Friday, September 18, 2009
RI Wants G-20 To Become Permanent Forum
Jakarta - Indonesia wants the G-20 to become a permanent forum playing a strategic role in coping with various world problems, a presidential spokesman said.

RI Presents Transparency Process at WTO
Jakarta - The Indonesian delegation led by Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat, along with a Japanese delegation, made a presentation on the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJ-EPA) in the WTO Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) meeting at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.

Top Terrorist Silenced by Police
The terror trail of Noordin Mohammad Top, a most-wanted terrorist for the past nine years, ended at the hands of the National Police's antiterror detachment in a raid on the Central Java village of Wojosongo on Wednesday.

US Praises RI for Eliminating Long-Sought Terrorist
New York - The United States administration has praised the Indonesian police for their success in eliminating top Southeast Asian terrorist Noordin M Top in a raid in Central Java on Thursday.

Australian PM Congratulates RI for Eliminating Top Terrorist
Brisbane - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has praised Indonesian authorities over the death of Noordin Mohammed Top, saying his killing by police was a significant achievement.

Rupiah Exchange Rate to Become Stronger
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Darmin Nasution, has said that the Rupiah exchange rate will continue to become stronger.

Moody's Raises RI's Debt Rating
Indonesia's foreign and local currency sovereign debt rating has been upgraded from Ba3 to Ba2 by Moody's Investors Service as the economy remains resilient despite the global economic slowdown.

House Gives Discretion to Government to Raise 2010 Spending
The House of Representatives’ budget committee has approved the 2010 state budget bill, including a crucial article allowing the government to raise expenditure if needed.

Thursday, September 17, 2009
U.S. Embassy Launches YouTube Channel for Indonesia
Jakarta - The U.S. Embassy now has its own YouTube channel, featuring over 100 short videos covering a wide range of topics about the United States, including American culture, society, education, religious practice, politics, tourism and English-language education.

RI, US Agree to Set Up Biomedical Research Center
Jakarta- The Indonesian and US governments have agreed to cooperate and set up an Indonesia-United States Center for Biomedical and Public Health Research.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
RI, US to Step Up Overall Partnership
New York - Indonesia and the United States on Tuesday agreed to step up their overall partnership.

RI Ends Term as UNCTAD TDB President
Jakarta - The Indonesian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dian Triansyah Djani, has completed his term as president of the Trade and Development Board (TDB) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for the April-September 2009 period.

Domestic Fossil Energy Production Rising: Official
Jakarta- The country`s output of fossil energy sources such as oil, gas and coal during the 2005-2009 period showed a continuing upward trend, an official said here on Tuesday.

Jakarta Stocks Open Stronger On Wall Street Gains
Jakarta - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Wednesday morning got off to a strong start on gains at Wall Street.

Rupiah Significantly Strengthens Against US Dollar
Jakarta - The rupiah significantly strengthened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Wednesday morning as investors hunted for the local currency in the run up to Idul Fitri festivities or Lebaran.

RI Optimistic with Japan-Asia Relationship Post Hatoyama Appointment
Indonesia welcomes the "democratic election" of new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and expresses optimism that he would turn the focus of Japan's foreign policy from the United States to Asian countries.

Government to Allow Private Firms to Export Electricity
Albeit under strict regulations, the govern-ment will now allow private firms investing in electricity generation and distribution to export power.

Foreign Tourists Can Apply for Tax Refund
Foreign tourists visiting Indonesia can apply for a tax refund when buying goods here next year, according to the newly endorsed law on value added tax and luxury tax.

House Delegates Authority on SEZs
The House of Representatives endorsed the special economic zone (SEZ) bill on Tuesday, delegating legal powers to a new government body for the promotion of these more liberal trade and development regions.

KPK to Set Up Ethics Committee
Jakarta- The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will set up an ethics committee to determine alleged violations of ethical code by suspended KPK chairman Antasari Azhar, KPK deputy chairman Jasin said here Tuesday.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Britain Fully Supports Papua's Integration With NKRI
Jayapura - The British government fully supports Papua's integration with the Unitary State of Indonesian Republic (NKRI) and rejects secessionist efforts of any kind.

Jakarta Stocks Gain on Positive Regional Sentiment
Jakarta- The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Tuesday morning traded slightly higher on positive sentiment in regional bourses.

Government Sets Lower Stimulus for Next Year
Next year's economic stimulus package will be considerably less than the Rp 73.3 trillion (US$7.39 billion) allocated this year, as Indonesia's economy will benefit from a stronger private sector boosted by this year's policies, an official says.

RI Secures Financial Backing From UK on Climate Change
The government launched the Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund on Monday, with the UK government allocating 10 million pounds sterling to help Indonesia deal with climate change.

World Bank Predicts Clear Skies for Indonesia's Economy
The World Bank has revised up its forecast of Indonesia's economic growth this year to 4.3 percent thanks to high spending on legislative and presidential elections, as well as faster government expenditure disbursements.

President to Meet CEOs of 200 US Companies
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will meet with the chief executive officers of 200 big companies during his visit to the US on September 23-30, MS Hidayat said here on Monday.

New Law Regulates Maximum Penalty, not Minimum One
The House of Representatives on Monday passed the Health bill into law, which stipulates that hospitals and doctors are subjects to a fine of Rp 1 billion (US$100,000) and maximum 10 years imprisonment if they are proven to be sloppy in their jobs and cause the death of a patient.

SBY Calls on Coalition to Stick Together
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sunday renewed calls for a harmonious coalition in the government and parliament for the next five years.

News Feature: Idul Fitri, Perfect Day for Forgiveness
Jakarta - The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this year will soon come to an end. Ramadan will be concluded with a festivity called Idul Fitri.

Friday, September 11, 2009
President Optimistic Crisis to End in 2010
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he was optimistic the current global financial crisis would end in 2010 , followed by recovery in 2011 and further economic growth.

Demand For Domestic Textiles And Textile Products Up 20 Percent
Jakarta - Demand for local textiles and textile products (TPT) rose by 20 percent.

Fiscal Risk Cushion Should be Raised: Official
The government has asked for an increase in the fiscal risk cushion in the draft 2010 state budget by between Rp 3 trillion (US$300 million) and Rp 5 trillion in anticipation of a rise in crude oil prices.

News Focus: New Law Empowers Ministry to Punish Environmental Offenders
Jakarta - Indonesia is endowed with vast forest, mangrove, peat soil and coral areas as well as biological diversity but at the same time facing huge environmental problems, such as forest destruction, water, soil and air pollution.

Time to Be More Optimistic Than Ever for Bali Tourism Market
The JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Bombings in Jakarta last July may have caused a setback for the Bali tourism market that has performed relatively very well despite the global financial crisis and the threat of a global H1N1 pandemic.

Navy Backs Hoisting Of National Flags in Small Islands
Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has expressed support for the West Nusa Tenggara provincial government's effort to hoist red-and-white flags in small islands to make sure they remain part of Indonesian territory.

Yogyakarta, a Multi-Religious and Cultural City
TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: Religious figures from Asia and Europe attending the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Interfaith/Intercultural Retreat for Religious Leaders are visiting several locations showing the harmonious inter-religious relationship in Yogyakarta.

Preserving Orangutan by Involving Remote Tribesmen
TEMPO Interactive, Jambi: The Sumatra Orangutan Reintroduction Station of the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is involving remote tribesmen from the Anak Dalam Talang Mamak tribe for its orangutan preservation project in Jambi, Sumatra.

Thursday, September 10, 2009
RI Lead Reformer in East Asia and Pacific
The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have dubbed Indonesia the most active reformer of business regulatory frameworks in East Asia and the Pacific in its 2010 Doing Business Survey.

Indonesian Stocks Reach Over 2,400 Points
Jakarta - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Thursday morning climbed on blue chip and small-cap gains.

Private Sector Invited to Join Village Energy Programs
Private sector and local governments are expected to participate more in helping villages reach energy self-sufficiency as the central government is lacking the funds to run such programs alone.

Government Propose Extra Buffer For 2010 State Budget
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The goverment has proposed an extra reserve budget of Rp2-3 trillion to anticipate the fiscal risks of the volatile oil price in the projected 2010 State Budget.

Capital Base Key to Limit Risks
A stronger capital base is the best defense to cushion lenders against risks that could lead to bank failures and bailouts, the central bank said, in mutual consensus at last week's G20 meeting, stressing that the regulator is right in pursuing higher capital requirements.

Government Needs Regulation for Human Trafficking Management
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government has acknowledged that it does not yet have technical guidelines over human trafficking management at border areas.

Minister: Religions Don't Teach Terrorism
Yogyakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Dr. Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni said religions do not teach terrorism but moderation.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Central Kalimantan Offering Unique Ecotourism
Jakarta - The Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, has a unique fauna and flora biodiversity including a black water ecosystem.

World Peace Gong Being Set Up in Ambon
Ambon, Maluku - The Maluku provincial government has commissioned the building of a venue for a ceremonial gong to be inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on World Peace Day next November 10.

Indonesia Enjoys Improved Global Ranking As Active Business Regulatory Reformer
Indonesia has improved its rank in the 2010 Ease of Doing Business annual survey, moving up from 129 to 122, a report revealed Wednesday.

Rupiah Significantly Strengthens to Below Rp 10,000
Jakarta - The rupiah significantly strengthened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Wednesday morning on high demand for the local currency.

Investment to Do Well Without Stimulus
Confident of the success of its fiscal and monetary policies, Indonesia feels it no longer needs an economic stimulus package to boost investment for 2010.

RI Moves to Improve Defense in Trade Disputes
As the global trend of trade protectionism becomes more apparent, the government, in cooperation with the private sector, is moving to prop up its defense in facing disputes under the WTO.

Progressive Car Tax: An Effective Way to Combat Traffic Problems?
The parliament finally approved the government's plan to enforce a local progressive tax on automotive sales on Aug. 18, effectively imposing a 1 to 2 percent tax rate on the first vehicle owned by an individual and 2 to 10 percent on subsequent vehicles they purchase. Simultaneous implementation across all regions should occur in 2011, after data is integrated in 2010.

Indonesia Supports the Improvement of Banking Regulations
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesia is supporting efforts to improve regulations related to financial institutions. This is part of the agreement made by finance ministers and central bank governors of G-20 countries in London, last week.

Minister Asks BUMNs to Actively Promote Domestic Products
Jakarta - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu has called on all state-owned companies (BUMNs) to actively participate in the "Aku Cinta Indonesia" (I Love Indonesia) campaign to promote domestic products.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Batik Selected for UNESCO Cultural Heritage List
Indonesians have been asked to wear batik on Oct. 2, following UNESCO's decision to add the traditional dyeing technique to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

RI to Benefit From Current Fiscal, Monetary Policies
While there will no other specifically designated fiscal stimulus in place in 2010, Indonesia's economy will benefit from the current fiscal and monetary policy measures that will boost investment, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati says.

RI Tourism Unaffected By W Java Quake: Official
Jakarta - The recent powerful earthquake centered in West Java has so far not had any negative impact on Indonesia's tourism sector, a tourism official said.

WTO Talks Expected to Open Up Markets For RI's Manufactures
Depok, West Java - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said she hoped ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations would open up market access for Indonesia`s manufactured products.

As Poverty Declines, 'Upward Mobility' is Being Redefined
While the G20 finance ministers debated the pros and cons of capping the bonuses of bankers, Indonesia's Sri Mulyani Indrawati would have had much to celebrate.

One Giant Leap, But More Must Follow: UGM Center
Compared to his predecessors, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has taken giant leaps to eradicate corruption, but his efforts have still fallen short of expectations, say Gadjah Mada University (UGM)'s Center for Anti Corruption Studies (Pukat Korupsi).

Financial Sector In Urgent Need of Reform: Sri Mulyani
Governments urgently need to improve the regulatory framework and supervision of the financial sector, a minister says, as loopholes in the financial services industry led to the global economic crisis.

Indonesia Eyes Market Access to Developed Countries
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The completion of the Doha Round meeting in 2010 will provide benefits to Indonesia as there will be market access to developed countries like the USA, Europe, China, and Japan.

Terrorism Causes National Instability: TNI Chief
Ternate - Acts of terrorism have the potential to create instability in national defense and security, National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso said here on Monday.

Friday, September 4, 2009
Governor Extends Quake Emergency Response to 14 Days
Bandung - West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan has extended disaster alertness and emergency response to Wednesday's powerful tectonic earthquake to 14 days.

BEI Index Opens Slightly Higher on Wall Street Gains
Jakarta - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Friday morning opened slightly higher on Wall Street gains.

Rupiah Strengthens Slightly on Market's Positive Sentiment
Jakarta - The rupiah slightly gained against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Friday morning on a positive sentiment.

SOEs Again Expected to Pay Bigger Dividends
The country will rely more this year on bigger dividend payments from state enterprises as non-tax revenues, as income from taxation is estimated not to have fully recovered from the negative impacts of the global downturn.

2010 State Budget Needs Bigger Cushion Against Oil Price Risks
The government wants a higher fiscal risk cushion in the 2010 state budget, as a potential change in macroeconomic conditions - especially the price of crude oil - could hit the economy, the Finance Ministry says.

Modern Banking Services Used For Attacks
National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri announced that terrorists had developed a new way of gaining financial access in addition to using couriers to transport funds to carry out their attacks.

People Want Competent Ministers: Survey
A majority of people want President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to prioritize competence and personality over political and ethnic background when selecting personnel for his new Cabinet in the next five years, says a recent Indo Barometer survey.

Thursday, September 3, 2009
BEI Index Opens Higher Early Thursday
Jakarta - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) opened slightly higher as investors bought shares in large amounts.

Standby Loan Facility May Be Extended to 2011
Indonesia may extend the remaining unused US$4.75 billion in standby loans by a further year to 2011 as the country may not use all the facility for budget financing during 2010, the Finance Ministry says.

BI Believes Bank Century's Selling Price to Rise
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia Senior Deputy Governor Darmin Nasution said he believed the share price of Bank Century would rise if it could book profit.

US Introduces New Approach to Combat Illegal Wood Trade
The United States has been intensifying regional dialogue with a number of Asia's wood exporting countries, including Indonesia, in an effort to combat illegal logging.

Environmental Bill Requires Companies to Pay Tax And Insurance
The environment bill, which was scheduled to be passed into law two days ago, will require companies exploring for natural resources to pay an "environment tax" to the government.

New Council Members Pledge to Protect Patients' Rights
The newly sworn-in members of the Indonesian Medical Council (KKI) pledged Wednesday to protect patients' rights and increase the availability of medical services.

Government Insists on Marine Concession Plan for Fisheries
The Maritime and Fishery Affairs Ministry will go ahead with plans to introduce cluster-like territorial water areas for fisheries where concession rights will be allocated to firms by tenders, arguing that this will not be detrimental to small-scale fishermen.

Fuel Subsidies Rise in 2010: House
The government and the House of Representatives have agreed to raise the amount of fuel subsidies in 2010 by Rp 9.75 trillion to Rp 68.73 trillion (US$6.8 billion).

Wednesday, September 2, 2009
RI Envoy Attends Iftar Dinner Hosted By Obama
New York - Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Sudjadnan Parnohadingrat attended an Iftar dinner to break the fast during the fasting month of Ramadan hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House, in Washington DC, on Tuesday evening.

RI to Increase Its International Trade Financing Commitment
Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that based on G-20 countries` agreement, Indonesia would increase its international trade finance up to US$2.5 billion.

Aceh Begins Inventorizing Its Traditional Arts
Banda Aceh - Aceh province's culture and tourism office has begun to inventorize the region's traditional arts as a precaution against cultural theft by other countries.

Government Mulls Establishing Arms Control Body
The government is considering establishing a control body to supervise the importing and exporting of weaponry, following a recent row with the Philippines over the seizing of Indonesian arms.

RI Not Responsible For Irregularity in Weapons Dispatch to Philippines
Jakarta - The Indonesian government denies responsibility for the irregularity that happened in the dispatch of a number fire arms ordered by the Philippines from weapon manufacturing company PT Pindad, a defense ministry official said.

Rights Defenders Reject Longer Detention For Alleged Terrorists
Human rights defenders strongly rejected a proposal to extend the detention of alleged terrorists to two years without charges.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
RI to Build Three Oil Refineries Over Next Eight Years
Jakarta - Indonesia will buy crude through the OPEC network to feed three new oil refineries it is planning to build over the next eight years , Energy and Mineral Resoruces Minister Puronomo Ysugiantoro said.

RI Calls On Immediate Start Of WTO Talks
Jakarta - Indonesia is calling for an immediate start of the world trade negotiations better known as the Doha Development Agenda.

RI Commits $2.5B for Trade Finance
Indonesia will commit to providing US$2.5 billion to increase trade finance and help the global trade recovery during the G20 meeting later this week, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati says.

President Orders Solar Energy Development
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered that development into solar-cell energy be explored in Indonesia.

Government to Arrange Legal Umbrella to Protect Local Cultures
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesia does not have a legal basis to protect its local cultures. Therefore, Indonesia cannot impose sanctions on other countries claiming Indonesian cultures.

TNI to Join Anti-Terrorism Fight Under Legal Umbrella: Minister
Jakarta - The National Defense Forces (TNI) is to be involved in fighting terrorism under a legal umbrella where it can act at the police's request, a senior minister said.

Massive Cepu Block Resumes Production
Exxon Mobil Corp. resumed production on Monday at its Cepu plant with output anticipated to increase up to 15,000 barrels of oil a day by September, after the state regulator threatened to revise its contract if it continued to delay output.

Alleged Terrorists Should Be Detained for 2 Years: Government
The government proposed here Monday to amend the Indonesia's terrorism law to improve the capacity of the Indonesia Military (TNI) and police to handle terrorism, proposing an extension of the detention period for people arrested without charge to two years.

Police Declares Muhammad Jibril as Terror Suspect
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Police announced on Tuesday that a website operator caught in Pamulang, outside Jakarta late in August has been officially named suspect for terrorism acts and forgery.