Commentators speculate that the replacement of Arsjad Rasjid, right, by Anindya Bakrie, left, as KADIN's head is linked to maneuvering by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Source photos by AFP/Jiji and Reuters) 
Economy

Indonesian business community stunned by chamber of commerce takeover

KADIN leadership change resembles political party maneuvers

18 September 2024
Outbound Chinese foreign direct investment has rebounded but remains far below prepandemic highs.
Business trends

Chinese deal activity shifts toward emerging markets and into greenfields

New database shows Chinese outbound investment behavior has changed postpandemic

16 September 2024
Japanese automakers, like Toyota Motor, have been expanding their hybrid lineup in Indonesia. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri)
Automobiles

Indonesia hybrid car incentives grind to halt amid political shakeup

Economic minister who backed measure gives up reins to major party

12 September 2024
The drills simulated the recapture of a remote island. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri)
Defense

U.S. and Indonesia wrap up multinational Indo-Pacific drills

Japan takes part in island recapture as part of Super Garuda Shield exercise

7 September 2024
Pope Francis, left, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo meet with Indonesian officials, civil society representatives and diplomats at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Sept. 4.
Society

Pope, Jokowi call for peace efforts in 'historic' Indonesia visit

Pontiff's Asia tour includes stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Singapore

4 September 2024
Alice Guo appears at a Philippine Senate hearing on May 22. (Philippine Senate)
Politics

Fugitive Philippine ex-mayor arrested in Indonesia

Alice Guo accused of links to Chinese crime syndicates

4 September 2024
Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at the Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali on Sept. 2. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's foreign ministry)
International relations

Indonesia vows to 'defend interests of Global South' at Africa forum

Jokowi aims for $3.5bn in business deals at 3-day gathering in Bali

2 September 2024
Pope Francis meets a child during a ceremony at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar at the end of his visit to Mongolia, Sept. 4 2023.
Your Week in Asia

Pope in Asia, China-Africa forum, Japan-Australia 2+2

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

1 September 2024
Prabowo Subianto walks with Joko Widodo as they leave the parliament building after the annual State of the Nation Address in Jakarta on Aug. 16.
Opinion

Revival of Indonesia's advisory council is a threat to democratic integrity

Prabowo's push to revive the DPA could undermine checks and balances

27 August 2024
More countries are participating in the annual Super Garuda Shield joint drills in Indonesia that got underway on Aug. 26. This photo is from last year's exercises. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
Defense

Indonesia, U.S. host joint drills with first cybersecurity agenda

More countries participate in this year's Super Garuda Shield exercise

26 August 2024
Students take part in a trial free lunch program at an elementary school in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Aug. 5.
Startups

Indonesia hopes startups play big role in free school lunch plan

Gojek drivers participate in trial, agritech company keen to procure ingredients

26 August 2024
A demonstrator holds up a placard during a protest pressuring the country's election commission to issue rules for regional votes that follow the Constitutional Court's ruling, outside the Election Commission headquarters in Jakarta on Aug. 23.
Politics

Indonesia election body gets nod for new rules as protesters demand

Demonstrations last week halt Jokowi allies' attempt to change eligibility requirements

25 August 2024
Former baseball player Shogo Shibata, third from right, hopes to increase fans of the sport in Southeast Asia through the Asia Koshien 2024 baseball tournament. (Photo by Junichiro Sato)
Sports

Indonesia's 'field of dreams': Youth tournament to pitch baseball to nation

Former Japan pro player spearheads project to spread sport in Southeast Asia

24 August 2024
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto, left, with President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo at the parliament building. All but one party with seats in the House of Representatives has joined Prabowo's coalition.
Politics

Prabowo extends grip on Indonesian parliament as parties join his coalition

Enlarged group moves to defy Constitutional Court over election rules

22 August 2024
Officials from the Asia Zero Emission Community. The ministers mapped out how member countries will collaborate on decarbonization efforts, in Jakarta on Aug. 21. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Climate Change

Japan, Indonesia, others agree to build sustainable fuel supply chain

Coconut oil-based aviation fuel among 400 projects pitched in Jakarta meeting

21 August 2024
Toyota Tsusho is planning to supply biofuels and green hydrogen to Patimban Port in Indonesia. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Energy

Japan's Toyota Tsusho to develop and supply biofuels in Indonesia

Trader will work with state-run Pertamina to support decarbonization efforts

21 August 2024
Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto greets Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of a meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, on Aug. 20. (AAP Image via Reuters)
Defense

Australia and Indonesia seal treaty-level defense pact

Agreement allows militaries to operate from each other's countries

20 August 2024
The Indonesia Press Council has criticized the revised broadcasting bill, arguing that it conflicts with the principles established by existing legislation and threatens to degrade journalism.
Opinion

Indonesia must prevent return to New Order era mouthpiece media

Broadcasting law revision needs to ensure journalism promotes democracy

19 August 2024
Indonesian President-elect and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, left, talks with President Joko Widodo during the country's 79th Independence Day celebration at the Presidential Palace in the new capital city of Nusantara, on Aug. 17.
Politics

Jokowi picks Prabowo aides for key posts in cabinet reshuffle

Indonesia's former ambassador to U.S. becomes investment minister

19 August 2024
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo attends the country's official Independence Day ceremony on Aug. 17 in Nusantara, the future capital. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Politics

Indonesia holds first Independence Day event in new capital

1,400 guests attend scaled-back event in Nusantara

17 August 2024
Outgoing Indonesian President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo speaking to parliament on Friday, a day before the nation's Independence Day celebrations.
Economy

Indonesia forecasts smaller budget deficit of 2.53% of GDP in 2025

Contraction despite 9% rise in expenditure to fund Prabowo's policies

17 August 2024
Workers construct a pedestrian walkway near the State Palace and the eagle-shaped Garuda Palace in Indonesia's new capital Nusantara on Borneo.
Business trends

Indonesia's new capital Nusantara attracts increased investor interest

Prabowo asserts support for project amid private sector doubts

14 August 2024
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (center, in white shirt) leads a plenary cabinet meeting at the Garuda Palace in Nusantara on Aug. 12. The president is in a hurry to move capital functions out of Jakarta before he leaves office in October.
12 August 2024
Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries pose for a photo in Vientiane on July 25. ASEAN now faces significant centrifugal forces amid the reshaping of global orders. 
Comment

OECD or BRICS? Key members' differences might weaken ASEAN unity

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand all pursue different 'diversification' strategies

12 August 2024