Politics: News & Insights

A freight train bound for Tehran is pictured in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in May.

Belt and Road

Turkey crisis rattles Asian nations with rising Belt and Road debts

Costly Chinese projects could leave emerging economies with a hangover

19 August 2018

Indonesian President Joko Widodo deliver a speech at the parliament in Jakarta on Aug. 16.

Economy

Indonesia's Widodo unveils populist 2019 budget ahead of election

Dole-out measures favored over infrastructure spendings

16 August 2018

The Indonesian rupiah has fallen as much as 7% against the U.S. dollar this year.

Economy

Turkey crisis heaps pressure on Asian central banks to raise rates

Indonesia becomes latest nation to tighten policy after major sell-offs

15 August 2018

Indonesia's presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, left, will likely focus on foreign business as an election issue as he runs against President Joko Widodo (Source photos by AP)

Opinion

Economic nationalism eclipses Islam as key Indonesian election issue

Surprise running mate choices change presidential campaign outlook

14 August 2018

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is trying to suppress some imports in order to keep foreign currency reserves in the country.

Economy

Indonesia's Widodo defends falling currency in unconventional ways

Jakarta plans measures to curb imports of fuel and construction materials

11 August 2018

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and Ma'ruf Amin. The president tapped Ma’ruf as his running mate in the upcoming election to shore up his pro-Islamic credentials. (Photo by Shotaro Tani)

Politics

Jokowi will be judged on signature economic policies

Indonesian president formally registers to run in April 2019 general election

10 August 2018

Indonesia

Indonesian President Widodo announces run for re-election

Opposition leader Prabowo Subianto also declares, setting stage for April contest

10 August 2018

Soldiers and rescue workers continue their search for victims at the collapsed Jamiul Jamaah mosque in Pemenang, Indonesia, on Aug. 8, three days after the maginitude 6.9 earthquake struck.

Economy

Lombok earthquake evacuees exceed 270,000

Indonesia braces for economic impact

9 August 2018

The 2017 LGBT Pride Parade in Taipei: Taiwan's top court last year became the first in Asia to rule in favor of same-sex marriage, but the fight is not over.

Asia Insight

LGBT progress in Asia met with conservative pushback

From Singapore to India, companies risk being caught in 'culture war' crossfire

7 August 2018

Indonesia's second quarter GDP received a lift from Islamic holiday spending.

Economy

Indonesia posts strong GDP figures despite monetary tightening

Growth expected to slowdown as fiscal restraint and rate hike weigh on economy

6 August 2018

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the Indo-Pacific Business Forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington on July 30. (Getty Images)

International relations

US answers Belt and Road with own Indo-Pacific investment plan

Pompeo to visit Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia this week

31 July 2018

The governor of Indonesia's Aceh Province, Irwandi Yusuf, was arrested on suspicion of graft on July 4.

Politics

Graft resists Widodo's purge in Indonesia localities

More officials arrested in 2018 than in any other year

28 July 2018

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic outreach extends not only to the U.S. and China but also to Southeast Asia. (Getty Images)

Asia Insight

India's new 'Modi doctrine' straddles the US-China divide

PM abruptly changes diplomatic tack to shape the Indo-Pacific order

10 July 2018

A port in China's Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. Concerns are rising over a full-out trade war.

Economy

Concerns deepen over trade war impact on ASEAN, survey says

JCER report predicts weaker currencies and higher interest rates

10 July 2018

The Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta is especially vulnerable to financial market turbulence, S&P says. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)

Trade war

Trade war puts Indonesia and India at risk, S&P economist warns

Emerging market frontier countries especially vulnerable to financial turmoil

10 July 2018

The administration of Indonesian President Joko Widodo has launched the Online Single Submission system, enabling business permits to be issued in less than an hour.

Economy

Indonesia starts online business registration with one-hour permit

Deregulation move aimed at spurring investment and improving enterprise environment

9 July 2018

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, will likely face a rematch against Prabowo Subianto, center, in the 2019 election. But former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono may also play a key role.

Politics

Indonesian presidential race: The more the merrier for Widodo

Old rival Subianto wants united opposition, but other parties are seeking their own candidates

7 July 2018

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, visited Indonesian President Joko Widodo after elections in both nations highlighted democracy's strengths in Southeast Asia.

Opinion

Rights or repression -- Southeast Asia's choice

Indonesia shows democracy can advance but needs public backing and enlightened leaders

3 July 2018

Bags of rice are unloaded at a port in Jakarta. Though a consensus has been reached on just two of the RCEP's 18 sections, many ASEAN members prioritize reaching any deal for the trade pact.

International relations

RCEP trade pact members seek year-end deal despite differences

16 Asia-Pacific countries hope for agreement to combat US protectionism

2 July 2018

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, gestures while talking about a test drive during a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Bogor, West Java, on June 29.

Malaysia in transition

Mahathir recruits Widodo to fight EU's palm oil plan

Southeast Asian leaders also discuss prospects of producing a regional car

29 June 2018

Indonesian President Joko Widodo will be looking for ways to regain support ahead of next year's presidential election.

Opinion

Regional election a setback for Widodo as presidential poll looms

Indonesian leader may need Islamic-party running mate to boost support next year

29 June 2018

Regional elections hint at a tough fight for Joko Widodo in next year's presidential elections.

Politics

Indonesia local elections sound warning for Widodo

President under pressure to apply more populist policies

27 June 2018

Officials prepare for voting in local elections at a polling station in Badung, Bali, Indonesia on June 27.

Politics

Ruling coalition candidates win key Central and West Java: exit poll

But surveys show opposition candidates fared better than expected

27 June 2018

Bali residents vote in local elections in Badung Regency on June 27. Regions participating in the polls are home to 152 million registered voters.

Politics

Indonesians cast local ballots in prelude to general election

Results expected to influence Widodo's re-election bid next spring

27 June 2018

Politics

Five things to know about Indonesia's regional elections

Outcomes will hint at Widodo's re-election chance, Islamists' sway

26 June 2018