HOLDING COMPANY MUST IMPROVE PEOPLE'S WELFARE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 31 (Antara) - The government is planning to establish a number of holding companies for state-owned firms (BUMN) in certain business sectors, such as in the areas of toll road construction, finance, health and energy.          Companies operating in each of these sectors will respectively have their own holding companies. However, an economic law expert has warned that the holding companies should operate based on the 1945 Constitution as per which priority should be given to improving the welfare of the Indonesian people.          One such government-established holding company is state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina which will serve as a holding company in the energy sector.          Economic law expert Juajir Sumardi advised that the establishment of Pertamina as a holding company in the energy sector, particularly oil and gas, should be based on the amended 1945 Constitution.          Moreover, oil and gas are a natural wealth and must be used in people's interest. These resources should be exploited to make the people more prosperous.          "Oil and gas are strategic natural resources and the state has the authority over them in Indonesia," Juajir, chairman of the Economic Law Study Center of the Makassar-based Hasanuddin University,  pointed out at a national seminar at the Pertamina building here on Tuesday.

INDONESIA POPULARIZES ITS CUISINE ON WORLD STAGE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 31 (Antara) - Indonesia, with its at least 300 ethnic groups and over 1,300 tribes, is surely rich in local delicacies and special dishes that could make the country popular in the world when it comes to culinary products.          Some popular Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice), gado-gado (vegetable salad), sate (small pieces of meat roasted on skewer/satay), and soto (soup) are ubiquitous in the country and considered Indonesia's national dishes.          Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said various Indonesian special culinary products had gone international and some were liked by world leaders such as United States President Barack Obama who liked 'bakso' (meat ball soup).          "The presence of many Indonesian restaurants in various countries is a testament to the fact that Indonesian delicacies are popular at the global level," the minister remarked in Jakarta on Monday.          Yahya noted that Indonesian culinary products were not inferior to those of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia as the country has a varied range of cuisine. Indonesia needs to now package these dishes, so that these can have huge commercial and cultural value.

HOUSE EXPECTED TO WRAP UP DEBATES ON TAX AMNESTY BILL

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 31 (Antara) - The government has expressed hope that the House of Representatives (DPR) would have wrapped up deliberations on the tax amnesty bill at the end of May or early in July, 2016.          "We hope that the DPR would have reached an agreement on the draft law of the tax amnesty at the end of this month or early in July before the recess of the House ended," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Thursday last week.          Deliberations on the tax amnesty bill are still undergoing at the Parliament and are focusing on technical matters such as the use of revenues obtained from the repatriation of the overseas assets.           The implementation of  a tax amnesty law  is expected to encourage disobedient tax-payers --who have so far stashed assets abroad-- to repatriate their funds into the country. The government hope to receive funds from redemption and declaration of the repatriated assets.          "Basically, the DPR in general will not object to it. There will be improvement in the draft law, so let us wait for it. Most of the deliberations in the Parliament focused on the tariff details, mechanism of its implementation and how to accommodate the funds if the money is coming in," the vice president explained.

GOVERNMENT PRIORITIZES REGIONS FOR RAILWAY PROJECTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 27 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is focusing on developing railway projects outside Java in an effort to improve transportation and establish connectivity among regions across the country.          Regions outside Java are being accorded priority in railway development as part of the government's endeavor to ensure equitable development and boost national economy through increased connectivity among the regions.          "The railway projects being taken up on priority are not in Java. In fact, priority is being accorded to eastern regions. Therefore, we want to first complete the work on the Trans Sumatra and Trans Sulawesi projects as soon as possible," Director General of Railways Prasetyo Boeditjahjono stated at a function in Jakarta on Thursday.          In order to implement the Trans Sumatra and Trans Sulawesi railway projects, the government is expected to cooperate with China. This month, the Directorate General of Railways will submit documents containing details of the Trans Sumatra and Trans Sulawesi projects to China.

NEW GAS REGULATION EXPECTED TO BOOST GROWTH

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 26 (Antara) - The government has issued a new ruling in the form of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 40/2016 on gas price adjustment to boost economic growth and increase the consumption of gas at home.          The new ruling is also expected to add to the national industry's competitive edge through effective and efficient gas supplies.          The Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKK Migas) welcomed the signing of Presidential Regulation No.40/2016 on Natural Gas Price.          SKK Migas Deputy Chairman Zikrullah said on Thursday (May 19) that the new regulation, facilitating price adjustments, is expected to increase downstream gas consumption.          "I have heard that the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on gas pricing has been issued. This means that downstream gas consumption will increase as there will be a price adjustment," Zikrullah said.

INDONESIA LAUNCHES PROMOTIONS TO LURE THAI TOURISTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 26 (Antara) - Indonesia is conducting tourism promotional activities both at home and in Thailand in a bid to attract some 200 thousand tourists from its neighboring country this year.          The activities carried out by Indonesia to attract Thai tourists include promoting its premier golfing destinations, organizing promotional activities in various strategic tourist destinations in Thailand, and holding a "Thailand Corner" event at home to popularize Thai culinary arts and culture in Indonesia.          Deputy for International Tourism Marketing Development of the Tourism Ministry I Gde Pitana stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that his ministry was conducting various promotional activities in Thailand to achieve its target to attract 200 thousand Thai tourists.          Some of the promotional activities will be held at the Platinum Fashion Mall in Bangkok on May 27-29, 2016, Pitana remarked.          Moreover, the Ministry of Tourism had also promoted Indonesia's premier golfing destinations at the Thailand Golf Expo held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, on May 12-15.          "Indonesia is a paradise for golfers as they can play all year round since the game is not affected by seasonal changes," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya noted in a press statement recently on May 13.

BULOG UPBEAT ABOUT FOOD STOCKS FOR FASTING MONTH

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 25 (Antara) - State-owned Logistics Board (Bulog) is optimistic that food commodities, such as rice, shallots, beef and other basic necessities, will continue to be available in the market during the month of Ramadan which begins June 6.          In order to keep prices at home stable, the government is likely to import certain commodities. Prices often tend to increase during the fasting month of Ramadan.         "We have assigned a state-owned company to import these commodities in order to keep the prices down, particularly in view of the fasting month and subsequent Eid el-Fitr or Lebaran festivities," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said after chairing a coordination meeting on food prices in Jakarta on Tuesday.          Bulog, however, was upbeat about its ability to meet the need for foodstuffs during Ramadan and the post-fasting Eid ul-Fitr festivities.          Bulog Procurement Director Wahyu told a coordination meeting at the office of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs that  the rice procured by the board till Monday (May 23) had reached 1.3 million tons.

INDONESIA LAUNCHES INVESTMENT PROMOTIONS IN UNITED STATES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 24 (Antara) - In efforts to attract more investment abroad, the Indonesian Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is launching a week-long promotional campaign in the United States and Canada from May 23 (May 24 in Indonesia) to 28.          During the investment promotional activities, the BKPM will comprehensively explain efforts made by the Indonesian government in improving the business climate and planned projects, such as deregulatory measures, reforms and various infrastructure projects, such as power plants, seaports, airports, railway tracks, toll roads, an irrigation system, dams and sea toll lanes.          During a meeting with the World Bank on Monday in Washington, BKPM Chief, Franky Sibarani explained the progress of Indonesian economic development and infrastructure as the main driver of economic growth in Indonesia.          "We have presented all the deregulatory measures made with regards to 10 main indicators (of ease of doing business/EODB)," he stated.          The Indonesian government, he said, has decided to carry out equitable development across the country. As part of this, infrastructure development is the biggest ever program in the history of the country.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO ABOLISH REGULATION ON LOWER FLIGHT TARIFF LIMIT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 24 (Antara) - The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has urged the Transportation Ministry to lift its regulation on the lower flight tariff limit as it was unable to reduce violations of operational standards in the aviation industry.         "We call on the Transportation Ministry to abolish the regulation on the lower limit of flight ticket prices as its implementation, so far, did not reduce the violations of aviation operational standards," KPPU Chairman Syarkawi Rauf stated in Jakarta on Monday.         Syarkawi said the facts hinted that so far, the implementation of the lower tariff limit on each flight route, which is some 30 percent of the upper tariff limit, had not reduced the incidents of violations of aviation operational standards by flight operators.         Furthermore, the implementation of the lower tariff limit had reduced the number of passengers on several flight routes, particularly those to tourism destinations. Hence, it had affected the economic growth in the concerned regions.

"JARING" PROGRAM TO IMPROVE FISHERMEN'S WELFARE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 23 (Antara) - Partner banks of the Coverage, Synergy and Guideline (Jaring) program are expected to expand credits up to Rp9.2 trillion this year for developing the maritime and fisheries sector and improving the fishermen's welfare.          "Credit disbursement for the Jaring program this year will hopefully amount to Rp9.2 trillion, up by 24.2 percent from Rp6.69 trillion in 2015," Financial Services Authority (OJK) Commissioner Muliaman D. Hadad noted in a press statement issued in Jakarta on Thursday (May 19).      Initiated by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) and OJK, the Jaring scheme is aimed at improving the welfare of fishermen and advancing small- and medium-scale enterprises doing business in the maritime and fisheries sector.          The KKP is keen to develop synergy between the fishermen and exporters of fishery products in a bid to increase the country's export performance in the fishery sector.

INDONESIA RESOLVED TO PRESERVE TUNA HABITAT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 20 (Antara) - Indonesia, which produces over one million tons of tuna yearly and contributes 16 percent to the world tuna exports, is determined to preserve this species' habitat and exploit this natural resource in a sustainable manner.          The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) said it will continue to carry out sustainable tuna fish development and exploitation, both in the upstream and downstream sector.          Director General for Catch Fisheries of the KKP Narmoko Prasmadji said in Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday that sustainable development will be carried out as Indonesia is facing new challenges in preserving its abundant maritime wealth, tuna production in particular.          As one of the world's biggest tuna producing country, Indonesia supplied 16 percent of the total world's tuna production. Tuna contributes significantly to the national fish production.          Therefore, the KKP has focused its attention on urgency of ensuring sustainable management of upstream and downstream tuna fish sector. The KKP also took this issue to the Second Bali Tuna Conference and the 5th International Coastal Tuna Business Forum (ICTBF-5) in Kuta, Badung District, Bali, on Thursday (May 19).

RI SECURES CERTIFICATION FOR TIMBER EXPORTS TO EUROPE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 20 (Antara) - Indonesia, through the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), has secured the Forestry Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) certification for the exports of timber products to the European Union.          The FLEGT-VPA certification guarantees the legality of timber product exports to the European Union.           "If the FLEGT certification is implemented in the coming several months, Indonesia will become the first country in the world to have the license acknowledging that our forest timber products are sustainable and eco-friendly," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated in Jakarta on Thursday (May 12).           The minister said Indonesia's success in securing the FLEGT-VPA certification was the culmination of a lengthy process, which began in 2003. At that time, the Forestry and Environment Ministry had developed the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK).Thereafter, the Foreign Ministry had initiated negotiations with the European Union in 2007.           Indonesia and the European Union had signed an agreement on the implementation of the license regarding the FLEGT in 2013, and its ratification process was completed in 2014. The Indonesian Government and the European Union (EU) signed a Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade - Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) on May 1, 2014.

GOVT CUTS GAS PRICES FOR 7 CONSUMER INDUSTRIES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 19 (Antara) - Amidst complaints of low gas consumption at home and an increase in the commodity's export, the government has cuts prices of gas for seven types of industries.          The lowering of gas prices for industries was announced as part of a presidential regulation on gas prices signed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on May 3.          The seven industrial sectors, which will benefit from the lowered gas prices, are the fertilizer industry, petrochemicals, oleo chemicals, steel, ceramics, glass and rubber gloves.          However, the regulation does not mention the power generation sector, which also enjoys a gas price cut.          "I had heard that the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on gas prices has been issued. This means that the downstream gas consumption will increase as there will be a price adjustment,"  Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKK Migas) Deputy Head, Zikrullah said in Jakarta on Thursday.          He further stated that SKK Migas welcomed the Presidential Regulation on Natural Gas Prices. According to Zikrullah, the new regulation is expected to increase downstream gas consumption as the new ruling contains price adjustments.

RI CONSERVING ENERGY THROUGH EFFICIENCY MOVEMENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 17 (Antara) - Indonesia has, over the past few weeks, launched a national movement for energy saving to cut power consumption in the country by 10 percent and save Rp43.2 trillion in the coming three years.         "Many people still consume energy in a wasteful fashion. Let us accustom ourselves to consuming energy efficiently at home, in offices and any other places," Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said told the press on Sunday (May 15).          Minister Sudirman made the remarks during a fun walk in Jalan Thamrin, Jakarta's  business and office district. It was meant to popularize the energy saving drive. The fun walk was from the office building of the ministry of energy and mineral resources to Hotel Indonesia Traffic Circle.          The 10-percent Energy Saving National Movement was launched last month to encourage energy conservation to help save Rp43.2 trillion, an amount equal to the cost of  constructing a 32,000-megawatt steam-powered electricity plant.          The movement will be focused on 12 provinces, namely Jakarta, West Java, Banten, Lampung, East Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta,  North Sumatra, South Sumatra, South Sulawesi, Bali and Riau.

GOVERNMENT UPBEAT ABOUT Q2 GROWTH

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 17 (Antara) - Despite witnessing low performance in the first quarter, the government is optimistic that the economic growth in the second quarter of this year will be higher.          Moreover, the growth in the first quarter of 2016, recorded at 4.92 percent, was higher than in the same period last year, when it was only 4.71 percent.          Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro has expressed optimism about the expected economic growth in the second quarter, saying it would be better, although the country's economy grew by only 4.92 percent in the first quarter.         Bambang said the economic growth target could still be achieved because growth in the first quarter was better than during the same period last year.         "The basis of growth in quarter one was already higher than last year and the potential for higher growth in the next quarter was bigger," he said when contacted to comment on the issue.          Bambang explained that one of the causes of the lower-than-expected growth in the first quarter was weaker household consumption, owing to lower public demand and purchasing power of the people.          Therefore, the National Development Planning Minister and Head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), Sofyan Djalil, said the government has not yet revised its economic growth target for 2016, set at 5.3 percent.

SMALL BIOFUEL PRODUCERS NEED SUBSIDY

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 14 (Antara) - With Indonesia's fossil fuel resources shrinking, the government is developing biofuel as a new and renewable energy (EBT) alternative.          This is a form of energy that can be put to multiple uses, such as to fuel the power plants that produce electricity.          The Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi) has called upon the government to provide subsidy to those who support the production of biofuel, and thus facilitate the process in the downstream sector.          "The government needs to provide subsidy for small and medium scale businesses as well as tax incentives for commercial, transportation and industrial sectors," Gafur Masud, the deputy treasurer of Hipmi, urged in Jakarta on Thursday.          He stated that special incentives need to be given to biofuel producers as that will help bring down the export of biofuel raw materials in large volumes.          Gafur, who is also the chief executive officer of Petro Perkasa Indonesia, argued that the government also needs to provide incentives in other forms, such as making banking access easier for small and medium scale businesses so that they can access easy finance.          "No less important is the support that the government can extend by conducting research and development for the advancement of biofuel business," Gafur said.

GOVT PREPARING TRANSPORTATION FOR LEBARAN TRAVELERS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 13 (Antara) In keeping with the practice followed in the past, the government is preparing various modes of transportation for those traveling during the post-fasting Eid ul-Fitr, referred to as Lebaran travelers.          These are people traveling to their home towns for the festivities.         As the number of passengers is expected to increase this year, the government is preparing various means of transportation, including air, sea or land.         Public Information and Communications Bureau Chief of the Ministry of Transportation, JA Barata said recently that Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan has set the Lebaran transportation period from June 24 to July 17, 2016 for land, air and train transportation modes.          For the sea transportation mode, the Lebaran transportation period will be from June 18 to July 24, 2016.          "The period for the sea transportation service will be longer because transportation through sea also takes much longer," Barata noted.        He said the minister had also ordered the director general in the transportation sector to conduct ramp checks in their respective fields before the start of the transportation season during the Lebaran traveler exodus.       He said the transportation ministry will also provide free ride on trains for motorcyclists during the 2016 Lebaran transportation program.          The trains will have a capacity to carry 15,000 motorcycles for free motorist ride, up almost three folds compared to that of last year.          As for the capacity of  trucks (for motorcycles) and buses (for passengers), it is still to be decided. The ministry of transportation is also considering scrapping the free-ride usually offered to motorcyclists through the sea transportation mode because it is not effective and is an inefficient method.

FIRM URGES GOVT TO STOP SALT IMPORTS FOR FOOD INDUSTRY

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 11 (Antara) - The government needs to improve its policy on salt imports for industrial purposes and stop the importation of the commodity that is used for food industry.         "The government needs to protect all sides (industry and farmers). It has to seek best solutions for both, industry and salt farmers, so that salt business runs well, benefiting both parties," Achmad Budiono, the president director of the state-owned salt company PT Garam, said in Jakarta on Monday.          The trade minister had issued a decree No. 125/M-DAG/PER/12/2015 on salt imports. Signed on December 29, 2015, the decree stipulated that salt for industry could be imported by firms which owned a producer importer identity number (APIP).          Industrial salt importers are not allowed to sell the salt to consumers in regular markets or change the ownership of the imported salt to other parties.

FLORES GEARS UP AS TdF 2016 DRAWS NEAR

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 10 (Antara) - Flores Island of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is gearing up for the Tour de Flores (TdF) 2016 that will see hundreds of world-class cyclists here next week.          By Monday, at least 400 cyclists from 20 countries had arrived on the island where they are expected to compete as they pedal through the 661.5 kilometers cycling stretch. There will also be several local tourism events alongside.          "We have registered 400 cyclists from 20 countries. They will take part in the TdF event that will take place from May 19-23, 2016 on the Flores Island," NTT Tourism and Creative Economy Service's Secretary Weli Rohi Mone said on Monday.          Hundreds of cycling athletes will begin touring activities on Lembata Island on Monday (May 16). The regional government of Lembata District has prepared four tourism destinations that it will try to sell during the TdF 2016 cycling race. The cycling event will continue till May 23, 2016.          "We have four tourism destinations and these are our flagship tourist sites," Longginus Lega of the Lembata District's Tourism Service said in Kupang, the provincial capital of NTT, on Tuesday.

HOLDING FIRM NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT ECONOMIC PACKAGES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 9 (Antara) - The government needs to establish holding companies as per its plan in order to implement President Joko Widodo's economic policy packages, particularly in the energy sector.          "The economic policy packages could not be implemented because there is no company which can serve as a 'moderator' for the program. Therefore, the establishment of a holding company for state-owned companies (BUMN)  in the energy sector is urgently needed. If possible, it should be established before August 17, 2016," Achmad Widjaya, the deputy chairman for upstream committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), said in Jakarta on Monday.          The government, since September last year, has issued 12 tranches of economic policy packages. Three of these economic policy packages needed to be implemented on priority as these dealt with refinery plants, new and renewable energy, and gas conversion for motor vehicles.          Implementation of these packages is delayed for want of a 'moderator'. If formation of a holding company is put on hold, these packages would not be implemented anytime soon, according to Widjaya.

GANG RAPE CASE RENEWS DEMAND FOR GELDING PUNISHMENT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 7 (Antara) - The recent horrific case of gang rape and death of a 14-year old, YY, by 14 teenagers in the Rejanglebong District, Bangkulu Province, has once again triggered demands to mete out the punishment of castration to convicted rapists and pedophiles.          Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Puan Maharani condemned the sexual assault and asked law enforcers to punish the offenders as heavily as possible.     "The government has prepared a draft regulation in lieu of Perppu UU 35/2014 on child protection that includes additional punishment of castration for those found guilty of sexual violence against children," Puan was quoted as saying by republika.co.id last Wednesday (May 4).          Purwakarta District Head Dedi Mulyadi was also quoted by republika.co.id as having expressed concern over the Rejanglebong gang rape case.          "YY was raped by 14 teenagers. In order to prevent recurrence of such cases, abusers should be rendered gelding punishment,"  Dedi stated.

GOVT SET TO CONTROL BASIC NECESSITIES' PRICES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 6 (Antara) - Prices and stocks of basic necessities, such as rice, cooking oil, garlic, shallots and cayenne pepper are crucial food items during the fasting month of Ramadan and the post fasting or Ied Fitr festivities.          In the face of the fasting month of Ramadan next June, the government has taken measures to maintain stocks of basic necessities and control their prices. In a meeting last month, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) told his ministers that he would check the availability of adequate stocks and prices to ensure these come down.          The president is determined to even sack any officials if they are found deliberately hampering essential commodity stocks and allow prices to soar significantly during the fasting month.          "The president has ordered that ministry officials who hamper efforts to provide adequate food stocks and control prices should be fired," Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said after attending a limited cabinet meeting on preparations to face the fasting month and post fasting Ied Fitr or Lebaran 2016 in Jakarta on April 26.

INDONESIA EMERGING AS ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 6 (Antara) - The government's efforts to introduce a series of economic policy packages since September last year and intensive investment promotions abroad have increased foreign investors' interest and made Indonesia the second-best investment destination.          "This January, Indonesia emerged as the second most preferred investment destination after China," Oikos Mando Panjaitan, manager of the Department of Communications of Bank of Indonesia, stated on Monday.          Indonesia has, since last September, launched 12 tranches of its economic policy package aimed at streamlining investment licensing procedures, creating ease of doing business, and attracting more foreign investment into Indonesia.          Besides this, the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has also been conducting intensive investment promotions in various countries in Asia, Europe, America, and Australia.          Last month, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) undertook a tour of several European countries, which comprised the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, and Belgium, to increase investment and strengthen trade ties.

GOVERNMENT ON TRACK TO REVITALIZE OLD MARKETS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 5 (Antara) - The government has kept its promise of renovating 5,000 traditional markets in the country in the next five years.          After revitalizing 1,002 traditional markets in first year of the program in 2015, the government this year has set itself the target of developing 1,000 traditional markets with a total fund of Rp1.7 trillion.          "We keep our Nawacita promise well. The inauguration of the Pasar Manis Market in Purwokerto is a special event. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) laid its construction corner stone last year while announcing his Nawacita program to renovate 5,000 markets," Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said in Purwokerto, Central Java, on Wednesday.          He was accompanying President Jokowi, who inaugurated the first phase of revitalization at the Pasar Manis project in Purworkerto.          Nawacita, which is used by President Widodo as a term for his administration¿s development initiatives, is a Sanskrit term used for nine national priority development programs.

GOVT TO LIFT SUBSIDY FOR 18 MILLION ELECTRICITY SUBSCRIBERS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 5 (Antara) - State-owned electricity company PLN confirmed that its verification of the firm's subsidized household customers revealed that some 18 million of them were actually able to pay the normal power tariff.          Hence, the government is planning to drop the subsidy for some 18 million household customers, probably starting next month in June or July.          According to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said, the abolishment of the electricity subsidy now awaits the decision of President Joko Widodo.          "We have conducted verifications based on a limited cabinet meeting, which discussed the electricity issues. We have filed a report, and now, we are waiting for the president's decision," Sudirman stated at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's office on April 4.          The minister pointed out that there were 22 million subsidized household subscribers. However, some 18 million of them were no longer entitled to receive subsidy as they had sufficient purchasing power to pay the normal tariff.

DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY NETWORK EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN WEST PAPUA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 4 (Antara) - Construction of the Sorong-Manokwari section of a railway network, which will link six districts in West Papua Province, is expected to start this year if the local government can settle land clearance issues soon.          The government has planned to develop a railway network, comprising three ground planning sections of Sorong-Manokwari, Manokwari-Teluk Bintuni, and Teluk Bintuni-Ayamaru, which is expected to be completed by 2019 in West Papua Province.         "If the provincial government of West Papua is able to accomplish it this year, the development of the railway network can be carried out this year also," Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan stated while inaugurating the new terminal of the Domine Edward Osok (DEO) in Sorong, West Papua, on April 30.          Therefore, the minister has urged the provincial administration to prepare the land required for the development of the railway network in the province. The construction will start from Sorong to Manokwari stretching 390 kilometers in length.

INDONESIA SEEKS TO SECURE RELEASE OF FOUR MORE HOSTAGES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 3 (Antara) - After the release on Sunday of ten Indonesian sailors taken hostage since March by the Abu Sayyaf rebels in southern Philippines, the Indonesian government is now concentrating on securing the freedom of four more Indonesian hostages.           President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who thanked the Philippines government for the release of the ten Indonesian hostages on Sunday, said the Indonesian government is still working hard to ensure that four other citizens still in captivity are also released.           In an effort to free the four Indonesian hostages, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) would implement an intelligence operation involving both formal and informal networks but would give priority to the safety of the hostages.          "President Joko Widodo has called for prioritizing the safety of the hostages," he said. The TNI will also coordinate with the foreign ministry in its intelligence operation.