April 1, 2022
Governor Koster claims Bali has entered endemic phase + Pertamina expected to hike gasoline price on Friday + 79 million expected to join Eid exodus + Weekend reads + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Friday, April 1. In today’s edition, we have news of Governor Koster claiming Bali has entered the endemic stage of Covid-19, while it looks likely Pertamina will increase the cost of petrol at the bowser by around 30% today. Elsewhere, around 3,000 climbers have been banned from climbing Mount Rinjani after not following rules around waste prevention. Scroll down for the full wrap on what has been happening in Bali and Indonesia since you last heard from us.
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Weather & Tides
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Governor Koster Claims Bali Has Entered Endemic Phase” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian): Bali Governor Wayan Koster claims Bali has entered an endemic phase if you look at the development of Covid-19 cases and vaccination rates. "If, looking at the curve pattern from 2020 and 2021 and now 2022, I think in terms of its development between the pattern that occurs and the existing curve, we have actually entered into an endemic position," he said on Thursday. "Only, the one who has the right to issue this [endemic status] is WHO. But, I think in Bali it has entered the territory. So it's safe," he said.
“Pertamina Expected to Hike a Gasoline Price Friday” from CNA: Indonesia's state energy company PT Pertamina is expected to raise the price of one of its less popular gasoline brands on Friday to limit its losses, a move that economists warn could further pressure an already ballooning subsidy bill. Despite a spike in global oil prices linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, Southeast Asia's largest economy has so far left prices of its most widely used fuels unchanged, with concerns a hike could trigger a jump in inflation at a time when food prices are also rising. Local media reported that Pertamina will raise the price of its octane 92 gasoline, known as Pertamax, by around 30% to 12,000 rupiah ($0.84) a litre.
“79 Million Expected to Join Eid Exodus Says Transportation Minister” from Antara: Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has estimated that as many as 79 million Indonesians will take part in the 2022 Eid Al-Fitr mass exodus. “The ministry’s research and development agency had conducted a survey to anticipate the Eid Al-Fitr holiday and the number was projected high, around 79 million people willing to involve in the exodus,” Sumadi said on Thursday. Central Java, East Java, and West Java are among the destinations that most people will head to during the exodus, he said. In response to the high interest among the public in the exodus, Sumadi spoke of his intention to prepare facilities and infrastructure as well as ensure people’s safety during the trip and protect them from COVID-19 risks.
Context: In related news Jakarta’s main airport is seeing record passenger traffic levels.
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Other Headlines
“Indonesia's Anti-trust Body Investigates Cooking Oil Producers” from CNA: Indonesia's anti-trust agency is investigating eight cooking oil producers on suspicion of cartel practices amid high retail prices, its chief Ukay Karyadi said on Thursday. The agency first launched its probe in January when cooking oil prices were surging and is now focusing on eight companies that together control more than 70% of Indonesia's cooking oil market, Ukay told a parliamentary hearing, without naming the companies. In an attempt to control domestic prices, Indonesia restricted exports and put in place a set of maximum retail prices for cooking oil, which led to scarcity in the market. The export restrictions and cap on retail prices were later scrapped. The KPPU is investigating the eight companies due to "signs" of price control, supply control and cartel practices, Ukay said, adding they also have their own palm plantations and wield considerable influence in the market.
Context: Meanwhile the Indonesian Vegetable Oil Refiners Association is claiming they have lost billions of rupiah due to the policy changes aimed at reigning in profiteering.
Vaccination Update
“Booster Vaccinations in Buleleng Reach 37% of Target” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The number of people in Buleleng who have been vaccinated by booster or stage three has reached 199,610 people. Of these, booster vaccinations in Buleleng reached about 37.11% of the target target of 537,957 people. This was stated by the Head of Data of the Covid-19 Handling Task Force buleleng Ketut Suwarmawan Regency, on Wednesday. Suwarmawan said the scheme used in vaccination is to assign all health workers in Buleleng to become vaccination teams in the implementation of booster vaccinations, and the achievements have successfully exceeded the target.
Economy & Infrastructure
“Carbon Tax Imposition Put Off Till July 2022 Says Minister” from Antara: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has informed that the imposition of the carbon tax has been postponed till July 2022 since the government is still synchronizing the implementation road map for the tax. She said on Thursday that according to the Tax Regulation Harmonization (HPP) Law, the policy was initially to be implemented from April 1, 2022, however, the postponement of the implementation of the policy will not interfere with the national economic recovery program. There are a number of difficulties regarding the imposition of carbon tax since international carbon trading requires a joint global agreement, she noted. There are differences in tax implementation in each country, especially regarding the quantum of tax, thus a road map for the imposition of a carbon tax must be prepared properly, she said.
More...
Nation: “Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminal 1 to Recommence Operations April 1” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian)
Nation: “President Instructs Staff to Anticipate Fuel Shortage” from Antara
Nation: “Jokowi Still Enjoys 65% Approval Rating, but Cracks in Support Appear” from The Jakarta Globe
Nation: “Gojek-backed Livestreaming App Launches $1m Fund for Content Creators” from Tech In Asia
Education
“100% PTM in Jembrana Certainly Cannot Be Implemented” from Suara Bali (Indonesian): Although there are already rules related to Face-to-Face Learning (PTM) in Bali. However, for Jembrana PTM 100% for elementary and junior high school levels is not yet implemented. This is seen from the implementation of 50% PTM that has been running. After being evaluated, it was not yet possible for 100% PTM. The Head of Basic Education at the Jembrana I Nyoman Wenten Dikpora Office on Wednesday also confirmed the situation. "From the results of the evaluation of the implementation of 50% PTM in Jembrana for elementary school (SD) and junior high school levels, it cannot be raised to 100% PTM," he said. To date Nyoman Wenten has not received data from all schools. Previously, the proposal for the submission of 100% PTM must need an evaluation in each education unit. Among them concerns vaccination doses I and 2 for students.
“5,000 Blacklisted From Climbing Mount Rinjani” from Republika (Indonesian): Gunung Rinjani National Park Hall recorded as many as 5,000 names that were included in the no-go list of climbing Mount Rinjani on Lombok. The people were blacklisted for not complying with the rules of bringing back their garbage when going down the climb. "Many are not allowed to climb, there are 5,000 people who are on the blacklist from 2020-2021," said Head of Gunung Rinjani National Park, Dedy Asriady, on Thursday. He said the people on the blacklist were from various regions, but most are locals. Dedy emphasized that everyone who will climb Mount Rinjani is checked and recorded in the e-Rinjani application. Not only people's names, but also luggage that can be garbage. "So, there is an examination using e-Rinjani, there is asked to enter garbage data and when going down the mountain checked again," he said.
Weekend Reads
“Bali Hotels & Restaurants on Shaky Grounds?” from Bali Discovery
“Countries Conquered by Oil Palm Oligarchy” from Berdikari Online (Indonesian)
“Coal-powered Industrial Parks Test Indonesia’s Climate Pledges – and China’s Too” from China Dialogue
Of Interest
“Man Attempts to Steal Motorbike, is Beaten by Residents Then Arrested” from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
“Kadapat Is Bali’s Best Hidden Musical Treasure” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
“Indonesian Military Chief Calls for Descendants of Communists to Join Armed Forces” from Benar News
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