Don’t Drop Health Protocols Yet: Task Force
Compliance with health protocols showed some improvement overall from Oct 3-22, according to the Covid-19 Task Force (Satgas), but there are also disturbing decreases in some areas which, if continued, could lead to a third wave, said Sonny Harmadi, Head of the Satgas Behavior Change Division.
Minister for Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate echoed this warning, advising the public not to drop their guard and to keep enforcing health protocols even while new Covid-19 cases and deaths are decreasing.
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Odd-Even Policy Extended to 13 Jakarta Roads
The odd-even system in Jakarta will be extended from three to 13 roads, starting today, Oct 25. The system applies from Monday to Friday, at 06.00-10.00, and 16.00-21.00.
The 13 roads affected by this policy are as follows:
- Sudirman
- MH Thamrin
- Rasuna Said
- Fatmawati
- Panglima Polim
- Sisingamangaraja
- MT Haryono
- Gatot Subroto
- S Parman
- Tomang Raya
- Gunung Sahari
- DI Panjaitan
- Ahmad Yani
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Back to Business: Update on Asia-Pacific Travel
The AmChams of the Asia Pacific (AAP) are hosting a virtual regional conference on the immediate issues facing international travel, including challenges faced by would-be travelers under complex and rapidly changing regulations on travel requirements, on Oct 27.
Notable speakers include Alfredo Montufar Helu, Director of the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network based in Beijing; Vinoop Goel, Asia-Pacific Regional Director of Airports and External Relations for the International Air Transport Association; and Adh T Stevens, Second Secretary and Consul of the US Embassy in Beijing.
For further information, visit:
AmCham Cares: Oakwood Premier Cozmo
The Give with Oakwood annual initiative continues into its second year to spread kindness and compassion to vulnerable members of society. Designed to cater to the specific needs of areas in which Oakwood operates, this global outreach is a reflection of the group’s commitment to caring for all guests, associates, and communities. From July 19 to Sept 30, 2021, more than 80 properties across the US and the Asia Pacific contributed rice as a staple food to local communities, charity organizations, and food banks with every direct reservation received.
This year, in continuing its global efforts to give back to the community, Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta distributed 520 rice bags weighing a total of 2,100 kg to five local charity partners in Jakarta, Bekasi, and Tangerang for needy families, nursing homes, and children.
Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta handed over the donations to its charity partners: Rumah Belajar Mahkota Kasih Insani, Grace Methodist Church, Rumah Harapan Melanie, Panti Werda Bina Bhakti, and Yayasan Khomsatun Hasanah Indonesia, as part of this meaningful initiative.
Indonesia's Economic Growth Slowing
Indonesia's economic growth projection will slow to 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2021, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati said. This is a fall from 7.07 percent in the second quarter, the highest since 2004, and due to restrictions due to the spread of the Covid-19 delta variant. Meanwhile, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to increase 4 percent in 2021, from 2.07 percent in 2020, the lowest since 1998.
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Interbank Transfer Ceiling Fee Lowered
The maximum interbank transfer fee will be cut to Rp 2,500 per transaction through Bank Indonesia's new BI Fast national retail payment system. The new fee will be enforced in mid-December by 22 banks. Transfers through the BI Fast system are cheaper than the BI National Clearing System (SKNBI) (Rp 2,900), and the National Payment Gateway system (Rp 6,500). Through BI Fast, transaction services will be available 24 hours.
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17 New Ambassadors Appointed
President Joko Widodo appointed 17 new Indonesian ambassadors today, Oct 25, in line with Presidential Decree (Keppress) 127B/2021. Rosan P Roeslani, previously Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), has been made Indonesian Ambassador to the US; and Fadjroel Rachman, previously Presidential Spokesperson, is the new Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Other newly appointed ambassadors are:
- Abdul Aziz – Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic States (OIC)
- Dewi Tobing – Sri Lanka and the Maldives
- Bebeb AK Djundjunan – Greece
- Lena Maryana Mukti – Kuwait
- Pribadi Sutiono – Slovakia
- Muhammad Najib – Spain and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
- Ardi Hermawan – Bahrain
- Ade Padmo Sarwono – Jordan and Palestine
- Mohamad Oemar – France, Andorra, Monaco, and the UN Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- Tatang BU Razak – Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Derry MI Amman – Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN
- Arrmanatha Nasir – the United Nations and other international organizations
- Febrian A Ruddyard – the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations in Geneva
- Siswo Pramono – Australia and Vanuatu
- Okto Dorinus Manik – Timor Leste.
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Support Independent Journalism: Subscribe to The Jakarta Post
In these difficult times, our hometown English language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, is more important than ever. Given the difficulties of physical circulation and the economic slump, the Post needs to boost its online subscribers – a goal we heartily support at AmCham Indonesia. Quality English language news is vital for our businesses, our home offices, and the flow of information out of Indonesia. It is for this reason, that we are urging all of our members and readers to subscribe to JP! Information is what will help get us through this crisis. Below is information about how to sign up.
JP Premium Digital Subscription Packages
https://www.thejakartapost.com/packages
Monthly subscription – Rp 50,000
Yearly subscription – Rp 600,000
Now is the Time to Join AmCham!
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We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community online. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.
AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members. We are a community and we welcome you!
Reach us at [email protected] or click below!
AmCham Office and Events
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The AmCham Office is on the work-from-home status and all face-to-face meetings and events have been postponed. We are having a number of meetings online using the Zoom platform. You will be notified of virtual meetings as they are scheduled.
What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?
Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.
Stay well
We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy
Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.
AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard is the Managing Editor
