Before allowed to operate, online businesses in Indonesia will be required to register and secure permits in an effort to enhance supervision on online trading according to a new government draft regulation. The draft, which is currently being discussed by the Indonesian Trade Ministry, the Communication and Information Ministry, and the Law and Human Rights Ministry, is expected to be issued before February 2016. Foreign businesses engaged in online trading activities in Indonesia will also be required to register and obtain necessary permits.

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Good news for Indonesia's geothermal power potential. The Indonesian government is getting closer to issuing a new law that will make it easier for investors to tap the country's huge geothermal energy potential. A committee of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) supports a bill that was proposed by the government, which aims to spur investments in the country's geothermal energy sector through providing a better legal framework. Indonesia is estimated to contain the world's largest geothermal energy reserves.

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Indonesia's government will make a new government regulation that foresees the minimum wage increase in all 33 provinces will be kept below 20 percent in 2014. This new rule is directed to labor-intensive industries, including Indonesia's small and medium businesses. The limitation of the regional minimum wage increase to 20 percent is much lower than the demand from Indonesia's labor associations, which requested minimum wage increases up to 50 percent.

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Today, Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) passed a new law that restricts financial transactions that are meant for the funding of terrorist or radical organizations. People or institutions engaged in such transactions will face up to 15 years in prison and fines up to US $10.5 million. Previously, Indonesia did not have a law that prevented such transactions. This new law is regarded as a good step for the battle against terrorism.

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Breaches of personal data are unfortunately common news in Indonesia as it occurs on a widespread and frequent basis in not only the public sectors, but also in private sectors.

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The COVID-19 outbreak has continued to impact digital media consumption worldwide. Internet platforms, such as e-commerce, now play a pivotal role in our daily lives. On the bright side of current situations, e-commerce is growing all over the world, including in Indonesia. This is because behavioral shifts amongst Indonesians to choose online platforms as their safest place to conduct their daily activities, such as shopping, working or just meeting with some friends.

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It is less than one week before the celebration of an important Islamic religious holiday: Eid al-Fitr, commonly known as “Lebaran” in Indonesia. It is a day to glorify renewed hope. And, just like other religious days, it is a very essential day, and the most momentous celebration of the year in Indonesia.

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Besides imposing restrictions and offering stimuli to affected people and businesses, the Indonesian government made another important decision with reference to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Through Presidential Decree No. 12/2020 on the Determination of COVID-19 as a Non-Natural Disaster, signed by President Widodo on 13 April 2020, the novel coronavirus was declared a ‘national disaster’.

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The first of May is celebrated as International Labors’ Day which should be a tribute to workers’ contributions to the flourishment and well-being of a country’s economic growth. However, today, there are more than 2 million workers in Indonesia being laid off and placed on furlough due to economic disruption caused by COVID-19 outbreak.

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Stakeholders in Indonesia's pulp and paper industry are concerned about the future of this industry after Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Ministry suspended the operational activities of Indonesia's second-largest timber company, Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), through a decree. RAPP is a unit of global pulp and paper industry giant Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL). Meanwhile, APRIL is a unit of Singapore-based Royal Golden Eagle.

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Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs, Tjahjo Kumolo, made a statement in support of the Lippo Group's controversial Meikarta integrated township project. At the Indonesia Future City & REI Mega Expo 2017 on Thursday (14/09) Kumolo said Indonesia's regional governments should not unnecessarily obstruct private projects that help to develop the regional economy. He cited Meikarta as an example.

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On Saturday, 01 April, 2017, the new regulations for ride-hailing apps in Indonesia came into effect, designed to protect consumers of these apps and support traditional transportation services such as taxi operators, minivans, buses and motorcycle taxis. The regulations include maximum and minimum tariffs for four-wheeled-vehicle rides that are booked through the online app, as well as a limit on the number of vehicles available. However, authorities will give time to these ride-hailing apps to adjust to the new regulations due to the "magnitude of the technical rules".

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo has signed a controversial decree that introduces tougher penalties for child sex offenders in Indonesia. By replacing a 2002 law, Indonesia now introduces various new consequences for those who have been found guilty of sex offenses against children. The new penalties comprise the death penalty, chemical castration, life-long prison sentences, electronic monitoring (after release from prison), and the publicly announcement of the identity of the child molester.

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Indonesian drivers of taxis, buses and bajaj (three-wheeled scooters) gathered on Monday (14/03) on several locations - in front of the State Palace, City Hall, and the Ministry of Communication and Information - in Central Jakarta to demonstrate against the presence of online transportation applications such as Uber Taxi, GrabCar and Go-Jek. Protestors claim that these mobile apps are operating illegally in the country (as these services are not regulated by law) and cause a decline in income for long-time established transportation services, including taxi services, bus services and the more traditional transportation services such as bajaj and ojek (motor taxi).

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