Category: Deputies

Farmers Talks to Moeldoko, Decry Palm Oil Export Ban

Post date 20/05/2022

The Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko met the Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Association (Apkasindo) at Bina Graha Building in Jakarta, Tuesday (17/5).

Jakarta – Meeting the Presidential Chief of Staff, the Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Association (Apkasindo) conveyed their discontentment against palm oil export ban issued by the government late last month. The ban, according to the association, has led the fresh fruit bunch (TBS) prices to plummet, which further slashed the palm oil farmers’ income.

The Chairman of Apkasindo, Gulat Manurung, blamed the complicated bureaucracy and ineffective government’s policies. He specifically referred to the 2018 Agriculture Ministerial Decree on the purchase price of the palm oil fresh fruit bunches (Tandan Buah Segar/TBS). The regulated price is unfairly aimed only for farmers partnered with a palm oil company.

“In fact, there are only around 7 percent of farmers who are in partnership with palm oil companies. While the other 93 percent are independent palm oil farmers,” said Gulat. “The association demands the decree to be revised,” he added.

In addition, the association also cited the community-owned palm oil rejuvenation program (PSR) funded by the special public service agency, the Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDP-KS), as another disappointment.

“Farmers have yet to be able to apply for the rejuvenation program. Not to mention, the app [software] of the program has been inaccessible in any devices in the past five months,” he added.

Meanwhile, Apkasindo directly met with the Chief of Staff at the Bina Graha Building in Jakarta after they staged a sizable street protest over the palm oil export ban in the capital city.

Carefully listening to the aspirations delivered by the farmers’ association himself, Moeldoko promised to forward the message to the President Joko Widodo. He also stressed that the farmers’ concern over the ban was an issue the government would pay attention to.

In the defense towards the policy, Moeldoko said that the government’s purpose behind the ban was to control the soaring price of cooking oil, in a bid to fulfill the local markets’ needs.

“It does not necessarily mean the President turns a blind eye to the palm oil farmers situation. The President is putting the farmers’ welfare as top consideration while guaranteeing affordable cooking oil supply for the public need. It is undeniable that the latter has created a broad impact in society’s daily life, too,“ Moeldoko said.

The Executive Office of the President, he said, would soon discuss the matter with the Agriculture Ministry and the BPDP-KS with the hope of finding a solution over the ineffective Ministerial decree and the rejuvenation program.

Moeldoko went on to say his appreciation to Apkasindo for administering the street protest in an orderly manner. “The government is all ears to the aspirations of the people. So, thank you Apkasindo for staging the protest peacefully,” he praised the farmers.

Deputies Deputy V News

ASEAN-US Summit Brings Positive Outlook For Indonesia

Post date 18/05/2022

Senior Advisor of the Executive Office of the Presiden, Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin.

Jakarta – The ASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington DC, United States on Thursday – Friday (12-13/5), has certainly provided positive feedback for ASEAN and Indonesia. In general, the successful event marks a “new era” of United States-Southeast Asia relations following the issuance of Joint Vision Statements that shares views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern.

The Senior Advisor of the Executive Office of the Presiden, Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, hailed the 28-point vision statement as it stresses on humanitarian issues rather than politics. The statement, furthermore, focuses on prevention against pandemic and joint recovery efforts, putting the strengthened economy and its connectivity on the second line.

“It particularly set the talks in digital literacy, an inclusive framework, while encouraging more innovation and efficacy altogether,” said Ruhaini, Sunday (16/5).

Another humanitarian issue raised in the joint statement, according to Ruhaini, is the issue of connectivity between citizens, the so-called people to people relations, centering on accessibility for women’s empowerment, gender equality, and people with disabilities.

Likewise with climate change and regional security stability, she added. The ASEAN-US Summit conveys mutual trust, particularly ensuring global leaders that ASEAN is free of nuclear, biological, and weapons of mass destruction.

ASEAN leaders and the U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed deep concerns about the situation in Myanmar and war in Ukraine.

“Stipulated on the joint statement that the two sides will uphold principles under the UN charter, condemn violence, and push for a peaceful solution that sides with the interests of the people and serves easy access to humanitarian assistance,” she continued.

More importantly, the ASEAN-US special summit was a public exposure that showcases Indonesia acting as the coordinator of the ASEAN partnership. The many publications would provide chances for Indonesia’s independent and active foreign policy to be observed and criticized.

“This should give substantive feedback for Indonesia maintaining such an ‘independent and active’ principle”, she said.

In addition, the ASEAN-US special summit also provides positive feedback for the Indonesian economy.

The summit has opened up “space and opportunities” for Indonesia as a new emerging country, to meet with strategic business players in the U.S., who were expected to bring something to Indonesia’s table.

In its official statement, The U.S. also recognizes ASEAN central role in delivering sustainable solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges. Thus, the U.S. pledges to elevate cooperation as part of its enduring commitment to ASEAN.

“This opportunity will create a prospective atmosphere for investment in Indonesia, pushing regulatory and bureaucratic reform, increasing inclusive and resilient human resources, adding more adequate infrastructures, and supporting many other aspects,” said Ruhaini.

COVID-19 Deputies Deputy II News Task Forces

Shifting From Pandemic to Endemic, KSP: Govt Will Not Hastily Declare Transitions

Post date 12/04/2022

Senior Advisor of the Executive Office of the President (KSP) Abraham Wirotomo.

Jakarta – Despite improvement in COVID-19 situations, the Indonesian government will not rush to decide the shifting of status, from the pandemic to the endemic. Prior to making a decision, the government will always refer to data science and careful calculations, the Senior Advisor of the Executive Office of the President (KSP) Abraham Wirotomo ensured.

“There’s no need to be in a hurry to declare the shift from the pandemic to the endemic. We should pay attention to the precautionary aspect, instead,” said Abraham, at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/3).

“It’s obvious that the president doesn’t want us to return to the crisis situation during the earlier period of the pandemic,” he said.

Abraham said the government always closely monitors the development of COVID-19 in Indonesia and in other countries. In addition, some experts also took part in every policy decision making, especially regarding the situation of the pandemic.

“Improving conditions proved by the scientific data and expert analysis will determine the implementation of the relaxation policy,” he said.

Data from the Health Ministry states that the number of COVID-19 cases continue to decline.

As of Tuesday (1/3), the national Bed Occupancy Rate for COVID-19 patients fell to 34 percent from the previous day, which was at 35 percent. Likewise, the daily COVID-19 cases also dropped to 24,728 cases.

Deputies Deputy I News

Nusantara Construction Begins, KSP Ensures Effective Land Acquisition Process

Post date 12/04/2022

Deputy Chief of Staff Febry Calvin Tetelepta chaired a coordination meeting with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), the regional government and the relevant institutions in Balikpapan regency, East Kalimantan, Thursday (24/3).

Balikpapan – The Executive Office of the President (KSP) has stated that the initial construction of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) and its supporting infrastructures in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, would not be hampered by any land disputes. Thus, KSP will oversee the land acquisition process to run quickly and effectively.

“The land acquisition issue will be a priority and we will focus all-out on debottlenecking efforts, solving any problems that hinder the process. Whatever the problems are, we will solve it fastly. It should be finished before August 16, 2024 and adhering to the law is a must,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Febry Calvin Tetelepta during a coordination meeting with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), the regional government and the relevant institutions in Balikpapan regency, East Kalimantan, Thursday (24/3).

According to Febry, the land acquisition process is the key that determines the acceleration of infrastructure development of the new capital city. The active participation of local governments is also expected at this stage.

“Some settlements, at some point, might be shifted due to the construction of the water network and road access to the IKN. So there must be a good approach to the people, ensuring they don’t get evicted. Even though the state has prepared a land replacement budget, it won’t be of any use if the community refuses to agree,” he continued.

Meanwhile, the government through the Ministry of PUPR is currently focusing on the construction of the Sepaku Semoi Dam and the Sepaku River intake as raw water supplies for the future capital city.

Later, the raw water source will be pumped to the capital city through a pipe that spans 8 km. In addition, lakes or reservoirs will be built in 19 locations in the IKN area to accommodate water needs.

The government will, as well, start the construction of toll road access from the IHM port to the IKN area to support logistics distribution.

The journey from Sepinggan Airport to Nusantara city will be shortened by a short-cut toll road built from the 11 km point of the already existing Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road.

“We will hold cluster meetings with the Directorate General of Highways, the Directorate General of Water Resources (SDA) and the Directorate General of Public Work. All processes will also involve the regional government, the National Land Agency (BPN), and the security forces, so that the construction process runs effectively fast,” said Febry.

Deputies Deputy I News

Moving to Nusantara, KSP: New Capital CIty’s Initial Construction Must Finish By 2024

Post date 12/04/2022

Deputy Chief of Staff Febry Calvin Tetelepta accompanied by KSP's Senior Advisors and local leaders directly oversaw the construction process of Zone 1A and Zone 1B of the core government cluster (KIPP) which will start from the geodetic control point, in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Wednesday (23/3).

Penajam Paser Utara – Cementing President Joko Widodo’s ultimate infrastructure legacy, the Executive Office of the President (KSP) will directly assist and monitor the initial construction of the Nusantara Capital City’s (IKN) in East Kalimantan. The built-from-scratch capital city is expected to finish by 2024.

During an official visit to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Wednesday (23/3), the Deputy Chief of Staff Febry Calvin Tetelepta directly oversaw the construction process of Zone 1A and Zone 1B of the core government cluster (KIPP) which will start from the geodetic control point or the zero point of the IKN.

The construction process will be divided into four zones, namely Zone 1A, Zone 1B, Zone 2, and Zone 3. Meanwhile, Zones 1A and 1B are marked as the location for the new Presidential Palace and several ministerial offices, to which President Jokowi aspires to preside on Aug 16, 2024. The other zones are still in the planning stage.

“We ensure the targets are met and all community interests are accommodated in every stage of the IKN’s construction. Therefore, we will continue to collaborate with local governments to oversee the initial construction of KIPP IKN which is targeted to be finished in 2024,” said Febry.

The core government areas will cover approximately 6,000 hectares of land and today’s development process is still focused on the land acquisition for the upcoming major infrastructures project which includes toll road access and water reservoir.

“The acceleration has started with the installation of a geodetic control point which was monumented for mapping and charting the whole construction process of the IKN. This is the benchmark that coordinates the development of the future capital city,” continued Febry.

Overseeing the national strategic projects, KSP has been intensively involved in every coordination meeting regarding IKN with related Ministries/Agencies since February. The office was actively involved in drafting the state capital bill, assisting its deliberation process until the law was put in motion earlier this year.

KSP has stated its commitment to continue its supervision towards the construction of the access road to the IKN, raw water supply, flood control and drainage system, as well as settlements for the initial relocation of civil servants, police and the military to the new capital city in 2024.