President, ministers’ medical test results won’t be revealed to public: Health minister
The Health Ministry announced Tuesday that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, along with his aides in the Cabinet, had been tested for COVID-19 following the positive case of Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.
— The Jakarta Post
It’s a non-emergency emergency, BNPB says regarding COVID-19 pandemic
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has declared that Indonesia’s emergency disaster status due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be extended until May but explained that the status did not mean an actual state of emergency.
— The Jakarta Post
Police slammed for arresting producer of video showing 49 Chinese workers arriving in Kendari
The police’s response to a video of 49 Chinese workers arriving in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, despite the government’s travel ban to and from China in an effort to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading, has been condemned.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19 Pandemic, Govt Temporarily Prohibits Mask Exports
Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto officially enacted a temporary ban on the export of masks amid the Covid-19 virus pandemic alert status, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) a few days ago.
— Tempo.co
Govt: Minister Budi Karya ‘Stable’ After Contracting COVID-19
Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investments Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan revealed that Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, who has transmitted COVID-19, is currently in a stable condition and shows signs of improvement.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia Sways Toward Pandemic’s Worst Case Scenario, Announces 19 Deaths From Covid-19
Indonesia has reported a steep jump in the number of deaths from Covid-19 in its territory as the most populous country in Southeast Asia veered toward a worst-case scenario in the pandemic.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia’s economic growth may dive to 4.5% in Q1: Finance minister
Indonesia’s economic growth may drop to 4.5- 4.9 percent in the first quarter, with potential to further plunge in the second quarter, amid weakening economic activities driven by the spread of the novel coronavirus, the finance minister says.
— The Jakarta Post
RNI awaits Health Ministry’s authorization to import 500,000 COVID-19 rapid testing kits from China
State-owned diversified manufacturer PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI) is waiting for the green light from the Health Ministry to import 500,000 COVID-19 rapid testing kits from China as Indonesia scrambles to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia to Use Asian Games Village as Makeshift Hospital for Covid-19 Patients
The Indonesian government is preparing a makeshift hospital at one of the buildings that used to house athletes during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, in anticipation of a sudden surge in the number of Covid-19 patients, officials said on Wednesday.
— Jakarta Globe
COVID-19: 10 Indonesians hospitalized in India
Ten Indonesians and three Indians were admitted to Gandhi Hospital in New Delhi, India after one of the Indonesian nationals was suspected of having contracted coronavirus (COVID-19), said Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah.
— Antara News
Dengue fever claims 43 lives in NTT
Death toll from dengue fever in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has reached 43, with the latest victim being a four-year-old boy in Kupang City.
— Antara News
32 medical workers in Pontianak under observation after being exposed to COVID-19
The West Kalimantan Health Agency has confirmed that at least 32 medical workers from a private hospital in Pontianak have been exposed to a patient who tested positive for COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia, Philippines Set to Ramp Up Rate Cuts: Decision Guide
Central bankers in Indonesia and the Philippines are likely to cut interest rates for a second time this year, joining colleagues around the globe in boosting efforts to protect their economies from the coronavirus.
— Bloomberg
Indonesia advances preemployment card launch to Friday to anticipate virus impacts
The government is advancing again the disbursement of preemployment cards for workers to Friday and is moving to prepare a third stimulus package in a broader effort to cushion the economy from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official has said
— The Jakarta Post
Rupiah at weakest since 1998 crisis as foreign investors pull out amid virus fears
The rupiah touched levels unseen since the 1998 crisis on Wednesday as fears of a global recession over the rapid spread of COVID-19 prompts investors worldwide to dump financial assets.
— The Jakarta Post
Istiqlal Mosque to Hold Friday Prayer despite Coronavirus Concern
Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque management announced today, March 18, that it planned to hold the mass Friday prayer based on the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) decision amid the coronavirus outbreak happening in the country.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia records $4b budget deficit in February as big-check stimulus spending looms
Indonesia booked a state budget deficit of Rp 62.8 trillion (US$4.07 billion) as of February this year at a time when the government is rolling out multi-billion dollar stimulus packages to cushion the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: Southeast Sulawesi hospital runs out of masks
Bahteramas Regional General Hospital, the only referral center for COVID-19 patients in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, reportedly ran out of surgical masks on Wednesday, resulting in the postponement of several elective surgeries.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian travelers urged to respect Croatia’s self-quarantine rule
The Indonesian Embassy in Zagreb has asked Indonesians planning to visit Croatia to respect the nation’s 14-day self-quarantine rule for travelers from 68 countries, including Indonesia, in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
— Antara News
Third stimulus package to focus on health sector, says minister
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has hinted that the third round of stimulus measures will focus on the health sector, particularly on containing the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.
— Antara News
MP urges government to draft cross-sectoral policy on coronavirus
A lawmaker has urged the Indonesian government to prepare a cross-sectoral policy to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.
— Antara News
Yogyakarta, Central Java COVID-19 Testing Labs Start Operations
The Yogyakarta Government on Tuesday, March 17, has officially started the operation of the coronavirus testing laboratory under the region’s Center for Environmental Health Engineering and Disease Control (BTKLPP) in Bantul, Yogyakarta.
— Tempo.co
Dr. Moewardi hospital in Surakarta offers free COVID-19 screening
Dr. Moewardi General Hospital in Surakarta, Central Java is offering free COVID-19 screening to the public at its newly installed testing booth in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, which is becoming more and more worrying in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post
East Java begins contact tracing for six confirmed COVID-19 cases
East Java’s COVID-19 task force will begin contact tracing for six people in Surabaya who tested positive for the virus, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said on Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
Travel cancellations have risen sharply amid COVID-19, says Traveloka
Indonesian unicorn Traveloka’s chief marketing officer, Dionisius Nathaniel, revealed there has been a significant increase in travel cancellations on the startup’s booking platform on account of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
— Antara News
‘File your tax returns’: Tax office intensifies efforts to collect taxes as budget burdens multiply
“FILE YOUR TAX RETURNS.” As if once is not enough, this message is repeated three times in gigantic lettering on billboards across Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post
Tour guides hit hard as COVID-19 strangles tourist destinations
On a normal day, 58-year-old Agustinus Bataona, a tour guide in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, would be quite busy leading tourists from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Europe on his Komodo Overseas Tour.
— The Jakarta Post
Government issues regulation to jumpstart stalled renewable energy projects
The government aims to jumpstart stalled renewable energy projects through a recently issued regulation as it races against time to catch up with Indonesia’s green energy commitments.
— The Jakarta Post
DPR Requests Increased Protection for COVID-19 Medics
House of Representatives’ (DPR) health commission member Kurniasih Mufidayati revealed that medical personnel at the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are facing a shortage of self-protective equipment.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia to reallocate $1.8b budget for health care, cash transfers: Sri Mulyani
The government announced on Wednesday it is finalizing a third stimulus package as it reallocated Rp 27 trillion (US$1.8 billion) to fund the healthcare system.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian churches call for online worship, sermons amid concerns over COVID-19
In an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) has developed online services to help its followers worship at home.
— The Jakarta Post
Companies launch campaigns to educate customers about COVID-19
Consumer-facing companies are helping to create nationwide awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic by launching public information campaigns.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia lockdown not an option yet: COVID-19 task force
A lockdown is not viable for Indonesia yet due to a number of reasons, including maintaining economic stability, said Wiku Adisasmito, an expert on the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling.
— Antara News
BNPB should declare actual state of emergency for COVID-19: observer
Following the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) disclosure that it had declared a “particular state of disaster emergency” in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, a constitutional expert has said that more decisive action is needed.
— The Jakarta Post
PT Angkasa Pura II applies social distancing for aircraft passengers
PT Angkasa Pura II is applying the social distancing concept at airports managed by the company to contain the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Antara News
Social distancing ‘more effective’ to curb COVID-19 spread, task force says amid calls for lockdown
Despite mounting calls for Indonesia to impose partial lockdowns on virus-plagued areas, the government has maintained that such a policy is not yet on the horizon as it deems social distancing to be more effective to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the country.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: Police impose limits on staple food purchases amid panic buying
The National Police’s food stability task force has enforced a limit on the amount of staple foods available for purchase in a bid to ensure availability in the long term amid panic buying prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
— The Jakarta Post
Indef lays greater weightage to social distancing over lockdown
Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) Executive Director Tauhid Ahmad believes that the social distancing measure applied by Indonesia’s government is a better alternative to a lockdown since the economy is not affected.
— Antara News
Govt Preparing Jakarta Athlete’s Dorm as COVID-19 Hospital
The government is preparing a number of venues to be converted into a special hospital to accommodate positive COVID-19 patients, including the Jakarta Athlete’s Dorm.
— Tempo.co
Jokowi: Hope move to slash industrial gas prices helps economy
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wednesday said he hoped the plan to reduce gas prices for industries would prove beneficial for the national economy.
— Antara News
West Kalimantan shuts down land borders with Sarawak
West Kalimantan has closed its land borders with Sarawak, Malaysia, since Wednesday to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), though foreigners were still permitted to leave the province from the border.
— Antara News
Spokesman confirms recovery of 11 COVID-19 patients
A total of 11 patients, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Indonesia, have recovered from the disease as of Wednesday (March 18), Achmad Yurianto, the government’s spokesman for the handling of COVID-19, stated.
— Antara News
Gov’t calls on parties to adhere to public transportation protocols
Senior Advisor at the Executive Office of the President, Brian Sriprahastuti, urged all parties in Indonesia to collaborate and follow public transportation protocols to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Antara News
Central Java’s police pledge to trace those spreading COVID-19 hoaxes
The police in Batang District, Central Java Province, pledged to trace those creating and proliferating hoaxes on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on social media platforms and to act sternly against them.
— Antara News
Facilities to continually be improved at COVID-19 referral hospitals
Vice President (VP) Ma’ruf Amin spoke of improvements being conducted on a continual basis at hundreds of referral hospitals to treat coronavirus (COVID-19) as a precautionary measure to improve care and examination services for patients.
— Antara News
Companies Join $696m Buyback Plan Till June
A total of 28 listed companies have pledged $696 million to buy back their shares, heeding a call from authorities to help them arrest a stock market decline amid an escalating Covid-19 pandemic.
— Jakarta Globe
Ruangguru Users Surpass TikTok’s as Schools Close amid COVID-19
The online learning app Ruangguru announced that over one million students have registered to its services on Monday, March 16.
— Tempo.co
COVID-19 Task Force Chief Asks Public to Stop Solution Debate
The Chief of COVID-19 Mitigation Task Force Doni Monardo has asked the Indonesian people to stop the debate on the best theory in curbing the coronavirus pandemic.
— Tempo.co
Elections Commission Urged to Postpone Regional Election Preliminary Stages
The Association for Elections and Democracy, or Perludem, has urged the General Elections Commission, or KPU, to postpone the preliminary stages of the 2020 regional elections that require crowd interaction for the next 14 days due to the continuing Covid-19 outbreak.
— Jakarta Globe
Disinfecting Jakarta
Shops, restaurants and cafes in Jakarta have been spraying their premises with disinfectant after the number of people infected with coronavirus in the country jumped to 172 on Tuesday.
— Jakarta Globe
Transjakarta Stops Cash Transaction Starting Thursday
Jakarta-owned bus operator Transjakarta was set to close all forms of cash transactions, both in the top-up of electronic money and the purchase of new cards starting Thursday, March 19.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia Task Force Launches COVID-19 Website
Indonesia’s Task Force for the COVID-19 Mitigation launched a page www.covid19.go.id as the official source of information on tackling the coronavirus which is now a global pandemic.
— Tempo.co
Police: Collapsed Person at Train Station Unrelated to COVID-19
South Jakarta’s Pancoran Sector Police Commissioner Johanis Soeprijanto confirms that the video showing a man collapsed at a train station in Jakarta, who was attended by security personnel, was unrelated to coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co
FPI Urges Central Govt to Copy Anies in Curbing COVID-19
The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab has urged the central Indonesian Government to look to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s efforts in curbing the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Tempo.co
Anies Baswedan’s Focus for Jakarta COVID-19 Task Force
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan chaired Jakarta’s COVID-19 Task Force first meeting, discussing methods preventing further spread of the pandemic.
— Tempo.co
Erick Thohir Orders Telkom to Support Remote Work
The State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir has ordered Telkom Group to provide an unhindered internet connection to support people’s activities at home amid the government’s call for coronavirus social distancing.
— Tempo.co
Magelang Closes 7 Tourist Destinations to Curb COVID-19 Outbreak
The government of Magelang Regency, Central Java, has shut down seven tourist destinations for two weeks.
— Tempo.co
Security threats from armed Papuan criminals in Mimika identified
The Indonesian military and police personnel in Mimika District, Papua Province, detected potential security threats from armed Papuan criminals in the Jila area, Mimika Police Chief Adjunct Sen. Coms. I Gusti Gede Era Adhinata stated.
— Antara News
What about us?: Domestic workers feel neglected amid virus outbreak
When President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made a televised appeal for Indonesians to work from home on Sunday as part of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment efforts, 40-year-old Asri knew the message was not for her.
— The Jakarta Post
‘It’s discouraging’: Nurses lambast COVID-19 spokesperson for calling them ‘room boys’
The Indonesian Nurses Association (PPNI) has expressed its disappointment over a statement made by the Health Ministry’s disease control and prevention director general, Achmad Yurianto, who called them “room boys” in a popular podcast.
— The Jakarta Post
UNESCO postpones Toba Caldera Geopark status announcement due to COVID-19 outbreak
UNESCO has postponed its announcement of Toba Caldera Geopark in North Sumatra as a member of its Global Geoparks, as the United Nations cultural body postponed its 209th plenary session in Paris, which was to take place in April.
— The Jakarta Post
Government bemoans lack of environmental expertise in justice system
The Environment and Forestry Ministry has complained that a lack of certification in environmental matters among judges remains one of the biggest obstacles to law enforcement in environmental damage cases, including those involving land and forest fires.
— The Jakarta Post
Court-martial of gay soldier form of discrimination, activists say
A gay soldier, a second lieutenant of the Indonesian Army identified only by his initials DS, is fighting a legal battle over his alleged personal relations with three men in 2017 and 2018.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: People will feel calm if govt is credible, SBY says
Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration to take the novel coronavirus more seriously by correcting their existing policies, saying that the government seemed have underestimated the virus at the beginning.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: The twists and turns of working from home
Work from home (WFH), which President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recommended on Monday to curb the spread of COVID-19, can have its upsides and downsides – often humorous – which people have taken to the internet to share.
— The Jakarta Post
Maluku administration approves land plot for Masela gas project harbor
The development of a long-stalled, nationally strategic gas project in the offshore Masela Block has taken a step forward as the Maluku governor has allocated 27 hectares of land for the project’s harbor.
— The Jakarta Post
Feature photo Greenpeace
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Forests, 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).
—
About Indonesia morning news.
Indonesia morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Indonesia English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Indonesia English language news today.
We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Indonesia daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Indonesia news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.15am Jakarta time.
We clearly identify the source of all the Indonesia news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.
This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Indonesia news article, or keep on reading the remaining Indonesia daily news headlines.
Click here to get your Indonesia English language news today by email before 8am Jakarta time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.
For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.
#Independentmedia
Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Indonesia morning news for March 19 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on
View all posts by Justhine De Guzman Uy →
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.
Latest posts by Justhine De Guzman Uy (see all)
- Fintech startup to provide greater financial inclusion for Malaysia’s migrant workers – July 25, 2020
- Indonesia morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020
- Singapore morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020
- Indonesia morning news for July 23 – July 23, 2020