Indonesia Highlights: Indonesian Minister to Lead Covid-19 Recovery Strategies for Bali Tourism | Indonesian Carrier Batik Air CEO Passes Away | Indonesia Nabs Foreign Tanker Ships in West Kalimantan

KOMPAS.com – The Covid-19 pandemic hit Bali’s economy hard. Many lost their jobs as the number of tourists visiting the island dropped significantly.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has decided to directly supervise recovery strategies for tourism in Bali. Sandiaga will go to Bali at least once a month and carry out his duties from Bali.

The initiative aims to get a closer look at the development of tourism activities during the Covid-19 pandemic as Bali’s economy depends largely on visitors.

Meanwhile, sad news came from the Indonesian carrier Batik Air. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Achmad Luthfie, passed away on Saturday, January 23.

Below are excerpts from the stories in Indonesia, curated by Kompas.com editors:

1. Indonesian Minister to Lead Covid-19 Recovery Strategies for Bali Tourism

Dok. Kemenparekraf Indonesia?s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno will directly lead the recovery process of the tourism sector in Bali, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno will directly lead the recovery process of the tourism sector in Bali, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

To do so, Sandiaga will carry out his duties in the Indonesian resort island of Bali, where tourism is its main source of income. As Bali’s economy depends largely on visitors, the minister wanted to see and hear the condition of more than 80 percent of the Balinese who depend their lives on the tourism sector first hand.

“I will work several days from Bali at least once a month, not just visiting,” Sandiaga said in a statement on Sunday, January 24.

“If I work from Bali, I would get a closer look at the development in the tourism sector and report it to the president and vice president,” he added.

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/01/24/170000926/pantau-pemulihan-pariwisata-sandiaga-uno-akan-berkantor-di-bali.

2. Indonesian Carrier Batik Air CEO Passes Away

Wayan Adhi Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indonesian carrier Batik Air, Captain Achmad Luthfie, who is also a pilot, passed away on Saturday, January 23.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indonesian carrier Batik Air, Captain Achmad Luthfie, who is also a pilot, passed away on Saturday, January 23, said a statement from the company.

However, the statement did not disclose the cause of Captain Achmad Luthfie’s death. He died at 21.08 pm in one of the hospitals in Tangerang, Banten on the outskirts of Jakarta.

“The management, employees, and crews of Batik Air and Lion Air Group are in deep sorrow.Captain Achmad Luthfie are always in our prayers,” the statement said as quoted by Kontan.

“Captain Achmad Luthfie is our best friend, fellow, family member as well as a comrade in arms and an inseparable part of the Lion Air Group company’s journey since its establishment.”

“You will always be remembered by us in the Lion Air Group.”

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/01/24/102043226/ceo-batik-air-meninggal-dunia.

3. Indonesia Nabs Foreign Tanker Ships in West Kalimantan Waters

HUMAS BAKAMLA RI The Indonesian Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) patrol boat nabs two tanker ships that flown the Panamanian and Iranian flags while allegedly transferring illegal fuel in Pontianak waters in West Kalimantan on Sunday, January 24.

The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) patrol boat nabbed two tanker ships that flown the Panamanian and Iranian flags while allegedly transferring illegal fuel in Pontianak waters in West Kalimantan on Sunday, January 24.

“The foreign tanker ships had been detected by Indonesian patrol boat KN Marore-322, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Yuli Eko Prihartanto during Operation Trisula-I/21 to ensure the security and safety in the waters,” said Bakamla chief spokesman Colonel Wisnu Pramandita in a statement on Sunday.

Wisnu further added that the arrest began when KN Marore-322 detected a silent radar contact with an indication that the automatic identification system (AIS) was inactive.

KN Marore-322 then moved closer with a speed of 16 knots. Shortly, at around 6.00 am, KN Marore-322 managed to detect it visually. The two tanker ships were allegedly carrying out illegal fuel transfers.

When approaching the two tankers, officers found that the two ships had purposely covered the hulls with cloths. “The goal is to trick the Indonesian law enforcement officials,” said Wisnu.

Furthermore, KN Marore-322 contacted the crews through radio to inquire about their presence in Pontianak waters. However, the officers received no response from the two ships. This has caused KN Marore-322 officers to become suspicious.

The commanding officer of KN Marore-322 then contacted Bakamla sea operation director First Admiral Suwito and received orders to carry out an investigation.

Source: https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/01/24/231241474/indonesia-nabs-foreign-tanker-ships-in-west-kalimantan-waters.