An independent team set up to investigate the standoff between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the National Police, recommended on Wednesday that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo drop the candidacy of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan as the next police chief. standoff – a situation in which neither side has won a competition or argument, or …
Economy in brief: Pindad spends Rp 700b to improve capacity
State-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad said it had allocated Rp 700 billion (US$55.5 million) in state capital injection to improve the production capacity of its weapons and ammunition division. Pindad president director Silmy Karim said the funds would be used to modernize Pindad’s manufacturing equipment so that its production quality and capacity could increase. “Along …
Govt to sell LNG through spot market amid low domestic use
Despite a low selling price, the government will sell some cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the spot market this year because of weak domestic consumption. Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) chief Amien Sunaryadi said as many as 25 cargoes of LNG were still uncommitted this year, meaning that the …
Rupiah opens at Rp 12,504 on Friday
The rupiah interbank trade rate in Jakarta depreciated in Friday’s opening session by 24 basis points to Rp 12,504 per US dollar from Rp 12,480 per US dollar in the earlier trade. “The rupiah weakened against the US dollar in the morning since a number of currencies across Asia failed to appreciate in the market,” …
Govt to send more foreign convicts to face firing squad
The government has revealed a plan to execute another 11 death-row convicts on the isolated Nusakambangan Island in Cilacap, Central Java, rejecting international calls over human rights concerns in favor of a firm commitment to fighting against narcotics in the country. Attorney General HM Prasetyo told lawmakers of House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal …
Pencak silat will make Asian Games’ maiden show in 2018
Indonesia’s traditional martial art, pencak silat, will make its debut as one of the sports in Asian Games when Indonesia hosts the 18th edition of quadrennial multi-sport showcase in 2018. Pencak silat, which has proven to be a gold mine for Indonesia at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, is among six non-Olympic sports included on …
Serena Williams advances, Venus out of Australian Open
Madison Keys defeated one Williams sister Wednesday at the Australian Open. On Thursday, the 19-year-old American will try to make it two, and this sibling might be a little tougher, even with a cold. Keys overcame a left thigh injury to beat No. 18-ranked Venus Williams 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and advance to the last four …
Sharapova reaches Australian Open final for 4th time
Maria Sharapova has reached the Australian Open final for the fourth time, beating fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-2 in a lopsided semifinal on Thursday. The second-ranked Sharapova needed 10 minutes to hold in her opening service game, fending off two break points. She responded to the only service break against her in the first …
PSSI and sports ministry look to improve soccer
Representatives from the Youth and Sports Ministry met with Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) executives on Wednesday to repair their fraying relationship and find solutions to the many ills plaguing national soccer. The relationship recently deteriorated following the cancellation of a meeting between the two sides. Last week, fulfilling an invitation from the government, a …
BP REDD+ officially disbanded
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has officially merged the National Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Agency (BP REDD+) with the Environment and Forestry Ministry, raising questions about the future of the country’s fight against global warming. Jokowi signed Presidential Decree No. 16/2015 on the structure of the Environment and Forestry Ministry on Jan. 21, …