Indonesia morning news for February 21
By Stella-maris Ewudolu on February 21, 2019
UK pledges $19.5m in grant for clean energy in Indonesia
The United Kingdom has pledged 15 million pounds (US$19.5 million) in grants to Indonesia to accelerate the development of low-carbon energy in the country.
Indonesia to relax VAT refund requirements for tourists
The Indonesian government is preparing a regulation to relax the value added tax (VAT) refund requirements for foreign tourists to support efforts to achieve this year's target to attract 20 million tourist arrivals.
Hundreds of students flee violence in Indonesia's Papua
Hundreds of students have fled fighting in Indonesia's restive Papua province, a local NGO said, amid unconfirmed reports of violent military reprisals after a massacre of civilian workers by separatist rebels.
— Rappler
Indonesia's major new gas find may delay arrival of output deficit
The discovery of a major new natural gas field in Indonesia may push back the day the country's gas consumption outpaces its production and reduce its reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), officials and analysts said on Wednesday.
Explosion at mall injures 6 people, damages 40 food counters
An explosion at a food court in the Taman Anggrek Mall in West Jakarta has injured six people and damaged 40 food counters.
Foreign Ministry, Supreme Court sign three international civil law agreements
The Foreign Ministry and Supreme Court have signed three cooperation agreements related to international civil law as part of the efforts to improve public services.
— Antara News
Election, trade war loom over Indonesian markets
Indonesia's markets have rallied hard since October but their recent pause raises questions over how vulnerable the markets still are in the face of strained US-China trade relations and with domestic elections fast approaching in April.
— Financial Times
Indonesia's climate change stakeholders boosted
The newly-launched Indonesia Low Emissions Network (ILEN) has boosted the country's aspirations of fulfilling its climate change goals as it moves to create a cleaner future.
— The Asean Post
IATA objects to Bali's tourist tax proposal
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed its objection to a plan of the Bali administration to impose a levy on foreign tourists that may be included in airline tickets.
5.9 magnitude jolts Ternate, North Maluku
An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 shook Ternate, North Maluku Province, on Wednesday at 7:10 a.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB).
Indonesia aims to be regional digital technology hub in 2020
The government has vowed to improve the regulatory framework related to Indonesia's digital economy as it aspires to become Southeast Asia's digital hub next year.
Indonesia's PLN to convert four power plants to palm-powered stations
Indonesia's state electricity utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) said will convert four power plants to use fuel made wholly from crude palm oil, director Djoko Rahardjo said.
— Reuters Africa
Groups condemn defamation lawsuit against Southeast Sulawesi journalists
Journalists and rights activists have condemned a defamation lawsuit against Fadli Aksar and Wiwid Abid Abadi, two Southeast Sulawesi journalists who wrote news reports about alleged fraud and document forgery by a legislative candidate.
KPK Hands Over Corruptor Assets Worth Rp110bn to AGO, BNN
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) handed over three assets from graft cases to the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) today, February 20. The total assets valued up to Rp110 billion.
— Tempo.co
Govt close to completing new 'super' incentives regulation
The Finance Ministry is in the process of completing a regulation that will provide the legal basis for offering fiscal incentives to businesses that establish education and research and development (R&D) centers.
Draft regulation on e-commerce to prioritize domestic products
The draft government regulation on e-commerce will prioritize domestic products, Director General of Domestic Trade of the Trade Ministry Tjahya Widayanti stated.
Under Jokowi, Indonesia's middle-class the winner of economic growth
WHEN Joko Widodo (Jokowi) took over the Indonesian presidency in 2014, he faced a stagnating poverty reduction effort and stubbornly high inequality levels.
— Asian Correspondent
Anies Baswedan Set to Abolish Land Certification Extortion
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan threatened to impose punishments for those who abuse President Jokowi's land certification distribution program through extorting the certificate's rightful owners.
Higher education minister to issue rules on academic integrity
The Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education is set to issue rules regarding academic integrity, the moral code or ethical policy of academia.
Gov't to Start Digitize 500 Traditional Markets
Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) targeted 500 traditional markets throughout Indonesia to kick off a cashless payment service until this year's end.
Handling of HIV/AIDS must be done comprehensively: social minister
Social Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that the handling of HIV/AIDS must be done comprehensively and must also involve all parties, considering the increase in number of outbreaks of the disease at an alarming rate.
Tourists support Bali tax plan. But where will the money go?
Hans van Ginneken and his wife Corrie fell in love with Bali the first time they visited the resort island several years ago.
Tough policing is restoring Indonesia's fisheries
Scuttling illegal vessels is reducing illegal activity but better cooperation with China, which owns the world's largest fleet of distant water fishing vessels, is needed. Five years ago the world's most populous archipelago nation started taking action against the decimation of its fish stocks.
— Intellasia
News Focus – MRT creates new culture of transportation
Jakarta will have its own Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, which is set to be operated in March 2019.
Uno strives to boost economy of the people
Candidate for Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Sandiaga Uno, will continue to strive to boost the economy of the people.
Indonesia caps Lunar New Year with bloody tongues, lion dances
yes rolled back in his head, a heavily tattooed Indonesian man sliced his tongue with a dagger in a bid to communicate with other-worldly spirits.
Afghani refugee chooses voluntary repatriation rather than staying in Indonesia
Many stories have been written about the incredibly difficult circumstances facing refugees who get stuck in Indonesia (generally while trying to get to a third country where they were hoping to find safety and employment, like Australia).
— Coconuts Jakarta
ConocoPhillips eyes Indonesia future with new Repsol discovery
Spain's Repsol made a new gas discovery in Indonesia just a few miles from ConocoPhillips' operations, likely sparking new interest in the Houston oil and gas firm's future in the region, according to a new report.
Government to launch LinkAja e-payment system to rival Go-Pay & Ovo in early March: State Enterprises minister
As Indonesia's fintech industry continues to grow, consumers have benefited from the rise of mobile wallets, as such as Go-Pay, Ovo and Dana, which have been trying to outdo each other by providing cashback for users on countless products and services both online and offline.
Feature photo kolibri5
Indonesia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Indonesia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities and is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Indonesia morning news for February 21 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on February 21, 2019
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Stella-maris Ewudolu
Journalist at AEC News Today
Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for 'Nollywood', Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.
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