Indonesia morning news for March 17

Indonesia morning news for March 17
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Indonesia morning news

Indonesia trade surplus touches US$2.34 billion in February
Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of US$2.34 billion in February 2020, with exports reaching US$13.94 billion and imports touching US$11.60 billion, according to an announcement from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News

Indonesia’s COVID-19 tally rises to 134 as 17 new cases reported
The government has announced 17 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 134 as of Monday afternoon.
— The Jakarta Post

COVID-19: Tax office pushes back filing deadline, scraps direct services
The Taxation Directorate General has cancelled direct face-to-face services and is advising all taxpayers to use online facilities for filing their annual tax returns (SPTs) in compliance with the government’s social distancing policy to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

Rupiah inches closer to 15,000 over fears of COVID-19 pandemic
The rupiah inched closer to the Rp 15,000 psychological mark against the US dollar on Monday, as fears over the COVID-19 pandemic prompted investors to dump risky assets amid a global market rout.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia’s foreign debts recorded at US$410.8 billion in January 2020
Indonesia’s foreign debts totaled US$410.8 billion at the end of January 2020, characterizing a 7.5-percent spike from a year earlier, according to Bank Indonesia (BI).
— Antara News

Five COVID-19 patients discharged after recovery
Five patients in Indonesia have recovered from COVID-19 and discharged from the Sulianti Saroso Hospital for Infectious Diseases, according to the hospital authorities.
— Tempo.co

Lockdown not yet an option for Indonesia, says President
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted on Monday that imposing a lockdown was not in the works for Indonesia or any of its 34 provinces, saying that citizens should instead practice “social distancing” to contain the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin Tests Negative for Coronavirus
The assistant deputy of Communication at the Vice President’s Secretariate, Rusmin Nuryadin, said that Vice President Ma’ruf Amin underwent coronavirus (COVID-19) medical health test on Saturday, March 14, and announced that the VP’s test result came back negative.
— Tempo.co

President Jokowi Conducts Virtual Meeting Amid Coronavirus Crisis
Following the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indonesia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo strongly advised members of the public to work from home, which includes state-ministers.
— Tempo.co

COVID-19 Spokesman: Confirmation Comes After Numerous Tests
Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Health Ministry, Achmad Yurianto confirms that the government continues to conduct follow-up tests on patients that have tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co

Jokowi Urges Indonesians to Stay Home
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged on Sunday the people to work, study or carry out their act of worship at home for the near future to slow down the spread of Covid-19 disease.
— Jakarta Globe

Sugar barter: Indonesia reduces rules for Indian imports to sweeten palm oil trade
Indonesia has relaxed the quality requirements for sugar entering the country to allow Indian supply in, as part of a barter exchange to secure palm oil export access to the latter and to deal with dwindling local supply.
— Food- Navigator Asia

Indonesia’s ultra rich to increase in number by 57% by 2024
The number of Indonesia’s ultra rich is expected to jump by 57 percent to 1,060 individuals over the next four years, the second highest increase in Southeast Asia, according to a recent report.
— The Jakarta Post

President Jokowi, First Lady Undergo Coronavirus Testing
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he and first lady Iriana Jokowi have undergone a string of medical health tests to confirm whether they have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19) or not.
— Tempo.co

Coronavirus threatens Idul Fitri food supply as import regulations tightened
The government needs to further simplify import procedures for basic needs such as sugar, meat and garlic to ensure sufficient supplies during Ramadan and the Idul Fitri holidays, when demand increases sharply, analysts and businesspeople have warned.
— The Jakarta Post

Tourism sector suffers $1.5 billion losses as Covid-19 hits hard
The Indonesian tourism sector has suffered losses of at least US$1.5 billion since January as cancelations have hit the industry, especially hotels, amid growing fears over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, an industry source has said.
— The Jakarta Post

9 Directives of Coronavirus Mitigation Task Force Chief
Coronavirus Mitigation Task Force chief Doni Monardo has announced nine points regional governments must heed in formulating policies pertaining to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co

Dutch king’s visit to Indonesia shows why apologies matter
A recent visit by the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Indonesia was the first by Dutch royals in a quarter of a century.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Indonesian stocks open deep in red as Fed makes second emergency rate cut to zero
Indonesian stocks were off to a bad start on Monday, plunging more than 2 percent at opening following the US Federal Reserve’s announcement of a second emergency rate cut and a spike in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia waives import levies for COVID-19 antivirus development, allocates Rp 1t for medical needs
The government will eliminate the import duty for materials needed to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and allocate Rp 1 trillion (US$67.04 million) for related medical needs, as the number of infections experienced a recent spike in Indonesia and hospitals struggle to cope with the virus.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian Cabinet Holds Meeting Through Video Conferencing as Minister Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo led his first cabinet meeting through video conferencing on Monday, two days after Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi tested positive for coronavirus.
— Jakarta Globe

Long lines at Batam port ahead of Singapore’s new travel restriction
Hundreds of Batam residents filled the Batam Center International Ferry Port on Monday ahead of Singapore’s implementation of new border restrictions on Monday to stop the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post

Singapore donates medical equipment to Batam in mutual effort to combat COVID-19
Singapore has donated safety equipment and ventilators to Batam hospitals in Riau Islands province to help treat COVID-19 patients.
— The Jakarta Post

HIV patients express concern as prescriptions adjusted amid drug shortages in Indonesia
At the beginning of every month, Uka, 43, visits Bungsu Hospital in Bandung, West Java.
— The Jakarta Post

From Sumatra to Sulawesi, schools closed, social distancing measures applied
Regional leaders across the country have implemented social distancing measures following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s call for people to work and study from home to avoid exposure to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
— The Jakarta Post

Months in, two of KPK’s key graft suspects remain at large
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has not yet been able to arrest two key graft suspects who are still on the loose, former Supreme Court secretary Nurhadi and politician from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Harun Masiku, months after the antigraft agency named them suspects in two separate cases.
— The Jakarta Post

House urges government to engage experts to contemplate on lockdown
The House of Representatives (DPR) appealed to the government to engage experts in contemplating on imposing a lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID) amid confirmed spike in COVID-19 cases.
— Antara News

COVID-19: State officials take tests, precautionary measures following confirmed Cabinet case
As the country deals with heightened concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) following news that a Cabinet member was infected, state officials have taken precautions to ensure the government remains functional amid the global public health emergency.
— The Jakarta Post

West Java to test those without COVID-19 symptoms as cases rise
As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) increase in Indonesia, the West Java administration has moved to proactively test those who are suspected of having the virus but do not display symptoms.
— The Jakarta Post

PB IDI Urges Govt to Disclose COVID-19 Patients’ Identities
The chairman of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI), Daeng Mohammad Faqih, has asked the government to disclose the identities of those testing positive for COVID-19 to facilitate contact tracing and estimate the spread of the deadly virus and formulate the necessary mitigation efforts.
— Tempo.co

Baswedan lifts curbs on Jakarta transport services
DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has lifted the restrictions placed on public transportation services, including for TransJakarta buses and MRT Jakarta, to check the spread of COVID-19.
— Antara News

State-owned hospitals prepare isolation rooms as COVID-19 cases up
State-owned hospitals, under the Indonesian Healthcare Corporation (IHC) Pertamedika, will help the government handle the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), including through treating and isolating patients at their facilities, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir stated.
— Antara News

Disinfection chamber becomes functional at Presidential Palace’s gate
A disinfection chamber has already become functional at the entry gate of the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday to destroy any potentially harmful germs, especially of coronavirus, which might be present on clothing.
— Antara News

Sumba Tengah bans employees from leaving district to contain COVID-19
Head of Sumba Tengah District in East Nusa Tenggara Province Paulus S. K. Limu has banned his subordinates from leaving the district as part of precautionary measures adopted to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Antara News

How A COVID-19 Medical Checkup at RSPI Sulianti Saroso Is Done
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused dismay among members of the public as those who feel they are showing minor symptoms are starting to check themselves to local hospitals to reassure they have not contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co

COVID-19 may potentially disrupt Indonesia’s regional elections
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has infected at least 117 people in several Indonesian cities might hinder the convening of 2020 regional elections, scheduled simultaneously in 270 regions on Sept 28, a legislator stated.
— Antara News

Jokowi: Only Central Govt Has Right to Initiate Lockdown
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has asked the central government and regional administrations to conduct in-depth studies prior to issuing public policies amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
— Tempo.co

PT MRT Jakarta monitors passenger density at four stations
PT MRT Jakarta, the operating company of the capital city’s Mass Rapid Transit, monitored the density of passengers at four stations on the first day of public transport restrictions in wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
— Tempo.co

Borobudur Temple premises disinfected amid COVID-19 outbreak
Borobudur Conservation Officers sprayed disinfectant in the Borobudur Temple premises as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
— Antara News

Indonesia shuts down several museums to contain COVID-19 spread
The Education and Culture Ministry has shut down services at several museums, galleries, and cultural heritages to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has claimed five lives in Indonesia.
— Antara News

VP defers work visits outside Jakarta for subsequent fortnight
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has postponed all work visits to other cities and nations for at least the subsequent two weeks until March 30 in a bid to minimize the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
— Antara News

Bali sets ‘Siaga’ advisory in keeping with govt policy to curb COVID-19 spread
The administration of the popular resort island of Bali declared on Sunday evening an advisory level of Siaga (watch) for the province.
— The Jakarta Post

Railways, warehousing boost logistics sector as it grows by 10.5% in 2019
Indonesia’s logistics sector recorded 10.5 percent growth last year supported by high growth in railway and sea transportation, as well as warehousing, but the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to disrupt growth for 2020 as businesses limit operations worldwide.
— The Jakarta Post

South Kalimantan police praised for busting drug ring
South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor promised to reward members of the provincial police’s narcotics division for uncovering a major drug racket and seizing 208 kg of crystal meth and 13.9 kg of ecstasy pills.
— Tempo.co

Indonesia thwarts smuggling of five-kg crystal meth from Malaysia
West Kalimantan police’s anti-drug squad successfully staved off an attempt to smuggle five kilograms (kg) of crystal methamphetamine from Kuching City, Malaysia, into West Kalimantan Province by involving a drug convict at Pontianak’s penitentiary.
— Tempo.co

Extremist charities spread in Indonesia
The Indonesian government has arrested more than 1100 suspected terrorists since 2015, with still more killed in counter-terrorism operations or during attacks.
— East Asia Forum

 

 

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.

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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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