#Public Affairs
10 largest oil palm plantations in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, producing around 46.2 million metric tons in 2021 alone. Being the largest producer, consequently Indonesia has the largest oil palm plantations, especially in Sumatra and Kalimantan islands.
China's coal-fired power plants should be terminated over public concerns
The government should terminate all captive coal-fired power plant projects funded by the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since the projects have yet to comply with China's commitment to cease the development of coal-fired power plants at home and overseas since September 2021. Ironically, several nickel-based industrial parks are powered by coal to produce nickel-based batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).
Michelin allegedly involves in deforestation, intimidation against Jambi local community
French tire company Michelin's local subsidiary, PT Lestari Asri Jaya (LAJ), has been allegedly involved in deforestation and intimidation against local farmers although the company had secured green bonds.
Stunting threat in Indonesia
According to Banggai Islands Regent Ihsan Basir, stunting cases in the Central Sulawesi's regency in 2019 had been recorded at 22.6%. The figure increased to 23% in 2020 but then decreased to 21.54% in 2021. However, until mid year 2022, the stunting rate in the regency slightly increased to 21.87% in 2022.
Fuel price dilemma: Mass strikes to happen in next several months
The government recently raised fuel prices to avoid an overburdening of the state budget from subsidies designed to keep domestic fuel costs low despite increasing global oil prices. Some may question, though, why even supposedly unsubsidized fuel in Indonesia is still priced significantly below global standards. And a lot of it has to do with definitions.
G20 Summit targets: Responding to food crisis, clean energy
The world is now facing the risk of a global food security crisis. Global markets for food, fertilizer and fuel are thus extremely nervous. Of course, market forces could solve such a crisis, but only by driving food prices higher and forcing hundreds of millions of households into possible hunger and starvation.
Regulation on PSE solidifies as big tech companies register their services
Indonesia’s censorship and tight internet regulation mission continue with the implementation of the ministry of communication and informatics' Ministerial Regulation no. 5/2020 on Private Electronic System Operators (PSE).
Labor Party plans to protest until September 26, 2022
Labor Party Chairman Said Iqbal said that party elements of workers, fishermen, farmers, women, youth organizations and other informal workers will continue to protest the government on the latter's policy on fuel price hike. The protests will take place in offices of governors, regents and mayors as well as the Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) buildings until September 26, 2022.
Government increases fuel prices, sparks protests across Indonesia
Protests broke out in several cities on September 6, 2022, following the government's decision to raise fuel prices three days earlier. Thousands of workers, grouped under the Labor Party, staged a protest in front of the House of Representatives (DPR)/People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
National Press Freedom Index improves in 2022
The National Press Freedom index in 2022 saw a 1.86 point growth to 77.88, based on a survey by the Indonesian Press Council and state-owned surveyor firm PT Sucofindo. Press Council Chairman Azyumardi Azra said, despite the improvement, the public should not get complacent and continue to fight for press freedom.
Labor Party and Labor Unions to protest on September 6, 2022, rejecting fuel price increase plan and the Omnibus Law on job creation
The Labor Party and other labor organizations will hold simultaneous actions in 34 provinces on September 6, 2022. In Jakarta, it will be centered in the DPR RI with an estimated attendance of around 5,000 people, while in the regions it will be held at the Governor's Office followed by the recovery of thousands of workers. Protesters in Jakarta came from Jabodetabek with demands to reject the increase in fuel prices, reject the ratification of the Omnibus Law on Ciptaker, and increase labor wages by 10 to 13% in 2023.
Indonesian workers are skeptical of three social aid schemes aimed at increasing subsidized fuel prices
The government plans to implement three social aid schemes worth US$1.62 billion (IDR 24.17 trillion) to boost people's purchasing power amid the risk of inflationary pressures as a result of an expected increase in subsidized fuel prices.