indonesian authorities have issued an official order to expand use of higher octane fuel during the upcoming Asian Games (Asiad) so as to address the air quality in cities hosting the sports event, an official at Indonesia’s oil and gas firm Pertamina said here on Monday.
— Xinhua

Indonesia`s Proven Oil Reserves Recorded at 3.3 Billion Barrels
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arcandra Tahar said Indonesia`s proven oil reserves at present are recorded at around 3.3 billion barrels.
— Tempo.co

Alfamart Set to Issue Phase II Bond of IDR1 Trillion for Loan Payment
Listed minimart franchise company Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (IDX:AMRT), also known as Alfamart, is set on issuing Bond II Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Phase II Year 2018 of IDR1 trillion. The bond will be offered publicly on April 6 and 9, 2018 and will be listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) on April 13, 2018.
— Netral News

28 Indonesian athletes to be deported from Malaysia
Twenty-eight Indonesian athletes will be deported by Malaysian authorities for not holding any immigration documents to play sports in the country.
— The Jakarta Post

Data expert shortage hurts Indonesia
DATA scientists are in high demand by companies around the world, but in Indonesia, the high demand is met with by a shortage of talent.
— The Nation

Citilink Indonesia’s new Jakarta-Penang route sets off for Asean expansion
Indonesian low-cost carrier (LCC) Citilink Indonesia has launched the new Jakarta-Penang route, marking its global expansion to serving the Asean countries.
— New Straits Times

JCI Ends Weakening 0.16 Percent, Majority Sectors Plummet
The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) was down 0.16 percent to 6,200.17 at the early week stock trading closed on Monday (3/26/2018). A total of 186 stocks rose in price, 155 weakened, and 129 other stocks did not change in price.
— Netral News

The EU’s war on palm oil
There is a trade war shaping up between ASEAN’s palm oil producing nations and the EU. The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) is lobbying the government to halt trade deal negotiations with the bloc.
— Asean Today

Pertamina to import EURO IV gasoline prior to Asiad, IMF-WB Meeting
State-owned energy giant Pertamina is set to import EURO IV gasoline to comply with the government’s mandate to boost the air quality of several regions prior to the 2018 Asian Games (Asiad) in August and the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in October.
— The Jakarta Post

Providence Equity exits investment in Indonesian telecom firm KIN
Global private equity firm Providence Equity Partners has announced that it will divest its entire stake in Indonesian telecom infrastructure firm PT Komet Infra Nusantara (KIN) to tower operator Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Protelindo).
— Deal Street Asia

Jakarta Police Launch e-Samsat, Non-cash Payment Services
The Jakarta Police Traffic Directorate has launched the Samsat Digital and non-cash payment in tandem with Bank DKI to facilitate Jakartans in paying their vehicle tax [PKB] and vehicle ownership transfer fee [BBN-KB].
— Tempo.co

Tourism Ministry to promote nomadic tourism in Indonesia
A Tourism National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) held from March 22 to 23 by the Tourism Ministry has led to the proposal of nomadic tourism.
— The Jakarta Post

Tourist Attraction in Indonesia Rips Off Chris Burden, Yayoi Kusama, and Museum of Ice Cream
A new tourism park in Indonesia aiming to be a destination for selfies is under fire for its attractions that copy widely recognized contemporary artworks.
— Hyperallergic

Transportation body wants ERP applied to cars entering Jakarta
Transportation authorities are mulling over charging private cars entering Jakarta as part of an attempt to ease traffic gridlock.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia Pasta and Noodles Market Production, Demand, Supply and Price Analysis 2018
Indonesia Pasta and Noodles Market Research Reports 2018 to 2020 tracks the major market events including product launches, technological developments, mergers & acquisitions, and the innovative business strategies opted by key market players.
— Truth Today

Indonesian to ride motorbike from Jakarta to London
Stephen Langitan has set out on an adventure to travel 30,000 kilometers from Jakarta to London using only a motorbike.
— The Jakarta Post

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 March 27 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on March 27, 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.