Yahoo, Steam and PayPal Blocked, Kominfo Under Fire
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) has blocked several digital platforms, including Yahoo, Steam, and PayPal, for failing to register themselves as electronic system providers (ESPs) by its deadline of July 20. Kominfo initially sent warning letters to these platforms and extended the deadline until July 29.
PayPal got a temporary reprieve from the government after a furious public reaction, with the hashtag #BlokirKominfo trending. In response, Director General of Application Informatics Semuel Pangerapan said he appreciated the community's freedom of expression, but that local and foreign digital platform companies operating in Indonesia are required to respect and register as ESPS in order to comply with Indonesian regulations.
On Sunday, DG Semuel announced that PayPal was temporarily reopened for five working days. "Hopefully that is enough time for users to migrate, get their money and find other services," he said.
Related links:
- https://inet.detik.com/law-and-policy/d-6207734/blokirkominfo-menggema-gegara-blokir-steam-cs-ini-reaksi-kominfo
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-opens-temporary-access-paypal-after-blocking-sparks-backlash-2847846
Second Booster Shots Begin for Healthcare Workers
The fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine (second booster) for healthcare workers began on July 29, and will be given to approximately four million health workers. The second booster will then be prioritized for the elderly and those with comorbidities, but there is no set date for when it will be given to the general public as it needs to align with the increased coverage of the first booster vaccine, according to Ministry of Health Spokesperson Mohammad Syahril.
The regimen for this second booster has also been released by the Ministry of Health through Circular Letter Number HK.02.02/C/3615/2022 and can be seen in the table below.
Griffith University Australia epidemiologist Dicky Budiman said he supports the government's decision to provide a fourth vaccine to all health workers. Generally the average duration of vaccine protection is four to six months, and since health workers received their vaccinations before the public, their previous vaccine's effectiveness has probably been reduced. The second booster will ensure healthcare workers receive maximum protection so public health services are not disrupted.
Related links:
- https://health.detik.com/berita-detikhealth/d-6209277/selain-nakes-ini-kelompok-prioritas-penerima-vaksin-covid-dosis-keempat
- https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/tech/20220730063359-37-359775/jangan-salah-ini-jenis-vaksin-booster-kedua-yang-diberikan
- https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2022/07/28/200000765/nakes-akan-terima-vaksin-covid-19-dosis-keempat-ini-manfaatnya-menurut
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Komodo Island Entrance Fee Hike Comes Into Effect
The entrance fee to the National Komodo Park has been officially increased from Rp 150,000 to Rp 3,750,000, starting August 1. Visitors must also make an online reservation since the number of visitors per year is limited to 200,000. The new ticket price is a part of the government’s efforts to preserve conservation areas, particularly on Komodo and Radar islands, and to boost the tourism economy. The hike sparked protests among local tourism stakeholders and residents. The local communities, whose economy depends on tourism, are concerned the number of tourists will significantly decrease as a result of the hike.
Related links:
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20220801070128-92-828528/harga-tiket-masuk-pulau-komodo-resmi-naik-jadi-rp375-juta-hari-ini/amp
- https://kupang.antaranews.com/berita/91589/warga-manggarai-barat-protes-kenaikan-harga-tiket-masuk-pulau-komodo
AmCham Cares: John Hardy
John Hardy is an International handcrafted jewelry brand established in 1975 and calls Bali both its home and a source of inspiration. For over 40 years, the brand has held a strong commitment to its values of artisanship, community, and sustainability, which are reflected through its Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo program, which plants bamboo around Bali and Indonesia for every piece of John Hardy’s Bamboo Collection purchased.
The program was launched in 2007 and aims to not only offset the brand’s carbon footprint but also empower local communities; over 1.4 million bamboo seedlings have been planted through the program. In 2018, John Hardy collaborated with the Environmental Bamboo Foundation’s Bamboo Village Initiatives, to further the reach of the program by creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities while restoring degraded tropical forests.
Within five years, one bamboo clump produces up to 200 mature poles, making it one of Earth’s most sustainable and self-generating crops.
July Inflation Highest Since 2015
Inflation in Indonesia hit 4.94 percent year-on-year in July, up from 4.35 percent the previous month – the highest since October 2015 (6.25 percent). Month-on-month inflation was 0.64 percent and calendar year inflation 3.85 percent, according to the Central Statistics Bureau (BPS).
Related link:
Indonesia, US to Hold Joint Military Exercise
Some 4,000 soldiers from Indonesia and the United States will participate in the annual “Super Garuda Shield” exercise next week. The US said the exercise highlights the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and that it will be significantly larger in scope and scale than previous exercises. Although some sources say the exercise is a response to China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, Major General Stephen G Smith who will be directing the ground operations said it should not be seen as a response to any geopolitical tensions.
Related link:
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 transitioning back to the office. We are still maximizing online meetings, using the Zoom platform, but starting to have in-person meetings. You will be notified of the 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.
