Indonesia Highlights: Bali Democracy Forum to Go On | Indonesia Lacks Export Competitiveness | KPK Arrests Former Garuda Indonesia Director

KOMPAS.com – The latest Covid-19 updates in Indonesia put the country on track to hit a nationwide caseload of 600,000, but it is forging ahead with the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF).

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director-General of Information and Public Diplomacy, Teuku Faizasyah confirmed that BDF will take place on Dec. 10 at the Sofitel Nusa Dua Hotel.

In other news, Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo hinted that the country lacks competitiveness skills for its exports.

Jokowi highlighted how Indonesia-made products have lost out to competition in the international market compared to products made from other nations.

In separate news, the former Director of Engineering and Management of Garuda Indonesia, Hadinoto Soedigno has been apprehended by Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over a bribery and money laundering case.

More details on Indonesia news from today are highlighted below:

1. Bali Democracy Forum to Be Held Under Strict Protocols

The 13th Bali Democracy Forum will be carried out under strict adherence to Covid-19 health protocols on Dec. 10 as Indonesia is battling record-breaking daily infections these past weeks.

The measures include limiting the number of participants to 50 people per meeting room, according to Teuku Faizasyah.

Furthermore, participants must undergo a swab test when they arrive in Bali, and before the event begins.

This year, the Bali Democracy Forum will gather participants to discuss the event theme of ‘Democracy and the Covid-19 Pandemic’ which Teuku is befitting of these current times.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/04/17513101/bali-democracy-forum-akan-diselenggarakan-dengan-protokol-kesehatan-yang 

2. Jokowi: Indonesia is Missing Out on Export Opportunities

Indonesian President Jokowi has vocalized Indonesia’s weakness in taking advantage of export opportunities for Indonesia-made materials and manufactured goods.

Using the case of Indonesian coffee, Jokowi outlined how despite being the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer in 2019, Indonesia was only listed as the eighth-largest coffee exporter in the world the same year.

“Indonesia was overpassed by Brazil, Switzerland, Germany, Colombia, and even Vietnam.”

The Indonesian President further highlighted how being the second-largest fish producer globally, Indonesia had only succeeded ranking 13th in the world for fish exports in 2019.

Despite the lack of competitiveness level of Indonesia products on the international market, Jokowi stated that there is no room for pessimism as there are ways to make improvements.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/04/15290201/jokowi-indonesia-tertinggal-dari-negara-lain-dalam-menangkap-peluang-ekspor?page=all#page2 

3. KPK Arrests Former Director of Garuda Indonesia

The KPK arrested Hadinoto Soedigno today where the former director is currently at the organization’s holding cell in Pomdam Jaya Guntur and will remain there until Dec. 23.

Hadinoto served as Garuda Indonesia’s Director of Engineering and Management of the company’s fleet from 2007-2012.

Among the charges he is fighting includes allegations of receiving a bribe of up to $2.3 million and €477,000 from a Singapore-based firm.

The former employee of Indonesia’s national carrier is believed to have transferred the bribe money to his wife and children as well as a Singapore investment account in an effort to remove his tracks from law enforcement officials.

His decision to move his money around has led to his second charge by the KPK on money laundering grounds.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/04/18522811/kpk-tahan-mantan-direktur-garuda-indonesia-hadinoto-soedigno?page=2