African swine fever kills 30,000 pigs in Indonesia’s North Sumatra
Nearly 30,000 pigs have died from African swine fever (ASF) in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province as of Dec. 15, causing millions of dollars of economic losses as authorities try to quarantine the areas affected, officials said on Wednesday.
— CNA
Indonesia delays submission of sweeping tax bill to parliament to January
The Indonesian government has delayed the handover of a sweeping tax bill to parliament until January, a month behind its earlier target, an official said on Wednesday (Dec 18).
— CNA
Silent on Uighurs, Leading Indonesian Clerics Deny Report of Chinese Influence
Indonesia’s top Muslim clerical organization has dismissed a Wall Street Journal report that local Muslim organizations had received donations, financial support and other forms of assistance in return for keeping quiet about China’s treatment of its Uighurs.
— VOA News
3,622 natural disasters occurred in 2019: BNPB
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has recorded 3,622 natural disasters across the country this year.
— The Jakarta Post
Rupiah Climbs to Trade Slightly Under 14,000 Per US$
The rupiah’s interbank currency in Jakarta managed to stay below Rp14.000 per US dollar. On Wednesday’s trade, December 18, the rupiah closed up 9bps or 0.06 percent to trade for Rp13,988 per US dollar.
— Tempo.co
Govt: Changing National Exam into Assessment Is Not a Trial
Head of Research and Development Agency at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Totok Suprayitno, asserted that the replacement of the national examination or UN (Ujian Nasional) is not an experimental program.
— Tempo.co
Customs Destroyed Rp15bn of Illegal Imported Goods
The Trade Ministry and the Finance Ministry’s Customs and Excise Directorate General destroyed illegal and ineligible imported goods on Wednesday, December 17.
— Tempo.co
Indonesians to pay higher Schengen visa fees next year
Indonesian citizens will be required to pay a higher fee when applying for a Schengen visa starting Feb. 2, 2020.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia faces backlash over baby lobster export ban
A proposal by Indonesia’s new fisheries minister to remove a cap on exporting baby lobsters has come under fire, with critics saying it could deplete stocks around the archipelago and boost the fishing industry in competitor countries.
— CNA
Indonesian volcano debris litters seabed after tsunami: Study
Huge chunks of an Indonesian volcano litter the seabed after its eruption and subsequent collapse last year sparked a deadly tsunami, according to new research.
— CNA
Chinese equipment giant signs $8.5b LOI on Palu SEZ project
A major Chinese state-owned company has recently invested Rp 120 trillion (US$8.5 billion) in a factory development project in the Palu Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia must move beyond GDP to assess welfare, equality: Economists
Indonesia needs to move beyond the gross domestic product (GDP) as the tool for measuring the nation’s prosperity, as the indicator fails when it comes to assessing welfare and inequality, economists have said.
— The Jakarta Post
Government, businesspeople hope omnibus bills passed by April
The government wants the discussions in the legislature over the drafts of the first two omnibus bills to start by mid-January so they can be passed into law by April.
— The Jakarta Post
Deputy Minister endorses efforts to optimize state assets
Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara has pushed for efforts to augment state assets in the form of property, including buildings, in order to sustain the Indonesian economy in the midst of the rising global turmoil.
— Antara News
Indonesian businessman, companies charged for breaking US sanctions on Iran
An Indonesian businessman and three Indonesia-based companies have been charged by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia with violating US sanctions against Iran by exporting US-origin goods to the Tehran-based Mahan airline.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia Parades 6 Foreigners Arrested for Drugs on Bali
Indonesian authorities said Wednesday that they have arrested six foreigners for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs onto the tourist island of Bali.
— The New York Times
Casino Royale: Regional Heads Caught With Overseas Gambling Accounts
Indonesian officials are taken aback by the revelation that several regional heads own high roller-level accounts in casinos abroad, raising suspicions that the accounts might have been used for money laundering.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesian Vice President calls off plan to attend KL Summit
Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has abandoned his plan to attend the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Summit 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Dec 18-21 on health grounds, a spokesman stated.
— Antara News
Trade Ministry reexamines lowering limit of e-commerce import tax
The Ministry of Trade is presently reevaluating the lowering limit of import tax for commodities bought through e-commerce transactions that is now in force only for products valued at US$75 or higher.
— Antara News
Russian Embassy makes preparations for Putin’s Indonesia visit in 2020
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Jakarta is presently prepping to welcome its leader, President Vladimir Putin, who plans to embark on an official visit to Indonesia by 2020.
— Antara News
‘Vicious devil’ of diesel subsidies hinders Indonesia’s renewable energy development
The year 2019 has justified all the skepticism about Indonesia’s decarbonization efforts with progress remaining slow as the government continues to provide subsidies for dirty fuel.
— The Jakarta Post
Authorities seize smuggled supercars, luxury motorcycles worth Rp 21b
The Finance Ministry revealed on Tuesday a number of attempts to smuggle dozens of luxury cars and motorcycles worth at least Rp 21 billion (US$1.5 million) into the country through the Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta over the last three years.
— The Jakarta Post
Hanura in High-Profile Feud as Wiranto Urges Chairman to Step Down
The People’s Conscience Party, or Hanura, who was left without a House of Representatives seat after April’s election, was dealt another blow on Wednesday as founder Wiranto accused current chairman Oesman Sapta Odang of breaching the party line and urged him to give up his leadership.
— Jakarta Globe
Government wants more SMEs to go public
The government is encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to offer their shares to the public through the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).
— The Jakarta Post
President Jokowi warns against ‘sweeping’ raids during Christmas and New Year’s Eve
President Joko Widodo has issued a stern warning against those thinking of carrying out religiously-motivated raids during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, reminding the nation to uphold religious tolerance.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Infrastructure development of next capital city to start in mid-2020
The development of infrastructure in Indonesia’s next capital city will start in mid-2020, pending the detailed design of the construction expected to be ready within six months, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.
— Antara News
Great Giant Pineapple exports 17,000 containers of canned commodity
Indonesian company Great Giant Pineapple exported 17 thousand containers of canned pineapple to several nations during 2019.
— Antara News
Jokowi Eyes Bogor Reservoirs as Jakarta’s Flood Mitigation
President Jokowi responded to yesterday’s floods across several Jakarta areas and maintained that the government is finalizing the construction of a reservoir in the area of Bogor.
— Tempo.co
Jakarta floods subsided ‘within 25 minutes,’ sewage system capable of handling heavy rain: official
Yesterday, Jakarta saw the worst floods to hit the capital since the last rainy season, but officials say that they subsided quickly and the city is not at risk of prolonged rain water overflow.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Government short on detail about ‘other options’ for rescuing Jiwasraya
The government is exploring a number of options to save state-owned insurer Asuransi Jiwasraya, which has been facing a liquidity problem since it failed to meet Rp 802 billion (US$54.14 million) in maturity payments.
— The Jakarta Post
Pertamina’s strategic gas project in East Java almost 50 percent complete
The development of the Jambaran Tiung Biru gas project in the Cepu Block, East Java, was 47.3 percent complete as of November, the project’s operator, Pertamina EP Cepu (PEPC), said.
— The Jakarta Post
KPK commissioners bid farewell amid setbacks, defeats
Members of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) bid a rather somber farewell on Tuesday, recalling their achievements and acknowledging, with some bitterness, major setbacks and controversies hampering the antigraft agency over the last four years.
— The Jakarta Post
Jokowi to coordinate Papuan development under one body – just like SBY
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration plans to coordinate Papuan development programs under one body – following the path of his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
— The Jakarta Post
KCI takes baby steps to greener rail services
PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI), the operator of Jakarta’s Commuter Line rail service, introduced its Go Green program to the public on Tuesday at Sudirman Station in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
— The Jakarta Post
Wanted: Inspiring figures dedicated to humanity to receive 2020 Maarif Award
The Maarif Institute, a leading campaigner of Islamic pluralism, has returned with its biennial awarding event and is now looking for inspiring figures dedicated to promoting social justice and humanity to receive the 2020 Maarif Award.
— The Jakarta Post
Jokowi welcomes Kalimantan’s first toll road, seeks link to new capital
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated three sections of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road in East Kalimantan on Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
Environmentally conscious: Jokowi wants to see oxygen-rich forests in new capital
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has emphasized that the development of Indonesia’s new capital ─ which is to stand in an area between North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara regency in East Kalimantan ─ would be done in an environmentally conscious manner.
— The Jakarta Post
Bright future for Coca-Cola as it replaces Pepsi in KFC Indonesia restaurants
The future is still bright for Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia despite declining sales of carbonated drinks, as it has signed a partnership agreement with Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Indonesia to become the latter’s soft drinks supplier after Pepsi leaves the country.
— The Jakarta Post
Police rebuke baseless rumors of additional troops in Papua’s Sugapa
Papua Police spokesman Commissioner A.M. Kamal dismissed unsubstantiated information on more troops being deployed to Sugapa in Intan Jaya District, Papua Province.
— Antara News
President Jokowi inaugurates Syamsudin Noor Airport’s new terminal
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the new terminal of Syamsudin Noor International Airport in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Wednesday.
— Antara News
Supreme Court raises prison term for Polish man over treason, link with Papuan rebels
The Supreme Court has increased the prison sentence of Jakub Fabian Skrzypski, a Polish national and reportedly the first foreigner convicted of treason in Indonesia, to seven years in prison for his role in assisting a separatist group in Papua.
— The Jakarta Post
Money down the drain: Koi fish worth Rp 25 m swept away in Kediri floods
Residents of Pranggang village in Kediri, East Java, were shocked to discover that their prized koi, valued at Rp 25 million (US$1,785), were missing after two hours of heavy rains caused their five fish ponds to overflow.
— The Jakarta Post
KPK: Supervisory Board Hindering Works will Be Reported to Media
Deputy chairman of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Alexander Marwata, demanded the public to not worry about the existence of a supervisory board.
— Tempo.co
Ministry Mulls to Allow Bus Using Cikampek Elevated Toll Road
Transportation Ministry opened up the possibility to allow bus passing Jakarta-Cikampek elevated toll road.
— Tempo.co
ExxonMobil kicks off oil production at new field in Cepu Block
ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, part of Texas-based oil giant ExxonMobil, has begun production at its Kedung Keris oil field in the Cepu Block, East Java, eight years after discovering the field.
— The Jakarta Post
‘Warung’ 2.0: traditional vendors embrace technology to develop business
Fast-paced advancements in technology over the past decade have affected almost every aspect of life.
— The Jakarta Post
South Mangga Dua family’s home blocked in by construction project
A family of seven is seeking higher compensation from a company responsible for a construction project that has blocked access to the family’s house.
— The Jakarta Post
Jakarta Shopping Malls Offer Year-End Midnight Sale
Indonesian Shopping Center Association (APPBI) of Jakarta announced its midnight sale programs which will be held in several regions of the city ahead of the year’s end.
— Tempo.co
Jakarta woman films herself beating older husband with walking stick, police investigating
An extremely disturbing video showing alleged domestic abuse is making the rounds in Indonesia, prompting a police investigation into the matter.
— 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 19 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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