Rabu, 30 Oktober 2013

OVER 20,000 POLICE, SOLDIERS TO GUARD JAKARTA STRIKE

 By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 30 (Antara) - More than 20,000 security personnel will be deployed to maintain peace in Jakarta in the face of the industrial workers' national strikes planned for Thursday and Friday.
         Jakarta Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Rikwanto said on Wednesday that the Jakarta Police will field 17,276 police officers who will be assisted by 3,800 military personnel and 819 public order officials.
         Thousands of Jakarta workers have held rallies since Monday, demanding wages be increased by 50 percent from Rp2.2 million to Rp3.7 million per month, the end of outsourcing and an increase in the decent living cost (KHL) from Rp1.9 million to Rp2.7 million.
         Rikwanto said that the number of security personnel was not increased from that deployed since Monday in the face of the national strike, yet these personnel would be distributed to certain sensitive spots.
         Strict security will also be in place at vital locations, such as the State Palace, the Parliamentary complex and the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle. 
    Industrial workers in Jakarta have been holding rallies since Monday, prior to their national strike scheduled for Thursday and Friday.


Selasa, 29 Oktober 2013

WORKERS THREATENING TO STAGE NATIONAL STRIKE

By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 29 (Antara) - Jakarta workers, rallying outside City Hall on Tuesday, threatened to call a two-day national strike if their demand for a 50-percent wage increase  was not met.
         "We came here to meet Jokowi and Ahok (the Jakarta governor and deputy governor). We are demanding a raise in the provincial minimum wage (UMP) and inclusion of more items in the Decent Livelihood Components (KHL)," said Winarso, the chairman of the regional executive board of the Federation of Metal Workers Unions (FSPMI).
         Thousands of Jakarta workers held a rally in Jakarta on Tuesday, demanding wages be increased by 50 percent from Rp2.2 million to Rp3.7 million per month, the end of outsourcing and an increase in the KHL from Rp1.9 million for 60 items to Rp2.7 million for 84 items.
         Winarso said that workers in Jakarta should receive a monthly salary at a range between Rp3.4 million and Rp3.7 million.
         "We also reject Presidential Instruction No. 9 / 2012 because it enables employers to pay workers a low wage. We opt for discussions between workers and employers to decide a decent KHL for items. We demand that the current 60 KHL items, as regulated, be revised," Winarso said.

Sabtu, 26 Oktober 2013

RI UNLIKELY TO ACHIEVE MEAT SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN 2014

By Andi Abdussalam
          Jakarta, Oct 26 (Antara) - With its cattle population dropping this year, Indonesia, which consumes about 550 thousand tons of meat per year, seems unlikely to meet its meat self-sufficient production target in 2014.
         "Seeing its cattle population decline now, it seems that Indonesia will face difficulties in meeting its meat self-sufficiency target in the near future. The government still needs at least five more years to bring the target into reality," Bustanul Arifin, agriculture and animal husbandry observer, said on Thursday.
         In the past several years, the government, through the Directorate General of Animal Husbandry, set a target that in 2014 Indonesia should have been able to produce meat that met its domestic needs.
         However, Indonesia's cattle population this year is believed to be lower than in 2012, which stood at about 16.4 million. As of October this year, Indonesia's cattle population dropped to 14.2 million.

Selasa, 22 Oktober 2013

SOE MINISTRY TO TAKE OVER INALUM FROM JAPAN

By Andi Abdussalam
          Jakarta, Oct 23 (Antara) - The House of Representatives agreed on Tuesday to hand over PT Inalum's management to the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry following the government's decision to acquire it after three years of negotiations with the Japanese government.
         The House made the decision in its joint meeting with all parties, as the government decided not to extend the expired contract of PT Inalum, an aluminum joint venture between Indonesia and Japan in which Indonesia held 41.13 percent of the company's shares and Japan owned 58.87 percent.
         "House Commission VI and the government agree to hand over the management of Inalum to the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry based on the law," Commission VI Chairman Airlangga Hartarto said when reading a statement at the conclusion of the joint meeting with Industry Minister MS Hidayat and SOE Minister Dahlan Iskan, at the Parliament building here on Tuesday night.
         The meeting was also attended by Head of the Government Development and Finance Comptroller (BPKP) Mardiasmo and North Sumatra Governor Gatot Pujo Nogroho.
         The House agreed to the results of negotiations carried out by The Asahan Project Negotiation Team, formed by the President in 2010.
         "We hope the takeover process will be smooth so that the government will own 100 percent of PT Inalum's stake beginning November 1, 2013," Hartarto said, referring to the contract of the joint venture firm, which will expire on October 31, 2013.

Sabtu, 19 Oktober 2013

PERPPU ISSUED TO IMPROVE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S IMAGE

 By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 19 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) in a bid to regain public trust in the Constitutional Court (MK) after chairman Akil Mochtar was arrested for allegedly accepting bribes.
         "The new regulation (Perpu on MK) is aimed to produce higher quality MK judges," Deputy Minister of Justice and Human Rights Denny Indrayana said on Friday. He was referring to the Perpu signed by the President in Yoyakarta on Thursday evening.
         The public confidence in the Constitutional Court (MK) has been seriously shaken since the arrest of the MK chief early this month.   
    The new government regulation in lieu of law calls for more stringent requirements to be met by candidates for MK judges.

         President Yudhoyono said he had enough Constitutional reasons to issue the Perppu to help the MK regain the public's trust after the recent arrest.
         The Perppu is mainly concerned with additional requirements and the mechanism for selecting MK judge candidates, as well as on the improvement in the system of controlling MK judges.

Rabu, 16 Oktober 2013

JAKARTA RESUMES CONSTRUCTION OF MONORAIL PROJECT

 By Andi Abdussalam  
          Jakarta, Oct 17 (Antara) - After five years of inactivity, the 30-kilometre Jakarta monorail project has resumed construction following its launch by Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, on Wednesday.
         The US$1.5 billion monorail project, which is expected to ease Jakarta's heavy traffic jams, came to a grinding halt five years ago due to financial problems, though monorail pillars had already been installed in several sections across the city.
         "With thanks to God, today, we will resume construction on the project. There will be no pillars lying around idle and unused," Jokowi said while inaugurating the groundbreaking ceremony in the Kuningan area of South Jakarta on Wednesday.
          "The 30-kilometre-long track comprises the 14.5-kilometre Green Lane (Kuningan, Dukuh Atas, Pejompongan, Senayan, Gatot Subroto, SCBD) and the 15.5-kilometre Blue Lane (Kampung Malayu, Tebet, Casablanca, Tanang Abang, Mall Taman Aggrek Mall)," PT Jakarta Monorail (JM) Technical Director Bovananto explained.
          JM CEO Edward Soeryadjaya noted that the construction of this monorail is expected to cost US$1.5 billion, of which US$900 million will go towards the construction of the track and carriages and US$600 million will go toward the construction of stations.

INDONESIA NEEDS TO FOCUS DEVELOPMENT ON FISHERIES

By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 16 (Antara) - With two-third of its area as water, Indonesia should focus on developing its fishery sector to become the world's seventh biggest economy by 2030.
         The development model in Indonesia, the world's largest island country, is still terrestrially oriented, though it is actually the fishery sector that can catapult the country into one of the world's largest economies, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo said.
         "So far, the orientation of development in Indonesia has remained focused on land," Sutardjo stated.
         The McKinsey Global Institute, in a report entitled "The Archipelago Economy: Unleashing Indonesia's Potential," said that the fishery sector was a main sector which could help boost Indonesia to become an advanced economy by 2030.
         "By that year, Indonesia's economy will emerge as the seventh biggest in the world, outpacing even those of Germany and Britain," Minister Sutardjo said.
          The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister added that development in Indonesia should now be focused on the sea because most of the land based biodiversity has been depleted.
          Indonesia still has a rich marine potential, which is yet to be tapped into.

Selasa, 15 Oktober 2013

JAKARTA'S POOR TO ENJOY SACRIFICIAL ANIMAL MEAT

By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 15 (Antara) - The poverty-stricken dwellers in Jakarta and across the country received rations of sacrificial meat on Tuesday when Muslims celebrated the Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice.
        The Jakarta regional government distributed 1,750 meat-package coupons to Jakarta's "mustahik," or underprivileged residents.
        "The South Jakarta regional government contributed 36 cows, and the East Jakarta administration donated 46 goats. City Hall provided 21 cows and 41 goats," Sugeng, secretary of the Jakarta Civil Servant Corps, said at City Hall on Tuesday.
         The sacrificial animals were slaughtered at the PD Dharma Jaya slaughterhouse in Cakung, East Jakarta. The coupons were distributed to registered mustahik living within the Jakarta regional government's jurisdiction.
         "Each recipient will be provided with some 1.5 to 2 kilograms of meat," Sugeng stated.
         In addition, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presented a cow weighing more than one ton to the Istiqlal Mosque's committee.
         The mosque has received 45 cows and eight goats for slaughter, including two cows from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono; one cow from the Minister of Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali; one cow from Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan; and two cows from the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana.

Senin, 14 Oktober 2013

RI TURNS TO SWAP DEALS TO BOLSTER FINANCIAL SYSTEM


     By Andi Abdussalam 
   
    Jakarta, Oct 14 (Antara) - With the global economic climate remaining uncertain, Indonesia has been extending or finalizing agreements on currency swap deals worth US$37 billion with several countries in an effort to shore up its financial system.
         Indonesia has extended its bilateral currency swap agreement with China worth 100 billion yuan, or about US$15 billion, and signed similar swap deals with South Korea and Japan. RI's swap deal with South Korea is valued at US$10 billion. The deal with Japan is pegged at US$12 billion.
         "By signing currency-swap agreements with the three economic partner countries, the government has received commitments worth US$37 billion for protecting the resilience of foreign exchange reserves," said Difi A Johansyah, Executive Director of the Communication Department of the Indonesian central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI).
         BI has adopted the policy as a stand-by measure to strengthen its forex reserves, he added. 
    "We need to take anticipatory steps in the face of uncertain global economic conditions in the future, including providing a guarantee on the adequacy of foreign exchange reserves," Difi said.

         The government has also obtained a standby loan worth US$5.5 billion from multilateral partners to maintain the economic growth rate and ensure macroeconomic stability.

RI, SOUTH KOREA AGREE TO INCREASE TRADE AND INVESTMENT


By Andi Abdussalam

    Jakarta, Oct 14 (Antara) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye's visit to Indonesia last week ended with both countries agreeing to strengthen economic cooperation and increase bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2020.
         "Our (two-way) trade last year stood at US$30 billion. We have set a bilateral trade target of US$50 billion for 2015 and US$100 billion for 2020," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told the press at a meeting in the State Palace in Jakarta over the weekend.
         In the past five years, the volume of trade between the two countries has risen by more than 20 percent. In the first half of this year, Indonesia's exports to Korea touched US$5.8 million.
         Last week, Indonesia and South Korea deliberated on increasing economic cooperation between the two countries, lifting trade, and stepping up investments. The two countries signed at least seven investment agreements in the energy sector. They also inked a number of MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) in fields such as creative economy.

Sabtu, 12 Oktober 2013

CONSTRUCTION OF JAKARTA FIRST MRT KICKS OFF

 By Andi Abdussalam 
           Jakarta, Oct 12 (Antara) - With construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system finally underway on Thursday, Jakarta's traffic woes seem to have received a breather, of sorts.
         When Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, was elected Jakarta governor in September 2012, he laid out three steps to solve the city's traffic congestion.
         The first was to build on a traffic culture by improving the behavior of motorists; the second was the construction of adequate mass transportation systems and the third was the implementation of policies which support his programs, including the imposition of taxes for parking and purchasing cars.
         The 16 kilometer MRT project, covering the stretch from Lebak Bulus in the south to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta, is one of Jokowi's plans to improve traffic conditions and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
    "For 24 years, residents of Jakarta have dreamt of having an MRT. During this period, some have perhaps lost hope as the project was never realized. Thank God, today, the groundbreaking could be done, and it is hoped the project would be finished in 2018," the governor said at the groundbreaking ceremony at Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta.

         Apart from being developed as an MRT transit station, the Dukuh Atas station in Central Jakarta will also serve as a nodal point for different modes of transportation systems, including rail and water transport, said PT MRT Jakarta President Director Dono Boestami on Friday. PT MRT is carrying out the construction project.

Rabu, 09 Oktober 2013

HAZE REMAINS PROBLEM FOR ASEAN LEADERS TO SOLVE

 By Andi Abdussalam  
          Jakarta, Oct 10 (Antara) - While some parts of Kalimantan were shrouded by haze as a result of forest fires, leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday agreed on a haze monitoring system.
         Haze has posed a headache to the members of the regional association due to the annual transboundary smog problems over the last 10 years.
         As an ASEAN member, which has vast forest areas, Indonesia has been blamed for exporting smoke to its neighbours as a result of forest fires, both due to natural causes and by slash-and-burn practices by nomadic farmers or by large companies opening oil palm plantations.
         According to the Ministry of Forestry, about 90 percent of the forest fires are caused by humans or negligence, while the remaining 10 percent occur due to natural causes such as strikes by lightning.
         In the last ten years, Indonesia has about 144 million hectares of forest cover but it has declined significantly today. About 77.8 million hectares are designed as production forests, yet some 48 million hectares of the production forests are being neglected.
         According to shnews.co online media, Kalimantan, home to one of the country's largest areas of forests, had 300,525 square kilometres (sq km) of forests in 2000; now it has lost some 14,212 sq km.

Selasa, 08 Oktober 2013

RI AIMS TO BOOST FOREIGN BUYERS' ATTENDANCE AT TRADE EXPO

 By Andi Abdussalam
          Jakarta, Oct 9 (Antara) - Indonesia is eager to attract at least 10,000 foreign buyers and conclude at least US$2 billion in trade transactions during the Trade Expo Indonesia 2013 (TEI), which will be held in Jakarta from October 16 to 20.
         "We have registered more than seven thousand foreign buyers. The expo will begin on October 16, which will still give us time to try and boost the number of buyers to between 9,000 and 10,000," Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan stated last week.
         Indonesia has also been stepping up the trade expo's promotions abroad to attract more buyers and achieve its targeted trade transactions.
         One such effort to promote the Indonesia Trade Expo 2013 was launched last week by the Indonesian Consulate Office in Tawau, Malaysia.
         The Indonesian consulate office in Tawau had invited some 50 Malaysian businessmen from Tawau for a TEI 2013 luncheon, Muhammad Soleh, Indonesia's Consul in Tawau revealed.
         He added that the luncheon was organized to provide information about Indonesia's plan to host the 28th TEI in October 2013. Soleh further pointed out that the get-together was organized by the Indonesian consulate in Tawau, with the aim of enrolling some of the luncheon's participants for attending TEI 2013 and trying to exceed the enrolments beyond 17, which was the attendance last year.

APEC FURTHER CEMENTS RI-RUSSIA TIES

 By Andi Abdussalam
          Jakarta, Oct 8 (Antara) - The first session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit began on Monday after the arrival at noon of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was the final leader to arrive in Bali.
         But there was a special surprise for Putin during the first day of the summit  on Monday, as it coincided with his 61st birthday and APEC leaders congratulated him and sang happy birthday songs for him.
         As a special appreciation, host President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono played the guitar to accompany a happy birthday song.
         In his opening address at the session, President Yudhoyono welcomed President Putin to the APEC Summit.
         The Indonesian President then met the Russian President on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. The two leaders and their delegations met at Sofitel Hotel at 5 p.m. local time.
         President Putin expressed his thanks to Yudhoyono for the surprise he received for his birthday during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit.
         "I would like to express my greatest thanks for the congratulation extended to me over my birthday, which is a big and unexpected surprise," the Russian President said. The bilateral meeting was held for about 15 minutes after President Yudhoyono opened the first session.

Senin, 07 Oktober 2013

LEADERS' BILATERAL TALKS MARK FIRST DAY OF APEC SUMMIT

  By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 7 (Antara) - The two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit was opened by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday, as the first day was marked by bilateral meetings among APEC economic leaders.
         In his opening address, President Yudhoyono stressed the importance of APEC's role in the development of the region's economy amid today's uncertain economic conditions.
         "APEC is increasingly playing an important role in the economic recovery of the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific economy will maintain global economic growth," added the president.
         Prior to the opening of the summit, President Yudhoyono, who was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, officially greeted the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies on Monday at 8:20 a.m. local time.
         Leaders present during Yudhoyono's greeting included Australia's Tony Abbott; Brunei Darussalam's Hasanal Bolkiah; the President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera; the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, C.Y. Leung; Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe;, the President of Peru, Ollanta Humala; the President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto; the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper; the President of China, Xi Jinping; New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key; and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter Charles Paire O'Neill.

Minggu, 06 Oktober 2013

MK EXPECTED TO NOT SETTLE ELECTIONS DISPUTES

 By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 6 (Antara) - The Constitutional Court (MK) has been called on to stop handling election disputes following the arrest of its chief Akil Mochtar over an alleged bribe related to a dispute on regional head election.
         The right to settle election disputes given to the Constitutional Court (MK) has dragged the country's highest judicial body into practical politics that is prone to intrigues and power abuses.
         Deputy House Speaker Pramono Anung Wibowo suggested that the Constitutional Court should return to its authority based on the 1945 Constitution, namely controlling the law from deviating from the Constitution. 
    According to Pramono, the MK as a state institution which supervises the implementation of the Constitution has actually performed better but on the other hand its right to settle regional head election disputes has dragged it into practical politics.

         He said that the authority of the MK was increased with the issuance of Law No. 8 / 2011 on Elections that gave it the right to settle regional head election disputes.
         "Thus, the opening gate begins here. Once it involves in practical politics, its senior justice, even if he has grown grey hair and should have no longer lust, could finally be enticed," the Deputy House Speaker said.
         Pramono made the remarks in response to the arrest of the MK chairman over an alleged corruption case.

Sabtu, 05 Oktober 2013

RI EAGER TO BECOME REGIONAL POWER THROUGH APEC

 By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 5 (Antara) - What benefit can Indonesia reap in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Nusa Dua, Bali, after Indonesia spent some Rp365 billion from the state budget to host the international event?
    How far can APEC extend its role in supporting the country's economic and trade growth, when many countries are reinforcing their own domestic economies as a result of the on-going economic meltdowns?
    "We want to leave traditional markets far behind, as there are many weaknesses there. We want to expand international cooperation. More open trade will benefit Indonesia," Arto Suryodipuro, director for Intra Asia-Pacific and Africa Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Thursday, as quoted by ekonomibisnis.suarasurabaya.net online media.
         He said that today is no longer an era for Indonesia to continuously depend upon traditional products and traditional markets, but the country had to expand its market destinations with different products.
         In developing its product diversification, Indonesia has to expand its economic cooperation and set its targeted markets. After all, about 56 percent of trade and business deals in the world are conducted in the Asia Pacific region, which hosts 40 percent of the world population.

ARREST OF CHIEF JUSTICE RAISES DEMAND FOR DEATH PENALTY

  By Andi Abdussalam 
        Jakarta, Oct 5 (Antara) - Increasing cases of corruption committed by public officials is resulting in calls for enacting the death penalty following the conviction of corrupt officials.
         The public has been frustrated amid efforts to cleanse the country of graft, yet corruption continues to take place.
         The arrest of Chief Justice Akil Mochtar of the Constitutional Court (MK) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday was just one in a series of arrests made of high ranking officials.
         "The arrest of Akil Mochtar by the KPK added more proof to the fact that corruption has penetrated all state institutions," Emerson F Yuntho, a leader of Indonesian Corruption Watch (IWC), said. 
    He added that the arrest of the Constitutional Court chairman is a disaster for the country's Constitution.

         A similar concern was also expressed by officials of Indonesian Police Watch (IPW), saying the public has been frustrated by the MK leader being mired in a graft case.
         The Corruption Eradication Commission on Wednesday arrested Chairman of the Constitutional Court Akil Mochtar on charges of receiving bribes from a lawmaker and a businessman, in connection with a dispute related to the election of the head of the Gunung Mas district in Central Kalimantan.
         He was caught allegedly accepting US$260 thousand from a Golkar party lawmaker, identified as CHN, and a businessman, CN. KPK spokesman Johan Budi said the KPK could only acknowledge that a total value of Rp2.7 billion in dollar and rupiah currencies had been confiscated following the KPK's search of Akil Mochtar's official residence.

Jumat, 04 Oktober 2013

RI INTRODUCES GREEN CARS AT APEC

 By Andi Abdussalam 
          Jakarta, Oct 4 (Antara) - While hosting the current APEC Summit in Bali, Indonesia, which is developing electric and bio-fuel powered vehicles, is introducing its green vehicles to delegates by fielding eco-friendly buses to transport those in attendance.
         The Indonesian government has provided 100 biodiesel-powered buses to transport the flow of delegates and journalists at the meeting venue in the Nusa Dua area, located in the country's tourist resort province of Bali.
          The four state institutions involved in the launching of the green cars are the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry, and the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
         "The use of biodiesel buses reflects Indonesia's commitment to establishing a green economy," said Industry Minister MS Hidayat during the launch of the buses on Friday.
          Apart from helping the environment, the use of green products such as biodiesel, coming from Indonesia's palm oil plantations, can lead to the creation of more jobs," he added.
          It was noted that in the development of environmentally friendly vehicles the government involved the country's businesses.
          According to Wisnu Wardhana, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation's Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the government and businesses are working closely to ensure energy sustainability to support Indonesia's commitment to the continuation of sustainable development programmes.
         He said that the 100 eco-friendly buses were powered by a combination of palm oil fuel and electricity.
         Industry Minister MS Hidayat noted that the launch of environmentally friendly cars reflects the government's commitment to the usage of green vehicles, starting at the APEC Summit in Bali.