TORAJA READIES TO OFFER UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS TO IMF-WB DELEGATES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 31 (Antara) - South Sulawesi's Toraja tourist resort region is gearing up to offer a unique experience to thousands of delegates arriving to attend the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank (WB) annual meetings in Bali in October.     The Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita) has continued to strengthen coordination with the local governments of the districts of Tana Toraja and North Toraja in the face of the IMF-WB annual meetings.         Toraja, or also often called Tana Toraja, is one of the scenic regions comprising two districts in South Sulawesi. From afar, one can spot the jagged ridges of the hill stretching side by side along the slopes of the mountains.         Moreover, one can also enjoy the sights of valleys, with bamboo and sugar palms, and traditional houses with curved roofs among the paddy fields, beautiful and naturally carved and colored by the skillful people of Toraja.           Hence, Head of the South Sulawesi branch of Asita Didi L. Manaba remarked in Makassar on Saturday (Mar 31) that his side had met the governments of the two districts to optimize the various concepts or destination programs to be offered to members of the IMF-WB delegations to visit Toraja's tourism destinations.

GOVERNMENT USES DEBTS PRUDENTLY

  

By Andi Abdussalam           Jakarta, March 30 (Antara) - If compared with that in 1998, which reached US$130 billion, the government's external debt now is far larger, as it accounts for $357.5 billion.          Yet, the government claimed it is manageable and productive, as the country's foreign exchange reserves (forex) in 1998 were only $20 billion, or about 15 percent of the debt, while in 2018 the amount of the forex reached $131 billion, or almost 35 percent of the external debt.          Indonesia's gross domestic product in 2018 reached almost $1 trillion, while its debts only accounts for 35 percent of the GDP, which is still below the tolerance 60 percent, limit based on the country's financial law. Indonesia shares the same level as those of Brazil and Thailand, but is far worse than those of the United States, which reaches 106 percent, and Japan at 250 percent.         However, seeing the large amount of the government's external debts,  Deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nur Wahid has asked the government  to evaluate the use of its debts.

IMF-WB MEETINGS EXPECTED TO YIELD TOURISM BENEFITS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 29 (Antara) - The International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) annual meetings, expected to attract 15 thousand delegates, investors, observers, journalists, and other foreign guests, is a major event that will offer significant tourism benefits.          Hence, the Indonesian government, particularly the Ministry of Tourism, is making all-out efforts to finalize preparations and to promote its tourism in the run-up to the international event to take place for about a week in the Indonesian tourist resort province of Bali next October.          The organizing committee has estimated that four thousand official delegates of the levels of ministers and Central Bank governors as well as officials from 189 member countries of the IMF and World Bank will attend the meeting.          Some five thousand investors, one thousand observers, 1,500 IMF and World Bank employees, thousands of businesspersons, and one thousand journalists are also expected to participate in the IMF-WB annual meetings. The peak of the event will take place on Oct 12-14, but business discussions and talks on the sidelines of the meeting will be held on Oct 8-14.

INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL SECTOR PROMISING

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 29 (Antara) - The people's life in the future will lie in the digital world so that those who are still stuck in the conventional system will be left behind.          This prompts people to look forward to the development of digital technology, boosting investment in the digital sector and providing momentum to grow.          Hence, the amount of investment in the digital sector in the country is expected to increase significantly this year, in line with the improvement of the ease of doing business.          Foreign investment coming into Indonesia's digital sector in 2017 reached US$4.7 billion. This is evidenced by the existence of four startup companies with the unicorn status in Southeast Asia based in Indonesia.         The term unicorn is given to start-up companies with valuations of $1 billion.         Previously, a digital technology company from Malaysia, Toga Limited expressed interest to invest in the startup company managed by Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) Incubator with budgeted funds of $10-15 million.

INDONESIAN CENTRAL BANK GETS NEW GOVERNOR

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 28 (Antara) - The House of Representatives (DPR), through its Commission XI on banking affairs, in a fit and proper test session on Wednesday endorsed the candidacy of Perry Warjiyo  as the new Bank Indonesia (BI) governor.          "After holding an internal meeting, all the members of Commission XI from 10 factions in the DPR agreed to elect Perry Warjiyo as  BI governor and Dody Budi Waluyo as BI deputy governor by acclamation,"  Chief of the House Commission XI, Melchias Markus Mekeng said.          Warjiyo, who was elected for the 2018-2023 term, replacing outgoing Agus Martowardojo, is a senior deputy governor of BI who was picked up last month by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as the sole candidate for the BI governor's post.           President Jokowi has nominated Warjiyo for the post of new governor of BI, as he is viewed as a potential candidate for his seniority and experience as the deputy governor of the institution since 2013. The President¿s letter of nomination of Warjio was sent to the DPR by the Presidential Secretariat office on February 23, 2018. The president remarked that Warjiyo is competent and has the ability to control any issue and handle challenges that BI must address.

EYEING SIXTH PLACE IN ASIAN GAMES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 27 (Antara) - The 18th Asian Games, to be held in Jakarta and Palembang in August 2018, is a mega sporting event in which some 45 countries will compete to showcase their superiority in sports.           Indonesia is poised to stand in the top 10, but a professor of sports said he would like to see Indonesia to secure the sixth ranking.          Indonesia should be able to finish in the sixth place in line with its target to emerge as one of the top 10 winners in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta this year.          Prof. James Tangkudung of the Jakarta State University stated in Jakarta on Monday that the trust placed on Indonesia to host the Asian Games 2018 should serve as a momentum to boost the nation's achievements in sports.         "The improved achievement in sports will be significant if Indonesia, as a major country and once a Southeast Asian sporting giant, is capable of beating Thailand in the 2018 Asian Games," he remarked.          The target of beating Thailand, which finished in sixth place in the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea, should serve as a motivation for all sports stakeholders in the country to improve achievements in sports at this year's 18th Asian Games.

GOVERNMENT TO CUT TOLL ROAD TARIFF RATES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 26 (Antara) - The government plans to lower next week toll road tariff rates which are considered too high and have been complained of by many toll road users.          Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi expects that toll tariffs will be cut by 20 percent following  the government's decision to extend the periods of toll road operators' (BUJT's) business concessions.          The toll rate is to be lowered after the government considered extending the concession period of BUJT with a tax burden of about 15-20 percent. "So the toll rates can be cut by half," Sumadi said after giving a speech at the first anniversary of Papernusa firm in Jakarta on Sunday (March 25).         The government will also provide tax breaks for goods transportation so that logistics transportation cost would not be burdensome. The highest toll road tariff rate will be reduced by half or down to about 40 percent.           Later there will be a change in the classification of logistics trucks. The vehicle of logistics truck will be changed, according to Minister Sumadi. Rates that are so expensive will be cheaper. "For example,  toll road tariffs in East Java, now Rp180,000, will be reduced to Rp90,000,"he said.

GARUDA GOES ALL OUT TO BRING TOURISTS HOME

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 24 (Antara) - Indonesia's national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is going all out to fly international tourists, particularly from India, China, and others countries, as part of its effort to help boost the country's tourism.         China and India are the second and third largest foreign tourist supplier countries to Indonesia after Australia. As Bali is Indonesia¿s popular tourist resort island, Garuda Indonesia is seeking direct flights from Denpasar (provincial capital of Bali) to other parts of China and India.         For example, Garuda will increase the frequency of its direct flight for the Shanghai-Denpasar route of China starting from May 2, 2018, and Mumbai-Denpasar route of India starting from April 23, 2018.         The flights will be serviced twice a week, namely Monday and Thursday at 15:40 local time, with a flight time of about seven hours. The state-owned carrier plans to increase the schedule to thrice a week after the inaugural flight in May 2018.

KKP CONTINUES TO DEVELOP FISHERIES SECTOR IN EASTERN REGIONS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 24 (Antara) - The government, through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), is focusing its attention on developing the fisheries sector in the eastern regions of Indonesia.          Fisheries is one of the sectors being developed to boost public welfare in the eastern regions, which are relatively lagging behind as compared with those in the western parts of the country.          To this end, a senior official of the KKP had visited Maluku Province to review fisheries development programs in the eastern regions.          "Especially in Maluku and Papua," Director General of Capture Fisheries of the KKP Ministry Sjarief Wijaja had stated in Tual, Maluku, on Friday (Mar 23).          Wijaja, in the company of representatives from state-owned port operator PT Pelindo and state-owned shipping firm PT Pelni, had paid a visit to Tual City to also review its Nusantara Fishery Port that is used as an export base.

INDONESIA SETS EXAMPLE IN PEATLAND MANAGEMENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 22 (Antara) - Indonesia is considered to have been successful in reducing its forest and peatland fires, which often disturb the activities of people not only at home but also in neighboring countries.          But due to the extensive acreage of its peatlands, which some claim to reach 20 million hectares, Indonesia still needs more experts. According to Director of the Indonesian Institute of Agroecology (INAgri), Syahroni, Indonesia needs more peat experts to formulate a prudent strategy to ensure optimal utilization.          While it still needs peatland experts, the country has demonstrated its success in managing its peatlands. It has even set itself as an example of a successful country in peatland management.          Indonesia has brought this peatland diplomacy to a global level, especially at the Global Peatland Initiative Working Group Meeting in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo.          For the success of Indonesia, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, at the meeting, was not only an ordinary participant but also a keynote speaker in ministerial dialogue at the international meeting.

PLASTIC WASTE CAN BE A TIME BOMB

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 21 (Antara) - Plastic and Styrofoam products have made life so simple and easy for mankind. Plastic bags, plastic dishes, and plastic packages are among items that can make life trouble-free.          By using plastic wares, housewives and other residents can skip washing dishes. After use, plastic items can just easily be disposed of, especially into the sea, without causing trouble to maintain them. But not many are aware that it could have far-reaching repercussions. It is a time bomb.         After all, Indonesia is rated the second biggest plastic contributor to the sea after China. "We have thrown almost 160 million tons of plastic waste into the sea. One day, the Indonesian sea will contain more plastic than fish," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti stated in Mimika on Tuesday, while launching the corporate social responsibility (CSR) program of the United State-based copper and gold mining firm, PT Freeport Indonesia.          According to the minister, the plastic waste issue can become a time bomb for the Indonesian people if the waste disposed in the gullies and waters are not immediately handled.

BANKS CHECKING PAYMENT SYSTEMS TO PREVENT THEFT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 21 (Antara) - Indonesian banks, particularly large state-owned lenders Bank BNI and Bank Mandiri, are checking their payment systems, following incidents of siphoning off of customers' funds at state-owned Bank Rakyat's (BRI's) Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).          Jakarta Regional Police investigators have revealed a network responsible for an ATM skimming scam, involving Romanians, Hungarians, and an Indonesian, hacking into 64 banks, including foreign banks.          "Foreign banks have also become the target," Adjunct Commissioner Rovan Richard Mahenu of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Police stated in Jakarta on Friday (March 16).          The recent case is the theft of state-owned BRI customers' data by the syndicate, where the suspects withdrew money from ATMs in some regions.          In order to avoid further incidents, banks are checking their payment devices. Bank Mandiri, for example, claimed to be checking its ATMs. Bank Mandiri Corporate Secretary Rohan Hafas remarked that his bank has to assure the security of its payment system.

INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA FOSTER ECONOMIC TIES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 17 (Antara) - Indonesia and Australia continued to foster their economic ties in the face of shifting of the economic center from the Atlantic to the Pacific region.           Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who is on a visit to Sydney to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2018, used the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday.          On the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, the Indonesian president addressed a CEO forum at the International Convention Center, Sydney, which was also attended by Turnbull.         At the bilateral meeting, Jokowi and Turnbull discussed the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). The last negotiation on IA-CEPA was conducted on March 6 and 7.         "There is progress, but it has not yet been fully achieved; the final result of the negotiations should ensure benefits for the two countries not only from the commercial aspect but also with emphasis on partnership and cooperation," Jokowi remarked.

PGN GAINING MOMENTUM TO INCREASE GAS SALES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 16 (Antara) - State-owned gas distributor company PGN is gaining momentum to increase its sales following the upward trend in coal prices which have exceeded US$100 per tonne.          According to PGN Corporate Secretary Rachmat Hutama, the gas product of the company could become an alternative to coal consumers such as power generators following the increase in the coal prices.   As a result, PGN is ready to meet the increasing demand for gas supplies from power plants amid the rising prices.          Coal prices have continued to rise in recent months with high demand across Asian nations such as China, India and Vietnam. In the face of increasing prices, the government has also raised its coal benchmark price (HBA).          According to data from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry on Thursday (March 8), the HBA for coal was set at $101.86 per tonne for March, 2018. It is an increase of 1.16 percent from $100.69 per tonne in February.          The rise in coal prices could lead power companies to switch to natural gas. PGN is currently continuing to work with state-owned electricity firm PLN to meet the gas supply needs for power plants.

INASGOC PREPARING LIVE BROADCAST FOR ASIAN GAMES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta,  March 15  (Antara) - The  Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC)  is preparing facilities for broadcasting live of sport events of the Asian Games in Jakarta, Palembang and in a number of locations in West Java next August.              "We have to provide at least two cabins for the production of television live broadcasts in every game arena because a number of sports have a lot of events like athletics," said INASGOC Broadcasting Director Linda Wahyudi in Jakarta on Thursday (March 15).              As a means of supporting direct broadcast facility, the live television production cabin, according to Linda, is more needed rather than the outdoor broadcasting van (OB Van) or  Satellite News Gathering  (SNG) cars.              Linda said each television production cabin can accommodate broadcast production from five to 10 cameras. While the sports branches with a lot of matches such as athletics require up to 20 cameras for the production of television broadcasts.              "We are also setting up a number of cabins on the track discipline cycling race located at Jakarta's Rawamangun Velodrome and discipline road race. For downhill and BMX disciplines, we will only provide SNG cars," Linda said.

ECONOMIST WELCOMES GOVERNMENT'S BENCHMARK PRICE OF COAL

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 13 (Antara) - In an effort to protect state-owned electricity company PLN from being affected by the increase in coal price, the government has set a benchmark price of the commodity for PLN's domestic coal-fired power generators.          The price of coal continues to increase over the past several months as demand from Asian countries, such as China, India, and Vietnam, is on the rise. The price is now about US$100 per ton.          Based on the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministerial Decree No. 1320 K/32/MEM/2018, the benchmark price of coal (HBA) for March 2018 is set at $101.86 per ton. However, for PLN, especially for its power plants which are expected to provide electricity for the community, the price of coal (HBA for PLN) is set at about $70 per ton.          This is to help PLN maintain its electricity tariffs in order to protect the purchasing power of people and competitive industries.          Energy economics observer from the University of Gajah Mada (UGM), Fahmy Radhi, considers the government's decision to set the selling price of coal for domestic power plants at $70 per ton as quite realistic.

PBB WINS BATTLE TO CONTEST IN 2019 ELECTIONS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 6 (Antara) - The Crescent Star Party (PBB) was not mentioned when the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced last month the eligible political parties to contest in the 2019  presidential and legislative elections.         The PBB was said to have failed in fulfilling the requirements for participating in the 2019 elections. Yet the decision was challenged by the PBB by filing a petition with the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).          The Bawaslu on Sunday night (March 4), ruled in favor of PBB saying it is eligible to take part in the 2019 elections. Therefore, the KPU decided to stipulate PBB as eligible party to contest the 2018 elections.          In its open plenary meeting on Tuesday night the KPU officially stipulated that PBB is eligible to the 2019 presidential and legislative elections. The decision to include PBB as one of the electoral contestants in the 2019 elections followed the Bawaslu's ruling, which had decided that PBB deserved participation in the elections.

GOVERNMENT STILL NEEDS TO PROMOTE 3,829-MW POWER PROJECTS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 6 (Antara) - The government still needs to further promote its electricity programs to realize its 35 thousand megawatt (MW) power development target.          So far, of the 35 thousand megawatt target, only some 31,171 MW have been covered in work contracts, either of state-owned electricity firm PLN or private companies. Of the 31,171-MW, some 1,362-MW had been operational, 17,116-MW are in the construction phase and 12,693-MW are still in the construction plan.          Thus, to meet the 35 thousand megawatts, the government still runs short of 3,829-MW, it still has to promote to the private sector.          The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has reported the progress of the government's 35-thousand megawatt electricity development it has done until February 2018.          Until February this year, based on data monitored by Antara in Jakarta on the official website of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, power plants under this program that have been operational have reached a capacity 1,362-MW while plants which are still in the construction phase have a total capacity of 17,116 MW.

BI GOVERNOR'S CANDIDATE VIEWED AS SEASONED MONETARY STRATEGIST

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 3 (Antara) - Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) Perry Warjiyo selected by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as the sole candidate for the BI governor's post is being viewed as a seasoned strategist in the monetary sector.          Named as the sole candidate for the BI governor's post for the 2018-2013 term of office, Warjiyo is believed to have expertise in monetary affairs and skills in the macro-prudential sector.          "He has adequate technical capabilities and longstanding experience in the issuance of important policies of the BI," House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo had stated in Jakarta on Tuesday (Feb 27).          President Jokowi has nominated Warjiyo for the post of new governor of BI, as he is viewed as a potential candidate for his seniority and experience as the deputy governor of the institution since 2013.          "We have sent it (the candidate's name) to the House of Representatives (DPR), so just ask them. It is only the name of Perry Warjiyo," President Jokowi had noted during a visit to the Delta Silicon Industrial Complex in Cikarang, West Java, on Tuesday (Feb 27).          The letter was submitted by the Presidential Secretariat office to the DPR on February 23, 2018. The president remarked that Warjiyo is competent and has the ability to control any issue and handle challenges that BI must address.

IMF DIRECTOR VISITS TANAH ABANG TEXTILE MARKET

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 2 (Antara) - IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, last week, to observe economic activities and development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia's largest textile market.     President Jokowi took Lagarde to Tanah Abang to witness first-hand the development of SMEs in Indonesia. The IMF managing director visited Tanah Abang on the sidelines of her week-long visit to review the preparations for holding the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bali in October 2018.         With over 19 thousand stalls and 75 thousand shoppers per day, Tanah Abang is the largest textile and garment center in Southeast Asia. Shoppers will find a vast array of items in textile blocks, including kids and adult fashion products, Muslim wear, jeans, underwear, batik items, bags and footwear, special upscale boutiques, and several others at an attractive wholesale price.         Tanah Abang Market has a long-standing history and was firstly developed by a property owner Justin Vinck on August 30, 1735. At first, the Tanah Abang Market remained open only every Saturday and was called the Saturday Market. However, by the time, Tanah Abang, or popularly known as Pasar Tanah Abang, was able to compete with Pasar Senen, another traditional market that is older and more popular at that time.

OIL HOLDING FIRM CAN BE FORMED AFTER REVISION OF OIL LAW

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 1 (Antara) - The plan to establish a state-owned oil and gas holding company has been discussed for more than two years, but it has not been carried out till date.           A holding company will make state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina more efficient as it will eliminate the overlapping of its tasks with that of the state-owned gas distributor company (PGN).        According to Minister of State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Rini Soemarno, Pertamina would be made an oil and gas holding company and PGN would become its subsidiary.           Without a holding company, the development of gas pipeline network will see an overlap in work. But with a state-owned holding company, there will be only one authority to implement the policy.           The presence of a holding firm for oil and gas will make it easier to put in place oil and gas policies in the upstream and downstream areas. As of now, the policy for upstream areas is different from that for the downstream ones.