Toxic waste smuggling at Indonesian ports takes toll on local plastics industry
The plastics industry has begun to feel the pinch of the government’s crackdown on imports of plastic scraps, which are frequently smuggled into the country along with hazardous and toxic waste.
— The Jakarta Post
Manufacturing sector exports up 9.8 percent
Manufacturing sector exports grew 9.8 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first five months of 2019 with a value of US$51.06 billion, or 74.59 percent of the country’s total exports recorded at $68.46 billion from January to May.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia frees Canadian convicted in child sex case
Indonesia has freed a Canadian teacher who maintains he was wrongfully convicted in 2015 of sexually abusing children at a prestigious international school in Jakarta.
— ABC News
Jakarta’s Stranded Refugees Moved Off the Streets
The Jakarta administration has decided to relocate hundreds of refugees who have been living rough on the streets near the United Nations Refugee Agency office in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, to an old military building in Kalideres in the west of the city.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia has successfully developed SPARS: FAO deputy director
Indonesia has successfully developed its Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Rural Statistics (SPARS) that serves as the foundation of its agricultural and rural statistics efforts, FAO Deputy Director of Statistics Division Iswadi Suhari Mawabagja stated.
— Antara News
REI Ready to Help Fund Indonesia’s Capital City Move
Real Estate Indonesia (REI) has announced it is set to spend more than Rp1,000 trillion to support the government’s plan to relocate the nation’s capital city from Jakarta to Kalimantan.
— Tempo.co
No more lobster seeds catching, Fisheries Minister says
Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has reaffirmed the ban to catch lobster seed as it would endanger the species’ population in the country’s waters.
— Antara News
Senator-elect from NTB accused of digitally enhancing ballot photo in April’s election
Senator-elect Evi Apita Maya from an electoral district in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has been sued at the Constitutional Court for allegedly making excessive digital changes to her ballot photo to appear more attractive to voters in April’s legislative election.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia sees growing opportunities in green jobs
Finding solutions: Jannata Giwangkara (second left) talks to his colleagues at a local energy think tank, the Institute for Essential Services Reform.
— The Jakarta Post
Government offices fail to protect nonsmokers
“I’ve never smoked in my life and no one in my family smokes, so when doctors told me that I had lung cancer, I was very shocked,” Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the late National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman, told The Jakarta Post in an interview last October.
— The Jakarta Post
Malaysia deports 117 Indonesians through N Kalimantan’s Nunukan
he Malaysian authorities have deported 117 Indonesian citizens through Nunukan District in North Kalimantan Province for working illegally and consuming drugs in the neighboring country, an Indonesian immigration officer said here Friday.
— Antara News
Indonesia president pledges more infrastructure, investment in second term
Indonesia’s recently re-elected President Joko Widodo on Sunday outlined his vision for a second term, pledging faster infrastructure development and more investment opportunities to create jobs and growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.
— Yahoo News
Nickel price rises on Indonesia concerns
Nickel prices touched their highest in four months on Friday on worries that major producer Indonesia will resume an export ban on ore in 2022.
— Nine.com.au
Ancient and traditional Indonesian fonts available to download on ‘Aksara di Nusantara’
A modern way to access the cultural heritage of Indonesia has been introduced by the creators of Aksara di Nusantara (ADN), a website from which people can download different fonts for various traditional languages.
— The Jakarta Post
Magnitude-7.2 earthquake shakes North Maluku
An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale shook North Maluku, on Sunday at 6:28 p.m. local time, forcing local inhabitants to rush out of their homes in panic. The tremor did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami.
— Antara News
Powerful 7.3-magnitude quake jolts Halmahera; people rush out homes in panic
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 4:10 p.m. Jakarta time or 6:10 p.m. local time, 102 kilometers north-northeast of Laiwui in South Halmahera, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
— The Jakarta Post
Brunei attracts Indonesian tourists in large numbers
Indonesia is the third largest source of tourist arrivals to Brunei last year with 27,463 visitors, behind China (with 65,563 visitors) and Malaysia (59,528 visitors), according to Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr Sujatmiko revealed.
— The Jakarta
‘Tempo’ headline on May 22 riots violates press ethics: Indonesian Press Council
The Indonesian Press Council (IPC) has ruled that Tempo weekly’s headline of an investigative report violated had the Press Code of Ethics by mentioning the infamous Tim Mawar (Rose Team) of the Army’s elite Special Forces (Kopassus) and linking its former member to the May post-election riots in Jakarta.
— The Jakarta Post
Ministry wants to change old age cutoff from 60 to 65
With Indonesia’s average life expectancy increasing to 71 years, the Social Affairs Ministry plans to revise up the legal age criteria for someone to be officially declared a senior citizen from 60 years to 65.
— The Jakarta Post
Tourist helicopter falls in Lombok, injuring four including foreigners
A tour helicopter reportedly crashed near Lombok International Airport in West Nusa Tenggara when it was about to land from a tour in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.
— The Jakarta Post
Local banks expand business overseas amid double-digit growth
State-owned banks have recently been keen on planting more seeds outside Indonesia as lenders want to tap into the growing demand for their lending and remittance growth in their foreign branches.
— The Jakarta Post
Government targets millennials in new retail bond issuance
The Finance Ministry is expecting more domestic investors, especially millennials, to purchase its two-year retail saving bonds series 007 ( SBR007 ), which are available to the public from July 11 to 25.
— The Jakarta Post
Businesses divided over plastic excise plan
Businesspeople are divided over a government proposal to impose an excise on plastic bags, which is currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives.
— The Jakarta Post
PLN to auction 157 renewable power plant projects
State electricity firm PLN intends to auction at least 157 renewable energy-based power plant projects within the next two years as part of the company’s plan to increase the contribution of renewable energy to the national energy mix, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Lawmakers against KPK exception in wiretapping bill
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has come under the spotlight again as lawmakers have tried to regulate the wiretapping abilities of the law enforcement body through proposed legislation.
— The Jakarta Post
Jokowi Promises to Expedite Baiq Nuril’s Amnesty Process
Providing a glimmer of hope to a movement against sexual abuse in Indonesia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promised on Friday to swiftly resolve the case involving Baiq Nuril Maknun, who received a prison sentence for recording lewd comments by a man who sexually harassed her.
— Jakarta Globe
AIIB loans for private sector to speed up infrastructure projects
The government hopes to start developing a satellite project and the Semarang-Demak toll road in Central Java this year through a public private partnership (PPP) scheme with loans from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Market to Exhibit Increased Demand in the Coming Years
Indonesia is one of the countries with rich resources but lesser industrialization. The increasing industrialization of Indonesia is demanding more and more power in already power deficit economy with low electrification rate.
— Financial Planning
Prices of office buildings to remain stagnant until next year: Observers
Prices for strata-title office buildings in Jakarta are expected to remain stagnant until next year as demand is expected to stay flat amid sluggish growth of new investments in the country, according to a property consultant.
— The Jakarta Post
Google-backed Bali start-up tackles waste crisis with AI
Unlike most local start-ups, Gringgo Indonesia Foundation targets neither consumers nor small and medium enterprises; instead, it targets the hundreds of informal trash collectors in Denpasar, Bali.
— The Jakarta Post
Sri Mulyani, WCO Discuss Cross-border E-Commerce
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani stated that the Indonesian government officially recommended the World Customs Forum Organization (WCO) form a joint research group to focus on issues of cross-border e-commerce.
— Tempo.co
Trade Minister: Indonesia Eyeing Turkey as New Export Hub
Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita says that the government is targetting Turkey as the new export hub to reach markets in the Middle East, South Europe, and North Africa regions.
— Tempo.co
Sanitary Pad Producer Aims for One of Indonesia’s Largest IPOs
Softex Indonesia, one of the country’s largest producers of feminine hygiene products, plans to sell its shares on the local bourse, in what could be one of the largest initial public offerings in the country in the past three years.
— Jakarta Globe
Ministry exhibits RI’s broadband experience in Pacific Exposition
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics gave a ringside view of Indonesia’s excellence in telecommunications, through the Indonesia broadband Palapa Ring, in the 1st Pacific Exposition 2019 being held in Auckland, New Zealand.
— Antara News
FPI to crowdfund to cover Rizieq’s Saudi visa fine
The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) plans to raise money through crowdfunding to help its leader, Rizieq Shihab, pay a fine for overstaying his visa in Saudi Arabia, according to Sugito Atmo Prawiro, head of FPI legal aid.
— The Jakarta Post
SKK Migas upbeat Masela gas project will be completed on time
The Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas) is upbeat that construction on an onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, which will receive gas supplies from the Masela Block, can be completed in the second quarter of 2027 as planned.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia President Joko Widodo vows to fight ‘discriminative’ EU palm oil rules
Indonesia’s president promised Friday to fight the European Union over plans to restrict the use of palm oil in biofuels.
— Coconuts
50 hectares of land gutted in West Aceh
A fire ravaged over 50 hectares of land in West Aceh District’s area, Aceh Province amid the dry season, and firefighters are still unable to extinguish it, West Aceh’s Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Spokesman Mashuri said.
— Antara News
IS sympathizers deserve second chance: BNPT chief
“I was once a champion in school, but then I was forced to follow my parents to Syria. Now that I am back to Indonesia, I really want to be a school champion again,” said National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) head Comr. Gen.
— The Jakarta Post
Business activity has improved, says BI
Bank Indonesia has revealed that there has been an improvement in business activity during the second quarter of 2019 as compared with conditions in the previous period. Such developments were confirmed by a weighted net balance (WNB) of 19.17 percent in the reporting period, increases from 8.65 percent in the first quarter of 2019, according to a statement received in Jakarta Friday.
— Antara News
Indonesian Embassy hosts reception for recipients of study scholarships
The recipients and the alumni of the two Indonesian government-funded scholarships, officials of the embassy, Director Human Resource Development Division, Higher Education Commission, and some Indonesians studying in Islamabad attended the event.
— Daily Times
Residents in C. Java protest hotel for having see-through windows, say children have been watching couples having sex
A hotel with clear windows in Purwokerto, Central Java, has corrupted the minds of the town’s children, locals allege, resulting in their protest against the establishment yesterday evening.
— Coconuts
Jakarta to host largest toy expo in Southeast Asia
The Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, is getting ready to host the Indonesia International Toys and Kids Expo 2019 (IITE), said to be the largest toy exhibition in Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post
President Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto finally meet as rivals seek post-election peace
The winner and runner-up in Indonesia’s presidential election which sparked deadly riots in the capital called for reconciliation on Saturday, in their first meeting since the vote.
— Coconuts
2 killed, 11 missing after boat capsizes in eastern Indonesia
Rescuers retrieved two bodies and were searching for 11 others who went missing after a boat with 15 people on board capsized off Indonesia’s eastern province of West Papua, a senior rescuer said on Sunday.
— Xinhua
Investigators uncover illegal timber trade in North Kalimantan
A joint team comprising the Environment and Forestry Ministry and Nunukan Police investigators apprehended three individuals in a case pertaining to illegal timber trade in Nunukan regency, North Kalimantan.
— The Jakarta Post
Former Prabowo campaigner Ratna Sarumpaet sentenced to 2 years in prison for spreading hoax
Ratna Sarumpaet, a former senior campaigner for defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, was sentenced to two years in prison by the South Jakarta District Court yesterday after being found guilty of spreading a hoax during the presidential campaign.
— Coconuts
Man arrested for trying to smuggle elephant tusks from Malaysia
The authorities in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, have arrested a 54-year-old man for allegedly trying to smuggle 10 elephant tusks from Malaysia.
— The Jakarta Post
Timor Island apt to serve as Indonesia’s geological research center
Head of Nusa Cendana University’s Research Center for Environment, Natural Resources, and Agroecology in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Dr. Herry Zadrak Kotta believes Timor Island’s unique geology makes it a suitable research laboratory for archaeologists.
— Antara News
Indonesia targeting gold in weightlifting during 2019 SEA Games
Despite stiff competition from Indonesia’s neighbors, the country’s national weightlifting association has set their athletes the goal of gold at the SEA Games.
— Xinhua
Police detains suspect in Kampar peatland fire
Riau Police has arrested a man identified by his initial MH for allegedly ignited a fire in a peatland area, when he opened a two-hectare land for chili farming in Parit Baru Village, Kampar District of Riau Province.
— Antara News
9-day baby Sumatran elephant seen in Malang, Indonesia
A nine-day baby Sumatran elephant stays with its mother at a zoo in Batu in Malang, Indonesia, July 13, 2019.
— Xinhua
Man charged with setting ex-girlfriend on fire
A resident of Sekayu district in Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, identified as Isnen, 23, has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend, identified as Irma Fitriani, 22.
— The Jakarta Post
Morotai Festival to be held in North Maluku on August 2-8
Morotai Festival will be organized in Daruba, the capital of Morotai Island District in North Maluku Province, from August 2 to 8, 2019.
— Antara News
Foreign students participate in Beautiful Malino flower parade
Tens of university students from 12 countries took part in a three-day Beautiful Malino flower parade in Malino, Gowa District, South Sulawesi Province.
— Antara News
Feature photo WorldSkills Thailand
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on World Youth Skills Day, July 15.
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 July 15 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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