Day: April 15, 2022

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has advised travelers to travel early during the Eid al-Fitr exodus period to avoid heavy traffic.

“We suggest residents travel early (during the Eid exodus period). They can commence their travel on April 25 or 26 (2022),” Sumadi said after presiding over a coordination meeting on traffic movement and peak traffic anticipation on toll roads during the 2022 Eid exodus period, at the Main Cikampek Toll Gate, West Java, on Friday.

The government has allowed civil state apparatus and employees of private entities to use their annual leave to extend their homecoming period, before or after the designated collective leave and holidays, he said.

The minister pointed out that the Joint Ministerial Decision has designated April 29 and May 4, 5, and 6, 2022, as collective leave days to complement the Eid al-Fitr holiday on April 2 and 3.

“We know that residents have not returned to their hometown for two years, and they are yearning to travel so much. Therefore, we are committed to providing appropriate services for them (during the exodus period),” Sumadi remarked.

He affirmed the ministry’s commitment to coordinating and collaborating with the relevant stakeholders, including the police and state-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga, to manage traffic on toll roads.

Some traffic modifications that will be implemented during the 2022 Eid al-Fitr holiday period are one-way, contraflow, and odd-even plate number restriction schemes, he informed.

“We will seek the best measure to ensure a safe, comfortable, and health homecoming travel,” Sumadi said.

Meanwhile, the Police’s Traffic Corps head, Inspector General Firman Santyabudi, said that the police are ready to coordinate and monitor traffic conditions before the Eid al-Fitr exodus period.

“On-site officers will follow all instructions that would depend on actual conditions,” he added.

Santyabudi also said that the police has the latest data on traffic conditions and volumes to prevent possible losses due to traffic management miscalculation.

“(The data is to help) officers decide their activities properly. We will keep coordinating (with all stakeholders),” the traffic corps head remarked.

Source: Antara News

The Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) has said that Phase 1 of the accelerated development of 4G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in the outermost, underdeveloped, and frontier (3T) areas has reached 86-percent completion.

Currently, the 4G BTS have been developed and operated in 1,900 sites out of the 4,200 targeted sites, BAKTI president director Anang Latif informed in a statement received here on Friday.

The development is targeted to be finished in 2022.

“The state budget allocated for the construction of the 4,200 4G BTS is Rp11 trillion (US$762 million),” the president director said.

One of the biggest expenditures from the budget have been logistics costs since many development sites do not have adequate physical infrastructure, thus the locations have to be reached by helicopter, he noted.

“Meanwhile, the construction of Phase 2 of the 4G BTS at 3,704 locations will be completed in stages according to the states’ fiscal availability,” he disclosed.

The development of digital infrastructure in remote villages is not easy since there are a number of local challenges, including difficult geographical terrains, logistical problems, inadequate transportation, and limited human resources, he said.

In addition, currently, there is a global shortage of microchips, which has affected the availability of a number of telecommunications equipment used in the construction of BTS, he added.

Furthermore, security disturbances have also become a challenge in a number of regions, such as the attack on telecommunication workers in Puncak district, Papua province, on March 2, 2022.

Still, the acceleration of equitable development in the 3T areas continues. Latif noted that the total BTS built in Papua and West Papua provinces account for around 65 percent of the total BTS constructed by BAKTI throughout Indonesia.

“All of the challenges and problems have not diminished the government’s determination to continue providing excellent 4G services and Internet access for people in the 3T areas,” he added.

Source: Antara News

The Indonesian government can benefit from its G20 presidency to increase domestic renewable energy capacity in order to achieve the net emission target in 2060 or sooner.

The topic of energy transition proposed by Indonesia offers a strategic opportunity to the country to build communication with leaders of other countries regarding the future of clean energy, Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy Project Manager IESR Agus Praditya Tampubolon stated during a discussion held here on Thursday.

“With Indonesia declaring (energy transition) as a priority issue, this will allow (the country) to set a new target and policy, so that Indonesia will find it easier to negotiate with G20 leaders on technical and funding assistance,” he noted.

Since Indonesia holds the G20 presidency, other G20 member states should support its policy that serves as a common policy, he affirmed.

Referring to the net emission target and coal elimination treaty, it is quite appropriate for the G20 Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) to make priority issues in the form of accessibility, technology, and funding, he stated.

At the end of March 2022, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry kicked off an ETWG session as part of Indonesia’s G20 presidency in Yogyakarta.

The main discussion of energy access is creating affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all countries, especially related to clean electrification and cooking.

Meanwhile, the discussion of the priority issue related to technology will focus on ways to increase and utilize technology for clean industry development, renewable energy integration, and energy efficiency.

Indonesia will encourage developed nations to finance and invest in various innovation projects to develop renewable energy and will appeal to them to fulfill their pledge to provide US$100 billion to deal with the impacts of climate change.

Source: Antara News

A total of 12 international airlines have resumed regular operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in the Indonesian resort island of Bali since February 2022 after the airport’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most recently, on Thursday, Bali’s Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport received additional flight of Qantas Airlines serving the Melbourne-Denpasar route.

“Since the international flight corridor at Bali Airport has been reopened, the number of airlines has gradually increased. Yesterday, Qantas Airlines also made its maiden flight. We enthusiastically welcome this 12th airline flight,” General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura (AP) I International Airport I. Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali Herry A. Y. Sikado stated here on Friday.

During its inaugural flight to Bali, Qantas Airlines QF45, using a Boeing 737-838 registration VH-XZA, landed on Thursday at 21:17 local time, with 155 passengers.

Thereafter, the same plane, with flight number QF46, carrying aboard 83 passengers, took off again for Melbourne.

Qantas Airlines plans to serve the flight route thrice a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Sikado affirmed that his side remains committed to providing the best service, so that international flights that show positive growth can run smoothly.

He is also optimistic that the number of international flights at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport would soon recover.

“This is supported by the ease of flight requirements based on government regulations. Hence, we along with the stakeholders must maintain the trust of the government and service users, so that all facilities and health protocols run well,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News

The government has continued to develop Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara, as a priority tourism area to attract tourists.

One area here that is currently being developed as an ecotourism destination is the Bowosie Forest.

Bowosie Forest is located at an altitude so besides enjoying nature, tourists visiting the forest can also soak in views of Labuan Bajo from high land.

The Implementing Agency for the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Agency (BPOLBF), together with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, is currently developing a sustainable and integrated tourism area in Labuan Bajo’s Bowosie Forest with the aim of creating jobs and improving the economy for the surrounding community.

The integrated tourism area occupies 400 hectares, or about 1.98 percent of the total area of Bowosie forest, which is spread over 20,193 hectares.

The concept of developing ecotourism or nature tourism in the form of natural forests is expected to boost tourist interest.

However, a survey by the BPOLBF team has found the condition of the Bowosie Forest very alarming.

Most parts of the forest have been damaged by irresponsible parties. The trees at many points in the forest have been cut down, and most have been burned. Given the conditions, it is necessary to undertake rejuvenation efforts so that the forest’s beauty can be restored.

“Why would tourists want to come if the trees are cut down and burned?” BPOPLBF president director Shana Fatina remarked.

Some locations in the forest have even been converted into agricultural land with annual plants.

In order to restore the condition of Bowosie Forest, more planting activities than logging must be promoted in the area.

Of course, the destruction of the forest perpetrated by people must be a serious concern for all parties.

For that reason, the BPOLBF, as a representative of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, which will manage the forest as a new tourist destination, has determined that it must immediately coordinate with several parties to map the destruction of the forest.

Law violators

Approximately 135 hectares, or 34 percent of BPOLBF land has been destroyed by irresponsible parties. Most of it lies in the inner forest area, which is not visible from the forest’s edge.

The forest encroachment has become a serious concern for the Forest Management Unit (KPH) of the West Manggarai KLHK Office under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

Illegal logging and burning of the forest have been taking place since 2015. Although many perpetrators have been arrested, there are still those who are continuing to break the law.

According to the Forestry Law No. 41/1999, Article 50, the perpetrators of forest destruction can face five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp5 billion

Currently, there are a number of people living in Nggorang Bowosie Forest, which the BPOLBF will manage. They have even erected private buildings in the area without a permit.

The Forest Management Unit said that the buildings built by the people are illegal.

Police officers have also been roped in for handling the forest encroachment in the soon-to-be natural tourist attraction.

Still, all parties, in West Manggarai and other areas, need to get involved in order to preserve the forest jointly.

Job opportunities

The development of the Bowosie Forest, which will be turned into a natural tourist attraction, is expected to improve the surrounding community’s economy and reduce the unemployment rate in Labuan Bajo, Flores, and East Nusa Tenggara, in general.

The BPOLBF has assured that tourism development in Bowosie Forest would absorb 10 thousand workers.

Currently, the BPOLBF, together with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, is preparing to develop four tourism development zones over an area of 400 hectares in Bowosie Forest with the aim of developing a sustainable, quality, and integrated tourism area in Labuan Bajo.

The four zones are the cultural district, adventure district, wildlife district, and leisure district.

This development is based on the mandate of President Joko Widodo through Presidential Regulation Number 32 of 2018, which stipulates that the management be carried out by the Implementing Agency, which was formed in 2019.

The Presidential Regulation regulates the change in status and utilization of the 400 hectares of Bowosie Forest in West Manggarai district: at least 136 hectares of the forest will be managed by the Authority, and the rest will be managed under the Permit for Forest Utilization-Environmental Services Utilization (PBPH-JL) scheme for nature tourism.

According to director of destinations of the BPOLBF, Konstant Mardinandus, the BPOLBF is also conducting an integrated hydrogeological study and environmental impact analysis to ensure that the sustainability of springs in the area is maintained and does not interfere with the supply of water to local residents.

Source: Antara News

The Papua provincial government has urged the Finance Ministry to promptly disburse the first tranche of special autonomy funds for the tuition fee payment of 355 Papuan college students studying in five countries abroad.

The special autonomy fund is meant to provide for the 355 students’ tuition, but until now, the funds have not been disbursed, assistant for economic affairs and people’s welfare of Papua government, Muhammad Musa’ad, said in Jayapura on Friday,

“Our target was by March 31 (2022), (the students’ tuition) had to be paid to the universities, but the funds we expected have not been transferred by the Finance Ministry,” he informed.

According to Musa’ad, the first tranche of the special autonomy fund has not been disbursed because it is not regulated in the Finance Ministerial Regulation (PMK).

“Even though the Home Affairs Ministry has issued recommendations to the Finance Ministry since a few weeks ago (regarding the fund transfer),” he said.

The Papua government regrets this because even after the establishment of two government regulations derived from the Special Autonomy Fund Law six months ago, the PMK related to the disbursement has not yet been completed, he added.

“The Papua provincial government will address this issue, including by writing to the universities to extend the deadline for paying the students’ tuition fees,” he said.

He added that his office will also request the Finance Ministry to immediately disburse the funds. In addition, officials from the Papua provincial government have met with the parents of students and explained the matter.

The 355 Papuan students who have not paid tuition fees yet consist of 204 students in the United States, 68 students in Australia, 7 students in Japan, 17 students in Canada, and 59 students in New Zealand.

Source: Antara News

House of Representatives’ (DPR’s) Commission VII member, Diah Nurwitasari, called on the government to speed up gas network development as a precautionary measure against the rise in the price of non-subsidized LPG.

In a release on Friday, Nurwitasari noted that the increase in the price of non-subsidized LPG had caused a shift in the people’s consumption patterns.

“Due to a surge in the non-subsidized LPG price, the people have turned to using subsidized LPG. This must be observed in detail by the government,” she stressed.

Currently, there has been a shift in the economic condition of the middle class during the pandemic that had caused them to face major difficulties.

To this end, in order to meet the rising gas energy demand, Nurwitasari has encouraged to accelerate gas network development across regions.

“Indonesia’s natural gas potential is very huge. This must be utilized as best as possible by the government. Hence, it needs to be supported by a progressive policy,” Nurwitasari noted.

Concerning the gas network, state-owned gas company PT PGN Tbk stated that the enterprise has the capability to support the energy transition process through the availability of gas supply and adequate infrastructure.

This aligns with the government’s policy to improve clean energy utilization toward zero emissions by 2060.

PGN President Director M. Haryo Yunianto stated that in the short term, the company will continue to strengthen infrastructure development and increase the natural gas supply source.

This move is strategic, considering the possibility that the demand for natural gas will increase in future. One of the aspects pertains to the policy to increase the share of renewables to 23 percent of the national energy mix by 2025.

PGN has integrated infrastructures in the northern and central part of Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, and East Java to improve the reliability and flexibility of gas distribution to all market segments, he stated.

This is done as part of the process of the business strengthening plan, he explained.

“It will be PGN’s main priority to ensure that infrastructure development becomes more integrated,” he elaborated.

Source: Antara News

Jayapura, the capital of the Indonesian province of Papua, has signed a five-year-long sister city cooperation agreement with two cities in East Sepik province, Papua New Guinea.

The memorandum of understanding on the cooperation was signed by Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tomi Mano, Wewak Mayor John Nawas, and East Sepik province’s Deputy Governor, David Kusik, on April 8, 2022.

To follow up on the sister city cooperation, Mano said his colleagues from Wewak city and East Sepik province plan to send a team of officials to Jayapura to study the agriculture and tourism industry.

Speaking to ANTARA here on Friday, Mano informed that the cooperation with Wewak and Vanimo, the capital of East Sepik province, would also lead to their holding a sporting event together.

Vanimo city can be reached by land from Jayapura city through the Skouw border post, while Wewak can be reached by air from Vanimo city.

Source: Antara News