Bank Indonesia Says Key Rate Near Peak as Rate Decision Looms
Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo signaled the central bank may hold the key rate on Thursday, saying the benchmark interest rate has “almost reached its peak” after an aggressive hiking cycle helped stabilize the nation’s currency.
— Bloomberg
RI`s imports in December 2018 fall 9.60 percent to US$15.28 billion
Indonesia`s imports in December 2018 fell 9.60 percent to US$15.28 billion from a month earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News
Hyundai to finalize $1b car factory plan, senior minister says
Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan has said senior executives of South Korean car maker Hyundai Motor will meet several ministers later this month to discuss the company’s plan to develop a US$1billion car factory in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia denies ransom paid to release Abu Sayyaf hostage
The Philippines-based armed group, Abu Sayyaf, recently released an Indonesian hostage who was featured in a viral video pleading for his life, but Jakarta denies that ransom was paid to the kidnappers to secure his release.
— The Jakarta Post
University of Indonesia among top 100 universities in emerging countries
The University of Indonesia (UI) once again leads the nation in the list of the most influential universities in emerging-economy countries, as the university is included in the top-100 in a ranking released by Times Higher Education (THE), the magazine behind the world’s most influential university rankings.
— The Jakarta Post
Top rubber growers mull cutting exports 300,000 tons: Indonesia
A technical team at the International Tripartite Rubber Council has proposed cutting shipments of natural rubber by 300,000 tons this year as part of efforts to improve prices, says Oke Nurwan, director general of foreign trade at Indonesia’s Trade Ministry.
— The Edge Markets
Indonesian politicians offer no hope for disaster zones
A few weeks after the devastating tsunami hit the coast of Aceh in Sumatra in December 2004, I visited Meulaboh, one of the worst-hit coastal towns.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Indonesian Ulema Council calls for sex workers and clients to be prosecuted
n Indonesia, the act of prostitution, specifically the transaction between sex worker and client, is not a crime, as the law only states that pimping or the facilitation of prostitution are punishable by law.
— CoconutsJakarta
S Korean fund to invest $50m in Indonesian online marketplace Bukalapak
A fund led by South Korea’s Mirae Asset Daewoo and web portal Naver Corp will invest $50 million in Indonesian e-commerce startup Bukalapak, Mirae Asset said on Wednesday.
— Deal Street Asia
Turning the page on international trade
The year 2018 may go down in history as a year of trade wars and protectionism. But the good news is, 2018 has also seen some progress in international trade and cooperation.
— The Jakarta Post
SAS helps leading ASEAN banks comply with evolving regulatory standards
In just one year, Indonesia’s adaptation of International Financial Reporting Standard 9 (IFRS 9), known as PSAK 71: Instrumen Keuangan, will officially go into effect, requiring a significant accounting change that will affect operations, financial planning and portfolio strategy at banks across the nation.
— Cision PR Newswire
Can Jokowi bring the dynamism Indonesia’s economy so badly needs?
INDONESIA has achieved almost 20 years of continuous economic growth.
— Asian Correspondent
Indonesian Terror Group Signals Survival with Gruesome Killing
It was a grisly find that Indonesian villagers stumbled upon – a head wrapped in a cloth placed on a bridge in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi on Dec. 30, just before 2018 ended.
— Benar News
Exxon to be Indonesia’s biggest oil producer in 2019 -regulator
Exxon Mobil Corp unit Exxon Mobil Cepu Limited is expected to produce 216,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 2019, making it Indonesia’s biggest oil producer, the country’s upstream oil and gas regulator (SKKMigas) said.
— Hellenic Shipping News
Slow replanting of palm a blow to Indonesia’s efforts on environment
An ambitious scheme to replant about a fifth of the land under palm oil in Indonesia is running far behind schedule, marking a blow to efforts by the world’s top producer to lift yields and fend off attacks on the sustainability of the crop.
— Channel NewsAsia
Ministry completes 190 multifamily homes in tsunami-hit Palu
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing has completed the construction of 190 of a planned 699 huntara (temporary multifamily homes) to support disaster recovery efforts in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
— The Jakarta Post
Citilink to Drop Free Baggage Allowance Starting January`s End
Citilink Indonesia would start to impose a paid baggage policy at the end of January 2019. At present, the airliner disseminates the new regulation which will last for the next two weeks.
— Tempo.co
Non-oil/gas imports increase due to inflow of capital goods: Minister
Indonesia`s non-oil and gas imports witnessed an increase in 2018 owing to the inflow of capital goods and raw materials, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated.
— Antara News
Press Council Blasts Media for Imbalanced Electoral News Reports
The Indonesian Press Council found many news agencies publishing imbalanced news coverage related to the 2019 presidential and legislative elections.
— Tempo.co
5.0-magnitude earthquake jolts West Southeast Maluku
An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter Scale jolted the district of West Southeast Maluku (MTB), Maluku Province, on Wednesday at 8:40 a.m. local time.
— Antara News
PLN to acquire coal mines to secure supply
State-owned electricity firm PLN is set to acquire coal mines as part of its plan to secure 40 percent of the coal demand for its power grid – which last year absorbed 95 million tons of coal – by 2023.
— The Jakarta Post
Dabawenyos urged to follow ‘zero waste lifestyle’
The environmental Non-Government Organization Interface Development Interventions Inc. (IDIS) has called on Dabawenyos to practice and follow a “zero waste lifestyle.”
— Indonesia News
Central Java prepares for worst as Mt Merapi eruptions increase
Mount Merapi, which stands on the border between Yogyakarta and Central Java, has shown heightened volcanic activity over the past few days, spewing incandescent lava from its crater.
— Straits Times
Bali Hai Brewery begins exporting stout to Russia
Homegrown beer producer PT Bali Hai Brewery Indonesia has introduced its new Panther Black stout to Russia, where alcohol consumption is among the highest in the world.
— The Jakarta Post
National airlines seek protection; situation critical
Indonesian National Air Carrier Association (INACA) chairman Ari Askhara has called on the government to provide protection to national aviation companies from the inflow of foreign airlines, as many domestic airlines are in a critical condition.
— The Jakarta Post
Solomons emphasises diplomacy with Indonesia on Papua
Solomon Islands is prioritising diplomacy with Indonesia when it comes to advancing concerns about West Papuan human rights.
— RNZ
FPI and authorities in Pekanbaru raid office of HIV prevention group on suspicion of LGBT activity
Another example of how Indonesia’s LGBT moral panic is making the country’s HIV/AIDS problem worse, not better.
— Coconuts Jakarta
TNI Commander: Troops must Brace for Urban Terrorism Warfare
Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto reminded his troops to prepare for the threat of urban warfare against terrorism upon his visit to the Army, Navy, and Air Force bases.
— Tempo.co
Affordable railway fares to lure more passengers
The government has vowed to keep train fares affordable in a bid to attract more people to use the mass transportation system and, eventually, reduce road traffic.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia gains flight control over Riau skies
Indonesia has renewed its pledge to complete the takeover of flight information region (FIR) control over Riau Islands and Riau provinces from Singapore.
— The Jakarta Post
Trash dumped under toll road after major clean-up
After a major clean-up under the Wiyoto Wiyono toll road in North Jakarta, where the public had illegally dumped their trash, residents are reportedly at it again.
— The Jakarta Post
Jokowi vows to elaborate progress on Baswedan’s case in debate
Incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has promised to reveal details on progress in the investigation into the attack on anti-graft official Novel Baswedan during the presidential candidate debate planned to be held on Jan 17.
— Antara News
Jokowi to shed light on human rights abuse cases during debate
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he is ready for the first 2019 presidential debate that will focus on legal, human rights, terrorism and corruption issues.
— The Jakarta Post
KFC Indonesia’s campaign encouraging patrons to clean up their own tables earns outrage/praise on social media
It’s fair to say that, in Indonesia, there isn’t a culture of cleaning up after oneself after eating at fast food joints or food courts.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Minister Imam Nahrawi Supports Soccer Anti-Mafia Task Force
Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi said the presence of soccer anti-mafia task force established by National Police would be a challenge for the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to be cooperative.
— Tempo.co
Cultural differences, tolerance in Indonesia proven to support unity: Kalla
Cultural, ethnic, religious, and racial differences along with tolerant attitudes in Indonesia have been proven to unify people, Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated in his speech at the launch of the Asian Cultural Council …
— Antara News
PT INKA: LRT Jabodebek Train Construction 15 percent Complete
tate-owned manufacturing company PT Industri Kereta Api (PT INKA) said the construction of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi (Jabodebek) ordered by state-owned railway company PT KAI had reached 15 percent completion.
— Tempo.co
Vocational schools require 90 thousand teachers: minister
Vocational schools across Indonesia required 90 thousand teachers to educate students this year, according to Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy.
— Antara News
Jokowi and coalition parties evaluate campaign process
Incumbent presidential candidate Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a meeting with leaders of political parties joining the Work Indonesian Coalition, or KIK, to evaluate the implementation of the campaign process.
— Antara News
JNE Raises Delivery Cost to 20 Percent
Courier service and logistics provider Tiki Jalur Nugraha Ekakurir (JNE) has adjusted its delivery cost with an average hike of 20 percent starting January 15, 2019, following the increased price of air cargo.
— Tempo.co
Feature photo Artem Bali
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 January 17 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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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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