Indonesia

SwipeRx CEO Farouk Meralli sees huge promise in Indonesia. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Health Care

SwipeRx aims to double Indonesian pharmacy sign-ups

Singapore-based startup's CEO expects first profit in 2023

5 August 2022
Chinese-language media in Indonesia face business and demographic challenges. (Source photos courtesy of Mandarin Station and newspaper website screenshots)
Media & Entertainment

Indonesia's Chinese-language media face business challenges

Companies need to draw in younger audience, more advertising to thrive

2 August 2022
Bukalapak says its Mitra Bukalapak business, which helps digitalize the country's ubiquitous small retailers, has been thriving. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Startups

Bukalapak makes $577m profit in first half, swinging from loss

Demand for digitalization of Indonesia's small retail shops boosts revenue

1 August 2022
Indika Energy President Arsjad Rasjid says making the Alva electric motorbike brand affordable is essential for attracting consumers. (Source photo by screenshot from ALVA auto's YouTube page) 
Automobiles

Indonesia's Indika Energy readies 'affordable' e-motorbike venture

President of coal miner also in talks with Foxconn for electric buses, trucks

1 August 2022
Members of the Shariah police listen to a commander's instructions before going on patrol in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh Province, the only part of Indonesia with the authority to enact widespread Islamic law. Following West Sumatra's new law, Islamic rules and regulations might be enforced in more regions across the country.
Society

Indonesia's pluralism in question as Islamic law influence grows

Latest Shariah enforcement in West Sumatra stirs concern over freedom of religion

31 July 2022
More than 10 countries will take part in Garuda Shield, the annual military exercise between the U.S. and Indonesia that starts on Aug. 1 this year.
Indo-Pacific

U.S. and Indonesia set to begin Garuda Shield military exercise

Increasing interoperability with Japan and others is 'vital,' American commander says

31 July 2022
Bank Raya CEO Kaspar Situmorang sees opportunity in providing accounts and loans to Indonesia's growing army of gig workers. (Photo courtesy of Bank Raya)
Interview

Indonesia's Bank Raya aims to offer accounts to 10% of gig workers

CEO eyes Southeast Asian country's millions seeking to save and obtain loans

29 July 2022
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, left, received vows of support from the leaders of South Korea, China and Japan on his recent swing through East Asia. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
International relations

The economic diplomacy of Jokowi's East Asia trip: 5 takeaways

Infrastructure investment, business ties highlight region's importance for Indonesia

29 July 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol told media after their meeting that they would work closely together in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. 
International relations

North Korea tops Jokowi-Yoon agenda as leaders form closer ties

Indonesian leader asks South Korea for help in developing new capital

28 July 2022
Insignia Ventures joins a growing list of VC specialists targeting investment in Southeast Asia. (Source photos by AP and screenshot from Insignia Ventures Partners' website) 
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's Insignia Ventures Partners readies third venture fund

Firm could raise $250m, will target tech investments in Southeast Asia

28 July 2022
Chinese technology giant Alibaba is increasingly turning to Indonesia.
DealStreetAsia

Alibaba to invest over $100m in Indonesia-listed Smartfren Telecom

Chinese tech major facing intense regulatory scrutiny at home

28 July 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo in Beijing this week, ending the capital's diplomatic lockdown. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/Getty Images)
China up close

Analysis: Xi opens Beijing's heavy gates to receive Jokowi

President sees window for diplomatic offensive in November at G-20

28 July 2022
Malaysia's liquefied natural gas exports more than doubled by value in June.
Trade

Malaysia, Indonesia exports surge as energy and food prices soar

China slowdown and U.S. rate hikes loom over robust ASEAN trade

28 July 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo speak to the media before their meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 27. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi calls for Japan investment in EVs, new capital

President discusses strategic projects with Kishida, eying acceleration of infrastructure buildup

27 July 2022
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing on July 26. (Handout photo from Laily Rachev/Indonesia's Presidential Palace)
International relations

Jokowi invites Xi to G-20, but China's president noncommittal

Indonesia and China discuss deepening infrastructure and trade ties

26 July 2022
The Philippines new president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will give his first State of the Nation address on July 25 and is expected to lay out his plans to speed the country's recovery from the pandemic. 
24 July 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin; President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo of Indonesia, this year's Group of 20 president; and U.S. President Joe Biden. Divisions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine could doom a joint communique at the G-20 summit in November, observers say. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
International relations

Ukraine war casts long shadow over G-20's economic cooperation

Meeting host Indonesia tries to paper over dysfunction by issuing chair's summary

24 July 2022
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers including Wuling Motors see opportunity in Indonesia. (Source photos by Nana Shibata) 
Automobiles

China EV makers support Indonesia's green goals at auto show

Japanese manufacturers, in contrast, largely give Jakarta event a pass

22 July 2022
A healthcare worker takes a swab sample to test for COVID-19 in Jakarta in December 2021: Viruses know no borders.
Opinion

G-20 must invest in collective health to ready for next pandemic

Members should contribute more to fund prevention, preparedness and response

22 July 2022
Works by Cinema Caravan and Takashi Kuribayashi are grouped around an open-air cinema with a bar and a functioning herbal steam sauna in the shape of the quake-hit nuclear reactor in Fukushima, Japan. (Photo by Nathalie Johnston)
Arts

Indonesian collective breaks fresh ground in Europe

Ruangrupa is first Asian artistic director of Germany's Documenta Fifteen event

20 July 2022
Abednedju Giovano Warani Sangkaeng, president of Indonesian steelmaker Gunung Raja Paksi, is optimistic about about demand in Indonesia even as it declines globally. (Photos by Nana Shibata)
Interview

Indonesian steelmaker senses opportunity in capital relocation

Gunung Raja Paksi president also sees chance in declining Chinese production

19 July 2022
Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati delivers a speech during the G-20 Finance Ministers' Meeting in Bali on July 15.
International relations

G-20 finance chiefs fail to reach consensus on global inflation

Indonesia gives up on wringing out joint communique from premier economic bloc

16 July 2022
Russia's Anton Siluanov, left, the U.S.'s Janet Yellen, Indonesia's Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Japan's Shunichi Suzuki and others have a wide divide to bridge if the G-20 is to help solve the world's food shortages and price increases. (Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

G-20 finance chiefs meet in Bali as Ukraine war tests unity

U.S.'s Yellen scolds Russian peers for 'their continued support of Putin regime'

15 July 2022
Bottles of bulk cooking oil provided by the State Logistics Agency at a distribution point in Jakarta on May 20: The prices of basic commodities have been rising since last year. 
Opinion

Rising food and energy prices threaten Indonesia's political stability

Rest of the world will not be immune from inflation surge

14 July 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Kyiv last month shortly before a trip to Moscow.
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi set to visit Japan this month

China and South Korea trips also in the works as Ukraine conflict hangs over G-20

14 July 2022