Economy

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26 September 2019
Asian arms importers are leveraging their contracts to soak up technology and build up their own defense industries. (© Nikkei photo illustration)
Asia Insight

India-Russia pact marks turning point in Asian arms race

South and Southeast Asia use buying power to win tech transfers

24 September 2019
Bank Indonesia's headquarters in Jakarta: The central bank has veered from aggressive tightening to a streak of three rate cuts.
Economy

Bank Indonesia carries out third rate cut in three months

Benchmark lowered 25 basis points to 5.25% to stimulate flagging growth

19 September 2019
 The Jakarta offices of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Indonesia's anti-graft agency.
Politics

Indonesia law change sparks fears Jokowi is going soft on corruption

Activists say the revision will weaken the powers of nation's anti-graft body

18 September 2019
Firefighters try to extinguish forest fires in Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia, on Saturday.
Environment

Indonesian forest fires disrupt hundreds of flights

Spreading blazes have sparked a blame game with Malaysia

16 September 2019
Residents search among destroyed houses during 2018 floods in Jakarta. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Economy

Jakarta and Bangkok keep sinking as infrastructure projects stall

Key emerging economies need anti-flooding measures or face being inundated

14 September 2019
The government owns 17,834 facilities and sites in the greater Jakarta area, worth a combined $78 billion. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Economy

Indonesia weighs lease of Jakarta properties to fund capital move

Potential schemes include a barter program and a build-operate-transfer plan

12 September 2019
Papuan students shout slogans during a rally in Jakarta on Aug. 28: dialogue is the peaceful way to resolve conflict in Papua.
Opinion

Papua riots reflect deep dissatisfaction with Indonesian rule

Jokowi needs to address economic, political and social grievances

3 September 2019
A regular traffic jam in Jakarta's business district.
Politics

Indonesians split on Jokowi's plan to move capital to Borneo

Jakartans and bureaucrats against move, with people on Kalimantan in favor

2 September 2019
From left, Naypyidaw, Putrajaya and Astana (source photo from Reuters)
Politics

A short history of relocating capitals in Asia

Indonesia's move has precedents in places such as Myanmar and Malaysia

30 August 2019
Thailand's successive governments have focused on improving health infrastructures.
Opinion

World must work together to bring universal health coverage by 2030

Countries need to match good will with money, strategy and follow-through

28 August 2019
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has put into motion a plan to move the nation's capital from Jakarta in Java island to East Kalimantan and spread the concentration of economic prosperity.
Politics

Five things to know about Indonesia's $33bn capital relocation plan

President Widodo reveals plans to move nation's capital to East Kalimantan

27 August 2019
Singapore plans to keep water at bay by building giant seawalls.
Opinion

Asia's megacities must learn from Indonesia's capital move

Few others can afford Singapore's pricey climate crisis plan

27 August 2019
Bukit Soeharto, a forested area between the districts of Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara, in East Kalimantan Province, is to be the center of Indonesia's new capital. (Photo by Jun Suzuki)
Politics

Jokowi announces Indonesia's new capital in East Kalimantan

Government cites economic benefits, while critics fret over rising debt and corruption

26 August 2019
The G-7 seemed out of its depth on Trump's trade war.
Opinion

US-Japan trade deal is bright spot at chaotic G-7 summit

World seems no closer to avoiding ugly economic shocks in 2020

26 August 2019
A police officer raises his rifle as the local market is seen burning during a protest in Fakfak, Papua province, Indonesia, on Wednesday.
Politics

Papua violence shows Indonesia's fragile grip on eastern provinces

Revival of independence calls come despite Jokowi push to develop region

23 August 2019
Indonesian President Joko Widodo plans to move the nation's capital to East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, at a cost of around $32.7 billion. 
Politics

Jokowi likely to place Indonesia's new capital in eastern Borneo

Move is part of an effort to address economic inequality across the country

23 August 2019
A Reuters poll showed that 17 of 19 economists expected the bank to keep its key rate on hold.
Economy

Bank Indonesia surprises with second rate cut in two months

Central bank lowers its benchmark by 25 basis points to 5.5%

22 August 2019
People hope that their children's lives will be far better than theirs.
Opinion

Growing Asian economies breed high expectations among citizens

Governments must handle slowdown carefully to avoid rise of populism

22 August 2019
President Joko Widodo, delivering his 2017 state budget, now faces greater challenges to turn Indonesia into a top-seven economy
Opinion

Indonesia's plan for G-7 status is not bold enough

President Joko Widodo needs to invest in education as well as bridges

22 August 2019
"This is about world trade, and we have to look into trading practices first," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in an interview. "If it breaches any international law, of course, we will go to the international court." (FIle photo from June 2018 by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Interview

Exclusive: Mahathir weighs taking EU to court over palm oil ban

Malaysian leader and Indonesia's Widodo 'disappointed' over negative sentiment

19 August 2019
Singapore downgraded its full-year growth forecast to a range of 0% to 1% from the previous 1.5% to 2.5%.
Economy

Southeast Asia set for more headwinds after lackluster 2Q growth

More stimulus expected as trade war bites export-reliant economies

19 August 2019
A freight train departs from Henggang in China on its way to Vietnam. In one survey, a leading 66% identified Vietnam as a place with BRI opportunities.
Belt and Road

Vietnam and Indonesia stand out as Belt and Road bets, reports show

Southeast Asia draws flurry of investment but concerns over China linger

18 August 2019
Indonesia President Joko Widodo delivers a speech in parliament in Jakarta on Friday.
Politics

Jokowi formally proposes moving Indonesia's capital to Borneo

Government says move from Jakarta to Kalimantan may take just five years

16 August 2019
Administrative staff process the data of people enrolled in the universal healthcare insurance program in Jakarta.
Economy

Indonesia struggles to pay for huge universal health care program

Government annoys public with planned hike in premiums to reduce deficit

14 August 2019