Indonesia seen swinging back to trade deficit in April – Reuters poll
Indonesia is seen recording its first trade deficit in three months in April, with exports and imports predicted to continue their plunge, a Reuters survey showed on Monday.
— Reuters
Indonesia sinks three foreign vessels for illegal fishing
The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s Illegal Fishing Task Force (Satgas 115) recently sunk three foreign vessels captured for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters off Belawan, Medan, North Sumatra.
— The Jakarta Post
Poor fishery management costs Indonesia $7 billion per year. Here’s how to stop it
Indonesia’s efforts to protect its fisheries, an important food source for the world’s fourth most populous country, by seizing and blowing up foreign poaching vessels has become well known globally and is paying off .
— MENAFN
Sinabung’s lava dome grows after third eruption in a week
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) says Sinabung’s lava dome has grown after it erupted for a third time in a week.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia: accelerating urban transportation development with public-private partnership
The country’s rapid urban transportation development is creating vast opportunities for collaboration and investments for the private sector.
— The Business Times
Indonesia issues travel advisory as monkeypox case confirmed in Singapore
Indonesia has advised its nationals in Singapore to calm down and watch closely development of the situation through media and the country’s Health Ministry website after confirmation of a monkeypox case in Singapore.
— Xinhuanet
Policy loopholes turn Indonesia into dumping site: Environmentalists
Environmentalists have called on the Trade Ministry to immediately revise its 2016 regulation on waste imports, saying it contains several loopholes that have turned Indonesia into a dump site for developed countries.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
Indonesia “is conducting stabilisation measures” in FX, bonds to defend rupiah: cbank
Indonesia’s central bank has taken “stabilisation measures” to defend the rupiah in the spot currency, domestic non deliverable forward and bond markets, the head of its monetary management Nanang Hendarsah told Reuters.
— Nasdaq
Indonesia to Stop Importing Jet Fuel, Diesel Next Month
Indonesia plans to stop importing jet fuel and diesel starting next month in order to reign in its current account deficit, a senior minister said last week.
— Jakarta Globe
Amnesty Indonesia calls for justice over 1998 Trisakti student shootings
Amnesty International Indonesia is calling for justice and truth from the government over the Trisakti student shooting tragedy through legal channels.
— Asia Pacific Report
Govt Forces Airlines to Lower Ticket Prices
The Transportation Ministry will cut the upper limit tariff or airplane tickets by about 15 percent.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s fastest growing market for smartphones: Survey
Indonesia is now Southeast Asia’s fastest growing market for smartphones, according to market research firm Canalys.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia’s Telkomsel launches new USD 40 million fund for Series B startups
Indonesia’s largest mobile carrier Telkomsel launched a new corporate venture capital subsidiary named Telkomsel Mitra Inovasi (TMI).
— KrAsia
EU Visit to Oil Palm Plantation in Riau Eases Tensions
Eight EU representatives from Belgium, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and a representative from the Food and Agriculture Organization, visited an Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil-certified oil palm plantation in Riau on Thursday.
— Jakarta Globe
Various capital sites proposed by past presidents
The plan to relocate Indonesia’s capital is not new.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
VP calls for two solutions to improve Indonesian electoral system
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has proposed two solutions to improve upon problems faced during Indonesia’s 2019 elections in which more than 450 polling station workers died.
— Antara News
Completion of East Jakarta’s manual vote recount awaited: KPU
The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) is awaiting the final results of the manual vote recount for the East Jakarta region, according to KPU Jakarta chairman Betty Epsilon Idroos.
— Antara News
Zero tariff for Pandaan-Malang toll road to facilitate community
Tariff for Pandaan-Malang toll road section 1-3 until Eid al-Fitr (Lebaran) 1440 Hijriah was eliminated to lower burden on the community, particularly those visiting their villages for the Islamic Holiday in June 2019, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) clarified.
— Antara News
Indonesia’s Prabowo must face reality and accept defeat. Again.
In nine days time Indonesia’s election commission will release the official results of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
— Sydney Morning Herald
4 Popular Tourist Destinations for Ngabuburit Ramadan
Many tourist destinations in Indonesia become more popular during the fasting month Ramadan, especially nearing iftar.
— Tempo.co
Retail sales expected to increase 30-40 percent ahead of holiday
The Association of Indonesian Retailers (Aprindo) is projecting that retailers will see a 30 to 40 percent increase in sales during Ramadan and Idil Fitri, supported by the inflation rate, which was less than 3 percent in the first quarter.
— The Jakarta Post
‘Ojek’ driver in Medan achieves mother’s dream, wins seat in city council
Erwin Siahaan, 36, an app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver from Medan, North Sumatra, has won a seat in the Medan Legislative Council for the 2019 to 2024 term, the Medan General Elections Commission (KPU) vote count has revealed.
— The Jakarta Post
KPU Situng data encompasses 78.91 percent of total polling stations
Ma’ruf Amin bagged 68,012,184 votes, or 56.29 percent, while challenger Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno secured 52,810,224 votes, or 43.71 percent.
— Antara News
CIFTIS 2019 to Shape the New Pattern of China’s Comprehensive Opening-up
This year’s Two Sessions (National People’s Congress, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) sent a positive message to the world that China will deepen reform and expand opening-up.
— Antara News
Singaporean couple’s nightmare Bali vacation
Husband and wife were robbed, injured, hospitalised and harassed during 4-day trip
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
Ceramic tile producers worried about influx of Indian products
While the influx of ceramic tiles from China has subsided after the government imposed a protective tariff, local ceramic tile producers are concerned by the influx of similar products from India.
— The Jakarta Post
Heavy rains damage local Jambi mosque, disrupt Ramadan activities
Heavy rainfall hit Mount Kerinci in Jambi on Sunday night, damaging rooftops at Jihadil Awal Mosque and disrupting religious activities during Ramadan.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian man arrested in Perth for allegedly possessing child pornography
An Indonesian man was arrested at Perth International Airport on Sunday (May 12) after officers found child pornography material on his mobile phone.
— CNA
Indonesia observes World Malaria Day in Bali, highlights 5 provinces that have yet to eradicate the disease
Did you know that five Indonesian provinces have yet to declare themselves Malaria-free? This important fact was highlighted during the observance of this year’s World Malaria Day in Indonesia, which took place today in Bali.
— Coconuts Bali
Minister Laoly inspects Siak Prison ravaged by rioting, fire
Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly visited the Class IIB Penitentiary of Siak Sri Indrapura, Riau, Monday, to review the situation after it was ravaged by riots and fire on Saturday (May 11).
— Antara News
Indonesia: External risks to keep BI on hold – TDS
Mitul Kotecha, senior emerging markets strategist at TD Securities, suggests that after the Bank Indonesia left policy rates unchanged at its meeting on 25th April, citing efforts to strengthen external stability, they are expecting the same at the meeting on Thu 16 May, with BI likely to sound cautious.
— fxstreet.com
Govt considers swapping scheme for buildings as part of capital relocation plan
In trying to lower the cost of relocating Indonesia’s capital, the government has said it would be open to swapping ownership of buildings in Jakarta with suitable ones at the new location, which is still being considered.
— The Jakarta Post
HM Sampoerna to launch iQos smoking device in Indonesia
Cigarette producer PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna, owned by United States-based Philip Morris International, is considering selling its new “heated tobacco” device called the iQos in Indonesia after the product launch in Malaysia last month.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Five smartphone brands control 80% of Indonesian market
A market analytics firm says it expects global smartphone shipments to decline this year, while another company has reported that shipments to Indonesia were Asia Pacific’s highest at 38 million units sold last year.
— The Jakarta Post
CEA collaborates with Indonesia on promoting creative industries
The Creative Economy Agency, a (Public Organisation) is collaborating with the Indonesian Creative Economy Agency to promote Thai-Indonesian creative industries under the “Thai-Indonesia Creative Industry Collaboration.”
— The Nation
Effective family planning is critical for future of Indonesia
High fertility rates in the world’s fourth biggest country continue to pose a threat to the health of the nation and its prosperity, writes Jenna Dodson.
— Irish Examiner
Police confirm 32 thousand security personnel to secure KPU building
Some 32 thousand police and military personnel will be stationed to secure the General Elections Commission (KPU) building prior to the commission’s official declaration of manual vote-recapitulation results.
— Antara News
Freeport to pay Papua portion of disputed surface water tax
A dispute between the Papua provincial administration and PT Freeport Indonesia over a surface water tax has been resolved after Papua Governor Lukas Enembe met with Freeport Indonesia president commissioner Richard Adkerson at the Freeport McMoran headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, United States.
— The Jakarta Post
Witness Supriyono claims “fees” from KONI to ministry normal practice
Treasurer to Assistant of the Youth and Sports Ministry (Kemenpora) for National Sports Achievement Improvement for 2017-2018 Supriyono claimed it was common for the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) to give a “fee” to the ministry.
— Antara News
Minister cautions against ongoing threats to national ideology
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has appealed to heads of regional offices of the Defense Ministry to always give priority to upholding the state ideology of Pancasila and guarding against possible threats to it.
— Antara News
Completion of Pandaan-Malang toll road to be accelerated: ministry
Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono confirmed that work on the Pandaan-Malang toll road project will be expedited to meet the aspirations of the community that had waited since long.
— Antara News
Transportation ministry, PLN agree on power supply to Patimban Port
The Transportation Ministry and state-run electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) inked an agreement to supply power to Patimban Port area in Subang District of West Java.
— Antara News
1.3 kg crystal meth destroyed by West Kalimantan BNN
To step up its drugs crackdown, the West Kalimantan National Narcotics Agency (BNN) here, Monday, destroyed 1.3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine that its officers had seized from two suspects arrested during a recent raid.
— Antara News
Flooding inundates three villages in Tanjung Palas Timur, E Kalimantan
Heavy rains in the Sajau River upstream area in Giram Batu Tulis Sub-district, Berau District, triggered flash floods that swamped three villages in Tanjung Palas Timur Sub-district, Bulungan District, North Kalimantan Province, on Sunday.
— Antara News
Residents called to avoid dangerous zone post-Mt Agung Eruption
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) has advised residents, climbers and tourists not to do any activity in the Hazard Estimated Zone which covers all areas within a four kilometer radius from the crater of Mount Agung’s summit in Karangasem District, Bali, which erupted and issued a loud bang on Sunday (May 12) at 10:24 p.m local time.
— Antara News
Indonesia to boost modest fashion exports
As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is aiming to promote its modest fashion scene to the global market through exports of Muslimwear.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian director calls for LGBT+ debate after film ban
An Indonesian director who received death threats over his latest film warned against a return to authoritarianism on Friday, calling for more debate on LGBT+ issues.
— Intellasia
Why is Indonesia looking to relocate its capital city and could it really pull it off?
Many rolled their eyes late last month when Indonesia’s government yet again declared its intention to move the national capital.
— Intellasia
Rupiah correction occurs early this week as Asian currencies tumble
A correction again occurred in the exchange rate of the rupiah traded at the Jakarta interbank market earlier this week on the back of weaker Asian currencies.
— Antara News
President Jokowi pays working visit to Malang
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made a one-day working visit to Malang, East Java, on Monday.
— Antara News
Total Cleaning & Laundry Solutions for Indonesia
Indonesia is showing a steady growth in the cleaning and laundry market.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire
Feature photo pwbaker
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo acknowledges Vesak Day, May 17.
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.
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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