GENERAL NEWS AND HEADLINES

Jokowi calls for PSBB evaluation
CNN Indonesia (https://tinyurl.com/y9xouae6); Liputan6 (https://tinyurl.com/y7mskffz)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has asked his aides to evaluate the implementation of the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), which have been imposed in a number of regions across Indonesia in the past weeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

During a virtual meeting with the COVID-19 task force earlier today, President Jokowi said the evaluation was necessary to assess the policy’s weaknesses as well as its advantages during its implementation for further improvement.

 

Govt starts distributing social aid in Jakarta
Kompas (https://tinyurl.com/ycg8wlfl); CNN Indonesia (https://tinyurl.com/yaua9yr6)

The central government has started distributing social assistance (Bansos) in the form of staple food packages for Jakarta residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated by Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara earlier today at the Presidential Palace. Juliari stated that the aid would be provided for the next three months for residents of Jakarta.

Those living in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Bodetabek) would receive the assistance soon.

 

KPU chairman to testify in bribery trial
Tempo (https://tinyurl.com/yb627rv9)

General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Arief Budiman will be summoned to testify against businessman Saeful Bahri in a bribery case implicating Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Harun Masiku and KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan, as affirmed by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioner Takdir Suhan earlier today.

Saeful was accused of bribing Wahyu Rp 600 million so the latter would approve Harun’s request to take over a legislative seat left vacant by deceased PDI-P politician Nazaruddin Kiemas.

According to the indictment, Harun had met with Arief on August 2019 so that the poll body would grant the former’s request. The KPU, however, rejected the request.

During the investigation, Arief confirmed that he had indeed met with Harun once. However, Arief said Wahyu was not present during the encounter and asserted that his party could not grant his request.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS NEWS AND HEADLINES

Domestic investment up but foreign investment down in first quarter
Bisnis Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/ycv4cjkr), (https://tinyurl.com/ydxvxx98); Kumparan, (https://tinyurl.com/yatn6gmj) 

The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has announced an 8 percent year-on-year (yoy) increase in investment to Rp 210 trillion (US$13.5 billion) in the first quarter of this year. Domestic investment increased 25 percent to Rp 112.7 trillion, but foreign investment dropped to Rp 98 trillion, from Rp 107.9 trillion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, employment absorption increased significantly. There were 303,085 new jobs created by the investment, up from last year’s 235,401 new jobs.

 

Agus issues permits allowing manufacturers to operate during PSBB
CNBC Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/y973vvhr) 

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has issued permits that allow manufacturers to continue operating despite the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). He said the permit was necessary to maintain gross domestic product (GDP) growth and avoid mass lay-offs and furloughs. Lawmaker Obon Tabroni of Commission IX overseeing labor has questioned the urgency of the policy, because it allows manufacturers outside of the food and pharmaceutical sectors to operate. Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) president Saiq Iqbal is threatening to hold a strike in opposition to Agus’ policy.

 

Govt starts IMEI implementation
Kontan, (https://tinyurl.com/ybcgwrsv); CNN Indonesia, (https://tinyurl.com/ybkbkf6a) 

The government started the implementation of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) on Apr. 18. The Industry Ministry’s director for electronics and telematics Janu Suryanto said the measure would improve the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers as well as state revenue. The ministry estimates black market phones have caused losses of Rp 2.81 trillion (US$181 million) in potential tax revenue per year. Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto also warned cell phone makers, importers and distributors to abide by the IMEI rule. If not, his ministry would not hesitate to revoke their business permits.

 

Public transportation users fall sharply in Greater Jakarta
Investor daily, (https://tinyurl.com/ydfkch3d) 

Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ) chairperson Polana B. Pramesti has reported a sharp fall in the number of public transportation passengers after the implementation of the large-scale social restriction (PSBB) policy in the region. By Apr. 15, the average number of Transjakarta users fell to 83,000 passengers per day, from 840,000 passengers per day in January 2020. Meanwhile, MRT users dropped by 94.11 percent to only 5,000 passengers per day. Likewise, the number of commuter line users decreased by 78.69 percent to 183,000 passengers per day. The LRT experienced a 93.05 percent drop to only 264 passengers per day.

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