AS INFECTIONS SPIKE, JAKARTA PRIORITIZES HEALTH OVER RECOVERY by Fardah

 

Jakarta, 4/10/2020 (ANTARA) - Several Indonesian provinces reported a sharp spike in coronavirus infections in August and September, with the highest single-day rise of 4,494 cases recorded nationally on September 26, 2020, to which Jakarta alone contributed 1,322 cases.

When the Indonesian capital celebrated its 493rd anniversary on June 24 this year, it had clocked 195 fresh COVID-19 cases over a 24-hour period, which had taken its total tally to 10,472. Nationwide, the tally had reached 49,009, with 1,113 fresh cases registered that day.

In comparison, Indonesias COVID-19 tally was pegged at 200,506 cases as of October 3 this year, with 4,007 fresh cases reported in the previous 24 hours. Jakarta accounted for 1,265 of the total infections, which took its total caseload to 77,452.This surge in infections has not just been seen in Indonesia, but in many countries across the world after they relaxed COVID-19 measures from May this year, when the rate of infections slowed, to make way for the new normal.

The Indonesian government also eased restrictions starting May to begin the transition to the new normal in several regions, including Jakarta, where the number of COVID-19 cases had shown a declining trend.

Jakarta had imposed Large-Scale Social Distancing (PSBB) measures for the first time from April, to June 3, 2020. Starting from June 4, the capital city had implemented a transitional PSBB as part of the shift towards the new normal.

However, after the COVID-19 infection rate climbed, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan decided to re-enforce PSBB measures from September 14, 2020 for a period of 14 days.

The measures include imposition of sanctions and fines on those found violating the health protocols, which prescribe wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing, restricting the capacity of spaces, and refraining from activities that lead to gathering of crowds.

Considering the emergency situation in Jakarta, there are no other choices, but to put the emergency brakes. This means that we have to implement the PSBB as it was in the beginning of the pandemic. This is the emergency brake that we have to pull, Baswedan said on September 9, 2020.

Data shows infections were climbing in Jakarta at the time: The capital city had recorded 7,960 active cases on August 30, 2020, and 12 days later, on September 11, 2020, the number had jumped to 11,824 active cases, an increase of 3,864 cases, or 49 percent.

According to data provided by the Jakarta provincial government, over 12 days of the PSBB implementation from September 12-23, 2020, the number of active cases was recorded at 13,277, an increase of 1,453, or 12 percent, compared to the figure for September 11.

Despite the slowing of active cases, the Jakarta authorities have remained vigilant over concerns the infections could spike again.

Therefore, Anies Baswedan has decided to extend the PSBB until October 11, 2020, by enforcing health protocols focusing on the 3Ms (wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands) .

The Association of Indonesia's Indigenous Businessmen (HIPPI), Jakarta chapter, has said it understands the Jakarta Governors rationale for extending the PSBB measures.

In a statement released recently, chairman of HIPPI Jakarta, Sarman Simanjorang, said entrepreneurs have no choice but to support the policy.

The PSBB extension has burdened entrepreneurs owing to minimal transactions, a fall in turnover of up to 80 percent, decrease in cash flow, and increase in operating costs, he noted.

"But this is a risk that we must face and share. Our hope is that this PSBB is the last one so that there is certainty for the business sector," he said.

According to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the nations main focus is handling the COVID-19 pandemic as economic recovery will follow suit.

However, on September 14, 2020, he asked regional heads to not be hasty in imposing lockdowns in their territories to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

Once again, do not rush to close an area, city, or district, and if we work based on data, the intervention steps will be more effective and can immediately solve problems on the field, Jokowi remarked while chairing a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace.

To deal with the rise in infections, Jakarta has increased the number of referral hospitals for COVID-19 patients from 67 to 100. The authorities have later added 13 regional public hospitals (RSUD) and 26 private hospitals on the list of referral hospitals for COVID-19 treatment.

Furthermore, the government has instructed that residents who test positive for COVID-19 undergo self-quarantine at facilities offered by the government.

However, it is also allowing people to self-isolate at home as per the requisite criteria.

"Well, the point is that every citizen exposed to and infected with COVID-19 must undergo independent isolation, either individually or through government facilities, but not without control," Governor Baswedan explained.

Several hotels are also offering rooms for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, in accordance with President Widodos directions. Currently, at least 15 one-, two-, and three-star rated hotels are being readied as quarantine facilities.

The decision has been taken on account of the high number of COVID-19 family clusters.

Patients exposed to COVID-19 who have undergone independent isolation at home could raise the likelihood of virus transmission, Baswedan stated.

One positive news is that the COVID-19 recovery rate in Jakarta has reached 75.2 percent of the total cases, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto.

"The central government is paying special attention to the situation development and will always increase the capacity of hospitals and health facilities," he stated.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Hasbullah Thabrany, a community health expert, has lauded the decision of the Jakarta Governor to re-enforce the PSBB to check the spike in COVID-19 cases, saying strict implementation of PSBB will effectively control the virus spread.

In the past, when PSBB implementation had not been relaxed, it had proved quite effective in controlling (COVID-19 transmission). After relaxing it, the number of cases increased. So, it must be tightened again, Thabrany noted.

The tightening of PSBB would certainly have an impact on the economy, but the government has a bigger responsibility -- prioritizing public health above other interests, he remarked.

So, by prioritizing public health, it is hoped economic recovery would also be realized more quickly "lest people whose businesses are affected influence the government to not implement strict PSBB", he said.

He said anyone who disagrees with the strict implementation of the PSBB must be held responsible for the impact of the spike in COVID-19 cases on public health.

"If they are willing to (take) the responsibility, to pay the (medical cost) of someone infected with (COVID-19), go ahead," he averred.

In addition to strict PSBB, the Jakarta authorities must also impose a curfew to limit outdoor activities at night, he advised.  
 
 

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ON JAKARTA ANNIVERSARY, A 'PRESENT': PANDEMIC SHOWING SIGNS OF SLOWING by Fardah

Jakarta, 27/6 , 2020(Antara) - There has been no grand celebration to commemorate Jakarta's 493rd anniversary this year as the Indonesian capital has been preoccupied with the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there has been cause for cheer thanks to news of Jakarta finally managing to bring the infection relatively under control. According to a UI report, the effective reproductive number (Rt) for the city has slid to 0.98 in June this year from 4 in March.

"(I have just received) a report from the team of the Public Health Faculty of the University of Indonesia (UI) that shows that during the past two weeks, under the transition period, the outbreak has been brought under control," Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan remarked during a modest commemoration ceremony at the city hall on June 22, 2020.

Home to a population of around 11 million, Jakarta emerged as the country's first COVID-19 epicenter, following President Joko Widodo's announcement of Indonesia's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.

On March 16, prior to the governments enactment of large-scale social distancing measures, Jakarta recorded its highest Rt of 4, while the threshold is 1, based on the assumption that every 100 people infected with COVID-19 would transmit the disease to 400 others.

On April 10 this year, the figure dropped to 1.5, and currently, it has dipped below one, thanks to the hard work put in by all Jakartans, Baswedan said.

"This is such a present for Jakarta's people as we celebrate the anniversary, since the pandemic that was rampant is currently being brought under control," he remarked.

On June 24, 2020, Jakarta added 195 fresh COVID-19 cases, bringing its total count of confirmed cases so far to 10,472.

The capital city registered 112 recoveries and three deaths the previous day, Fify Mulyani, head of Jakarta's Public Health Office, said.

The metropolitan city has so far registered 5,434 recoveries, while the death toll has been recorded at 631, she noted.

Breaking the chain of COVID-19 transmission by Fardah

Jakarta, April 14, 2020 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, which declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency ever since it emerged in March, has finally accorded the pandemic national disaster status as it has now spread to all 34 provinces in the country.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) signed a letter (number 12/2020), dated 13 April, 2020, on the national disaster status and the appointment of head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Doni Monardo, to lead the COVID-19 task force.

The Task Force for the Accelerated Handling of COVID-19 will work on mitigating the impact of the pandemic through coordinated effort with the concerned ministries, government agencies, and regional administrations.

Jokowi has also assigned governors, district heads, and city mayors as heads of the COVID-19 task forces in their respective regions. While drawing up regional policies, they will be required to refer to the policies formulated by the central government.

As of April 14, Indonesia has reported 4,839 confirmed cases. While the death toll from the contagion has reached 459, a total of 426 patients have completely recovered from the infection.

On March 31, President Jokowi signed Government Regulation No. 21 of 2020 on the imposition of Large-Scale Social Distancing (PSBB) measures to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission in the country.

Guidelines have been set forth for local governments for implementing PSBB in the Minister of Health's Regulation (Permenkes) No. 9 of 2020 on accelerating the response to the COVID-19 crisis.

As per the health minister's regulation,PSBB applications submitted by local governments need to be accompanied with data on the number of confirmed cases and maps of their distribution, among other things.

KALIMANTAN FOREST TO REMAIN INTACT DESPITE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT by Fardah

Selasa, 27 Ags 2019 20:07

Daerah : Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration has assured that the development of the capital city will not damage the environment and vowed that East Kalimantan forests will remain intact.

This comes after the government announced that parts of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara Districts in East Kalimantan Province would be the location for the country’s new capital expected to be inaugurated in 2024, the year when Jokowi’s second term will end.

President Jokowi told the media August 26, 2019 that the two districts were selected, as they faced the least risks from natural disasters, including floods, earthquake, tsunamis, forest fires, and landslides.

Moreover, they are strategically located in the heart of Indonesia and near Balikpapan and Samarinda that are developed cities. Hence, basic infrastructure and facilities already exist. Besides, the government owns 180 thousand hectares of land there.

The decision to move from Jakarta was based on a three-year study conducted by the government.

"The results of the studies concluded that the ideal location for a new capital city will be part of North Penajam Paser District and part of Kutai Kartanegara District in East Kalimantan," President Jokowi, who has been re-elected for the 2019-2024 term, noted.

The work is expected to start in 2021 and cost up to Rp466 trillion (US$32.3 billion) to be covered by the State Budget (Rp74.44 trillion), Public-Private Partnership scheme (Rp265.2 trillion), and private investment (Rp127.3 trillion).

Relocating the capital city in Kalimantan has triggered debates on both sides. The island, also known as Borneo, is considered “the lung of the world” as it is home to vast forests that help absorb CO2.

RELOCATING INDONESIA'S CAPITAL TO KALIMANTAN, "THE WORLD'S LUNG" by Fardah

Jumat, 23 Ags 2019 22:24

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on August 16, 2019, officially announced his plan to move Indonesia’s capital city to Kalimantan Island and asked for the Parliament’s permission for that purpose.
On August 22, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Sofyan Djalil spoke of East Kalimantan as the most likely location for the new capital city. However, Jokowi later denied the assertion and said that studies are still on to decide the location.
In May 2019, Jokowi visited Kalimantan to look for a location for his plan and one of the options was Bukit Soeharto (Soeharto Hill) Forest Park located in Samboja Sub-district, Kutai Kartanegara district, East Kalimantan Province. Between 200,000 and 300,000 hectares are needed to host the new capital city.
Pros and cons emerged in the public regarding Kalimantan also known as Borneo, as the host of the capital city to replace Jakarta. Several young people recently interviewed by TVOne expressed their objection. They specifically mentioned that Kalimantan has so far served as "the lungs of the world", and the massive development needed to build a new capital city would destroy a part of the island's forests.
Located near Balikpapan City, Bukit Soeharto Forest Park hosts the Wanariset Samboja Orangutan Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Center, as well as an education forest managed by the University of Mulawarman.
Balikpapan also has the Sungai (River) Wain Protected Forest (HLSW) which has extraordinary biodiversity including endangered fauna such as sambar deer, orangutans (Pongo pygmaues), sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), and nearly 200 species of birds.
Surrounding Balikpapan, there are also many primary forests, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs on its coastal area.

GOVERNMENT TO STOP PRIVATIZATION OF WATER SUPPLY

Jumat, 10 Mei 2019 21:04

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah
Jakarta, 10/5 (Antara) - After entrusting private companies with supplying clean water to Jakarta residents for two decades, the Jakarta administration has decided to give the task to its own clean water supply company, PT PAM Jaya.

The plan to restore water management concessions in Jakarta continues to run smoothly. PT. Aetra Air Jakarta signed a head of agreement (HoA) with PAM Jaya on April 12, 2019, in Jakarta, PT PAM Jaya recently said in a statement.

Managing Director of PT. PAM Jaya Priyatno Bambang Hernowo, who signed the HoA, outlined four points of the initial agreement.

The points include PAM Jaya and Aetra agreeing to return water management concessions in Jakarta to PAM Jaya, and arranging a transition in the management of the Drinking Water Supply System in the capital city after ending the privatization of water.

Since 1998, the management of drinking water in Jakarta was managed by two private companies, namely Aetra for the eastern region of Jakarta, and PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) for the western region of Jakarta, while PAM Jaya acted as a supervisor.

A study conducted by an evaluation team set up by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan concluded that it is unlikely for private partners to reach targets set at the beginning of the agreement under the current cooperation scheme.

Hence, the governor has asked PAM Jaya to take over piped water management. This is part of a larger global trend toward remunicipalization, under which local authorities can retake control of previously privatized water and sanitation services.

The remunicipalization plan is part of the city's efforts to achieve at least 82 percent tap water coverage by 2023, which is also in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), targeting 100 percent coverage by 2030.

During the 1998-2018 period, the coverage of clean water supply service only increased by 14.9 percent. In 1998, the coverage was 44.5 percent, and in 2017, it went up to 59.4 percent, far from the coverage target of 82 percent by 2023.

The two-decade privatization of Jakartas clean water supply has failed to meet the target of 100 percent coverage of tap water supply.

Governor Anies Baswedan was pleased that the private operators responded positively. Water services should be perceived as a basic need, not as a mere business, he remarked.

Tommy Albert Tobing, a member of the Coalition of Jakarta Residents Opposing Water Privatization (KMMSAJ), said direct remunicipalization would ensure the profits from the lucrative tap water business would be used for the good of the citys residents, rather than for the benefit of a handful of people.

The profits from PAM Jaya will be for the residents, Tobing said.

He said the plan would also return Rp 1.77 trillion in assets to the city administration that was currently in the hands of PAM Jayas private partners.

Fahira Idris, Jakartas senator, also lauded the governor's decision to take over clean water supply management and service. The move was in accordance with Baswedans pledge during the Jakarta gubernatorial race campaign called "The City Advances, The Inhabitants are Happy", she said.

The decision is good news for the residents of Jakarta after two decades of having depended on private companies to get clean water, the senator remarked.

"It is the right decision because it has been taken following a comprehensive study and the takeover was done through a civil process with talks held with Palyja and Aetra," she noted.

It is a bold decision, as the governor does not have to wait for the termination of the contract in 2023, according to the member of the Jakarta Representative Council, or DPD.

"The decision to stop the privatization of water supply has demonstrated that Governor Anies has chosen to stand with the people," she emphasized.

Idris believes that until the time clean water is an expensive and exclusive commodity, a city will never advance, as clean water is a basic necessity for human beings. When clean water becomes expensive and exclusive, the productivity and economy of its residents will be affected, as they have to allocate a large sum of money to avail of clean water, she pointed out.

"Hence, over a decade ago, major cities in the world had kicked out the privatization of water, and they preferred to independently manage the supply of clean water for their residents," she remarked.

In line with the Constitution, the state must meet the public need for clean water, she said, adding that no significant progress has been achieved since private companies took over the management of clean water supply.

"The Jakarta provincial administration has taken a strong stance to take over the management and service of clean water supply for its residents to ensure that every person has access to clean water supply," she stated.

GOVT CONSIDERING MOVING CAPITAL CITY OUTSIDE JAVA ISLAND

Kamis, 2 Mei 2019 08:14

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah
Jakarta, 2/5 (Antara) - The Indonesian Government is considering developing a new capital city located outside Java Island, to replace Jakarta which will celebrate its 492th anniversary this year.
Jakarta is seen as no longer fit to maintain its status as the country's capital city. The metropolitan city is very crowded with roads only constituting 6.2 percent of its total area, while it should ideally be 15 percent at least.

Losses as a result of Jakarta's traffic jams are estimated to reach some Rp100 trillion in 2019. Besides, 50 percent of Jakarta is prone to flooding.

Up to 90 percent of water in Jakarta's rivers are polluted; hence, it poses a danger due to bad sanitation. Jakarta is also sinking with a subsidence rate at seven centimeters a year. During the 1989-2007 period, the soil level in Jakarta subsided by 60 centimeters.


The government favors the plan on moving the capital city outside Java Island, which is the worlds most crowded island, based on various grounds.

With regard to the environment, traffic, and water, Java Island, with a population of some 149 million people, comprising 57 percent of the country's total population, is unlikely to support the development of a new capital city.

The government organized the first cabinet meeting on April 29, 2019, for holding discussions on the plan to shift the capital city.

Easing congestion to reduce air pollution in Jakarta by Fardah

Jakarta, March 25, 2019 (ANTARA) - Jakartans have been very enthusiastic in welcoming the country’s first subway called Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Jakarta, which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the capital city on March 24, 2019.

The long-delayed MRT Jakarta is expected to ease the notorious traffic congestion in the capital city and suburban areas that has caused annual losses amounting to some Rp65 trillion to Rp100 trillion.

The first stage of the construction work of the MRT project, which was initially mooted in the 1980s, began on October 10, 2013, with a total investment worth Rp16 trillion. It serves a 15.7 km-long route connecting Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta and the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Circle in Central Jakarta in 30 minutes.

The second phase of the MRT construction, connecting the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to Ancol in North Jakarta, is expected to begin early next year, parallel to the East-West MRT line, connecting Bekasi in West Java and Tangerang in Banten.

Bad traffic jams in the capital city are a major cause of air pollution. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had decided to apply the odd-even policy as a way to limit the number of cars entering Jakarta.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) last year, Jakarta’s air pollution was worse than that of Bangkok, but better than Manila.

JAKARTA EAGER TO BECOME HALAL TOURISM DESTINATION by Fardah

 Jakarta, March 19, 2018 (Antara) - Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is eager to develop itself into a halal tourism destination, which is not only serving halal food or offering decent attractions, but  also free from crimes and illegal activities.

         Currently, the metropolitan city has a number of halal hotels, many halal coffees and restaurants, religious tourist destinations such as graves of Muslim saints, and Setu babakan Betawi (Batavia) traditional kampong.   
     Besides, Jakarta is also known for its Ancol Dream Land and beach, Kota Tua (Old City) area, several lakes and the Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) located in eastern part of the city.

        Sofyan Hotel Group is among the pioneer of halal hotels in Jakarta as it has developed the sharia hotel management since 2002.

         In 2015, Sofyan Hotel Betawi won an award over Gloria Hotel Dubai and Landmark Hotel Dubai for category of World's Best Family Friendly Hotels in an international halal tourism award event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  
    The Indonesian Ulemas (Islamic Scholars) Council (MUI) has lauded the Jakarta Administration's plan to promote halal tourism. The MUI has helped set several criteria for meeting the halal tourism destinations.

          Based on the criteria set by the MUI, the city must have no prostitution area, sell no alcoholic beverages in the public areas, no narcotics and other illicit drugs, among other things.

        Deputy Governor of Jakarta Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has said that Jakarta is expected to be fully ready to become a competitive halal tourism destination in Asia by 2020.

         The special autonomous provincial government has also set a target of one million foreign tourist arrivals in Jakarta for the next five years. Halal tourism is suitable not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims looking for convenient and friendly places while holidaying with their families.

         "Jakarta will make a work plan on halal tourism implementation and halal products to support the program," Sandiaga said recently,  while speaking in a focus group discussion on halal tourism and halal destination.

         The city's major products include halal food and Muslim fashion products, while its attractions include the Old City and Seribu Islands.

         The Setu Babakan Betawi cultural center is also a potential halal tourism attraction, he said.

         The Jakarta administration has planned to make Setu Babakan Betawi  kampong located in South Jakarta, as a center for Jakarta culinary.

        Besides, the Jakarta Administration will establish cooperation with the Syariah Economic Community and several universities to prepare the human resources for halal tourism program.

        The Jakarta Governor has signed a gubernatorial regulation on halal tourism but it needs a minor revision to adjust to the current progress, he said in early March 2018.

           In fact, the Jakarta government is preparing a halal tourism concept for the capital city. 
    To actuate the plan, Sandiaga said he has held a meeting with relevant institutions including the Food, Drugs And Cosmetics Agency and the Jakarta MUI branch.

         Among the items discussed in the meeting was the halal certificates for several tourism destinations in Jakarta. 
    "We will try to identify one or two areas that we can certify as a halal destination," Sandiaga said at the City Hall on Feb. 1, 2018.  
      The halal tourism concept would focus on tourism objects that are certified as halal, including for its gastronomy industry.

         "When a place is appointed as a halal destination, then everything must adhere to the sharia principles and halal stamp from the MUI," he said. 
      The Jakarta Tourism Office is now surveying for locations that are suitable to be turned into a halal tourism destination
     The halal tourism plan has been lauded by Director of the Jakarta Government-owned regional company Tourisindo (JakTour) G Jeffrey Rantung.

        "Alhamdulillah (Thank God), because halal tourism is also our vision, Rantung," said late last year. 
      Rantung said he had briefly discussed the halal tourism program with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan who has shared a similar idea. He is optimistic that halal tourism industry will be beneficial to the capital city.

          Meanwhile, according to the Global Islamic Economy Indicator, Indonesia ranks 4th for halal tourism, which is geared towards Muslim families who abide by rules of Islam. Indonesia is listed for the first time among the top ten countries with the best halal tourism ecosystem.

         Beside Indonesia, the other top three countries that have well-developed halal tourism are Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.

        Being the world's largest Muslim population nation, Indonesia hopes to attract at least 3.8 million foreign Muslim visitors in 2018, and five million by 2019, which will contribute towards its target of 20 million foreign tourists in the same year.

       In 2016, some 2.7 million foreign Muslim tourists visited Indonesia.

        Currently, the Tourism Ministry has intensified promotions of five halal tourism destinations in Indonesia, namely Aceh, West Sumatra, Jakarta, West Java, and Lombok.

       Halal tourism in Indonesia has earned numerous international awards, including three awards at the World Halal Tourism Award 2015 in Abu Dhabi and 12 awards at the same event in 2016.   ***1***
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/Suharto) 19-03-2018

JAKARTA TO UTILIZE MOMENTUM OF ASIAN GAMES TO BOOST MSMEs by Fardah

 Jakarta, Feb 8, 2018 (Antara) - The 18th Asian Games, a regional sporting event for Asian nations, will be co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, simultaneously from August 18 to September 2, 2018.

        This will be the second time that Indonesia will host the Asian Games after the first one was held in Jakarta in 1962.

        After more than five decades, the Asian Games will finally return to Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta, a metropolitan hosting more than 12 million people during the work week.

        Some 9.5 thousand athletes, 2.5 thousand personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5.5 thousand technical delegates from 45 countries will participate or be involved in the event. At least 3.5 thousand media representatives are expected to cover the event.

        The presence of such a large number of people from various countries offers a good opportunity for Jakarta and Palembang to promote their tourist destinations and products of micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs).

        The 2018 Asian Games offers the necessary momentum to boost the capital city's economy, Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Salahudin Uno remarked.

        Uno has encouraged some 20 thousand small and medium entrepreneurs to produce and sell souvenirs during the largest regional sporting event in the Asian continent.

        "The 2018 Asian Games offers the best momentum to boost the capital city's economy by involving MSMEs. It is time for us to create job opportunities," Uno, a successful businessman, noted recently.

        Uno remarked that souvenirs produced by MSMEs will cater to the needs and interests of athletes, officials, spectators, and tourists.

FLOODING FORCES THOUSANDS OF JAKARTANS TO EVACUATE by Fardah

Jakarta, Feb 7 , 2018(Antara) - Parts of Jakarta have been inundated since Feb 5 following heavy rains in the capital and the neighboring city of Bogor, which always sends flash floods to the downstream areas of the metropolitan city.

          Floods have led to the forced evacuation of a total of 6,532 people in East and South Jakarta on Feb 6. 
     The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has in fact warned of flooding in several regions across Indonesia during rainy season.

        The agency forecast that hydrometeorological disasters are forecast to be dominant in Indonesia in 2018.

         "It is forecast that natural disasters in 2018 will be dominated by floods, landslides, and whirlwinds. It is estimated that 90 percent of the natural disasters would be hydrometeorological in nature," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the BNPB, warned in Jakarta, in December 2017.

         The rainy and dry seasons are expected to be normal this year. There will be no El Nino, which could cause drought, nor La Nina, which could trigger excessive rains.

        "However, floods, landslides, and whirlwinds will remain dominant, but their locations will depend on the intensity of precipitation," he noted.

        Flooding in Jakarta was particularly triggered by the overflowing of Ciliwung River from Bogor and six other rivers passing through the capital city following incessant, heavy rains on Feb 4-5.

         The Bogor and Jakarta authorities announced the highest disaster alert level on Feb 5 when the water level at the Katulampa Dam in Bogor touched 240 centimeters (cm) at 9:05 a.m. local time, as the Ciliwung River swelled significantly following incessant rains in the river's upstream areas since the previous day.

JAKARTA POISED TO BE GATEWAY FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS TO SOUTHEAST ASIA by Fardah

Jakarta, Jan 21, 2018 (Antara) - Jakarta metropolitan city is poised to be a gateway for foreign investors interested in doing business not only to Indonesia but also to Southeast Asian region.    
    The ambitious plan for Indonesia's capital city was revealed by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, while speaking at the First Saudi Arabian Investor Forum (SAIF) for Real Estate, which was held in Jakarta recently and participated in by around 200 Saudi investors, Indonesian businessmen, and regulators.

        "We welcome this meeting and laud that it is held in Jakarta as an entry gate to Indonesia. I informed them that Jakarta is not only for Indonesia but also for Southeast Asia," the governor told the press.

         Baswedan remarked that Jakarta is ready to serve as an entry point for Saudi Arabia's investment in Southeast Asia and to provide facilities to Saudi investors.

         The Jakarta administration will coordinate closely with the Investment Coordinating Board in developing Jakarta as an entry gate for investment in Southeast Asian countries and in providing facilities to potential investors, he remarked.

         Jakarta hopes to be able to create more job opportunities for its citizens by facilitating foreign investors.  
   Habab Alhanaya, chairman of Association of Saudi Arab Investors in Indonesia, stated that Saudi investors should take advantage of the investment potentials in Indonesia.

         "God willing, in the future, we will expand business segmentation not only in real estate but also in tourism and other sectors," he asserted.

JAKARTA INTENSIFIES PROMOTION ACTIVITIES OF ASIAN GAMES 2018 by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 15, 2017 (Antara) - In less than a year, the 18th Asian Games will be organized in Jakarta and the South Sumatran provincial capital of Palembang, with the participation of thousands of athletes from 45 Asian nations.

         The Asian Games 2018 is the most important event in Jakarta next year, so promotion efforts are being intensified by raising more advertising banners in public areas.

         Some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 countries will participate or be involved in the event. At least 3,500 media representatives are expected to cover it.

         As the co-host of the largest regional sports event in Asia, Jakarta hopes that every Jakartan is aware and proud of the Asian Games, which will run from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.     
    Deputy Governor of Jakarta Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has instructed his subordinates to promote the Games next year in residential areas of the capital city.

         "We have ordered the provincial administration's apparatus, including those operating at the neighborhood level, to promote the Asian Games," Uno told reporters on Dec 12.

          Intensified promotion is necessary because not every inhabitant of Jakarta is aware of the Asian Games, according to Uno.

          "Based on the monthly survey we conducted, only the middle and upper class are aware of the Asian Games, while the lower-middle class and working class have not felt the impact of the Asian Games," he revealed.

          Ratiyono, head of the Jakarta youth affairs and sports office, confirmed on Dec 13 that the provincial administration would step up promotional efforts in accordance with the governor's instructions. "We are intensifying the promotion of the Asian Games 2018, in cooperation with the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC)," he said.

News Focus - IT IS TIME FOR NEW JAKARTA GOVERNOR TO WORK HARD by Fardah

       Jakarta, Oct 18 (Antara)   After waiting for six months, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated Anies Rasyid Baswedan and Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno respectively as the Jakarta governor and deputy governor for 2017-2022 term at the State Palace on Oct 16.
             Baswedan and Uno, both aged 48, won the Jakarta gubernatorial election in April 2017 after competing with incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and Djarot Hidayat in a run-off election.
             Their victory in the election was officially announced by the General Election Commission of Jakarta on May 5, 2017.
             The Jakarta Metro Jaya Police and Military Command had deployed some seven thousand personnel to guard the inauguration of the new Jakarta governor. The joint police and military team guarded the palace and the City Hall, the office of Jakarta's governor.
             During the ceremony broadcast live on television, Baswedan, dressed in a white uniform, pledged to perform his duties to the best of his abilities during his five-year term.
             Following the inauguration, Baswedan, the former education minister and university rector, said with the conclusion of the campaign phase and the inauguration, it is now time to focus on work and on fulfilling the promises he had made while campaigning for the regional head election.
             Baswedan and Uno, a successful businessman, will have to work hard to fulfill their 23 campaign promises that include zero down payment for housing schemes and entrepreneurial programs to create 200 thousand new jobs.
             Uno had earlier said entrepreneurial programs are crucial to solving the unemployment problem in the capital city.  
        From the palace, the new governor and deputy governor headed to the Jakarta City Hall where thousands of well-wishers were waiting to greet and congratulate them.            
        "We can't wait to get to work right away. We have been waiting for six months. Insha Allah, Jakarta will be better," Baswedan said in his first official speech as governor after a handover ceremony at the City Hall during which his predecessor Hidayat was away on vacation in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

JAKARTA'S LRT PROJECT EXPECTED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL IN EARLY 2019 by Fardah

Jakarta, July 27, 2017 (Antara) - Jakarta, with a population of some 10 million people, is notorious for being one of the world's most traffic-congested and populated cities.

        The government has provided several means of public transportation, such as the Trans-Jakarta bus services and commuter train KRL Jabodetabek to serve the Greater Jakarta or Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) areas.

        However, traffic jams persist, and the use of KRL Jabodetabek as well as the Trans-Jakarta bus services has become inconvenient since they are always crowded during peak hours.

        To solve the congestion problem, the authorities have been constructing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) that will connect Greater Jakarta.

        The KRL has between eight and 10 coaches that are capable of carrying up to some two thousand passengers per trip. The MRT will have up to six coaches that will be able to transport around 1,950 passengers per trip or 173 thousand passengers per day, while the LRT will have three coaches, with a maximum of 628 passengers per trip.

        At least 23 percent of the Greater Jakarta LRT has been developed as of June 2017. The system will cover three lines: Cawang-Cibubur covering 14.5 kilometers (km); Cawang-East Bekasi, 17.1 km; and Cawang-Kuningan-Dukuh Atas, 10.5 km.

        In total, the first stage of the Greater Jakarta LRT railway will stretch around 42.1 km, according to President Director of PT Adhi Karya Tbk Budi Harto.

        The Jabodebek LRT project is expected to be completed in 2018, and the LRT service to become operational, starting early 2019. 

        Currently, the government has been striving to streamline the budget for the mass transportation project.  However, efficiency will be sought without reducing passenger comfort.

        Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan claimed that the government could save Rp6 trillion by using a moving block signaling system for the LRT railway connecting Jakarta with Jabodebek.

        The figure was arrived at after a recalculation following a change in technology applied in the project, he said while speaking at the National Technology Congress held in Jakarta recently.  
   Moving block signaling is a system in which the blocks, or sections of track, are defined in real time by computers as protected zones around each train.

        "The LRT project had already been started, but we made a recalculation. We saw that the technology could be changed, and in fact, the cost could be reduced to up to Rp6 trillion," he noted.

        Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi explained that initially, the government had chosen to use a fixed block signaling system, which determines the headway, or time interval, between trains for the LRT project.

        Later, however, the government decided to apply the moving block signaling system, which would allow more trains to operate.

        With a moving block system, trains can transport more passengers as compared to a fixed block system, according to the transportation minister.

        The LRT could transport up to 750 thousand passengers per day, while with the fixed block system, it would only be able to transport 500 thousand.

        "With more passengers, as they are a dividing factor, it can be ensured that the returns on investment will be faster," he explained.

        The government has adjusted the budget allocation from Rp21.7 trillion to Rp22 trillion for the project.

        "There is a small additional cost, notably only between Rp200 and Rp300 billion," he added.

        Meanwhile, the State Asset Management Institute has allocated a total of Rp1.6 trillion to compensate for the land procured in 32 areas for the LRT in Jabodebek.

        "There are two big areas, such as in (Cibubur) scout camping round, measuring 4.5 thousand square meters, and in East Bekasi, nearly 10 hectares, for a depot and a station," Prasetyo Boeditjahjono, the railway director general of the Transportation Ministry, stated recently.

        Land procurement is concentrated in those two areas in addition to several others, Pundjung Setya Brata, operation director III of PT Adi Karya Tbk, noted.

        The location in Cibubur will be the final station. In East Bekasi, five hectares of the total 10 hectares belong to Adhi Karya, so the depot construction could be carried out immediately.

        Minister Pandjaitan has instructed that the procurement of land should be completed by this July.

        "There are 32 locations to be cleared, and it is almost completed. I want it to be completed this month," he said.

        The government has hired independent appraisers to suggest compensation for private land.

        He said the average progress of the LRT construction project in the first phase has reached 15.5 percent, comprising 31.4 percent for Cawang-Cibubur, 2.7 percent for Cawang Dukuh Atas, and 15.1 percent for Cawang-East Bekasi. 
   By the end of this year, the progress in the construction of the LRT project is expected to reach at least 60 percent.

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EDITED BY INE

(T.F001/A/BESSR/O. Tamindael) 27-07-2017

TERROR ATTACK NEAR JAKARTA BUS TERMINAL DEPLORED by Fardah

Jakarta, May 25, 2017 (Antara)- From President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to Ulemas (Muslim scholars) and Jakarta's governor-elect Anies Baswedan, among others, several prominent figures have strongly condemned the suicide terror attack that hit near Kampung Melayu bus terminal, eastern Jakarta, killing three police officers.

          The Jakarta bomb explosions that occurred on May 24 evening, just two days after Manchester terror attack, killed two suspected suicide bombers too.

          One of the suicide bombers, identified by his initial as INS (40), was killed, with his head, legs, and body blown apart. Another suspect, believed to be a woman, was killed too.

          Eleven people, including five police officers, two female university students, and drivers of public vehicles, were injured in the twin blasts that hit five minutes apart at 9 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. local time, respectively.

         The injured victims were rushed to the Premier Jatinegara Hospital, Said Sukant Kramat Jati Police Hospital, Budi Asih Hospital, and Hermina Hospital that were located nearby.

        The police officers were on duty to guard a group of people who were holding a torch parade to welcome the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The parade had not yet passed by when the blasts occurred.

         The country's Head of State and various other parties expressed their condolences to the victims and families of the suicide bombing.

          "I convey my deepest condolences to the victims and their families, including those still in hospital, particularly the police officers on duty," Jokowi stated at his residence in Solo, Central Java, on May 25.

          The president has instructed Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian to investigate the crime and quell the network of suicide bombers.

JAKARTA GOVERNOR-ELECT CONVEYS MESSAGE OF UNITY by Fardah

Jakarta, May 6, 2017(Antara) - There was no celebration for Jakarta's Governor-elect Anies Baswedan and his deputy, Sandiaga Uno, after the General Election Commission of Jakarta (KPU Jakarta) on May 5, officially confirmed that they won the second round regional head election (pilkada) held in Jakarta on April 19, 2017.

         Instead, they held a small gathering at the Museum of Bank Indonesia in Old Jakarta town to express gratitude to those who supported them during the pilkada and conveyed a message of unity to every Jakartan.

         The event was attended by among others, retired general, Prabowo Subianto; chairman of the Gerindra Party, Sohibul Iman; chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS); Aburizal Bakrie, former chairman of Golkar Party; and Fahmi Idris, former minister.

         Gerindra and PKS are the main supporter of Baswedan and Uno, or known as Anies-Sandi pair.

         "I and bother Anies are grateful to all of you for supporting us," Uno said.

          He hoped that the inhabitants of Jakarta, who were divided during the election, could unite again as the election was over.

          Baswedan said that the victory in the pilkada is in fact a victory of every Jakartan.

          Unifying all Jakartans and accommodating the public interests indiscriminately are among priorities for Anies-Sandi, who will be inaugurated as the Jakarta Governor and Deputy Governor for the 2017-2022 period in Oct.

         They also set up a synchronization team to translate their programs technically.

          "It is technical. The team does not draft new program but translate our planned programs in accordance with the Regional State Budget (APBD)," Baswedan stated.

ELECTION COMMISSION CONFIRMS JAKARTANS ELECT NEW GOVERNOR by Fardah

 Jakarta, May 1 (Antara) - Just few hours after counting of ballot papers and the closing of 13,034 polling stations across Jakarta during the second round gubernatorial election held on April 19, quick counts conducted by several pollsters showed that most of the Jakartans decided to have a new governor and deputy governor.
    Based on the quick count conducted by Polmark, incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and his pair Djarot Saiful Hidayat, or known as Ahok-Djarot, collected 42.33 percent, while contender Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno, or Anies-Sandi, won 57.67 percent. According to Indobarometer, Anies-Sandi won 58.50 percent and Ahok-Djarot won 41.50 percent.

         The next day, Jakarta General Election Commission (KPU Jakarta) uploaded the temporary results on its official website, showing 42.05 percent (2,351,245 votes) for the Ahok-Djarot pair and 57.95 percent (3,240,332 votes) for the Anies-Sandi pair.  
   The results were real, although it was not official, as KPU Jakarta was in the process of manual counting.

        On April 29 after completing the manual ballot recapitulation, KPU Jakarta announced that Anies-Sandi pair has emerged the winners of the Jakarta gubernatorial election (pilkada).

         Anies-Sandi won 57.96 percent (3,240,987 votes) from a total of 5,591,353 votes, Sumarno, chairman of the KPU Jakarta, said following a plenary meeting on recapitulation of ballot count.

         The pair defeated incumbent Ahok-Djarot, who collected 42.04 percent (2,350,366 votes).

           "We will officially announce the results on Friday (May 5), if there is no one filing a lawsuit disputing the results to the Constitutional Court (MK)," Sumarno stated.

JAKARTA'S VOTERS DEMONSTRATE DEMOCRATIC MATURITY by Fardah

   Jakarta, April 24, 2017 (Antara) - Political tensions rode high during campaigning for the second round of Jakarta's gubernatorial election (pilkada) in which Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and Djarot Saiful Hidayat (Ahok-Djarot) paired against Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno (Anies-Sandi).

        Jakarta residents were divided and had heated arguments on social media regarding their candidates. Hoax, black campaign materials, and money politics were reported during the election process, but luckily, no physical violence occurred.  
   On the contrary, during the polling day on Apr 19, Jakarta was peaceful, and the election was held smoothly and democratically.     
   According to the results of quick counts conducted by several pollsters, Anies-Sandi won the election against Ahok-Djarot.

        The Jakarta General Election Commission (KPU) uploaded the results on its official website, showing 42.05 percent, or 2,351,245 votes, for the Ahok-Djarot pair, and 57.95 percent, or 3,240,332 votes, for the Anies-Sandi pair.

        The number of Jakartans who voted reached 5,591,198.

        A total of 64,523 joint police, military, and other security personnel were mobilized to maintain security during the election.

JAKARTA REMAINS FLOOD ALERT UNTIL MARCH by Fardah

Jakarta, Feb 27 , 2017 (Antara) - Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta is always flooded during peak rainy season annually and now is still prone to flooding.

        This year, extreme weather is forecast to bring heavy rainfall that could cause floods until March.

       Widespread flooding hit at least 54 areas and submerged thousands of homes in the metropolitan city following incessant downpour on Feb 20 and 21, 2017.   
  Some 11 of the 54 flood-hit areas were in South Jakarta, 29 in East Jakarta, and 14 in North Jakarta. 
   Floodwaters reached up to 30 centimeters in height in Grogol; up to 1.5 meters in height in Gunung Sahari; and up to 2 meters in height in Cipinang Melayu. Flooding was also reported in Kelapa Gading, Kemang, Kebayoran Baru, and Cawang.

          The flooding disrupted traffic and caused congestion on several roads, according to information from the Jakarta Police's Traffic Management Center.

         In Cipinang Melayu, East Kalimantan, over 900 flood victims took refuge in Borobudur University's mosque.

         A total of 304 schools located in Central, North, West, South, and East Jakarta were inundated on Feb 21, forcing their temporary shutdown.

          In Central Jakarta, flooding affected 45 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, and 3 vocational high schools.