Indonesia urges residents and tourists in Lombok to remain calm
The Indonesian Government has urged local residents and tourists to remain calm and not get influenced by rumours and misleading information in response to the 5.4-magnitude earthquake that rocked Lombok Island Sunday, March 17.
— Antara News
Flash Floods, Earthquake in Indonesia Kill Over 80
The number of people killed after torrential downpours triggered flash floods and mudslides that tore through mountainside villages in Indonesia’s easternmost province has climbed to 79, with dozens of others missing, officials said Monday.
— VOA
Dilemma for Widodo as China casts shadow on Indonesia polls
Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, faces an election next month in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, and presenting himself as defender of the faith is central to his campaign strategy.
— Financial Times
Indonesia warns EU on palm oil draft, says “examining” relations
Indonesia slammed on Monday the European Commission’s adoption of a draft regulation to phase out the use of palm oil in renewable transportation fuel and warned the move could hurt relations with EU members backing the proposal.
— Reuters
Indonesia central bank seen holding key rate despite low inflation – Reuters poll
Indonesia’s central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged for a fourth straight month on Thursday, despite inflation falling to its lowest pace in nearly a decade, a Reuters poll showed.
— Tempo.co
Govt Eyes US$17.6mn Foreign Exchange from Tourism
Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said the government and the central bank had pegged the target for the tourism sector’s foreign exchange this year at US$17.6 million.
— Tempo.co
Election countdown / Government’s anti-communist raids echo Indonesia’s brutal purges
Bookseller Yanto Tjahaja was tending to his shop when soldiers burst through the door and confiscated a dozen titles over claims they violated one of Indonesia’s most sensitive taboos: communism.
— Southeast Asia Globe
Indonesia nets $931.6m for cigarette exports
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartanto has said Indonesia exported cigarettes worth US$931.6 million last year, up 2.98 percent from $904.7 million in 2017.
— The Jakarta Post
BNPB: Sentani Flash Floods Caused by Downpours, Forest Damage
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) explained flash floods in Sentani, Jayapura were triggered by extreme downpours and forest damage.
— Tempo.co
Water tanks improving the lives of families in Indonesia
NTA East Indonesia Aid works to reduce poverty in the rural communities of Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, one of the poorest parts of the Indonesian archipelago. In the islands of West Timor and Flores, where NTA works, 30% of people live below the national poverty line.
— Relief Web
Home Affairs Ministry is ready to integrate e-planning, e-budgeting
The Ministry of Home Affairs has expressed readiness to integrate e-planning and e-budgeting in an effort to synchronize policies and programs between regional and central governments.
— Antara News
KPK Seizes Hundreds of Millions of Cash from Minister’s Office
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized hundreds of millions of cash in rupiah and dollar during its search in the office of Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin today, March 18.
— Tempo.co
Indonesian Vice Presidential Debate Shines Overdue Light on Education
In the first vice presidential debate in Indonesia leading up to the April 17 elections, both candidates — businessman Sandiaga Uno and renowned Islamic cleric Ma’ruf Amin — agreed on one problem: Indonesia’s education system needs repairs.
— VOA
Minister: Link and Match Program as Basis of Education Reform
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that the ministry’s link and match program between vocational schools (SMK) and the industry would be a basis of education reform at SMK that was expected to open up bigger job opportunities for their alumni.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia urged to invest in understanding Papuans
Australia-based anthropologist Yamin Kogoya said there is too much emphasise on ramming the Indonesian state ideology down Papuans’ throats.
— Radionz
We’re witnessing identity politics in extreme, violent forms: Deputy foreign minister
Southeast Asia is struggling to uphold democracy, facing challenges caused by identity politics, which limits freedom of expression and religious that could eventually lead to human rights violations.
— The Jakarta Post
What Thai generals can learn from Indonesia’s military: Jakarta Post columnist
On April 17, Indonesians will also exercise their constitutional right to directly elect their president and vice president, as well as members of the House of Representatives, the Regional Representatives Council and various local councils.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
Rupiah strengthens on Monday afternoon as oil prices fall
The Jakarta Interbank Spot Dollar Rate recorded that the rupiah was quoted at Rp14,239 or rose 21 points from the previous Rp14,260 per US dollar on Monday afternoon as world oil prices fell.
— Antara News
Same old issues slow Indonesia’s digital economy
The British like to drink tea and the Brazilians love to play soccer. Every country has stereotypes attached to it, and while we must take each stereotype with a pinch of salt, there is usually a grain of truth behind why a country is perceived in a certain way.
–– The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Jokowi Widens Lead in Indonesia Election as Voting Day Nears
Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s lead over his challenger Prabowo Subianto widened to almost 26 points a month out from the country’s election, the latest pre-poll survey shows.
— Bloomberg
Indonesia, Malaysia to Protest against Palm Oil Ban to EU
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said Indonesia and Malaysia had agreed to send their envoys to protest the European Union’s plans to ban palm oil as biofuel by 2030 as noted in the draft of EU’s Delegation Act.
— Tempo.co
Ministry prohibits regional heads to travel abroad during elections
The Ministry of Home Affairs prohibits regional heads, members of the provincial and district/city legislative bodies (DPRD), as well as the ministry and regional governments’ officials to go abroad during the election period, in order to support increased voter participation.
— Antara News
Palm oil producers eye domestic market amid challenges
Amid tough global market challenges, the country’s palm oil producers have to start expanding in the domestic market in order to boost absorption and stay afloat.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia – Flood (DG ECHO, AHA, BMKG, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 18 March 2019)
Heavy rainfall has been affecting nine sub-districts in Sentani District (Jayapura Regency, Papua Province) since 16 March, triggering flash floods and landslides that resulted in casualties and damage.
— Relief Web
Footwear exports to expand this year
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto is optimistic the exports of footwear products will increase to US$6.5 billion this year and reach $10 billion in the next four years.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia reportedly calls in Australian ambassador over Anning comments – as it happened
Prime minister says cabinet has made a decision about gun law reform but details are yet to be announced
— The Guardian
Jokowi Recalls Late Father’s Trucking Days in Trucker Visit
In opening the truck drivers’ safety declaration at Tanjung Priok port, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recalled his late father’s profession as a truck and bus driver, who he considers being a noble profession.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia promotes new destinations
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism declared its participation at the 2019 MATTA Fair, that closed Sunday, a resounding success as exhibitors promoted new travel options to emerging destinations in Indonesia.
— TTR Weekly
Experts, activists disappointed with ‘non-debate’
In what has become a pattern for this year’s series of presidential election debates, observers and activists have expressed their disappointment with the lack of attention that many key healthcare, education, manpower, and sociocultural issues received.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia’s tuna fisheries race for sustainability
Indonesia is racing to certify its world-leading tuna fisheries as sustainable, drawn by the lucrative global market for eco-labeled seafood.
— Eco Business
Basic salary adjustment applies to prospective civil servants : Jokowi
President Joko Widodo stipulates that salary adjustments for civil servants (PNS) starting January 1, 2019, will also apply to prospective civil servants (CPNS).
— Antara News
VP Debate: Ma’ruf Amin, Sandiaga Uno`s Promise on Unemployment
Vice presidential candidates Ma’ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno did their best to explain their plans to solve the issue of productive age unemployment rate in the presidential debate’s final session on Sunday, March 17.
— Tempo.co
Singapore leaders express condolences over Indonesia flash floods
President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to express their condolences over the flash floods in Papua, Indonesia.
— Channel NewsAsia (annoying popups)
Indonesia summons Australian envoy over senator’s ‘appalling’ quip
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi summoned resident Australian Ambassador Gary Quinlan on Monday in response to the uninformed comments of a right-wing Australian senator over last week’s mosque shootings in New Zealand.
— The Jakarta Post
Feature photo Fully Syafi/ Greenpeace
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Forest, March 21.
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 March 19 added by Piseth Pov on
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