Edition 10 January 2022

An Unhappy New Year for Coal Businesses

The government is imposing a coal export ban due to a supply crisis at several state-owned and private power plants. The business chain is in disarray.

Two Actors behind the Crisis

Coal businesses are suffering from the export ban caused by a supply crisis at power plants. But state electricity company PLN is also at the root of the problem.

Soldiers' Softer Approach

General Andika Perkasa is calling for a non-military approach to resolve conflicts in Papua. It is considered not effective unless troops are withdrawn.

Five Case Termination Letters

General Andika Perkasa orders his subordinates to look into a suspected corruption case involving the purchase of AW101 helicopters. The KPK is having trouble going forward with this case.

The Separate Ways

Yahya Cholil Staquf decides to stop favoring the PKB. It could hurt the party’s vote outcome.

The Corruption Eradication Commission is investigating an alleged bribery in the regional PEN funds. The case involves an official from the home affairs ministry, whose name also popped up in the special allocation fund bribery.

International

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobieva: We Don’t Want War

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobieva, sees Indonesia as an unofficial leader of ASEAN and an influential Islamic country. She talks about Russia’s offer for nuclear technology, strengthening trade, ASEAN, and the tension with NATO over Ukraine.

Lifestyle

Keeping the Literary Spirit Alive

Literature communities in a number of cities continue their activities online during the Covid-19 pandemic. They expand their memberships as physical gatherings and discussions are limited.

Market Pulse

Costly Show of Force on Coal Policy

The government bans coal export for the whole month of January after coal miners fail to fulfill their DMO to supply coal for PLN. This show of force is clearly not the right way to solve the coal crisis.

Letters

The Bogor Town Square

Topi Park becomes the Bogor Town Square. But the road is congested.

Interview

Let’s Heal the Polarization

Yahya Cholil Staquf is the new chief of NU Central Board. He explains why he wants NU to stay out of practical politics and responds to the notion that he has government backing.

OUT OF LINE

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

Opinion

Mismanagement of Coal

The shortage of coal for domestic power plants is the result of poor management from PLN and the government. An export ban will not solve the problem.

Opinion

Green Investment in Climate Change

The government needs to change the way it views climate change mitigation funds from a cost to an investment.

Environment

Business in Crisis

In the effort to mitigate the climate crisis by 2030, Indonesia needs Rp3,779 trillion to reduce its carbon emission. It opens business opportunities.

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Papua's Plight

THE inundated Youtefa Market in Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, Friday, January 7. Based on data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, heavy rains and landslides in a number of areas in Jayapura have resulted in the death of six people. ANTARA FOTO/Freddy Fakdawer

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Support from Afar

PROTESTERS from the Save Uyghur Coalition Indonesia wear masks during a solidarity action for the Uighur Muslims at Dukuh Atas Park, Jakarta, Tuesday, January 4. They called on the Indonesian government to stand against the genocide that has happened to the Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, China, boycott the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, and stop the deportation of Uighur asylum seekers back to China/ANTARA FOTO/Indrianto Eko Suwarso

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PAPUA’S PLIGHT

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SUPPORT FROM AFAR

Tempo Talks

Malaysian Palm Oil’s Challenges and the Cooperation with Indonesia

Malaysia is the second-largest producer and exporter of palm oil in the world, after Indonesia. However, it is facing some problems in this sector. The European Union accuses the industry of causing massive deforestation. The United States banned several Malaysian palm oil companies over concerns on forced labor and other abuses in the plantations. Another challenge is the shortage of laborers who mostly come from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia, discusses these issues in Tempo Talks.