Lazada Indonesia shares Eid Al-Fitr shopping picks

E-commerce has become a practical option for Indonesian consumers to identify and purchase products that support their their mudik (homecoming) journeys ahead of Eid al-Fitr.   

Erika Agustine, Commercial Director of Lazada Indonesia, said that demand across several categories—including automotive, home appliances, and electronics—typically peaks ahead of Eid. This is driven by two key moments: the mudik journey and the Eid celebration spent with family at home. 

"Consumers are looking for products that support smoother travel while also meeting household needs during family gatherings. E-commerce has become a preferred shopping destination as consumers can easily access a wide selection of authentic, high-quality products from trusted brands. Lazada Indonesia is supporting this demand through a range of attractive offers, including discounts of up to 95%," she said.

To help consumers prepare for Eid more conveniently, Agustine provided some recommendations: 

Source: Lazada via Canva. Top left: a family dressed for Eid. Top right: a reliable motorcycle for the homecoming journey. Bottom left: a portable blender for fresh juice anywhere. Bottom right: A washing machine to save time and effort.

A reliable motorcycle 

Motorcycles remain a popular transportation choice for many mudik travellers as they are more agile in navigating traffic along busy routes. 

Newer models such as the New Honda Beat Deluxe come equipped with technologies like smart keyless systems with anti-theft and immobiliser features. Purchasing vehicles through e-commerce platforms can also provide additional benefits such as special promotions and flexible payment options, including through a combination of cash and credit cards.

A portable blender 

During long mudik trips, maintaining healthy food and drink intake is important. A portable blender can be a practical tool for preparing fresh juice anytime. Blenders such as the Ninja Blast Portable Blender feature a compact design, leak-proof functionality, and rechargeable battery power. In addition to preparing juice, portable blenders can also be used to blend baby food while travelling, or when staying in one's hometown.

A washing machine

For some families, the Eid holiday also means managing household tasks without the help of domestic assistants who have returned home. With a large capacity that can handle laundry for the whole family at once and relatively low electricity consumption, twin-tub washing machines such as those from Sanken help save both time and energy costs. A built-in spin dryer also helps clothes dry faster, even during the rainy season. 

Staying active 

For fitness enthusiasts, a sports smartwatch can help maintain workout routines even during vacation. Smartwatches such as the Garmin Forerunner typically feature GPS and activity tracking capabilities that monitor distance, time, speed, and pace during runs or workouts.  

Entertainment on the go

Homecoming journeys on public transportation such as trains or airplanes are often accompanied by crowded and noisy environments. Headphones such as Sony Noise-Cancelling Headphones can help reduce surrounding noise. 

Polished looks

For many people, Eid is a moment to look their best. Hair stylers such as the Dyson Airwrap can be used to dry, straighten, or curl hair. Those that come with a carry case travel well. 

Augustine reminded consumers to plan their purchases ahead of time so that products can arrive when needed.

"Consumers can now take advantage of instant or same-day delivery options to ensure their orders arrive on time. With the wide delivery network of e-commerce platforms, products can even be shipped directly to one's hometown. This approach is also more convenient as travelers do not have to carry gifts themselves during the journey," she concluded.

Taman Safari Indonesia introduces tropical wonders to Middle Eastern travellers

With a legacy spanning over four decades, Taman Safari Indonesia Group manages eight premier destinations: Taman Safari Bogor, The Grand Taman Safari Prigen (East Java), Taman Safari Bali, Marine Safari Bali, Solo Safari (Central Java), The Beach Safari Batang, Jakarta Aquarium & Safari, and Enchanting Valley. 

As one of the largest wildlife conservation and recreation institutions in Southeast Asia, Taman Safari Indonesia offers nature and wildlife experiences with Indonesian hospitality, and is highly sought-after by travellers from Oman and KSA, the group said. 

Taman Safari Bogor and Marine Safari Bali are among the most popular with Middle Eastern travellers. Nestled at the foothills of Mount Gede Pangrango, Taman Safari Bogor provides an open-range safari adventure within the cool tropical forest. Visitors can feed giraffes, observe animals from across continents, and take in tranquil mountain views. 

With halal dining options, prayer facilities, and family-friendly accommodations such as Safari Resort and Royal Safari Garden, Bogor stands as the perfect retreat for Muslim families seeking both relaxation and connection with nature.

Meanwhile, Marine Safari Bali combines the island's rich culture with exotic marine encounters. One of its newest attractions is Varuna, an underwater theatrical dining experience that fuses artistry, technology, and halal cuisine.

"We've observed a growing interest among travelers from Oman, Riyadh, and Jeddah in exploring Indonesia's natural and cultural heritage," said Alexander Zulkarnain, ACT CMO of Taman Safari Indonesia Group. 

"Through Taman Safari Bogor and Marine Safari Bali, we aim to create experiences that not only entertain but also enrich the soul and bring visitors closer to the wonders of wildlife." 

World food day 2025: Bank DBS Indonesia goes for better foods and a better future

To mark World Food Day 2025, Bank DBS Indonesia worked with multiple partners to support national food security in line with this year's theme, Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.

Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications PT Bank DBS Indonesia Mona Monika said, “The theme of Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future reflects the importance of collaboration in creating fair and sustainable access to food for all. As a bank committed to ESG principles, we want to act as a catalyst in strengthening the food supply chain, improving the welfare of farmers, driving the green economy in the agricultural sector, and increasing equitable access to nutritious food. This is the tangible manifestation of our sustainability pillar, Impact Beyond Banking.”

As part of its vision to be the Best Bank for a Better World, Bank DBS Indonesia believes that a sustainable food future can only be achieved through cross-sector collaboration between the financial sector, the government, businesses, communities, and the general public. Through various green financing initiatives, support for agritech startups, and social programmes held jointly with DBS Foundation, Bank DBS Indonesia plays an active role in building a resilient, inclusive, and competitive food system:

- The FEAST (Flores Empowerment for Agricultural Sustainability and Transformation) programme, held in collaboration with Yayasan Humanis dan Inovasi Sosial, equips farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices, financial literacy, and nutritional knowledge. A total of 40 village champions have been trained to assist 1,600 smallholder farmers (half of them women) in eight districts in Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). 

They take part in 50 climate field school sessions and test climate-smart agriculture methods in demonstration farm plots. Additionally, the programme provides nutrition education for 4,000 farming families to improve their knowledge and nutritional status. The programme will be expanded to all districts in Flores within the next 2-3 years.

- Green financing in the form of blended finance for Adena Coffee to nurture coffee farmers and increase coffee bean production in a sustainable manner, as well as to develop software to support compliance with the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). 

In addition, Adena Coffee will establish a Multipurpose Production and Training Centre by building new wet mill and fermentation facilities to train farmers in the proper application of wet processing and fermentation methods, ensuring consistent and high-quality yields; and conduct six capacity-building sessions for 500 small-scale coffee farmers in Gayo, Flores, Bali, and West Java.

- The Food Rescue Warrior programme, held in collaboration with FoodCycle Indonesia and DBS Foundation. From January 2024 to September 2025, the programme saved 1.36 million kg of surplus food from 155 partner hotels, restaurants, and plantations. Of the total, more than 600,000 kg was edible and packaged into more than 3 million food packages for 128,000 recipients. 

The programme succeeded in reducing the food insecurity rate from 77% to 36% in 17 months, according to a FoodCycle survey of a sample of recipients. Additionally, more than 700,000 kg of food waste were processed into animal feed and compost fertiliser at the urban farm developed under this programme. Education on the circular food system was also actively provided for the community at the urban farm to raise awareness about sustainable food security.

Food waste management is also very crucial for food sustainability.

- Magalarva, a social impact company and a recipient of the DBS Foundation Grant 2023, has made a significant impact on food waste management over the past two years. Food waste processing volume increased to nearly 3,000 tonnes per year, double the amount of the previous year. This has also reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 9,000 tonnes.

Founder & CEO Magalarva Rendria Labde said, “Since partnering with DBS Foundation, we have been able to accelerate the transformation of our waste management system. We have now increased our food waste processing capacity by 66%, improved efficiency through waste sorting units and a new operational fleet, and opened up export opportunities to more countries. The impact is being felt by both the environment and the economy.”

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance.

Indonesia Shariah Economic Festival 2025 increases exposure for startups, designers

The Indonesian National Committee of Sharia Economics and Finance (Komite Nasional Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah or KNEKS), together with the Department of Economy and Shariah Finance at Bank Indonesia (DEKS), have held a Halal Startup Demo Day (HSDD) as part of Indonesia Shariah Economic Festival (ISEF) 2025. ISEF is Indonesia's largest annual shari'ah economic and financial event. 

Themed Dare to Jumpstart Halal Industry With Ambition, HSDD 2025 brought 20 halal industry startups, investors, mentors, and stakeholders together.

Rp21 B has been set aside for selected startups. Potential business partners and committed investors include the Indonesian Muslim Entrepreneur Community (Komunitas Pengusaha Muslim Indonesia or KPMI), the Gaido Group, Equitree, PUM Netherlands, the Rahmania Foundation, HASAN Venture Capital, BTPN Syariah Venture Capital, and LBS Urun Dana. Other participants included the Indonesian Fintech Association (AFSI), the Venture Capital Association for Indonesian Startups (AMVESINDO), Gobi Partner, and World Startup.

"On behalf of Bank Indonesia, we express our highest appreciation and appreciation to the KNEKS and all parties participating in the implementation of this activity—from the organising partners, supporting institutions, to startups that today will showcase their work and innovation in the halal industry sector," said Yono, Deputy Director of Economics and Finance of Sharia at Bank Indonesia in a statement in Bahasa Indonesia*.

“In line with the great vision of Asta Cita Indonesia, Bank Indonesia is committed through this activity to supporting the acceleration of the national halal startup ecosystem in order to cement Indonesia as the world’s halal industry hub through matching innovators with investors, and opening wider access to Islamic financing. This activity is also a platform to strengthen the halal value chain and nurture superior startups that are ready to compete globally.”

“The Ministry of Industry is committed to supporting the growth of technology startups in the industry through the Startup for Industry programme. This programme is a forum for coaching and acceleration for startups to collaborate with the industrial sector, present technology-based solutions, and strengthen the national supply chain," said Dini Hangandari, Director of IKM, LMEA, Ministry of Industry.

The 20 startups came from a variety of sectors, including food and beverage, fashion, health, shari'ah finance, Muslim-friendly tourism, renewable energy, as well as media and recreation.

The Director of Business and Entrepreneurship of Sharia at KNEKS, Putu Rahwidiyasa, said that HSDD 2025 is an important part of KNEKS' commitment in driving the growth of the innovation-based sharia economy. “We want to help startups be ready to compete in the domestic and global markets by taking advantage of funding opportunities and a wider network,” he said.

HSDD 2025 is here to address the obstacles faced by many startups in obtaining adequate access to funding, networking, and business assistance. Through this activity, startups are expected to gain access to funding, guidance from experienced mentors, and expand the network with investors, buyers, and strategic partners. The programme also provides mentoring through the development of pitch decks.

Wahyu Wicaksono, Director of Applications, Ministry of Creative Economy, Indonesia, shared that the development of halal-based creative economic startups has been prioritised. "Through digital technology and creativity, startups can deliver halal products and services that are more inclusive, competitive, and have a broad economic impact,” he said. 

“Continuous collaboration between stakeholders — governments, financial institutions, investors, academia, and the entrepreneurial community. The hope is that this activity will give birth to a generation of halal startups that are innovative, competitive, and make a real contribution to the progress of the nation," said imbuh Irwansyah, Asdep Incubation And Digitalization of Entrepreneurial Deputy for Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs). 

"HSDD 2025 is expected to be a strategic meeting point that strengthens the synergy between stakeholders and opens up greater opportunities for halal startups in Indonesia," Putu added.

The Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MOTIONFEST) 2025, also part of ISEF 2025, showcased 1,785 modest fashion works, highlighting the richness of Indonesian wastra***.

Organised by the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC) together with Bank Indonesia, IN2MOTIONFEST is committed to optimising the use of Indonesia's rich cultural diversity and wastra in sustainable modest fashion products. This approach aligns with the implementation of a green economy within the Indonesian modest fashion industry, positioning it as a strong player in the global market.

Themed One Vision, One Movement: Advancing Indonesia Modest Fashion Through Synergy & Collaboration the event emphasised collective action, cross-sector collaboration, and synergy among industry players to enable Indonesia's modest fashion to dominate the domestic market and compete globally.

A wide variety of wastra from across Indonesia—including batik, songket, ikat weaving, ATBM (non-machine weaving), lurik, tapis, sasirangan, jumputan (tie-dye), embroidery, knits, and ecoprints—were showcased in diverse modest fashion styles. These pieces were designed by members of IKRA (Indonesia Sharia Creative Industry), fashion brands, MSMEs, and fashion school students.

Source: IFC. The Grand Finale on Opening Day at IN2MOTIONFEST 2025. Models wearing Khanaan fashion.

IN2MOTIONFEST 2025 featured a fashion show and trade exhibition, presented modest fashion collections from 214 designers and brands, both local and international, along with 100 wastra artisans participating in the Wastra Business Matching programme. This year, IN2MOTIONFEST collaborated with 11 international designers from Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the UAE (Dubai).

Explore

View catwalk videos from the at https://www.instagram.com/in2motionfest/?hl=en

*Parts of this content came from an e-translated press release and may be inaccurate as a result.

**Asta Cita refers to the eight aspirations conceived by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto towards achieving the vision of a Golden Indonesia in 2045. The aspirations cover welfare, economic resilience, food and energy sovereignty, education and human resource development, and strong national defence.

***Wastra refers to traditional Indonesian textiles, such as batik and tenun ikat, which come with a rich cultural heritage, and are associated with complex symbolism and quality craftsmanship.

WePlay Berqurban Eid al-Adha charity activity launched in Jakarta

Social gaming platform WePlay has launched the WePlay Berqurban Eid al-Adha charity activity in Jakarta, Indonesia. Through donations and distribution ceremonies, WePlay aims to convey care and blessings to local families in need.

On June 7, WePlay representatives formally handed over a cow and two goats—healthy livestock compliant with Islamic law requirements—to the management of Musholla Baitul Rahman Mosque in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. These animals became sacred gifts for festive sharing.

"We deeply understand the sacred significance of Eid al-Adha for our Muslim brothers and sisters. WePlay Berqurban is not merely a material donation; it represents WePlay's commitment to community care and cultural respect," a WePlay representative said.

"Choosing Musholla Baitul Rahman as the venue ensures our contribution directly benefits local neighbours. We hope this shared faith-based goodwill brings a blessed and joyous celebration to recipient families."

The Head of the Musholla Baitul Rahman Mosque said: "We are immensely grateful to WePlay for their incredibly generous donation to our community during the sacred Eid al-Adha. This sacrificial provision is not just a precious gift, but also a vivid embodiment of the Islamic spirit of sharing and caring for the vulnerable.

Source: WePlay.On June 7, WePlay representatives formally handed over a cow and two goats to Musholla Baitul Rahman Mosque in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

"WePlay's kind-heartedness and action have genuinely warmed our community and demonstrated the company's profound understanding and respect for local culture and religious values."

Indonesia's TEI exceeds expectations

Source: Debindo. Minister Zulkifli speaks to the press at the closing ceremony for the in-person portion of TEI.

Indonesia's Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan announced during the closing ceremony for the offline portion of the 38th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) on 22 October 2023 that the total transaction value for the five-day event hit US$25.3 B, beyond the expected target of US$11 B. TEI is the largest trade fair hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade in collaboration with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) as the strategic partner.

The top trading partners were Malaysia (US$6.29 B), followed by India (US$6.23 B) and then China (US$5.58 B). In terms of products, the top three categories were coal (US$13.26 B), chemical and organic products (US$2.92 B), and then strategic industry products (US$2.73 B).

The colocated Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week (JMFW) 2024, running 19-21 October 2023, booked a transaction value of US$20.1 M. "JMFW 2024 shows that our Muslim fashion products have drawn strong interests from international markets, and we have to maintain the ecosystem in such a way that our domestic market be competitive against imported fashion products," said Minister Zulkifli.

The online portion of TEI continues until 18 December 2023 at www.tradexpoindonesia.com.

Much activity expected in the Indonesian cold chain market through to 2026

The Indonesian cold chain market is expected to be valued at about IDR6,800 B by 2026, says research firm Ken Research.

According to the company, the cold chain market is highly fragmented and currently includes 100+ cold transportation and storage players. A significant increase in the number of companies is expected year-on-year due to consumer demand and technology advances, leading to significant industry fragmentation, Ken Research said.

Modest fashion extravaganza kicks off in Indonesia

Bank Indonesia (BI), the Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, and the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC), as part of the Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF), kicked off the inaugural Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival 2022 (IN2MOTIONFEST 2022) in Jakarta, Indonesia on 6 October.

The five-day festival covered deluxe ready-to-wear fashion, streetwear, eveningwear, cocktailwear, and officewear.

"Indonesia's inaugural global modest fashion festival has been a huge success. It is expected to become the biggest international modest fashion festival. This can be done through strengthening the branding of Indonesia's modest fashion, increasing capacity and network between domestic and global business actors. We'll continue to nurture Indonesia's cultural heritage and share it with the world," said Governor of Bank Indonesia Perry Warjiyo.

Attendees caught up to 1,256 looks of wastra* Nusantara from designers such as Dian Pelangi, Itang Yunasz, Khanaan, Laudya Chintya Bella, Syahrir Nurdin from Malaysia, Yod Koko from Thailand, as well as A3 from France X Emmy Thee.

"Wastra from Sabang to Merauke, such as songket, ikat, lurik and batik, have been the highlights of this year's festival. It is amazing to share our cultural heritage with the world and see the same joy we feel when seeing these amazing fabrics," said Ali Charisma, National Chairman of the IFC.

"By involving hundreds of designers with the use of 14 types of wastra, we hope that in the future more stakeholders will be involved in the effort to make Indonesia a trendsetter in the world's modest fashion industry," added the Minister from the Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki.

According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia is the world's 13th exporter of Muslim clothing in 2021 with the value amounting to USD 4.68 billion, up by 12.49 percent compared to 2020. 

*Wastra derives from Sanskrit and means "handwoven textile". The term has rich cultural and historical meaning. Most wastra are made by skilled artisans, and much appreciated for their beauty.

Visit the Botanica Sanctuary for nature-themed travel

Source: The Ascott. The 166-room The Botanica Sanctuary offers views of Mount Pangrango and the virgin pine forest nearby.

The newly-opened The Botanica Sanctuary, managed by The Ascott, is home to over 40 types of plants that are native to Indonesia. Guests staying at the 166-room property can enjoy views of Mount Pangrango and the virgin pine forest nearby.

Targeted at couples and families on leisure travel, The Botanica Sanctuary is situated in the heart of Bogor’s Puncak, a popular tourist destination in Indonesia 90 minutes from Jakarta by car. It is also a five-minute drive to Taman Safari Indonesia, a zoo named Best Conservation Site’ by the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry.

Eight apartment types are available: Superior, Deluxe, Premier, Unique Corner, Loft Family rooms as well as The Valley, The Garden and The Botanica Suites. Each room features a balcony offering a forest and mountain view, an en-suite bathroom, a flat-screen TV and complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.

Ipeng Widjojo, Agung Sedayu Group’s COO, Hotel Division 2 and Member of the Management Board, said: “The Botanica Sanctuary represents a refreshing approach to hospitality, offering guests a tranquil haven equipped with modern facilities and using nature-inspired decor. Designed with quality in mind, the hotel provides a welcoming environment for guests to explore and appreciate the surrounding natural elements.

"Ascott is well-recognised internationally. Partnering with Ascott for the fifth time enables us to continue to tap on their global network and deep hospitality expertise, cementing The Botanica Sanctuary’s position in the upscale hotel segment.”

Guests can visit a fitness centre, a jacuzzi and a rooftop swimming pool with a mountain view at The Botanica Sanctuary. Weddings, events and business meetings can be held at the 614 sq m mountain-view Sailendra Ballroom as well as at meeting rooms complete with professional banquet services and facilities.

All-day dining is offered at The Garden Brasserie, which has been designed to convey an interactive, marketplace-like atmosphere. Its menu features Indonesian, Japanese, Middle Eastern and Western cuisines, with the full spread on offer on Fridays at the Taste of Asia buffet (IDR195,000 nett per person).

Perfect for meat lovers, Gyu Steak House provides comfortable indoor as well as semi-outdoor seating in addition to a wide variety of quality meat. To unwind, the Rafflesia Lounge welcomes guests to enjoy their favourite beverages.

“The Botanica Sanctuary is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Experience a memorable staycation with your loved ones amid untouched nature and savour scrumptious dishes meticulously handcrafted by our culinary team,” said Handy Bunardy, The Botanica Sanctuary’s GM.

Details:

To book a stay at The Botanica Sanctuary or for more information, call +6225 1821 7111 or visit discoverasr.com.

Yili launches phase 1 of its new Indonesia Dairy Production Base

Dairy producer the Yili Group has celebrated the official launch of the first phase of the Yili Indonesia Dairy Production Base. When the second phase is completed, the production base will become the country's largest ice cream factory with a daily production capacity of 4 million ice cream products. 

Source: Yili Group. The Yili Indonesia Dairy Production Base.

 

The facility was established due to the popularity of Joyday ice cream, a brand that has rapidly expanded to 260 local cities in 26 provinces, covering nearly all of Indonesia, since its entry into the market in 2018. 

"Local consumers' clear preference for and trust in our products has reinforced Yili's confidence about our long-term investment and development in Indonesia," said Pan Gang, the Chairman and President of Yili Group.

"Yili is always dedicated to following the highest standards to drive quality, sustainable development over the long term and establishing localised operations that benefit the communities where we operate. This ensures that we can better serve local consumers and make deep contributions to socioeconomic development throughout the region." 

The Indonesia-based hub aims to speed up Joyday's product manufacturing, R&D and marketing efforts, with more new products to come.

As Yili's first self-built plant in Southeast Asia, Yili Indonesia Dairy has adopted cutting-edge technology and equipment, including the Internet of Things and big data analytics, to build an innovative and smart factory. 

The production base integrates advanced digital technologies throughout its entire production chain. Robotics solutions are introduced to provide automated packing, palletising, and warehousing. The construction of infrastructure and buildings has been undertaken in line with Yili Group's global quality management standards. 

To date, the factory has already passed the ISO22000, Halal, and BPOM certifications and been rated A grade by LPPOM MUI, the largest food and drug certification agency in Indonesia. 

As part of its efforts to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly production facility, Yili Indonesia Dairy has built a wastewater treatment system with a daily treatment capacity of 2,800 tons. Reclaimed water is then used for the irrigation of plants in the factory. 

To ensure high levels of visibility and transparency, the site will be open to the public whenever the factory is in full operation, and consumers can watch the whole production process as it unfolds. 

While deepening its presence in global markets, Yili follows the principle of "global mindsets and local operations", with a focus on building highly localised factories that benefit local communities. Today, Yili Indonesia Dairy has a total of 383 employees, with local employees accounting for 95% of the workforce. The project is expected to create more than 5,000 new jobs for local communities, directly and indirectly. 

Yili Indonesia Dairy is also actively pursuing further opportunities for cooperation with local partners. To date, the company has already established cooperative relationships with more than 90 suppliers in Indonesia. Moving forward, its partnerships will expand to local distributors with 200,000 sales outlets. 

Yili is further dedicated to promoting the highly rated Indonesian flavors to global consumers through its worldwide marketing channels. 

The completion of Yili Indonesia Dairy sets up another key pillar for Yili's development in the Indonesian and the broader Southeast Asian markets. Together with the company's Thailand-based ice cream production base, Yili's "Southeast Asian dual centres" and Southeast Asia Innovation Center are expected to accelerate product manufacturing and R&D in the region. 

As a platform designed to facilitate cooperation on innovation with universities and R&D institutions throughout the region, Yili Southeast Asia Innovation Center will also work together closely with Yili's innovation centres across China, Japan, Europe and Oceania, with the aim of rolling out more localised innovation solutions that fulfill consumer needs.

Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah announces Ramadhan staycations, menus

Source: Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah. The Warisan Nusantara iftar buffet at the Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar during Ramadhan.

Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah presents a Warisan Nusantara iftar feast at Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar in addition to promotions and seasonal decor.

Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah has a Ramadhan staycation programme, #DiSurabayaAja, starting from Rp850,000++/room/night. The package includes suhoor and iftar for two persons at Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar. A separate staycation programme for business travellers, Work in Comfort, includes breakfast, free laundry facilities, late checkout, and 20% off for ordering food and drinks at Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar, as well as high-speed Internet connections.

For Rp198,000 nett per person, people can enjoy a variety of Indonesian dishes through the Warisan Nusantara iftar buffet at the Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar. Highlights include nasi hijau Jepara, which is served with sauteed corn, mushrooms, pentul (pin) satay, kecombrang (broken) chicken, and empal beef (fried beef); kambing guling (bolster) with ketupat (rice stuffed into woven palm leaves), and nasi kebuli kambing (Indonesian qabooli with mutton), among other dishes from all over Nusantara. Diners further enjoy a Buy 1 Get 1 discount by using a credit card.

"Chef Lukman Santoso and a team from Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar invite you to travel around Indonesia through various typical Indonesian dishes to complete your breaking your fast with your family, partner, and other loved ones by continuing to apply health protocols in this new normal era," said Alamsyah Jo, Complex GM of Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah, and The Westin Surabaya.

Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah implements strict health protocols for the iftar buffet. Seating capacity and the number of guests have been reduced by up to 50%, and buffet dishes are served directly by the hotel's chefs. Sanitiser equipment is available in every corner of Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar.

For those who want to enjoy a traditional iftar, Djaman Doeloe Resto and Bar also offers the Ramadhan #DiRumahAja and Hantaran Nusantara packages. These start from Rp88,000++ per item.

While waiting for sunset, there is the Ngabuburit* Ngeteh Doeloe menu at Djaman Doeloe Restaurant and Bar. This package includes various street snacks and a selection of Indonesian teas.

"We want guests to feel safe and comfortable in celebrating iftar in the holy month of Ramadhan at Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah, even though it is still in a pandemic condition," said Jo.

*According to Transparent Language, ngabuburit refers to distractions in the period shortly before sunset, when the fast can be broken.

Inasentra Unisatya exports the first Indonesian vegan candy to South Korea

Source: Inasentra Unisatya. The Inasentra Unisatya export team.

Indonesian confectionery manufacturer Inasentra Unisatya has made its first exports of Mr. Candy, the first non-gelatin chewy candy in Indonesia. 

Mr. Candy has been sold in South Korea since January in collaboration with E-Max Trading, an importer and distributor of confectionery in South Korea. E-Max sister company Winwin International is the local distributor.

Introduced in 2019, Mr. Candy is certified by the Vegan Society of Indonesia, and has been successful nation-wide.

"We hope to collaborate with South Korea for long-term business, and will provide our best innovative products," said Robin Setyono, Director, Inasentra Unisatya.

Mr. Candy comes in two flavours: ice cube flavour that contains peppermint, and frezzy bites which is a mix of peppermint and spearmint. Inasentra also has other Mr. Candy variants, including Mr. Candy C which has a high Vitamin C content.

Consumers in Korea can find Mr. Candy at traditional markets first, followed later by wider availability in places such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and drug stores.

Inasentra Unisatya makes candies with different textures as well as chocolate.

Evermos introduces solutions to increase SME competitiveness in Indonesia

Source: Evermos. The current system discourages small Indonesian businesses from investing in growth.

As part of the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda 2021, Evermos, a West Java social-commerce platform for Indonesian Muslim products, has unveiled an paper on helping Indonesian micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) increase their competitiveness.

The Davos Agenda 2021 highlighted several of the article's case studies, including one about lyus, a hijab producer in Bandung. Basically, cheaper imported products have made SMEs reluctant to initiate medium- to long-term investments, causing low productivity and inefficient production; this in turn is making them less competitive with global players.

In the case of Iyus, he experienced significant growth from 2015-2017, producing 150,000 headscarves per day. However, this later declined by 80%, largely because of imports flooding the market, some of them illegal. On average, a container of imported goods can contain 250,000 to 450,000 headscarves.

Unfair trading practices in this sector have major implications for retailers like Iyus, who commented that foreign manufacturers observe which products are in high demand, and within six months flood the market with similar but cheaper products.

To increase his competitiveness, Iyus had to innovate. Within six months, he had started production and was turning a profit. However, he noticed that his global competitors use marketing intelligence to gain an unfair advantage and have shortened the product lifecycle of his winning product. Due to time and capital constraints, Iyus is reluctant to expand his business. The situation has created a vicious cycle among SMEs in Indonesia.

This vicious cycle at the SME level creates another parallel vicious cycle that impacts worker welfare. Low productivity at the SMEs reduces their income, which in turn decreases the education levels of their children. This traps the next generation of SMEs into skill shortages and low income.

Considering the long-term impact, people should start switching to buying local products, to increase money velocity and revive the local economy, Evermos said.

Arip Tirta, President of Evermos, said, "If we don't buy local products, SMEs will lose against global value chains. Whenever we buy a local product, we help revive the economy by keeping money in circulation through product owners, vendors, employees, and other related parties. It keeps the economy flowing. Improvements in quality and experience are important, but more important is the need to support local producers and their endeavours."

SMEs have contributed support approximately 97% of employment in Indonesia, absorbing most low-skilled workers. They also contribute to over 60% of Indonesia's GDP and have helped raise the quality of life by helping millions of people out of poverty. However, there is a need to create more products' in more significant quantities and more varieties, Evermos said.

Evermos believes that Indonesia can break the vicious cycle to create a virtuous cycle instead. The company suggested the following solutions:

- Go local or go home. Inspire people to buy local products, even though there are alternative cheaper products.

- Think long-term. Encourage SMEs to think of medium to long-term investment to remain globally competitive.

- Productivity as an engine for growth. Focus on skills training and technology adoption to increase productivity.

- The best offence is defence. Create effective trade policies to protect SMEs, with a more data-driven market intelligence approach.

Another approach is to move away from the heavy reliance on SMEs and focus on improving workforce skills, the company added.

Mosques and imams in East Indonesia: some studies

Source: NUS Press website. Cover, Mosques
and Imams.

NUS Press has published Mosques and Imams: Everyday Islam in Eastern Indonesia.

Edited by Kathryn M. Robinson, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the Australian National University, the S$42 work is an introduction to the many ways of being Muslim across this diverse archipelago, from Sulawesi to Maluku and Nusa Tenggara Timor, as seen through the role of imams and the institution of the local mosque.

The volume is not only unique in its geographic coverage, but also in the way it takes as an organising principle the individuals and institutions that embody Islam in local communities, NUS Press said. The book complements and contributes to broader discussions of contemporary issues in Islam and other contemporary religions, including migration, proselytisation, networks, and changing models of religious authority.

Islam is at home in many of the areas of eastern Indonesia, with the early 15th-century Masjid Tua Wapauwe in Northern Maluku arguably the oldest mosque in Indonesia.

Professor Robinson specialises in studies of eastern Indonesia, everyday Islam, social impact of mining, and gender relations.

Details:

Publication year: 2020

Paperback, 292 pp

ISBN: 978-981-325-120-5

Canopy Power brings clean water to village on Sugi Island, Indonesia

Under its Canopy Care programme, Canopy Power completed a social welfare project at the village of Tanjung Sesup on Sugi Island, Indonesia in Q320.

Having funded and developed a water distribution system for the village, Canopy Power improved the lives of the villagers by enabling a convenient access to and a constant supply of clean water. Looking forward, the company is keen to embark on more of such projects that benefits communities, and welcomes partnership opportunities.

“In general, 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. However, we are experiencing surge in awareness within individuals and corporations towards sustainability. This is a good sign for the next year and the years to come,” said Sujay Malve, founder and CEO of Canopy Power.

Canopy Power provides independent microgrids based on renewable energy.

More Indonesian educators in religious education eligible for wage subsidies

The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Indonesia (Kemenag) together with the Committee for the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Communication Team (KPCPEN) and the Indonesian Ministry of Finance have launched wage subsidies for non-civil servant educators and educational personnel (Bantuan Subsidi Upah Pendidik dan Tenaga Kependidikan Non-PNS, or BSU PTK non-PNS) under the Kemenag's domain. This programme is part of government support for PTK Non-PNS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This news was disclosed by Dr Muhammad Zain, S.Ag., M.Ag, Director for Madrasah Educators and Educational Personnel of the Directorate General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, at a dialogue titled Wage Subsidy for Non-Civil Servant Educators and Educational Personnel Teaching Religious Education School Subjects at the KPCPEN Media Center on 19 November.

"As many as 84% of the teachers in the Kemenag domain are working on short-term contracts (honorer). Meanwhile, teachers with civil servant status amount to only 126,000 people. So, the BSU PTK Non-PNS programme is very beneficial for educators and education personnel within the Ministry of Religious Affairs domain. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on madrasah teachers. Moreover, many madrasah are operating under non-profit foundations. There are even some religious education teachers that are only paid Rp300,000 per month," explained Dr Muhammad Zain. Those interested in the programme can check the Educators and Educational Personnel Services Information System (SIMPATIKA) for eligibility criteria. They must have a national identification number (NIK); a bank account; do not currently benefit from BSU Tenaga Kerja, the Manpower Ministry's workers wage subsidy programme; are not recipients of Kartu Prakerja, a pre-employment card programme; and earn less than Rp5 million with non-civil servant status. Facilities to help open a bank account for those who do not have one will be provided.

BSU Non-PNS PTK recipients in the Religious Affairs ministry domain consist of kindergarten (raudhatul athfal)/madrasah teachers, Islamic religion education teachers in public schools, Catholic religion education teachers, Buddhist religion education teachers and Confucian religion education teachers. Each recipient will receive a lump sum of Rp1.8 million, and there are some 637,048 beneficiaries. The full budget is more than Rp1.15 trillion.

According to Dr Muhammad Zain, aid recipients will be vetted rigorously. "So, the validation process is not one-dimensional because we also involve the BPJS (social security provider). We've conducted an internal review through the Kemenag's Inspectorate General. The data validation process is carried out on multiple levels. This way, we are able to prevent duplicate data or channelling aid to the wrong people.

"On the bureaucratic side, we have collaborated with regional offices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to monitor schools in their working areas. All data validation processes must be tiered. Hopefully the implementation will run smoothly and that things of concern will not happen," he said.

In addition, he said that there will be no reduction in aid value when it reaches each beneficiary. "We hope that each beneficiary will receive Rp 1.8 million in full, not deducted by income tax. You see, the programme is a government aid programme. On the other hand, the government also carries out strict supervision over the process of the aid distribution. In fact, the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) also supervises the process," he said.

"To fellow teachers and honorer education personnel, let's continue to be optimistic. We must continue to carry out our duties professionally because our role determines the future of the nation. Even though we are experiencing hardships, education must continue as the pulse of the nation's civilisation. We must always adhere to health protocols by implementing 3M (wear masks, handwashing, and maintaining a safe distance). Hopefully the BSU PTK Non-PNS in the Religious Affairs ministry domain will be useful to increase the resiliency of our teachers too," he concluded.

A similar programme has benefited PTK Non-PNS under the Ministry of Education and Culture.

As the handling of COVID-19 and the national economy recovery should be closely aligned, Indonesian President Joko Widodo issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 82 of 2020 on the Covid-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPCPEN) on July 20 2020.

The KPCPEN's priorities are INDONESIA SEHAT - people should be safe from COVID-19, with health services reform as part of the equation; INDONESIA BEKERJA, empowerment and acceleration of employment; and INDONESIA TUMBUH, national economy recovery and transformation.

Asian Food Network creates Bahasa Indonesia website

Source: asianfoodnetwork.com. Snippet from the Bahasa Indonesia website.

Asian Food Network (AFN), a major regional TV and online food channel that celebrates unique Asian culinary and cultural experiences, has launched an Indonesian language website to cater to over 200 million people in Indonesia.

AFN is committed to delivering a seamless digital and linear experience that offers entertainment, convenience and a community for all Asian food lovers. In line with this commitment, the website is part of Discovery Networks Asia Pacific (DNAP)'s strategy to enhance its offerings for the large Indonesian-speaking audience in the country and the region, building on the success of its content on the popular asianfoodnetwork.com platform.

"Since the launch of asianfoodnetwork.com in November last year, the website has rallied a healthy fanbase of food lovers, with 10% of users from Indonesia. The Indonesian language website provides an opportunity to serve our Indonesian-speaking fans with hyper-localised content," said Rohit Tharani, Head of Products, Southeast Asia in DNAP.

"This move marks our commitment to make it even more accessible for the Indonesian community to get inspiration and recipes in their native language to create quick and delicious Asian-inspired home-cooked meals."

Many foodies have turned to the AFN website to look up their favourite local Indonesian recipes, including ayam penyet and Indonesian nasi goreng, AFN said. The new Bahasa Indonesia website will continue to provide a trove of tested recipes, cooking tips, stories on Asian food cultures and a growing set of features that will power the community's passion for food and cooking.

The site ensures ease in joining the AFN community, where it is simple for users to register an account, bookmark favourite content pieces, get nutritional information and participate in food conversations through comments.

The community can also look forward to engaging with well-loved ambassadors from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia's very own celebrity chef and food stylist Yuda Bustara, and exciting bite-sized content and partnerships with like-minded brands in the months to come.

For example, AFN created a content series with Foodpanda in Indonesia this year to highlight popular local and festive dishes for Ramadhan and share exciting promotions with the community, including on Facebook and Instagram, where AFN has a reach of close to 800,000 Indonesian fans.

The Asian Food Network (AFN) is an evolution of the formerly-known Asian Food Channel (AFC), built on a community of Asian food lovers. Based in Singapore, AFN's wide Asian distribution footprint will now cover 12 territories on both digital platforms and pay TV across Asia. The community can look forward to free and accessible content on asianfoodnetwork.com where they can engage in conversations around the latest food trends.

Bringing more than just good food to the table, AFN uncovers the world beyond kitchens all across Asia through topical and seasonal stories. The community can also expect conversations on the latest food trends, served fresh on digital platforms.

Discovery, a global provider of in real-life entertainment, delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year in 220 countries and territories and 50 languages.

Telkomsel launches Kolak Express 3 mobile game

Telkomsel's Dunia Games saw demand for mobile games surge by 27% during Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr this year. Telkomsel responded by releasing Kolak Express 3, a game that reflects the daily tradition of the Indonesian society during Ramadhan. The new game is part of #DiRumahTerusTerhibur and #DiRumahTerusMaju initiatives which were created to ensure customers can still be entertained at home amid of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kolak Express 3 is available for download on the Google Play Store. It is the fourth game published by Dunia Games, and reflects Telkomsel's commitment to be the leading mobile game publisher in Indonesia.

Source: Telkomsel, through Dunia Games, has released Kolak Express 3. It is now available for download from the Google Play Store.

Head of Digital Lifestyle, Telkomsel, Crispin P Tristram said, "Kolak Express 3 is a manifestation of Telkomsel's commitment as the leading digital telco company that keeps moving forward to enable customer-centric products and services, including in digital lifestyle segment. Following successful releases of action genre game, ShellFire in 2018, and role-playing genre game, Lord of Estera in 2019 and Rise of Nowlin this year, we are delighted to release an easy-to-play simulation game to provide another variety of game genre in our games collection. Soon, Kolak Express 3 will also available for overseas gamers."

Kolak Express 3 challenges its players to sell kolak - an Indonesian dessert traditionally made with palm or coconut sugar, coconut milk, and pandanus leaf or banana - and serve a variety of kolak as requested by customers over 100 levels. The simple concept of the game enables Kolak Express 3 to be played by all ages.

"Dunia Games is committed to always provide games with a variety of genres to meet every customer's need across segments. This is also in line with the spirit of Telkomsel's 25th year anniversary to always dedicate all resources to create positive impacts for society. Going forward, we will also collaborate with other talents within the mobile game industry to advance the e-sports and gaming ecosystem in Indonesia," Crispin said.

Dunia Games has organised more than 1,000 game events online and offline. It offers payment gateway services, and provides a games and e-sports media platform online and through the Dunia Games app which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and App Store.

Moka sees F&B down, but delivery services grow during Ramadhan

Source: Moka.

Moka, a digital point-of-sale (POS) startup in Indonesia, has compared Ramadhan 2020 sales data against Ramadhan 2019.

The company found that daily business revenues in the food and beverage (F&B) sector were down more than 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, with one out of every three F&B businesses in Indonesia suffering significant losses. However, revenue for delivery services were up by as much as 30%.

During Ramadhan in 2019, there had been up to a 67% rise in the number of food and beverage (F&B) outlets operating between 2 and 4 am. During these hours, consumers would tend to choose practical food for their suhoor (سحور, pre-dawn meal) and purchase up to five products during each transaction for group servings.

In the fashion retail industry, there had been up to a 50% revenue increase for Ramadhan 2019. The most popular items sold during Ramadhan would be tunics, hijabs and Islamic gowns (modesty clothing), which would see sales gradually decline after Ramadhan. Beauty services would instead enjoy higher revenues, by up to 54%, one month after Ramadhan. This shows that the public tends to seek beauty treatments once Ramadan concludes.

Although consumption patterns in Indonesia have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trends seen during Ramadhan 2019 cannot be entirely disregarded, said Moka. Moka Data Analyst Hutami Nadya said that one strategy that merits focus is online shopping.

To maximise shopping that makes use of delivery services, whether in the F&B as well as the service and retail industries, businesses can innovate by issuing special delivery menus that can be processed and cooked by the consumers themselves for suhoor and iftar (إفطار, breaking of the fast) with the family at home. This also applies in the retail and service industry, where businesses can introduce special packages for sale online.

"Businesses may take note of trends in society. For instance, for the purpose of cooking at home, F&B merchants are shifting to provide ready-to-cook food ingredients while providing the option of delivery services to support social distancing. Additionally, Ramadhan is the right moment to share with those who need more. We can start by adding the option of a menu to be donated to those in need. To record positive cashflow, merchants may also apply the pay-it-forward scheme for customers," she said.

Pay-it-forward is a prepayment scheme that allows customers to purchase product or service packages from a business that are delivered in the future. Businesses would usually offer price reductions in the form of coupons for customers. This scheme is expected to assist businesses to book positive cashflow for such purposes as rent, employee salaries, business capital installments, insurance, supplies of raw materials, repairs and other expenses.

Moka supports 40,000 merchants across 200 cities in Indonesia with an end-to-end solution that consists of POS, payments, loyalty, accounting, ingredient procurement, and business loans. The company's products include Moka Pay, Moka Fresh, Moka Capital, and Moka Connect to complement its POS services.

Regulatory checks and balances needed for Islamic financial instruments

The 14th Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) Summit 2019, touched on trends that will impact Islamic finance and what is now needed to support maturity.

In his opening address, the Secretary-General of the IFSB, Dr Bello Lawal Danbatta highlighted that the theme of the summit - Islamic Finance for Sustainable Development in the Era of Technological Innovation - points to the future of Islamic finance. He said that economic challenges, environmental awareness and technological innovations will change the traditional understanding of how the financial industry should operate. Sustainability is also a growing concern among investors, industry players and regulators.

Dr Danbatta further outlined that technological developments have led to the emergence of conceptual innovations and new tools for Islamic financial services but need a strong regulatory, supervisory and legal underpinning that can facilitate the mainstreaming of these instruments.

In a keynote speech, HE Dr Perry Warjiyo, Governor of Bank Indonesia and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the IFSB said: "It is heartening to note that Indonesia is hosting the IFSB Summit 2019." He appreciated the progress made so far by the organisation and is confident that ongoing reforms will advance the IFSB further.

He outlined five overarching strategies to develop Islamic finance in the era of the technological innovations:

- Supporting the digitalisation of Islamic banking;

- Interlinking Islamic banking with fintech;

- Encouraging startup innovations for Islamic finance development;

- Developing the infrastructure for payment systems and the Islamic money market;

- Strengthening cross-border collaboration and cooperation among IFSB members.

In her keynote, Dr Zeti Aziz the former Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, lauded the rapid technology-led innovations in the financial services industry. They have dramatically changed the way in which financial systems operate across the globe, she said. While the technological innovations may have been disruptive to the current structure of the financial services sector, they also offer potential for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the financial system.

Dr Zeti explained that with technological innovation the cost of transactions are significantly reduced, outreach is extended, economic participation increases, and greater financial inclusion is achieved. However, technological developments require regulations and standards that address potential risks such as the improper use of data, fraud, cybercrime, and money laundering.

She suggested that the IFSB can play an important role as a repository of policy responses to financial innovations as well as a facilitator for the coordination and harmonisation of such responses across borders.

A video keynote was delivered by the Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia. In his speech, he expressed his gratification at the positive development of the global Islamic finance industry and its positive impacts on the financial system in general and financial inclusion in particular. HE Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad also said that it is heartening to see how the IFSB has flourished and has become a highly respected international standards body for the Islamic financial industry.
 
Other speakers at the event, which ran from November 13 to 14, included HE Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia, HE Dr Ahmed Abdulkarim Alkholifey, Governor, Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) and HE Tahir bin Salim bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman.