Indonesia

A worker handles palm oil fruits at a palm oil plantation. Palm oil prices skyrocketed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 
Commodities

Indonesia slaps ban on palm oil exports

Jokowi announces restriction after recent arrests and amid continuing high prices

22 April 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo opens a parade of MotoGP racers in Jakarta on March 16. He aims to move some administrative functions to the new capital, Nusantara, by 2024.
Politics

Jokowi rushes to win over public to see through capital move

Speculation of unpopular term extension weighs on poll numbers

21 April 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center with arms crossed, wants his country to "build a strong and modern defense industry." (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Indonesia launches new state holding entity for defense sector

Defend ID signs joint development agreements with French and Turkish companies

20 April 2022
Can the world's third-largest democracy buy discounted oil from Russia, maintain its foreign policy independence and come down on the right side of history?
Asia Insight

Indonesia in spotlight as it weighs buying Russia's 'blood oil'

Ukraine war and skyrocketing fuel prices strip away Jokowi's rare opportunity

19 April 2022
A nickel processing plant in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The Southeast Asian nation is determined to become a big battery and electric vehicle exporter.
Supply Chain

LG aims to forge EV battery supply chain in nickel-rich Indonesia

Posco, Chinese miner Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Indonesian companies team up

19 April 2022
The Majelis Ulama Indonesia will open an office in Tokyo to help Japanese companies obtain halal certification for their products sold in Indonesia. (Source photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Food & Beverage

Indonesia's halal certification body opens office in Japan

Tokyo-based auditors to speed approvals for food, cosmetics, other goods

16 April 2022
Two Chinese share brokerages are tapping Singapore for talent as they target growth in Southeast Asia. (Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Interview

Chinese brokers race for Singapore talent to drive ASEAN growth

Tiger Brokers, Futu Securities eye Thailand, Malaysia amid Beijing's tech crackdown

15 April 2022
Jakarta in the dusk on March 15: Indonesians do not see a bipolar world order balanced between the U.S. and China but a multipolar world.
Opinion

U.S.-China competition is not a zero-sum equation

Lowy Institute survey suggests Indonesians remain wary of Washington and Beijing

15 April 2022
Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund is investing in two ambitious toll roads on the islands of Java and Sumatra. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)
Finance

Indonesia wealth fund agrees to invest $2.7bn in toll roads

Landmark agreements to pump fresh capital into debt-ridden state builders

14 April 2022
Speaker of the House Puan Maharani shows satisfaction after Indonesia's parliament passed a bill to tackle sexual violence, in Jakarta, on April 12.
Politics

New law in Indonesia offers hope in 'sexual violence emergency'

Omitted clauses on rape, abortion stir concern over protections for victims

14 April 2022
Stream article image
#techAsia

GoTo lists and China presses start on video games

The inside story on the Asia tech trends that matter, from Nikkei Asia and the Financial Times

14 April 2022
GoTo's debut on the Indonesia Stock Exchange has stoked pride in the Southeast Asian country. (Photo courtesy of GoTo)
Startups

Indonesia's GoTo faces critical challenges after landmark IPO

Enhancing competitiveness, turning profits among keys to expanding investor base

14 April 2022
Lion seeks to tap demand from working women in Indonesia. (Source photo by AFP/Jiji) 
Consumer

Kao, Lion and other Japan companies reboot ASEAN strategies

COVID hurt business but helped consumers gain awareness of good hygiene

14 April 2022
Officials prepare flags before the G-20 summit in Rome in October 2021: Western powers are much less able to get their way.
Opinion

Indonesia's Russia dilemma raises doubts about G-20's future

Group's divisions are a symptom of dysfunctional multilateralism

13 April 2022
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks to leverage Japan's unique position as the only Asian member of the Group of Seven industrial nations. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
International relations

Kishida eyes Southeast Asia tour to drum up Russia sanctions support

Indonesia, Thailand possible stops to bridge divide with West on war response

13 April 2022
GoTo executives react after the Indonesian superapp began trading on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on April 11. (Photo courtesy of GoTo)
IPO

Indonesia's GoTo shares close up 13% in stock market debut

Superapp follows regional rivals in listing even as investor appetite has waned

11 April 2022
Muslims break their fast during Ramadan at a bazaar in Kuala Lumpur in May 2021. Malaysia has topped every Global Islamic Economy Indicator ranking.
Economy

Malaysia ranks as top Islamic economy for 9th straight year

Global Muslim spending projected to hit $2.8tn in 2025: report

9 April 2022
Freeport Indonesia is the local unit of U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan. (Photo courtesy of Freeport Indonesia)
Commodities

Freeport Indonesia offers $3bn bond to finance smelter projects

Miner's announcement comes as copper price trades near all-time high

8 April 2022
Rattan is an abundant natural forest resource in Indonesia that Nio is using to replace interior plastics on its newest electric vehicle. (Source photos courtesy of Out for Space)
Transportation

Indonesia's humble rattan moves on from furniture to electric cars

German company devises way to use tropical climbing plant in vehicle interiors

4 April 2022
People shop for cooking oil made from palm oil at a supermarket in Jakarta.
Economy

Indonesia's inflation hits 2-year high in March ahead of Ramadan

Country braces for more price increases from holy month, global energy hikes

1 April 2022
Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2024. (Source photos by AFP/Jiji, Reuters and EPA/Jiji) 
Interview

Nusantara won't replace Jakarta as Indonesia's 'center': governor

With nation set to move capital, Baswedan silent on run for reelection or presidency

31 March 2022
GoTo aims to raise about $1.1 billion in its initial public offering on the local stock exchange on April 11. (Photo courtesy of GoTo)
IPO

Indonesia's GoTo set for $1.1bn IPO on April 11

CEO says listing amid market downturn a 'testament' to its long-term potential

31 March 2022
Anderson Tanoto, left, managing director of Royal Golden Eagle, of which APRIL is a group company, and Airlangga Hartarto, right, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for the economy, visit a plantation in Riau Province on March 29 near the construction site for a new paperboard facility. (Photo courtesy of APRIL)
Commodities

Indonesia's APRIL starts work on $2.3bn paperboard facility

Pulp and paper giant shoots for 'sustainability' amid environmental scrutiny

30 March 2022
A supermarket in Singapore. Rising food and energy prices are expected to weigh heavily on Southeast Asian households.
Economy

Faster Southeast Asian inflation puts rate hike outlook in focus

Central banks feel pressure to contain surging prices

30 March 2022
Ｗarungs like this account for 60% to 70% of the retail market in Indonesia. (Photo by Koya Jibiki)
Retail

Indonesia's small shops attract big interests amid digital wave

Mitsui & Co. and others push DX in country's largest retail segment

27 March 2022