Doomed Lion Air jet was ‘not airworthy’ on penultimate flight
A Lion Air jet that crashed into the sea off Indonesia last month was not in an airworthy condition on its second-to-last flight, when pilots experienced similar problems to those on its doomed last journey, investigators said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
2019 draft city budget to be set at Rp 89 trillion
The Jakarta Council budget committee (Banggar) has agreed to set the 2019 draft city budget at Rp 89 trillion (US$6.13 million), after it was estimated that there would be a Rp 16 trillion deficit.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia plans to earn 83.5 bln USD from creative economy next year
Creative economy sector was targeted to contribute some 1,211 trillion rupiah (about 83.5 billion U.S. dollars) to the nation’s GDP next year, higher than the previous years, an Indonesian official said on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
Indonesia’s Digital Economy To Become Largest In ASEAN By 2025
The annual “e-Conomy Southeast Asia” study conducted by Google and Singapore’s state holding company Temasek found that Indonesia’s digital economy is poised to become the largest in Southeast Asia after its market volume will have almost quadrupled to $100 billion by 2025 from $27 billion in 2018.
— Investvine
Bali ranks 4th among TripAdvisor’s top 25 global destinations
Travel site TripAdvisor ranks Bali in fourth place in the site’s Top 25 Destination – World 2018 list.
— The Jakarta Post
Jakarta plans to ban single-use plastic bags
The Jakarta Administration is currently drafting a gubernatorial regulation that will ban single-use plastic bags.
— The Jakarta Post
A New Beginning for Tourism in East Indonesia
On Saturday, September 15, 2018, AYANA Hotels celebrated the grand opening of AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach; the first five-star resort to launch on the dreamy island of Flores.
— AEC News Today/ PRNewswire
Minister Seeks to Justify Easing of Foreign Ownership Restrictions Amid Business Outcry
The government’s announcement last week of a plan to relax restrictions on foreign direct investment in several sectors of the Indonesian economy drew fire from the business community over concerns that it will threaten micro, small and medium enterprises and give foreigners too much control over some of the nation’s vital industries.
— Jakarta Globe
KPK to auction 18 properties of Djoko Susilo
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will auction 18 properties owned by former chief of Traffic Corps (Korlantas) Inspector General Djoko Susilo after a permanent decision in the SIM simulator case and money laundering.
— Antara News
Indonesian govt to refund Pertamina up to $1.3 bln for fuel sales costs
Indonesia’s government will compensate state energy firm Pertamina up to $1.3 billion for fuel sales costs in 2017 in addition to subsidies, for keeping domestic prices steady, a senior Pertamina official said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
Prabowo-Sandiaga Team Announce Campaign Fund
Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno team announced it has received Rp41.9 billion of funds for the 2019 presidential election campaign.
— Tempo.co
KNKT Issues 2 Recommendations Following Lion Air Crash
National Transportation Safety Commission (KNKT) issued two recommendations following the deadly crash of Lion Air flight JT610 on October 29.
— Tempo.co
KNKT Forbid Investigation Data Used in Lawsuit against Boeing
The National Transportation Safety Commission or KNKT forbids the use of its investigative reports and data as evidence or basis in courts.
— Tempo.co
Only 6.5 Percent Coral Reefs in Indonesia are Healthy: LIPI
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) revealed an astonishing fact about Indonesia`s coral reef following an extensive study at around 1,067 locations across Indonesia.
— Tempo.co
Pertamina allocates US$5.5bn for capex in 2019
State energy holding company Pertamina has allocated US$5.5 billion for its capital expenditure (capex) in 2019, 37.5 percent higher than this year’s capex of $4 billion
— The Jakarta Post
Lion Air Crash; KNKT to Further Study Recovered AoA Unit
KNKT is set to investigate the allegedly faulty angle of attack (AoA) sensor in the ill-fated Lion Air plane.
— Tempo.co
Wild animals flee to Karo hamlet from deforested Bukit Barisan
Residents living near Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, have seen a rise in the number of orangutans and other wild animals that have entered their villages in the past few months, ever since the mountain started to show a decrease in volcanic activity.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia scraps tax charge for foreign yachts
The Indonesian government decided to scrap tax for foreign yachts, aimed at tapping the highly potential visits of foreign yachts, a senior minister said on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
News Feature – Mangrove forests in Bombana need preservation by otniel tamindael
The mangrove forests scattered in Bombana District, Southeast Sulawesi Province, need to be preserved as a habitat for fish, shrimp, and crabs, as well as ecotourism areas.
— Antara News
Indonesia to hold world’s biggest ornamental fish exhibition
Indonesia will hold the largest ornamental fish exhibition and contest in the world, called Nusatic 2018, in South Tangerang, Banten.
— Antara News
Babel launches halal tourist destination
The Provincial Administration of Bangka Belitung (Babel) Islands has launched halal tourism destination as an effort to attract domestic and foreign tourists visiting the province.
— Antara News
Indonesian app that allows users to report ‘misguided’ religious beliefs criticised by human rights groups
Human rights groups have warned about a newly launched mobile phone application which allows members of the Indonesian public to report religious beliefs they consider “misguided”.
— The Independent UK
Indonesia to regulate digital gold transaction by the end of the year
With the goal to protect consumers from the risks of digital gold transaction, the Indonesian supervisory body for futures commodity trade (Bappebti) is preparing a set of regulations that is due to be finalised by the end of the year.
— e27
10,000 tons of waste litters Pari Island
Up to 10 cubic meters of waste weighing 10,000 tons, mostly comprising plastic and driftwood, was found littering the beaches on Pari Island in Thousand Islands regency on Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
11.11 Alibaba Promo Boosts Indonesia`s Consumer Goods Imports
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said Indonesia experienced a sudden increase in consumer goods import this year.
— Tempo.co
Workers in India and Indonesia feel more career optimism than others in Asia-Pacific
People in Indonesia and India are more confident about their career prospects than workers in any other major economy in Asia Pacific.
— CNBC
What Indonesia can do to replicate startup success in Singapore or Silicon Valley
Indonesia’s startups are gaining serious traction among international investors, positioning the country’s ecosystem to become Southeast Asia’s dominant destination.
— Tech in Asia
Iran Exports to Indonesia Exceed $400 Million
ran exported more than $400 million worth of goods to Indonesia during the first seven months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Oct. 22), indicating a 43% increase compared with the similar period of last year.
— Financial Tribune
Firebrand cleric Habib Bahar Smith reported to police for alleged sexist, transphobic remarks about Jokowi during sermon
Habib Bahar bin Ali bin Smith, popularly known as Habib Bahar Smith or Habib Bule, has been reported to the Jakarta Metro Police for defaming President Joko Widodo through some very troubling remarks the firebrand cleric made about the Indonesia’s leader in a sermon, videos of which went viral recently.
— Coconuts Jakarta (paywall)
In Lion Air crash, black box data reveals pilots’ struggle to regain control
Data from the jetliner that crashed into the Java Sea last month shows that the pilots fought to save the plane almost from the moment it took off, as the Boeing 737’s nose was repeatedly forced down, apparently by an automatic system receiving incorrect sensor readings.
— The Straits Times
South Jakarta court judge, employee arrested for alleged bribery
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has apprehended a judge and other court clerks in South Jakarta for alleged bribery.
— The Jakarta Post
Sacks of sand prepared to prevent tidal floods in North Jakarta
As many as 1,600 sacks of sands have been stacked along the edges of the Kaliadem dock in North Jakarta to anticipate tidal floods coming from the sea.
— The Jakarta Post
Flight control problems reported before Lion Air crash: investigators
A pilot of a doomed Lion Air jet told air traffic control that the plane was experiencing a “flight control problem” shortly before it crashed into the Java Sea last month, Indonesian investigators said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
Sakura in Surabaya (sorta): Blossoming trumpet trees add Japanese elegance to E. Java’s capital
Mayor Tri Rismaharini’s program to line Surabaya’s main streets with golden trumpet trees has grown into something gorgeous.
— Coconuts Jakarta (paywall)
Police monitoring terrorist sleeper cells in Indonesia in lead up to Christmas and NYE
The Indonesian National Police says it’s taking preventative measures to prevent terrorist attacks during the upcoming festive season.
— Coconuts Jakarta (paywall)
Depok’s heritage preserved through 360 degree lense
he University of Indonesia’s community service team recently initiated a program aimed at preserving heritage buildings in Depok, West Java, popularly known as Old Depok. They are using virtual reality and 360-degree cameras to record and exhibit the history of the old buildings.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia safety agency recommends Lion Air improve safety culture
The Lion Air plane that crashed just minutes after take-off last month should have been grounded after experiencing “serious problems” on its penultimate flight from Bali to Jakarta, said Indonesia’s National Transport Safety Committee (KNKT).
— The Straits Times
Jokowi wants fewer regulations for a quick-thinking government
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo once again warned ministers and local government leaders on Tuesday not to excessively issue regulations.
— The Jakarta Post
Divided over Indonesian removal of levy on palm oil exports
An Indonesian government decision to lower the levy on crude palm oil (CPO) exports to zero would remove incentives for local refiners, a palm industry refiner body said on Tuesday.
— The Star Online
Ciliwung River shows signs of improvement: Ministry
The Ciliwung River, the main river in the capital, has improved in terms of water quality, according to Environment and Forestry Ministry research into 221 spots in the river.
— The Jakarta Post
Yogya Airport Raises Safety Alert over Extreme Weather
Heavy downpours near the Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta over the last few days prompted airport authorities to anticipate possible dangers.
— Tempo.co
PSSI Pressed to Investigate Alleged Liga Indonesia Match Fixing
Asprov PSSI Chairman Tommy Apriantono called for central PSSI to investigate an alleged match-fixing at the Liga Indonesia competition.
— Tempo.co
Feature photo MINANEWS.NET
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, November 29.
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.

Stella-maris Ewudolu
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.

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