GOVT STILL NEEDS TO BUILD OVER 2,000 TRADITIONAL MARKETS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 28 (Antara) -  The Indonesian government has planed to develop or renovate five thousand traditional markets across the country between 2015 and 2019.          The program to develop or renovate five thousand traditional markets was announced by President Joko Widodo when he laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Pasar Manis Market in Purwokerto, Central Java, in 2014.          This means that every year from 2015 until the end of the current term of office of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the government has to renovate or build a thousand traditional markets.          However, so far, the government has built or renovated 2,910 units of traditional markets. Thus, in the remaining two years of Jokowi's current term of office, the government still has to develop some 2,090 units to meet its target by 2019.          Logistics and Retribution Facility director of the Trade Ministry Sihar Pohan said on Friday that until 2019, his ministry had a target to build 5,000 markets in Indonesia.          "Until 2017, the Trade Ministry has built 2,910 traditional markets throughout Indonesia and is targeted to reach 5,000 markets by 2019," said Sihar Pohan in Pontianak, West Kalimatan.

ADDITIONAL DIPHTHERIA VACCINES NEEDED FOR ORI PROGRAM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 28 (Antara) - The Jakarta regional government will allocate additional funds for the procurement of diphtheria vaccines to immunize over 1.2 million residents, not only children under five years of age but also adults over 19 years old.          "The stock of diphtheria vaccines should be increased. I think an additional stock of over 30 percent is needed since we have to also take precautionary measures by immunizing those over 19 years of age. I hope this program would be implemented smoothly," Vice Governor Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno noted in Jakarta on Wednesday.          The 1.2-million stock of diphtheria vaccines was provided by the Ministry of Health, but it was solely for immunizing recipients in the age group of 0-19 years.         The Ministry of Health is launching a simultaneous immunization program, or "outbreak response immunization (ORI)," in the three provinces of West Java, Banten, and Jakarta to counter the emergence of diphtheria cases in some regions. The program was started on December 11, 2017.          In Jakarta, the number of patients having contracted the diphtheria virus has reached 57, and so far, two have died. According to the Indonesian Medical Association, over 600 patients were hospitalized, with 40 deaths reported across the country so far.

GOVERNMENT ACCELERATES ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM IN N MALUKU

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 27 (Antara) - The government, through state-owned power utility company PLN, is accelerating its electrification program in North Maluku, particularly in the islands of Halmahera and Morotai, in its efforts to provide equal power supplies to one of the eastern regions of Indonesia.          Until the end of this year, PLN has completed its electricity supply projects for 11 villages as a Christmas and New Year's gift for the residents of Hamahera and Morotai Islands.          Besides the six service units of the Sofifi Area, PLN area has upgraded its operations from 12 hours to 24 hours. This means that from next year on, PLN will operate and supply electricity for 24 hours in the islands of Halmahera and Morotai.          Besides supplying 11 villages with electricity by the end of this year, PLN will also accelerate its program to cover 48 other villages in the islands of Halmahera and Morotai next year.         "By the end of 2017, PLN has provided gifts for Halmahera and Morotai, with the supply of electricity for 11 villages," General Manager of PLN for Maluku and North Maluku, Djoko Dwijatno, noted in a press statement in Jakarta on Monday.

JAKARTA CITIZENS HOLIDAYING WITH AIRPORT TRAIN

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 26 (Antara) - Jakartans are luckier as they can take advantage of the current Christmas and New Year celebrations and their holidays to enjoy a newly operated airport train, which will be on trial until Jan 1, 2018.         The operation of the airport train, beginning on Tuesday (Dec 26), will complete the train transportation system, which included the launch of the operation of the skytrain at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last September to transport passengers within the airport terminals.         The operations of the skytrain, also known as the automated people mover system (APMS) train, will be integrated with that of the airport train and other Jabodetabek electric trains, in order to increase the mobility of passengers to and from the airport.          Jakarta residents could also try it as the ticket is still cheap, namely Rp30 thousand per passenger. The normal ticket price will be imposed beginning Jan 2, 2018, valued at Rp70 thousand per passenger.         Therefore, during the Christmas and New Year Eve celebrations, Jakartans can enjoy their time by trying out the airport train.          On Tuesday, residents of Jakarta and surrounding areas enthusiastically spent the holidays together by trying out the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train from Sudirman Baru Station (BNI City).

GOVERNMENT FAILS TO MEET ITS ONE MILLION HOUSE TARGET

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 23 (Antara) - The government seems to be failing again in meeting its target to develop one million houses for homeless families this year, as it could successfully build only 765,120 units up to the end of last month.          The government has since 2015 launched an annual one million house development program, yet it was unable to meet the target since then. In 2015, it only developed 699,770 units, while in 2016, it built 765,120 houses.          Public Works and Public Housing Ministry acknowledged that it had fallen short of its target to build one million units of houses a year.          "Yes, we have not reached the target. The realization has reached only 765,120 units this year, including 70 percent houses for low-income people (MBR) and 30 percent for non-MBR," Director General of Housing Khalawi Abdul Hamid told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday (Dec 5).          Hamid stated that the program was launched to reduce the backlog of 7.6 million units, which grow by 800 thousand units per year. Based on the data of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), there were 13.5 million homeless families in 2014. The housing backlog has reached 7.6 million units.

BALI HOTELS GEAR UP FOR CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 23 (Antara) - Hotels in the tourist resort island of Bali are gearing up to welcome visitors with special offers in the run-up to the Christmas and year-end festivities following the eruption of Mount Agung late last month.         Bali is Indonesia's largest popular foreign tourist destination, contributing over 40 percent to the country's foreign tourist arrivals. Last year, Bali had attracted 4.92 million foreign tourists to the country's total foreign tourist arrivals of 12.02 million.         Over four million tourists have visited Bali in the first eight months of 2017, an almost 120 percent year-on-year increase. Hence, Bali is the main asset for the government's efforts to increase the number of foreign tourist visits.         The country is projected to further invest in infrastructure, including the construction of the Benoa Cruise Ship Terminal in Bali, to surpass the target of 20 million foreign tourists by the start of 2020. It promises steady market growth, which is why the government is serious in its efforts to provide security and comfort to the tourists.         However, Mount Agung's eruption in late November will undeniably have an impact on Bali's tourism.

GOVT TO RAISE CEILING BUT CUT RATE OF ITS KUR CREDIT IN 2018

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 22 (Antara) - The government will raise the ceiling of its subsidized KUR micro business credit scheme from Rp106.6 trillion this year to Rp120 trillion in 2018 but will cut its interest rate from 9 percent to 7 percent.          Besides raising the ceiling and lowering its interest rate, the government will also allocate about 50 percent of the KUR credits next year to the small business production sector to further boost the production activities of small businesses.          Of the Rp106.7 trillion KUR credit allocation in 2017, some Rp91.3 trillion or 85.6 percent has been disbursed until the end of November.          "The performance reflected the government policy of favoring small businesses by providing them with access to financing," Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, said after a coordinating meeting on KUR 2017 evaluation and 2018 KUR plan in Jakarta, Friday (Dec 8).          The government made the decision to lower the KUR business credit interest rate from 9 percent to 7 percent, which will come into effect on January 1, 2018, in the hope that people's economy would be generated.

INDONESIAN ECONOMY TO PERFORM BETTER IN 2018

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 21 (Antara) - The Indonesian economy, which is said to have had good momentum to grow higher at 5.17 percent this year, will continue to recover and perform better in 2018.         The Indonesian economy grew by an average of five percent during the past three years, while the World Bank has predicted that Indonesia's economy would reach 5.3 percent next year. Even, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has forecast that the country's economic growth could reach 5.4 percent next year.          "The Indonesian economy is showing a positive momentum, and it is quite strong. We will try to maintain the growth momentum, so that all components contributing to the growth can be maintained," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated on Monday (Dec 4).         The government has earlier set a growth target of 5.1 percent in the 2017 State Budget but later increased to 5.2 percent in the 2017 Revised State Budget.         Bank Indonesia (BI/the central bank), however, estimated that the 5.2 percent target is unlikely to be achieved. According to Indrawati, the year-end growth projection is set at 5.17 percent, or 0.03 percent lower than that of the revised state budget for 2017. Yet, this figure is better than last year's growth a 5.02 percent.

GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO MASS-PRODUCING ELECTRIC CARS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 20 (Antara) - To cut the use of fuels, the government has, since 2012, envisioned to mass-produce electric cars, yet until now, the idea has not been realized, due to an issue in the battery system.         A state-owned oil and gas firm has also expressed its support to the government's plan to produce electric cars. Most importantly, the automotive industry has currently developed and is marketing electric cars in countries in the United States and Europe.         However, Indonesia has to further evaluate the battery system, as its electric car still has flaws. The earlier model of electric car also had an engine that easily overheated while going uphill.         "In general, it is good enough, but if it is to be mass-produced, an issue with its battery system needs to be fixed," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) noted while conducting a test drive of an electric car created by a student of the Surabaya-based Institute of Technology Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) on the Surabaya-Mojokerto (Sumo) Toll Road on Tuesday.         The president had conducted a test drive of the electric car on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Sumo Toll Road section 1B, II and III at the Waru Toll Gate, Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday.

NATURAL GAS REMAINS VITAL SOURCE OF ENERGY

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 18 (Antara) - Currently, gas is an increasingly vital source of energy for the nation, as petroleum production has steadily declined, while energy demand has continued to increase.         "By converting and maximizing the utilization of gas, our demand for energy from sources of natural gas is also increasing," Chairman of House Commission VII Gus Irawan Pasaribu stated on Monday.          According to the politician of Gerindra, natural gas is a vital energy source for catering to a variety of interests, such as for operating power plants and industries and to fuel motor vehicles.           To this end, Commission VII had encouraged the optimal utilization of domestic gas by converting fuel oil to gas fuel by maximizing the utilization of gas to meet the transportation, household, and industrial needs.          The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in its statement, has affirmed that the stocks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), especially those of the three-kilogram cylinders, are still within the safe limits.

UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES TO GET NON-CASH FOOD ASSISTANCE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 16 (Antara) - The government is planning to provide Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) and rice social assistance (Rastra) program for about 15.49 million underprivileged families across Indonesia in 2018.          The assistance will be distributed to the beneficiaries who are scattered in 514 districts/municipalities in various parts of the country. The assistance in the BPNT and Rastra programs will be distributed in four stages in February, March, July, and August next year.          Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani stated that the government is ready to distribute the BPNT and the Rastra rice program for 2018.          The minister, after a ministerial coordination meeting on the preparedness of BPNT distribution at her office in Jakarta on Friday, noted that her ministry has prepared technical matters for the distribution of BPNT for the first phase of the program in 2018.          "Data of beneficiaries, by name and by address, have been submitted by the Ministry of Social Affairs to the distributor bank accompanied by the Official Delivery Report," Maharani remarked.

OCA DECIDES TO INCLUDE DOUBLE-TRAP EVENTS IN ASIAN GAMES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 13 (Antara) - The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has decided to include two double-trap events in the shooting branch to be competed in the 2018 Asian Games.          OCA made the decision following its negotiations with the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) 2018 on the sports events to be competed in Asia¿s biggest sporting competition.          Indonesia will host the Asian Games 2018 in two cities of Jakarta and Palembang (South Sumatra) from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.          "The double-trap events are included in the Asian Games even though it is not included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games. Asia is still number one in double-trap shooting event," OCA Asian Games Department Director, Haider Farman, said on the sidelines of a meeting of the Asian Games' contingent commanders in Jakarta on Wednesday.          Haider stated that there were no more negotiations with INASGOC on the number of sports to be contested at the meeting, because the double-trap event was a proposed event of OCA, which was sourced from proposals by other contingents of other Asian Games participating countries.          OCA Honorary Vice President Wei Jizhong noted that INASGOC will immediately continue with the preparations for the Asian Games without any more planning and discussion. "We have completed all the planning and will work together," Jizhong remarked.

IMMUNIZATION LAUNCHED TO PREVENT SPREAD OF DIPHTHERIA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 12 (Antara) - The Ministry of Health is launching a simultaneous immunization program or "outbreak response immunization (ORI)" in three provinces in response to the emergence of diphtheria cases in some regions.         The immunization program was carried out in three provinces of Jakarta, West Java, and Banten. The program was started on Monday (Dec 11)     Director of Surveillance and Quarantine of the Ministry of Health, Jane Soepardi, said that the effort was taken to prevent the spread of diphtheria. The selection of the three provinces is based on the consideration that the cases of diphtheria and population density in these three provinces are quite high.         Besides immunization in schools, residents can get free vaccinations through puskesmas public healthcare centers. There are a number of cases of diphtheria reported in several other regions, such as in Aceh, Central Java, and East Java.          The Health Service of Aceh has recorded a total of 93 cases of diphtheria in the province since early this year.          "Up to Dec 2017, we have recorded 93 cases of diphtheria in Aceh, of which four of them died. The four who died were from the districts of East Aceh, North Aceh, Pidie Jaya, and Bireuen," Head of Disease Prevention and Control Affairs of Aceh¿s Health Service, Abdul Fatah, stated in Aceh on Tuesday.         Two other patients were found in Batang district, Central Java, and three in Situbondo District in East Java.

GOVERNMENT'S ENERGY MIX PROGRAM NEEDS SUPPORT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 12 (Antara) - Many countries, including Indonesia, are now increasingly developing new and renewable energy (EBT), which is safe for the environment and is a promising source of energy for the future.         Indonesia expects that energy diversification utilizing renewable natural resources will help in its endeavor to accelerate its energy mix program and help reduce its greenhouse gas emission.         It wants renewable sources to contribute to 23 percent of the country's energy mix by 2025. Indonesia has also pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 29 percent by 2030.          After all, Indonesia is rich in renewable sources, which could be developed to increase its energy mix and gas emission reduction programs.          Indonesia is rich in biopower, geothermal, hydropower, ocean energy, solar, and wind energies. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) has recorded the total renewable energy potential in Indonesia to reach 441.7 gigawatts (GW).          Based on data from the Directorate General of Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the ESDM, of the 441.7 GW, only two percent, or 8.8 GW, has been used so far.          The government has devised various strategies to attain the EBT target of 23 percent by 2025. In the geothermal field, for example, the ESDM has issued Regulation No. 36 on Preliminary Survey Assignment Procedure (PSP) and Preliminary Survey Assignment and Exploration (PSPE).

ACEH EXPECTED TO EXCEED RICE PRODUCTION TARGET

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 8 (Antara) - Agriculture is the main pillar of Aceh Province's economy, which contributes over 25 percent to the regional gross domestic product, absorbing some 35 percent of the local workforce.         Targeting to become one of the national food barn regions, Aceh has set a rice production target of 2.4 million tons for this year. The Aceh provincial government is also paying serious attention to the local community's accessibility to food.         Several important factors readied to realize food accessibility include the availability of food reserves and aid to the vulnerable and transient groups.         Hence, the regional government has continued to develop the agriculture sector of Indonesia's westernmost province, which is located in the western tip of Sumatra Island. This year's rice production target has been set at 2.4 million tons, yet it is likely to be exceeded.         Head of Aceh's Plantation and Agriculture Office Hasanuddin Darjo stated that the province's unhusked rice production in 2017 is estimated to reach 2.6 million tons, or exceed the target set at 2.4 million tons. The unhusked rice was harvested from Aceh's agricultural area of some 307,410 hectares.

PAPUA TO ENTER E-COMMERCE ERA AMID ECONOMIC PROGRESS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 8 (Antara) - E-commerce is developing in Indonesia's big cities, but some isolated areas in its eastern regions, such as Papua, have yet to enjoy the benefits of the online trade facility due to an inadequate telecommunication system.          However, the country's eastern regions, which are still isolated and yet to be fully connected through fiber optic cables, will be able to enjoy online trade when support facilities for the Palapa Ring are installed at the designated locations.          Palapa Ring is a national fiber optic network construction project that will cover as many as 34 provinces and 440 cities and districts across Indonesia, with a total sea cable length of 35,280 kilometers, and a mainland cable length reaching as much as 21,807 kilometers.          To this end, the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Papua (HIPMI Papua) has reminded that Papua will soon enter the e-commerce era after supporting facilities for the Palapa Ring project become operational.          The Palapa Ring project is being developed and is expected to be completed by 2018.          "With the completion of the Palapa Ring project, I think, Papua will change. Development in the e-commerce sector will be boosted. Our entrepreneur friends should thus be alert and prepared to garner benefits from this condition," Chairman of the Executive Board of HIPMI Papua Dasril Sahari stated in Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua, on Wednesday (Dec 6).

GOVERNMENT PLANS TO IMPOSE PROGRESSIVE ROYALTY ON MINING

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 7 (Antara) - The government is planning to impose a progressive increase rate on royalties of gold, copper, and silver mining commodities, in its efforts to increase state revenues from the mining sector.          The royalty progressive increase rate, which is set at 0.25 percent, is regulated in the draft revision of Government Regulation No. 9 Year of 2012 (PP 9/2012) on the Type and Tariff of Non-Tax State Revenues.          The plan for progressive increase in the royalty rate is in the hands of the Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to decide. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has submitted the draft revision of the government regulation to the two ministries, namely the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance Ministry.          "Now, the draft revision of the law is in the hands of the Finance Ministry and the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs," Bambang Susigit, the director for mineral exploitation affairs of the SDM, was quoted as saying by kontan.co.id news portal on Monday (Dec 4.).          Actually, the government has not yet made public its plan to increase progressively the royalties in the production of gold, silver, and copper, but, it has been revealed to all stakeholders. Therefore, the ESDM leaves the decision on whether the government will go ahead and impose the policy to the Coordinating Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

ACEH TO DEVELOP MICRO FINANCE INSTITUTION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 1 (Antara) - The Banda Aceh municipal government will establish a Sharia micro finance institution to boost local economic activities, provide small businesses with access to sources of finance and prevent people from falling victims to loan sharks.         The institution will be established in the form of a limited liability company following deliberations by the local government and the Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD) of a 'qanun'  (bylaw) on micro financing, based on the Islamic Sharia (Islamic law).         The limited liability firm that will be formed will be called PT Syariah Mahirah Muamalah micro finance company, initiated by Banda Aceh Mayor Aminullah Usman and his deputy Zainal Arifin, and will belong to the local government.        "Two laws are expected to be put in place to serve as a legal basis for the establishment of PT Syariah Mahirah Muamalah, and two draft laws have already been discussed by the legislative and the executive," Iskandar Mahmud, a member of the DPRD, said in Banda Aceh, Monday (Nov 27).          In addition to the draft law on the formation of a limited liability company, he stated, the executive also proposed the draft law on Banda Aceh City's capital investment in PT Syariah Mahirah Muamalah.         According to Mahmud, who is a politician of the Golkar Party, the draft law for the establishment of PT Syariah Mahirah Muamalah and the draft law for capital participation in the company have been discussed with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of Aceh Province.

MEDIA SHOULD SUPPORT PAPUA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 30 (Antara) - All parties, including social organizations, legislators, and the media, need to support the economic development being carried out by the government in Papua, which is an underdeveloped province in eastern Indonesian region.         Hence, various circles, such as social organizations, politicians, and the media, should support the efforts of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in developing various infrastructure facilities in the Indonesian easternmost province.         The mass and social media should play their influential role in building the people's optimism and nationalism regarding the development in Papua.          According to Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi, a member of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Golkar Party Faction, the massive infrastructure development being carried out in Papua portrays the efforts of Jokowi's government in advancing and developing the mining resource-rich province.         The legislator stated that the construction of the 4,330-kilometer-Trans-Papua Highway (that connects Papua with West Papua), bridges, airports, and dams is proof of the massive infrastructure development that would change the face of Papua and boost its economic activities in the coming years.

GOVERNMENT MONITORS BASIC NECESSITIES FOR CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 30 (Antara) - Public spending on basic commodities usually increases during Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, resulting in increase in prices of essential goods and decline in stocks.         In the run-up to the year-end festivities, the government will prioritize 13 provinces in its efforts to maintain price and stock stability of basic commodities. In these provinces, there will be an increase in trade activities during Christmas 2017 and 2018 New Year celebrations.         According to the Special Economic Crime Director of the National Police's (Polri's) Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), Brig. Gen. Agung Setya, the 13 provinces include Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Papua, West Papua, Maluku, North Maluku, North Sulawesi, and North Sumatra.         The Bareskrim has organized a coordination meeting with a number of ministries and state institutions to discuss the framework of maintaining the price and stability of stocks of basic commodities ahead of the year-end celebrations.

INDONESIA UNLIKELY TO CHANGE ASIAN GAMES EVENTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 29 (Antara) - Indonesia, as the host of the 18th Asian Games, has a chance to arrange a strategy to win as many medals as possible.          Indonesia has proposed to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) that it would compete in a total of 40 sports branches with 462 events in the biggest Asian sporting festivities, which will be organized in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, next year.         Of course, Indonesia has been predicted to contribute medals in selected sports branches and events in the competitions, which will take place from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.         Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, OCA, and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, in his capacity as the 18th Asian Games Steering Committee chairman, have all agreed that the number of sports branches and events will no longer be increased.         Based on the agreement, the government has decided the budget for organizing the sports festivities, including the construction of venues in accordance with the sports events that have been agreed with the OCA.         Hence, it is unlikely for Indonesia to change and increase the number of sports events as requested by OCA recently. The council has asked Indonesia to change nine sports events and add two more.

JOURNALISTS MUST ACQUIRE VISA TO COVER ASIAN GAMES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 28 (Antara) - The Indonesian government, through the Directorate General of Immigration, has called on foreign journalists, including athletes and officials, to obtain visas before they can cover or attend the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia next year.         Journalists intending to cover the events at the Asian Games can obtain visas through the Foreign Visit Team for Journalists that will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.         "It will not be adequate for foreign journalists to only have an accreditation from the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC). Those who come to Indonesia in the framework of covering the Asian Games events are required to have visas," Head of the Verification Sub-Directorate of the Immigration Hongky Juanda stated during the Asian Games Media Forum in Jakarta on Monday.         Although Indonesia requires journalists and participants to acquire entry visas, the Directorate General of Immigration will facilitate the process of issuing visas to participants and journalists keen on following the Asian Games.

TUNA CATCH QUOTA SHOULD BENEFIT PEOPLE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 28 (Antara) - The government is planning to issue a regulation on the tuna catch quota in an attempt to avoid overexploitation and maintain the sustainability of tuna resources in the country.          The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) is gathering inputs from various sides to formulate the regulation, which is expected to help improve the welfare of fishermen and national fish catch business players.          "Tuna is caught at sea and is classified as a natural resource similar to minerals. Thus, a regulation is required for the sustainable exploitation of tuna resources," KKP Secretary General Rifky Effendi Hardijanto had noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (Nov 21).          The people need a regulation on the quota of tuna catch, so that the exploitation of resources at sea would be sustainable and have a positive economic impact on the fishermen.          However, the regulation on the quota, which is currently under process at the KKP, should focus on offering optimal benefits to the people and be aligned with the nation's interests.          "The exploitation of tuna should be aimed at improving the welfare of Indonesian people," Herman Khaeron, the deputy chairman of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, noted in Jakarta on Thursday.

GOVERNMENT SET TO COMPLETE TOLL ROADS OF 1,854.6 KILOMETERS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 27 (Antara) - The government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is determined to connect sections of toll roads of 1,854.6 kilometers across the country by the end of 2019.          "The target is to make the toll roads of 1,854.6 kilometers operational by the end of 2019," Head of Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BJPT) Herry Trisaputra Zuna stated at the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) in Jakarta on Friday (Nov 24).          In 2018, the government is targeting to accomplish an additional 766.3 kilometers of new toll road sections throughout all the the country. Thus, by the end of 2018, the length of toll roads, which would be operational, will reach about 1,321.5 kilometers.          In the meantime, in 2019, new toll roads of 533.1 kilometers are expected, so that the total length of toll roads operating in the country by the end of Jokowi's administration in 2019 will reach 1,854.6 kilometers.          The toll road segment now being developed is the Solo-Ngawi segment, Ngawi-Kertosono, Ciawi-Sukabumi, in Java Island, and a number of toll road projects in Sumatra, such as in Lampung.

INDONESIA TARGETS TOP-TEN PLACE IN ASIAN GAMES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 24 (Antara) - Indonesia, host of the 18th Asian Games 2018, has set a target to secure a top ten place in the mega sporting event, which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, next year.         Indonesia will target to become one of the top ten in the 18th Asian Games 2018, which will be held from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018, although Indonesia's achievement in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Malaysia last August was below expectation.         "We have to stick to our target. We want to secure a place in the top ten of the Asian Games. We have to make sure of it and accelerate the exercises. Athletes should be sent abroad (for tryouts)," Jusuf Kalla, the chairman of the 18th Asian Games 2018 Steering Committee, who is also the Indonesian Vice President, said last month (Oct 25).         The organizers do not want to make inadequate preparations, which could result in low achievement, such as the achievement of Indonesian athletes in the SEA Games last August.         After all, the 18th Asian Games 2018 will serve as a bridge for Indonesian athletes to step forward for the Olympic Games in Japan in 2020.         "No one can guarantee that we can achieve the target, but to achieve it, we should ascertain that our achievement will be better than the one in the previous 17th Asian Games 2014 in Incheon, South Korea," Kalla said.

ORGANIZERS TIGHTEN ACCREDITATION PROCESS FOR 2018 ASIAN GAMES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 24 (Antara) - Indonesia will host the 18th Asian Games in 2018 that will be attended by thousands of athletes from 45 countries.         The organizers in charge of managing the sporting event will implement a stringent accreditation process for a large number of athletes, coaches, officials, journalists, and state officials.         In order to issue the accreditation, the Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) will involve eight state institutions to help sort out applications for accreditation and participation in the Asian sporting event to take place in the two cities of Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, from August 18 to September 2, 2018.          "The INAGOC has no right to approve or disapprove the request for accreditation of a would-be participant. If one of the eight institutions says no, then the application will be rejected," Tito Loho, a member of the Accreditation Board of the INASGOC, stated at a press conference on Wednesday (Nov 15).

PUBLIC URGED TO MAKE ASIAN GAMES A SUCCESS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 23 (Antara) - Indonesia will host the 18th Asian Games for the second time next year after it had held the Asian sporting event for the first time in Jakarta in 1962.         Unlike the earlier events, the 2018 Asian Games will be held in two cities of Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra. This is the first time that the games will be held in two cities since it was first organized in New Delhi, India, in 1951.         Hence, Indonesia, the runner-up behind the overall champions Japan in 1962, will do its best as the host to make the sporting event a success and has set a target to finish among the top eight in the medals tally.         Since the first Asian Games in 1951, Japan had consecutively been the overall champion on eight occasions until 1978, but from 1982 to 2014, its position as the consecutive overall champion has been taken over by China that has won the Asian sporting event nine times in a row.         Indonesia, which has now taken over the task of hosting the 18th event from Hanoi, Vietnam, since the latter has delegated the responsibility to it due to financial reasons, will do its best to make the games a successful international event and has called for the public's support.

INDONESIA EYES US$100 MILLION BY HOSTING IMF-WB MEETINGS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 23 (Antara) - Indonesia expects to gain around US$100 million by hosting the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) in Bali on Oct 8-14 next year.          The meetings are among the largest and influential events on finance and economy that bring together central bank governors and finance ministers from 189 countries.          The main annual meetings are scheduled to take place on October 12-14, 2018, but will be preceded by other agendas, such as seminars and other meetings, to discuss developments in the global economy.          Indonesia has called on the WB to give its outlook on the country's economy amid the fast dynamic developments in the global economy.          "We have urged them to explain what the Indonesian economic outlook will look like and what its shortcomings are," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) remarked following a meeting with WB executives at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Tuesday (Nov 21).      "Where will we begin the improvement? I think that such inputs from any other institution are important for us to overcome the shortcomings," he noted.

'SAIL SABANG' TO HAVE GREATEST IMPACT ON ACEH TOURISM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 22 (Antara) - The international 'Sail Sabang' event, which will be organized in the waters of Weh Island of Sabang Municipality next weekend, will have the greatest impact on Aceh Province's tourism promotion.          According to the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), tourists arriving in Weh Island of Sabang City by yachts or sailboats will rise in the next few years. "The impact of Sabang Sail will surely be positive and will have the greatest benefit for the marine tourism sector of Aceh, as yachts will frequently visit Sabang," ASITA Secretary of Aceh, Totok Julianto, said by phone in Kutacane, Southeast Aceh, on Tuesday (Nov 21).        According to him, the event, which will take place from Nov 18 to Dec 5, 2017, will boost the number of sailboats and yachts heading for a vacation to the most western region in Indonesia.          Ships from international countries, such as America, Europe, and Australia, will turn the Weh Island of Sabang into one of the favorite destinations in Southeast Asia, besides Langkawi in Malaysia and Phuket in Thailand.

GOVT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN PAPUA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 19 (Antara) - Papua Province is one of Indonesia's underdeveloped provinces in the eastern region which the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has given a priority in his current development programs.          Compared with other provinces in the western part of the country,  Papua suffers a sharp gap and inequality in its economic life. Due to the lack of infrastructure and land transportation facilities, prices of commodities are far higher than those in the rest of the country's provinces.       The price of cement, for instance, is about Rp800 thousand - Rp2.5 million per bag while in Java it is only about Rp70 thousand - Rp80 thousand per  bag. Gasoline can reach Rp60 thousand per litter while in other regions the price of fuel oil is only approximately Rp6,500 per litter.         Hence, the government is now focusing its attention on the development in Papua in efforts to eliminate social economic injustices. One of the efforts to build economic justice is to lay the foundation of the economic activities by developing infrastructure.         Although there is criticism in the development of the Trans-Papua Road, President Jokowi is firm that the project will facilitate the economic activities and improve the welfare of the people in the country's easternmost province. He asked the Regional Representative Council (DPD) to support his infrastructure development program in Papua.

GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO INCREASE FISHERIES EXPORTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 18 (Antara) - The government is trying to decrease the import duty abroad, improve transportation system at home, and expand fishing vessels to increase domestic fish production, in an effort to boost fishery product exports.          The transportation system in outermost regions will be improved to shorten the delivery time to export hub regions or point of exports, in order to maintain the freshness of fishery products.          The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is fighting for import tariff cuts for the country's fishery products imported by the European Union (EU).          Director General of the Maritime and Fishery Products Competitiveness Promotion of the KKP, Nilanto Perbowo, stated in a release on Saturday that the import tariff of Indonesian fishery products in the EU was still quite high, at around 6-24 percent.          However, a number of other countries, such as Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam, are believed to have secured much lower import duty rates. Some are not subject to import duty tariffs. "It is now time for Indonesia to also get the same tariff of zero (0) percent; this is what we are striving for," she explained.

TOMINI BAY SUPPORTS TOURISM IN THREE PROVINCES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 15 (Antara) - The Tomini Bay in the eastern region of Indonesia is the largest gulf in the country, which has the potential to provide benefit for the development of the tourism sector in three neighboring provinces.          The three provinces should therefore work hand in hand to develop the Indonesian eastern region's largest gulf in order to  attract local and international tourists and help improve the local people's economy.          Vice Governor of Gorontalo Province, Idris Rahim, called for cooperation among the three provinces of Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi to develop marine tourism in the Tomini Bay area.          "The three provinces must be in synergy. We must create an integrated tourism calendar, and this should be jointly pursued by the relevant agencies to boost the tourism sector," Rahim stated at a discussion forum of marine tourism development in Tomini Bay by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) on Tuesday (Nov 14).

RI ASKS FOR ASEAN'S COMMITMENT ON WORKERS PROTECTION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 14 (Antara) - Indonesia and the Philippines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are two largest migrant worker exporters which have been fighting for strong commitment to migrant worker protection.          Hence, during the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) encouraged members of the regional association to increase the protection of migrant workers in Southeast Asia.          At the ASEAN Summit, which is part of the series of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN, Jokowi and other ASEAN leaders will sign the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of Migrant Workers' Rights.          The ASEAN Consensus Document will be a concrete form of comprehensive protection for migrant workers as mandated by the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia.          Therefore, Indonesia called for a strong commitment by ASEAN member countries to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers in the 31st ASEAN Summit held in Manila, Philippines, 12-14 November 2017.          "It should not be a consensus only. Indonesia encourages all ASEAN member countries to properly guard and have the same commitment in implementing the action plan regarding the protection of migrant workers and their families, both legal migrants and migrants who have no proper documents," said Minister of Manpower M Hanif Dhakiri in press release in Jakarta on Monday.

RI, JAPAN CONCRETIZE PROJECTS AHEAD OF TIES ANNIVERSARY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 13 (Antara) - Indonesia and Japan are concretizing cooperation on several strategic infrastructure project such as seaport, mass rapid transit (MRT) and railways in the runup to celebrating the 60th anniversary of their relations next year.           The cooperation was among others reinforced during a bilateral meeting between President Joko Widodo and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday.          On the occasion President Jokowi expressed wish for significant progress in the infrastructure cooperation ahead of the anniversary.  "This will be a monumental gift for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries," he said.          On investment cooperation President Jokowi expressed appreciation to increased Japanese investment in the country, adding that "it almost reached 90 percent in 2016."      Foreign Minister Retno said that the bilateral meeting between the President and the Prime Minister of Japan is an important meeting because they discussed the plan to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan in 2018.

PAPUA'S ECONOMY SLOWING DOWN

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 9 (Antara) - The economy of Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua is slowing down, although it has been flourishing in recent years under the administration of President Joko Wododo (Jokowi).          In 2015, for example, Papua saw an economic growth of 7.47 percent. It shot up last year to 9.21 percent, almost double the national average figure of 4.95 percent.          The high economic growth was because of the government's attention towards the development of Papua's infrastructure, improvement of its welfare and health facilities, as well as the launch of the single-fuel price program. Papua is one of Jokowi's top priorities.          He has many plans to make sure that the rapid growth in Papua keeps going, such as single-fuel price, Trans Papua Road, Sea Toll, Sorong Special Economic Zone, and others. He hopes to bring positive changes in Papua, even if at a slower pace.          "We can see that there is a decrease in poverty rates in Papua Province," Papua Governor Lukas Enembe was quoted by papuanews.org as saying last year.          However, the decline in the food crop production and public expenditure, as well as the prolonged contractual dispute between the government and PT Preeport Indonesia, which prompted the giant miner to temporarily suspend production, has resulted in slow economic growth in Papua.          The subsidiary of the US-based Freeport McMoRan has been in a dispute with the government, following the issuance of new regulations that oblige the company to convert its contract of work into a special mining license, divest 51 percent of its shares, and build a new smelter.

TASK FORCES TO BE SET UP TO ACCELERATE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 8 (Antara) - Indonesia, which has been able to improve its 'ease of doing business' index from 91 to 72, will establish task forces for 'ease of doing business' in order to further improve its business climate.         The government is now preparing a guideline for the establishment of the task forces for the acceleration of the ease of doing business in Indonesia. The task forces will be established as a follow up to the Presidential Regulation No. 91/2017 on the Ease of Doing Business.         The task forces, which are expected to help ease the licensing process, will consist of a national task force, a leading sector task force, and a supporting task force.          "Several ministries and agencies are working together to form the National Task Force," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution remarked in Jakarta on Friday (Nov 3).          He explained that the National Task Force will be the main body, which is directly under the president, and will oversee two major institutions, namely the Leading Sector Task Force and the Supporting Task Force.          The minister revealed that the Leading Sector Task Force will supervise the investment licensing process, undertake debottlenecking issues, and report regularly to the National Task Force.

SINGLE-FUEL PRICE PROGRAM LIKELY TO FALL BEHIND TARGET

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 8 (Antara) - The government has launched a single-fuel price program in certain areas across the country since January this year, as part of its efforts to provide fuels at equal prices for consumers.          For this year, the government has set a target to establish single-price fuel suppliers in 54 regions. But until Nov 4, the number of single-price fuel distributors that has been established was only 50 percent, or 27 suppliers.          Thus, the government has to establish 27 others in less than two months in order to meet its target of setting up 54 distributors in 2017.      The government has set a target to build 150 single-price fuel suppliers in 150 regions across the country by 2019. Of the target, some 54 suppliers will be in 2017, 50 in 2018, and 46 in 2019.          However, this year, it seems unlikely for the government to be able to meet its target of setting up single-price fuel suppliers in 54 areas. The main problem faced is obtaining a license for the program in the specific location.          "Principle license is really needed, but in certain areas, consensus is yet to be reached. Yet, everything is already in the process," Muhammad Ibnu Fajar of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator (BPH Migas) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated in Jakarta on Friday (Nov 3).

TRILLIONS OF FUNDS TO FLOW INTO VILLAGERS' POCKETS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 4 (Antara) - The government has since 2015 allocated a total of Rp127.64 trillion in village funds to develop infrastructure and other facilities in villages.         However, in 2018, the government will change its policy by not only focusing on the allocation of the funds for infrastructure development but also on boosting labor-intensive development in villages.         Thus, there is a big chance for villagers to become the beneficiaries of the funds through the development of labor-intensive projects. Projects are expected to be done by villagers through a self-managed system and not by contractors as they used to be.          Based on President Joko Widodo (Jokowi's) labor-intensive program in villages, at least 30 percent of the village funds should be designed as payment for workers in labor-intensive projects.          The government in 2018 will allocate 60 trillion as village funds. If 30 percent of the funds are designed for villagers involved in the labor-intensive program, villagers will be able to pocket Rp18 trillion.          Data based on the program indicates that there are 74,910 villages which will receive the funds. In average, each village will receive Rp800 million, of which 30 percent or Rp240 million will be allocated for villagers who are worker.

TRANS-JAVA TOLL ROAD TO BE CONNECTED BY 2019

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 3 (Antara) - The government has targeted to finish the construction of Trans-Java Toll Road connecting Merak in the western tip of Java Island with Banyuwangi in the eastern tip of the Island by 2019.          The he pre-construction work of the Probolinggo-Banyuwangi section having a length of 170.36 kilometers (km) is now being accelerated, Herry Trisaputra Zuna, Head of the Toll Road Regulator Agency (BPJT), said on Friday. It is expected that this section will enter the construction phase in the middle of 2018.          By 2018, the government expects that all sections of the Trans-Java from Merak in Banten Province to Probolinggo in East Java province, will be connected. Thus, the remaining section will be from Probolinggo to Banyuwangi in the eastern tip of Java Island.           "By the end of 2018, the Trans-Java Toll Road will be connected not only to Surabaya (capital of East Java province) but also to Probolinggo," Herry Trisaputra Zuna, Head of the Toll Road Regulator Agency (BPJT) of the Public Works Ministry, said in Jakarta, Friday.           In 2018, the government is targeting to accomplish an additional 766.3km of new toll road sections across the country. Thus, by the end of 2018, the length of  toll roads, which are already in operation, will reach 1,321.5km. By 2019, new toll roads will cover 533.1 km  so that the total length of toll roads operating in the country will reach 1,854.6 km.          The next section, namely the Probolinggo-Banyuwngi will also enter the pre-construction phase.

FISHERIES SECTOR NEEDS MORE MICRO BUSINESS CREDITS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 2 (Antara) - Fisheries is one of Indonesia¿s sources of revenues that need adequate funds for its development and utilization in a sustainable manner. Yet, it cannot develop faster due to lack of funds.         "The fisheries sector is growing slowly due to a number of constraints. The government needs to further boost the realization of the fishery micro business credit (KUR) credit because fishery business needs financing stimulus to grow faster," National Coordinator of the Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW), Moh Abdi Suhufan, said in Jakarta on Sunday (Oct 28).         The smallholder's KUR scheme for the fisheries sector, therefore, needs to be further enhanced as currently, the KUR credit beneficiaries are dominated by the trade and agriculture business sectors.          The realization of KUR for fisheries reached Rp1.19 trillion in late September 2017 from the total KUR realization of Rp69.9 trillion. Thus, the realization of the credit is expected to increase further as there are three more months for banks to channel KUR credits to the fisheries sector.

BELITUNG OFFERS BUDGET-FRIENDLY YEAR-END TOURISM TRIPS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 2 (Antara) - Belitung Island is offering discounted year-end trips to Singaporean citizens to boost the number of foreign tourist arrivals on the island that has merely received some 15-20 thousand foreign visitors annually.          Belitung Island, which is part of the Bangka Belitung Province, will offer a round-trip ticket costing 125 Singaporean dollars and $101 for a one-way trip.          "A ticket price of $125 for a round trip will be offered during Dec 15-22 and at $101 for a one-way trip, while a round-trip ticket during the period between Dec 24 and Jan 5 will be sold at $150 and a one-way ticket will cost $111," Commercial Director of NAM Air Sriwijaya Air Group Franky Gan noted in Singapore on Wednesday.          Gan made the remarks during a "Sales Mission" held in Singapore to promote Belitung's tour packages. The tour packages are offered for chartered flights operating on the Singapore-Tanjung Pandan, Belitung, route.          The tourism promotion event was attended by 30 players from the tourism industry in Singapore in addition to Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore Sigit S. Widiyanto, Belitung District Head Sahani Saleh, East Belitung Vice District Head Burhanudin, Expert Staff of the Minister of Air Transportation Affairs Robert Daniel W, and Commercial Director of NAM Air Sriwijaya Air Group Franky Gan.

SAIL SABANG TO PROMOTE ACEH TOURISM

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 29 (Antara) - Aceh Province, in the northern tip of Sumatra, will organize an international event called 'Sail Sabang' in a month to come, as part of the annual 'Sail Indonesia' to promote its tourism potential.         The sailing event, which will be held from Nov 28 to December 5, 2017, will be organized around the Weh Island where the Sabang Municipality of Aceh province is located.         During the sail event, activities will take place in four locations, namely on the bay of Sabang, Sabang Fair, Gapang Resort, and Kilometer Zero. It will be held under the theme "Sabang Toward Destination Gate of World Maritime Tourism."    According to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fahri Hamzah, Sail Sabang is a state project in the westernmost province of Aceh, which functions as a gateway to Indonesia.          "Sail Sabang is not just the job of the Event Organizer but the state project to make Sabang as the westernmost entrance of Indonesia," Hamzah stated in Sabang on Saturday (Oct 28).          The local government is now gearing up to organize the event, which is expected to be attended by more than 100 yachts from different countries such as Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and European countries, including those from other parts of the world.

EXCISE TAX IS TOO LOW TO CURB CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 28 (Antara) - The government has decided to impose a 10.04 percent excise tax hike on tobacco-based products, particularly cigarettes, beginning January 2018, yet the consumer institute describes it a setback, as it will not reduce cigarette consumption.          In terms of percentage, the 10.04 percent increase in excise tax is a setback, as the hike is too low, and even it is lower than the 11.19 percent in 2016. Every tax hike should be progressive until it reaches the minimum 57 percent, as mandated by the Law on Excise.          Hence, the prevalence of smoking in Indonesia is forecast to increase further, with a hike of only 10.04 percent in the tobacco excise tax in 2018, according to the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YKLI).          "Poor families and juveniles can still afford to buy cigarettes. An increase of 10.04 percent (in the excise tax) will only raise the price by Rp30 to Rp50 per cigarette," YLKI Chairman Tulus Abadi stated in Jakarta on Thursday (Oct 26).          However, Director General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance Heru Pambudi explained that the policy on excise tax on tobacco-based products is decided after taking into account four factors: health, cigarette industry, labor or employment, and state revenue.

2018 BUDGET EXPECTED TO HELP MAINTAIN ECONOMIC MOMENTUM

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 26 (Antara) - The 2018 state budget, with a spending set at Rp2,220.7 trillion and a revenue of Rp1,894.7 trillion, is expected to help maintain the current positive economic momentum.         The Bill on the 2018 State Budget was passed into law by the House of Representatives (DPR) at its plenary meeting on Wednesday. Hence, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the government is optimistic of being able to maintain the current positive economic momentum.         Minister Indrawati remarked that the government lauded the support extended by the DPR's leadership and members, including the budget committee and all the commissions, which have worked along with the government, to implement the mandate of the Constitution by deliberating the 2018 state budget bill intensively and constructively.         Hence, the current positive economic momentum will continue to be strengthened in 2018, the finance minister stated.         "The government will maintain the economy and strengthen the momentum to reach 5.4 percent in 2018," Indrawati noted in Jakarta on Wednesday.

GOVT RETAIL BOND SALES STILL BELOW TARGET

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 25 (Antara) - The proceeds of the Indonesian Retail Bond (ORI) sales are still below the target, especially the ORI014 series. Hence, the government will launch seven more actions of the series before year-end.          Director General of Risk and Financing Management of the Ministry of Finance, Robert Pakpahan, said that he was not worried if the sales proceeds of Rp8.94 trillion of the Indonesian Retail Bond, ORI014 Series, are still below the previously set indicative target of Rp13 trillion.          "In terms of financing, we are not worried because we still have many options," Pakpahan stated when asked in Jakarta on Tuesday (Oct 24).          Pakpahan added that one of the reasons why ORI014 was less attractive to retail investors was because of the low coupon rate of 5.85 percent, following the current interest rate growth. The coupon rate of 5.85 percent is also lower than the coupon rate on the ORI issuance of the previous series.          "Currently, in Indonesia, the interest rate is down, so the 5.85 percent coupon rate is considered low. This reflects secondary market in the state securities market," Pakpahan remarked.