GOVT URGED TO CONTINUE 35,000 POWER PLANT PROJECT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 31 (Antara) - The government through the newly reshuffled cabinet is expected to continue the 35,000 megawatt (MW) power plant project which will increase the nation's electricity capacity to 85,000 megawatts by 2019.          The Indonesian Independent Power Producers Association (APLSI) hopes that newly installed Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Archandra Tahar would work together with the state-owned electricity company PLN to reinforce the local power production.           APLSI  executive chairman Arthur Simatupang said his association hoped the energy and mineral resources ministry and the PLN would open a new page and closed the old one to develop the mega power project on the fast track.          After all, ESDM Minister Archandra has been ordered by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to create energy resilience in the country in a short possible time.         "Energy sovereignty is related to how to meet the energy needs at a time of an energy crisis," the minister said, during an introductory meeting with journalist on Friday.          He noted that that the government will increase its supplies in the coming years in order to achieve energy sovereignty based on the Nawacita national development priority program.

MINISTER VOWS TO IMPLEMENT TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 30 (Antara) - Indonesia's New Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has vowed to ensure that the government's amnesty program, expected to earn Rp165 trillion for the state from overseas assets' repatriation, turns out to be a success.          While taking over his new office on Wednesday (July 27), Minister Mulyani admitted that tax amnesty program is part of the government's fiscal policy and the state budget management.          Therefore, the tax amnesty program, policies and the targets that have been set should be implemented cautiously. After all, proceeds from the tax amnesty program are expected to help cover the state's budget deficit as stated in the revised 2016 state budget.          The House of Representatives (DPR) passed into law the tax amnesty and amended the 2016 state budget bills at a plenary session on June 28, 2016. The amended budget has a deficit of Rp296.7 trillion.          Sri Mulyani will study the tax amnesty program comprehensively, including targets that have been set, so that the policy would provide concrete benefits when it comes to fiscal instruments and state budget expenditures.

MARKET WELCOMES CABINET RESHUFFLE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 17 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's)  cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday is positively welcomed by many quarters, including political leaders, politicians, economic analysts and market players.         The appointment of Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a former finance minister and managing director of the World Bank, to the finance ministerial post, is considered a the best option to reinforce the economic team in the new cabinet lineup.         President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Sohibul Iman said the economic team of the President is reinforced with 'star players' so that it would improve the nation's economic conditions.         "Like a soccer team, the economic team has been filled with star players. Now it will depend on the president as the coach of the players whether he is able to lead the team and mobilize his players," said Sohibul Iman to reporters in response to the newly appointed cabinet ministers as announced by President Jokowi on Wednesday.         Therefore, the PKS president asked all sides to respect the decision of the head of state to reshuffle his cabinet. He said seeing the names of new ministers, the reshuffle focuses on improving the nation's economy which has so far become the spotlight of the public.

POKEMON GO TRIGGERS NATIONWIDE CONCERNS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 26 (Antara) - Despite not being officially launched in Indonesia, many are playing the "Pokemon Go" game through a third-party application, and this has raised concerns among several quarters of the nation.          Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu had remarked on Monday last week that "Pokemon Go," an online mobile phone-based gaming application, can be a cause of concern for others in society.          Indonesians have been joining the frenzy of Pokemon Go since the past two weeks. Pokemon Go, which is gaining growing popularity, was developed for iOS and Android devices and makes use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the camera of compatible devices.          The game allows players to capture, battle, and train virtual creatures called Pokemons, such as a cuddly yellow Pikachu, who appears on device screens as though it is in the real world.          However, Indonesia views the Pokemon Go gaming application as a potential security threat to the nation.

TINOMBALA TEAM RESOLVED TO ELIMINATE SANTOSO TERRORIST CELLS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 24 (Antara) - Although fugitive  Santoso, the leader of the armed terrorist  group in Poso, Central Sulawesi, was killed in a gunfight with security officers recently, the Tinomabala Task Force will continue operations to eliminate the group's cells.          The Tinombala operation, involving a special team of three thousand military and police personnel, was started in January 2016 in line with President Joko Widodo's directive to wipe out the Santoso group, which had made Poso a terror hotbed for years.          In a gunfight between the Tinombala Task Force and the armed terrorist group in Poso on July 18, the team members successfully shot dead two fugitives, one of them was the leader Santoso alias Abu Wardah. The other one was fugitive Mochtar.          However,  the task force will not cease its operations until after it eliminates the group's cells. It is believed that the group still has 19 members hiding in Poso.          Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo said in Palu, Central Sulawesi on Wednesday (July 20) that he and the National Police (Polri) General Tito Karnavian will continue the Tinombala operation and reinforce the task force, despite the fact that the terrorist leader had been crippled.

FISHERMEN FROM NORTHERN JAVA TO BE RELOCATED TO NATUNA

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 22 (Antara) - The government is planning to build houses on Natuna Islands, Riau Islands Province, for the fishermen from Java's northern coastal areas (Pantura) as part of its program to develop the small islands and border areas.          "I will leave for Natuna tomorrow to prepare everything needed for the construction of houses for Pantura fishermen to boost the fisheries sector in the islands' waters," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday.          Susi stated that the construction of houses was part of the government's plan, in this case the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, to build villages for fishermen.          To this end, the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries (KKP) will build cold storages and detention facilities for those caught poaching in Natuna.          The government is planning to sink more boats caught poaching in the Indonesian waters in Natuna, Riau Islands Province, on August 17.          "There will be an August 17 (Independence Day) celebration in the most isolated and outermost islands. It is planned in Natuna. We want the commemoration to coincide with the sinking of the boats," Minister Susi affirmed here, Monday (July 18).

GOVT URGED TO STEP UP SUPERVISION OF EXPATRIATES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 21 (Antara) - The government has been urged to step up supervision of illegal expatriates and improve its manpower skills to face stiff competition in the manpower sector so that seven million unemployed local workers can get jobs.         The All Indonesian Workers Organization (OPSI) said the Manpower Ministry should cooperate with workers and labor unions for supervising foreign workers. Supervision carried out by the ministry should be supported by all sides, including workers and their organizations.         "All manpower services at the provincial and district levels should support the supervision of expatriates," OPSI Secretary General Timboel Siregar said in Jakarta on Tuesday.         He suggested that in order to increase the supervision of foreign workers; the manpower ministry should provide a hotline as a means for conveying information on expatriates, particularly illegal workers.         The Manpower Ministry will also directly repatriate or deport any illegal foreign workers or those who violate Indonesian labor regulations, Manpower Minister M Hanif Dhakiri said on Tuesday.         "If the public knows anything about them (illegal workers), please report to us and we will immediately deport them. These illegal foreign workers will be directly deported from Indonesia if the government finds out about their existence," Hanif said.

MK EXPECTED TO END CONTROVERSIES OVER IMPORT OF MEAT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 20 (Antara) - A Constitutional Court's (MK's) verdict over the judicial review of a law on animal health is expected to overcome controversies arising from the government's plan to import meat from nations not free from animal diseases.          According to the Indonesian Buffalo and Cow Breeders Association (PPSKI), the MK's decision over the judicial review of Law No. 41 of 2014 on the amendment of Law No.18 of 2009 on animal husbandry and animal health will end the controversies.          The government is planning to import buffalo meat from India in an effort to encourage competition in meat sales and bring down the skyrocketing domestic beef prices.          However, several quarters are opposed to the government's plan as India is believed to be a nation that is not yet free from cattle foot-and-mouth disease, apart from the consumption culture of Indonesians, who are not accustomed to eating buffalo meat.         Hence, PPSKI Chairman Teguh Boediyana stated that his organization had called on the MK to soon issue a decision on the judicial review of Article 36 of Law No.41 of 2014 on the amendment of Law No.18 of 2009 on animal husbandry and animal health.     "The article to be reviewed concerns provisions allowing the importation of animals or animal products not based on a country but a zone," Teguh noted.

SANTOSO'S DEATH WILL HELP EXPEDITE DEVELOPMENT

 By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 19 (Antara) - The gunfight between the Tinombala Task Force and the armed terrorist group in Poso, Central Sulawesi, on Monday afternoon ended in the death of suspected leader of the group, Santoso alias Abu Wardah.          Deputy Regional Police Chief of Central Sulawesi, Senior Commissioner Leo Bona Lubis, stated on Tuesday that the police has confirmed that one of the two radicals shot dead by the police-military joint task force was Santoso alias Abu Wardah, the leader of Poso's armed terror group in Central Sulawesi.          "Based on physical examination, the body is of Santoso. We are now awaiting the result of the DNA test," he remarked at the Bhayangkara Hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday.          Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo hoped that Poso would soon recover and stability will return after the armed terrorist group was crushed by the Tinombala Operation Task Force on Monday evening.          "Following Santoso's reported death, Central Sulawesi, particularly Poso, would soon attain stability and witness accelerated development," Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said.          The success of the military-police joint team in decimating the terror group was lauded by many sides, including President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and legislators.

GOVT TO IMPORT BUFFALO MEAT FROM INDIA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 18 (Antara) - The government is planning to import buffalo meat from India in an effort to bring down the price of beef at home which is still high at Rp120 thousand per kilogram (kg).          The head of the Quarantine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Banun Harpini, said his agency is preparing a quarantine protocol in coordination with the Indian government to facilitate Indonesia's plans to import buffalo meat. Indonesia will seek guarantee from India regarding the quality of meat so that it meets the country's requirements.           "We hope the imported product meets the import protocol of the director general of animal husbandry," Banun was quoted as saying by Tempo.com news portal on Tuesday (July 12).          The quarantine agency is, therefore, focusing on cooperation with India on buffalo meat import. The quarantine protocol is expected to be completed later this month.          The State Logistics Board (Bulog) has been assigned to  import the commodity.          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stressed that the plan to import buffalo meat is aimed at shoring up the meat supply at home and provide consumers with alternative meat. The government will import not only buffalo meat and innards but also frozen beef.

GOVT URGED TO POSTPONE BUFFALO IMPORT FROM INDIA

 by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) - The Indonesian Buffalo and Cow Breeder Association (PPSKI) has asked the government to postpone its plan to import buffalo meat from India this month because that country is still not free from foot-and-mouth disease.          PPSKI Chairman Teguh Boediyana said in Jakarta on Tuesday that his organization has sent a letter to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution and to Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, asking them to postpone plans to import buffalo meat from India.     "We, the executive of the PPSKI, implore that the government should put off its plan to buy buffalo meat, or at least delay the distribution of such meat to the market," he added.          In the letter, a copy of which was also received by Antara, the PPSKI listed a number of reasons for its demand. It said importing animal and/or ruminant animal products from a country which is not yet free from foot-and-mouth disease, was fraught with risks.          "If such a dangerous animal disease was to enter the country, it will pose a threat to the buffalo and cow breeding sector at home. It will also threaten other even-toed animals such as goats, sheep and pigs," he warned.

PROJECTS BEING READIED TO ACCOMMODATE REPATRIATED FUNDS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 14 (Antara) - Following the endorsement by the House of Representatives (DPR) of the Tax Amnesty Law recently, the government is preparing projects to accommodate the repatriation of funds so far parked abroad.         Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro had previously forecast that taxpayers registering to avail the tax amnesty program would declare their overseas assets, estimated to be around Rp4 thousand trillion, while an amount to the tune of Rp1 thousand trillion is expected to flow in as repatriated funds.         The government hopes to mop up Rp165 trillion in taxes from tax redemptions and asset declarations prompted by the repatriated money.         To absorb the funds, the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs will soon decide upon certain priority projects backed by the government.         "We will hold a meeting with the State-owned Enterprises (SOE) to carefully formulate projects and set criteria to ensure that those placed best can receive these funds through sale of shares and the issuance of bonds or securities," Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said in Jakarta on Thursday.

BIG CITIES ATTRACT MANY FROM HINTERLANDS AFTER LEBARAN

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 12 (Antara) - Indonesia always faces a seasonal problem of massive crowds coming to its cities from the countryside after the post-fasting festivities or Lebaran when nearly a million people across the country migrate to big cities to try their luck.         Two years ago, for instance, the National Family Planning and Population Board (BKKBN) estimated that about one million people would migrate to cities across the country, accounting for about 5.5 percent of the 18.1 million home-bound Ied Fitr holiday-makers.          Urbanization will increase the population problem in densely populated big cities, such as Jakarta. Therefore, the government should take steps in this regard to preempt it.         Legislator Saleh Partaonan Daulay of Commission IX on population affairs of the House of Representatives (DPR) said equitable development of villages is a solution to the problem of villagers coming to big cities to seek jobs.        The main problem with urbanization is uneven development. Almost all big projects are located in big cities. This prompts villagers to try their luck in cities, Saleh said on Monday.