Friday, February 3, 2012
Minister Confident 2011 Growth to Reach 6.5 Percent
Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said he firmly believed Indonesia`s economic growth in 2011 would reach 6.5 percent as assumed by the government. "We have good reason to believe it will be 6.5 percent. It will show our quality in 2011," he said here Thursday. Therefore, he said, he hoped the growth figure for the fourth quarter of 2011 to be announced by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) soon would be the same as for the previous three quarters, namely 6.5 percent.

Indonesia's Economic Growth at 6.45% in Q4 Last Year
Indonesia's economic growth probably exceeded 6 percent for a fifth quarter in the October-December period last year as domestic demand helped Southeast Asia's largest economy withstand the European debt turmoil that has hurt exports across Asia. Gross domestic product increased 6.45 percent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, compared with a 6.5 percent pace in the previous three months, according to the median of 17 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey ahead of a government report due on Monday.

Number of Young Entrepreneurs to Increase, Minister Says
The number of young entrepreneurs in Indonesia is expected to continue increasing and help in the creation of future jobs, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said here on Thursday. "We hope the number of young entrepreneurs in the country will continue to increase," the minister of people`s welfare noted. He said young people, particularly those belonging to the Association of Young Indonesian Businessmen (HIPMI), were expected to become entrepreneurial pioneers.

RI Opposes EPA Determination on Palm Oil
Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, will propose its own greenhouse gas analysis of palm oil following a recent notification from the United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on qualifications for its renewable fuel program, officials and business associations say. The EPA said in its regulatory filing last week that palm oil-based biodiesel reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent compared to petroleum diesel fuel it is designed to replace, falling short of the 20 percent threshold required to join in the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program in the world's largest energy market.

Indonesia Hopes RI-Pakistan Agreement Will Boost Country`s Palm Oil Exports
Indonesia hopes its palm oil exports, which dropped drastically in the past few years, would increase following the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement with Pakistan here on Friday. Trade minister Gita Wirjawan said, after signing the agreement, that reductions in import duties covered by the agreement would make the country`s palm oil exports to Pakistan more competitive. "We are optimistic that the signing of the PTA would increase CPO exports," he said.

ExxonMobil Agrees to Hike Output at Cepu Block
After more than a year of tough discussions, ExxonMobil has agreed to ramp up oil production at the Cepu block, bordering Central Java and East Java, from the current rate of 22,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 27,000 bpd. Upstream oil and gas regulator BPMigas' deputy for operations Rudi Rubiandini revealed that the company had accepted the government's request to increase output to help the country achieve a national production target of 950,000 bpd in 2012. "The technical concept has been accepted. They say they're able to boost production to 27,000 bpd," he told reporters on Thursday, on the sidelines of a hearing of the House of Representatives Commission VII overseeing energy in Jakarta.

RI to Host 1st Meeting of OIC's Human Rights Commission
Indonesia is to host the first meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation`s (OIC) Permanent and Independent Human Rights Commission next February 20-24 in Jakarta, spokesman to Foreign Affairs Ministry Michael Tene said here on Friday. "The first meeting will likely discuss internal issues, such as the commission`s system of work and future priorities," he added. The OIC`s Permanent and Independent Human Rights Commission was established last June 28-29, 2011 during the 38th OIC Foreign Ministers Conference in Astana, Kazakhstan.

RI to Facilitate Open University Students Abroad
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Indonesia Open University will facilitate citizens abroad to get higher education through a long distance class system, an official said. "The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Open University will sign the MoU next Feb 7," Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Michael Tene said here on Friday. He said about 1,000 of a total of 650,000 Indonesians registered as student at the Open University were living abroad. They were scattered in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

'Kyai' Twitter: When Clerics Go Online
In the past, especially in pre-modern times, if Muslims needed guidance on religious matters they had to travel (sometimes a long distance) to see clerics to consult on the problems plaguing them. From a religious point of view, this process resulted in the issuance of a fatwa (edict), which gave a mustafti (questioner) an authoritative legal opinion from a cleric in response to a question. In the modern era, this process has been replaced by books, where Muslims have access to knowledge directly. The development of mass media has also played a significant role. People may access religious authorities through question-and-answer columns in magazines or newspapers.

Thursday, February 2, 2012
JCI Jumps Over the 4,000 Hurdle
Indonesia's benchmark stock index passed the psychologically significant 4,000 barrier with a third consecutive day of rises. The Jakarta Composite Index gained 1.3 percent on Thursday to close at 4,016.9, as global markets rallied amid new data giving cause for cautious optimism about the global economy. In Jakarta, gainers outnumbered decliners by 174 to 64. About 5.35 billion shares worth Rp 6.45 trillion ($722 million) were exchanged. Foreign investors bought Rp 556 billion more in shares than they sold.

RI Doubles Exports in Five Years' Time: Minister
Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said Indonesia was able to double its overall exports in only five years` time from 100.79 bilion US dollars in 2006 to 203.62 billion US dollars in 2011. "This is a remarkable achievement as many other countries needed more than five years to do it," Gita said in an expose on Indonesia`s export performance at his office here Wednesday. Gita said Saudi Arabia needed 26 years to double its exports, Singapore 10 years, South Korea 9 years, Malaysia and China seven and six years respectively.

Government Assures Fair Law Enforcement in Papua
A senior government official expressed the government`s commitment to a fair and transparent law enforcement in Papua on Wednesday with regard to protecting human rights. "We will uphold justice fairly and transparently according to the existing laws in Indonesia," the coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, Djoko Suyanto, said replying to ANTARA. He said Indonesia has laws and sovereignty that must be respected by all parties.

US Explores Cooperation With S Sumatra
The United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Scot Marciel, arrived in Palembang, South Sumatra on Thursday to explore opportunities to cooperate with the province, which is rich in natural resources. Speaking to newsmen at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport, Marciel said he came to South Sumatra to obtain first hand informationabout possibly cooperating with the province. South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin and several local government officials greeted the US envoy at the airport before the ambassador and his entourage made their way to visit US companies Conoco Philip and Cargil.

RI's Lead Price to be used as Global Reference
The lead market at the Indonesia Commodity and Derivative Exchange Inatin has been projected to become a reference for global lead prices. "The target is serious and must be achieved," Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi, said yesterday. So far, Indonesian players still depend on the reference price on Kuala Lumpur's Tin Market and London's Metal Exchange. However, with Indonesia becoming the number one lead exporter in the world and fulfilling 30 percent of the world's lead demand, the deputy trade minister said it was only natural if Indonesia's lead market was used as a global pricing reference.

RI to Raise Objections to US Regulation on Biodiesel Standards
Indonesia is preparing to file its objections to a United States` plan to issue a regulation on biodiesel standards which among other things disqualifies biodiesel made from palm oil as a renewable fuel, a minister said. "We will convey our dissenting arguments on February 27 in accordance with the deadline for the filing of objections. We have already met business asociations to formulate our arguments reharding the US policy," Trade Minister Gita Wiyawan said here Wednesday. Meanwhile, Deddy Saleh, director general of foreign trade at the trade minsitry, said the goverment would also look at the possibility of palm oil being discriinated against in the US regulation on renewable fuel standards.

Indonesia, EU Take Steps to Strengthen Industry Ties
A group of Indonesian industry associations have signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union in a bid to build closer ties between Southeast Asia's largest economy and the continent currently stuck in the economic doldrums. In its first international business meeting on Thursday, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) brought together eight industry associations in fields as diverse as footwear, fisheries and pharmaceuticals to sign a memorandum of understanding that pledged cooperation with their European counterparts.

Ban Ki-Moon Scheduled to Visit Indonesia
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to visit Indonesia in March to deliver a keynote speech at an international defense forum, Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Hartind Asrin said on Thursday. "Ban Ki-moon is expected to arrive on March 19 before opening the Jakarta International Defense Dialog [JIDD] on March 21," he told The Jakarta Post. "However, we are still waiting for the latest developments on a nuclear summit in South Korea where the secretary-general is also scheduled to attend."

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
JCI Up on Export, Inflation Reports
Indonesia's benchmark stock index advanced for a second day on Wednesday after reports showed that inflation eased and exports climbed in January. The Jakarta Composite Index gained 23.28 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 3,964.98, extending Tuesday's 0.7 percent advance. More than 4.46 billion shares, valued at Rp 4.64 trillion ($515 million), were traded on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). Gainers beat decliners by 156 to 72. Foreign investors accounted for about 90 percent of the day's total trading by value. They bought Rp 6 billion more than they sold on Wednesday, halting five straight days of foreign net selling.

Indonesian Exports Surge 29%
Indonesian exports surged 29 percent last year, and January inflation eased, date showed Wednesday, as Southeast Asia's largest economy targeted emerging countries amid weakness in US and European markets. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has been basking in a welter of positive economic indicators in recent weeks, with the latest official figures showing shipments reached $203.62 billion last year. The export data was a 29 percent hike over 2010 and beat the government's target of $200 billion, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency.

SBY Promises to Help Improve Welfare to Papuans
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a meeting with Papuan church leaders on Wednesday in which he again pledged to intensify measures needed to promote peace and boost people's welfare in the region. Thirteen leaders of a variety of Papuan churches attended the meeting, held in the Wisma Negara hall at the Presidential Palace compound, including senior Jayapura Archdiocese official and Peace Papua Network coordinator Father Neles Tebay, branch chairman of the Evangelic Church Assembly in Indonesia Rev. Lipiyus Biniluk and Rev. Isai Doom from the Tabernacle Pentecostal Church (GPT).

Five State-Owned Companies to Go Public in 2012
Chief economic minister Hatta Rajasa said five state-owned companies were ready to go public this year. "Out of nine proposed and after being discussed five would conduct an IPO and right issue with some notes," he said after a coordination meeting to discuss privatization of state-owned companies here on Tuesday. Hatta said the five state-owned companies to go public are PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia, PT Industri Sandang Nusantara, PT Industri Gelas, PT Semen Baturaja and PT Bank Tabungan Negara.

Government Seeking to Improve Competitiveness to Achieve Export Target
The government is seeking to improve the competitiveness of and diversify the export market for domestic products to achieve the export target of US$230 billion for this year, Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said. The move was aimed at anticipating the impact of the global economic slowdown on the country`s export growth, he said at an export forum held by the National Team for Increasing Exports and Investment (PEPI) here on Tuesday. "Diversifying the export market for and improving the competitive edge of domestic products must go hand in hand because both are the key to penetrating the overseas market and ensuring sustainable trade," he said in a press statement.

RI Crisis-Free Thanks to Monetary Stability, Stimulating Fiscal Policies
Indonesia is among a number of developing countries that have been able to withstand the global crisis due to their monetary stability and fiscal policies to stimulate economic growth, according to a report in The Economist. The report said Indonesia was considered to have a sound and properly controlled inflation rate, credit growth, interest rates, currency exchange movements (against the US dollar) and state budget. Indonesia along with China and Saudi Arabia had the largest capacity to use monetary and fiscal policies to support their economic growth.

Five Cities to Enjoy 16,000 New Gas Connections This Year: Government
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry revealed on Tuesday that it planned to add 16,000 new household gas connections in five cities across the country this year with a total investment of Rp 230 billion (US$25.58 million). The ministry said the chosen cities were Prabumulih in South Sumatra, Jambi, Cibinong and Cirebon in West Java, and Kalidawir in East Java. "The city gas program aims to benefit people living near gas fields," the ministry's director general for oil and gas, Evita Herawati Legowo, said.

News Focus: Muslim Legislators Conference Emphasizes Women's Roles, Democracy
After having discussions for a week in Palembang, South Sumatra, over 330 legislators from 40 member states of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), issued declarations emphasizing the roles of women and the promotion of democracy among other things. "For the first time PUIC discussed a topic on the roles of women and their contribution to PUIC," Indonesia`s House Speaker Marzuki Alie, concurrently the PUIC president 2012-2013, said in Palembang, Tuesday (Jan 31) at the closing ceremony of the Seventh Conference of PUIC, which started on January 24.

India Sees Indonesia as a Unique Democratic Role Model
Indian ambassador to Indonesia Biren Nanda stated that Indonesia is a unique role model in managing democratic institutions. "Indonesia is unique and diverse, this country consists of various ethnic groups, religions, and cultures, that is why, Indonesia is a role model for countries in managing diversity," the Ambassador stated at "A Slice of India" event at Paramadina University, Jakarta, Tuesday. On the occasion, Biren Nanda, who has previously served as a diplomat in Tokyo, also praised Indonesia for playing an important role to support many international events promoting democracy and human rights.