GENERAL NEWS AND HEADLINES

Antigraft group reports KPK’s new law enforcement deputy over ethical violation
The Jakarta Post (https://tinyurl.com/ydd3dk6s); Kompas (https://tinyurl.com/yd8ezk4j)

The Indonesian Anticorruption Community (MAKI) has reported Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) law enforcement deputy Karyoto to the antigraft body’s supervisory board for an alleged ethics violation. 

MAKI has accused Karyoto, who was appointed in April, of conducting unethical procedures in the recent arrest of a Jakarta State University (UNJ) staff member. MAKI filed the report on Tuesday through an email.

Saiman suspected that Karyoto did not involve KPK prosecutors in the preliminary planning and analysis of the case and did not fulfill the proper investigation administration requirements. He went on to say that Karyoto did not follow the proper arrest operation procedures, namely wiretapping the suspected parties. 

 

Ministry allocates Rp 5 billion budget for COVID-19 vaccine research
Liputan6 (https://tinyurl.com/yd5ovsj8)

The Research and Technology Ministry has allocated a budget of Rp 5 billion to fund the initial phase of COVID-19 vaccine research in Indonesia, the amount subjected to increase as needed.

Research and Technology Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro stated that the crucial stage of developing a vaccine, which would require massive funding, would be clinical trials and vaccine production.

The ministry will fund the research until a prototype of the COVID-19 vaccine is obtained. Once the vaccine is ready to be mass produced, the funding will also be aided by both private and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as PT Biofarma.

 

Jokowi urges socialization of ‘new normal’ protocol
Tempo (https://tinyurl.com/y9pwj3tb); Media Indonesia (https://tinyurl.com/ybq9tvz4); Kompas (https://tinyurl.com/yag5d7rz)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has asked all government officials to ensure the dissemination of “new normal” protocols to be implemented across Indonesia as large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) are gradually loosened.

Jokowi said proper dissemination of the protocols would ensure that citizens understood what to do and what not to do when conducting and participating in activities outside of their respective homes.

Previously, the President has taken preparative measures for the ‘new normal’ order by increasing public discipline of health protocols in public and commercial spaces.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS NEWS AND HEADLINES

Finance Ministry increases cash transfer budget in village funds
CNBC Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/ybono743); Kontan, (https://tinyurl.com/ybzsp2ko) 

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has increased the budget for cash transfers in the village funds program to Rp 31.78 trillion (US$2.15 billion) from Rp 21.19 trillion through the issuance of Finance Ministry Regulation No. 50/PMK.07/2020, which took effect on May 19. The increase is intended to boost for six months the purchasing power of families that do not receive assistance under the Family Hope Program (PKH), the staple-food card program or the preemployment card. The government will disburse Rp 600,000 per family for the first three months and Rp 300,000 for the next three months.

 

Erick downsizes PTPN leadership
CNN Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/y9sldsq3); Liputan 6, (https://tinyurl.com/yc43jxga) 

State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir has downsized the number of directors in the subsidiaries of state-owned plantation holding company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) III. PTPN III president director Muhammad Abdul Ghani said the number of directors in PTPN subsidiaries has been reduced from four directors per subsidiary to only one director. Muhammad also said that, under the new structure, strategic decisions would be made by PTPN III as the holding company, while the director in each subsidiary would focus on managing operations.

 

Govt’s agriculture insurance program covers 333,500 hectares
Bisnis Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/y8ndbjz4) 

The Agriculture Ministry has announced that the government’s agriculture insurance program for paddy farmers covers 333,505 hectares of the targeted 1 million ha for this year. Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said the program was intended to assist paddy farmers during crop failure, specifically by providing working capital through insurance payouts. The premium for the government’s agriculture insurance is Rp 36,000 (US$2.44) per ha, paid before the growing season. The compensation provided is Rp 6 million per ha. The ministry targets to cover at least 430,000 ha by the end of May.

 

Pertamina to develop Cilacap oil refinery without Aramco
CNBC Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/y85xdmks) 

State-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina has decided to continue the development of the Cilacap oil refinery without the assistance of Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco. Former Pertamina president director Ari Soemarno, however, is doubtful the company can singlehandedly finance the refinery construction. “It would have been difficult even before the COVID-19 pandemic. This year will be even more [difficult], as Pertamina’s revenue and profit are expected to drop sharply,” Ari told CNBC Indonesia. Pertamina spokesperson Fajriyah Usman said the company would try to develop the Cilacap refinery alone while looking for another potential partner. Talks between Pertamina and Aramco had been held since 2014.

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