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☆ Indonesia's Presidential Contenders Promise Tax Reform to Boost Revenue
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The three main candidates contesting Indonesia's presidential elections this month are proposing to bolster government coffers by creating a new tax collection agency, despite scepticism from the tax and business community. Prabowo has set the highest tax-to-GDP target of 18%, or about $100 billion in additional tax revenue, if he wins the presidency, while also promising personal income tax cuts. NEW AGENCY NOT ENOUGHHowever, some economists and the business community say a new tax agency might not lead to higher revenue if other issues like the low tax base are not addressed. "There may be more binding constraints to revenue collection than administrative independence of the tax authority," the multinational lender told Reuters. "Tax officers should be fair ...

Persons: Joko Widodo's, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo, Drajad Wibowo, Jakarta Governor Anies, Wijayanto Samirin, Jahen, Fajry Akbar, Tutum, Stefanno Sulaiman, Stephen Coates Organizations: Jakarta Governor, U.S . Internal Revenue Service, Central Java, University of Indonesia, Bank, Reuters Locations: JAKARTA, Asia's, Indonesia

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupted Sunday, spreading searing gas clouds and avalanches of lava down its slopes as other active volcanoes flared up across the country, forcing the evacuation of thousands. A column of hot clouds blasted 100 meters (about 109 yards) into the air as ash blanketed several villages without casualties, he added. Merapi is the most active out of more than 120 volcanoes across the country. Also on Sunday, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province erupted again, its third biggest flare-up this month, albeit without discharging lava. In December 2021, Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Java island, erupted, leaving 48 people dead and 36 missing.

Persons: Agus Budi Santoso, Mount Lewotobi Laki, Mount Semeru, Niniek Karmini Organizations: Technology Research, Development, Volcanology, Mount, Associated Press Locations: YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia, Merapi, Java, Yogyakarta, East Nusa Tenggara, Marapi, West Sumatra, Semeru, East Java, North Maluku, Jakarta

☆ Indonesia Presidential Hopefuls Pledge to Boost Troubled Anti-Graft Agency
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's presidential candidates have pledged to strengthen the government's anti-corruption agency, laying out their plans ahead of the country's Feb. 14 election, to counter pervasive graft in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Anies, the former governor of the capital Jakarta, said he would bring Indonesia's battle against graft back on track by strengthening the KPK and revising the law governing the agency. The revision, made under current President Joko Widodo, who is known as Jokowi, triggered mass protests at the time. We have the capability, we are not poor," he added, without elaborating on the budget plan for the wage increase. In 2022, Indonesia dropped four places on global graft watchdog Transparency International's corruption perception index to 110 out of 180 countries.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Prabowo, Jokowi, Jokowi's, Firli Bahuri, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Christian Schmollinger Locations: JAKARTA, Asia's, Jakarta, Central Java, Indonesia

☆ Indonesians head to the polls in February. Here are key issues dominating the elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Randy Mulyanto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Indonesia is preparing to hold general elections for president and vice president for the 2024-2029 period in February 2024. The world's third-largest democracy will open its polls to over 204 million eligible voters casting their ballots, according to its General Elections Commission. While having greater opposition representation in Indonesia's parliament could raise the bar for passing such laws, Titi said there's still a very high barrier to entry for the candidacy process. According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2023 report, Indonesia ranked "partly free," scoring 58 out of 100. But for some Indonesians, the cozier relationship has also sparked debt-trap fears and concerns about an influx of Chinese workers.

Persons: Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar, Aditya Irawan, Joko, Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo, Gibran, Anies, Titi Anggraini, Titi, there's, Indonesia's, Singapore's ISEAS — Yusof, Lina Alexandra Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, JAKARTA —, Commission, Solo, National Awakening Party, Central Java, Politik, Nusantara, Association for Elections, Democracy, CNBC, Constitutional, House's, Institute, Indonesia's, of Economic, Law Studies, Initiative, Strategic, International Studies, Hamas, Lowy Institute Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, JAKARTA, JAKARTA — Indonesia, Central, Politik Indonesia, Nusantara, Borneo, China, Beijing, Southeast Asia, Southeast, Israel, Australian

☆ Campaigning gets underway in Indonesia for February presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Recent surveys have showed former special forces commander Prabowo leading with Ganjar second and Anies a distant third. Prabowo and his vice-presidential pick Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Widodo, will start their campaign at a later date. The candidates will appear in debates organised by the election commission in the coming weeks, with no schedule unveiled so far. About 205 million of Indonesia's more than 270 million population are eligible to vote in the election. Reporting by Ananda Teresia, Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Ganjar, Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Prabowo, Mahfud, Muhaimin, Widodo, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: Defence, Java, Thomson Locations: Mahfud, Jakarta, JAKARTA, Indonesia, Papua, Aceh province, Anies, Muhaimin Iskandar, East Java's Surabaya, Prabowo

Suryana has spent more than three decades living in the shadow of the power plant in northern Java, just 60 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia’s most populous city. Emissions from burning coal, which is highly polluting but relatively cheap, contribute up to a third of Indonesia’s air pollution according to Siti Nurbaya, Indonesia’s Environmental and Forestry Minster. The Indonesian government has called on residents to use public transportation and has given regulation and financial incentives to residents who want to shift from using gas or diesel-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles. The government is pushing to have more than 530,000 electric vehicles on the road in Indonesia by 2030. Because industry is contributing 30% to 40% of the air pollution in Jakarta, in addition to emissions from transportation,” Syuhada said.

Persons: Suryana, “ We’ve, ”, Ginanjar Syuhada, —, Siti Nurzanah, ” Nurzanah, Syuhada, “, Siti Nurbaya, Budi Karya, ” Syuhada Organizations: —, United Nations, Associated Press, World Health Organization, Air, Vital, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, WHO, Jakarta Health Agency, Jakarta's Persahabatan, Persahabatan Hospital, Forestry, Transportation Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Java, Jakarta, Indonesia’s, United, Dubai, Swiss, Indonesian, New York

☆ Ahead of Indonesia’s elections, critics slam Jokowi for nepotism and ‘dynastic politics’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Ulet Ifansasti | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesA year before stepping down as Indonesia's president, Joko Widodo is facing serious allegations of establishing a political dynasty through nepotism. The constitutional court, which was helmed by the president's brother-in-law Anwar Usman at that time, was widely criticized for changing the law, which enabled Jokowi's son to contest the election. Kompas Research and DevelopmentAccording to a poll in mid-October by Kompas Research and Development, 60.7% of respondents consider the participation of Jokowi's eldest son Gibran in the election as a form of dynastic politics. Son-in-law, Bobby Nasution Adding to Jokowi's political chessboard is also his son-in-law Bobby Nasution, the current mayor of Medan. The 'Jokowi effect'Analysts are now expecting what they call "a Jokowi effect" for the PSI and Gerindra parties.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Ulet Ifansasti, Joko, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Prabowo Subianto, Gibran, Anwar Usman, Anwar, Kompas, Kaesang, Kaesang Pangarep, Bobby Nasution, Julia Lau, – Yusof, Jokowi's, Andi Widjajanto, Andi, Jokowi, Vedi Hadiz, Iriana Widodo, Gibran Rakbuming Raka, Lau, bode, Julia Lau ISEAS – Yusof Ishak, didn't, ISEAS – Yusof Organizations: Getty, Defence, Gerindra Party, Solo, Research, Kompas Research, Development, Indonesia Solidarity Party, PSI, Indonesia, Reuters, National Resilience Agency, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne, Afp, CNBC, Asia, Central Java, Indonesian Democratic Party of Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Ulet, Medan, Jokowi, Central Java, Afp, Southeast Asia, Ganjar

☆ The 20 Best Gifts for Your In-Laws—Including the Hard to Impress
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Karen I. Chen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

“There is an unspoken pressure on nailing the perfect gift,” says Kristin Fisher, the Collegeville, Penn.-based founder of custom gift box company Bocu. Leah Inman, a Dallas-based gifting consultant, recommends ordering a custom house portrait for mothers-in-law, in particular. They likely already know about red light therapy, so this petite wand makes the perfect gift, according to Fisher. That’s why he recommends gift cards, such as one from Massage Envy, which has more than 1,100 locations in the U.S. and offers both massage and facials, as well as stretch therapy. Inman recommends gifting this compact jewelry organizer for your jetsetting sister- or mother-in-law.

Persons: Karen I, Chen, ”, Kristin Fisher, we’ve, Leah Inman, Tami Claytor, Fisher, “, won’t, ” Fisher, Carver, Patrick Kucharson, Inman, they’re, Eden Delaune, Sonoma, Kucharson, ” Kucharson, Delaune, ” It’s Organizations: Homes, Watercolor, Amazon Locations: Penn, Dallas, New York City, Cleveland , Ohio, Eden, Fort Worth , Texas, cardigan, U.S

☆ Indonesia says Exxon Mobil plans to invest up to $15 bln in the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Exxon Mobil Corp FollowJAKARTA, Nov 16 (Reuters) - U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) is planning to invest up to $15 billion in a petrochemical project and carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities in Indonesia, President Joko Widodo said in a presidential palace statement on Thursday. The planned CCS facilities would be the biggest in Southeast Asia. Earlier this week, Indonesia signed an initial deal with an Exxon unit to explore investment in a petrochemical project in Indonesia to produce polymers. Exxon and Indonesian state energy company Pertamina also agreed to evaluate $2 billion in investments in CCS facilities using two underground basins in the Java Sea. "These large-scale opportunities could substantially boost industrial growth and decarbonisation in Indonesia, as well as the Asia Pacific region," said Carole Gall, president of Exxon Mobil Indonesia.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joko Widodo, Darren Woods, Pertamina, Carole Gall, Joe Biden, Fransiska Nangoy, Bernadette Christina, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Tom Hogue Organizations: ExxonMobil, REUTERS, Companies Exxon Mobil Corp, Exxon Mobil, Exxon, Asia, Economic Cooperation, Exxon Mobil Indonesia, CCS, U.S, APEC, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, San Francisco, Asia, Washington

☆ The ‘world’s skinniest hotel’ measures nine feet across
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

It’s now the home of PituRooms, a seven-room hotel (Pitu is Javanese for “seven”) that measures just 2.8 meters (9 feet) wide. “I want people to experience Salatiga in a new way,” Indra tells CNN. Case in point: Indra tells CNN that PituRooms, which opened in December 2022, has had “only five percent” non-Indonesian guests. But within Indonesia, Indra says, Salatiga is known a tolerant city that has good food, good infrastructure and a good quality of life. Here we are skinniest,” Indra told Dezeen, an architecture blog.

Persons: Salatiga, Indra, “, ” Indra, Dezeen, Merbabu Organizations: CNN, nab Locations: Indonesia, Salatiga, Central Java, Jakarta, Singapore, PituRooms, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Indonesian, ‘

☆ Inside Disney interviews: 6 staffers reveal the most important question recruiters ask, hiring process hurdles, and secrets for standing out
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

According to one Disney employee hired during the pandemic, managers may tell recruiters the particulars they're seeking in candidates. For candidates looking to work in Disney's entertainment division, a question Green and other experts mentioned is: What are you watching on television and streaming right now? A third current employee, a creative assistant in Disney's entertainment division, recalled being tested on their competency in assessing creative work, namely doing script coverage. Curiosity counts — about the role, the company, the industryExperts encouraged candidates to be curious and raise their own questions with recruiters. The first employee recommended that candidates ask questions that enable recruiters to flex their own Disney spirit.

Persons: Lauren, Orlando, she's, Bob Iger, Dan Green, Green, —, hasn't, they've, Disney, Disney —, Ben White —, who's, We've Organizations: Walt Disney, Disney's College, Business, College Program, ESPN, Disney, Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz, Disney College Program, Adobe, Hulu, YouTube, Hollywood Locations: Disney's, Java, pseudocode

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Dozens of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Friday, calling for the cancellation of Coldplay’s upcoming concert over the British band’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Lead singer Chris Martin has been known to wear rainbow colors and wave gay pride flags during performances. The Asian leg of Coldplay's “Music Of The Spheres World Tour” includes a Nov. 15 concert at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno stadium. Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno assured Coldplay fans there would be no disruptions to the concert. ___Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Persons: Chris Martin, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama —, Coldplay, ”, Hery Susanto, ” Bamukmin, ” Martin, Sandiaga Uno, ” Uno, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Peter Harjani, Lady Gaga, Edna Tarigan Organizations: Coldplay, Creative Economy, Indonesian Ulema Council, Entertainment, Boys, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Indonesia’s, Jakarta, “, West Java’s, Bandung, Indonesian, British, Taipei, Malaysian

For the first time, Indonesia accounted for more than 50% of global thermal coal exports during the January to October window, data from Kpler shows, indicating its success in wresting share from rival exporters. Indonesia coal exports by destinationIndia was the second largest buyer of Indonesian coal, grabbing a roughly 20% share of the total (82 million tons). Indonesia vs Australia thermal coal pricesThat compares to an average $184 per ton for the roughly 6,200 kcal/kg coal shipped from Newcastle in Australia. Indonesia coal export price vs Indonesia coal exports to ChinaThe price to ship a ton of coal from Indonesia to China is currently around $8-$10, compared to $14-$15 a ton for the Australia to China voyage, according to Shanghai Shipping Exchange data. And that means Indonesia's full-year coal exports will smash previous records for 2023 as a whole.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: Russia, TOP, China, Australia, Indonesia, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cilegon, West Java, Indonesia, LITTLETON , Colorado, South Africa, Colombia, United States, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia, LSEG, Newcastle, Mozambique, Russia, Indonesian, Asia

☆ Indonesia presidential contender Ganjar takes slim lead in new poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Oct. 26-31 survey by Charta Politika showed 36.8% of the 2,400 respondents backed the ruling party's Ganjar while 34.7% supported Prabowo, with 24.3% in favour of Anies Baswedan, Jakarta's former governor. Charta Politika's surveys since 2021 have mostly put Ganjar in the lead. However, Yunarto Wijaya, executive director of Charta Politika said Prabowo's decision to run with the president's son had contributed to Ganjar's lead in the latest poll. "Gibran has weakened Prabowo, the issue of dynastic politics, Jokowi, his family, the court's ruling," Yunarto said. Reporting by Stanley Widianto and Ananda Teresia; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pranowo, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo Subianto, Anies, Prabowo, Ganjar, Charta, Joko, Jokowi, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, kingmaker, Gibran, Yunarto Wijaya, Yunarto, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Martin Petty Organizations: Indonesian Democratic Party, Struggle, Charta Politika, Central Java, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA

☆ An Australian couple bought land on an Indonesian island and built a luxury hotel. Here's how they did it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Two Australians, Jess and Daniel Baldock, bought a plot on the Indonesian island of Sumba. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn April 2018, Jess and Daniel Baldock flew from their native Australia to the Indonesian island of Sumba — and never left. He encouraged Jess Baldock to buy a plot of land, sight unseen, in the beachside village of Kerewe, which is surrounded by mangroves and waterfalls. "The only time we left the site was on everyone's lunch break or after work," Jess Baldock said. Some walls were built, knocked down, and rebuilt until workers reached the standard that Daniel Baldock knew they needed to achieve.

Persons: Jess, Daniel Baldock, —, Jess Baldock, who'd, Jess Baldock's, You'd, Alamayah Jess Baldock Organizations: Service, Investors Locations: Indonesian, Sumba, Australia, beachside, Kerewe, Melbourne, Mongol, kayaked, England, France, Tasmania, Indonesia, Bali, Java

☆ Indonesia says arrests militants suspected of plotting to disrupt election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An armed police officer stands guard following a blast at a district police station, that according to authorities was a suspected suicide bombing, in Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, December 7, 2022. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit has arrested 59 suspected militants including some loyalists of the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) suspected of planning to disrupt an upcoming election, a unit spokesperson said on Tuesday. Aswin Siregar, spokesperson for the Densus 88 counter-terrorism taskforce, said the JAD militants were suspected of plotting attacks to disrupt Feb. 14 presidential and legislative elections. It relates to their main goal which is to cancel the election," he added without giving any more detail of the suspected plotting. However, security analysts say the militant threat has diminished significantly in recent years, largely because of successful security force operations.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Ansharut, Aswin Siregar, Aswin, Ananda Teresia, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Islamic, Islamic State, JI, Thomson Locations: Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, al Qaeda, JAD, United States, Bali

☆ An American Airlines passenger says he got severe injuries after being 'scalded' by hot coffee during a flight, a lawsuit alleges
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Pennsylvania man is suing American Airlines, alleging he was "scalded" by a cup of hot coffee on a flight. The suit says the coffee spilled onto his arm, leaving the man with "severe and permanent injuries." The airline was "careless, reckless and negligent in serving scalding coffee" to the passenger, his suit says. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen asked for comment on the complaint Monday, an American Airlines spokesperson told Insider that it cannot comment on pending legal matters. American Airlines, according to the lawsuit, was "careless, reckless, and negligent in serving scalding coffee to the plaintiff in an unsafe manner" and for "failing to hire and retain competent personnel and employees."

Persons: —, George Latorre, David Jaroslawicz, Latorre Organizations: American Airlines, Service, Montreal Convention Locations: Pennsylvania, Vietnam, New York City, New York, 33J

☆ Indonesia presidential candidate Prabowo picks Jokowi's son as running mate
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Achmad Ibrahim/Pool via... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreJAKARTA, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Indonesia's defence minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto on Sunday announced incumbent leader Joko Widodo's eldest son as his running mate for next year's election. Speaking after a meeting of his party and its coalition partners, Prabowo told a press conference there had been an agreement to nominate him as presidential candidate and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as vice presidential candidate. Ganjar and Anies, both 54, had signed up for the race on Thursday, the opening day of registration for presidential candidates. Prabowo said he plans to register his candidacy to the election commission on Wednesday Oct. 25, which is the last day for registration. Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Stanley Widianto; Editing by Bernadette Baum and David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Achmad Ibrahim, Joko Widodo's, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Gibran, Prabowo, Ganjar, Anies Baswedan, Jokowi, Ananda Teresia, Stanley Widianto, Bernadette Baum, David Holmes Organizations: Gerindra, Sunday, Central Java, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, JAKARTA, Central, Surakarta city

☆ Candidates for Indonesia's presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

A recent poll of potential candidates by Lembaga Survei Indonesia showed Prabowo top with the support of 34% support. After losing the 2019 election, Jokowi appointed Prabowo defence minister, a move analysts say helped heal divisions. Prabowo chairs the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) party, which endorsed him as its presidential candidate last year. Erick Thohir - A businessman-turned-politician who once owned Italian football giant Inter Milan, Erick, 53, heads Indonesia's football association and serves as State Owned Enterprises Minister. Khofifah Indar Parawansa - One of Indonesia's most prominent female politicians, the popular, 58-year-old East Java governor has been courted by all three presidential candidates.

Persons: Ganjar Pranowo, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, Antara, PRABOWO SUBIANTO, Joko Widodo, Jokowi, Prabowo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Gibran, Erick Thohir, Erick, Indar, Khofifah, Ganjar, Mahfud, BASWEDAN, Anies, Basuki Tjahaja, Muhaimin, Imin, Abdurrahman Wahid, Gus Dur, Ananda Teresia, Stanley Widianto, Martin Petty Organizations: Indonesian Democratic Party, Struggle, Lembaga, Great Indonesia Movement, Inter Milan, State Owned Enterprises, Ulama, Indonesia's, Indonesian Democratic Party of, Israel, Islamic Prosperous Justice Party, National Awakening Party, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, JAKARTA, Surakarta, Italian, Central Java, Jokowi, Chinese, East Java

☆ Indonesia ruling party's presidential candidate to announce running mate
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The presidential candidate of Indonesia's ruling party will announce his choice of running mate on Wednesday, amid last-minute manoeuvring by the country's political heavyweights to shore up alliances ahead of the 2024 election. The world's third-largest democracy is set to vote in February to replace President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, who has served the maximum two terms allowed. Other possible running mates for Ganjar include Bandung city Mayor Ridwan Kamil, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno, and former military chief Andika Perkasa, according to party sources. Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan is also running for president but trailing in surveys. Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo, Mahfud, Osman Sapta Odang, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Jokowi's, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Ridwan Kamil, Sandiaga Uno, Andika Perkasa, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Anies Baswedan, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Miral Organizations: Indonesian Democratic Party, Struggle, Central Java, Jokowi, Ganjar, Tourism, Sandiaga, PDI, Former Jakarta, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Central, Bandung, Mahfud

☆ Indonesian President's Son Among 'Strongest VP Candidates' for Prabowo - Party Official
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The eldest son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo is among the "strongest" potential running mates for Prabowo Subianto, a retired general who is a leading contender in next year's presidential election, a party official said on Tuesday. "Gibran is certainly one of the strongest candidates for Prabowo's VP... especially, after the Constitutional Court approved the petition that made him eligible to run," said Andre Rosiade, an official at Prabowo's Gerindra party. Besides Gibran, the shortlist of running mates for Prabowo includes East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, he added. The same seven parties have agreed to back Gibran for Prabowo's vice president, according to a report in news portal Katadata citing an alliance party official. Candidates and their running mates are expected to register with the election commission between Oct 19-25.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Critics, Jokowi, Prabowo, Gibran, Andre Rosiade, Khofifah Indar, Erick Thohir, Andre said, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Prabowo, East Java, Reuters Locations: JAKARTA, Surakarta, State, Prabowo's

☆ Indonesia launches first bullet train, WHOOSH, funded by China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative and largely funded by Chinese state-owned firms, the $7.3 billion project opened to the public on Sunday. The train will travel between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in West Java, Indonesia’s second-largest city and a major arts and culture hub. Indonesia's outgoing President Joko Widodo rides the high-speed railway during a test ride in Jakarta. Akbar Nugroho Gumay/APWidodo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang were photographed taking test rides on the new high-speed railway throughout September. The train deal was first signed in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and construction began later that year.

Persons: Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, Dwiyana, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Joko Widodo, Xi Jinping, Akbar Nugroho Gumay, Li Qiang, ” Organizations: CNN —, Kereta, Surabaya –, PT, PT KCIC, Initiative Locations: CNN — Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, West Java, Indonesian, Indonesia China, Halim, East Jakarta, Padalarang, West Bandung, Surabaya, East Java Province, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Borobudur, AFP, Indonesia, Southeast, China, Rempang, Indonesia’s Riau

☆ Kanjuruhan stadium disaster: One year on, families are still seeking answers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Families have criticized their prison sentences – of between one and two years – as being too light. “The Kanjuruhan tragedy was a gross human rights violation,” said Imam Hidayat, a spokesperson for the Kanjuruhan Tragedy Advocacy Team, who called on the Attorney General’s Office to form an independent team to investigate the tragedy. Also among the demonstrators was a man named Daniel, whose daughter Elvi Duali died at the stadium. “Even after a year, we (the victims’ families) still have not received justice.”Located in East Java, the Kanjuruhan Stadium was used mostly for soccer matches, with a supposed capacity of 38,000 spectators. A clash between a number of Arema FC fans and police prompted security forces to fire tear gas into enclosed areas of the stadium.

Persons: –, ”, Hidayat, Daniel, Elvi Duali, ” Daniel, “, Willy Kurniawan, Joko Widodo, Usman Hamid Organizations: CNN, CNN Indonesia, National Police Headquarters, Investigations, Attorney, Arema FC, Reuters Survivor, Amnesty International Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Malang Regency, Komnas HAM, East Java, Amnesty International Indonesia

☆ TikTok's Southeast Asia ambitions to take a major hit with Indonesia ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aditya Aji | Afp | Getty ImagesTikTok's Southeast Asian ambitions will take a major hit after Indonesia bans shopping transactions on social media apps, analysts told CNBC. Indonesia has banned e-commerce transactions on social media platforms such as TikTok Shop and Facebook . Even if it can secure a separate license to operate, operating as a standalone app may still be challenging. "Even if it can secure a separate license to operate, operating as a standalone app may still be challenging," said Mittal. New social media rulesOn Saturday, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo called for social media regulations, saying such platforms impact micro-, small- and medium-sized companies and the economy.

Persons: Aditya Aji, Jonathan Woo, Sachin, Sachin Mittal, TikTok, Mittal, Joko Widodo Organizations: Facebook, Afp, Getty, CNBC, Phillip Securities Research, Sachin Mittal DBS Bank, U.S, DBS Bank, BMI, Momentum Works Locations: Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Jakarta, China, Southeast Asia, U.S, Singapore, Montana, India

☆ National Coffee Day: Dunkin' and Krispy Kreme are giving out free coffee—here's how to claim yours
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The erstwhile donut chain is running a promotion for National Coffee Day on Sept. 29 where customers will receive a free medium iced or hot coffee with with any purchase. But Dunkin' is far from the only restaurant offering a coffee deal on Friday. Krispy KremeThe popular donut chain is pushing its "new and improved" beverage line by offering free medium hot or iced coffee, including espresso-based lattes, with no purchase necessary. Tim Horton'sThe Canadian chain is giving a free iced or hot coffee to anyone who makes a purchase of at least $3. Shipley Do-NutsThe chain with more than 340 locations nationwide is giving away a free medium hot or iced coffee when you make a purchase.

Persons: Dunkin, Tim Horton's, Shipley Organizations: National, Nutty, CNBC

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