GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO IMPROVE DATA ON RICE PRODUCTION

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 24 (Antara) -  The government needs to improve its data on rice production, as accurate figures will be important in deciding whether the country requires rice imports or not.          Last month, there was a debate as to whether Indonesia needed to import rice, mainly because data on rice production was not the same at a number of state agencies.          Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita had permits for the importation of two million tons of rice this year, saying imports were needed to guarantee adequate stocks, in anticipation of shortfall in domestic supplies.         Therefore, observers and the ombudsman called upon the government to improve its data. Further, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on Monday, said that there was no need to import rice, as the state logistics board (Bulog) still had adequate stocks of rice, reaching 2.2 million tons.          Al-Azhar University Criminal Law Observer Suparji Ahmad has recommended that the debate about the differences in data about rice should be resolved.          "The State Audit Board (BPK) must dare to audit it thoroughly. The difference in data is too great, and this concerns the lives of many people," Suparji said.          According to Suparji, BPK audit results can be used by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as preliminary data if there are indications of fraud.

RUPIAH TO BE STABLE AT ITS NEW EQUILIBRIUM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 20 (Antara) - The Indonesian rupiah this week hit its new equilibrium in value of Rp15,000 per US dollar which analysts said would not return to the level of Rp13 thousand or 14 thousand against the greenback.         Rector of Atma Jaya University Agustinus Prasetyantoko said it would be difficult for the rupiah to regain a stronger exchange rate amid the global uncertainty, which is expected to continue next year.         Yet, according to Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo, the exchange value of the rupiah in its new equilibrium has been in a stable level based on the market mechanism. The rupiah has continued to depreciate since early this year.          For the first time since December 2015, the rupiah broke the psychological level of Rp14 thousand against the US dollar on May 7, 2018. It traded at Rp14,003 per dollar in the spot market. And this week it again broke another psychological level of Rp15 thousand per US dollar. On Friday (Oct 19) it was traded at Rp15.221 per US dollar     However, the depreciation of the Indonesia's currency exchange rate might be good for investment if it combines with the regulation's consistency and efficiency, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

NTB TO PROMOTE ITS HALAL TOURISM DURING IMF-WB MEETING

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 2 (Antara) - West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province is eager to attract as many foreign tourists as possible through its halal tourism program.              Being one of the 10 regions the government is developing as halal tourism destination regions, NTB is therefore setting sights on the International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) annual meeting in Bali to promote halal tourism.               The IMF-WB annual meetings, which will take place in Nusa Dua Bali from Oct 8 to 14 and will be attended by around 17,000 invitees from 189 countries, are potential forums for NTB to promote its tourism, particularly delegates who come from countries grouped in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).              Many of the delegates are also expected to take the opportunity to bring members of their families to holiday in Bali and other places in Indonesia.              NTB is one of the 10 provinces being developed as halal tourist destination regions, which comprise six provinces or special regions in Java (Banten, Jakarta, West Java, and Central Java, in addition to Yogyakarta and East Java), two in Sumatra (West Sumatra and Aceh), one in Kalimantan (South Kalimantan) and one in Nusa Tenggara (West Nusa Tenggara/NTB).              Amid Indonesia's intensive promotion over the development of halal tourism, NTB is doing its best to attract tourists from Muslim nations, particularly countries in the Middle East.

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.