March 29, 2022
Nearly 15,000 foreign tourists have arrived in Bali, in part due to Visa on Arrival + Java-Bali PPKM continues for another week + KPPU finds evidence of alleged cooking oil cartel practices + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Tuesday, March 29. In today’s edition, we have news of almost 15,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, in part thanks to the Visa on Arrival. PPKM is to roll on for another week in both Bali and Java with no reported change in regulations. Further investigations are to be launched following the discovery of alleged cooking oil cartel activities while an ex-President continues to make statements regarding the alleged shortages that annoy many netizens. 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
“Nearly 15,000 Foreign Tourists Arrive in Bali, Increasingly Due to the Visa on Arrival” from Kompas (Indonesian): The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy said there were nearly 15,000 foreign tourists who arrived in Bali since the beginning of the reopening till Saturday. The information was relayed by the deputy for marketing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nia Niscaya. Furthermore, he explained that there are five countries that use VoA being Australia, Singapore, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. "If based on data before the pandemic, their expenditure is above average," he said. From the first day of VoA on Monday March 7 to Thursday March 24, there were 4,057 foreign nationals who entered Bali. The details of foreigners who use the VoA, included Australia with 1,016 people, Singapore with 500 people, the United States with 444 people, France with 362 people, and the United Kingdom with 354 people.
“Java Bali PPKM Continues for Another Week” from CNBC Indonesia (Indonesian): The period of implementation of PPKM outside Java-Bali which began on March 15 ended on Monday. Until now, the government has not provided certainty whether PPKM outside Java-Bali will be extended or not, or whether there are changes related to PPKM levels. However, the Java-Bali PPKM special will remain valid for at least another week, if referring to the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs. "This Ministerial Instruction comes into force on March 22 until April 4," the rules related to the Java-Bali PPKM stated.
“KPPU Finds Evidence of Alleged Cooking Oil Cartel Practices” from Tempo: The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) launched further investigations into the alleged cartel practices in cooking oil after finding evidence related to the sales or distribution of the commodity that led to the issue of business competition. “Especially [the investigation into] alleged violation of Article 5 [on price-fixing], Article 11 [on cartel practice], and Article 19c [on market control through restrictions on the circulation of goods/services of Law No. 5 of 1999],” said the KPPU spokesman Deswin Nur on Monday. KPPU has investigated the issue of cooking oil for approximately two months after the price of the commodity soared at the end of 2021.
Context: In related news, the Director-General of Agro Industry at the Ministry of Industry has said they are working to ensure adequate cooking oil stocks during Ramadan. Elsewhere, former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, doubling down on previous comments widely derided as tone deaf, staged an oil-free cooking demonstration and asked the question “Why are people complicating this?”
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Other Headlines
“Indonesia G20 To Expand Global Health Research Center Development” from Antara: Indonesia G20 will strive to expand the development of a global health manufacturing and research center in preparation to prevent and respond to the pandemic in future, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said. "To strengthen global health, we need to equally redistribute research and manufacturing capability toward vaccine, therapeutics, and diagnostics," he said on Monday. Sadikin also noted that vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic equality were crucial health aspects during the pandemic. Research and manufacturing capability should ideally exist in various nations and not just in advanced nations or countries with high income. This means the knowledge redistribution process is necessary, he said.
Context: In related news, the governor of Central Java stressed the importance of fixing Indonesia’s health system.
Vaccination Update
“Task Force Reminds People to Get Booster Dose Before Eid Exodus” from Antara: The COVID-19 Handling Task Force has asked people who want to join the Eid al-Fitr mudik to get the booster vaccine as part of efforts to maintain public health and safety. "Whoever who has not received the booster, immediately get the booster. Whoever who has not completed the primary vaccination, immediately complete it to receive the booster," spokesperson for the COVID-19 handling task force, Wiku Adisasmito, said on Monday. Adisasmito said that the government will not prohibit people from joining the 2022 Eid exodus, but they must get the booster shot first. In addition, they must also make sure that the relatives whom they visit have completed primary vaccinations and have received a booster shot.
More...
Nation: “Health Minister Highlights Improvement In Covid-19 Pandemic Handling” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“Mosques Must Have Health Protocol Task Force Says Covid-19 Task Force” from Antara: Mosque and musalla managers must set up a health protocol monitoring task force, in view of the increase in religious activities during Ramadan, spokesperson for the COVID-19 handling task force, Wiku Adisasmito, said on Monday. The increase in prayer activities in mosques and musallas during Ramadan must be followed with strict health protocols, he added. Otherwise, COVID-19 transmission could become a threat to people. Mosque managers must conduct body temperature checks and urge people to continue to wear masks and maintain a safe distance, he said. That way, virus transmission can be prevented, and people can carry out worship activities well during Ramadan, he said.
Context: In related news, state-owned railway firm Kereta Api Indonesia has logged a growing number of passengers ahead of Ramadan.
Economy & Infrastructure
“Indonesia's Pertamina Considers Buying Crude From Russia” from Reuters: Indonesian state energy firm PT Pertamina is considering buying crude oil from Russia as it seeks oil for a newly revamped refinery, CEO Nicke Widyawati said on Monday. Speaking at a parliamentary hearing, she said amid current geopolitical tensions, Pertamina saw "an opportunity to buy from Russia at a good price." She was referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Politically, there's no problem as long as the company we are dealing with was not sanctioned. We have also discussed the payment arrangement, which may go through India," she said.
More...
Nation: “Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Activate Terminal 1A in Early April” from Tempo
Nation: “Indonesia Mulls Raising Coal DMO To 30%” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “PLN Offers 30% Discount to Electric Vehicle Owners” from Antara
Nation: “China Invited to Invest in Mengwi-Gilimanuk Road Project” from Antara
Nation: “Over 70% of MotoGP Spectators Are Millennials” from Antara
Nation: “State Revenues Rise 37.7% to IDR 302.4 Trillion in Feb” from Antara
Education
“Vaccination Not a Requirement for PTM at Schools” from Antara: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology stated that vaccination was not a requirement for schools to conduct either limited face-to-face learning (PTM) or assessment activities. "Additional conditions, such as vaccinations, that are not in accordance with the joint decree of four ministers are not allowed," Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Suharti said on Monday.
More...
Nation: “Minister Hopes Varsities Can Produce Digitally Literate Graduates” from Antara
Bali Reopening
“Bali Needs to Mature the Diversity of Tourism Themes” from Kompas (Indonesian, Paywall)
Of Interest
“University Student From Jakarta Killed in Hit-and-run on Sunset Road” from Coconuts Bali
“25 New Golf Courses in Indonesia Encouraged” from Indonesia Expat
“Sandiaga Explains Why Rendang Goes to Europe Launched in Bali” from CNN Indonesia (Indonesian)
“Sixteen Suspected NII Members Arrested in West Sumatra” from The Jakarta Globe
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How You Can Help Bali
Due to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali, tens of thousands of families have found themselves with a greatly reduced income—if any. If you’d like to support organizations working to help those in need, you can see a list of some here.
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