Welcome to the Indonesia morning news roundup by AEC News Today, your one stop for Indonesia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities.

Jokowi criticizes Trade Ministry for lack of innovation

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo criticized the Trade Ministry for not being more ambitious and coming up with new innovations to penetrate new markets abroad.

— Jakarta Post

Business permits no longer need renewing as of today

he Trade Ministry has distributed circulars to inform officials that business permits (SIUP) no longer need to be renewed and that registration certificates (TDP) can be renewed online.

— Jakarta Post

Bali makes gains and losses

In the wake of a very challenging 2015, Bali’s average hotel occupancy increased 4% in 2016 bringing a shot of fresh air and hope, but at what cost?

— TTR Weekly

Indonesia: Widespread flooding hits Jakarta

Many days of torrential rain have brought floods to Indonesia’s capital, closing schools and causing travel disruption.

— Al Jazeera

Jakarta floods threaten Ahok’s prospects for re-election

Heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding in Jakarta yesterday has threatened to dampen Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama’s hopes for re-election.

— The Straits Times

Six people arrested for alleged poaching of Sumatran tigers

The Environment and Forestry Ministry has arrested six people for the alleged poaching of Sumatran tigers in Solok, West Sumatra.

— Jakarta Post

Children’s sex book causes stir in Indonesia

A children’s book is at the centre of a controversy in Indonesia because it teaches children about masturbation.

— BBC News

North Lombok administration to conduct building inspection along Gili Trawangan

The North Lombok regency administration in West Nusa Tenggara plans to conduct building inspections of 143 hotels, bars and restaurants for violating coastline building regulations.

— Jakarta Post

PT PP soars with growing national construction industry

State-owned construction firm PT PP booked Rp 16.46 trillion (US$1.23 billion) in revenue last year, up 15.75 percent from 2015.

— Jakarta Post

Counterfeits cause Rp 65.1t loss in Indonesia: Study

Counterfeit products are still rampant in the Indonesian market and cause a total loss of Rp 65.1 trillion (US$4.82 billion) to the national economy, a study by the Indonesian Anti-Counterfeiting Society (MIAP) claims.

— Jakarta Post

Saudi king to visit Indonesia in March with entourage of 1,500: Indonesian officials

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman will visit Jakarta and Bali on the Indonesian leg of his Asian tour next month, bringing 1,500 people in his entourage including 10 ministers, Indonesian officials said.

— Channel NewsAsia

Foreign researchers ‘steal’ Indonesia’s genetic resources

Govt may incorporate clause on biopiracy in revision of 1990 bill on natural resources.

— Jakarta Post

Jambi sees high number of dengue cases

The Jambi Health Agency has asked residents to take preventive measures against dengue after it recorded thousands of dengue cases in the past year.

— Jakarta Post

Bali prosecutors ask for eight-year jail term for Sara Connor and David Taylor

Bali prosecutors have called for Australian woman Sara Connor and her British boyfriend, David Taylor, to receive the same eight-year sentence over the alleged fatal assault of a local police officer, saying she had failed to admit her role in what happened.

— The Guardian

Ocean Summit in Bali to discuss future of ‘blue’ economy

With seas around the globe facing unprecedented pressures caused by humans’ reckless endeavors, ranging from exploitative fishing to pollution, prominent international institutions and industry leaders as well as scientists and government representatives are set to convene to discuss the future of a sustainable ocean economy.

— Jakarta Post

Jokowi to visit Australia to boost trade after spat

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will visit Australia in an effort to speed up economic cooperation after a recent row on a military training collaboration.

— Jakarta Post

Feature photo: Martin Fuhrmann

The Indonesia morning news roundup is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.