PERTAMINA TO NOT REPLACE PREMIUM WITH PERTALITE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 31 (Antara) - State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina will continue to provide Premium gasoline fuel to its consumers although it is now launching a new, better quality fuel called Pertalite.          "Pertalite will not replace Premium. The new type of fuel only provides an alternative option to consumers," External Relations Officer of Pertamina Operation Region (MOR) IV for Central Java Robert M.V. Dumatubun, stated in Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday.         However, Pertamina hopes that most of the consumers will switch from Premium to Pertalite as this new type of fuel is of better quality than Premium.         Corporate Communications Vice President Wiando Pusponegoro stated that Pertamina launched a trial sale of Pertalite fuel at 101 public refilling stations (SBPUs) in three cities of Jakarta, Bandung (68 SBPUs in both cities), and Surabaya (33 SBPUs) on last Friday, July 24, 2015.         The new fuel was launched in the market after undergoing various phases of technical testing and obtaining permits from the government.

NTT TO PROMOTE CULTURE AT EVENTS OF SAIL INDONESIA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 30 (Antara) -- East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), a province in eastern Indonesia, will promote its local culture, beautiful destinations and products through the annual 'Sail Indonesia' event.          To promote its local culture on this platform, NTT has organized an exhibition for small- and medium-scale businesses, which began on July 27 and will be held till August 4.          The exhibition is expected to help enliven Sail Indonesia, which is being called 'Sail Tomini' this year.          This is because the festival's main events will take place in Tomini Bay, the largest gulf of Indonesia that borders the three eastern provinces of Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi and North Sulawesi.          Head of NTT's Tourism and Creative Economy Service Marius Jelamu said that the exhibition was being held to introduce and promote the province's culture and products to those participating in the sailing event.          "Through the exhibition, our office will showcase the cultural richness of NTT to yachters and other participants of the Indonesian sailing festival," Jelamu told Antara in Kupang, the provincial capital of NTT, on Tuesday.

GOVERNMENT GEARS UP TO FACE DROUGHT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 29 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is preparing itself to face the drought that has been forecast to last till October or November this year and may affect 3.3 million hectares of rice fields in the country.         since last month, several provinces in Indonesia have been hit by a dry spell, which was triggered by a moderate El Nino phenomenon. It has caused a shortage of water supply and affected rice fields and irrigation in these regions.         "We held a lengthy discussion with the agriculture minister (Andi Amran Sulaiman) this morning. I asked him to be prepared for three scenarios," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 28).          Measures, including providing funds, will be taken to alleviate people's burden that may result from either the worst, medium or minor impacts of the drought.     "We will inspect the extent of the impact the drought may have, if triggered by a moderate El Nino. We will find solutions," Kalla affirmed.         In addition, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will check the irrigation system in the country to see whether the supply of water is still running well. If not, the government will use water pumps to overcome the problem.

DAMS TO RESOLVE WATER PROBLEMS IN EAST NUSA TENGGARA

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 29 (Antara) -- Several provinces in Indonesia are currently experiencing drought, which leads to water crisis and affects plantations, food crops and rice fields.          The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has predicted that the dry season this year will last till October or November.          The provinces feeling the impacts of the dry season are East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka-Belitung, Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku.          However, NTT is lucky with regard to this water crisis, as a number of reservoirs will be built to help hold water in the region during the rainy season and supply it to the people during the dry spell.          One of these reservoirs is the Raknamo Reservoir, some 35 kilometers east of Kupang city. It is to supply standard water to urban areas and to irrigate around 841 hectares of farmlands in the district of Kupang.          "NTT has considerable water problems," President Joko Widodo said while inspecting the development of the Raknamo Reservoir, which is being constructed in Amabi Oefeto, Kupang district, on Saturday (July 25).          The Raknamo Reservoir is one of the seven dams to be built by the government in this region.

GOVT URGED TO PREPARE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 28 (Antara) - While focussing its development on the maritime sector, the Indonesian government is being urged to prepare the country's shipbuilding industries so that they can meet the need for ships at home.          Shipbuilding industrires are expected to support the government's maritime axis and sea toll programs. The sea toll program can be successful only if the number of ships is adequate to meet the need for transportation.          After all the government is banning local industries from purchasing ships abroad in its attempt to advance local ship manufacturing companies.          Indonesia's share in the global market is still relatively small, which according to the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is only about 0.3 percent.          This is smaller compared to the 2.6 percent share of the Philippines and 1.1 percent of Vietnam. China is a major ship exporter with a global market share of 41 percent, while South Korea's share is 33 percent, and Japan's is 18 percent.

WHY SHOULD TURTLES BE PRESERVED?

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 27 (Antara) - A group of animal conservationists gathered on Sunday in the Pelangi Beach of the South Java Sea, Bantul District, Yogyakarta for an event that is worth for nature.          Usually, some Javanese community visited the beach to present offerings in the Southern Java cost that goes straight into the Indian Ocean.          The offering is a ritual form to serve 'Nyai Loro Kidul' which according to Legend was the mortal daughter of a powerful ruler-king of West Java. Nyai Loro Kidul is now believed to be the guardian of the Southern Java Sea.          However, the conservationists on Sunday were not releasing offerings into the sea for Nyai Roro Kidul. They set free hatchlings to preserve the population of the rare reptiles which play an important role in maintaining sea biota and ecosystem.          "The hatchlings we have released are young turtles which were hatched in the first batch of this year's turtle egg laying season. They were safeguarded by animal lover volunteers in the southern coastal areas," Ferry Munandar, the chairman of the Turtle Conservation Volunteer Community, said here on Sunday.

CONSUMERS WELCOME PERTAMINA'S NEW PERTALITE FUEL By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 26 (Anyara) - State-owned oil company Pertamina has since last Friday launched a sale test of its new fuel type Pertalite, a Research Octane Number (RON) 90 fuel, at 101 refilling stations in Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya.          The volumes of the new fuel type sales in two days after it was launched on Friday increased significantly. The volumes of Pertalite sales at 30 refilling stations (SPBU) in East Java's Surabaya and its surroundings on Saturday reached 82,860 liters, or about 2,732 litters per SBPU.          This showed an increase of 69.2 percent if compared with the sales on the first day on Friday (July 24, 2015). "With these conditions, we are convinced the sales of Pertalite will be successful," Wianda Pusponegoro, the corporate vice communications president of Pertamina said here on Sunday.          Wianda Pusponegoro said that consumers enthusiastically welcome the launch of the new type of Pertamina's fuel, or Pertalite RON 90.          She said that the sales of Pertalite at 11 refilling stations in Sidoarjo and Mojokerto of East Java on Saturday increased by 269 percent from the sales on the first day recorded at 9,859 liters to 26,523 liters on Saturday.

CHANGING HAVOC OF FLOODS TO BLESSING

BY Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 26 (Antara) - As a consequence of its position under the equatorial line, Indonesia is a tropical country with two annual rainy and dry seasons, with floods and droughts often wreaking havoc on crops, properties or even lives.          The impact of the geographical condition has inspired President Joko Widodo to increase the number of dams in the country, in addition to those already existing such as the Cirata and Gajah Mungkur in Java.          During his presidential campaign last year, Jokowi, as the president is intimately called, promised to build at least seven reservoirs to hold water during the rainy seasons for the benefit of irrigation to the farm land of the need for water of the people during the dry season.         One of the provinces in the country which is often affected by floods during the rainy season and drought during the dry spells is East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).          Last March, for example, several districts were hit by floods destroying hundreds of agricultural crops and causing farmers to suffer from harvest failures. Hundreds of ready to harvest maize plants failed to yield.

INTOLERANCE MUST BE BURIED TO REVIVE PEACE IN TOLIKARA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 25 (Antara) - Fears that people's unity and integrity could be possibly disrupted are reasonable if people start reacting with intolerance on some of the most sensitive issues of religion, race, group and ethnicity (SARA).         During the regime of former president Soeharto, SARA issues were compared to 'dangerous' mines that could explode when hit. Therefore, religious, racial, group and ethnicity enmity should be buried at the bottom of the earth.         So, irrespective of who it is who tried to stoke SARA issues and offend people, the government should not hesitate to uphold the law if it wants to maintain peace and prevent other extremists to take the law in their own hands.          Regarding the Tolikara incident, the government hold up the majesty of the law and track down the perpetrators behind the incidents. Religious, community and tribal leaders can jointly agree to maintain unity, but if the government failed to act against the perpetrators, the problem can emerge yet again.

TRAVELERS RETURNING TO JAKARTA AFTER LEBARAN BEGIN TO DECLINE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 25 (Antara) -- Travelers returning from their hometowns after Eid continued to throng ferry ports and train stations in cities in several parts of the country on Saturday, eight days after (D+8) the festival.          But the flow of travelers is no longer as heavy as that seen several days earlier, with most of them having rejoined work on Wednesday.          However, there are some waiting for the school holidays to end to return.          For instance, till early on Wednesday, about 88 percent of Lebaran holidaymakers from Java, who celebrated Eid in Sumatra, returned to the island. They traveled from Bakauheni Ferry Port in Lampung to Java's Merak Ferry Port.          Thousands of train passengers were also seen arriving from East Java at Senen Railway Station in Central Java on Wednesday. Also, some 9,000 passengers left from the station, with 16 train departures between 0:30 a. m. and noon local time on Wednesday.          "The flow of Eid travelers has been declining on the whole. There were only 16 train departures since early on Wednesday, with only some 9,000 passengers," the senior public relations manager of operation I area of state-owned railway company PT KAI, Bambang Setiyo Prayitno, said here on Saturday.

WILL SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN SUGAR PRODUCTION REMAIN A DREAM?

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 24 (Antara) -- Once again, the Trade Ministry has issued a license to import 640,430 tons of raw sugar, to meet the need for the commodity in the third quarter of the year.         "The ministry has already issued a license to import some 600 thousand tons of sugar," Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said on Thursday.         The annual importation of sugar seems to reflect Indonesia's inability to meet its ambition to become self-sufficient in sugar production.         As an agrarian country with vast land for agriculture, Indonesia should be able to become a major global exporter of agricultural products. Yet, the country has been adversely importing agricultural products such as rice, fruits, soybean, sugar and others.         Besides that of rice, the import of sugar hurts local farmers nearly every year. These two agricultural commodities have always sparked controversy, sometimes used as a 'weapon' to criticize political adversaries.         However, the inability of the country to meet its need for sugar has forced the government to import about half its annual need for more than 5 million tons per annum.         The country's white sugar production capacity is 2.7 million tons per year, as compared to consumption need of 4.8 to 5 million tons a year. The remaining 2.3 million tons is imported.

INVESTORS RECOGNIZE POTENTIAL OF TOURISM IN INDONESIA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 24 (Antara) -- In the past several years, the potential of Indonesian tourism has been left unexplored due to lack of promotional activities and security issues.          As compared to its neighboring member states of the ASEAN, such as Thailand and Malaysia, Indonesia has lagged far behind in the tourist sector.          Besides lack of promotions, terrorism was a major impediment for the Indonesian government in the past. However, it has now been silenced categorically, and security threats to tourism are a matter of the past, with most terrorist leaders arrested, executed or killed.          Now, the government has picked up pace to introduce the country's tourism potential in the form of scenic beauty, culture, beautiful destinations and business tourism events.          Tourism in the country is now showing its potential with regard to both business prospects and the convenience it offers visitors.

PREPARATIONS ACCELERATED AS SAIL TOMINI DRAWS NEAR

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 23 (Antara) -- Preparations for Sail Tomini 2015, Indonesia's annual sailing festival, are being expedited as the event is drawing near.         Governor of Central Sulawesi Longki Djanggola has urged his officials to consistently evaluate the preparations being made for Sail Tomini, which will be held in the country's largest gulf of Tomini Bay this year, to ensure that the event will meet the set target.          "I would like to remind everyone that we have 57 days left for Sail Tomini to commence. I call on all stakeholders to evaluate the progress of the preparations made so we do not miss the target," Djanggola said here on Wednesday (July 22).          Scheduled to be held on September 19, the sailing event will take place in Tomini Bay, Indonesia's largest bay that borders the eastern provinces of Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi and North Sulawesi.

MOST EID TRAVELERS IN SUMATRA YET TO RETURN TO JAVA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 22 (Antara) - More than 50 percent of Eid or Lebaran travelers who celebrated the post-fasting family reunion in Sumatra have not yet returned to Java until Tuesday, or four days after (D+4) the festivities.          Data recorded by state-owned Inland Waterway Transportation Service (PT ASDP) for Bakauheni indicated that the number of returning Eid holidaymakers from Sumatra to Java through Bakauheni Ferry Port until Tuesday stood at 263,176, or about 41 percent.          The total number of Eid holidaymakers who traveled from Java to Sumatra through the port before Lebaran was recorded at 647,800.          Thus, until Tuesday, 384,624 travelers were still in Sumatra, even as offices will begin to open on Wednesday.          The government had imposed official joint Eid holidays, starting Thursday, July 16, until Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Lebaran or Eid fell on Friday, July 17, 2015.          This year, the government had forecast the number of Eid travelers who will return to their hometowns for family reunions during the Lebaran festivities across the country to increase by two percent to reach 20 million.

INDONESIANS ENJOY STABLE PRICES OF GOODS DURING EID HOLIDAY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 21 (Antara) -- Last week, Indonesians celebrated the festival of Eid Fitr, or Lebaran, which follows the fasting month, with peace of mind as the prices of basic necessities were relatively stable.          Unlike in previous years, when the prices of basic commodities often soared, there was no significant price rise this year.          According to Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel, the prices of staple foods continue to be stable following the Islamic festival of Eid Fitr.          "Neither before nor after Eid Fitr was there any volatility in the prices. They rose within the normal limits, in line with the increasing market demand," Minister Gobel said while visiting Gedebage Market on Tuesday.          Admittedly, the prices of certain commodities such as vegetables, meat, and sea fish rose, but they were insignificant hikes that consumers could understand.

POLICE URGED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST PERPETRATORS OF TOLIKARA INCIDENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 20 (Antara) -- Muslim organizations have appealed to the National Police (Polri) to take action against the perpetrators of the conflict that occurred in Tolikara district in Papua last Friday.          During an Eid prayer service on Friday, Muslims were forced to disperse, while kiosks and an Islamic house of prayer (mushola) were set on fire.          "All perpetrators of the incident must be punished and its victims, protected," Romahurmuziy, the chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) of the Surabaya Congress, said on Sunday.          The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deplored the incident, as well.          "We regret the violent acts of a number of members of the Evangelical Church of Indonesia (GIDI) against Muslims who were performing the Eid Fitr prayer," the chairman of the Fatwa Commission of the MUI for Lebak district in Banten, Baijuri, stated on Monday.          A number of people were shot and wounded when police tried to stop a mob from attacking Muslims performing their Eid Fitr morning prayers at a mosque in Karubaga, the capital of the Tolikara regency in Papua. The mob had also set afire 54 small kiosks.

ECHOES OF DRUMS MARK TAKBIRAN NIGHT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 17 (Antara) -- Muslims across the country expressed their happiness on Thursday night by conducting 'Takbiran' rituals (chanting God's magnificent name) to welcome the festival of Eid, after having fasted for Ramadan.          Traditionally called 'Malam Takbiran' or Takbiran Night, the ritual is held in different places such as mosques, musholla (warship houses), and squares, or even on mobile vehicles driven around the city, highlighted with echoes of God's name being chanted.          An important musical instrument used during the Takbiran festivity is the wooden drum made of the hide of cow, buffalo or goat. The drum is beaten to the tune of the chants.          As the drum is struck repeatedly in tune with the chants, it reinforces a sense of spirituality among Muslims who have been purified after fasting for a month.          The percussion instrument has been used traditionally for hundreds of years and is basically a means of communication in religious ceremonies. The drum is placed in a mosque, as well, to be sounded when it is time to perform prayers.

NO PRICE TURMOIL EXPECTED DURING LEBARAN

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 16 (Antara) - Indonesians can perform Eid rituals this year and celebrate the post-fasting festivities, or Lebaran, with peace of mind, as the prices of basic necessities are relatively stable.          Unlike in the previous years, when the prices of basic commodities often soared, this year, there was no significant price turmoil during the fasting month of Ramadan, which ended on Thursday. Muslims can therefore enjoy the Lebaran festivities, which fall on Friday.          Admittedly, certain commodities such as vegetables, meat, and sea fish experienced price hikes, but they were not significant, and the consumers could understand it.          Due to the high demand, the price of chicken increased by Rp3 thousand per kilogram (kg). Several traders admitted that the price of chicken had increased since the start of Ramadan. They pointed out that the prices usually returned to normal level ten to four days before the Lebaran Day.

152 EID TRAVELERS KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) - Traffic accidents have been the 'major killer' in the annual exodus of Eid travelers during the Eid festivities that follow the fasting month.          To avoid the falling of many victims and reduce traffic accident cases, the National Police this month is launching security operations dubbed as "Ketupat Operation" from July 10 to July 25, 2015.          The operation is held to coincide with the Eid traveler's exodus, namely one week before and one week after the Eid D-Day on Friday July 17.          Until Monday or four days before (D-4)  the Eid-al Fitr or Lebaran, however, a total of 152 people have been killed in 723 accidents across the country," Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto, the Public Information Bureau chief of the National Police (Polri), said on Tuesday.          He said on D-4, there were 207 traffic accidents killing 60 people, seriously injuring 148 and causing 169 others to suffer minor injuries.          From Friday (July 10) or D-7 up to Monday (July 13) or D-4, the total dead victims had reached 152 with 251 seriously injured and 809 others suffered from minor injuries.

THOUSANDS OF EID TRAVELERS JOIN FREE 'MUDIK' PROGRAMS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) -- As seen in previous years, thousands of Eid travelers joined the free 'mudik' (hometown trip) programs organized by government agencies and companies for this year's Eid, or Lebaran, festivities.          The free rides, known as 'mudik gratis,' which are offered to those traveling to their hometowns so they can celebrate the  Eid Fitr holidays that follow the fasting month, has become increasingly popular over the past several years.          It was predicted that this week, some 20 million people across the country will embark on their homebound journeys before Eid or Lebaran Day on July 17, and will return after the festival.          While some chose to travel by private vehicles or means of public transportation, thousands of travelers opted to join the free mudik programs offered by the government or private companies.          Director General of Sea Transportation Bobby M. Mamahit saw off thousands of travelers heading to their hometowns for Eid using a free mudik program, at Tanjung Priok Port on Wednesday.          The director general saw off the passengers of KM Dobonsolo ship, which transported 2,355 people and 1,220 motor vehicles from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port to Semarang's Tanjung Mas Port.

EID TRAVELERS AT MERAK PORT PEAK ON TUESDAY NIGHT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 14 (Antara) -- State-owned inland waterway transportation service PT ASDP has predicted that Merak Ferry Port will witness the peak flow of travelers heading home for Eid or Lebaran three days before (D-3) the festival on Friday.          On Tuesday (July 14) evening, thousands of Eid or Lebaran travelers from Java wanting to cross Sunda Strait to reach Sumatra began arriving at Merak Ferry Port in the western tip of Java.          "We are convinced that the number of passengers will peak tonight and throng the port till morning," Mario Sardadi Oetomo, a spokesman for the Merak branch of PT ASDP, said on Tuesday afternoon.          He added that passengers, both pedestrians and motorists, had begun to flock to Merak Ferry Port to reach Bakauheni Ferry Port in Lampung in the eastern tip of Sumatra.          Lebaran travelers, traditionally called 'pemudik,' have been arriving at the port since 6 p.m. on Tuesday.          Although the number of travelers pouring in has been rising, traffic has been flowing smoothly.          "We have asked the traffic police for assistance, to monitor the flow of vehicles to ensure that they do not get stuck in queues," Oetomo remarked.

PERTAMINA TO LAUNCH PERTALITE FUEL NEXT WEEK

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 14 (Antara) - State-owned oil company Pertamina is scheduled to launch new fuel type Pertalite, a Research Octane Number (RON) 90 fuel, next week or two monthS after its previous plan on May 2015.         Based on its latest plan, Pertamina will launch the distribution of Pertalite seven days after (D+7) the post-fasting month of Ramadan or Lebaran on Friday next week, or July 24.        "The exact date depends on the Lebaran day. If the Lebaran day falls next Friday this week, or on July 17, it means that the launch of the new fuel type will be on Friday next week or July 24, 2015," Pertamina President Director Dwi Sutjipto said after seeing off the departure of Eid travelers grouped in a Joint Homebound Trip program, in the Eastern Parking Lot of Senayan Sports Complex, on Sunday.         The launch of Pertalite next week is two months behind the initial schedule as Pertamina still needed to popularize the new type of fuel before distributing it to the people or putting it on the market.          Pertamina was actually ready to market Pertalita last May, but it later put it behind schedule despite its readiness.      Pertamina's Marketing Director Ahmad Bambang conveyed last month (April 26) his company's readiness to distribute Pertalite starting from May, 2015.          "We are around 90 percent ready," Bambang was quoted on Monday (April 27) by the Jakarta Post as saying.

ERUPTION OF MOUNT RAUNG MAY DISTURB TOURISM TARGET

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 11 (Antara) -- It is feared that the eruption of Mount Raung in Bondowoso, East Java, last Sunday, which forced five airports in the country to halt operations temporarily, will affect Indonesia's tourism target this year.          Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said on Friday that the temporary closure of a number of airports due to the volcanic activity of Mount Raung could disturb the government's target to attract 10.6 million foreign tourists this year.          Mount Raung erupted on July 5, spewing plumes of smoke, incandescent cinder, and lava. One of the active volcanoes on Java Island, it is 3,332 meters above sea level and is located in the borders of Banyuwangi, Bondowoso and Jember districts in East Java province.          Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport was temporarily closed Thursday night. It was reopened at 10 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (GMT+8) on Saturday after being shut for more than 24 hours.          "Ngurah Rai Airport was resumed operations today (Saturday, July 11) at 10 a.m. local time," Head of the Public Communications Center Julius Andravida Barata said in an SMS in Jakarta on Saturday.

INDONESIA DECIDES TO OPTIMALLY TAP FISHERIES POTENTIAL

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 11 (Antara) - The optimal utilization of Indonesia's vast marine areas and rich fisheries resources can earn the government annual revenues of up to US$1.2 trillion.        However, foreign poachers have so far been making the most of various shortcomings in local fishing scene, such as the shortage of fishing vessels, lack of fuel stock, and inadequate cold storage.         Indonesia's inadequate control over its marine wealth has enabled foreign poachers to steal the country's fish, which, according to FAO, amounts to Rp300 trillion per annum.         President Joko Widodo, who took over as the seventh president last October, claimed in December that Indonesia lost some Rp300 trillion annually to illegal fishing activities. The irresolute approach of the government allowed some 5,400 illegal vessels to operate in Indonesian waters.         Therefore, the government, through the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), has resolved to develop the fisheries sector and optimally tap its potential in line with President Joko Widodo's vision for the maritime sector.

PRICES OF BASIC NECESSITIES STABLE AHEAD OF LEBARAN

By Andi Abdussalam           Jakarta, July 10 (Antara) -- The prices of basic necessities ahead of the Eid or Lebaran festivities that follow the fasting month are relatively stable, while stocks of essential goods are adequate to meet demand for at least five months.          "The average prices of essential commodities on the national scale are stable," Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said while inspecting Kramat Jati Wholesale Market in East Jakarta early on Friday.          He believes that the prices of goods in traditional markets may drop. "The prices are stable, but there was a slight increase of about 0.2 percent in the rates of sugar, wheat, both locally-produced and imported soybean, and red cayenne pepper. However, the prices of rice, cooking oil, beef, chicken meat, curly red chili, shallots, and garlic declined," Gobel affirmed at a cabinet meeting on Monday.          According to the minister, these prices could be different from those in other regions because they were average national prices. "So this should not be misunderstood," he explained.

CABINET RESHUFFLE STILL IN QUESTION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 8 (Antara) -- The reshuffle of the working cabinet has become a subject of public discourse over the past four months, but President Joko Widodo has yet to make a statement on replacing his ministers.          A few quarters are of the opinion that the ministers in the current cabinet have not been able to perform in accordance with the president's concepts of 'Nawacita' (a Sanskrit term for nine priority development programs) and mental revolution yet.          Also, several policies issued are not pro-people and based on neither Nawacita nor mental revolution, which Jokowi, as the president is fondly called, intensively promoted during his presidential campaign last year.          According to Boni Hargens, a political observer of the University of Indonesia, there will be no problem if Jokowi reshuffles his cabinet, as long as he does it properly and meets the target.          "Since the beginning, the president has stressed that mental revolution should be the common motivation. Radical change is needed in Indonesia's currently complicated situation. If reshuffling the cabinet is the technical solution, it needs to be done to achieve the goal. I think there will be no problem with that," Hargens had said on April 23.

BAZAARS AND MARKET OPERATIONS STABILIZE PRICES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 7 (Antara) - Bazaars and market operations launched by Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Ministry, Trade Ministry and State-owned logistics board Bulog have stabilized commodity prices and help low-income people meet their needs in the current fasting month.          "Bazaars and market operations alleviate the burden of the people, particularly low-income people. The trade ministry will continue to monitor the availability of basic necessities and to maintain prices at a stable level," Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said on Monday.          Up to now, the ministry of trade together with the regional governments has launched market operations in 120 places in 32 provinces. The target of the ministry is to cover 216 locations in 34 provinces.  Up to July 4, 2015, the operations have been conducted in 32 provinces, except the provinces of Papua and North Kalimantan.

INDONESIA WILL NOT FEEL MAJOR IMPACTS OF GREEK ECONOMIC CRISIS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 4 (Antara) -- The economic crisis in Greece, which is now in a state of default after failing to pay debts worth 1.6 billion Euros to the International Monetary Fund, will not have major impacts on Indonesia.         Observers believe that Indonesia will not feel significant impacts, but the country's exports to Greece will be affected.     According to Bank Indonesia (BI), the impacts of the Greek economic crisis on Indonesia's economy will be relatively low because the country has implemented precautionary measures and its domestic economic fundamentals have been improving.         "We can see that the effects of the Greek crisis on Indonesia are not significant, even with Greece's risk-on risk-off approach. European countries also believe that the Greek crisis can be fought," Governor of BI Agus Martowardojo said at the House of Representatives building on Wednesday, July 1.