Indonesia Roundup: Tourist arrivals, earthquake, UN Security Council seat
Over 1 million tourist arrivals in August
In August 2024, Indonesia recorded 1.34 million foreign tourist arrivals, marking an 18.3% increase from the previous year. The cumulative total for January-August 2024 reached 9.09 million, illustrating a 20.83% rise compared to the same timeframe last year. This surge in arrivals represents the highest statistic since 2020, albeit short of pre-pandemic figures. Malaysian tourists constituted 14.09% of the August arrivals, followed closely by Australia at 11.47% and China at 9.41%. Furthermore, there was a notable increase of 25.09% in African tourist arrivals, contrasted with a 39.77% decline in visitors from the Middle East, state agency Antara News reports.
New legislative year
The opening of Indonesia's new legislative year saw the swearing-in of 732 lawmakers, including 360 first-time members, by Chief Justice M. Syarifuddin. This group comprises 580 elected representatives and 152 senators, emerging from elections conducted in February. The House of Representatives has now expanded to accommodate 580 members, while the Senate consists of 152 members. 25 of these legislators hail from celebrity backgrounds. Chief Justice Syarifuddin underscored the lawmakers' obligation to serve the nation with dedication and sincerity. Incoming President Prabowo Subianto is poised to assume office, with his inauguration scheduled for October 20.
Strong earthquake strikes
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sulawesi province, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 588 kilometres in the Banda Sea, around 262 kilometres from the city of Baubau. Fortunately, no immediate losses or tsunami alerts followed.
Two ministers resign to join new parliament
Indonesian President Joko Widodo approved the resignations of two ministers, Abdul Halim Iskandar (Minister of Villages) and Ida Fauziyah (Minister of Manpower), to take up roles in the new parliament for the 2024–2029 term. Their departures are part of a broader trend as they follow the resignation of Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, both of whom plan to compete in upcoming gubernatorial elections, according to the Indonesian state agency. Acting responsibilities are set to be redistributed to Coordinating Ministers Muhadjir Effendy and Airlangga Hartarto. The current cabinet's tenure will conclude on October 20, coinciding with the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Run for UN Security Council non-permanent seat
Indonesia is pursuing a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2029-2030 term, signalling its dedication to global peace and security matters. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi asserted the nation's previous contributions to the Council and stressed that peace, justice, and humanity constitute core tenets of its foreign policy. The Minister voiced strong criticism against the current Security Council leadership for neglecting critical global issues, including the Palestine conflict, and advocated for reforms to foster a more democratic decision-making approach, Antara reports.
