PRESIDENT ORDERS SPEED ACTION TO HANDLE PALU QUAKE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 29 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo immediately ordered government agencies and Chief Political, Legal and Security Minister Wiranto to handle the impact of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that jolted Central Sulawesi on Friday evening.         "Before sunset, just now, a quake shook Central Sulawesi and its surrounding areas," he said on Fariday evening. He kept monitoring the development after the quake at 5:02 p.m with its epicenter in the district of Donggala.           "I am monitoring the situation and have ordered all the government agencies concerned to be ready to meet any eventualities after the quake," he said. The President also called on people in the affected areas to remain calm.       The head of state also ordered Wiranto to coordinate efforts to mitigate the impact of the earthquake.        "I have ordered the Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security to coordinate," President Joko Widodo said in Solo on Friday.  President Jokowi also called on the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander and ordered him to jointly deal with the disaster, especially relating to emergency handling, searching for victims and evacuation and preparing the basic needs.

GOVERNMENT BOOSTS UNICORN DEVELOPMENT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 25 (Antara) - Rapid technological advancements have enabled Indonesia to boost the development of its digital-based businesses, startup firms, and unicorn companies, thus projected to become Southeast Asia's biggest digital economy in 2020.         In the development of startup companies, for instance, Indonesia is ranked fourth in the world, with 1,720 startups. Following the success, Indonesia is eager to transform startups into unicorns, pioneer firms, with valuation of at least US$1 billion.         Until now, Indonesia is the biggest country in Southeast Asia in terms of unicorn development. Of the only seven unicorn firms in Southeast Asia, four belong to Indonesia.         This places Indonesia in the fourth rank in the development of unicorns at par with Germany.         According to Communications and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara, entering a digital-based economy, Indonesia is fortunate to have several large startups called unicorns.         The achievements of young Indonesians are able to carve out a legacy or inheritance at an international level that is not only sweet to remember but also serves as an inspiration to other children of the nation.         "The so-called unicorn, with a proud performance, contributes significantly to the nation's economy," he noted.

AUDIT NEEDED TO END RICE IMPORT POLEMIC

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 23 (Antara) - The polemic on whether Indonesia needs to import rice once again surfaces in public discourses, prompting the Ombudsman to call on the government to carry out auditing on rice stock and logistics warehouse capacity.          Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has permits for the importation of two million tons of rice this year, saying imports is needed to guarantee adequate stock in anticipation of shortfall in domestic supply.          However, Head of the State Logistics Board (Bulog) Budi Waseso and Agriculture Minister Andi Amran were against the rice imports.       Indonesia will not need to import rice, as it has adequate supply of the staple commodity to meet demand until June 2019, Budi Waseso stated.          Waseso told the press in Jakarta on Wednesday (Sept 19) that he had formed a team involving the Agriculture Ministry, Bulog, and independent experts to analyze the national rice demand and supply.          "The team has recommended that we do not need to import until June 2019. Moreover, Bulog might also not have to release its imported rice stock. We have to maintain it. We should not rely on imports," Waseso, popularly known as Buwas, revealed.

CZECH REPUBLIC EYES RAILROAD PROJECTS IN INDONESIA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 19 (Antara) - The Czech Republic has high technology and expertise in the construction of railway project, while Indonesia is now intensifying its infrastructure development, including railroads.          Hence, the Czech Republic during the visit of Czech Republic Parliament Senate President Milan Stech, is exploring the possibility of cooperation in the development of railway projects in Indonesia.        According to Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, the Czech Republic and Indonesia can cooperate not only in the railway project but also in other sectors. Therefore, both sides need to establish a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) to expand cooperation between the two countries.          "Some of our manufacturing products have the potential to penetrate the Czech market, including textiles and clothing, footwear, wooden-based furniture, as well as pulp and paper," he stated.           But more importantly, according to Hartarto, the Czech Republic has a rubber processing industry that is quite competitive, such as tire factories. Indonesia has a railroad industry that has been able to produce various components and railway infrastructure, for instance, rolling stock, rail tracks, and signaling systems.

INDONESIA, CZECH NEED CEPA TO FOSTER ECONOMIC TIES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 18 (Antara) - Indonesia and the Czech Republic need to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further boost economic ties between the two countries.          Although the Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, which already has such a scheme, namely the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA), yet bilaterally, CEPA with the Czech is not less important.          The agreement is expected to boost trade growth between Indonesia and the European countries, considering that EU is a strategic trading partner for Indonesia, with total trade between the two sodes in 2017 amounting to US$29 billion.          The sixth round of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) negotiations will be held in Indonesia in October 2018.          This week, a Czech Senate delegation is on a visit to Indonesia. It brought along representatives from the Czech Chamber of Commerce, including its Deputy Chair, Michael Steffi.          The Czech delegation is expected to also support the acceleration of the implementation of the I-EU CEPA.

TOBACCO CONTROL SHOULD NOT BE A MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 15 (Antara) - People have been consuming tobacco or smoking cigarettes since time immemorial, but global efforts have been made to protect people after the medical world found it to be dangerous to health.         Yet, the global effort is like a mission impossible as tobacco is not only a threat to health but also a commodity that helps generate the economy where the interference of the cigarette industry into the government in Asian countries is so great.          The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) as part of the efforts to eliminate the ill effects of tobacco on human health. The FCTC also is initiated by developing countries of the WHO members and was agreed in 2003.          Ironically, Indonesia, which is one of the initiators along with Latin America, India, and Thailand, has yet to accede to the convention.           The government's hesitance to ratify the convention is viewed as odd, especially during a time when 180 countries in the world have acceded to the FCTC, realizing the importance of controlling tobacco consumption.

STRONG DOLLAR BRINGS BENEFIT TO EXPORT-ORIENTED INDUSTRY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 14 (Antara) - Against the backdrop of outcries on the US dollar's appreciation, export-oriented industry could adversely reap benefit from the greenback strengthening.          The rupiah currency which last January was about Rp13,300 per US dollar has fallen sharply, even reaching Rp14,922 (about 12.1 percent) per US dollar on Wednesday last week (Sept 5). It far exceeded the 2018 State Budget assumption set at Rp13,400 per US dollar.  Bank Indonesia's middle rupiah exchange rate was recorded at Rp14,927.           However, the rupiah's fall does not necessarily means catastrophe for the business sector in the country, as export-oriented local industry could adversely reap profit.        This  includes cottage industry which produces handicraft products and batik clothes,  or even the fisheries and agricultural sectors which produce fish and palm oil products.           Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for Pekalongan city in Central Java, Nanggolo Wulyo Waniaji, said on Tuesday that handicraft businesses gained more benefits due to the strengthening of the greenback against the rupiah.

INDONESIA SETS SIGHTS ON CHINA'S INVESTORS, MARKETS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 13 (Antara) - Indonesia perceives China as having huge economic potential that could offer a marketplace for exports and a source of business to attract investors.         Hence, Indonesia always takes part in business events, such as international trade fair and investment, where it can promote its products and investment potentials.         The China-ASEAN EXPO (CAEXPO), held on September 12-15, 2018, and the recently concluded China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) are two business events that Indonesia will not let go without participation.         This is since Indonesia is doing its best to attract investors from CIFIT held in Xiamen, China, on September 8-11, 2018, and to promote its products through the 15th CAEXPO 2018.         According to Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun, CIFIT is an event that holds potential during which Indonesia can attract investors.         "Last year, some 120 thousand people had visited the fair, with about five thousand firms showcasing their products. This year, the fair is forecast to be attended by more visitors and companies, so it is very strategic for us to attract investors," Djauhari Oratmangun noted in Beijing on Tuesday (Sept 11).

BENGKULU MARKS ISLAMIC NEW YEAR WITH 'TABOT' FESTIVAL

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 11 (Antara) - The Islamic New Year 1440 Hegira, which, based on the Islamic calendar falls on Tuesday (Sept 11), is not merely a new year for Bengkulu province in Sumatra.          Islamic New Year for Bengkulu bears a very significant historic value which is linked not only to the new year itself but also to an event when one of the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad was murdered at the Karbala desert in Iraq.          On every Islamic New Year, Bengkulu, therefore, organizes various rituals to observe the saddest event. While it has religious and historic values, the rituals include certain festivals that are now becoming interesting events. Hence, the rituals carried out through the festival also serve as a means of attracting tourism.          The local government has even organized the rituals, also known as 'Tabot Festival,' as an annual event in its tourism development program. Literally, tabot means a wooden box. This might refer to the coffin of Prophet Muhmmad's grandson Imam Hussein, who was slain in Karbala desert.           This year, Tabot Festival 2018 will last from Sept 11 to Sept 20. Bengkulu Acting Governor Rohidin Mersyah stated in Bengkulu on Tuesday that the festival is one of the Wonderful Indonesia events of the Ministry of Tourism.

RESEARCHERS TO STANDARDIZE HERB MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 8 (Antara) - Researchers are studying the medicinal properties of medical plants to standardize their effectiveness based on scientific evidence, so they can serve as an alternative to chemical drugs that are relatively more expensive.          "This time, herbal medicines are considered to be less effective, as they are not based on scientific evidence. Hence, later on, every plant having medicinal properties will be cultivated by standard," Head of the Bio Technology Program of the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology Chaidir stated in Jakarta on Tuesday (Sept 4).           Herbal medicines, which are more affordable, can replace chemical drugs, especially for treating serious diseases. In addition, herbal medicines could be included in the Indonesian National Health Insurance System (BJS) formulary scheme.           In order to achieve this goal, Chaidir said the research approach should be carried out comprehensively. Medicinal plants, with healing properties, must be cultivated and be standardized, starting from nurseries to planting and post harvest. The extraction must be as prescribed to maintain the quality chain of medicinal raw materials.          Hence, the development and research of herbal medicines will use biosynthetic raw materials that can be mass produced to reduce the use of raw materials directly sourced from forests.

GOVERNMENT WARNED OF FALLING RUPIAH VALUES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 5 (Antara) - The government is warned of possible adverse effects of the depreciation of the rupiah value against the US dollar, which can reduce the people's purchasing power and cause companies to lay off workers.          In the face of the falling value of the rupiah, which on Wednesday reached Rp14,922 per US dollar from Rp14,896 on the previous day, the government must focus on resolving the problem.          "This is the time for the government and the business world to sit together to address the rupiah depreciation that burdens the community. I am worried that the increase in prices and production costs of companies will lead to layoffs," Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, a politician with a business background, and the running mate of presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto, stated.          Uno even noted that is not the time to mix politics with economics issues. He noted that the Indonesian peoples should not spend more time dealing with politics. "We should not mix economics with politics. Just focus on the economy first, that is what we hope for," Uno remarked.