Indonesia morning news for February 18

Indonesia morning news for February 18
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Indonesia morning news

102 specimens of suspected COVID-19 patients tested negative: Minister
Indonesia’s Health Ministry has declared 102 out of 104 specimens of suspected coronavirus patients negative, while the test for two other samples has yet to complete, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said.
— Antara News

Government aims to boost Indonesia’s ‘doing business’ ranking to 53rd in 2020
The government hopes to boost the country’s “doing business” ranking to 53rd place on the World Bank’s list this year in a bid to attract more investment into the country.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia military to blame for 2014 Papua killings: Rights commission
Indonesia’s military shot dead four students in the country’s restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out “gross human rights violations”, a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.
— The Jakarta Post

Jokowi Plans to Give 30 Percent Discount as Tourism Incentive
President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has opened opportunities to give discounts of up to 30 percent to both domestic and foreign tourists as part of the government’s efforts to revive the country’s weakened tourism sector following the coronavirus outbreak.
— Tempo.co

Indonesia clocks US$864-million trade deficit in January 2020
Indonesia’s trade balance in January 2020 witnessed a deficit of US$864 million, with export value totaling $13.41 billion and imports of $14.28 billion, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS).
— Antara News

Security in 135 Indonesia’s gates tightened over coronavirus: minister
Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has revealed that the traffic of people at 135 entrances to Indonesia is being monitored tightly to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Antara News

Indonesia’s external debt at 2019-end recorded at US$404.3 billion
Indonesia’s external debt at the end of fourth quarter (Q4) 2019 was recorded at US$404.3 billion, comprising public debt (government and central bank) of US$202.9 billion, and private debt, including state-owned enterprises, of $201.4 billion.
— Antara News

Cirebon floods inundate over two thousand homes
Floods submerged eight villages in four sub-districts in Cirebon District, West Java, and submerged over two thousand homes on Monday.
— Antara News

President said Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness is on the rise
President Joko Widodo said Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness has improved over the years based on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index.
— Antara News

Indonesian Crew Aboard Diamond Princess in Good Health: Govt
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi announced that the 78 Indonesian crewmembers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship would not undergo observation—in efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus—as they arrived back to Indonesia.
— Tempo.co

Kediri woman in isolation ward tests negative for coronavirus
A 52-year-old woman from Kediri, East Java, who had been under observation at the isolation ward of Iskak Public Hospital in Tulungagung for showing symptoms consistent with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has tested negative for the virus.
— The Jakarta Post

Finance minister urges European companies to avail tax holiday
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati here, Monday, urged European companies operating in Indonesia to utilize tax holiday as only companies in Netherlands partook in those fiscal incentive schemes.
— Antara News

High wages still top concern for Japanese companies in Indonesia: Survey
The steep increase in the minimum regional wage remains a major concern for Japanese companies doing business in Indonesia, according to a new survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
— The Jakarta Post

Jiwasraya scandal sends ripples through financial industry
State-owned insurer PT Asuransi Jiwasraya’s investment mismanagement case has had a ripple effect on other companies in the financial industry.
— The Jakarta Post

Government to subsidize domestic airlines affected by virus outbreak
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi divulged that the government will offer direct subsidy to domestic airlines whose businesses were impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
— Antara News

‘Tough but necessary’: Indosat cuts 677 jobs to boost efficiency
Telecommunication service provider PT Indosat has taken a further step to improve its financial state through the layoff of almost 700 employees in recent days.
— The Jakarta Post

BPS points to increase in Human Development Index in Indonesia
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that the quality of health, education, and fulfillment of needs of Indonesians had increased as was apparent from the country’s Human Development Index (HDI), clocking 71.92 in 2019.
— Antara News

21 new species added to Indonesian bird collection
Twenty-one new species have been added to the list of bird species endemic to Indonesia as of the beginning of 2020, bringing the country’s total to 1,794 bird species.
— The Jakarta Post

Army helicopter crash victims’ bodies sent to hometowns
Remains of eight of the 12 victims, who flew aboard an Mi-17 Army helicopter that disappeared in June 2019 in Pegunungan Bintang District, Papua Province, were sent to hometowns in Semarang, Central Java, and Surabaya, East Java.
— Antara News

Airlangga Assures Job Creation Bill Offers More Benefits to Workers
The omnibus bill on job creation offers more benefits to workers than the existing manpower law, chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday as he attempted to ease anxiety among labor unions worrying about a draconian law.
— Jakarta Globe

Dozens of cattle in East Sumba starve to death
Dozens of cattle, especially horses, belonging to farmers in East Sumba district, East Nusa Tenggara, have reportedly died of starvation.
— Antara News

Jokowi wants Dubai Expo as bridge to Indonesia
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants Dubai World Expo 2020, in which Indonesia will be participating, to become a hub and bridge of Indonesia’s economy with countries in the Middle East and Africa as emerging economies.
— Antara News

Govt Awards Batik Air Cabin Crew Involved in Wuhan Evacuation
The Batik Air cabin crew consisting of 18 people involved in the evacuation of Indonesians from Wuhan Province in China were awarded the Adikarya Dirgantara Adhirajasa on Monday.
— Tempo.co

Labor unions feel ‘terrorized’ by unscheduled protest at headquarters: Leader
Congress Alliance of Indonesian Labor Unions (KASBI) chairwoman Nining Elitos called an unscheduled protest, which was held at the union’s secretariat, an “act of terror” against them.
— The Jakarta Post

DPRD DKI Jakarta Speaker Tight-lipped on Formula E Race
Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD DKI Jakarta) Speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi was non-committal when asked about the recommendations on the use of the National Monument (Monas) area for the upcoming Formula E race in the capital.
— Tempo.co

‘Stop prosecuting sex trafficking victims!’: Activists lambaste Gerindra lawmaker
Rights activists have urged the West Sumatra Police to stop their legal process against NN, a sex worker currently facing criminal charges after allegedly being entrapped by a lawmaker from the Gerindra Party, Andre Rosiade, in a hotel room in Padang last month, pointing out that the she is actually a victim of unaddressed human trafficking in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post

Ministry conducts cyber patrolling to supervise challenge on TikTok
The Communication and Informatics Ministry has conducted cyber patrolling to watch over dangerous challenges on TikTok, a China-based mobile app for making and sharing short videos, generally lasting 15 to 60 seconds long.
— Antara News

MRT construction to complete second phase by 2024
The construction on the first stage of phase II of the MRT which has started from the HI Roundabout to the Kota Station, is targeted for completion in 2024 due to the challenging track conditions.
— Antara News

Batan finds source of Serpong’s radioactive waste, dumper still unknown
The Jakarta Post Jakarta Activists and experts are demanding to know how radioactive materials ended up in the Batan Indah housing complex in South Tangerang, Banten, saying that such dangerous substances should not be discarded in a residential neighborhood.
— The Jakarta Post

Patimban port slated to begin operation in September
Patimban port in Subang West Java, a strategic project expected to ease logistics in the busy industrial neighborhood, has been scheduled for partial operation in September, according to the Transportation Ministry.
— The Jakarta Post

Local universities urge level playing field for Monash amid competition concerns
Amid competition concerns, local universities have urged the government to ensure a level playing field following a plan by Australia-based Monash University to establish a campus in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post

Omnibus bill on job creation weakens ulema’s role in certification: Indonesia Halal Watch
Amid the contentious public debate surrounding the recently submitted omnibus bill on job creation, nongovernmental organization Indonesia Halal Watch has raised concerns about several new stipulations in the bill, which it says will negatively impact the country’s halal certification regulations if they become law.
— The Jakarta Post

Moody’s Predicts Under 5% Growth for Indonesia in 2020
Moody’s predicted Indonesia’s 2020 economic growth to decelerate as a result of a global slowdown as an impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
— Tempo.co

Govt tests IMEI-based block on black market cellphones
The Communications and Information Ministry is set to test its planned restrictions on illegal cellphones using the devices’ unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers before it implements the new restrictions fully in April.
— The Jakarta Post

BTN profits drop more than 90% in 2019 as bad loans, costs rise
Publicly listed state lender Bank Tabungan Negara’s (BTN) profits plummeted by more than 90 percent last year as nonperforming loans and costs of funds rose amid a challenging business climate for the banking industry.
— The Jakarta Post

One click away: You can now pay tuition for some 180 schools with GoPay
Forget traditional payment methods or bank transfers; users of Gojek’s digital wallet platform GoPay, now have the option to pay for school tuition and other bills for students and student activities with just one click through the GoPay app.
— The Jakarta Post

Palm oil-based green fuel program unlikely to empower palm oil farmers: smallholders
Oil palm farmers have raised doubts that the palm oil-based “green fuel” scheme laid out in the government’s recent five-year plan will benefit them, taking past biodiesel developments as cautionary tales.
— The Jakarta Post

Behind Ahok’s Appointment as Pertamina’s Chief Commissioner
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or popularly known as Ahok, revealed that President Jokowi initially asked the former Jakarta governor’s help to oversee a number of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in a meeting at the Bogor State Palace.
— Tempo.co

Bakamla vows to increase presence in strategic waters
Newly inaugurated Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) chief Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia has said increasing the agency’s presence in the country’s strategic waters, including around the resource-rich Natuna islands near the highly disputed South China Sea, is one of his immediate priorities.
— The Jakarta Post

Ahok Talks About Animosity Filling Him Early Into Imprisonment
During his attendance at Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s book launch at the Tempo headquarters today, former Jakarta deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat confirmed that Ahok was initially angry at everyone during his early days in jail.
— Tempo.co

BPIP: Jokowi Wants Focus of Pancasila Education for Millennials
The Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education (BPIP) Head Yudian Wahyudi said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo demanded all ministries and institutions focus on educating the millennial generation about the values of Pancasila.
— Tempo.co

Floods, landslides impact Bandung, West Bandung districts in West Java
Incessant heavy rains on Sunday triggered the Citarum River to overflow its bank and caused floods and landslides in the districts of Bandung and West Bandung in West Java Province.
— Antara News

Government orders shutting down of illegal mines
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin affirmed that the government will issue a presidential regulation to follow up on mining practices conducted without permits that result in disasters and losses to the community.
— Antara News

Anies Baswedan Hesitant to Comment on the Jakarta Problems Survey
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was hesitant to comment on the Indo Barometer survey on the achievements of three Jakarta governors in overcoming problems in Jakarta.
— Tempo.co

Ahok Talks of Anies, Possibility to Run in 2024 Election
Former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP) or Ahok said he was willing to run as a presidential candidate in the 2024 election if there are no proper candidates.
— Tempo.co

Anies Begins Construction of HI Roundabout- Monas MRT Line
PT MRT Jakarta will start work on the Phase II of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) railroad project. The construction is targeted to be completed in 58 months.
— Tempo.co

Megawati Soekarnoputri Absent at BPIP Event on Pancasila
The chairwoman of the Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education’s (BPIP) steering committee, Megawati Soekarnoputri, was absent at an event where she was scheduled to brief middle-high officials of the Coordinating Security Ministry on Monday, February 17, 2020.
— Tempo.co

MER-C team to supervise second-phase construction of hospital in Gaza
Indonesia’s humanitarian non-governmental organization MER-C has dispatched a team of volunteers to the Gaza Strip, Palestine, for supervising the second-phase construction of the Indonesian Hospital.
— Antara News

‘It’s our nation’s right to rely on the Almighty’: Minister justifies calling for prayers in coronavirus battle
Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has reiterated the importance of praying amid the country’s ongoing battle against China’s coronavirus (COVID-19), saying that the weary public should use religion as a guiding principle in turbulent times.
— The Jakarta Post

Activists call for transparent investigation into environmental lawyer’s death amid alleged discrepancies
No significant progress has been made in an investigation into the death of environmental lawyer Golfrid Siregar in Medan, North Sumatra four months after he was found severely injured, activists have said, while urging the police to be more transparent in the case amid discrepancies.
— The Jakarta Post

Victims of fallen tree, Yogyakarta residents seek crowdfunding support for treatment
A man from Bantul, Yogyakarta, has started a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for the medical expenses of his wife who suffered multiple fractures after a 10-meter-tall tree fell on her while she was eight months pregnant.
— The Jakarta Post

 

Feature photo Indonesia Watch

This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on World Day of Social Justice, February 20.

 

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.

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Justhine De Guzman Uy completed a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication at New Era University, Quezon City, the Philippines in 2016

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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