Indonesia breaks into UNDP’s high human development category
For the first time in its history, Indonesia has made it into the United Nation’s high human development category thanks to its improved ranking in the 2018 Human Development Index (HDI).
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia Ready to Face EU Complaints to WTO
Indonesia stands ready to face a few official complaints from the European Union to the World Trade Organization, or WTO, as trade tension between the two economic powerhouses heightens.
— Jakarta Globe
Riau is one of gateways for international animal trade syndicate
Riau Province is one of the gateways for an international syndicate to smuggle endangered animals, Director of Criminal Detective Unit of the Riau Provincial Police Adjunct Senior Commissioner Andri Sudarmadi said here on Sunday.
— Antara News
27,000 Pigs in North Sumatra Die of Hog Cholera
North Sumatra’s food security and animal husbandry agency recorded 27,070 pigs in the region had died of hog cholera up to Friday, December 13.
— Tempo.co
S Korea extends $50 million to help Indonesia realize Industry 4.0
South Korea has agreed to extend US$50 million to help Indonesia realize the fourth industrial revolution known as Industry 4.0 through synergy between the Indonesian Industry Ministry and the South Korean National Research Council (NRC).
— Antara News
Minister upbeat about state budget deficit staying at 2.2 percent
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati remains buoyant of the state budget deficit in 2019 staying at its initial projected figure of 2.2 percent despite sluggish tax revenue recorded at only 72 percent of its target.
— Antara News
Two dead, 50 houses covered in mud as flash flood hits Sigi
Two died and 50 houses were left covered in mud after a flash flood hit several villages in Kulawi subdistrict in Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, on Thursday evening.
— The Jakarta Post
One law to rule them all: Government to amend thousands of articles through omnibus bills
The government has said that it will soon submit two omnibus bills to lawmakers so that the two parties can begin deliberations over them.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia Warns About Bad Side Of Chinese Investments—And Isn’t Alone
In a Bloomberg interview, Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission deputy chairman Laode Muhammad Syarif, is sounding a warning about the bad side of Chinese investments beyond its borders—the potential for corruption and economic influence.
— Forbes
Filipino coffee farmers to undergo skills training via Indonesia-backed project
Kopiko maker PT Mayora Indah Tbk and the Indonesian government will support the training of 10 Filipino coffee farmers to increase their productivity, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— Business Mirror
Wiranto Returns to Gov’t as Presidential Advisor
Retired army general Wiranto has been called back to the government by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday to serve a new role as the head of the nine-member Presidential Advisory Board, or Wantimpres.
— Jakarta Globe
The Press Up Against It in Worsening Media Climate
The press is up against it in a worsening media climate that has seriously threatened freedom of expression in Indonesia and the rest of the world.
— Jakarta Globe
Japan grants Rp3.37 billion for Indonesian schools, clinics
The Japanese government has released a grant worth Rp3.37 billion to improve education and health facilities in several Indonesian provinces including South Sumatra, Yogyakarta, West Java and Maluku.
— Antara News
Tax Revenue from 2019 DWP May Reach over Rp10bn: Jakarta
Jakarta Tourism Agency predicted that the city’s tax revenue from the Djakarta Warehouse Project or DWP music festival will reach over Rp10 billion.
— Tempo.co
Grab’s electric cars to operate in Jakarta in January 2020
Grab Indonesia President Ridzki Kramadibrata confirmed on Friday that the company will operate its electric cars and motorbikes in January 2020 in Jakarta and the neighboring cities.
— Antara News
Indonesia rejects caliphate system, vice president says
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said on Friday that Indonesia would not welcome a caliphate system because it would contradict the democratic system that had been set up by the country’s founding fathers.
— The Jakarta Post
Alleged Pakistani drug lord’s body not yet handed over to his family
The Jakarta Metropolitan Police is still waiting to hand over the body of an alleged Pakistani drug lord, identified by his initial SH, to his family, at the Kramat Jati Police Hospital, a spokesperson stated here, today.
— Antara News
Indonesia extends congratulations to British PM Boris Johnson
The Indonesian government congratulated Prime Minister Boris Johnson over his thumping victory in the British election perceived by political analysts as heralding the United Kingdom’s smooth exit from the European Union on January 31, 2020.
— Antara News
Stars Aligned for Hong Kong, Indonesia as Trade War Opens Up Opportunities for More Collaborations
The trade war between China and the United States has put Indonesia and Hong Kong in a unique position teeming with opportunities for more collaborations between businesses in the two countries.
— Jakarta Post
Indonesia’s carbon credit potential may raise bargaining power
Indonesia’s large carbon credit potentials because of its abundant natural resources including forests and mangroves can increase its bargaining power in its trade with other countries, a former Indonesian envoy has said.
— Antara News
Angkasa Pura to turn Kualanamu Airport into Aerocity
State airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II plans to develop Kualanamu International Airport compounds in North Sumatra Province into an aerocity and hub for passengers and cargoes in the western parts of Indonesia .
— Antara News
Teacher quality may hold back Nadiem’s reforms
Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim has planned four reforms in compulsory education, which try to reduce state control and give more autonomy to teachers and schools, a move that is feared to worsen the quality gap across provinces.
— The Jakarta Post
Philippine quake felt in northern Indonesia, no tsunami alert issued
Tremors of the 6.9-magnitude quake in the Philippines were strongly felt in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province on Sunday, but not potential for tsunami, the meteorology and geophysics agency said.
— Xinhua
Indonesia’s fires burned mostly abandoned and degraded land, not forests
It was large swaths of degraded and idle land, and not forested land, that accounted for much of the burned area during this year’s fire season in Indonesia, according to new findings.
— Mongabay
PLN promises no blackout during holiday season
The Indonesian State Electricity Company (PLN) promised on Friday that there will not be any blackout during the holiday season of Christmas 2019 and New Year 2020.
— Antara News
Government projects automotive industry to back national exports
The Industry Ministry has projected that the automotive industry will support the national exports by boosting its competitive edge to contribute to the country’s foreign exchange coffers.
— Antara News
Indonesia, Singapore explore potential cooperation in fisheries sector
Indonesia and Singapore explored possible collaboration in the areas of fisheries quarantine and farming, Marine and Fisheries Affairs Minister Edhy Prabowo stated.
— Antara News
Public services still beyond reach for marginalized groups in remote regions: Ombudsman
The Indonesian Ombudsman says marginalized groups and people living in remote regions are often unable to avail themselves of public services, according to a report presented in Jakarta on Thursday.
— The Jakarta Post
Freedom of religion is everyone’s fundamental right: AICHR
Freedom of religion and belief is the fundamental right of every human being, Indonesian representative for the ASEAN Intergovernment Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Yuyun Wahyuningrum said.
— Antara News
Indonesia, Japan strengthen cooperation in developing electric cars
Indonesia and Japan continue to forge cooperation in the development of automotive industry, including encouraging the accelerated development of environmentally friendly vehicles.
— Antara News
Anies’ team of aides under scrutiny over budget, performance
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s team of aides has once again come under scrutiny during 2020 city budget deliberation.
— The Jakarta Post
Erick Thohir keen to witness talented young Indonesians lead SOEs
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir expressed keenness to witness people with high talent, capability, and high-integrity among members of Indonesia’s young generation taking up positions in the board of directors in the nation’s SOEs.
— Antara News
Livestreaming the pursuit: Jakarta Police to equip officers with body cameras
Starting next week, the Jakarta Police are set to equip their patrol officers with body cameras.
— The Jakarta Post
Bangkok Bank to acquire Bank Permata from Astra, Standard Chartered for $2.67b
Thailand-based Bangkok Bank announced on Thursday that it had agreed to buy 89.1 percent of publicly listed Bank Permata for around US$2.67 billion as part of its overseas expansion.
— The Jakarta Post
Terrorist group attacks Central Sulawesi village, killing police officer
A member of the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob), First Pvt. Saiful, died on Friday in a suspected terrorist attack after Friday mass prayer at a mosque in Salubanga village in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian diaspora balks at domestic employment prospects
There is no place like home for many in the Indonesian diaspora.
— The Jakarta Post
Garuda to offer airfare discounts ahead of Christmas
National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has promised to give special airfare discounts to those traveling on several domestic routes ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday season.
— The Jakarta Post
17,910 soldiers to safeguard Christmas, New Year celebrations
A total of 17,910 personnel of the Indonesian Military (TNI) will be stationed to secure the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.
— Antara News
Jakarta begins second affordable housing project to address backlog issues
The Jakarta administration has proceeded with its second vertical housing project under the zero-rupiah down-payment scheme in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, in a bid to lower the housing backlog in the capital amid sluggish interest for the first such project.
— The Jakarta Post
North Sumatra’s immigration officials arrest fugitive
The North Sumatra immigration officials at Kualanamu International Airport apprehended an Indonesian man, identified as A, 34, on December 12 after their passport control system issued an alert as his travel documents were being checked.
— Antara News
Indonesian army seizes crystal meth smuggled from Malaysia
The Malaysia-Indonesia Border Security Task Force personnel at the XII/Tanjungpura Regional Military Command thwarted an attempt to smuggle 51 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from Malaysia on December 10, a military officer revealed.
— Antara News
Bandung brawl as residents resist ‘illegal’ evictions
Authorities in Bandung, West Java, forcefully evicted residents of Taman Sari subdistrict on Thursday, leading to a clash between security personnel and those who refused to yield to the city administration’s plan to construct rumah deret (row houses) in the area.
— The Jakarta Post
Operation of 110MW Jatigede hydropower dam delayed to 2020
State-owned electricity company PLN expects the 110 megawatt (MW) Jatigede hydropower plant in West Java to start operations in 2020, a year later than initially planned.
— The Jakarta Post
Activists call for Bandung to be stripped of human rights title
Human rights activists are urging the central government to revoke Bandung’s title of Human Rights Friendly City following the forced eviction of residents of Taman Sari subdistrict in the provincial capital of West Java on Thursday.
— The Jakarta Post
Activists, victims’ families doubt truth commission idea
It has been 21 years since Maria Catarina Sumarsih lost her son, Benardinus Realino Norma Irawan, aka Wawan, then 20 years old, who was killed during a student protest that took place in Jakarta between Nov. 11 and 13 in 1998.
— The Jakarta Post
ACT team stationed to assist Sigi flash flood victims
The Fast Action Response (ACT) deployed its team to assist victims of a flash flood that hit Sigi District of Central Sulawesi Province, ravaging dozens of houses in the region.
— Antara News
BNPB disburses Rp500 million in aid for Sigi flood victims
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has dispatched funding of Rp500 million as aid for victims of a flash flood in Sigi District, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday.
— Antara News
Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway to connect to heart of West Java capital
State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) will build a new train line to connect Kebon Kawung Station in the city of Bandung, West Java, to Tegalluar Station in Bandung regency, which will be the final station of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway that is currently under development.
— The Jakarta Post
Still we rise: 2019 sees growing fight against sexual violence
Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” poem about fighting against oppression can be interpreted as analogous to the struggles women’s right activists and survivors have faced in Indonesia throughout 2019.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian SOEs’ CSR to be focused on education and environment
Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir intends to allocate its corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund for the education and environment sectors.
— Antara News
Pencak Silat Included in Unesco’s World Intangible Heritage List
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or Unesco, included Indonesian martial art Pencak Silat into its global list of intangible heritages on Thursday.
— Jakarta Globe
Religious harmony index up but intolerance remains
An index indicating religious harmony in the country has shown an increase but officials and the public have doubted such a measure given the number of religion-related conflicts that continue to occur across the country.
— The Jakarta Post
South Sumatra welcomes holy Quran translated in Palembang language
The South Sumatra provincial administration welcomed the availability of the holy Quran translated in Palembang language since it will help local Muslims gain a broader understanding of the Quranic verses, a local government official stated.
— Antara News
Influential cleric’s son accused of rape in Jombang
The son of a prominent cleric in Jombang, East Java, has been accused of raping a female student at the Islamic boarding school where he works.
— The Jakarta Post
Viral: Fast food chains Yoshinoya and D’Cost ban in-store consumption of non-halal birthday cakes
Japanese beef bowl chain Yoshinoya and Indonesian seafood chain D’Cost have both found themselves in the middle of what might be (yet) another religious discrimination scandal in Indonesia.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Suspected child molester caught after he accidentally sent video of the crime to victim’s parents
Police in the East Java capital of Surabaya arrested a suspected child molester thanks to his own carelessness with sensitive content in his phone.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Feature photo Tazkia IIBS
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on Arabic Language Day, December 18.
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 December 16 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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