Indonesia Introduces New Finance Facility to Meet Paris Climate Agreement Goals

Jakarta Globe, Ratri M. Siniwi,  October 27, 2016

Wind turbines used for generating electricity in East Sumba, East Nusa
Tenggara, in this April 2015 file photo. (Antara Photo/Hafiz Mubarak A.)

Jakarta. A new facility has been introduced in Indonesia that will be used to promote economic development to stimulate green growth and improve rural livelihoods.

The Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility, consisting of a loan fund and a grant fund, aims to achieve climate targets set under the Paris Agreement. It will make public funding available to finance renewable energy production and sustainable landscape management.

"This ground-breaking and innovative financial platform, a world first, can transform the lives and livelihoods of millions of Indonesians in rural areas that deserve it the most," Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility steering committee chairman Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said in a statement on Wednesday (26/10).

Through sustainable production of agricultural commodities, the facility will scale up investment in renewable energy to assist the rural poor.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry fully backs the facility as it falls in line with Indonesia's sustainable development aspirations.

"The Indonesian government realizes that we can only achieve the sustainable development goals through holistic policies, such as integrated landscape management," Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Darmin Nasution said. "The facility aims to improve smallholder productivity while at the same time conserving our natural environment."

Along with the facility's steering committee, French bank and financial services company BNP Paribas and multinational investment manager ADM Capital will manage the loan fund.

"By joining in a partnership with the Tropical Landscapes Financing Facility in the capacity of capital markets and structuring adviser, BNP Paribas will help create innovative and collaborative financing mechanisms to bring private capital at scale and with good governance and risk management principles to fund long-term sustainable development projects," BNP Paribas Indonesia chief executive Luc Cardyn said.

The facility's secretariat will be managed by the United Nations Environment Program.

"The facility will trigger progress across several sustainable development goals, including saving the climate, protecting biodiversity and fostering renewable energy," UN Assistant Secretary General Elliott Harris said.

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"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)

“…  4 - Energy (again)

The natural resources of the planet are finite and will not support the continuation of what you've been doing. We've been saying this for a decade. Watch for increased science and increased funding for alternate ways of creating electricity (finally). Watch for the very companies who have the most to lose being the ones who fund it. It is the beginning of a full realization that a change of thinking is at hand. You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things. Look at nuclear - the most over-engineered and expensive steam engine in existence!

Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities. The same goes for wind and geothermal. Think of utilities for groups of homes in a cluster. You won't have a grid failure if there is no grid. This is the way of the future, and you'll be more inclined to have it sooner than later if you do this, and it won't cost as much.

Water

We've told you that one of the greatest natural resources of the planet, which is going to shift and change and be mysterious to you, is fresh water. It's going to be the next gold, dear ones. So, we have also given you some hints and examples and again we plead: Even before the potentials of running out of it, learn how to desalinate water in real time without heat. It's there, it's doable, and some already have it in the lab. This will create inexpensive fresh water for the planet.

There is a change of attitude that is starting to occur. Slowly you're starting to see it and the only thing getting in the way of it are those companies with the big money who currently have the old system. That's starting to change as well. For the big money always wants to invest in what it knows is coming next, but it wants to create what is coming next within the framework of what it has "on the shelf." What is on the shelf is oil, coal, dams, and non-renewable resource usage. It hasn't changed much in the last 100 years, has it? Now you will see a change of free choice. You're going to see decisions made in the boardrooms that would have curled the toes of those two generations ago. Now "the worst thing they could do" might become "the best thing they could do." That, dear ones, is a change of free choice concept. When the thinkers of tomorrow see options that were never options before, that is a shift. That was number four. ….”

"A Summary" – Apr 2, 2011 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Religion, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Intelligent/Benevolent Design, EU, South America, 5 Currencies, Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Middle East, Internet, Israel, Dictators, Palestine, US, Japan (Quake/Tsunami Disasters , People, Society ...), Nuclear Power Revealed, Hydro Power, Geothermal Power, Moon, Financial Institutes (Recession, Realign integrity values ..) , China, North Korea, Global Unity,..... etc.) - (Text version)

“... Japan

Let us talk for a moment about Japan, and then I'll close the day of messages. There are thousands of souls on my side of the veil and they're just fine, more than fine. We have spoken so often of what happens at the Wind of Birth. I told you, before they even came in, they saw the potential. I looked in their eyes. "You may not last long. You know that, don't you? You're coming into this planet and you may not be here very long. And the passing that you will have with your family will not be pleasant, if any ever are. Why would you come in anyway?" I want to tell you what they said. When a soul has the mind of God, it understands fully what generates peace and what generates energy shift. You can clearly see what generates what the planet needs the most when you are about to arrive. So they said, "We're going to be part of one of the biggest compassion events the planet has ever seen." One earthquake, one tsunami. All of those who left that day will change the earth forever. And it already has. It was the same for the last tsunami as well.

Every single one of them on my side of the veil is getting ready to come back. Many old souls were involved, and just for a moment, if they could give you any information, if they could talk to you right now, if they could speak your language and look into your eyes, they would thank you for your compassion for them and those who are left. And they would say, "Be with those family members who are still alive. Enter their hearts every day and give them peace and keep them from crying, because we're OK."

Nuclear Power Revealed

So let me tell you what else they did. They just showed you what's wrong with nuclear power. "Safe to the maximum," they said. "Our devices are strong and cannot fail." But they did. They are no match for Gaia.

It seems that for more than 20 years, every single time we sit in the chair and speak of electric power, we tell you that hundreds of thousands of tons of push/pull energy on a regular schedule is available to you. It is moon-driven, forever. It can make all of the electricity for all of the cities on your planet, no matter how much you use. There's no environmental impact at all. Use the power of the tides, the oceans, the waves in clever ways. Use them in a bigger way than any designer has ever put together yet, to power your cities. The largest cities on your planet are on the coasts, and that's where the power source is. Hydro is the answer. It's not dangerous. You've ignored it because it seems harder to engineer and it's not in a controlled environment. Yet, you've chosen to build one of the most complex and dangerous steam engines on Earth - nuclear power.

We also have indicated that all you have to do is dig down deep enough and the planet will give you heat. It's right below the surface, not too far away all the time. You'll have a Gaia steam engine that way, too. There's no danger at all and you don't have to dig that far. All you have to do is heat fluid, and there are some fluids that boil far faster than water. So we say it again and again. Maybe this will show you what's wrong with what you've been doing, and this will turn the attitudes of your science to create something so beautiful and so powerful for your grandchildren. Why do you think you were given the moon? Now you know.

This benevolent Universe gave you an astral body that allows the waters in your ocean to push and pull and push on the most regular schedule of anything you know of. Yet there you sit enjoying just looking at it instead of using it. It could be enormous, free energy forever, ready to be converted when you design the methods of capturing it. It's time.

So in closing, do you understand what you're seeing? You're seeing intelligent design, quantum energy and high consciousness. You are seeing changes in Human nature. You're seeing countries putting things together instead of separating. You are seeing those who don't want war and instead want peace, good schools for their children, safety in their streets and a say in their government. We told you it was going to happen this way. I want my partner to teach these things that I have said in his 3D lectures for awhile. Many won't be able to know these things otherwise.  …”

Google Understands Why Indonesia Wants Its Fair Share: Sri Mulyani

Jakarta Globe, Tabita Diela, October 27, 2016

Indonesia is bullish on reaching a settlement with technology giant Google,
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Thursday (27/10). (Reuters Photo/
Stephen Lam)

Jakarta. Indonesia is bullish on reaching a settlement with technology giant Google, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Thursday (27/10).

"We have already communicated with Google," Sri said during a meeting at the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club.

"I think there is at least an understanding about why Indonesia would like to have a fair share of the revenue and we do hope that we're going to reach an agreement," she said.

Senior Google Asia Pacific executives reportedly met Indonesian tax officials on Wednesday for negotiations on the company's tax bill.

"I will make sure that our team treats this issue professionally," Sri said.

The government earlier claimed that Google Indonesia, the company's local representative, paid an "unfairly small" amount in tax as it only allocated about 4 percent of its total revenue from advertisements to be subject to the 10 percent income tax.

Tax experts have urged the government to create a stronger regulation to tax over-the-top players.

Indonesia Needs More Tax Reforms While Improving Public Spending, Governance: OECD

Jakarta Globe, Ratri M. Siniwi, October 24, 2016

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says
 Indonesia had only 27 million registered taxpayers out of a population of 260
million in 2014, with only 900,000 of them having paid what they owed the
state. (Antara Photo/Wahyu Putro A.)

Jakarta. Despite strong growth in Indonesia's gross domestic product, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, says more tax reforms are needed.

In a report titled "2016 Economic Survey of Indonesia," the organization indicates that one of the country's main challenges is a narrow tax base, with only 10.7 percent of gross domestic product having been taxed in 2015, compared to 11.4 percent in 2012. It also says tax evasion is prevalent.

"Only 27 million taxpayers were registered in 2014, in a population of 260 million, and only 900,000 of those paid what they owed," the OECD said in the report.

The report also highlights the lack of efficiency in public spending and recommends that Indonesia scraps all energy subsidies, which account for 7 percent of public expenditure.

The OECD claims that this would be a necessary move for Indonesia to go green, meet renewable energy targets and boost funding for public priorities, such as education, health care and infrastructure.

The organization recommends the implementation of improved controls and performance-based budgeting if Indonesia wants to meet its target of 20 percent government spending on education and 5 percent on health.

Corruption appears to be the main factor that discourages businesses in Indonesia and hampers economic development.

According to OECD, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which plays a vital role in combating the challenge, should be provided with more resources and authority.

OECD secretary general Angel Gurria said an improvement in living standards can be seen in Indonesia, thanks to strong economic growth and social progress.

"Many challenges remain, but the government is moving in the right direction by reducing obstacles to doing business, improving the investment environment, and cutting subsidies," Gurria said in a statement on Monday (24/10).

Along with the launch of its economic survey, the OECD also introduced the "2016 Open Government Review of Indonesia," which recommends the establishment of a continuous budget for improving the quality and volume of data for public access.

Whistleblower System Put in Place in Govt Institutions to Crack Down on Extortion

Jakarta Globe, Edo Karensa, October 18, 2016

Public servants in Solo stand next to banners warning officials from asking
and receiving bribes. (JG Photo/Ali Lutfi)

Jakarta. The Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms Minister Asman Abnur said on Tuesday (18/10) the government will have a whistleblower system running in ministries and government institutions as part of its public service reform.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo promised to crack down on extortion in government institutions, known locally as pungli, after a sting operation at the Transportation Ministry earlier this month saw three officials arrested and more than Rp 90 million ($6,900) in cash and Rp 1 billion in bank receipts seized.

The Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms Ministry issued a circular letter ordering the crackdown on extortion to heads of government institutions, ministries, the National Police, the Indonesian Military and governors, mayors and district heads on Tuesday.

According to the letter, each institution is responsible for identifying potential extortions and taking firm actions against officials engaging in the practice.

Minister Asman said government institutions should also make full use of information technology to offer services which will improve public transparency and avoid irregularities.

"We will have a whistleblower system running to crack down on extortion," Asman told a press conference in Jakarta.

The government has also created a social media app called Lapor. The acronym stands for Public Complaints and Aspiration Service — an app that the public can use to submit complaints on public services and developments, including slow progress on construction of public utilities or long queues in government offices.

"Sanctions for extortionists, including officials, should be announced publicly. That might help deter others from committing it," Asman, also a politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN), said.

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Jokowi Allows Legal Process on Missing Documents of Munir’s Case

Jakarta Globe, Novy Lumanauw & Eko Prasetyo, October 14, 2016

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has allowed a legal process to be conducted
against the missing investigation documents related to the murder of prominent
human rights defender Munir Said Thalib. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)

Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has allowed a legal process to be conducted against the missing investigation documents related to the murder of prominent human rights defender Munir Said Thalib.

The missing documents had been submitted to former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace in 2005.

“If there is a new novum [existing evidence before a trial process], conduct the legal process,” Jokowi said at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (13/10).

The president also ordered a search for the missing documents submitted by the original fact-finding team on Munir’s case.

“I have ordered the Attorney General [HM Prasetyo] to find and locate the results of the fact-finding team, as it is not available at the State Secretary Ministry,” Jokowi added.

Previously, the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Haris Azhar urged the government to investigate the whereabouts of the documents.

Related Articles:

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KPK Receives 30 New Investigators From National Police

Jakarta Globe, Edo Karensa, October 09, 2016

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has welcomed at least 30 new
 investigating officers from the National Police to boost the number of corruption
cases it can handle. (Antara Photo/Widodo S. Jusuf)

Jakarta. The national antigraft agency has welcomed at least 30 new investigating officers from the National Police to boost the number of corruption cases it can handle.

"The new investigators will help to free the country from corrupt behavior, which has been a worrying trend, including outside Java Island where the KPK has not handled these cases very well," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Saut Situmorang told state-run Antara news agency in Jakarta on Saturday (08/10).

Prior to the addition, the KPK had 219 investigators – comprising 91 involved in initial investigations, locally known as penyidik, and 118 detectives, or penyelidik.

The increased number of investigators is still insufficient for the KPK, which received more than 5,694 reports of corrupt practices in 2015 alone. Among those reports, 2,807 had adequate evidence to be brought before a court, but the agency could only handle 171 cases.

The rest of reports were handed over to the Attorney General's Office, National Police, Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), State Finance Development Comptroller (BPKP) and related ministries.

L'Oréal Campaigns for Gender Equality in Science With #ChangeTheNumbers

Jakarta Globe, Devina Halim & Ratri M. Siniwi, October 08, 2016

In view of the fact that only 30 percent of researchers in the world are women,
 international beauty care company L'Oréal launched a global campaign titled
#ChangeTheNumbers in an effort to address the issue. (JG Photo/ Megan Herndon)

Jakarta. International beauty care company L'Oréal has launched a global campaign titled #ChangeTheNumbers in an effort to remedy the fact that only 30 percent of scientific researchers in the world are women.

The campaign manifesto lists several points considered essential in empowering younger women to develop careers in science and ensuring that there is equal opportunity and exposure for them in the field.

"L'Oréal believes the world needs science and science needs women. The purpose of this global campaign is to change the public perspective of women in science and to attract more women to choose becoming researchers," L'Oréal Indonesia head of communications Melanie Masriel said on Thursday (06/10).

Two inspiring Indonesian female researchers were invited to speak during a discussion about the lack of women in science, hosted by the company.

Ines Atmosukarto, chief executive and managing director of Australian vaccine research and development firm Lipotek Canberra, and Fenny M. Dwivany, associate professor in molecular biology at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), both mothers and recipients of the L'Oréal-Unesco for Women in Science International Fellowship in 2004 and 2007, respectively.

The two women said being a researcher is not for the weak, but that the hard work pays off with great rewards.

"We want to open the eyes of the younger generation to show that there are lots of rewards for being a researcher, so it's not only about the challenges," Ines said.

One of the rewards, she added, was the opportunity to see the world and being exposed to different cultures while studying or attending forums, and the ability of also providing that to her children.

"We can open the minds of our next generation to see the world and question everything and become more curious and creative," Ines said.

By doing so, she believes future generations would be able to help Indonesia move towards its goal of becoming a developed manufacturing country.

In terms of challenges, Fenny said researchers in Indonesia mostly face problems in infrastructure and funding.

"Indonesia is such a biodiverse country and as a biologist, it's sad to see these problems. But if we're not the ones researching this, then who will?" the associate professor said.

According to Fenny, being a researcher helps women to become more perseverant, detail-oriented and tough, especially with the ability to multitask as mothers and researchers.

"We have an advantage of having a different point of view from a male perspective, which could help fill the gap," she added.

While society still judges them against the norm of women having to be stay-at-home mothers, they accredit their support systems for being understanding and helping them break through that barrier while accomplishing their goals.

"I think we were both fortunate enough to have support systems that encouraged us to further our research and education. And I believe that having a support system is essential for researchers," Ines said.

Other than having great support systems, both women said the key to being successful in this field is to be constantly curios, while satisfaction is something dangerous in research.

"To be a scientist you must have fire in your belly, because research is all about working with failures and that should be the fuel to keep you going," Ines said.

The women believe that despite the difficulties, Indonesian girls should not be afraid of pursuing their dreams of becoming scientists.

"There is a culture in our society that makes us afraid of challenges. The potential in Indonesia is high, but there are not enough opportunities," Fenny said.

According to her, there are many Indonesian researchers studying abroad, but coming home is the challenge.

"When we as researchers return to Indonesia, we don't have fields to work in. We can't go home because there are not enough job opportunities," she added.

Ines, on the other hand, suggested that the government must provide incentives for businesses to develop research and development units to support innovation in the country, and in turn, create more job opportunities.

All parties involved must work together in order to increase the number of female researchers and promote gender equality in science across the globe.

"What we have now, our lifestyle, is the result of research done before. The regeneration [of science] is important to create innovations for the sake of posterity," Ines said.

She also believes that Indonesia needs to move away from a male-focused perspective, which should be taught to children from a young age.

"We need to empower young girls to make them believe that they are just as capable as boys – we have to break through the glass ceiling," she said.

Another way this could be changed, Fenny added, is through celebrating the accomplishments of what female scientists have achieved, rather than the constant focus on celebrities.

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KPK to Follow Up FBI's Allegations of Bribery at MAXpower

Jakarta Globe, Fana Suparman, October 03, 2016

A miniature of the Lontar power plant in Banten. (Antara Photo/Yudhi Mahatma)

Jakarta. Indonesian anti-graft agency KPK said it will follow up on initial reports from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation that power plant builder MAXpower had allegedly paid bribes to Indonesian officials to secure government contracts.

"We will look at the FBI investigation. If we find the alleged flow of cash to government officials in Indonesia, we will follow up the case," Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Alexander Marwata told reporters in Jakarta on Monday (03/10).

Alexander's comment came after reports arose that London-based bank Standard Chartered was investigated by the US Department of Justice over claims that its Indonesian power plant builder subsidiary MAXpower had paid bribes to secure contracts in Indonesia.

The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported an internal audit of the MAXpower Group had revealed evidence of possible bribery and US prosecutors were examining whether Standard Chartered was culpable for not stopping it.

The reports showed indications that MAXpower made inappropriate payments to Indonesian government officials between 2012 and 2015.

"We definitely will cooperate with the FBI. According to the UNCAC [United Nations Convention against Corruption], all countries must cooperate to eradicate corruption," Alexander said.

Alexander pointed out that the KPK already has experiences handling corruption cases involving multinational companies, including a case involving Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Emir Moeis who was jailed for taking $357,000 in bribes from Alstom Power, an American subsidiary of its French parent company, and Japan-based Marubeni Corporation.

"We will process this case the same way we brought Emir Moeis and former Pertamina director Suroso, who also took bribes from multinational companies, to justice," Alexander said.

Responding to the allegations, MAXpower claimed they gave a "one-sided and partial view of the operations and events at the firm and as such do not give a full, or true view.”

Under a deferred prosecution agreement it reached with US authorities in 2012, Standard Chartered is due to remain under supervision by an independent monitor until the end of 2017.

Govt to Form Joint Task Force on Human Rights Abuses During 1965 Purge: Minister

JakartaGlobe, Eko Prasetyo, October 01, 2016

Chief Security Minister Wiranto, right, said the government will form a joint task force
 to address the gross human rights violations that followed the failed coup of
1965 by the 30 September Movement, or G30S. (Antara Photo/Umarul Faruq)

Jakarta. The government will form a joint task force to address the gross human rights violations that followed the failed coup of 1965 by the 30 September Movement, or G30S.

The task force will be comprised of the Attorney General's Office, National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Indonesian Military, National Police, legal experts and public representatives.

The government has held extensive discussions to address various approaches, including to hear public aspirations related to the 1965 anticommunist purge, Chief Security Minister Wiranto said after attending the Pancasila Sanctity Day commemoration in Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta, on Saturday (01/10).

"From the judicial approach, there has been an in-depth investigation on the incident, as it is categorized as part of the principles of clear and present danger by legal standings, which allowed the state to conduct 'salvage' actions related to the danger against national security," Wiranto said.

He added that the adage of abnormaal recht voor abnormale tijden, or emergency action taken during an emergency situation, was legally justified and cannot be judged under current laws.

Komnas HAM and the AGO conducted a case study where they found judicial boundaries, especially those related to evidence beyond reasonable doubt.

"[Investigators] have found difficulties to fulfill the manifestation standards of Law No. 26/2000 on Human Rights Courts," Wiranto said.

As a result, the government directed the resolution of the issue through non-judicial measures based on national interests and unity.

These non-judicial measures will consider certain phrases, including not to blame any parties, not inciting hate or vengeance, as well as justifying the government's decisions by law without causing any long-term negative excess.

Wiranto claimed that the government has been serious in resolving the tragedy by inviting all parties to turn it into a lesson for Indonesia to avoid similar events from occurring in the future.

The government has adopted three main approaches, Wiranto said.

Firstly, there had been differences in political ideology that peaked with the attempted coup and that it led to a massive setback for Indonesia as a country.

"Secondly, the government feels extremely concerned about the victims of the 1965 tragedy, as it has tried to resolve all allegations of gross human rights violations through a fair non-judicial process to avoid long-term excess," the minister said.

Lastly, the government has called on and encouraged all Indonesians to accept the state ideology of Pancasila as the foundation for national reconciliation.

Expert Calls for Independent Fact-Finding Team on 1965 Anticommunist Purge https://t.co/FhviTsyg3Y pic.twitter.com/4vOzZ8e0gw

— The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) October 1, 2016