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Indonesia

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion from Indonesia.

Capital

Jakarta

Head of State

President Prabowo Subianto

Head of Government

President Prabowo Subianto

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Pupils enjoy their breakfast in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia, on January 6 as
part of a free-meal scheme. Photo: Xinhua

Food and agriculture

Foodborne illness cases mar roll-out of Prabowo’s free-meal scheme in Indonesia

Despite the reported lapses in food safety, officials say Prabowo aims to accelerate the programme’s expansion.

6 hours ago

Volcanoes

Active volcano in Indonesia erupts 1,000 times in January, forcing evacuations

20 Jan 2025 - 8:36AM

Asean

Opinion | In joining Brics, Indonesia is showing itself to be strategic trailblazer

19 Jan 2025 - 10:57AMvideocam

China-India relations

Closer India-China ties: an unintended consequence of Trump’s tariffs threats?

A shared economic adversary could drive the two Asian giants to strengthen their Brics ties, but the way forward is far from clear.

19 Jan 2025 - 8:00AM

US President Donald Trump holds a tariff table as he speaks to the media in the White House in 2019. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Banking & finance

Indonesia may need US$6 billion more to expand free lunch programme

President Prabowo Subianto’s free lunch programme is a result of a campaign promise to improve health, education, and grow the economy.

18 Jan 2025 - 11:05PM

US-China trade war

In the shadow of US tariffs, Indonesia seeks a Chinese solar boom

With billions of dollars in Chinese pledges and regulatory reforms, Jakarta is betting big on solar – with a weather eye on US trade policy.

18 Jan 2025 - 5:30PM

Honor

Honor brings on Huawei veteran to lead firm as CEO George Zhao Ming resigns

Honor’s leadership shuffle could add some degree of uncertainty to the company’s preparations for an initial public offering.

17 Jan 2025 - 9:24PM

Honor’s long-standing chief executive, George Zhao Ming, has resigned from the smartphone maker owing to personal reasons. Photo: Visual China Group via Getty Images

Social media

Will Indonesia’s plan to restrict children’s access to social media succeed?

While many support the policy and say it should also limit screen time, others are concerned about implementation and data privacy.

17 Jan 2025 - 8:01PMvideocam

Will Indonesia keep feeding Prabowo’s free school meal scheme?

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto aims to improve the country’s human capital resources

17 Jan 2025 - 5:32PM

Insurance

Hong Kong life insurance bonanza driven by local buying; overseas buyers rise

New life insurance sales in the first nine months of 2024 stood at HK$169.6 billion (US$21.8 billion), the highest since the authority set up in 2016.

17 Jan 2025 - 9:29PM

Insurance sales agents approach mainland tourists in Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui on 20 February 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong economy

Nobel winner urges ‘amazing’ Hong Kong to keep hold of what made it a success

Professor James Robinson calls Hong Kong one of the ‘great economic success stories in world history’.

16 Jan 2025 - 11:26PMvideocam

James Robinson says he last visited Hong Kong 25 years ago. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Social media

Indonesia’s Hannibal Lecter finds redemption on social media

Once feared for his cannibalistic past, Sumanto now inspires followers on Instagram with motivational content, fitness routines, and ‘mukbang’ videos.

16 Jan 2025 - 6:44PM

China-Philippines relations

Opinion | Manila and Beijing can still choose cooperation over conflict

While violent clashes and bilateral disputes between Manila and Beijing have reached new heights, so can economic engagement.

16 Jan 2025 - 6:02AMvideocam

India

Is Prabowo facing pressure from India to skip Pakistan after New Delhi visit?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President Prabowo Subianto to be the chief guest on India’s Republic Day, Indian reports say.

15 Jan 2025 - 8:04PM

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto attends the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro last November. Photo: AFP

Asean

Youthful optimism: how Southeast Asian students view their economic futures

Students in six regional countries are hopeful for the future, but worry about corruption, inequality and unemployment, a new survey shows.

15 Jan 2025 - 12:35PMvideocam

Vietnamese students work in a classroom at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology in Vietnam. Photo: AFP

United States

Indonesian politician’s daughter slammed for LA fire aid, ignoring Gaza victims

Online users who have criticised Cinta Rahmania Putri say the fire victims’ suffering pales in comparison with that of the Palestinians.

14 Jan 2025 - 6:25PM

Malaysia

Should Indonesia be ‘very worried’ about Malaysia-Singapore SEZ?

Experts warn the new economic zone will be a ‘serious threat’ that could exacerbate Indonesia’s struggles to attract top-tier investments.

15 Jan 2025 - 4:45PM

United States

Indonesia mulls Russian oil deal post-Brics entry, but will the West push back?

Analysts say Jakarta needs to weigh the economic benefits of discounted Russian oil against the risk of backlash from Western allies.

14 Jan 2025 - 5:41PMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Prabowo Subianto, then Indonesia’s Defence Minister and president-elect, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on July 31, 2024. Photo: AP

Animals

Crocodile attack kills 5-year-old girl in Indonesia

The girl was last seen bathing in an abandoned tin-ore mining pond, rescuers say. Her body was found hours later.

13 Jan 2025 - 1:18PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong financial systems ‘to become more robust’ in second Trump term

Hong Kong Monetary Authority CEO makes pledge as he predicts markets this year will be rocked by intensifying geopolitical rifts.

12 Jan 2025 - 8:35PM

Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia’s participation in Brics matters

With Indonesia joining the grouping and Malaysia and Thailand as partner countries, Brics has acquired not just mineral-rich members but also key Asean voices.

12 Jan 2025 - 5:44PMvideocam

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18. Brazil, which holds the rotating Brics presidency in 2025, announced on January 6 that Indonesia had become a full member of the bloc. Photo: AFP/Brazilian presidency

South China Sea

Chinese and Indonesian coastguards pledge deeper cooperation

The two sides pledged support for joint maritime security efforts amid Beijing’s ongoing drive for closer ties with the Southeast Asian giant.

11 Jan 2025 - 10:03PMvideocam

Coastguards from the two sides discussed a range of topics. Photo: Weibo/ 中国海警

Japan

Japan, Indonesia plan a joint warship amid China tensions at sea

The project signals Tokyo’s desire for wider security ties in the region and Jakarta’s aim for more joint weapon developments, analysts say.

11 Jan 2025 - 10:24AM

Malaysia

Tariffs, turmoil and Trump: untangling Malaysia’s Asean chair to-do list

Can Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomatic finesse help Malaysia steer Asean through the storm of rising trade tensions and regional crises?

11 Jan 2025 - 8:00AM

Asia elections

Indonesia court ruling shakes up presidential race rules: ‘victory for democracy’

The ruling removes the 20 per cent seat and 25 per cent vote threshold, paving the way for more diverse candidates and a more competitive political landscape.

10 Jan 2025 - 3:34PM

A woman casts her ballot for Indonesia’s presidential and legislative elections at a polling station in Banda Aceh on February 14, 2024. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

Indonesia to keep pushing for South China Sea code, expand defence ties

Foreign minister Sugiono outlined Jakarta’s diplomatic agenda that included peaceful conflict resolution and continued support for Gaza.

10 Jan 2025 - 3:02PMvideocam

A Chinese coastguard ship sails in Indonesia’s North Natuna Sea last year. Photo: EPA-EFE/Bakamla

Malaysia

Malaysia and Japan to develop green energy projects, Ishiba eyes defence ties

Among their agreements, both countries will jointly develop hydrogen energy and partner in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza.

10 Jan 2025 - 2:16PM

Religion

Indonesian court’s ruling on citizens’ religion sparks discrimination fears

Rights activists say the court’s decision could reduce religion to a bureaucratic formality and ‘thicken religious polarisation’.

9 Jan 2025 - 6:42PM

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