INDONESIA'S CAPSULE OF HOPES PLANTED IN PAPUA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 31 (Antara) - After seven decades of development, Indonesia has placed its dreams for another 70 years in a time capsule, which will be opened by the future generation in 2085.          Containing seven wishes that reflect the aspirations of the people in the country's 34 provinces, the "Time Capsule 2085" was planted by Indonesia's seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Hapsana Sai Square, Marauke, Papua, on Wednesday.          Before planting the time capsule, President Jokowi placed in it Indonesia's aspirations that had been gathered from across the country by the capsule expedition team. The time capsule program was launched in Jakarta by State Secretary Pratikno last September.          Its expedition team began their journey from "point zero" located in Weh Island in Aceh on the western tip of the country and traveled across 187 cities and 34 provinces before arriving in Merauke in the easternmost Province of Papua on Dec. 21. It will remain there until Indonesia's 140th anniversary on Aug. 17, 2085, or 70 years from now.

GOVT OPTIMISTIC OF ACHIEVING ITS TOURISM TARGET IN 2015

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 31 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is optimistic that it will achieve the target of attracting 10 million foreign tourists this year, despite natural disasters such as mount explosions and forest fires that triggered haze.          Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said it was his view that although Indonesia's tourism sector faced many constraints such as volcanic eruptions and massive spread of haze, the sector is estimated to witness a rise of 5.81 percent this year.          Due to natural disasters, some people had predicted that the government would not be able to achieve its target of attracting 10 million foreign tourists in 2015.          But based on provisional data at the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), a total of 8,017,589 foreign tourists have visited the country during the January-October 2015 period.         This number increased by 3.38 percent, compared to 7,755,616 foreign tourist arrivals recorded in the corresponding period last year.          Apart from the January-October figure, the government has estimated that about 800 thousand foreign tourists arrived in November 2015 while 1.2 million others visited the country in December.          So, in total, the number of tourist arrivals at the end of the year would amount to 10,017,589, exceeding the target of 10 million.

RI ENTERS 2016, CONFIDENT OF SOLID ECONOMIC FOUNDATION

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 28 (Antara) - Indonesia's economy grew at a slow pace in 2015 due to internal and external factors but government is confident of solid prospects as it enters 2016 since it has laid a strong economic foundation.          The global pressures and economic downturns, coupled with internal factors such as a drop in exports, low budget absorption, decline in the rupiah's exchange rate and weakening of the people's purchasing power, contributed to a slowdown in Indonesia's economic progress.          However, Indonesia's economic prospects remain strong as it enters 2016 since it took significant steps over the past few years.          "In 2015, we were able to build a good and strong foundation," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated while opening a plenary cabinet meeting at his office in Jakarta on December 23, 2015.          The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also confirmed that the country's economic prospects remain solid, thanks to the significant steps it took over the past several years.          "They (the Indonesian government) have demonstrated wise monetary and fiscal management policies, supported by historic fuel oil subsidy reforms in 2015," Luis E. Breuer, the IMF team leader in Indonesia, said in a statement made available to Antara last week.

INDONESIA STILL NEEDS TO IMPORT FOOD IN 2016

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 28 (Antara) - Although it claims to have had a surplus of rice in 2015, Indonesia still imported rice throughout the year and will continue to import food items such as rice, beef and raw sugar in 2016.       According to Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, the government will still face difficulties in avoiding the need to import food in 2016 because it needs to maintain supplies to prevent food price hikes throughout the country.          He said he was not yet satisfied, because of the upward trend of food prices. So, he will not be able to prevent food from being imported to strengthen stocks and meet domestic needs, while waiting for larger agricultural harvests in the coming several years.          Based on monitoring in the field, the medium-quality price of rice has now reached Rp10,675 per kilogram (kg), which increased from Rp8,939 per kg in September, while the normal price is approximately Rp8,300 per kg.

INDONESIANS DEMONSTRATE RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE ON CHRISTMAS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 25 (Antara) - Since Christmas Eve on Thursday night, Indonesian Christians have performed services and various religious rituals solemnly and peacefully in the world's largest Muslim populated country, which holds religious tolerance in the highest esteem.         For instance, since Christmas Eve, Jakarta's Cathedral Church, which is located adjacent to Indonesia's largest Istiqlal Mosque, has been thronged by masses of pilgrims.         Thousands of churchgoers continued to flock the Cathedral since Friday morning, while on the other side, Muslims also congregated at the Istiqlal Mosque to offer Friday prayers.         Both Christians and Muslims performed religious rituals solemnly in their respective houses of worship. The management of Istiqlal mosque even allowed the participants of the Christmas mass service at the close by Jakarta Cathedral to access its parking lots.         Erik Muliawan, the spokesman of the church's Christmas celebration committee, stated on Thursday that this demonstrated a form of tolerance developed between the church and mosque so far.

RI TIGHTENS SECURITHY FOR X'MAS, NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 24 (Antara) - The Indonesian authorities have stepped up security measures in an effort to provide peaceful and quiet conditions for the people celebrating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Christmas and the New Year 2016.          The Indonesian National Police will field at least 80 thousand personnel across the country to maintain security, particularly on Christmas Eve and will guard churches and church goers throughout the country.          "We have to guard each other because security should be maintained not by the police only, but also by people and societal organizations," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on the sidelines of a celebration held to observe the birth of the Prophet Muhammad at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Thursday.          According to National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, the National Police will deploy 80,197 police personnel across the country to maintain security in the run-up to the advent of New Year 2016.          He said the police personnel will be deployed under a security operation code-named "Operasi Lilin 2015" (Operation Candle 2015). The operation will be carried out from December 25 to January 2.

GOVERNMENT LOWERS PREMIUM GASOLINE, DIESEL OIL PRICES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 24 (Antara) - In a move to usher in the new year on a positive note, the government has significantly lowered the prices of premium gasoline and diesel oil, which will come into effect from January 5, 2016.         Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources announced on Wednesday that the price of premium gasoline will be reduced from Rp7,300 to Rp7,150 per liter, while the diesel oil price will be lowered from Rp6,750 to Rp5,950 per liter.          The reduced prices include government levies for energy resilience funds amounting to Rp200 for premium per liter and Rp300 for diesel oil per liter.          "Through this policy, we are able to stock up Rp200 per liter from premium and Rp300 from diesel. These funds will be used to develop renewable energy in an effort to build national energy resilience," Minister Sudirman Said stated after attending a cabinet meeting here on Wednesday evening.           He further explained that in real terms, the price of premium at Rp7,300 per liter was lowered to its true economic value of Rp6,950, but the government had levied Rp200 per liter, so the consumers would have to pay Rp7,150 per liter.      The same applies to the price of diesel oil, which was lowered from Rp6,750 per liter to its economic value of Rp6,650 per liter. The government has levied Rp300 per liter for resilience funds, and so, the consumers will pay Rp5,950 per liter.

MOST OF 2016 POWER PROJECTS TO USE COAL

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 23 (Antara) - The government has decided to use coal as the main source of energy for its 17,340-megawatt (MW) electricity projects planned to be built in 2016 at a total cost of US$20 billion, or Rp280 trillion.          "Most of the power plants to be built next year will use steam with coal as their fuels. Some 13,049 MW of the total 17,340-MW projects will use coal, while the remaining 4,291-MW projects will use gas, hydro, and geothermal sources of energy," Sofyan Basir, the president director of state-owned electricity company PLN, stated on Tuesday.          The PLN president director noted that agreements on the construction of the 17,340-MW power projects had been signed, and the work on them was expected to commence in early 2016.          The 17,340-MW electricity projects are part of the 35 thousand MW capacity that the government is planning to develop and complete by 2019. This move is aimed at increasing the nation's current electricity generation capacity from some 50 thousand MW now to 85 thousand MW by the end of 2019.          Sofyan remarked that of the 17,340-MW power projects whose contracts had been signed, about 4,291 MW will use clean and renewable sources of energy, such as gas, hydro, and geothermal.

17,000-MW POWER PROJECTS TO START EARLY IN 2016

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 22 (Antara) - The government will go all out to meet the target to provide an additional 35 thousand megawatt (MW) power to people by the end of 2019, though some termed it an unrealistic plan.          Towards achieving that end, the government will begin the construction of facilities to produce 17 thousand megawatts of the planned 35 thousand MW capacity by early 2016.       "We have decided on the price and 11 companies have registered to participate in the pre-qualification process. God willing, by the beginning of 2016, the projects will start to run," President Director of state-owned electricity firm PLN, Sofyan Basyir, said on Tuesday.          Sofyan made these remarks after a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, State-owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno and Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution. The PLN president director said the construction cost for the project is 30 percent lower than the standard prices in the previous years because the price of steel has been going down.           President Joko Widodo is determined to complete the construction of the projects to produce 35,000-MW by the end of his term in 2019. Therefore, he called on all the related parties to expedite the projects.

WALKING ON STILTS KEY TO TANOKER'S SUCCESS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 21 (Antara) - Walking on stilts in a traditional play called "Egrang" requires a high level of concentration to maintain balance and move forward dynamically, an essential philosophy that could help usher in change.          This philosophy has become the inspiration of the children in Tanoker Vilage, Ledokombo Sub-district, Jember District, East Java. They have reenacted the Egrang play that has eventually helped to bring about changes in their village.          In the last several years, the local community has organized a festival to preserve the traditional play, which is on the brink of extinction.          On Saturday (Dec. 19), the Tanoker Community in Tanoker, Ledokombo, celebrated the sixth Egrang Festival, which was attended by Education and Culture Minister Anies Baswedan.          "Minister Anies lauded the character education carried out through the medium of traditional plays, such as 'Egrang' in Tanoker Village," Tanoker Community Chief Suporahardjo stated on Sunday.

JAPAN IS POTENTIAL INVESTOR FOR INDONESIA IN 2016

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 20 (Antara) - Indonesia which is intensively carrying out development to  advance its economy needs a lot of funds to develop its infrastructures that are required to facilitate  development in various economic sectors across the country.         In developing its entire planned infrastructure, Indonesia requires a total financing of around Rp5,000 trillion rupiah (about US$360.5 billion).          The government however has no enough funds to finance its projects. It needs to cooperate with the private sector and invite foreign investors.          "It is impossible to source funding of such magnitude from within the country. It means that we need to attract foreign investors," Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno emphasized, after attending an energy forum last month.          Therefore, Indonesia is now actively seeking investors from overseas. One of the foreign countries considered to be potential for investing in Indonesia is Japan.          In 2016 for example, Japan is considered to be a potential source of foreign direct investment.

GOVT HAS DISBURSED 95 PCT OF VILLAGE FUNDS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 19 (Antara) - In Indonesia, based on data at the Ministry of Home Affairs, there were 81,309 villages in 2013, consisting of 72,944 rural villages and 8,309 urban villages.         Of these villages, some 32 thousand were still categorized as least developed. For this purpose, the government has set aside a village fund to help advance village development.         Till December 16, for example, the government has channeled Rp19.764 trillion as village funds to 308 districts/municipalities, or about 95 percent of the disbursement target of Rp20.76 trillion this year.         "The Ministry of Finance has till December 16 transferred 95 percent, or Rp19.76 trillion, of the funds from the state treasury account to the regional treasure account," Budiarso Teguh, the director general for financial balance affairs of the Ministry of Finance, said in Jakarta Thursday (December 17).

INDONESIAN "OJEK" DRIVERS BARELY LOSE JOBS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 18 (Antara) - Indonesia's Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan on Friday allowed the online motorcycle taxi service (ojek) to temporarily continue its operations hours after announcing a ban on it.          The minister told a press conference at the Ministry of Transportation that ojek can temporarily continue to operate to meet the needs of the public for an efficient transport system, pending a revision in Law No.22/2009 on Traffic and Transportation.          "As a temporary solution, please go on (running your service). We can revise the law which has been in effect since 2009," the minister said. The law did not include two-wheeler vehicles as a public mode of transportation.          However, the fact that there is a wide gap between the need and availability of proper and adequate public transportation. "If ojek can be a solution and can provide good service to the public, we suggest that it should continue running for the time being," the minister said.

INVESTMENT BOARD EXPECTED TO EXCEED TARGET

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 17 (Antara) - The realization of investment in Indonesia in 2015 is expected to reach Rp535 trillion-Rp540 trillion, up 16.6 percent from that in 2014, surpassing the Capital Investment Coordinating Board's (BKPM's) target set at Rp519.5 trillion.         The forecast is based on the trend of realized investment, and it has been growing all through the year, BKPM Chief Franky Sibarani stated early this month (Dec. 1).        "This means that this year, the investment level is 16.6 percent higher than that in 2014," Sibarani noted.         BKPM deputy for capital service Lestari Indah remarked at the Bogor Economic Summit in Jakarta on Wednesday (Dec. 16) that the overall investment realization from January to September this year rose by 16.6 percent to reach Rp400 trillion. The value excluded the investment in the financial sector and the upstream oil and gas business.          The BKPM noted that the investment realization worth Rp400 trillion in the January-September 2015 period accounted for 77 percent of the investment target set for this year at Rp519.5 trillion.

GOVT CUTS SHORT CONTAINERS' WAITING TIME AT PORTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 16 (Antara) - One of the factors hampering economic activities at Indonesian ports is the inordinately long time it takes for the imported goods to be released from the container terminals.          At Tanjung Priok Seaport of Jakarta, for example, the waiting time is around 8.9 days before the containers are released as clearance procedures are complicated.          Since the beginning of this year, the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had set a target to cut this waiting time to an average of 4.7 days only. This meant that while pre-customs processes would have to be completed in 2.7 days, customs processes will take half a day and post-customs handling will have to be cleared in a day and a half.          During an inspection of the Tanjung Priok Port in June, the President threatened to  fire officials because he found them incapable of reducing loading and unloading time at ports. The waiting time was still 5.59 days.         "We must be frank. When I don't get answers for something I ask, I find them myself. It may be difficult but not impossible to dismiss the director general, or officials in the field, or even the minister," he said while visiting Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port on June 17.         Jokowi wanted port services to be quicker and more efficient. He was disappointed when he heard that waiting time at the port still stood at three days, 20 days or even 25 days.

ICP TUMBLES AS WORLD CRUDE PRICES FALL

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 15 (Antara) - The Indonesian crude price (ICP) slid down in the world market as global oil prices continued to fall over the past several months.          Since the falling oil prices and the ICP sliding in the world market are factors that affect the domestic fuel prices in the country, the government is considering lowering the fuel oil price at home.          Actually, the fall in domestic oil price will be good and positive for the country's economy.          "We hope the fuel oil prices will go down in January. If these are lowered, the country's economy will improve,"  Gusti Nyoman Wiratmadja Puja,  the director general of natural oil and gas of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said after attending "Pertamina Refining Day 2015" function on Tuesday (Dec 15).          He said with the fall in the world oil prices, the government will lower the price of fuel oil in the country next month.          The team of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) has recorded that the average Indonesian crude price or the ICP in November 2015 fell by US$2.24 per barrel, compared to the October level.          According to the ESDM statement made available to Antara last week, the Indonesian crude price in the world slid from US$43.68 per barrel in October to US$41.44 per barrel in November 2015.

INDONESIA REJOINS OPEC TO BUILD ENERGY RESILIENCE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 14 (Antara) - Indonesia, which suspended its membership of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the end of 2008, has since last month rejoined the organization to build its energy resilience.         Indonesia officially became an active member of the OPEC again when it attended its 168th session in Vienna, Austria, on November 4, 2015.         "The reactivation of the Indonesian membership of the OPEC was marked by its participation in the 168th session," Indonesia's Governor for OPEC Widhyawan Prawiraatmadja stated on Friday (Dec. 4).          In the current transition from using fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, Indonesia has to expand its network and engage in bilateral and multilateral cooperation to build its energy resilience.          Indonesia, which had become an OPEC member in 1962 and had pulled out of the world oil organization in 2008 since it was unable to meet its production quota and became an oil importer country in 2008, rejoined the OPEC not because it wants to become an oil exporter but as it is interested in expanding its global network.

GOVT WANTS ACCELERATION OF MANDALIKA RESORT DEVELOPMENT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 12 (Antara) - The government is impatient to see the completion of the Mandalika tourist resort development, which is also being built as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) to drive local economic activities and boost growth.         Vice President Jusu Kalla, when inspecting preparations for the construction of four star-rated hotels in the area Saturday, asked PT Indonesian Tourism Development Corporations (ITDC) management to accelerate the development of Mandalika which is being 'groomed'  as a world class tourist resort and special economic zone in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.          The development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and Tourist Resort Area should be accelerated so that the local people could soon enjoy its economic benefits and improve their welfare, the Vice President said.           The Mandalika KEK project was planned 25 years ago but several constraints had always hampered its realization, he said.

INDONESIA PROMOTING TRADE, INVESTMENT IN SOUTH KOREA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 12 (Antara) - Indonesia is actively promoting trade and investment in South Korea since both these sectors have shown a downward trend over the past few years.          The value of Indonesia-South Korea trade in 2014 for example was recorded at US$22.47 billion, down from some US$30 billion in 2012. Likewise, South Korean investment in 2012 was recorded at US$1.9 billion but up to the first half of 2015, it accounted for US$790 million only.          Trade Minister Thomas Lembong is committed to increasing the trade and investment values of both nations.          Therefore, he visited South Korea this week to continue negotiations on the Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IKCEPA) in an effort to increase market access and attract more investment from South Korea.          "We will expand market access through the continuation of the IKCEPA negotiations and the promotions of Indonesian products in the South Korean market," Thomas Lembong said in a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta Wednesday.

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 11 (Antara) - The Indonesian government acutely needs to cooperate with the private sector and avail of foreign loans to implement its infrastructure programs in 2016.          It is now preparing to finalize all phases of the 2016 infrastructure projects. Under the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, for example, there are some 1,600 infrastructure projects that need government-private partnership (KPS) and foreign loans.          National Development Planning Minister Sofyan Dajlil said the government will secure US$150 million in foreign loans to help finance preparations for infrastructure projects.          The government will need these loans to accomplish all the phases of the 2016 project preparations by the end of this year, he stated at a meeting of investors in Jakarta here on Monday (Dec.7).          The phases of project preparations include feasibility study, technical engineering design, land clearance, and project documentation.      "A loan commitment of US$150 million has been made to fund project preparations," he noted     According to the Minister of State-Owned Corporations (BUMN), Rini Soemarno, the entire planned infrastructure in Indonesia needed a total financing of around Rp5,000 trillion rupiah.          "It is impossible to source funding of such magnitude from within the country. It means that we need to attract foreign investors," Rini emphasized, after attending the Pertamina Energy Forum on Tuesday (Nov 24).

INDONESIA UNVEILS PASSENGER AIRCRAFT FOR REMOTE REGIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 11 (Antara) - The 17 thousand Indonesian islands spread across the archipelago are vastly isolated, and most regions are located in remote areas that need connectivity.          To this end, the government, through its state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), is looking forward to the future trend in passenger aircraft business.          As it would also promote the government's program to boost connectivity and improve the people's welfare thorough equitable transportation services, PTDI, in cooperation with the National Aviation and Space Agency (LAPAN), is producing a smaller yet efficient aircraft that can be used to offer air transportation services to various islands in Indonesia.          On Thursday, PTDI launched the prototype of its N219 aircraft, which is expected to boost the country's air transportation sector through commuter aircraft services in future.          "I welcome the development of the N219 aircraft by the domestic aviation industry. The N219 has been developed in Indonesia for Indonesia," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in his written address, read out by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan at the unveiling of the aircraft's prototype at the PTDI hangar in Bandung, West Java, on Thursday.

NDONESIA'S PILKADA CAN BE ROLE MODEL FOR THE WORLD

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 9 (Antara) - Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy, showcased its democratic process to the world on Wednesday when it held its first simultaneous regional head elections (Pilkada), a day before a world democracy forum opens in Bali.          The country's General Elections Commission (KPU) recorded that some 100,461,890 eligible voters were expected to cast votes to elect 800 pairs of regional head candidates in 264 regions across the country.          The candidates were running for posts of eight governors and vice governors, 222 district heads and their deputies, and 34 mayors and their deputies. If successful, it will become the first such election in the world.          "If the Indonesian Pilkada is successful it will become the first simultaneous local election in the world and will be a role model for democratic countries,"  Easti Handayani, the director general for Public Diplomacy Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Wednesday.          After all, the local elections, held simultaneously across the country, were organized only one day before the 8th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), set to be opened by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

GOVT SEEKS TO REDUCE FISH MEAL IMPORTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 8 (Antara) - The government is encouraging production of fish meals using local raw materials to reduce fish meal imports and cut fish cultivation expenses as meals so far account for about 80 percent of the total costs.         "We must seek ways of utilizing our rich local raw materials to produce  fish meals on our own that would benefit both fish meal industry and cultured fish farmers," Director General for Cultured Fish of the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) Slamet Soebjakto, said on Tuesday.          For this purpose, the KKP will strengthen the network and coordination among fish farmers and local fish meal producers, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (UKM).         By producing fish meals from local raw materials both UKM or individuals and fish breeders will enjoy benefit as the production cost could significantly be cut.          As regards, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti expressed the desire that the cost of fish cultivation should be reduced to 60 percent.  Slamet said fish meal production facility should be accorded priority because meals account for the biggest cost component in the fish culture sector.

DEADLY ACCIDENT PROMPTS CALLS FOR BETTER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 8 (Antara) - The commuter train-Metromini bus collision at North Jakarta's Muara Angke railway crossing that killed 17 people, Sunday, prompted authorities to take steps to put in order the operations of public vehicles in the capital city.          Though not all, yet on an average, drivers of Jakarta's public transportation vehicles --- such as "angkot" and "mikrolet" (both minivans), buses, including Metromini buses --- are notorious for their recklessness.      Luckily, apart from trains, Jakarta's residents can still avail relatively convenient public transportation services in the form of taxis and the TransJakarta Busway transportation services. However, passengers have to pay relatively higher fares for these services.          Traffic accidents in the capital city, particularly at railway crossings, have repeatedly occurred, and Sunday's accident was not the first of its kind.          However, the Muara Angke collision involving an electric commuter train and a Metromini bus appears to have raised awareness among the authorities to streamline the operations of public vehicles in order to protect the safety of passengers and ensure their convenience.          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has promptly ordered his minister to take the necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of accidents involving means of public transportation at railway crossings.

RI SHOULD ADOPT LANDSCAPE APPROACH FOR HANDLING FOREST FIRES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 7 (Antara) - Indonesia, that has the largest tropical forest in the world, needs to adopt an appropriate approach to check the forest fires that happen almost every year.          A forum during the on-going 21st Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France, also touched upon the issue of annual Indonesian forest fires.          The issue was raised during the Global Landscape Forum, organized by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)  at the Palais de Congres, Paris, France, on Saturday.          Director for Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) Indonesia Fitrian Ardiansyah told the forum that the Indonesian government needed to adopt a landscaping approach to overcome the forest fires occurring for the past few years.          He said various countries have successfully used the landscaping approach. It was also mentioned in the 'The Little Sustainable Landscape Book,' launched by the CIFOR  and various environment organizations at the forum.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN BEEF PRODUCTION STILL A DREAM

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 4 (Antara) - Indonesia has been making efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in meat production for the past several years but that dream has not yet come true due to several factors.          The previous government under former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had set a target for Indonesia to become self-sufficient in meat production by 2014.          However, by October 2013, cattle population had plunged from 16.4 million in 2012 to 14.2 million, clearly inadequate to meet the domestic need for meat, pegged at about 550 thousand tons per annum.          Till date, Indonesia has to import meat or cattle to meet its domestic needs. The meat sector has been witnessing a trend to rather import the commodity instead of breeding cows at home.          Cattle needs two and a half to three years before it could be slaughtered or sold.          The head of the Breeding Division of PT Santori, Dayan Antoni, said in Lampung Province on Thursday that businesses take less interest in breeding cattle due to the high cost and the risks involved. From their point of view, it takes a long time before the cattle could yield economic benefit.

MINISTRY TO IDENTIFY CONTAMINATED WATERS TO PROTECT HEALTHY FISH STOCKS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 2 (Antara) - The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry will map out polluted areas in the Indonesian waters and take necessary steps to preserve the water quality to ensure healthy fish populations.          "We will collect data on polluted areas in the Indonesian waters that contain hazardous waste materials," Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti stated on Tuesday.          The minister made the statement in response to the incident wherein thousands of fish had been stranded ashore and had died at the Ancol Dream Land beach in North Jakarta on Monday.          The deteriorating water quality and climate change phenomenon are believed to be the reasons behind the mass death of fish.          Officials of the Water Police Directorate General (Ditpolair) of the Jakarta Regional Police suspect that hazardous liquid wastes settling on the seabed are causing the mass death of fish.          "We suspect that the sediments of poisonous wastes in river estuaries are being carried down to the seabed," Head of the Law Enforcement Affairs of the Ditpolair Commissioner Edi Guritno claimed on Monday.

RI URGES DEVELOPED NATIONS TO HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 1 (Antara) - Indonesia has urged developed countries to help reduce global warming and carbon emissions at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP-21) being held in Paris, France, from November 30 to December 11, 2015.         The country is therefore optimistic that the COP-21 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris would reach an ambitious agreement to make the earth a better place and to improve the people's welfare.        "Reaching an agreement in Paris is a must. I hope we are all part of a solution to make the earth a more convenient place for our children and grandchildren," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) told 147 heads of state and government during the Leaders' Event in Paris on Monday (November 30).         In order to reach an agreement in Paris, he emphasized that all countries, especially developed nations, should contribute in mitigation and adaptation efforts.         The contribution could be through the mobilization of US$100 billion financing until 2020 to be increased in the following years, with transfer of environmentally friendly technology and capacity expansion.