Japan to Support Indonesia with Three Patrol Boats

Widodo A.S, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, has said that after meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, Japan will support Indonesia with patrol ships.

The ships will be utilized for securing the Malacca Strait.

“Countries that make use of the strait’s waters are emphasizing the importance of safeguarding capacity and ability as regards the Malacca Strait. Japan will provide three patrol boats in the very near future,” said Widodo this afternoon (9/8).

70 Thousand Underage Prostitutes in Indonesia

Based on research by the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are 70 thousand underage prostitutes aged under 15 years in Indonesia.

This means that in terms of the quantity of underage prostitutes, Indonesia is in fourth place after Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

“Of these 70 thousand children, the areas where they are most is Bali, then Nusa Tenggara,” said Alam Boulton, ILO Director for Jakarta Representative, yesterday (8/8).

In addition to research on underage prostitutes, ILO also listed almost 4 million children under 15 in Indonesia who do not attend school.

Australian Investors Complain About Regional Autonomy

Australian investors are complaining that such matters as regional autonomy and the weak coordination among governmental institutions are the greatest obstacles as regards investing in Indonesia.

“They consider Indonesia not to be consistent in attracting investors,” said Muhammad Lutfi, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono during a meeting with Australian entrepreneurs at the State Palace yesterday (8/8) in Jakarta.

Compensation Aid for Eradicating Bird Flu-Hit Fowls Not to Rise

The government will not increase the compensation for eradicating fowls that hit by bird flu although people have all demanded an increase.

The compensation will still be Rp10,000 per head of fowl.

Pharmaceutical Industry’s Growth Declines

It is estimated that the growth of the pharmaceutical industry up until the end of this year will decline by between eight and ten percent, compared to last year’s figure of between 15 and 17 percent.

“The pharmaceutical industry will be sluggish until December,” said Anthony Ch Unarjo, Head of All-Indonesian Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs Association, yesterday (8/8).

According to Anthony, the cause of the decline in growth is new regulations.

These include the labeling of generic medicines, drops in the price of medicines and medicine labeling, which all cause delays in stock purchase while waiting for existing stock to run out.