Indonesia Economy Forum

[Svantana]

Controversial Indonesian tax amnesty proves divisive

JAKARTA: Indonesia has hailed a tax amnesty as a major success after it raised more than US$7 billion in its first few months, but criticism is mounting that the controversial scheme lets the super-rich off the hook.

Authorities began the flagship policy with much fanfare in July, asking Indonesians to declare their hidden wealth in exchange for paying penalties far below regular tax rates.

President Joko Widodo is desperate for extra money to boost Southeast Asia's top economy after almost two years in power, during which his efforts to turn around slowing growth have met with little success.

The government hopes the initiative will lure back tens of billions of dollars stashed abroad, particularly in neighbouring city-state Singapore, and get more people to pay tax in a country where only about 10 per cent are registered taxpayers.

The first phase of the amnesty -- when people pay penalties as low as two percent on declared assets -- closed last week with better-than-expected results after a late surge in interest.

More than 350,000 people declared assets totalling 3,620 trillion rupiah (US$278 billion), which brought the government 97.2 trillion rupiah (US$7.46 billion) in revenue, according to finance ministry data.

Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, hailed the "trust from the people and the business community towards the government" while analysts welcomed the positive start to the amnesty, which runs until March.

But the initiative has been watched with increasing anger by activists and some sections of the public in recent weeks as a long list of the country's wealthiest tycoons have rushed to declare assets with no obligation to say where they came from.

Tommy Suharto, the multimillionaire son of former dictator Suharto, and James Riady, boss of major conglomerate Lippo Group, are among those who signed up.

The government has encouraged the participation of business chiefs in a bid to spur interest in the initiative after a sluggish start, with the super-rich rushed down VIP lanes in a blaze of publicity as they arrive at tax offices to sign up.

ANGER ON THE STREETS

But such treatment amounts to holding the wealthy up as heroes when all they are doing is paying their taxes, said Firdaus Ilyas, an activist from NGO Indonesia Corruption Watch.

"The image being built up is that people who take part in the tax amnesty are heroes helping develop the nation," he told AFP.

"But we know if they take part in (the amnesty), it means they didn't pay tax."

Among the small number of Indonesians who have regularly paid their taxes, there is disappointment at the treatment being given to the super-rich simply for paying up at a rate below normal.

Regular tax rates for individuals range from five percent to 30 per cent depending on income while the corporate tax rate is 25 per cent. In the first phase of the amnesty, participants pay penalties of between two and four percent on declared assets.

"The tax amnesty is only good for the big people," said Johni Yusuf, a businessmen in his mid-30s who runs a small shop selling household goods in Jakarta. "It's unfair, I always pay my taxes."

Activists have challenged the amnesty in the Constitutional Court while the anger spilled out on to the streets last week when thousands protested against the scheme in Jakarta, with demonstrators saying the money could have come from corrupt activities.

Ken Dwijugiasteadi, the government's top tax official, refused to be drawn on whether he was concerned about where the money came from, saying the tax office's job was just to collect the funds.

Despite the concerns, many analysts believe the positives outweigh the negatives.

Indonesia needs the money to plug a budget deficit, and also desperately wants to get more people into its tax system -- only about 30 million people are registered taxpayers out of a population of 255 million.

"You have to look at the broader picture and consider whether at the end of this you've got more money taken out of the black economy and put into the real economy," said Paul Rowland, a Jakarta-based independent political analyst.

- AFP
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...sian-tax-amnesty-proves-divisive/3181110.html
ANGER ON THE STREETS? wow... this Singaporeans media

 

[patu]

Controversial Indonesian tax amnesty proves divisive

JAKARTA: Indonesia has hailed a tax amnesty as a major success after it raised more than US$7 billion in its first few months, but criticism is mounting that the controversial scheme lets the super-rich off the hook.

Authorities began the flagship policy with much fanfare in July, asking Indonesians to declare their hidden wealth in exchange for paying penalties far below regular tax rates.

President Joko Widodo is desperate for extra money to boost Southeast Asia's top economy after almost two years in power, during which his efforts to turn around slowing growth have met with little success.

The government hopes the initiative will lure back tens of billions of dollars stashed abroad, particularly in neighbouring city-state Singapore, and get more people to pay tax in a country where only about 10 per cent are registered taxpayers.

The first phase of the amnesty -- when people pay penalties as low as two percent on declared assets -- closed last week with better-than-expected results after a late surge in interest.

More than 350,000 people declared assets totalling 3,620 trillion rupiah (US$278 billion), which brought the government 97.2 trillion rupiah (US$7.46 billion) in revenue, according to finance ministry data.

Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, hailed the "trust from the people and the business community towards the government" while analysts welcomed the positive start to the amnesty, which runs until March.

But the initiative has been watched with increasing anger by activists and some sections of the public in recent weeks as a long list of the country's wealthiest tycoons have rushed to declare assets with no obligation to say where they came from.

Tommy Suharto, the multimillionaire son of former dictator Suharto, and James Riady, boss of major conglomerate Lippo Group, are among those who signed up.

The government has encouraged the participation of business chiefs in a bid to spur interest in the initiative after a sluggish start, with the super-rich rushed down VIP lanes in a blaze of publicity as they arrive at tax offices to sign up.

ANGER ON THE STREETS

But such treatment amounts to holding the wealthy up as heroes when all they are doing is paying their taxes, said Firdaus Ilyas, an activist from NGO Indonesia Corruption Watch.

"The image being built up is that people who take part in the tax amnesty are heroes helping develop the nation," he told AFP.

"But we know if they take part in (the amnesty), it means they didn't pay tax."

Among the small number of Indonesians who have regularly paid their taxes, there is disappointment at the treatment being given to the super-rich simply for paying up at a rate below normal.

Regular tax rates for individuals range from five percent to 30 per cent depending on income while the corporate tax rate is 25 per cent. In the first phase of the amnesty, participants pay penalties of between two and four percent on declared assets.

"The tax amnesty is only good for the big people," said Johni Yusuf, a businessmen in his mid-30s who runs a small shop selling household goods in Jakarta. "It's unfair, I always pay my taxes."

Activists have challenged the amnesty in the Constitutional Court while the anger spilled out on to the streets last week when thousands protested against the scheme in Jakarta, with demonstrators saying the money could have come from corrupt activities.

Ken Dwijugiasteadi, the government's top tax official, refused to be drawn on whether he was concerned about where the money came from, saying the tax office's job was just to collect the funds.

Despite the concerns, many analysts believe the positives outweigh the negatives.

Indonesia needs the money to plug a budget deficit, and also desperately wants to get more people into its tax system -- only about 30 million people are registered taxpayers out of a population of 255 million.

"You have to look at the broader picture and consider whether at the end of this you've got more money taken out of the black economy and put into the real economy," said Paul Rowland, a Jakarta-based independent political analyst.

- AFP
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...sian-tax-amnesty-proves-divisive/3181110.html
ANGER ON THE STREETS? wow... this Singaporeans media

I hope their move did not came from politic motives nor being trigger by polititician. As we all know that our nation has face these problem in the last two second decades, many has resolve but some yet to be fases. There for if these "forgiving yesterday wrong doer" programme could took back our money and make our own sons be contribute for our the good of our motherland, i thought it better to support.

 

[pr1v4t33r]

Sing' banks and govt are restless. Once Indonesian money holed-up there are declared, it's only a matter of time for them to be pulled out. We have 6 month left to liquidate some assets to be repatriated back to Indonesia.

 

[CountStrike]

Indonesia Asks Japan to Work on Jakarta-Surabaya Train Project

Jakarta. Indonesia has invited Japan to submit proposals to work on a railway line connecting Jakarta to its second-biggest city Surabaya, the transport minister told Reuters on Saturday (08/09).

The project aims to slash journey times by more than half to around five hours on the roughly 600-kilometer route, Budi Karya Sumadi said in his first interview with foreign media since taking office in late July.

Japan could provide a loan for the project, said Sumadi. Construction could be carried out through a partnership between Japanese and Indonesian companies.

"We are giving the priority to Japan," Sumadi said at his house in Jakarta, adding that the project could include building a new line, upgrading existing tracks and supplying the rolling stock.

Japan has historically been one of Indonesia's biggest investors, but was dealt a blow last year when the Southeast Asian country awarded China a high-speed train project linking the capital with the city of Bandung.

At an estimated cost of $5.5 billion, the line was seen as a coup for China, which is vying for influence in the region under its "One Belt, One Road" policy and has ambitions to be a global train supplier.

Analysts said the swing factor at that time was China's willingness to forego a sovereign guarantee by the Indonesian government, which was requested by Japan to reduce the risk of taking on the project.

Indonesian Maritime Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan was in Tokyo earlier this week to discuss topics including the Jakarta-Surabaya project with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to a statement from the Indonesian government.

The project is likely to cost less than the Jakarta-Bandung rail awarded to China as the speed of the trains is slower and most of the land has been secured, Sumadi said.

Indonesia is unlikely to give any sovereign guarantee for this project either, Sumadi said. "We have had a lot of cooperation with foreign investors, and we've been delivering. There's actually no need for a guarantee."

Reuters

 

[ahojunk]

Is this an issue in Indonesia?
Is Jakarta Globe a good newspaper?

========
Transnational Families Push for More Rights in Citizenship Law Revision Plan
JakartaGlobe

Gloria Natapradja Hamel​

Jakarta. Groups of transnational families have prepared a list of proposed revisions to the 2006 Law on Citizenship, including a provision that would allow dual citizenship to ensure their rights as Indonesian citizens.

Plans to revise the law started in August after the dismissal of Archandra Tahar from his post as energy minister when it was discovered that he held a United States passport. It left him stateless for several days before Justice Minister Yassona Laoly confirmed that the Padang, West Sumatra-born native is an Indonesian citizen.

Only a few days after Archandra's dismissal, 16-year-old Gloria Natapradja Hamel was also kicked out of the Independence Day flag-raising team at the State Palace in Central Jakarta after the military secretariat discovered that she holds a French passport. Gloria has a French father and an Indonesian mother.

Nia K. Schumacher, the head of transnational family group Internations Rainbow Alliance, said it has proposed revisions of articles 4, 6, 9, 19 and 26 of Law No. 12/2006 on Citizenship to the House of Representatives.

The proposed revisions aim to give dual citizenship to children born from transnational couples; Indonesian citizens who are married to foreigners; and foreigners who have been married to Indonesian citizens for at least 10 years.

"Transnational families are having issues with work permits in Indonesia, owning property or land, and most importantly, accessing rights for their children," Nia told the Jakarta Globe recently.

The move to push the House and the government to prioritize the citizenship law revision is supported by other transnational family groups, such as Perca, Srikandi, Melati Community and Diana.

However, an academic paper containing the proposed law revisions has not been submitted to the House.

"We will start to discuss the academic paper with several experts, since I think it will take too long to wait for deliberation at the House. The idea was welcomed by lawmakers and the House secretariat," Nia said.

The citizenship law revision, proposed by the National Awakening Party (PKB), is included in the House's 2015-2019 national legislation program.

 

[pr1v4t33r]

Is this an issue in Indonesia?

This issue made into headline for a while in August, especially with Archandra dismissal after just 2 weeks being appointed as energy minister.

That case was just a tip of an iceberg, but enough to bring awareness to the general public and give a new momentum to introduce dual citizenship law in Indonesia.

 

[ahojunk]

Golkar Condemns Viral Video Accusing Ahok of Insulting Islam
Jakarta Globe

Jakarta. The Golkar Party has condemned a video which it says contained a heavily edited version of Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama’s speech in Kepulauan Seribu, off the north coast of Jakarta, last week. The video had gone viral on social media and led to accusations that Ahok had insulted Islam.

"The video that went viral was heavily cut. It didn't show what really happened. It's a very unfair and uncivilized way to attack Ahok," Golkar politician Nusron Wahid said in Jakarta on Friday (07/10).

He said Golkar will try to find the people who made and uploaded the video online.

Nusron also said that the parties backing Ahok are ready to defend him if people sue the incumbent over this issue.

"We know what really happened, and so do a lot of other people. There were a lot of witnesses at the event. There was no defamation of Islam. You have to look at the context of what the governor said. He was saying that no one should manipulate verses from the Holy Quran for political gains," Nusron said.

The lawmaker said he had seen the full video footage of the speech, and claimed there was not a single line where the governor had insulted Islam.

On the contrary, according to Nusron, the governor was trying to warn the public against people who might use verses or quotes from the Holy Quran to manipulate them.

Golkar also questioned why the video was uploaded online a week after Ahok delivered the speech in Kepulauan Seribu. If he had indeed insulted Islam during the event, there would have been an instant public reaction, according to Nusron.

"The press was there in the event. The news would've been all over the media if Ahok had really made a blunder. But this video came up a week after it happened. This is a hoax," Nusron said.

 

[pr1v4t33r]

Ahok's performance in Jakarta is arguably good, but his mouth really annoying. I myself can't stand his inconsiderate bragging and swearing.

 

[ahojunk]

Now, Ahok is apologizing.

========
Governor Ahok Apologizes for Quoting the Holy Quran
Jakarta Globe

Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has apologized to Muslims for quoting a verse from the Holy Quran during a speech in Kepulauan Seribu, off the north coast of Jakarta, last week.

A heavily edited version of the video – which was originally recorded by the Jakarta city administration – had gone viral on social media and led to accusations that Ahok had insulted Islam.

In the video, the governor said that no one should manipulate verses from the Holy Quran for political gains. Yet, Ahok's own speech had angered some clerics and Muslim leaders who accused Ahok of insulting Islam and its holy book by quoting a verse from it.

"To Muslims who felt insulted, I apologize. I had no intention to insult Islam," Ahok said at City Hall in Jakarta on Monday morning (10/10), state-run Antara news agency reported.

Ahok claimed the residents of Kepulauan Seribu had welcomed his remarks and none of them had any objection to what he said.

"I understand that some people are upset. Religion is a very personal matter and should not be mixed up with public discourse," Ahok said.

The governor added he has deep respect for Muslims in Jakarta and has always done his best to support them, including by providing funding for Islamic boarding schools and mosques. "I am not anti-Islam," he said.

Previously, Golkar politician Nusron Wahid said he had seen the full video footage of the speech, and claimed there was not a single line where the governor had insulted Islam.

The former chairman of the biggest Islamic youth organization, GP Ansor, questioned why the video was uploaded online a week after Ahok delivered the speech in Kepulauan Seribu. If Ahok had indeed insulted Islam during the event, there would have been instant public reaction, Nusron said.

"The press was there. The news would've been all over the media if Ahok had really made a blunder. But this video came up a week after it happened. This is a hoax," Nusron said on Friday.

 

[Nike]

Medco overshoots target for oil and gas production
Senin, 10 Oktober 2016 12:40 WIB | 382 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Medco E&P Indonesia produced oil and gas at 64,000 million barrel oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD)) in the first six months of the year exceeding its target of 60 MBOEPD.

"We are thankful that amid the big challenges, the company has been able to maintain good performance," Head of Relation of Medco E&P Indonesia Teguh Imanto said here on Sunday.

Teguh said the production in the first half of the year was 29 percent higher than in the same period last year.

He attributed the increase in production mainly to good performance of the Senoro-Toili oil and gas field in Central Sulawesi.

Meanwhile the company succeeded in reducing oil and gas operational cost per unit by 32 percent to US$7.6 dollar per barrel oil equivalent compared with in the same period in 2015.

The operational cost was within the target set by the company below US$10 per barrel oil equivalent.

Teguh said currently the company focused on the acquisition of the Block B , South Natuna, in the South China Sea, Riau Islands.

He said the acquisition plan is ion line with the ambition of the company as a leading independent oil company in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, development of Block A in Aceh has run as scheduled, he said.

"We hope support from all for our oil and gas operation in various areas such as in South Sumatra, Central Sulawesi, North Kalimantan and Aceh," he said.

PT Medco E&P Indonesia is the countrys largest private oil and gas company.(*)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107121/medco-overshoots-target-for-oil-and-gas-production

North Kalimantan reports surplus in international trade
Senin, 10 Oktober 2016 12:28 WIB | 317 Views

Samarinda (ANTARA News) - North Kalimantan reported a surplus of US$467.52 million (Rp5.84 trillion) in its international trade in the first 8 months of this year.

Head of the Samarinda Central Bureau of Statistic office M Habibullah said, North Kalimantan exported US$479.94 million worth of goods with imports of only US$12.42 million in the January-August period of 2016.

The main export commodities included mining products valued at US$356.6 million and manufactured goods valued at US$75.02 million and farm products US$48.32 million.

Its main imports included oil and gas valued at US$265,000, and manufactured goods and farm products valued at US$9.58 million.

Its export destinations included India, Japan, China, South Korea and the Philippines.

In August alone North Kalimantan recorded a surplus of US$47.91 million, down from US$54.3 million in July.(*)
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107118/north-kalimantan-reports-surplus-in-international-trade

 

[Nike]

Kimia Farma builds pharmaceutical raw material factory
Senin, 10 Oktober 2016 19:42 WIB | 126 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - In cooperation with Sungwun Pharmacopia of South Korea, Indonesias state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma will build the first factory for pharmaceutical raw materials to meet the needs of medicine producers in the country.

The construction of the pharmaceutical factory was inaugurated on Monday by Health Minister Nila F Moeloek, in the company of Kimia Farma President Director Rusdi Rosman, Food and Drug Regulatory Agency (BPOM) Chief Penny Lukito, and House Commission-IX Chairman Dede Yusuf.

Rusdi Rosman said the factory, located at the Lippo industrial area in Cikarang, Bekasi, will be built in stages on a six-hectare plot of land and at a cost of Rp132 billion.

In building the first factory for pharmaceutical raw materials, Kimia Farma will cooperate with Sungwun Pharmacopia Co. Ltd, because of their experience in producing raw materials for medicines.

Further, the Kimia Farma president director noted that the factory will be built in accordance with the standard of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, while the selling of Active Pharmaceutical Raw Materials (API) is planned to begin in early 2018.

Rusdi noted that the factory will produce eight types of raw materials, including Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole, Rabeprazole, Clopidogrel and Sarpogrelate, with a production capacity of 30 tons per year.

Production of the raw materials is to meet 100 percent of the needs of the pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia, as well as for market export.

Kimia Farma will also manufacture seven types of raw materials that can be used for cosmetics and dietary supplements, and to be exported to Korea, Japan and America.(*)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107127/kimia-farma-builds-pharmaceutical-raw-material-factory

Yogyakarta city administration considering building MRT or LRT
Senin, 10 Oktober 2016 19:39 WIB | 125 Views

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The city administration of Yogyakarta is considering building mass rapid transit to cope with worse traffic jams in this ancient city.

"It is time for the city to seriously consider non land road mass transport mode to cope with worse traffic jams in the city; either mass rapid transit (MRT) or light rail transit (LRT)," head of the city transport service Wirawan Hario Yudho said here on Monday.

Wirawan, however, said the city could not alone plan construction of mass transport mode given the limited capacity and high urban agglomeration of the city.

"Certainly we hope there is joint study between the city administration and the Yogyakarta district administration to build the mass transport mode to forestall worse traffic jams in the near future," he said.

Wirawan said unless construction of such project is implemented immediately, traffic jams would be a daily scene in the city in the next five years.

"Some main roads would be full of vehicles that many city workers would spend most of their time in the road than in their working places," he said.

Last year, the number of private cars and motorcycles in the city of Yogyakarta grew 7-10 percent. The growth rate is predicted to be higher this year.

"Buyers are queuing at car and motorcycle dealers. It is now much easier to procure cars or motorcycles with credit resulting in a sharp growth in the number of motor vehicles in the roads. Meanwhile the road capacity is almost unchanged," he said.

Traffic jams are worse in Yogyakarta at weekend or Fridy night and at rainy days.

Wirawan suggested companies not having enough land for parking ask their workers to use public transport vehicles or provide workers buses.

"The parking places of some companies are already full with cars owned by their workers that there is no more space for the cars of their visitors," he said.

The city and part of the Yogyakarta district area are already served with city buses of Transjogja and other transport companies, but the number of the Transjogja buses is limited.

Wirawan hope the transport company could increase the number of its buses to meet the growing demand.

However, what is much more important is to change the mindset of the people too proud to use means of public transport.

A member of the Commission C of the City Council Ardi Prasetya said "in short term we could do to cope with traffic jams is repairing the public transport buses for the convenience of the users."

MRT or LRT project would take time for studies and agreement between the city and the district administrations, he said.(*)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1...dministration-considering-building-mrt-or-lrt

 

[Nike]

30 percent of Egyptian coffee from Indonesia
Senin, 10 Oktober 2016 20:14 WIB | 224 Views

Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Indonesia's Ambassador to Egypt, Helmy Fauzy, said that some 30 percent of the coffee in Egypt comes from Indonesia, which is the leading coffee importer in Egypt.

"This is the reason we bring potential investors from Egypt to Gorontalo, to meet the coffee suppliers, especially to see Robusta coffee," said Helmy at the "Indonesia Middle East Update (IMEU) 2016", held in Gorontalo on Oct 9, 2016.

He explained that Indonesias relationship with Egypt has always been very close, as there are about 4,500 Indonesian students studying in Egypt.

According to Helmy, Indonesian products have superior penetration in some markets in Egypt, though the volume remains small, at about 1.42 percent. Conversely, imports from Egypt to Indonesia are just 0.09 percent, but volume continues to increase sharply.

"In the first half year, the trade volume between the two countries has almost reached one billion US dollars and continues to increase," he said.

An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ridwan Yasin, explains that IMEU is a concrete form of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Middle East Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with local governments.

"This is a concrete manifestation of cooperation between the foreign ministry and the local government, to improve the economy in this area," he explained.

He said he hoped this year that the IMEU could provide great benefits and a real contribution to economic development in Gorontalo province, and cooperation with countries in the Middle East.

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Indonesian embassies abroad, never stops scheduling promotions, which provide an opportunity for the region to offer a variety of investments.

"But the most important thing to keep the investment climate in the area is changing society's mindset, so they can accept foreigners and work together here, for the mutual benefit of both sides," he said. (*)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107133/30-percent-of-egyptian-coffee-from-indonesia

 

[Nike]

Hang Nadim Airport to serve flights to China, Korea
Selasa, 11 Oktober 2016 17:12 WIB | 358 Views

Photo document of Citilink in Hang Nadim International Airport, Batam, Riau Island. (ANTARA/Jo Seng Bie)

Batam, Riau Island (ANTARA News) - The Citilink airline company will soon serve flights from Hang Nadim International Airport here to China and South Korea, according to the airports general manager, Suwarso.

"Two international flights from Batam to China and South Korea have been approved and will soon be launched early next year, probably in February 2017," Suwarso remarked here on Tuesday.

According to him, the opening of two routes is part of an effort by the Riau Islands provincial government to increase the number of tourist visits, especially from East Asia.

With the two new international flights, the Riau Islands provincial government hopes tourist arrivals will increase to enjoy the great tourism potential in the province.

He said Citilink will operate Airbus A320 aircraft, with the capacity to accommodate 180 passengers, to transport tourists from China and South Korea to Riau Islands Province.

"The Riau Islands province has formed a partnership with the tour and travel associations in China and Korea. So, with this partnership, these Batam-China and Korea routes could run smoothly," stated Suwarso.

He added that Indonesias free visa policy is also applicable to China and South Korea, so tourists from these countries will not need visas when visiting Indonesia.

"Hang Nadim International Airport is open 24 hours and ready to serve international flights, so there is no problem anymore," Suwarso noted.

He said the airport had an international flights lounge area, with a capacity of up to 600 seats.

International flights from this airport are currently served only by Malindo Air, travelling to Malaysia once per day.

"If the international flights area becomes crowded, we are ready to increase the capacity of the international waiting room," remarked Suwarso.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107151/hang-nadim-airport-to-serve-flights-to-china-korea

 

[Nike]

Six Indonesian films screened at Busan intl festival
Selasa, 11 Oktober 2016 22:55 WIB | 57 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Six Indonesian films are being screened at Asias largest film festival, the 21st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), on October 8-14, 2016, in Busan, South Korea.

A statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul received by ANTARA here on Tuesday said the participation of Indonesian filmmakers, under the name of Indonesian Cinema, in BIFF was supported by the National Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf).

The six Indonesian films are "Nyai" (a designation for adult women in West Java), "Istirahatlah Kata-kata" (Solo, Solitude), "Three Sassy Sisters" (Tiga Dara), and "Athirah," as well as two short films titled "Memoria" and "On the Origin of Fear."

For seven days, the six films will be screened at renowned cinemas in the Haeundae area and Busan downtown.

To increase opportunities for Indonesian filmmakers to interact with prospective investors, Bekraf is also hosting a network program titled "Indonesian Night" on Monday night (Oct. 10) in Busan.

A number of famous Indonesian movie directors participated in the event, including Nia Dinata, Joko Anwar, Yosep Anggi Noen, and Bayu Prihantoro.

"Through the support of Bekraf, the Indonesian film industry is expected to grow and penetrate the overseas market," Deputy Head of Bekraf Ricky Pesik stated at the opening session of Indonesian Night.

Meanwhile, Bekrafs International Marketing Director Boni Pudjianto said the promotion of young Indonesian filmmakers through the Asian Film Market (AFM) was an important part of the festival.

AFM facilitates many film directors in obtaining funding from investors.

BIFF has been the most prestigious film festival in Asia since it began in 1998.(*)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/107163/six-indonesian-films-screened-at-busan-intl-festival

 

[katarabhumi]

Instagram Stars Beware: Indonesia’s Taxmen Are Coming for You

October 12 2016

In Indonesia’s hunt for tax revenue, social media is the new battleground.

The Southeast Asian nation plans to crack down on Instagram Inc. stars and merchants peddling goods and services on Facebook Inc., KASKUS forum and other social media, a strategy that could yield as much as $1.2 billion of revenue, said Yon Arsal, director of tax revenue and compliance.

“Online marketplaces, daily deals, direct sales and endorsers are all subject to taxation if they have income to report,” Arsal said in an interview at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday. “We’re in discussion to decide how to enforce this in the most effective way and whether we will set different rates for this type of business.”

President Joko Widodo is accelerating efforts to boost revenue to help finance billions of dollars in infrastructure projects as the economy struggles in the face of weak commodity prices and sluggish consumer demand. He spearheaded a tax amnesty program that’s already drawn in 97.4 trillion rupiah ($7.5 billion) to government coffers since it began in July. The government faces an estimated revenue shortfall of 218 trillion rupiah this year.

Social media has become an active marketplace in Indonesia with vendors offering goods from Chanel bags to homemade dog biscuits and the latest iPhone 7, often without declaring incomes. The tax office seeks to earn 10 trillion rupiah to 15 trillion rupiah each year by enforcing value-added and income taxes on these merchants.

Endorsement Deals

The government will also impose levies on endorsement deals signed by social media stars, who are paid by companies to advertise their products to followers, Arsal said. Authorities plan to compare the income disclosed in their tax reports with activity on social media accounts, he said. Currently, only online businesses with at least 4.8 billion rupiah of revenue a year are subject to taxation.

The Finance Ministry will seek help from the Communications and Information Technology Ministry to track online sales and transactions, Arsal said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-beware-indonesia-s-taxmen-are-coming-for-you