GOVT TO LOWER TRANPORTATION FARES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 30 (Antara) - The government is likely to lower public transportation fares by about three percent following a cut in the prices of Premium gasoline, diesel oil and high octane fuels such as Pertamax, Pertamina Dex and Pertalite.          On Tuesday, Pertamina decided to slash the prices of Pertamax, Pertamina Dex and Pertalite with effect from March 30, 2016 while the government decided on Wednesday to cut the prices of Premium and diesel oil with effect from April 1, 2016.          Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan said on Wednesday that his ministry will write to the regional governments asking them to lower transportation fares following the reduction in fuel oil prices.          Jonan said the cut in transportation fares could be three percent, depending on the type of fuels they consume. This will cover ferry services, trains, inter-city or inter-provincial buses and city transportation vehicles.          "We will formulate this soon and it will be regulated through a ministerial decree," Minister Jonan said after attending a limited cabinet meeting on adjustment of fuel oil prices in line with a decline in the world crude price.

PERTAMINA CUTS PRICES OF NON-SUBSIDIZED FUELS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 30 (Antara) - State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina has reduced the prices of its Pertamax, Pertamax Plus, Pertamina Dex, and Pertalite types of fuels by Rp200 per liter, effective from March 30, 2016.          These fuels are non-subsidized or non-Public Service Obligation (PSO) oils whose prices were cut and came into effect earlier than the reduction in the prices of Premium gasoline and subsidized diesel fuels, which will also be lowered and become effective on April 1, 2016.          Pertamina's Vice President Corporate Communication Wianda Pusponegoro noted in a press statement on Tuesday that the prices of fuel oils were lowered in line with the decline in global crude oil prices.          "In mid-March, Pertamina had cut the prices of non-PSO fuels by Rp200 per liter and became effective on March 15. Now, it has reduced them again by Rp200 per liter, which came into effect as of midnight of March 30, 2016," she remarked.          Pusponegoro said with the decision to cut the prices of non-PSO fuels, the price of Pertamax in Jakarta was reduced from Rp7,750 per liter to Rp7,550 per liter, Pertalite from Rp7,300 per liter to Rp7,100 per liter, and Pertamax Plus from Rp8,650 per liter to Rp8,450 per liter.          The price of Pertamina Dex went down from Rp8,600 per liter to Rp8,400 per liter and that of non-subsidized bio-diesel from Rp7,150 per liter to Rp6,950 per liter, taking into account the conversion rate at the central bank (BI) on Wednesday at Rp13,296-Rp13,430 per US dollar.

FUEL PRICE FORMULATION NEEDED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 28 (Antara) - The government is set to lower fuel prices next month but before that, it needs to formulate a correct price so that it does not affect the stability in commodity prices.          Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said stated on Monday that based on studies, commodity prices did not automatically go down when the fuel oil prices were lowered. The impact was small.          However, if fuel prices are raised, even though slightly, it would lead to commodity prices going up.          Therefore, before announcing its planned new fuel price adjustment in April, the government is working to formulate a new price cut scheme, taking into account various factors.         "With a correct formulation, fuel prices will not increase or drop drastically," the minister pointed out.         The minister said his side is monitoring the price movement in the run up to June because that will be a fasting month and a time for Lebaran post-fasting festivities when people need government support (no price increase).

INDONESIA STEPS UP MARINE TOURISM PROMOTIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 27 (Antara) - Being the world's largest island country with over 17 thousands islands and 54,716 kilometer coastal lines, Indonesia is rich in beautiful isles, beaches and such underwater resources as coral reefs, fish and other sea biota.          These potential resources are scattered in various regions across the country, offering greatest chances for the government to tap their commercial benefit through tourism development.          Therefore, according to Hari Untoro Dradjat expert staff for maritime affairs of the Tourism Ministry, the government is intensifying the development of tourism in various regions.          He said in Denpasar, Bali on Tuesday (March 22) that the government now focuses the development of its tourism in the regions.          "In the tourist resort island of Bali alone, there are 16 tourism regions, five special tourism areas and 151 tourist destinations," Dradjat told a seminar on tourism in Denpasar on Tuesday.          Thus, the government which has set a target to attract 12 million foreign tourist arrivals this year and 20 million by 2019, is also intensively promoting its tourism, particularly marine tourism, through various activities such as festivals, expositions, yacht-sail races and others.

INDONESIA WILL SHINE AT U.S. COFFEE EXPO

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 26 (Antara) - Indonesia is known as a country that exports the best quality coffee, such as Robusta and Arabica coffee, but production at home last year remained slightly stagnant.          Its coffee products remain so popular in the global market that the Specialty Coffee Association America (SCAA) has named Indonesia as its official Portrait Country for its SCAA Expo 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States.          Indonesia's 3,200-mile archipelago with more than 13,000 islands, 120 active volcanoes, ample rainfall, fertile soil and ideal temperatures is home to a variety of coffees.          It is no surprise that Indonesia was named the third largest producer of coffee in the world in 2014, according to the International Coffee Organization.         Annually, Indonesia is estimated to produce 750 thousand metric tons of coffee. Of this, an estimated 154 thousand metric tons is required for domestic consumption. Of the exports, 25 percent are  Arabica beans, and the rest comprise Robusta.

RI NEEDS TRANSIT PORTS TO REALIZE ITS MARITIME AXIS VISION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 26 (Antara) - The government is considering developing two transshipment ports to support its dream of transforming the country into an international maritime axis and a world's biggest economy.          With the two transshipment points along with the maritime axis, Indonesia could take over the role of Singapore as the only point of transit port for goods coming into Indonesia. The two transshipment ports which are expected to be located in the western and eastern parts of the country could turn Indonesia into the world's sixth largest economy.         "So far, Singapore is the only transshipment point. We have to send goods to Singapore and from Singapore the goods are delivered to Kalimantan and Sulawesi. This is not an efficient way," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli said Thursday.          Therefore, the government is willing to build two large main seaports to take over the role of Singapore.          "We want to build one in Sumatra (western part), possibly in Dumai (Riau Province) or South Sumatra and one in the eastern region. It could be in Lombok or Bitung," Minister Rizal Ramli said.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO FOCUS ON MARITIME SECTOR

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 26 (Antara) - The Indonesian waters which account for 70 percent of the country's total area offer greatest potential and economic benefit for the development and improvement of the people's welfare.          Young Indonesian entrepreneurs will therefore focus their attention on tapping the economic potential of the country's maritime sector. "We will play our roles in the development of the country's maritime industries," Raditya Priamanaya Djan of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) said.          Priamanaya, who attended a regional working meeting of the HIPMI in Riau Islands Province (Kepri) Friday, cited as an example the potential of the Kepri waters which covered 90 percent of the province's area.          This province had a big potential to develop the maritime sector, particularly the fishery sector, he said.          Moreover, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has placed the fishery sector as one of his maritime development priorities, he said. "Kepri has the potential to develop the fishery industry in the era of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)," he added.

HOUSE URGES DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY BASE IN NATUNA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 25 (Antara) - The House of Representatives (DPR) has stressed on the need to build a military base on Natuna Island as part of its defense system in the central part of Indonesia.          DPR's Commission I on Defense and Foreign Affairs raised the issue following an incident in which the Indonesian Marine Resources and Maritime Ministry's (KKP's) patrol boat Hiu 11 was attempting to arrest a Chinese fishing vessel caught poaching in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) recently.          Commission I Chairman Mahfud Siddiq believes that a military base on the island of Natuna is of key importance as part of the defense system in the central region of the country, which shares its maritime borders with several nations.          "The development of a military base on Natuna Island is important for the defense system in the central region of Indonesia, which shares its borders with many countries in the South China Sea," Siddiq stated in Jakarta on Thursday (March 24).          Siddiq noted that the development of a military base in Natuna will reinforce Indonesia's existing regional defense systems in the eastern and western parts of the country. This will help improve the military's mobility.          The lawmaker remarked that the plan to develop a military base in Natuna had been made since 2015.          "Commission I had once discussed the plan, including its budget," Siddiq pointed out.

WATER NEEDS PRESERVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE LIFE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 24 (Antara) - Located under the equatorial lines, Indonesia is blessed with two annual seasons of dry and rainy spells, which often bring the consequences of drought or floods.          Indonesia can still not effectively take advantage of the two seasons as during the dry spell it often suffers from water shortage and damage to food crops or fires in its peat land and forests.          On the other hand, during the rainy season, water often brings mishaps, such as floods, which also cause major damage to rice fields, property or even claim lives.          The main problem that Indonesia has to solve is how to hold water during the rainy season and use it when the dry spell comes. "Water supplies must be preserved to be used for household needs, irrigation and for other development," said Adi Pramudya, acting chief for the Water Use Program at the National Water Resource Council (SDAN), on Wednesday.          Speaking at a water seminar organized by the Kalesang Environment Agency in Maluku in connection with the World Water Day on Wednesday, Adi Pramudya said clean water supplies must be preserved to maintain the sustainability of life.          He said that unsettled garbage issues, pollution, floods, population density, critical river basin areas and dryness as a result of drought are among the major problems that cause shortage in clean water supplies. These problems take place both in cities and rural areas or villages.          Therefore, the task of preserving water supplies does not lie in the hands of the government alone, but also in the hands of all sides, particularly people living in cities. People should make themselves accustomed to not excessively using water.

MALUKU RESIDENTS WELCOME PLAN TO BUILD MASELA LNG REFINERY ONSHORE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 24 (Antara) - Maluku residents have expressed their happiness over President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) decision to build the country's largest onshore Masela gas refinery in the Maluku Province after much deliberation on whether it should be built onshore or offshore.          Local society leaders and academicians lauded the president's decision to build the Masela Block¿s liquefied natural gas (LNG) refinery plant onshore. They expressed happiness when contacted by the Antara National News Agency on Wednesday.          Statements of happiness were voiced by among others, the Director of the Archipelago Solidarity Foundation Engelina Pattiasina, Pattimura University Rector Saptenno, Darussalam University Rector Ibrahim Ohorella and noted Southwest Maluku society figure A Watloly.          "We thank President Jokowi and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Rizal Ramli because they complied with the aspirations of the Maluku people. The decision is good, not only for the prosperity of the Maluku people, but also for the people of Indonesia," said Engelina.          She said the decision is also in line with Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution. "Oil and gas industry may not be developed, only based on a profit-loss oriented calculation, but also based on its impact on the people."

INDONESIA, CHINA MUST WORK HARD TO BALANCE BILATERAL TRADE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 24 (Antara)- Indonesia is intensifying the promotion of its export products through various activities, including organizing exhibitions and attending business forums in China, in an effort to balance its trade deficit, which reaches US$14 billion.          "The trade deficit, which is in favor of China, is caused by the fall in the prices of commodities that we are exporting to that country. Now, the two nations must work hard to balance bilateral trade and to step up economic cooperation," Trade Minister Thomas Lembong stated on the sidelines of his activities while attending the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Hainan, China, on Thursday.          Tourism and investment promotions are some steps that can be taken to maintain the trade balance and enhance cooperation between the two countries, Minister Lembong explained.          "If our funds, amounting to US$14 billion, flow to China, but they return in the form of investment, our relations and economic cooperation will become balanced. It will also be the same if many Chinese tourists come to Indonesia. Income from the tourism sector will be able to balance the economic deficit between the two nations," the trade minister emphasized.          Data at the Chinese Immigration authority indicated that China's imports from Indonesia in 2015 stood at US$19.8 billion, while its exports to the latter were recorded at US$34.4 billion.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO FORMULATE NEW RULES ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 23 (Antara) - The government is expected to prepare new regulations on public transportation in response to protests by conventional taxi drivers on Tuesday against online application-based taxi services.          The presence of online transportation services, which are believed to be operating illegally and disadvantaging conventional services, has triggered concern among public transportation companies.          The online transportation services are considered to have affected the livelihood of the drivers working for non-online transportation companies as they have reduced the number of passengers who usually use non-online transportation modes.          As the online-based taxis operate as a means of public transportation without licenses, they are viewed as illegal, paying no taxes and other levies required by the government.          Thus, with the advancements in online technology, they are able to offer cheaper fares to passengers.          Therefore, the government needs to reorganize and implement a fair public transportation system by taking into account the progress made in the field of technology.

NEGLECTED HAMBALANG PROJECT AWAITS GOVT'S DECISION

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 22 (Antara) - The fate of the Rp2.5 trillion- Hambalang sports complex project in Sentul Hill, Bogor, West Java, lying neglected since 2012, will be decided before the 2018 Asian Games to be hosted by Indonesia.          Before taking a decision, the Ministry of Sports and Youth will conduct an assessment of the 33-hectare Hambalang National Sports Development, Education and Training Center (P3SON) project, in cooperation with the Government's Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) and the Public Work and Public Housing Ministry.         "The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has to prepare a detailed and complete report on the project," said the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Imam Nahrawi, who accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during a tour of the neglected complex last Friday.          He said his ministry will study whether to continue with the project as per its initial design to function as an athletics school and a training center or as a high school of sports.      "We need dormitories for athletes just like the Sports School  in Ragunan which produces some of the best athletes. Athletes are housed there during training," noted the minister.

INDONESIAN RIVER WATER HEAVILY POLLUTED

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 21 (Antara) - Indonesia is all set to host a three-day meeting of the Asia Water Council (AWC) in Bali on Thursday to discuss the challenges related to water resources, but its own rivers are heavily polluted.          "Some 68 percent of the river water in 33 provinces in Indonesia is seriously polluted," Director General of Environmental Damage and Pollution Control of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Karliansyah, said over the weekend.          Data available with the directorate showed that water quality, checked at 186 points in 10 regions in Sumatra, was seriously contaminated. River water here was found polluted to an extent of 68 percent while 29 percent was moderately polluted and three percent was mildly tainted.           According to Sri Parwati Murwati Budi Susanti, director for the control of pollution and water of the Directorate General of Environmental Damage and Pollution Control, water contamination was also noticed at 454 points in six regions in Java in 2015. Based on class II air quality criteria (KMA), about 68 percent of the river water was polluted heavily, 22 percent moderately and seven percent mildly.

POWER CONSUMPTION GOES DOWN DURING EARTH HOUR

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 19 (Antara) - The Earth Hour campaign brings down electricity consumption as lamps and other electronic devices were turned off for one hour on Saturday.          In Bali, for example, state-owned electricity company PLN's Bali office predicted that the electricity consumption on the tourist resort island of Bali will decline by 41 megawatts (MW) in anticipation of the Earth Hour when lamps and electronic devices are turned off for one hour.          "Last year, we had recorded a fall in the electricity consumption by five percent or 36 MW during the Earth Hour. This year, we predict it will decline by 41 MW," PLN Spokesman for Bali Distribution, Melva Yumawati, said in Bali on Saturday.          According to Yumawati, power consumption during the peak hour in Bali in 2016 reaches 822 MW. Thanks to the Earth Hour, the electricity consumption will certainly drop during the peak hour.          This year, the Earth Hour fell on March 19, 2016 and was marked from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. local time.         "The fall in electricity consumption in Bali during the Earth Hour will depend on how aware people are about turning off their lamps and electronic appliances for one hour," Yumawati said.

INDONESIA TO IMPORT 3.22 MILION TONS OF RAW SUGAR

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 19 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has allocated a quota for the importation of 3.22 million tons of raw sugar to meet the needs of the county's food and beverage industry for refined sugar in 2016.         "The figure increased by five percent from that in the previous year as the need for refined sugar for the food and beverage industries increased by over eight percent per annum," Acting Director General of External Trade of the Ministry of Trade Karyanto Suprih stated in Jakarta Friday.          The figure for refined sugar in 2016 was based on a moderate five percent increase prediction from the need in 2015 which was 2.89 million tons. So, the figure in 2016 has been set at 3.03 million tons or equivalent of 3.22 million tons of raw sugar.          The trade ministry will soon issue a permit for the importation of 968,143 tons of raw sugar for the second quarter (April-June) of 2016 to cater to the needs of the domestic refined sugar industry.          "It has been signed and will be issued on Monday (March 21)," Karyanto Suprih stated.

PGN EXPANDS NETWORK TO INCREASE GAS UTILIZATION EFFICIENCY

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 18 (Antara) - State-owned gas distributor company PGN has continued to expand its infrastructure network in an effort to increase efficiency and utilize the natural gas produced in the country.          The state-owned company's infrastructure facilities include the development of a mini-liquefied natural gas (mini-LNG) system, expansion of the gas pipeline network, and increase in the number of household consumer connections.          PGN President Director Hendi Prio Santoso stated on Wednesday that additional infrastructure such as pipelines, mini-LNG system, and connections to household consumers will increase the utilization of the nation's natural gas to 1,902 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).         "With that volume, PGN will be able to save Rp110.9 trillion. Last year, through its gas distribution to consumers, PGN was able to save on Rp88.03 trillion," noted Hendi.          He affirmed that his company will build a mini-LNG system in the eastern regions of Indonesia and increase the number of its gas refueling stations (SPBGs) for land transportation. From now until 2019, PGN plans to build 60 SPBGs.

MORE SIGNS OF ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 17 (Antara) - The government's plan to upgrade the National Narcotics Agency's  (BNN's) status is an indication of its all-out efforts to fight narcotics abuse in the country.          "The president is determined to upgrade the status of BNN. The drug problem is so huge. The BNN should deal with it," Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stated on Thursday (March 10).          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is committed to upgrading the status of BNN to a ministerial-level body due to the urgency to rage a battle against drug trade.          Indonesia, with a population of some 250 million, has become one of the targets of drug lords to market their narcotics. Poverty enclaves in the country are the main hubs, turning poor people into addicts and traffickers.          According to BNN's data, the prevalence of drug addicts in Indonesia continues to reflect an upward trend. In 2008, the number of drug addicts was pegged at 3.3 million. It rose to four million in 2011, and in 2015, it was expected to touch 5.1 million.          In a limited cabinet meeting on September 21, 2015, President Jokowi reminded that Indonesia was now facing three major challenges: drug abuse, illegal fishing, and terrorism.          "We are now entering a state of drug emergency that has to be dealt with seriously," the president emphasized.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO CANCEL HIKE IN BPJS PREMIUM

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 16 (Antara) - The government has been urged to cancel the move to increase the monthly premium amount that participants have to pay to the Healthcare Social Security Management Agency (BPJS Kesehatan).          "The increase in premiums violates the principle of mutual assistance adopted by the BPJS Kesehatan as it is a social insurance scheme. If the premiums are raised, then how will it be any different from the commercial insurance schemes?" Chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Institute Foundation (YLKI), Tulus Abadi, was quoted as asking by the Institute on its official website on Tuesday.          The President of the Indonesian Workers Unions Confederation (KSPI), Said Iqbal, also aired the same views. "It is the budget for the PBI which should be increased to overcome the financial problems being faced by the PBJS Kesehatan, instead of raising the premiums that non-PBI participants have to pay," Iqbal said in a press statement here on Wednesday.

MINISTRY UNLIKELY TO BLOCK ONLINE APPLICATION-BASED TAXI SERVICES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 16 (Antara) - The government is unlikely to block online application-based taxi services as demanded by the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), which considers their operation as illegal and disadvantaging the livelihood of conventional taxi drivers.          "We may not shut down their internet-based applications. The problems must be solved. After all, they are now in the process of obtaining licenses from the Ministry of Transportation. This is not a matter of blocking them. Technology is a neutral problem, so we should find a win-win solution," Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara noted in a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.          He emphasized that the route service licenses of online-based taxi services need to be improved. Hence, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics has to study the problem.          "We have to find a solution to the problem, so that it could be settled in the near future," Minister Rudiantara affirmed.

GOVT FOCUSES ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME ON EASTERN REGIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 12 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is launching its electrification program called "Indonesian Terang" (Bright Indonesia)  with a target to provide electricity for 10,300 villages until 2019, or about 97.35 percent of the country's electricification ratio.          The government in the program gives an emphasis on villages in the Indonesin eastern regions.  Some 67 percent of the Indonesian rural electrification program  covers the Indonesian eastern regions that stretch from West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB) to Papua, a senior official said.          "Up to 2019, some 67 percent of the national electrification program will cover areas which stretch from NTB to Papua," Rida Mulyana, the director general of new and renewable energy of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), said Wednesday (March 9).          The 67 percent covered 6,926 villages of the whole target of 10,300 villages to be provided with electricity until 2019, he said. The villages are located in NTB, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), North Maluku, Maluku, West Papua and Papua which had not yet been supplied with electricity.

INVESTORS WELCOME INDONESIA'S BONDED LOGISTICS CENTERS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 12 (Antara) - Investors have lauded the government's efforts to establish Bonded Logistics Centers (PLB) which offer facilities to businesses and are expected to transform the country into the Asia-Pacific logistics hub.          "We hail the government's breakthrough to issue a legal umbrella and establish PLBs in Indonesia," Benny Woenardi, the director of PT Gerbang Teknologi Cikarang said Friday.          PT Gerbang Teknology Cikarang is one of the 11 companies allowed by the Indonesian government to utilize the bonded logistic center whose operation was kicked off by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at Cipta Krida Bahari industrial zone in Cakung, North Jakarta Friday.          "We will begin to operate with the facility through a cotton bonded logistics center in cooperation with the Indonesian Textile Business Association (API) to support the national textile and textile product industries," Benny Woenardi, added.           President Jokowi, when inaugurating the bonded logistics zone Thursday, expressed his intent to make Indonesia the logistics "hub" in the Asia-Pacific region.

JAPANESE FOOD FIRMS HAVE GROWING INTEREST IN INDONESIA

BY Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 12 (Antara) - Japan, the third largest foreign investor country in Indonesia, is showing interest in expanding their businesses in the food sector after seeing progressive developments of the Japanese society in Indonesia.         "I have received reports that several Japanese food companies are contemplating entering Indonesia after observing the spurt in the number of Japanese restaurants and grocery stores in the country. This means that they already have market segments to sell their products in Indonesia," Franky Sibarani, the head of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), noted in a press statement in Jakarta Wednesday (March 9).          There were 1,199 students enrolled in Japanese schools in Jakarta in 2014. The institution also recorded that at the national level, there were 16 thousand Japanese expatriates living in Indonesia of which 10 thousand were in Jakarta, according to data at the representative office of the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro).          "Data on Japanese expatriates in Jakarta is the main factor that has led to new investment interest in Indonesia," he claimed.           Companies from Japan were so far mostly doing business in the electronics, automotive, and components sectors, in addition to garment products, Saribua Siahaan, the BKPM representative for investment promotion (IIPC) stated in Tokyo.

ECLIPSE BRINGS FORTUNE TO INDONESIAN TOUIRSM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 12 (Antara) - Last Wednesday's total solar eclipse (TSE) in 12 Indonesian provinces was a blessing and fortune for the country's tourism as it promoted local tourism and left foreign tourists with deep memories to revisit the country.          After all, the local governments in big cities which fell within the footprint of the TSE organized various attractions and festivals, introducing local arts and cultures, foods, tourist sites and the beauty of Indonesian nature.          All these things will become items of promotion for Indonesian tourism as the domestic and foreign eclipse trackers will share their experience through the social media in their respective countries.          "I am confident that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Sigi will increase drastically contributing more foreign exchange and improving the economy of local people around the tourism sites," Sigi District Head Moh. Irwan Lapata said Thursday.          Sigit District was a meeting point for eclipse enthusiasts in Palu, Central Sulawesi, which was one of the 12 provinces in the path of the natural phenomenon.          Thousands of foreign tourists visited Central Sulawesi during the TSE, he said. Most of them went to Sigi District. In this district, the local government cooperates with tourism operators in developing observation centers of the TSE. Among others, it included Ngatabaru village, Palu City, Wayu and Kauli villages.

GOVERNMENT YET TO DECIDE MASELA GAS REFINERY LOCATION

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 10 (Antara) - As of this week, the government has not yet decided whether to develop an onshore or offshore liquefied natural gas refinery at the Abadi natural gas field, Masela Block, in Arafura Sea, Maluku Province.          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has not decided upon a location for the LNG refinery plant, following controversies over the economics and costs involved in the construction of an onshore or offshore refinery.          "There is no final figure yet. We are still waiting for the calculation of real and accurate figures for the construction costs of the Masela gas refinery, both onshore and offshore," Amien Sunaryadi, the head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator (SKK Migas) said following a hearing with the Regional Representative Council (DPD) on Monday (March 7).          There have been differences in construction cost calculations between Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli and project contractor Inpex Corp of Japan and its partner, Royal Dutch Shell.       Rizal Ramli said, based on his study, the cost of developing an onshore refinery would be some US$16 billion, while the cost for developing it offshore would reach US$22 billion.          He added that the calculation was far different from the cost estimates provided by Japan's Inpex Corp and Shell, which are set at US$14.8 billion for the offshore and US$19.3 billion for the onshore refinery.

INDONESIA EXPECTED TO BECOME CAR PRODUCTION HUB

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 9 (Antara) - Despite certain leading automotive industries' decision to close down factories in Indonesia, the country's automotive prospects seem bright and it may even become an ASEAN car production hub in the future.          PT Ford Motor Indonesia said last January that it planned to stop its operations in the country before the end of this year. This followed the closure of Proton of Malaysia and General Motors.          However, Ipsos Business Consulting company still sees bright future prospects. It said Indonesia still has the opportunity to become an automotive production hub for the ASEAN region and gradually replace Thailand as a car production base.          "This is evident from the output trend in vehicle production, policies, and infrastructure, which continue to undergo improvements followed an increase in production capacity, domestic consumption and export volumes," Marcus Scherer, head of the Global Automotive Sector of Ipsos Business Consulting, stated on Wednesday.          Industry Minister Saleh Husin shared the same optimism. He said last month that the Indonesian automotive industry is increasingly witnessing good growth as evident in the increasing investment by automotive factories.

ENTHUSIASTS READY TO WATCH INDONESIAN ECLIPSE

 

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 8 (Antara) - Thousands of foreign and domestic enthusiasts were all set on Tuesday to watch the rare natural phenomenon of total solar eclipse (TSE) that will take place over 12 provinces across Indonesia on Wednesday.          The 12 Indonesian provinces are Bengkulu, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Jambi, Bangka Belitung, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and North Maluku.          Big cities which fall within the footprint of the total solar eclipse in Indonesia are Muko-Muko (Bengkulu), Palembang (South Sumatra), Tanjung Pandan, Palangkaraya (Central Kalimantan), Balikpapan (East Kalimtan), Palu (Central Sulawesi) and Ternate (North Maluku).      The Indonesian government will organize the main event to watch the TSE in Bangka Belitung Province, as most of its waters lie in the path of the eclipse. It sent a solar eclipse expedition team to Bangka Belitung to immortalize the rare event.          Coordinating Minister  for Maritime and Resource Affairs Rizal Ramli saw off a 2016 Total Solar Eclipse Expedition Team in Jakarta on Tuesday.

TANGSEL CITY OFFERS US$29,000 FOR CREATIVE TRASH CONCEPT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 3 (Antara) - Garbage found anywhere in big cities is a headache as this could cause health problems or a catastrophe, such as floods that claim lives as has happened in Jakarta in recent years.          As a buffer town for the Indonesian capital city Jakarta, South Tangerang (Tangsel) Municipal City, Banten Province, is no exception. Tangsel City is growing rapidly and has a population of about 1.5 million.          The growing population is also coupled with increasing social problems, including waste, which continues to create a headache, with its volume reaching some 1,700 cubic meters every day.          The landfill (TPA), whose capacity is limited, in Tangsel City is no longer enough to accommodate refuse disposal.          The only TPA owned by Tangsel is the TPA Cipeucang in the Setu sub-dstrict. The 2.5 hectare TPA is expected to become full by the end of this year.          "Zone one of this landfill is expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2016. We still have zone two, but it is still in the land clearance process," the Technical Unit Chief of the Cipeucang TPA, Khrisna was quoted as saying by Kompas.com last August.

GOVT TO OPEN 200 THOUSAND HECTARES OF NEW RICE FIELDS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 2 (Antara) - Indonesia, which still imports rice to meet the needs of its 250 million strong population, will this year open up 200 thousand hectares of new rice fields.         The plan to increase the acreage under rice farms in the country by 200 thousand hectares is expected to help the government achieve its target of unhusked rice production of Rp76 million tons.         By increasing the acreage of the country's rice fields by 200 thousand hectares, the rice farms in Indonesia will cover about 9.0 million hectares.         Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman made this announcement in Sleman, Yoyakarta, on Wednesday.         "The new rice fields will replace the area that is now being used for other functions (such as for industry)," the minister said     As a country where rice is a staple food, Indonesia must always have adequate rice stocks, particularly in the face of two extreme dry and rainy seasons. During the rainy season, thousands of hectares of rice could be damaged while during the drought, thousands of hectares of paddy fields could also fail to produce any harvest.         On an average, the domestic need for rice in Indonesia is predicted to reach about 30 million tons per annum.

"TAPERA" EXPECTED TO HELP SOLVE HOUSING BACKLOG

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 2 (Antara) - The newly enacted law on public housing savings (UU Tapera) scheme is expected to help the government tackle the housing backlog in the country and facilitate small employees and other low-paid workers to own houses.          Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Irman Gusman hoped that the enactment of the draft law on Tapera would overcome the problems being faced by people from the low-income group who are keen to own houses.          "With the law on public housing, all stakeholders are expected to have solutions to the housing problems being faced by the people," Irman stated while opening a group discussion at the Parliament building on Wednesday last week.          He emphasized that it was mandatory to make efforts to meet the basic necessity of the public such as by issuing a law on public housing to facilitate people to own houses.          "It is a mandatory matter. Efforts should not only be focused on a certain sector such as on financial management," he emphasized.          The government should narrow the gap in housing ownership in the society. Through regulations, the government is obligated to provide housing for all sections of the society, noted Irman.          The House of Representatives (DPR) enacted into law the Bill on Tapera scheme on Tuesday (Feb. 23) last week.