SALT SCARCITY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 29 (Antara) - The current salt scarcity in Indonesia needs to be investigated to check involvement of salt business mafia to increase the price of the essential commodity.          According to a researcher, it need to be explored whether the scarcity occurs because of a distribution game played by the mafia or because of a lack of salt stock in storage warehouses and markets.          "If the scarcity is caused by the game, then the government needs to take firm actions and sanctions for the perpetrators," Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia researcher, Subhan Usman, said in Jakarta on Saturday (July 29).           Usman suggested that the government should immediately undertake a thorough reform of all aspects of national salt business performance. Comprehensive reforms cover many issues ranging from limited land and poor quality salt that local producers produce to low productivity, he continued.          In addition, it is also necessary to update the use of traditional technology and anticipate anomalies that have occurred during the last two years, he said.          "The problem of limited salt land is a fundamental issue that must be intervened through the economic equality policy currently implemented by the government through the distribution of land to salt farmers," he stated.

RI TO SHARE EXPERIENCE IN FIGHTING TERRORISM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 28 (Antara) - Terrorism and radicalism are increasingly considered to be posing threats to the world peace and security, forcing many nations to join forces in the fight against them.          The current security crisis in Marawi City of the Philippines showcases how radicalism has threatened security in Southeast Asia. It has driven Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to enhance cooperation to address it. Hence, the problem will also be discussed in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which will be held from August 4 to 8.         Indonesia, which is known to be relatively successful in fighting terrorism, will share its experience in the ARF. This weekend, it will, therefore, host the conference of Sub Regional Meeting on Foreign Terrorist Fighters and Cross Border Terrorism (SRM FTF-CBT) in Manado, North Sulawesi.         Strategies and concepts on the effective fight against terrorism and radicalism will be formulated during the Manado conference, the results of which will be taken to the ARF.         Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto stated that Indonesia is recognized as a country which could take effective steps in the fight against terrorism.

INDONESIA TO SHIFT FROM IMPORTING TO EXPORTING MAIZE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 27 (Antara) - Indonesia has been importing maize in the past to meet the domestic need, though this year, it has stopped the imports of the commodity and is planning to become a major exporter in future.          As part of its efforts to increase maize production and meet its goal to export the commodity in future, Indonesia is expanding the acreage of its maize plantations to 6.4 million hectares while boosting an inter-crop planting system on three million hectares of rubber and other plantations, such as palm oil plantations.          Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to optimize assistance for the agricultural sector by channeling various aid packages to farmer groups to support food self-sufficiency.          These efforts encompass the distribution of assistance in the form of seeds, agricultural equipment, and production facilities. It also involves stakeholders and directives by the Indonesian Defence Forces, police, state-owned forest firm Perum Perhutani, and state plantation company PTPN, among others.

GOVERNMENT OPTIMISTIC OF ACHIEVING INVESTMENT TARGET

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 27 (Antara) - The government is optimistic of achieving its investment target of Rp678.8 trillion set in the state budget this year.          The government's confidence in achieving the target is based on its investment performance in the first semester of 2017, which had reached Rp336.7 trillion. This is partly due to the fact that Indonesia has been awarded an investment grade rating by international rating agencies.          Head of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board Thomas Trikasih Lembong stated that the investment grade awarded to Indonesia must be followed by efforts to improve the business climate.          Lembong, popularly known as Tom, informed the press on Wednesday (July 26) that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had expressed hope that the investment grade rating awarded by several international rating agencies to Indonesia would trigger the inflow of foreign capital investment in the country.          In May, Standard & Poor's upgraded Indonesia's sovereign credit rating to investment grade BBB-, a response to Indonesia's strong fiscal management. The agency's move followed similar upgrades announced by Fitch in late 2011 and Moody's in early 2012.          After receiving the investment grade rating, Indonesia is expected to attract more foreign investment. President Jokowi also expressed hope that foreign capital would reach up to US$10 billion.

SALT PRICE SHOOTS UP AS MARKETS RUN SHORT OF STOCK

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 27 (Antara) - The markets in various parts of the country are running short of consumer salt stock, causing the price of the commodity to shoot up over the past few days.         In Jakarta for example, the price of a small pack of salt which was usually sold at Rp2 thousand rose to Rp5 thousand at Gondangdia Market in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. "Last month, the price of the relatively larger pack was Rp30 thousand but now it is sold at Rp50 thousand," Aceng, a trader, said on Tuesday.          The rising prices and scarcity of stock of salt took place not only in Jakarta but almost in all provinces. Therefore, a legislator has called on the government to interfere in solving the problems of the salt crisis in the country.           The government should take actions and investigate the causes of the salt crisis. "I think, this is part of our carelessness or inability to maximize the potentials that we have," legislator Siti Mukromah who is a member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR) said in Purwokerto, Banyumas District, Central Java, on Wednesday.          Logically, Indonesia should never run short of salt but adversely it happens now as the commodity is difficult to find in the market with normal prices. If the exploration and exploitation of salt are carried out, a crisis like now should not happen, according to Mukromah.

BIAK HOLDS CONTEST TO SUPPORT EAT-FISH PROGRAM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 25 (Antara) - The level of nutritional intake or even malnutrition of people is much decided by their consumption of food and protein found in meat, including fish meat.          Hence, Biak District of Papua Province is holding a fish cooking contest to help promote the government's eat-fish program.          The government has been promoting fish consumption for the past several years through its People's Eat-Fish Movement (Gemarikan) and the establishment of Fish Consumption Enhancement Forum (Forikan), as fish is one of the best sources of nutrition.          Lack of nutrition can cause chronic malnutrition which could affect a child, resulting in stunted growth. In order to prevent chronic malnutrition, people are urged to increase their fish consumption level.          The protein in fish meat is needed to support health, particularly the growth of children. Moreover, stunted growth in Indonesia still accounts in about 27.5 percent of the population. The figure is actually a decline from 37.2 percent over the past three years.          "We continue to monitor the nutritional status over the past three years. It has dropped to 27.5 percent from 37.2 percent. Though the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) data shows 29.6 percent, yet it still shows a decline," Health Minister Nila Moeloek said at the Vice Presidential Office on Wednesday (July 12).

TANGERANG ORGANIZES FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE ITS TOURISM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 22 (Antara) - The regional government of Tangerang City, Tangerang District, Banten Province, is holding a week-long annual 'Cisadane Festival' along the Cisadane River to reflect its local cultures and promote its tourism.         As in the previous years, the Cisadane Festival this year, scheduled to last from July 22 to 29, will be highlighted with various cultural festivals. The city government of Tangerang will invite all districts and cities in Banten Province to take part in it.         "Some of the activities will take place in Jalan Benteng Jaya along the Cisadane River," Head of Tangerang City's Culture and Tourism Service, Raden Rina Hernaningsih, said, as quoted by the Tangerang City's official website, tangerangkota.go.id.     The activities will take place both on the street/Ciadane river banks and in the river because the event will present a band festival and a decorated dragon boat race.         According to Hernaningsih, one of the goals of this year's Cisadane Festival is to provide a facility for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to promote their business and to empower the community's business, apart from highlighting the splendor of the Cisadane River and providing entertainment for the local people and tourists.

GOVERNMENT TO EASE IMPORT OF INDUSTRIAL SALT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 22 (Antara) - The government will ease the importation of industrial salt in order to overcome the current shortage of raw material or raw salt being faced by industries in the country.          To this purpose, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) will issue a ministerial regulation that will no longer make it necessary to obtain a recommendation in order to import salt.          Based on Law No. 7 of 2016 on Protection and Empowerment of Fishermen, Fish Breeders and Salt Farmers, a recommendation from the KKP must be obtained to import industrial and consumer salt.          Industries are currently facing a shortage of raw salt for industry. To overcome the problem, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on Friday (July 14), held a meeting with Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, and KKP Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to discuss the issue of industrial salt     One of the results of the meeting is that the Trade Ministry will no longer need a recommendation from the KKP before it can issue a license to industries to import industrial salt as part of the efforts to cope with the shortage of industrial salt.          "The KKP will issue a regulation where the importation of industrial salt will no longer need a recommendation from us," KKP Minister Pudjiastuti was quoted as saying by Tempo.Co. on Saturday (July 15).

EXTERNAL DEBTS USED TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 21 (Antara) - Indonesia's rising foreign debts should not be a cause for concern as far as they are managed well and are used for developing infrastructures which will help boost the country's economic growth.         Indonesia's foreign debts rose 5.5 percent to US$333.6 billion year-on-year as of May 2017 following an 11.8 percent rise in public debts to US$168.4 billion, according to Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia/BI).        "As long as the government is carrying out budget expansion for infrastructure development and its debt ratio is not too high, we will remain sustainable," Chief Economic Minister Darmin Nasution told Commission XI on financial affairs of the House of Representatives (DPR) Monday last.          Finance Minister Sri Mulyani also described Indonesia's debts as still within the safety condition where in 2016 Indonesia's external debt ratio position was 28 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or about Rp3,466 trillion (some $258.9 billion based on the conversion rate of Rp13,387/$1).          "The Indonesian debt ratio is relatively lower than those of other G20 countries ASEAN member nations," Mulyani told a plenary session on the implementation of 2016 state budget at the Parliament Tuesday (July 18).

HTI DISSOLVED FOR ACTIVITIES AGAINST STATE IDEOLOGY

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 19 (Antara) - The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights finally, has revoked the legal status of major Muslim organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) for activities allegedly against the state ideology Pancasila.         The legal status of the HTI was revoked after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) issued a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) No. 2 Year of 2017 on amendment of Law No. 17/2013 on Mass Organizations.          The Perppu No. 2 Year of 2017, which enables the government to take the necessary actions against mass organizations considered to have ideals which contradict the state ideology Pancasila, was announced by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto on July 12.          HTI viewed the government's step to revoke its legal status as an arbitrary action. "The issuance of Perppu No. 2/2017 constitutes the government's arbitrary action because it abolishes a legal process in court for an organization allegedly committing violations. By revoking HTI's legal status, the government committed two arbitrary actions," HTI Spokesman Ismail Yusanto said when contacted by Antara on Wednesday.

GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ISSUE PERPPU GETS MIXED REACTIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) - The government's step to issue a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) to deal with mass organizations, which were considered to be against the country's Pancasila ideology, has received mixed reactions.         On July 12, 2017, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto announced the issuance of Perppu N0. 2 Year of 2017 on Amendment of Law No. 17 Year of 2013 on Mass Organizations (Ormas).          The Perppu was issued to prevent the emergence of mass organizations, which are opposed to Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, and to provide legal basis for the government to dissolve such a negligent organization.         However, apart from those who supported the government's step, some others criticized it. Therefore, the government on Saturday (July 15), through Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, explained that it has strong reasons to issue the Perppu.          "The government has three main considerations for issuing the Perppu. By issuing the Perppu, the government's policy will be in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court Number 138 / PUU-VII / 2009, which suggests that such a Perppu could be issued based on the existence of a compelling situation to solve legal problems quickly based on the law," Kumolo stated.

GOVERNMENT, FREEPORT TO CONCLUDE TALKS THIS MONTH

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is optimistic of concluding by this month-end its negotiations on the extension of copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia's (PT FI's) operation permit that expires in 2021.          "The government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), expects to accomplish the negotiations before October," ESDM Minister Ignasius Jonan stated in Jakarta on Wednesday (July 5).          In order to accelerate the negotiation process, the government is planning to invite President Director of US-based Freeport Mc Moran Richard Adkerson to discuss the operation permit of PT Freeport Indonesia.          ESDM Secretary General Teguh Pamudji said the ESDM, Ministry of Finance, and several other agencies have formed a negotiation team to discuss four agenda on the extension of PT FI's operation permit.          The four agenda comprised the divestment of 51 percent of Freeport shares, extension of its operation permit, construction of a smelter, and investment stability.          The ESDM ministry is in charge of deliberating matters relating to the extension of the operation permit and the construction of the smelter. The government has requested a smelter, whose construction has to be completed by the company in 2022.

COOPERATIVES EXPECTED TO HELP BOOST ECONOMY

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 13 (Antara) - Cooperatives is one of the main pillars of Indonesia's economy apart from the private sector and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). But so far, its contribution to the national economy is still small, accounting for only 3.9 percent.          Hence, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), while addressing the 70th anniversary of Cooperatives Day in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday (July 12), has called on the Indonesian Cooperatives Council (Dekopin) to help boost Indonesia's economic growth through cooperatives development.          Minister of Cooperatives and SOE Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Puspayoga stated on the occasion that the ratio of the entrepreneurship cooperative movement in 2013 reached 1.55 percent and doubled in 2016 to 3.01 percent for two and a half years.          Although it is still smaller than that in Singapore, which is at five percent and Malaysia at six percent, yet at least, there is an increase. Indonesia has performed cooperatives reform movement by developing cooperatives and closing down as many as 43 thousand 'sick' cooperatives.          There are still 152 cooperatives in the country and half of them (76 thousand) remain healthy and the other half are 'sick.'

PREMIUM GASOLINE CONSUMERS SHIFT TO PERTALITE, PERTAMAX

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 11 (Antara) - Since the launch of Pertalite fuel by Pertamina about three years ago, the higher octane gasoline with Research Octane Number 90 (RON-90) has begun to take over the popularity of RON-88 Premium gasoline.          This is obviously reflected by the fuel consumption during the recent post-fasting Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran festivity season. Consumption of Premium drastically dropped by 47 percent compared to that during the same season last year. On the other hand, consumption of Pertalite shot up by 210 percent.          Consumers might have shifted to RON-90 Pertalite because of its higher efficiency compared to RON-88 Premium. With Octane-90 Pertalite, vehicle engines perform combustion more efficiently as Pertalite is suitable for cars with the latest technology and far better than Premium gasoline with RON 88. Thus, Pertalite is environmentally friendlier than Premium and makes machines more fuel-efficient.          The National Command Post of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM), which is in coordination of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulator (BPH-Migas), noted the drop by 47 percent in the consumption of Premium during the 2017 Lebaran season as compared to that during the 2016 Lebaran season.

INDONESIA'S INDUSTRIAL ZONES AWAIT JAPANESE INVESTMENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 10 (Antara) - Indonesia has continued to develop special industrial zones (KEKs) where it provides investment facilities to investors, including those coming from overseas.          Several regions in the country have proposed to the government to open KEKs to accelerate their economic development. Currently, the government has approved at least 11 KEKs, with a total investment of Rp221 trillion.          In order to further boost investment in the country's KEKs, Indonesia is promoting the potential of its economic zones abroad to attract foreign investment.      After his trip to South Korea, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto visited Japan to seek additional investment for the industrial sector in Indonesia.          "Yesterday, we met Jetro (Japan External Trade Organization) President as well as the board of directors of Sojitz Corporation. We invite them to continue to increase their investment in Indonesia," Hartarto said a written statement in Jakarta on Saturday (July 8).          Several industrial areas in Indonesia are open to receiving foreign investment, including from Japan.          Indonesia expects industries from Japan, such as those engaged in metal mineral processing, power generation, coal gasification, petrochemicals, and glass, to invest in the country's industrial sites that have been readied.

ARUN KEK EXPECTED TO BENEFIT LOCAL PEOPLE OF ACEH

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, June 8 (Antara) - The Special Economic Zones (KEKs) in the country have relatively developed well, with a total of 11 KEKs already approved by the government and with an investment of Rp221 trillion.          Arun Lhokseumawe KEK in Aceh is also included in the 11 special economic zones. Though the Arun Lhokseumawe KEK is still new and is yet to be operational, it already has at least Rp100 billion investment. It has the prospect to open a new chapter in the economic development in the country's westernmost province.          It has the potential to drive the Aceh economic development after the depletion of the province's oil and gas reserves and decline of its agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors following the tsunami disaster in late 2004.          After all, the National Council of Special Economic Zones (KEK) will shortly decide on the operational status and final evaluation of at least six KEKs in the country.          "The National Council of KEK will hold a session in the near future and decide the worthiness of those KEKs that would be operational to serve and attract investment," Wahyu Utomo, head of the executive team of the KEK National Council, informed the media in Jakarta on Thursday (July 6).

AIRPORTS LAUDED FOR SUCCESSFUL LEBARAN TRANSPORTATION

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 7 (Antara) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and Tourism Minister Arif Yahya have praised and appreciated the performance of airports in Indonesia for their successful services during the post-fasting Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran travelers exodus this year.          Transportation services through all airports under the management of airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II during this year's post-fasting Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran travelers¿ exodus was successful and better than last year.          "In general, airport operations and services during the Lebaran transportation services ran normally in a smooth and comfortable manner," PT Angkasa Pura II President Director, Muhammad Awaluddin, said in a press statement here on Friday.          This year, the increase in the number of passengers and the flight trips was coupled with the improvement in airlines¿ performance.          According to Awaluddin, although there was a significant increase in the number of extra flights, the performance of airlines was something to be proud of as it could be observed from the accuracy of the flight schedule time, which reached 80 percent.

GOVERNMENT DIRECTING INVESTORS TO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES OUTSIDE JAVA

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 7 (Antara) - Indonesia is directing foreign investors to invest in industrial areas outside Java in an effort to promote equality of economic development across the country.          Hence, in his tour of South Korea this week, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto sought to attract South Korean investors to expand their business to industrial areas outside Java, such as the Sei Mangkei Economic Zone in North Sumatra and the Morowali Industrial Park in Central Sulawesi.          "We are focusing on accelerating the development of industrial estates outside Java, as an effort to carry out equitable national economic development," said Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.          Moreover, the industrial area is included in the list of national strategic projects whose development will be accorded priority.          Airlangga made the remarks when as a speaker addressing the 8th Asian Leadership Conference with the theme of  Invest in Indonesia: Nation of Abundant Natural and Human Resources, in Seoul, South Korea.          The development of industrial estates especially outside Java has a significant role to accelerate the ideals of the government to realize equitable development in Indonesia.

MINISTRY, DIASPORA TO BOOST TRADE THROUGH HOI

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 6 (Antara) - Indonesia's diaspora is a potential asset overseas that can help the government to boost its trade and promote its tourism sector in foreign countries.          Hence, the Ministry of Trade will establish a House of Indonesia (HOI) in cooperation with members of the Indonesian diaspora in several countries in its efforts to promote trade, tourism, and investment.      The HOI is expected to present and promote Indonesia's varied potentials in several fields, particularly in the trade, tourism, and investment sectors. The HOI will comprise five main programs aimed at increasing exports: Trade Events and Sales Mission, Trade Advisory, Business Facilitation, Getting to Know the Remarkable Neighbors, and Development of an e-Business Platform.          Australia is one of the main countries in which Indonesia will establish the HOI in cooperation with members of the Indonesian diaspora. It is expected to be built in Sydney in 2019, the Ministry of Trade noted in its press statement on Monday (July 3).          The efforts of the Ministry of Trade to boost Indonesia's exports to Australia are welcomed by the Indonesian diaspora in Australia. Hence, Duliyanti Sunaryo of the Indonesian diaspora in Sydney had initiated the establishment of a house and promotional facility called HOI that is planned to be set up in Sydney in 2019.