Dengue death toll in Indonesia climbs to 132, eight regions declare emergency
The Health Ministry has recorded a sudden spike in dengue fever cases in the last four weeks, with the death toll rising to 132 by Jan. 29.
— Inquirer.net
West Java needs Rp 1.2 quadrillion to improve infrastructure: Governor
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has said the province needs Rp 1.2 quadrillion (US$85.10) to improve infrastructure during his five-year term.
— The Jakarta Post
New Indonesian insurance rules cause coal export backlogs in Kalimantan
Indonesian insurance rules that come into effect on Feb. 1 are causing huge coal supply backlogs, with dozens of ships held up outside ports unable to load as authorities start checking to see if vessels are in compliance with the new policy.
— Reuters
Dozens of ex-graft convicts running for office in Indonesia polls
Dozens of Indonesians who served jail time for corruption are running for public office, the electoral agency said Thursday, as the world’s third-largest democracy gears up for national polls.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)
Retailers protest high minimum wage, threaten to switch to machines
Retailers are strongly protesting Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s decision to increase the minimum wage for retail workers to Rp 4.29 million (US$306.28) per month, higher than the city’s minimum wage of Rp 3.94 million.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia Eyeing to Drop Luxury Tax on Yachts
The Indonesian government is set to drop the luxury tax (PPnBM) on yachts effectively in the first quarter (Q1) of 2019.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia banks warn of liquidity squeeze from govt bond issuance
Two of Indonesia’s biggest banks have warned that a government strategy of frontloading bond issuance and selling more debt to retail investors is draining cash in Southeast Asia’s largest economy and risks undermining efforts to boost bank lending.
— Reuters
Indonesia set for mega bank shake-up in bid to create national champion
Indonesia will finalize in May a plan to put four state banks under a holding company, marking the sector’s biggest shake-up since the Asian financial crisis as authorities try to create a lending powerhouse in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.
— Nasdaq
Indonesian government urged to ‘relax foreign ownership’
Indonesia Real Estate Broker Association (Arebi) chairman Lukas Bong has called on the Indonesian government to relax regulations on property ownership for foreigners to help the country’s property industry grow.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Indonesia to challenge ‘discriminative’ EU directive on palm oil
Indonesia intends to challenge an EU directive on renewable energy at the World Trade Organization, arguing the plan to curb the use of crops that cause deforestation will unfairly target palm oil, a senior Indonesian official told Reuters.
— CNBC
Jokowi’s Failed Bashir Gamble Reveals the Danger of Playing the Religion Card in Indonesia
As Indonesia heads into presidential elections due in April, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has been keen to boost his religious credentials which have previously been questioned by his opponents. But a recent case reveals the danger of playing the religion card ahead of upcoming polls.
— The Diplomat
Indonesia to export palm oil duty-free until the end of February
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, the zero tax on palm oil exports from the country has been extended till the end of February 2019, reports UkrAgroConsult.
— UkrAgroConsult
Red scare discolors Indonesia’s campaign trail
It has been more than half a century since the Indonesian military and its Muslim allies crushed the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) in a bloody pogrom that is widely believed to have killed 500,000 people, a great many of whom may have been innocent victims of personal vendettas.
— Asia Times
PepsiCo responds with ‘disappointment’ at Indofood’s withdrawal from RSPO over disputed audit decision
PepsiCo has voiced its ‘disappointment’ in Indonesian food giant Indofood’s decision to withdraw from the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification scheme ‘with immediate effect’.
— Food Navigator-asia.com
Indonesia only scratching the surface in fintech, market remains fragmented
Fintech in Indonesia, a market that UOB predicted will contribute around $48 billion to the overall economy by 2022, remains highly fragmented.
— Deal Street Asia
Indonesia: Homes, food, water still top priorities six months after the Lombok earthquakes
This is a disaster displacement crisis unlike many others. Six months after a series of deadly earthquakes, with the worst on 5 August 2018, nearly half a million people in west, north and east Lombok are staying in small shelters they have cobbled together from plastic, tarpaulins or materials salvaged from their nearby damaged or destroyed houses.
— ReliefWeb
Government to end anti-dumping duty on China, Indonesia hot rolled coils
The Government will be terminating the anti-dumping duty on imports of hot rolled coils originating in, or exported, from China and Indonesia effective Feb 9, 2019.
— The Edge Markets
Indonesia O2O coffee startup bags $8.5m from East Ventures, others
Indonesian online-to-offline specialty coffee startup Fore Coffee has secured US$8.5 million in a funding round led by East Ventures.
— Tech in Asia
Intiland Receives IDR2.8 Tln Credit Facility from BNI, BCA to Pay off Maturing Bond
In order to repay loans from eight banks and bond debt maturing in mid-2019, PT Intiland Development Tbk (IDX:DILD) decided to receive a syndicated credit facility worth IDR2.8 trillion from PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (IDX:BBNI) and PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (IDX:BBCA).
— Netral News
Batang Toru Dam construction goes on amid concerns for rarest apes, villagers
Construction of the Batang Toru hydropower plant in Tapanuli Selatan regency has continued despite concerns for the “last 800” of the world’s rarest big ape and lawsuits lodged by an environmental group.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
BRI: No Clients Affected by Bank Teller’s Rp2.3 Bln Fraud
Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Corporate Secretary Bambang Tribaroto announced that none of its clients sustained any losses in the recent case where one of its bank tellers committed Rp2.3 billion embezzlement.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia president renews pledge to cut corporate taxes if re-elected
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has renewed a pledge to cut corporate tax rates in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy if he is re-elected in April, an economic adviser said on Thursday, following a similar promise by his election opponent.
— Euronews
Indonesia to Provide High Speed Internet via Satellite in 2019
The Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Board (BAKTI) at the Indonesian Communication and Informatics Ministry has signed a cooperation agreement with five operators to provide satellite capacity capable of providing high speed internet.
— Indonesia Expat
Freeport Divestment: A Tale of Losses and Waste
Wrapped up in the spirit of nationalism, now we know that the Freeport’s share divestment was a very costly one.
— Tempo.co
Use of B50 fuels expected to save foreign exchange earnings
The use of a 50 percent biodiesel blend (B50) will enable Indonesia to save foreign exchange earnings, Vice Chairman of the National Economic and Industrial Committee (KEIN) Arif Budimanta stated.
— Antara News
Ride-Hailing Giants Grab and Go-Jek Enjoy Solid Growth in Indonesia, but Face Fraud Challenge, Survey Finds
Grab and Go-Jek, two of Southeast Asia’s biggest technology startups, have successfully grown their food delivery and ride-hailing services, but both must pay special attention to better detection of fraudulent orders, a recent study by Spire Research and Consulting Indonesia showed.
— Jakarta Globe
Jakarta launches health-related digital services
The city administration launched Wednesday two websites and an app that aim to help improve health services for residents.
— The Jakarta Post
No big revenue from Freeport for next three years: Minister
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno has said the government does not expect big revenue from gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in the next three years, following a US$3.85 billion divestment deal.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia should establish legal instrument for UNSC Resolution
The Indonesian government should establish a national legal instrument for the basis of implementing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution, Director General for Legal Affairs and International Treaties Damos Dumoli Agusman.
— Antara News
Indonesia hopes for more value-added investments from China
Intellasia East Asia News An Indonesian minister has invited potential Chinese investors to expand value-added investments in Indonesia under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
— Intellasia
Indonesia’s Pertamina, Eni sign agreement for green fuel refinery
Indonesian state energy company PT Pertamina said on Thursday it has signed agreements with Italian oil company Eni SpA to develop a so-called green refinery in Indonesia and to process a palm-based fuel mixture in Italy.
— Reuters
Buni Yani filing for stay of execution as 18-month prison sentence set to begin tomorrow
Buni Yani, the university lecturer best known for instigating the blasphemy case against former Jakarta Governor Basuki “BTP” Tjahaja Purnama, and his lawyers seem to be doing the best they can to delay the execution of his 18-month prison sentence for hate speech.
— Coconuts Jakarta
CSIS Indonesia named top think tank in Southeast Asia, Pacific
The Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) was named top think tank in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, according to the 2018 Global Go To Think Tank Index.
— The Jakarta Post
Village Ministry Wants Craftswomen to Market Their Products via e-Commerce
Director General of Development of Disadvantaged Areas (DG of PDT) of the Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Samsul Widodo hopes craftswomen and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can market their products through electronic technology by utilizing internet network or e-commerce.
— Netral News
Indonesia expected to watch over cross-border issues with Philippines
North Sulawesi Deputy Governor Steven Kandouw, in the “State Border Management Coordination Meeting in 2019,” expressed hope that the government will pay attention to cross-border issues with neighboring Philippines, SSTP`s Head of Public Relations Christian Iroth said on Wednesday.
— Antara News
Signal lost: Indonesia’s Constitutional Court rejects petition to allow drivers to use phone’s GPS on the road
Indonesian drivers must continue to rely on their memory and intuition (or dedicated GPS devices) to get around after the country’s courts upheld a law making the use of GPS apps on smartphones while driving illegal.
— Coconuts Jakarta
Dispelling rumours, Indonesia government says no plans to close Komodo park
Komodo National Park will remain open throughout the year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry issued earlier this week, dispelling widely circulated rumours that the park will soon be closed.
— TTG Asia
How I survived the Indonesia tsunami but lost my family
On December 22, 2018, following the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano, a tsunami engulfed a concert by pop band Seventeen and the audience at Tanjung Lesong resort in western Java, Indonesia.
— Channel NewsAsia (video)
KPK: Sexual Bribery Should be Seen as Crime
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Alexander Marwata said that sexual bribery should be listed as a criminal act, moreover, if the case is related to authority abuse, permit issuance, and others.
— Tempo.co
200,000 Chinese tourists to celebrate Chinese New Year, Cap Go Meh in Indonesia
The Tourism Ministry wants to attract at least 200,000 Chinese tourists who seek to celebrate Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek, and Cap Go Meh (the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar) in Indonesia throughout February.
— The Jakarta Post
BNN manages to secure 1.5 tons of drugs from convict
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Customs and Excise Authorities managed to secure marijuana-type drugs (opium), weighing some 1.5 tons, from Parman, a convict at the Kebon Waru Penitentiary in Bandung, West Java.
— Antara News
Asia Coffee-Vietnam shipments seen halted on holiday; Indonesia trade quiet
Coffee shipments from Vietnam are expected to fall sharply next week on the Lunar New Year holiday, while trade in Indonesia will continue to be quiet on empty stock and won’t pick up until March.
— Reuters
Michelin acquires Indonesian tire giant Multistrada
In line with its business strategy, Michelin is to acquire 80% of PT Multistrada Arah Sarana TBK, a tire manufacturer based in Indonesia.
— Tire Technology International
President Jokowi scheduled to attend 93rd NU reception
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to attend the 93rd reception of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at the Jakarta Convention Center on Thursday.
— Antara News
Indonesia’s Aceh whips teens for public cuddling
Two teenagers were whipped in Indonesia’s Aceh province on Thursday after they were caught cuddling in public — a crime under the conservative region’s Islamic law.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)
Police in Depok arrest babysitter who allegedly killed feverish 3-month-old for crying
A 66-year-old babysitter, identified as Lomrah, has been named the sole suspect in the murder of a three-month-old baby she was hired to care for in the city of Depok, West Java.
— Coconuts Jakarta
Feature photo ILO in Asia and the Pacific
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 February 1 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
View all posts by Stella-maris Ewudolu →
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.
Latest posts by Stella-maris Ewudolu (see all)
- Zoonotic crossover fear sees Vietnam ban (almost) all wildlife trade (video) – July 26, 2020
- Job & revenue losses: COVID-19 to hurt Asean airlines the most – July 24, 2020
- Philippines morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020
- Philippines morning news for July 23 – July 23, 2020