Page 9 - Indonesia

Indonesian cabinet ministers deny claims they misused government aid

Four Indonesian Cabinet members testified Friday that no rules were violated in the distribution of government aid during the recent election campaign, despite claims by the two losing presidential candidates that it was used for the benefit of the election winner. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto won the election with 58.6% of the votes, or more than 96 million ballots, more than twice the amount received by each of the two runner-ups in the three-way race, according to the General Election Commission. The losing candidates former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo say the election was marred by irregularities and are asking the Constitutional Court to annul the results and order a revote in separate lawsuits. They say Subianto's victory was the result of widespread fraud and that outgoing President Joko Widodo and his administration bent laws and norms to support Subianto, with government social aid used as a tool to buy votes. Indonesian .

Indonesia's prez-elect holds talks with Malaysian leader on bolstering ties

Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto held talks Thursday with Malaysia's leader on bolstering bilateral ties as part of a regional visit that has also taken him to China and Japan. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he and Subianto discussed next steps to strengthen bilateral ties, and also exchanged views on their political experiences. Our political journeys are almost similar as we were both tested with various challenges before being appointed," Anwar said in a statement on Facebook after their meeting. He said Subianto also recalled his secondary education at a school in Kuala Lumpur. May Malaysia-Indonesia relationship continue to be strengthened for our common good, he added. Subianto, who is currently defence minister, will succeed Joko Widodo in October. The wealthy ex-general chose Beijing for his first official visit after his February election victory in a bid to emphasise the countries' robust ties amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. In his Monday meeting

After China visit, Indonesia prez-elect vows to strengthen ties with Japan

Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto said he wants to further strengthen relations with Japan as he met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday on the heels of a visit to China. Subianto, who's currently defence minister, told Kishida that the two countries are longtime friends who have built a cooperative relationship, and that he hoped to further strengthen the relationship. Japan has been seeking closer ties with Southeast Asian countries, especially in maritime security and defence, in the face of China's increasingly assertive military presence. Subianto, who will succeed Joko Widodo in October, chose Beijing for his first official overseas trip after his February election victory in a bid to emphasise steady ties with China amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have had repeated high-seas confrontations. In his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Subianto pledged a continued friendly policy toward China. Chi

Indonesia's defence minister, accused of abuses, is declared poll winner

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto was announced the winner of the presidential election in the world's third-largest democracy on Wednesday over two former governors who vow to contest the result in court over alleged irregularities. Subianto, who was accused of abuses under the past dictatorship and chose the son of the popular outgoing president as his running mate, won 58.6 per cent of the votes. Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan received 24.9 per cent and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo got 16.5 per cent, the General Election Commission said. It posted polling stations' tabulation forms on its website, allowing for independent verification. Subianto said he will respect those who made different choices in the vote. We call on all Indonesian people to look to the future together," he told a news conference. "We must unite and join hands because our challenges as a nation are very big. Subianto has received congratulatory messages from other Southeast Asian .

Prabowo Subianto wins Indonesia's presidential election, says poll body

Prabowo is expected to take over from outgoing President Joko Widodo in October. He is expected to speak later on Wednesday

At least 26 dead, 11 missing after flash floods hit Indonesia's Sumatra

Rescuers recovered more bodies as waters began to recede after flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rains on Indonesia's Sumatra island, which have killed at least 26 people and left 11 missing, officials said Monday. Monsoon rains and rising rivers have submerged nine districts and cities in West Sumatra province since Thursday. Late Friday, a major mudslide caused a river to breach its banks and tear through mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district. Relief efforts for have been hampered by power outages, damaged bridges and roads blocked by thick mud and debris, the National Disaster Management Agency said. Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said rescuers recovered more bodies, mostly in the worst-hit villages in Pesisir Selatan and its neighboring Padang Pariaman district, bringing the death toll rose to 26. Landslides buried at least 14 houses, he said. At least two villagers were injured and rescuers were still searching for 11 people reportedly ...

At least 19 dead, 7 missing as landslides hit Indonesia's Sumatra island

Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island, killing at least 19 people and leaving seven others missing, officials said Sunday. Tons of mud, rocks and uprooted trees rolled down a mountain late Friday, reaching a river that burst its banks and tore through mountainside villages in Pesisir Selatan district of West Sumatra province, said Doni Yusrizal, who heads the local disaster management agency. Rescuers by Saturday pulled out seven bodies in the worst-hit village of Koto XI Tarusan, and recovered three others in two neighboring villages, Yusrizal said. Rescuers retrieved six bodies in Pesisir Selatan and three more in the neighboring district of Padang Pariaman, bringing the death toll to 19, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Sunday. The agency in a statement said at least two villagers were injured by the flash flood and rescuers are searching for seven people who are reportedly still missing. It said more than 80,0

RBI, Bank Indonesia partner to promote use of local currencies for trade

The Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia (BI) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote use of local currencies for bilateral transactions. The MoU was signed here for establishing a framework to promote the use of local currencies viz., the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for cross-border transactions, RBI said in a statement. This framework would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies, which in turn would enable the development of an INR-IDR foreign exchange market. "Use of local currencies would optimise costs and settlement time for transactions," RBI said. The MoU was signed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo. "The MoU on establishing a framework for cooperation in the area of cross-border transactions in local currencies between India and Indonesia, aims to promote the use of INR and IDR bilaterally," RBI said. The central bank further said the

RBI, Indonesia's central bank sign agreement for local currency trade

India's second such local currency trade agreement, after one with the UAE

India, Indonesia bright spots for investment opportunities: BlackRock

US investment firm BlackRock sees India and Indonesia as two Asia-Pacific countries offering a lot of investment opportunities, its head of research for the region said on Tuesday

Indonesia & Pakistan: Not two peas in a pod

Unlike Pakistan, Indonesia has harnessed its natural advantages to nurture a sustainable growth trajectory

Indonesian defence minister claims victory in presidential election

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, an ex-general linked to past human rights atrocities, claimed victory in Indonesia's presidential election on Wednesday based on unofficial tallies. The 72-year-old candidate, who was once banned by the United States from entering for two decades due to his human rights record, told thousands of supporters in a sports stadium in the capital, Jakarta, that the victory, according to an early, unofficial quick count, was the victory of all Indonesians. There was no declaration by electoral officials and the two former provincial governors who also contested the election in the world's third-largest democracy have not conceded defeat. Subianto was an army general during the brutal period of the Suharto dictatorship that ended just over 25 years ago. He served as a special forces commander in a unit linked to torture and disappearances, allegations that he vehemently denies. According to the unofficial tallies conducted by Indonesian polling agencies,

Indonesia Elections 2024: What's at stake? All you need to know

Indonesians head to the polls February 14 to vote in the world's largest single-day election to select local and parliamentary representatives and a new president. Three men are vying for the top spot

Indonesia election: Unofficial vote count points to first round Prabowo win

Prabowo had about 59 per cent of votes according to three pollsters, based on ballots counted in a sample of voting stations nationwide

Indonesia goes to polls as it seeks to enter new phase amid concerns

Millions of Indonesians were choosing a new president on Wednesday as the world's third-largest democracy aspires to become a global economic powerhouse just over 25 years since emerging from a brutal authoritarian era. The incumbent Indonesian defence minister, who has been accused of human rights atrocities as an ex-general, and two former governors are vying to succeed the still-widely popular President Joko Widodo. Widodo's rise from a riverside slum to his country's presidency has showcased the vibrancy of his Southeast Asian nation's democracy in a region rife with authoritarian regimes. The voting in a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands sprawled across three time zones, with a population of 270 million, is a logistical nightmare, with white ballot boxes and ballots being brought by donkeys and on foot in some of the more remote locations. Polls open at 7 am local time in each time zone and the first region began voting at 22.00 GMT. Aside from the presidency, about 20,000 ..

India sees 28% fall in vegetable oil imports to 1.2 mn tonnes in Jan: SEA

The country's vegetable oil imports declined by 28 per cent to 12 lakh tonnes in January from a year-ago period, industry body SEA said on Monday. Vegetable oil imports stood at 16.61 lakh tonnes in January 2023. India is a leading vegetable oil buyer in the world. In the first quarter (November-January) of the current oil year, total imports dropped 23 per cent to 36.73 lakh tonnes as against 47.73 lakh tonnes in the same quarter of previous year. According to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), about 7,82,983 tonnes of palm oil and 4,08,938 tonnes of soft oil were imported in January this year out of total vegetables oils. As on February 1, total edible oils stock stood at 26.49 lakh tonnes, down 7.64 per cent from that of the year-ago period, it said in a statement. SEA said prices of edible oils, which are currently low, may go up this year on lower production, global economic issues and supply constraints. The availability of palm oil for edible oil requireme

Fragile-five days long gone as funds pile Into India, Indonesia: Report

The original 'Fragile Five' which also included Turkey, South Africa and Brazil referred to nations perceived to be most at risk due to their heavy reliance on foreign investment to drive growth

Google Doodle celebrates 86th birth anniversary of Indonesian actress

Google Doodle is celebrating the 86th birth anniversary of popular Indonesian actress Aminah Cendrakaish. She has done over 100 roles in a career spanning over five decades

Indonesia evacuates about 6,500 on island of Flores after volcano spews ash

Indonesia has evacuated about 6,500 people on the island of Flores after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano spewed thick clouds of brownish ash for the past days, authorities said on Monday. No casualties or major damage have been reported so far. The eruptions in East Nusa Tenggara province are part of hot gas spills that have become more frequent in recent days. The 1,584-meter (5,197 foot) mountain is one of the twin volcanoes the Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan in the Flores Timur district. The volcano has erupted 40 times since Sunday, with columns of hot clouds rising 500-1,500 meters (1,600-4,900 feet) into the air. Residents in nearby villages were taken in by relatives or brought to evacuation centers as authorities raised the volcano's alert status to the highest level last Tuesday. Officials urge the local community, as well as visitors and tourists, to stay away from a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) radius around the eruption zone and be aware of the potential for co

Indonesia's Mount Marapi erupts again, leads to evacuations, no casualties

Indonesia's Mount Marapi erupted again on Sunday, spewing smoke and ash high into the air, but no casualties were reported. The Marapi Volcano Observation Post in West Sumatra province recorded an eruption with an ash column about 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) high from its peak, followed by ash rain. Sprays of ash from the eruption were seen blanketing roads and vehicles in nearby villages. At least 100 residents have been evacuated since Friday after Indonesian authorities raised the alert level of the volcano from Level 2 to Level 3, or the second-highest level, on Wednesday. Marapi is known for sudden eruptions that are difficult to predict because they are not caused by a deep movement of magma, which sets off tremors that register on seismic monitors. Its eruption in early December shot thick columns of ash as high as 3 kilometers (more than 9,800 feet) that killed 24 climbers and injured several others who were caught by a surprise weekend eruption. About 1,400 people live on .