GENERAL NEWS AND HEADLINES

Epidemiologists say transitional PSBB period in Jakarta must be extended
Detik (https://tinyurl.com/yyl7r7f2); TribunNews (https://tinyurl.com/yykhrjj9)

Epidemiologists from the University of Indonesia’s (UI) health faculty have stated that COVID-19 conditions in Jakarta are worsening. Experts have suggested that the transitional large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) period, which ends today, must be extended.

“Our team provides input to the Jakarta administration every Monday. In last Monday’s analysis, COVID-19 conditions in Jakarta had not improved and had, in fact, worsened,” said epidemiologist Iwan Ariawan on Wednesday.

In extending the transitional PSBB period, Iwan advised that the implementation of health protocols be monitored more systematically. Moreover, he added, case tracking and isolation of confirmed carriers must also be improved.

 

Jokowi appoints new undersecretary for apparatus security intelligence
The Jakarta Post (https://tinyurl.com/y35snm6p); Tempo (https://tinyurl.com/yxnoroth)

A new regulation signed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has created a new position of undersecretary responsible for performing intelligence work related to the state apparatus within the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) structure.

Enacted on July 20, Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 79/2020 on BIN replaced a previous regulation issued in 2012 on a similar matter.

According to Article 28 of the new regulation, the undersecretary for the "Apparatus Security Intelligence" department, will be responsible and answer directly to the BIN chief.

“[The undersecretary] will draft regulations and implementations for activities and/or the operation conducted by the Apparatus Security Intelligence,” the article reads.

 

Prosecutor that allegedly met with Djoko Tjandra must be dismissed: MAKI
Kompas (https://tinyurl.com/y6abv6e2)

The Indonesian Anticorruption Community (MAKI) has urged the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to dismiss the prosecutor who allegedly met with graft convict and fugitive Djoko Tjandra.

“Sanctions are not enough, [the prosecutor] should be dismissed from the prosecutor’s office,” said MAKI coordinator Boyamin Saiman through a written statement on Thursday.

A photo of the prosecutor, Pinangki Sirna Malasari, with someone suspected to be Djoko and his lawyer Anita Kolopaking, previously circulated on social media. The meeting allegedly took place in Malaysia.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS NEWS AND HEADLINES

BI: Money growth slows in June
Kontan, (https://tinyurl.com/yxqqqhtk); CNN Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/yyvwasy9) 

Bank Indonesia recorded 8.2 percent year-on-year (yoy) growth in broad money supply (M2) in June to Rp 6.4 quadrillion (US$440 billion), slower than May’s growth rate at 10.4 percent yoy. BI spokesperson Onny Widjanarko said narrow money supply in June only grew by 8.2 percent yoy to Rp 1.67 quadrillion, less than the previous month at 9.7 percent yoy. Meanwhile, quasi-money, which consists of securities and foreign exchange deposits, increased 8.1 percent yoy to Rp 4.7 quadrillion, compared to 10.5 percent yoy in May.

 

Energy ministry mulls new incentive scheme for geothermal energy sector
CNN Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/yxaeldmx) 

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is mulling a new incentive scheme to boost investment in the geothermal energy sector. The ministry’s renewable energy director general, FX Sutijastoto, said the new incentive scheme was compensation for high-risk, high investment costs in the sector. According to the ministry’s projection, the incentive would reduce the geothermal energy price to the range of 2.5 cents to 4 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). The new incentive scheme will be included in the new presidential regulation draft on renewable energy.

 

Govt announces Rp 2.4 million cash transfer for MSMEs
CNBC Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/y3vhq97j) 

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will provide Rp 2.4 million (US$165) in cash transfers for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). National economic recovery task force head Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the cash transfers were necessary to accelerate the country’s economic recovery. The government will also provide Rp 2 million in working capital loans with a 12-month maturity period and subsidized rate of zero percent to MSMEs. 

 

Tobacco farmers urge Jokowi to protect tobacco industry
Kontan, (https://tinyurl.com/yy9naj6c), (https://tinyurl.com/yxcf2ex5) 

The Indonesian Tobacco Farmers Association’s (APTI) Central Java chapter has urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to make good on his campaign promise of providing more protection within the tobacco industry. APTI Central Java chapter head Nurtanio Wisnu Brata said the issuance of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 18/2020 concerning the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) threatened the sustainability of the tobacco industry. The Finance Ministry issued Finance Ministerial Regulation (PMK) No. 77/2020 as a follow-up to the Perpres to reduce tobacco consumption.

Download PDF