Trade Minister Replaced in Cabinet Reshuffle
President Joko Widodo has conducted a cabinet reshuffle, changing Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi for Zukifli Hasan, the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and a former forestry minister. According to political observers, the President had been considering adding a member of the Islam-based PAN to the cabinet since the party joined the ruling coalition earlier this year.
In addition, retired general Hadi Tjahjanto, has been appointed Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning. Hadi retired as chief commander of the Indonesian army (TNI) in 2021. The President also added three new deputies to the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Spatial Planning, and Ministry of Home Affairs.
The move comes as Lutfi had faced political pressure over policy efforts to contain a surge in domestic cooking oil prices, which included a shock ban on palm oil shipments.
Related links:
- https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/06/15/13392211/reshuffle-kabinet-hadi-tjahjanto-resmi-jadi-menteri-atr-zulkifli-hasan?page=all
- https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-president-tipped-reshuffle-cabinet-wednesday-2022-06-15/
Latest Rules on Incoming Overseas Travelers
Incoming travelers visiting Indonesia, both Indonesians and foreigners, must now fill in an e-customs declaration (ECD) for their luggage and belongings before departure or upon arrival at destination airports. The system was previously paper-based. The e-form should be filled out per person, but one family traveling together can submit only one ECD. The form can be filled in through the e-Custom Declaration website by clicking on the following links:
- Arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport: https://ecd.bcsoetta.org/passengers
- Arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport: https://bcngurahrai.beacukai.go.id/ecd/?h=beranda
After completing the form, travelers will get a barcode to be shown to customs officials after baggage collection. Meanwhile, proof of health insurance from an insurance company incorporated as a legal entity in Indonesia is no longer required for incoming foreign travelers. This comes under Circular Letter SE-81-PK-06-2022-64, which contains revisions from the previous regulation on international travel protocols.
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BA.4 and BA.5 Variants Prone to Faster Transmission
The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants transmit faster than previous Omicron sub variants, according to Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Prof. Wiku Adisasmito. However, Wiku said that even though the transmissibility of these two new sub variants is faster, there is no indication they are more dangerous than other Omicron sub variants.
Over 60 countries have reported BA.4 and BA.5 cases, with Indonesia reporting six people have been infected with BA.5 and two other people were infected with BA.4. Of these eight cases, three are foreign nationals and five are Indonesian citizens. Wiku reminded the public to follow health protocols and be fully vaccinated.
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AmCham Cares: Mandarin Oriental
Continuing its commitment to the FACE Program, which emphasizes four key points: family health, advancing education, community and environment sustainability and ethical and responsible procurement, Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta, has launched a CSR program in collaboration with DignityKu called “MO Share.”
DignityKu is a socio-preneur company that provides talent development training for people with disabilities.
DignityKu has a cooking training program in the form of scholarships supported by Modena Indonesia and the Association of Culinary Professionals (ACP). Participants will learn basic cooking skills, entrepreneurship, basic hygiene, safety training and personal coaching to explore their interests and talents.
Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta, shares knowledge on basic food safety training. By supporting this program, the company hopes to empower the participants and help the community grow.
Minister of Trade Regulation on New Import Policies
In an attempt to shorten waiting times and streamline permits in the business sector, the government has issued Minister of Trade Regulation 25/2022 concerning amendments to Minister of Trade Regulation 20/2021on Import Policy and Regulations. Some of these changes are related to obtaining business permits in the import sector, and importers must submit an application electronically to the Minister through the Indonesia National Single Window System (SINSW) to obtain access rights. The new regulation also regulates provisions on the issuance, amendment and extension of import approvals.
The full summary and English translation of the circular letter is provided by ARMA Law.
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Borobudur Temple Ticket Price Rise Canceled
The government has cancelled the plan to increase Borobudur Temple stupa area ticket prices, and instead will limit the number of tourists visiting the temple. Under President Joko Widodo’s direction in a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace yesterday, June 14, the prices remain at Rp 50,000 for local adults, Rp 5,000 for children up to high school students, and Rp 350,000 for adult international tourists. However, the number of tourists visiting the temple is limited to 1,200 people per day and they are required to register online. Visitors must be accompanied by a registered tour guide and wear special sandals (upanat), in the stupa area to prevent rock erosion.
Related link:
May Exports Up by 27%
Indonesia’s export value in May was $21.51 billion, an increase of 27 percent year-on-year (YoY), but a fall from 47.76 percent YoY in April due to the ban on exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivative products, along with increasing commodity prices and export restriction issues due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Now is the Time to Join AmCham!
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We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community online. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.
AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members. We are a community and we welcome you!
Reach us at [email protected] or click below!
AmCham Office and Events
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The AmCham Office is on the work-from-home status and all face-to-face meetings and events have been postponed. We are having a number of meetings online using the Zoom platform. You will be notified of virtual meetings as they are scheduled.
What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?
Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.
Stay well
We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy
Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.
AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard is the Managing Editor.
