Indonesia Roundup: Earthquake, unemployment rate, rebels murder pilot
Pipeline project
Indonesia signed a contract for a two-year gas pipeline project, set to finish in 2025. The project, a National Strategic Project, is a joint operation between PT Timas Suplindo and PT Pratiwi Putri Sulung. The pipeline spans 245 kilometers and is divided into three segments, with plans to be operational in the first quarter of 2026, Antaranews reports.
Rebels kill New Zealand pilot
Rebels in Indonesia's Papua region have killed a New Zealand helicopter pilot working for a private company. According to ABC News, the pilot was captured when the helicopter landed in an isolated area, but the four passengers on board are safe. Another New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, was captured by rebels last year and remains in captivity, but there are plans for his release.
Acute shortage of nurses
Indonesia is pursuing a nursing partnership with Japan to address the acute shortage of nurses in Japan, due to its aging population. The two countries are negotiating an extension to the Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers, with plans to increase the number of Indonesian nurses in Japan and collaborate on training programs and technology exchange. Antaranews reports that the CEO of a nursing care service provider in Japan expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Indonesian government to address Japan’s nursing workforce crisis.
Earthquake
A subterranean earthquake measuring 5.0 in magnitude jolted Indonesia’s eastern Central Papua province on August 3, the country’s meteorology, climatology, and geophysics agency said.According to Munsifdaily, the quake struck at 12.32 p.m. local time, with its epicentre located 28 km northeast of Puncak Jaya Regency at a depth of 100 km.
Unemployment rate decreases
Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has confirmed a decline in Indonesia's national unemployment rate. The government is implementing people's empowerment programs in major cities to create job opportunities and suppress the unemployment rate. According to Antaranews, Measures include improving educational and training activities, boosting investments, and shifting workers from the informal to the formal sector. The decline is attributed to improved workforce absorption, but the government aims to further boost labor productivity.
