VIRAL INDONESIAN RUPIAH 1 ( ONE ) DENOMINATIONS. IS IT A REVALUATION OR REDENOMINATION?

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Indonesia, China Start Partnership in Local Currency Settlement Framework

 Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana  6 September 2021 11:58 WIB

 

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) and the People's Bank of China (PBC) today began an official cooperation in the settlement of bilateral transactions using local currencies between the two nations. The framework for cooperation includes the use of direct exchange rate quotes, as well as the relaxation of certain regulations in forex transactions between the Indonesian rupiah and Chinese renminbi/yuan.

The cooperation framework was based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by BI governor Perry Warjiyo and PBC governor Yi Gang on September 30, 2020.

"In addition to China, BI also has the LCS cooperation frameworks with several other partner countries, namely Japan, Malaysia and Thailand," he said as quoted from Bank Indonesia's official statement released Monday, September 6.

To support the operations of the LCS framework using the rupiah and yuan, BI and PBC have appointed several banks in their respective countries to act as Appointed Cross Currency Dealers (ACCD).

Banks appointed as cross-currency dealers Indonesia are: Bank Central Asia, Bank of China (Hong Kong), China Construction Bank Indonesia, Bank Danamon Indonesia, ICBC Indonesia, Bank Mandiri, Maybank Indonesia, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), OCBC NISP, Bank Permata, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and Bank UOB Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Bank Mandiri Shanghai Branch is named as an official ACCD in China, together with others including the Bank of China and Maybank Shanghai branch, among others.  

According to Perry, the currency rule does not only apply to trade transactions between Indonesia and China. The use can be extended to various sectors, such as financial market penetration and investments.

 

link  :  https://en.tempo.co/read/1502864/indonesia-china-start-partnership-in-local-currency-settlement-framework

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The Internationalization of China’s Currency in Indonesia

The RMB is gradually making inroads in Indonesia.

 

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat

July 31, 2020

Although not widely reported, China’s currency, the renminbi (RMB), has gradually penetrated Indonesia.

It is reported that currently around 10 percent of Indonesia’s global trade uses the RMB. In 2018, the value of clearing RMB reached 201.2 billion RMB, or about 63 percent of the entire Indonesian market. Bank of China ranked first in Indonesia’s market share in clearing value.

A report by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) also found that in 2017 215 billion RMB was circulating in Indonesia.

The growing internationalization of the RMB is, among other factors, helped by the expanding economic ties between Jakarta and Beijing. At the moment, China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, with trade two time that of Indonesia and the United States. A large amount of investments from China have also made their way to the archipelago, in particular with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI).

Chinese companies in Indonesia have also begun to use RMB. For example, PT China Life Insurance Indonesia (CLII) launched the first individual multipurpose life insurance product in RMB, known as CLII Privilege Insurance Plan, in the Indonesian life insurance market. CLII stated that the move was part of the strategy of its parent company, China Life Insurance Group, to support the RMB internationalization process.

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A number of Chinese banks, such as Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), have also established branches in Indonesia. These banks help widen the use of the RMB in Indonesia through mechanisms such as RMB cross border trade settlements, RMB prefix remittances, and RMB domestic and cross border fund transfers. In addition, the banks also offer various banking products and services to corporations, small and medium enterprises, and individuals through 19 branches in Indonesia.

In addition, the Chinese banks have also partnered with local banks to help RMB internationalization in Indonesia. For instance, the ICBC has collaborated with Bank Mandiri to provide banking products and services related to RMB transactions. As a result of the collaboration, in early 2018 RMB transactions facilitated by Bank Mandiri Group totaled around 507 items worth 601 million RMB.

The widening use of RMB in Indonesia cannot be separated from the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement (BCSA), signed by Bank Indonesia with the Bank of China in 2018. The deal was worth 200 billion RMB, $30 billion at the time, doubling the previous threshold of 100 billion RMB. The agreement was signed to enable trade transactions using both countries’ currencies, which can shorten and simplify business transactions compared to using international trade currencies or hard currencies such as the U.S. dollar, where each country needs to exchange their currencies to dollars first.

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Previously, Bank Indonesia has also signed similar agreements with Japan and European Union.

Although renminbi bonds in Indonesia remain limited (under 1 percent), the growing use of RMB in Indonesia-China trade transactions will likely lead Indonesia to issue RMB-denominated sovereign debt. The Indonesian Ministry of Finance has admitted that it is currently studying the possibility of issuing RMB-denominated government securities (SBN). The instrument, commonly referred to as Panda Bonds, will increase Indonesia’s foreign currency bonds, which has so far only been in U.S. dollars, euros, and Japanese yen. Several other countries have used Panda Bonds as a source of budget financing, including the Philippines and Poland.

Policy discussions on the use of RMB have also been held with Indonesian policymakers and academics. The Bank of China in Jakarta, for example, cooperated with Foreign Policy Community Indonesia (FPCI) to hold the FPCI – BOC CFO Forum 2019 on “Understanding the Growing Role of Chinese Renminbi in International Business” in Jakarta.

The widening use of the RMB in Indonesia is likely to increase in the coming years. This may be made possible by the continuing implementation of the BRI and the recent introduction of Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP), or known as digital renminbi (e-RMB), by the Bank of China, which will facilitate online payments. Such online systems have only increased in popularity due to COVID-19.

More importantly, Indonesia sees the opportunity in the RMB.

As affirmed by Dino Patti Djalal, a former Indonesian ambassador  to the United States and the founder of FPCI, the use of the RMB as a currency in international trade transactions has a number of advantages for Indonesia. One of them is that the RMB is more stable compared to the U.S. dollar, which easily fluctuates against other countries’ currencies. Thus, in terms of transaction costs, China’s currency is cheaper and safer. Not only that, the use of RMB can also reduce risk.

Another reason why the use of Chinese currency will increase in Indonesia is because Jakarta sees China as one of the countries with the greatest capital adequacy in the world. Indonesia needs foreign capital and can certainly take advantage of these opportunities by opening the door wider for the RMB. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has even put forward the idea of making the RMB a reference currency.

In spite of this, Indonesia has some homework to do.

The growing flow of capital from China should not make Indonesia allow Beijing to dictate terms. China must continue to follow the rules of the game set by Indonesia. This is to make sure that the widening use of the RMB does  not only benefit China, but both parties.

Moreover, Indonesia also needs to encourage relevant actors to begin opening up for the use of the RMB in their operations. As reported, the most crucial obstacle for the widening use of the RMB comes from business actors, who have no confidence yet to use the currency in business transactions. It is crucial on the part of Indonesia to change the mindset of businesspeople in both countries so that the RMB can be used more widely.

 

link  : https://thediplomat.com/2020/07/the-internationalization-of-chinas-currency-in-indonesia/

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Why Indonesia Abandons Dollar in Bilateral Trade

BY :FAISAL MALIKI BASKORO

SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

 

Jakarta. The Indonesian central bank has recently inked a deal with its Chinese counterpart on the use of their respective currencies when it comes to bilateral trade. 

In fact, Bank Indonesia has reached the so-called local currency settlement with neighboring Malaysia and Thailand since 2018, as well as with Japan since last August.

A central bank official said on Wednesday the move is aimed at allowing a wider use of the local currency for trade transactions and investments with international partners and strengthening Bank Indonesia’s capability in stabilizing the rupiah in foreign exchange markets dominated by major currencies.

The rupiah is fragile even in its home markets -- it has depreciated by 1.58 percent against the dollar year-to-date.

“We are very sensitive to volatilities in foreign exchange rate. We expect to reduce the sensitivity by establishing a more balanced domestic foreign exchange market,” Doddy Zulverdi, the head of Bank Indonesia’s international cooperation department, said in a video conference.

China remains Indonesia’s biggest non-oil export destination, valuing at $24.86 billion in the first seven months of the year, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). It represents 21.85 percent of Indonesia’s overall exports in the period.

However, Indonesia is running a deficit in its bilateral trade with China, having recorded $29.71 billion in non-oil import from the Asian giant.

The United States comes second with Indonesia’s non-oil export amounting to $13.55 billion (11.91 percent) in the same period.

Separately speaking, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government is closely watching possible impacts of US economic recovery and Federal Reserve’s asset purchases on the Indonesian currency.

The minister said the faster-than-expected economic recovery in the United States and the Fed’s plan to trim the purchase of Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities could result in a stronger dollar against other currencies, including rupiah.
 

link  :  https://jakartaglobe.id/business/why-indonesia-abandons-dollar-in-bilateral-trade

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BNM, Bank Indonesia include direct investment, income and transfer in ringgit-rupiah settlement

Bernama  August 02, 2021 12:10 pm +08

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 2): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Bank Indonesia have announced that the expansion of the local currency settlement framework to include direct investment, income and transfer, in addition to trade, as eligible underlying transactions effective today.

“It also includes expansion of eligible users of the framework, such as individuals, and additional foreign exchange policy flexibilities, such as more simple documentation requirement, to facilitate the operationalisation of the framework,” BNM said in a statement today.

It said this expansion is part of continuous effort to facilitate wider use of local currencies for settlement of trade and direct investment between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Given the expansion, BNM and Bank Indonesia have also appointed additional qualified commercial banks in both countries to support the operationalisation of the expanded ringgit-rupiah settlement framework.

In general, the appointed banks are experienced in facilitating trade and direct investment between the two countries, have a wide customer base and have established strong business relationships with banks in the counterpart country, it said.

The settlement framework was first launched on Dec 11, 2017 in accordance with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BNM and Bank Indonesia that was signed on Dec 23, 2016.

 

link  :  https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/bnm-bank-indonesia-include-direct-investment-income-and-transfer-ringgitrupiah-settlement

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Shopping in Thailand and Malaysia Can Use Rupiah, How to do it?

September 10, 2021 by newsy today

 

Jakarta –

Did you know, Indonesia and several countries such as Thailand and Malaysia have cooperated for the use of local currency.

It’s called local currency settlement (LCS). With this LCS, bilateral trade transactions, direct investment and tourists from these countries can use local currency when traveling in that country.

For example, tourists from Indonesia who travel to Thailand. Can use rupiah to shop in the country. How do you do it?

Executive Director/Head of the International Department of Bank Indonesia (BI) Doddy Zulverdi said this LCS could also be used for the tourism sector.

“It can be used for retail transactions in the tourism sector. This is related to services, it has been implemented in Thailand and Malaysia,” said Doddy in a media briefing, Wednesday (8/9/2021).

With this LCS, Indonesian tourists to Thailand can use their own currency for transactions, and vice versa.

You do this by using a QRIS or QR that has crossed national borders that have been provided in stores in that country.

Doddy gave an example, if Indonesian tourists used to shop in Malaysia, the incoming bill would use the local Malaysian currency, converted to US dollars and then converted to Rupiah.

 

link  :  https://www.newsy-today.com/shopping-in-thailand-and-malaysia-can-use-rupiah-how-to-do-it/

 

 

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Malaysia, Indonesia enhance ties to ease banking transactions

Bernama   August 2, 2021 10:31 AM

Bank Negara Malaysia and its Indonesian counterpart have appointed banks in the two countries to boost the use of local currencies in trade and direct investment.

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Bank Indonesia have announced the expansion of a local currency settlement framework to include direct investment, income and transfer, in addition to trade, as eligible underlying transactions, effective today.

“It also includes expansion of eligible users of the framework, such as individuals, and additional foreign exchange policy flexibilities, such as more simple documentation requirements, to facilitate the operation of the framework,” BNM said in a statement today.

It said this expansion is part of the continuous effort to facilitate a wider use of local currencies for settlement of trade and direct investment between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Given the expansion, BNM and Bank Indonesia have also appointed additional qualified commercial banks in both countries to support the operationalisation of the expanded ringgit-rupiah settlement framework.

In general, the appointed banks are experienced in facilitating trade and direct investment between the two countries, have a wide customer base and have established strong business relationships with banks in the counterpart country, it said.

The settlement framework was first launched on Dec 11, 2017 in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between BNM and Bank Indonesia that was signed on Dec 23, 2016.

 

link  :  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/08/02/malaysia-indonesia-enhance-ties-to-ease-banking-transactions/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_oMQtBbGa5v69f6jPqMyoCoMyVceRHPfTJOpvoCga3IE-1631346357-0-gqNtZGzNAnujcnBszQjR

 

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Central Government and Bali Authority Prepare “Green Zones” to Welcome Tourists

2 March 2021

 

It’s been a year since Indonesia announced the first case of Covid-19 on 2 March 2020. Since then, Bali’s tourism sector was pretty much facing the darkest moment of uncertainty with no signs of a glimpse of light by the end of the tunnel.

Plans on lifting the travel ban for international tourist have circulated across media several times, and none of them have come to a realisation. The government dropped a hint to open the borders by 11 September 2020; but, after six months of long wait, everyone must accept that the plan must be delayed due to the current global situation at that time. However, holders of valid KITAS, KITAP, Diplomatic Visa and other specific business visa were allowed to enter Indonesia.

Things got worse when WHO confirmed the new strain of Covid-19 discovered in the United Kingdom a few months later. This condition forced Indonesia to deny business entry from countries like the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Italy, and Denmark without any exceptions temporarily. After then, regulations keep being updated by the Indonesia authority following the pandemic situation worldwide. 

Last week, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan delivered good news on the possibility of re-opening Bali for international tourism. The minister assessed that the potential of re-opening international tourism now seems more realistic given the decreasing percentage of recent daily cases nationally. However, every party must pay attention more to the strict implementation of health protocols at every service level.

Luhut revealed that the government will conduct socialisation regarding the rules/ regulations on Bali’s tourism procedures, especially for foreign tourists. “The new regulation implemented in Bali is the imposition of the Penalty for Health Protocol. These regulations include the initial stages of socialisation and publication of health protocols and monitoring health protocol practices. If tourists were caught doing a violation, they must pay administrative penalties and the possibility of deportation,” he explained.

The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster claimed that his team had prepared the re-opening scheme specifically for the Covid-19 green zones in Bali. These areas are considered to have a very low risk of coronavirus transmission. “Myself and the Minister of Health agreed to open the green zone area, so both domestic and international travellers will be only allowed to visit these Covid-19 free areas,” explained Koster at a virtual conference on Monday (1/3).

Nusa Dua and Ubud are categorised as the green zone at the moment. “We have also mapped the need for vaccines. In Ubud, we need 100 thousand vaccines, and Nusa Dua needs 10 thousand vaccines for the people and tourism workers there. We prepare SOP strictly, and when the vaccine arrives,… Hopefully, by the end of March, it will be complete, and the immunisation will be started right away,” said Koster.

Latest Covid-19 statistic per Monday (1/3), 165 new infections in Bali, made total cases 34.532. Recent recoveries at 232, in total 31.418 with eight recent death was reported, in total 931. While in Indonesia, there were 6.680 new cases, pushed down the total infections to 1.341.314 with 36.325 total deaths and 1.151.915 recoveries.

 

link  :  https://bali.com/news/corona-updates/central-government-and-bali-authority-prepare-green-zones-to-welcome-tourists/

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Bali set to welcome foreign tourists in September amid warnings

By Coconuts Bali Jul 7, 2020 | 1:00pm

File photo of Kecak Dance performance in Uluwatu, Bali.

 

Bali is set to reopen its doors to foreign tourists in September, the provincial government has announced, following months of travel, social, and movement restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which has not shown any signs of slowing down in the popular holiday destination.

The provincial government appears to be moving forward with their tentative timeline to reopen Bali, with governor Wayan Koster laying out more details of a three-step plan to restart activities while complying with strict health protocols, as part of the so-called “new normal.” This plan includes opening up tourism to foreign visitors on Sept. 11. 

Before it gets to that point, officials are currently preparing to restart activities within the island this coming Thursday, which will see a gradual return of activities across different sectors, except for tourism and education. Should officials deem the first phase a success, Bali will start welcoming domestic tourists on July 31. 

Speaking on Sunday during a mass prayer ceremony at Besakih Temple in Karangasem regency, Koster reiterated that the plan is still “tentative” in nature and therefore subject to change depending on COVID-19 developments on the ground. 

“We are still trying our best to handle COVID-19, but at the same time we must restart activities to continue the livelihoods of the people,” Koster said.

 

In late May, Bank Indonesia (BI) said Bali’s economy is among the hardest hit in Indonesia amid the pandemic, with officials citing massive decline in tourism as the main reason behind the slowdown. According to Rizki Ernadi Wimanda, deputy chief of BI’s Bali office, tourism contributes between 54 to 58 percent to the province’s economy.

People working in a paddy field in Bal

 

 

It remains unclear what key aspects are being considered, seeing as coronavirus cases in the Island of the Gods have been increasing by almost four-fold since the beginning of June, when cases stood at 482. As of July 6, Bali has reported 1,900 COVID-19 cases, including 974 recoveries and 23 deaths. 

I Made Ady Wirawan, the head of Udayana University’s School of Public Health, said that Bali is not ready to reopen tourism. 

“From epidemiological perspectives, Bali is not ready to reopen tourism. New cases are still high [and] local transmissions are not yet under control,” Ady told Coconuts Bali. 

In addition, Ady said Bali’s testing capacity is still inadequate, thus limiting efforts to trace infections and further complicating efforts to control the outbreak. 

In the four months since the first confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Indonesia, Bali has yet to go into full lockdown, while official data have yet to suggest a slowing rate of coronavirus infections in the province. 

 

Despite various restrictions that have been put in place since the beginning of the outbreak, such as students studying from home, limited operational hours for businesses and restaurants, as well as the closure of tourist attractions, more and more cases of local transmissions have been reported in recent weeks.

Many of these cases are traced back to traditional markets across the island, some of which were temporarily closed as health officials conducted mass rapid testings, but were subsequently reopened for business after a few days.

 

link  :  https://coconuts.co/bali/news/bali-set-to-welcome-foreign-tourists-in-september-amid-warnings/

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Indonesia considers imitating ‘Phuket Sandbox’ for Bali reopening

By Coconuts Bali Sep 9, 2021 | 4:22pm

File photo of a Balinese dancer. Photo: Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy

 

Bali may soon reopen to foreign travelers by adopting Thailand’s “Phuket Sandbox” scheme, the tourism minister said this week, in what appears to be Indonesia’s latest strategic plan to restart international tourism after a string of failed attempts. 

“We are learning from the Phuket Sandbox with its one focus of significantly reducing local transmissions in Phuket, and this can be applied in Bali later on,” Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said, according to a report by Tempo.

The Phuket Sandbox refers to Thailand’s international tourism relaunch scheme, where fully vaccinated foreign travelers are essentially allowed to visit the country but must quarantine for 14 days within Phuket, before they are permitted to travel to other parts of Thailand.

Phuket’s popularity as a tourist destination puts it at a parallel with Bali, as both regions are desperately looking for ways to revive their devastated economy amid the pandemic. 

Just to be clear, there’s currently no concrete date on when this would happen. For the time being, it appears that officials are merely discussing the possibility. 

 

According to data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), over 26,000 foreigners have landed in Phuket since the launch of the sandbox scheme on July 1. Eighty-three people, which amounts to about 0.3 percent, tested positive for the coronavirus within the sandbox.

 

link  :  https://coconuts.co/bali/news/indonesia-considers-imitating-phuket-sandbox-for-bali-reopening/

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Bali Is Set To Welcome Tourists In July, As Vaccine Rollout On The Island Picks Up Pace

3 minutes reading time

Bali is set to welcome tourists in July 2021

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Bali, the island of the gods, may be all set to welcome foreign tourists in the beginning of July this year, as COVID-19 vaccinations pick up pace in Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. 

With almost all of the tourism and healthcare front-line workers in Indonesia fully vaccinated, the general public in Bali can now begin to get their jabs.

 

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A travel corridor will be established

Ngurah Rai International Airport

 

In hopes to reinvigorate the local economy, President Joko Widodo has given the green light for Bali to re-open to tourists in July. However, at the moment, only Bali’s green zones including Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Sanur are allowed to open for tourists to stay.

 

link  :  https://thesmartlocal.com/indonesia/bali-tourists-july-2021/

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Bali to welcome international tourists again in September

July 13, 2020 at 7:22 pm EDT

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Bali, a popular tourist destination in the islands of Indonesia, will allow international tourists again beginning September 11.

The province entered phase one of three of reopening on Thursday after a three-month shut down. This phase allows some operations to resume in the agricultural, construction and government industries, among others. Schools and tourism-related businesses will remain closed. The second phase, starting on July 31, will permit domestic tourists, and the third phase, in which international tourists are welcome, begins on September 11.

Throughout the phases, the Bali government urges “order, discipline and responsibility” by encouraging residents and visitors to wear face coverings, avoid crowds and frequently wash their hands.

“With these efforts, we have been able to manage the COVID-19 [virus], but we still do not know for sure when the pandemic will end, considering that we have not found the vaccine,” reads a press release by the Bali Tourism Board. “Therefore we must strive to manage COVID-19, while at the same time start working again for the sake of human life. This activity will be done gradually, selective[ly, and [on a] limited [basis].”

Bali, which generally sees approximately 5 million tourists per year, relies on the tourism industry as its main source of income.

“The pandemic has hit [the] tourism sector so badly [and] there is no certainty when it will end,” Bali’s Gov. Wayan Koster said. “We have to revive economic activity to prevent Bali from new social problems due to increasing economic pressures.”

As of Sunday, Indonesia as a whole had reported more than 75,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In Bali, about 2,000 cases have been reported.

Koster said the government will impose guidelines for reopening tourist areas in the midst of the pandemic and will consider closing certain areas again if infections spike, the Associated Press reported.

Bali The lifeguards are seen watching over the quiet beach at Kuta Beach on March 21, 2020 in Kuta, Indonesia. 

 

link  :  https://www.whio.com/news/trending/bali-welcome-international-tourists-again-september/QGQHKAUHKBFIZJTWVEHIJAOQEM/

 

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Bali will not be open to tourists until the end of 2022

Yevhenii Podolskyi
 

 

Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations for beach holidays in the world. But the opening of the island to visitors is delayed again – perhaps by the end of 2022.

Although holidays in Europe this year were generally possible for most countries, long-distance travelers, especially lovers of Asia, still need to be patient. Most recently, the Thai government announced that, planning to open to tourists in July, the country will welcome visitors only in October. Now Indonesia, with its popular tourist island Bali, is also coming with bad news: it is unlikely that the island of Bali will be open to tourists until the third or fourth quarter of 2022.

Bali plans to resume tourism only at the end of 2022
Bali closed for visits back in May 2020 due to the Crown Pandemic and since then several plans have been presented to open up tourism. Most recently, a restart of the industry was scheduled for July 2021, but it was also postponed by Tourism Minister Sandiago Uno due to rising infections.

According to local media reports, the Bali tourism ministry now wants to wait for the autumn G20 summit to open its borders. The exact dates of the summit have not yet been determined, although they are expected in October or November. Bali is one of the most popular places in Indonesia. The government hopes to gradually roll out the tourist reboot a few weeks before the G20 meeting.

The current situation with the coronavirus pandemic in Bali
Bali has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic – the level of infection and mortality is very high. Currently, according to Johns Hopkins University, about 13 percent of Indonesia’s population is fully vaccinated, but in Bali, more than 70 percent have already received the first dose of the vaccine. However, prolonged isolation is likely to have a serious impact on the Indonesian island’s economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism. The consequences are likely to be felt in the next few years.

 

 link  :  https://dip.org.ua/en/indonesia/bali-will-not-be-open-to-tourists-until-the-end-of-2022/

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10 Top Tourist Attractions in Indonesia

Last updated on October 1, 2020 in Indonesia

Indonesia is a huge country, in both population and land area, with significant cultural and geological diversity. With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, it is the largest archipelago in the world. The population of around 240 million people is derived from 300 ethnic groups who speak over 250 different languages. While Bali is usually the destination most familiar to foreign visitors, there is a wealth of other top tourist attractions in Indonesia to discover in this vast and varied country.

 

10. Lake Toba

Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra is an immense volcanic lake about 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Genetic estimates suggests that there were only a few thousand humans that survived the catastrophe. The island in the middle – Pulau Samosir – is the largest island within an island and contains two lakes. Besides visiting “a lake on an island within a lake on an island” tourist also come here to kick back and relax and swim in the volcanically warmed waters.

9. Tanjung Puting

The Tanjung Puting National Park is located on the island of Borneo in the Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan. The park is a popular ecotourism destination, with many local tour companies offering multi-day boat tours to view wildlife and visit the research centers. Wildlife include gibbons, macaques, clouded leopards, sun bears, pythons, crocodiles and – most famously – orangutans. Unfortunately the park is heavily threatened by illegal logging and forest clearing for agricultural uses.

 

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Indonesia

Last updated on October 1, 2020 in Indonesia

Indonesia is a huge country, in both population and land area, with significant cultural and geological diversity. With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, it is the largest archipelago in the world. The population of around 240 million people is derived from 300 ethnic groups who speak over 250 different languages. While Bali is usually the destination most familiar to foreign visitors, there is a wealth of other top tourist attractions in Indonesia to discover in this vast and varied country.

 

10. Lake Toba

flickr/Max Grabert

Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra is an immense volcanic lake about 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Genetic estimates suggests that there were only a few thousand humans that survived the catastrophe. The island in the middle – Pulau Samosir – is the largest island within an island and contains two lakes. Besides visiting “a lake on an island within a lake on an island” tourist also come here to kick back and relax and swim in the volcanically warmed waters.

9. Tanjung Puting

 

The Tanjung Puting National Park is located on the island of Borneo in the Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan. The park is a popular ecotourism destination, with many local tour companies offering multi-day boat tours to view wildlife and visit the research centers. Wildlife include gibbons, macaques, clouded leopards, sun bears, pythons, crocodiles and – most famously – orangutans. Unfortunately the park is heavily threatened by illegal logging and forest clearing for agricultural uses.

8. Baliem Valley

The Baliem Valley in the highlands of Western New Guinea offers a glimpse into what was recently a stone-age world. The valley was not known to the outside world until 1938 when an aerial reconnaissance flight southwards from Hollandia (now Jayapura) discovered a large agricultural population. Wamena is the starting point for most visitors who come nowadays to marvel at the mountain views, roaring rivers, tribal villages and at the tough but sweet spirit of the warm Dani people.

7. Mount Bromo

Gunung Bromo is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java. At 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but it is the most well known. The area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white smoke. It is surrounded by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly.

6. Bunaken

Located at the north of the island of Sulawesi, Bunaken is one of Indonesia’s most famous dive and snorkeling areas. The island is part of the Bunaken Marine Park where you can see more than 70% of all fish species that live in the western Pacific ocean. The best time for diving in Bunaken is between the months of April and November.

5. Torajaland

Torajaland (Tana Toraja) is a highland region of South Sulawesi, home of the Toraja people. Torajans are famous for their massive peaked-roof houses known as tongkonan and spectacular but gruesome funeral rites. After a person’s death, the body is kept – often for several years – until the actual funeral ceremony which can last for several days. The deceased is then finally buried in a small cave or in a hollow tree.

4. Gili Islands

Lombok’s most popular tourist destination, the Gili Islands are an archipelago of three small islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The islands are very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes still playing reggae and no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace. Note that the name “Gili Islands” is rather redundant as gili simply means “small island” in Sasak and there are many other islands around the coast of Lombok with Gili in their names.

3. Komodo National Park

The Komodo National Park is a national park located within the Lesser Sunda Islands that includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rincah, and 26 smaller ones. The park is named after the Komodo Dragon, the world’s largest living reptile that can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carcass of dead animals, they are formidable predators and will also hunt prey including birds, and mammals. Attacks against humans are very rare.

2. Borobudur

Located 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta on Java, the Borobudur is the one of the most famous Buddhist temple in the world. The Borobudur was built over a period of some 75 years in the 8th and 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra, out of an estimated 2 million blocks of stone. It was abandoned in the 14th century for reasons that still remain a mystery and for centuries lay hidden in the jungle under layers of volcanic ash. Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia

1. Ubud

Perched among stunning terraced rice fields, Ubud is considered the cultural heart of Bali and one of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia. There are dance and music performances every day throughout the city as well as numerous art galleries and craft shops to explore. Although Ubud has long been valued as a great place to learn about Balinese culture, tourism in Ubud boomed exponentially in the last decades. Fortunately, it only takes a short walk or bicycle ride to escape from the crowds and commercialism.

 

link  :  https://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-indonesia/

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No Backpackers: Top Indonesian minister wants ‘clean’ Bali when foreign tourism restarts

By Coconuts Bali Sep 13, 2021 | 12:12pm Bali time

 

UPDATE Sept. 14: A spokesman from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment today came forward to clarify Luhut’s statement, saying that what the minister really meant was a prohibition for visitors who violate health protocols and immigration laws. 

Original story follows.

---

Indonesia appears to be gearing up (again) to reopen the country to foreign tourism, but it seems not everyone would be welcome after one senior minister hinted that backpackers should take their wanderlust elsewhere.

With foreign tourism always closely linked to the country’s most popular destination, Bali, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan signaled the possibilities for a clean slate in the province during his visit on Friday. 

“We have prepared everything. When will we open? It depends on the country [of origin]. Not all countries, so [depending] on which country and when we are ready. I think it’s possible in Level 2,” Luhut said, referring to the tiered version of the Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities (PPKM).

Bali is currently categorized as Level 4, which carries the tightest set of restrictions, though the province is likely to level down when the central government announces PPKM’s weekly extension later today.

 

Any international tourism relaunch would be conducted carefully, Luhut said, including by making the health and mobility tracking app PeduliLindungi mandatory at public facilities and tourist attractions. The minister also said that Indonesia is only interested in “quality visitors.”

“We will filter tourists that come visit. We don’t want backpackers to come so that Bali remains clean, where the people who come are of quality,” Luhut said. 

There are no concrete plans or timeline for the planned reopening just yet, and it’s worth noting that similar discussions have taken place plenty of times during the pandemic. Nothing has so far come into fruition as the COVID-19 crisis continued to rage, though Bali is now seeing a considerable decline in cases after roughly two months of its most devastating wave of infections. 

 

link  :  https://coconuts.co/bali/news/no-backpackers-top-indonesian-minister-wants-clean-bali-when-foreign-tourism-restarts/

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Sandiaga Uno to Adopt Phuket Sandbox Scheme for Bali Tourism Reopening

Translator: 

Dewi Elvia Muthiariny

 

Editor: 

Petir Garda Bhwana

7 September 2021 12:23 WIB

Minister Sandiaga Uno looks at crafts when visiting the UKM exhibition after opening the 43rd Bali Arts Festival (PKB) at the Bali Cultural Park, Denpasar, Bali, Saturday, June 12, 2021. This annual cultural arts event presents various arts from all regencies in Bali, the archipelago and abroad for a month

 

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the government continues preparations for the reopening of Bali tourism although the strictest level of public mobility restrictions or PPKM Level 4 is still in place in the province. The preparations are being carried out in green zone areas, such as Nusa Dua.

The tourism reopening will adopt the Phuket Sandbox plan initiated by the Thailand government. “Learning from the Phuket Sandbox which focuses on significantly curbing local transmission in Phuket can be later applied in Bali,” said Sandiaga in a written statement on Tuesday, September 7.

The Phuket Sandbox is a scheme used for the reopening of island-based tourism by limiting the number of tourist arrivals. The plan allows fully vaccinated foreign tourists from low to moderate-risk countries to enter Thailand without quarantine.

Sandiaga said the government has not yet decided when Bali tourism will be reopened, waiting for better Covid-19 situations as requested by President Joko Widodo or Jokowi.

“The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry will continue to coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries regarding the reopening of Bali because the Covid-19 handling must be synergized to immediately determine its readiness,” said Sandiaga Uno.

 

link  :  https://en.tempo.co/read/1503305/sandiaga-uno-to-adopt-phuket-sandbox-scheme-for-bali-tourism-reopening

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Indonesia eases COVID curbs across Java, with tourism set to reopen

Jokowi urges faster vaccination ahead of National Games

A restaurant in Bogor, near Jakarta: Diners will be able to eat for longer under Indonesia's latest easing of its COVID-19 restrictions

 

 

ERWIDA MAULIA, Nikkei staff writerSeptember 6, 2021 23:58 JST

 

JAKARTA -- Tourist sites in Java will reopen gradually and diners can stay for an hour in a restaurant under the latest easing of COVID-19 mobility restrictions that take effect Tuesday across the densely populated Indonesian island.

The government said only small parts of Java -- where over half of Indonesia's 270 million people live -- remain under the strictest PPKM Level 4 emergency curbs, reflecting continued declines in coronavirus cases and deaths in recent weeks after a surge driven by the delta variant.

But the island of Bali, a magnet for international tourists, is likely to remain at Level 4 for another week, a government official said.

 

Yogyakarta Province, a major tourist destination in the heart of Java, is joining Jakarta and other major metropolitan areas on the island in having relaxed curbs.

"But [President Joko Widodo] has underlined that the pandemic has not ended. The virus isn't likely to disappear completely. We can only try to control its spread," Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's chief economic minister, told a virtual press briefing Monday evening. "So please remain alert despite the declines in cases. They're not evenly distributed, and the situation is still dynamic."

Dining in at restaurants previously was allowed for a maximum of 30 minutes, though enforcement has been lax outside greater Jakarta. Restaurants will continue to operate at half capacity.

The latest easing follows partial reopening of schools that began last week, as well as longer operating hours for malls and traditional markets where visitors are screened using a smartphone app showing their vaccination status.

Indonesia's confirmed new infections averaged 7,700 daily during the past seven days, down roughly half from the previous week and far below the country's record of over 50,000 daily cases in mid-July. The death toll also has fallen to fewer than 600 per day in the past week.

On Monday, Southeast Asia's largest economy reported 4,413 new cases and 612 new deaths, bringing its total to over 4.1 million infections with 136,473 fatalities.

But concerns remain for regions outside Java, including the resort island of Bali, where hospital occupancy rates for COVID-19 patients are still high, the government said.

"We estimate that Bali needs another week to see [its curbs] down to Level 4," said Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the chief coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment.

Indonesia on Monday welcomed the arrival of 5 million doses of Sinovac's vaccine, bringing the total doses of coronavirus vaccines the country has received to 225.4 million. The majority of the doses are from Sinovac, with smaller portions from AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.

As of Monday, 59% of Jakarta's nearly 11 million residents have been fully vaccinated, but the national average is lower at 14%.

Hartarto said Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, has instructed that inoculations be accelerated in the remote Papua Province, which hosts Indonesia's National Games next month, as well as other provinces where vaccination is especially low -- including Aceh, West Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Southeast Sulawesi.

 

link  :  https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Indonesia-eases-COVID-curbs-across-Java-with-tourism-set-to-reopen

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COVID-19: Indonesia Travel Updates

By Nikki Scott / 13/09/2021 / COVID-19

 

Updated 13th September 2021.

LATEST INDONESIA COVID-19 NEWS:

• 10th September 2021 – Luhut Pandjaitan, Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs declares “We will filter tourists that come visit. We don’t want backpackers to come so that Bali remains clean, where the people who come are of quality”. Source.
• 7th September 2021 – Tourism & Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno hints Bali soon to reopen to vaccinated tourists. Source.
• 6th September 2021 – Gradual reopening of some Javanese tourist sites announced. Diners allowed up to 1 hour in restaurants. Source.
• 31st August 2021 – Restaurants inside shopping malls to permit 50% capacity. Malls to open until 9pm. Source.
• 21st July 2021 – Indonesia becomes the epicentre of Asia’s COVID-19 crisis. Source.

6TH JULY 2021 – INDONESIA’S NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

• From 6th July 2021 only vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter Indonesia. Source.
• Quarantine is extended to 8 days / 7 nights for all travellers.

Foreign travellers must:

• Be in posession of a valid visa (see below).
• Be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO (Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Sinovac, Sinopharm). 14 days must have passed since the traveller has had the vaccine before departure to Indonesia.
• Have a negative PCR test result within 72 hours before flying to Indonesia.
• Quarantine for 7 nights/8 days in a government approved quarantine hotel in Jakarta.
• Show a negative PCR test result on day 1 and day 7 of quarantine.

Indonesian travellers must:

• Have a negative PCR test result within 72 hours before flying to Indonesia.
• Quarantine for 7 nights/8 days in a government approved quarantine hotel in Jakarta.
• Show a negative PCR test result on day 1 and day 7 of quarantine.
• Receive an obligatory vaccine in use by Indonesian government at the end of quarantine period, if you have not been vaccinated previously. (On condition of negative COVID-19 test.)

•  

• Exceptions: Citizens from India are currently not allowed to travel to Indonesia (including those travellers who have been in India in the last 14 days). Citizens of the Philippines and Pakistan must quarantine for 14 days.

  BALI REOPENING

  Plans to reopen Bali to vaccinated travellers, in a program akin to the Phuket Sandbox in Thailand, had been put on hold during July and August 2021 due to the surge in Covid cases. On 7th September, Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s Tourism & Creative Economy Minister hinted that plans are taking shape. The majority of Bali is still under level 4 restrictions, but early preparations for the scheme are beginning in certain “green zone areas”.

  Rumours had been circulating for months about the reopening of Bali. The reopening was announced by the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, at the Arabian Travel Market last month in Dubai. He also suggested that, along with Bali, several other places, such as Bintan and Batam would serve as ‘locomotive’ destinations with which to kickstart tourism in the country. Amidst rapidly rising cases, a plan has yet to be put in place.

• Indonesia Travel Restrictions

  Can you travel to Indonesia right now? SUMMARY:

  No. Indonesia is currently not allocating visas to non-Indonesian nationals until further notice. Exemptions to this include diplomats on official business, holders of Indonesian residency cards, foreigners who are travelling for official business, humanitarian aid, essential work or other essential reasons. You must have official permission to travel from the relevant government department.*

• INDONESIAN B211 BUSINESS VISAS: (SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FROM 21st JULY 2021)

  Despite not officially being allowed to travel, some foreigners have been finding ways to enter Indonesia. In recent months, many foreign nationals applied for the Single-Entry B211 Business Visa (also known as the Social-Cultural Visa) which allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 180 days.

  The visa, which is expensive to obtain, must be arranged by a travel agency and you will need to be sponsored by an Indonesian company. If you believe that you have grounds to apply for the visa, check out the very helpful Facebook group: Visa & Immigration Indonesia.

  Before you enter Indonesia, you will need to:

  New rules from 6th July 2021 – If you are able to obtain a valid visa (for one of the reasons mentioned above), you will still need to:

• Be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO.
• Carry a health certificate confirming a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your departure to Indonesia.
• Complete the Indonesian eHAC registration (Indonesia Health Alert Card) and supply the QR code on inspection at the airport in Indonesia.
• Quarantine in a specified hotel for 7 nights/8 days and provide negative COVID-19 PCR tests on day one and day seven.

• Quarantine Period in Indonesia:

  All travellers to Indonesia from abroad (foreign and Indonesian) must quarantine for 7 nights/8 days in a hotel upon arrival. You will still have to quarantine even if you are fully vaccinated.

  International flights are currently only flying into Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Manado. You must choose your quarantine hotel in your city of arrival. The hotel must be paid for by the traveller and costs average around $100 US per night depending on the hotel. 

•  

• Face Mask Policy in Indonesia: 

  It is compulsory to wear a face mask in public places across the country, whether indoors or outdoors. Fines will be imposed on anyone who breaks this law. Foreigners who break this rule or any of the other health protocols in place in the country will be immediately deported.

• Domestic Travel Restrictions in Indonesia

  Before 3rd July, if you wanted to travel domestically within Indonesia, all you needed to do was to take a quick $10 USD rapid antigen test. Things have now become a lot more strict…

  The new restrictions as of 5th July 2021 mean that you will now need to show a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of flying if you plan to visit the islands of Java or Bali. (The approximate cost of a PCR test in Indonesia is 1,000,000 IDR and they can be carried out at specialised clinics across the country.)

  In addition to a PCR test, you will also need to prove that you are fully vaccinated in order to travel domestically to either Java or Bali. You must do this by showing a vaccine card or certificate. This applies not only to flights but to anyone travelling to Bali by boat, train or bus.

  This requirement is not the case for those travelling by private vehicle, though it is encouraged. Source.

  Land Borders: 

  Entry into the neighbouring country of Malaysia (via Borneo island) is currently prohibited.

  Hotels and guesthouses: 

  Hotels and guesthouses remain open for business, although many have been forced to close due to lack of custom. Social distancing measures and mask-wearing are being applied to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

  Public places: 

  Public services and activities are currently restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Shops, bars and restaurants in many places across the country are currently operating at 50% of their normal capacity. There are restrictions on public gatherings. 

• On the ground traveller reports:

  “Restrictions in Indonesia, particularly in Bali and Java, are way more strict currently than most countries. All tourist attractions, parks, beaches, waterfalls, etc. are closed. Most restaurants are closed or limited in times and capacity. Only essential travel between districts is allowed, with required letters, vaccination proof, and COVID-19 tests. Even religious activities are limited. And many other restrictions.” – Luke, 9th August 2021

• If you are an Indonesian citizen who is not yet vaccinated, you will be obliged to be vaccinated with a vaccine in use by the Indonesian government upon leaving quarantine. This is provided you show a negative PCR test result.
• link  :  https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/covid19-indonesia-travel-restrictions/

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COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Southeast Asia (September 2021)

By Nikki Scott / 17/09/2021 / Health, COVID-19

 

Updated every few days. Last updated 17th September 2021.

What is the situation like with COVID-19 in Southeast Asia? And when will Southeast Asia open its doors to international travellers? These are the main questions on backpackers’ minds right now after over a year of global travel restrictions… Like you, we are desperate to hitch on that backpack and set off for adventures – but when will that be possible? And will it ever be the same again? We sincerely hope so!

We strive to regularly update this article with the latest travel restrictions across Southeast Asia to keep you up to date with where you can and can’t travel right now, and what entry requirements are in place (quarantine, PCR tests, mask-wearing etc.).

Keep up to date with the latest travel news by bookmarking this article and be sure to join our newsletter where we send out updates on travel across Southeast Asia. Hang on in there, backpackers 💪

Where can you travel in Southeast Asia? – Quick Answers

Click the country to skip down for more details.

• Cambodia – Open to tourists with a 14-day quarantine.
• Laos – Closed to tourists.
• Indonesia – Closed to tourists.
• Malaysia – Closed to tourists.
• Maldives – Open to tourists with no quarantine.
• Myanmar – Closed to tourists.
• Philippines – Closed to tourists.
• Singapore – Open to tourists from selected countries.
• Sri Lanka – Open to tourists with PCR test on arrival, no quarantine for vaccinated travellers.
• Thailand – Open to tourists with a 14-day quarantine. (For vaccinated tourists travelling via the Phuket Sandbox or the Samui Plus Program, there is no quarantine, but certain restrictions apply.)
• Vietnam – Closed to tourists.

link  :  https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/corona-virus-southeast-asia/

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Bali airport to reopen to travellers from some countries on Oct 14: Indonesian coordinating minister

A traveller walks through the nearly empty international arrivals terminal of Gusti Ngurah Rai airport amid the spread of COVID-19 in Bali on Apr 1, 2020

 

Kiki Siregar  @KikiSiregarCNA

04 Oct 2021 07:12PM

 

JAKARTA: Indonesia will reopen Bali's airport to some international travellers on Oct 14, said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan on Monday (Oct 4).

Speaking at a virtual press conference, Mr Pandjaitan said that the airport on the popular tourist island will be open for travellers from some countries such as South Korea, China, Japan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

“Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport will be opened internationally on Oct 14, 2021, as long as it fulfils the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, testing, and the readiness of the (COVID-19) task force.

"Every international arrival passenger must have proof of hotel booking for a minimum of eight days for quarantine at his own expense,” said the minister.

Bali’s international airport was closed in August for international travel following a deadly second wave of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia.

Home to 4.3 million people, Bali is heavily dependent on tourism and the pandemic has taken a huge toll on its economy.

The province's economy contracted 9.3 per cent last year and in the first quarter this year, its gross domestic product (GDP) fell 9.85 per cent.

The government has said earlier that it plans to reopen Bali to international tourists this month.

About 2.7 million people have been fully vaccinated in Bali, which is about 79 per cent of the province’s target.

On Monday, Indonesia logged 922 new COVID-19 cases. The country has reported about 4.2 million COVID-19 cases in total, and about 142,000 deaths.

Its daily national caseload has decreased by 98 per cent compared to the peak of the second wave in mid-July, Mr Pandjaitan added. 

 

link  :  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bali-airport-reopen-travellers-some-countries-oct-14-indonesian-coordinating-minister-2220486

 

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Indonesia to partially reopen Bali to selected international travelers from October 14

By  The Bharat Express News

October 4, 2021

Bali’s economy, dependent on tourism, has been hit hard by the pandemic, losing millions of visitors.

 

 

Jakarta:

Indonesia will reopen the resort island of Bali to select international travelers next week, a senior minister said, after the pandemic starved the vacation hotspot of one of its main sources of income.

The island’s Ngurah Rai International Airport will be open to international travelers from South Korea, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand from October 14, the maritime affairs minister said. and Luhut Panjaitan Investment at a press conference.

The partial reopening, however, does not include Australia – a key source of tourists before the pandemic.

 

Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport will open internationally on October 14, 2021, provided it meets the quarantine, Covid-19 testing and working group readiness provisions and requirements “said Panjaitan.

He did not say whether tourists will be eligible to visit the island or if only those with a residence permit could come.

All international travelers will need to have proof of hotel booked for a quarantine of at least eight days at their own expense, but it is still unclear what other restrictions may apply beyond that.

Indonesia has been devastated by the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus, and as of mid-July it has recorded more than 56,000 new cases of Covid in a single day.

The government announced emergency restrictions in the hardest-hit area, closing non-essential businesses and restricting the movement of people.

Bali’s economy, dependent on tourism, has also been hit hard by the pandemic as millions of visitors disappeared from the palm-fringed island.

But the number of cases is now declining as the government steps up vaccinations, with the country reporting 922 new cases of Covid-19 and 88 deaths on Monday.

 

Authorities have started to relax restrictions on a regular basis as the country sees a decrease in confirmed cases and daily deaths from Covid, including in Bali.

Malls, cinemas and offices in most cities have started to reopen at reduced capacity, and some schools have started partial learning offline.

 

link  :  https://www.thebharatexpressnews.com/indonesia-to-partially-reopen-bali-to-selected-international-travelers-from-october-14/

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Govt relaxes some policies as COVID-19 transmission tapers

 14 hours ago

 

A screenshot of Java-Bali Region Community Activities Restrictions (PPKM) Coordinator, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, at a virtual press conference

 

It can bring disadvantages to all of us.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has made several adjustments in the Java-Bali region, including opening fitness centers and international arrivals at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, amid the sloping transmission of COVID-19.

According to Java-Bali Region Community Activities Restrictions (PPKM) Coordinator, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the opening of fitness centers will only be implemented in the Greater Jakarta, Greater Bandung, Greater Solo, Greater Semarang, Greater Surabaya, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta areas.

The statement was delivered at a press conference that was accessed online from here on Monday.

"Fitness centers may open with a maximum capacity of 25 percent by enforcing strict health protocols and screening through PeduliLindungi apps," he said.

He also informed that the food and beverage outlets in cinemas have been allowed to open. However, the capacity of the cinemas remains capped at 50 percent, Pandjaitan said. The policy will be applied in districts or cities with Level 3, 2, and 1 of PPKM, he said.

"If there are further improvements next week, we will have another adjustment. I want to remind all people that we have to do it gradually and continuously as we do not want something out of control suddenly happening," the Java-Bali Region PPKM coordinator emphasized.

Furthermore, Ngurah Rai Airport will be opened for international arrivals on October 14, 2021 only if it meets the requirements regarding passengers’ quarantine, COVID-19 tests, and health protocol task force readiness, he added.

In addition, all international passengers arriving at the airport will need to bring proof of hotel booking for self-quarantine for a minimum of 8 days at their own expense.

The other adjustment carried out by the government has been the opening of the Honda Developmental Basketball League – a basketball competition for middle and high school students -- in Jakarta and Surabaya, Pandjaitan said.

He reminded the public not to be careless as the slightest negligence could cause an increase in the number of cases and lead to tightening of the imposed policies.

"It can bring disadvantages to all of us," he emphasized.

 

link  :  https://en.antaranews.com/news/192589/govt-relaxes-some-policies-as-covid-19-transmission-tapers

 

 

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Rupiah Redenomination, Definition and Purpose

October 5, 2021 13:06

The redenomination of the rupiah had become a topic of discussion some time ago. As reported by the coil, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani had opened up about the redenomination plan which will be the focus of the Ministry of Finance in 2020-2024.
So, what is meant by rupiah redenomination and what is the purpose of its implementation? Here's more.
Definition of Rupiah Redenomination
Based on the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), redenomination means simplifying the value of the rupiah without changing the exchange rate.
For example, by simplifying currency fractions into smaller denominations by reducing the number of zeros, for example Rp1,000 to Rp1 or Rp20,000 to Rp20, but not reducing the value of the currency.
The Purpose of Rupiah Redenomination
A country has a goal when doing redenomination, some of the objectives of redenomination of the rupiah are as follows.
Making Financial Recording Simpler
As previously mentioned, redenomination is an attempt to simplify fractions of a currency. So, by doing redenomination, the recording will be simpler thanks to the reduction of the zero digits behind the integers in the rupiah value. This can also reduce the error rate, so that it will make calculations easier in the field of accounting and everyday life.
Increase Credibility and Equivalence of Currencies
By redenominating the rupiah, it can also make the rupiah currency more “equivalent” to other foreign currencies.
Let's just see that 1 United States dollar is equivalent to approximately Rp. 14,000, the comparison of the magnitudes of the two numbers is too far, namely the number 1 and the number 14,000, even though both have the same value.
An example of a case of applying redenomination for this purpose is the Lira, the currency of Turkey. Before redenomination, 1 US dollar could be equivalent to 1.5 million Turkish Lira. After redenomination, 1 US dollar is equivalent to 1.8 Lira.

Difference between Redenomination and Sanering
Redenomination which means simplification of currency is different from sanering which means cutting of money. Reported coils, here are some of the differences.
1. Impact on Society
Redenomination does not cause losses because purchasing power remains the same, while sanering causes many losses because purchasing power drops drastically.
2. Purpose
Redenomination simplifies currency denominations to make transactions more efficient and convenient, also prepares Indonesia's economic equality with regional countries, while sanering reduces the money supply due to price spikes.
3. Value of Money Against Items
Redenomination does not change the value of money on goods because only the way of mentioning and writing the denominations is adjusted, while sanering changes the value of money on goods to be smaller because what is deducted is the value.
4. Economic Conditions When Done
Redenomination is usually carried out when macroeconomic conditions are stable, such as economic growth and controlled inflation, while sanering is carried out in unhealthy macroeconomic conditions.
5. Transition Period
Redenomination is carefully and measuredly prepared so as not to cause turmoil in the community, while in sanering there is no transition period and can be done suddenly.

 

link  :  https://kumparan.com/berita-bisnis/redenominasi-rupiah-pengertian-serta-tujuannya-1wegipsuWmt/full

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Indonesia Will Not Ban Cryptocurrencies Like China, Minister Says as Crypto Trade Soars

by Lubomir Tassev

Sep 25, 2021

 

Authorities in Indonesia do not intend to follow China’s example of imposing an outright ban on cryptocurrencies, a government official said, noting the country will limit itself to ensuring they are not used in illegal activities. The statement comes after local crypto exchanges registered a serious increase in turnover this year.

Indonesia to Tighten Regulations Without Prohibiting Crypto Transactions

The Indonesian government will not follow in the footsteps of China, which has confirmed a ban on all cryptocurrency transactions, the country’s Minister of Trade Muhammad Luthfi emphasized in comments to local media. The official added, however, that the government is looking into how to make them less prone to being used in illegal financial activities. Quoted by Berita Satu and the Jakarta Globe, Luthfi stated:

 

We don’t prohibit it, but we will tighten the regulations.

 

 

Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, ethereum, and dogecoin are currently regarded as assets and commodities in Indonesia. Their legal treatment allows residents of the Southeast Asian nation to trade the digital coins, but using them as a means of payment is not permitted.

This week, the Central Bank of China stated that transactions involving cryptocurrencies are illegal, echoing previously imposed restrictions. All related financial activities, including crypto trading, token sales, and transactions with virtual currency derivatives are also banned. The announcement, which hurt cryptocurrency markets, comes after a months-long crackdown on bitcoin mining and trading across the country.

Indonesian Crypto Trading Spikes in First Half of This Year

China’s reiterated firm stance on decentralized money affected crypto prices in Indonesia, too. Bitcoin (BTC) fell 7.4% on the country’s largest exchange, Indodax, to 595 million Indonesian rupiah (below $41,000) right after the PBOC notice on Friday. The price of the leading cryptocurrency by market cap has since recovered to 609 million rupiah per coin ($42,650 at the time of writing).

According to the reports, Indonesian crypto trade has been flourishing in the past year and a half. Transactions on 13 domestic exchanges authorized by the Futures Exchange Supervisory Board have increased by 40% in the first five months of 2021. During 2020, the transaction volume reached 65 trillion rupiah ($4.5 billion), the quoted data shows.

 

Meanwhile, the number of individuals involved in trading exceeded 6.5 million in May, from 4 million at the end of last year. Luno Indonesia, another major exchange operating in the country, expressed confidence it could double or even triple its customer base from the current 700,000 users. “The growth is breakneck today… Crypto is booming,” the platform’s manager Jay Jayawijayaningtiyas said Wednesday.

 

link  :   https://news.bitcoin.com/usdc-market-capitalization-hits-30-billion-stablecoin-adds-10-billion-in-4-months/

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Bitcoin is not lawfully accepted payment instrument in Indonesia: BI

 25th February 2021

 

Since the start, we have warned and stressed that Bitcoin is not allowed to be used as a means of payment and so is the case with other currencies other than the rupiah.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Central bank (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo emphasized that the use of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, as a means of payment is prohibited in Indonesia since it ran counter to the law.

Warjiyo made the statement in connection with the increasing trend of Bitcoin price to its highest level at Rp741 million on February 18.

"Since the start, we have warned and stressed that Bitcoin is not allowed to be used as a means of payment and so is the case with other currencies other than the rupiah," the BI governor noted during a forum of the CNBC Economic Outlook here on Thursday.

The country's Constitution has authorized the rupiah as the sole means of payment in Indonesia. Therefore, all forms of currency used in Indonesia -- coins, banknotes, digital money -- must be in rupiah.

Warjiyo spoke of the BI having preparing a digital currency known as the central bank digital currency that is scheduled for launch in the near term.

BI will consistently work in close collaboration with other countries' central banks to prepare the digital currency.

"We will distribute it to banks and fintech in wholesale as well as retail," Warjiyo revealed.

Bank Indonesia had announced Bitcoin to be an illegal payment and transaction instrument, but the Trade Ministry's Futures Exchange Supervisory Board (Bappebti) is considering it as an investment instrument. 

 

link  :  https://en.antaranews.com/news/168747/bitcoin-is-not-lawfully-accepted-payment-instrument-in-indonesia-bi

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Bank Indonesia Plans Trial of the Digital Rupiah

 

Indonesia’s central bank, Bank Indonesia, will try out a state-issued cryptocurrency, the “digital rupiah.”

The Jakarta Post reports Bank Indonesia Systems Department Assistant Deputy Executive Director Susiati Dewi’s statement regarding the state-issued cryptocurrency: “The physical banknotes we currently use may be converted into digital money. However, no country has released such money yet.” Susi, as Indonesian publications refer to Dewi, explains that the digital currency will be used to increase the efficiency of the payment systems in the country.

She related that the virtual currency will be asset-backed. The particular assets in consideration, however, have yet to be named. Susi also states that the bank will be considering the inflation rate affecting the currency of Indonesia while determining the number of digital rupiah to put into circulation.

Agus Martowardojo of the central bank previously declared Bitcoin and other decentralized cryptocurrencies as invalid instruments of payment, explaining that the rupiah alone can be used as a legal means of payment in Indonesia.

The head of development and market development at Indonesia’s Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency stated on January 10 that the Indonesian government was involved in discussions around the possibility of allowing Bitcoin futures contracts to be traded on the country’s exchanges.

Other governments have also considered the idea of having a national digital currency, including Venezuela which will be starting its pre-sale of the oil-backed Petro on February 20.

 

link  :  https://www.coinwire.com/bank-indonesia-plans-trial-of-the-digital-rupiah