Politics

Term-limited Joko Widodo cannot run in Indenesia's upcoming presidential election but is nonetheless making his presence felt.
Indonesia election

Who will succeed Jokowi? Indonesia to open candidate registration

Presidential hopefuls' choice of running mates draws attention; tight race expected

18 October 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in the upcoming presidential election. 
Politics

Indonesia court removes barrier for Jokowi son's VP candidacy

Age limit relaxed, 36-year-old Gibran Rakabuming can run in February vote

16 October 2023
A woman sells clothing live on a social media platform inside her stall at a mall in Jakarta.
Politics

Indonesia's ban on social media e-commerce worries sellers

TikTok to halt transactions, potentially benefiting rivals Shopee, Tokopedia

4 October 2023
Trains on Indonesia's first high-speed railway have eight cars and a capacity of 601 passengers.
Transportation

Indonesia's first high-speed rail opens: 5 things to know

China-backed WHOOSH train brings economic benefits, but some are skeptical

3 October 2023
State-owned companies are building the basic infrastructure for Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital, including for the Core Government Area, above, where the presidential palace will be. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
Property

Indonesian consortium launches $1.3bn project at new capital site

Local conglomerates join first Nusantara development by private sector

21 September 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo inspects a Hyundai Motor electric vehicle at a plant in West Java. His dream of building a domestic electric vehicle industry is running into natural resource and political obstacles.
Supply Chain

Indonesia EV battery dream hits lithium, U.S. inflation act walls

EU Green Deal adds another challenge to nickel-rich but coal-reliant country

21 September 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrive for the first session of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 9.
Comment

U.S.-Indonesia ties are frosty, but who's giving the cold shoulder?

China trade, anti-U.S. sentiment complicate Widodo's diplomatic strategy

21 September 2023
Indonesian troops in front of a domestic warship taking part in the ASEAN military drills in Batam (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
South China Sea

ASEAN troops launch maritime drills amid South China Sea tension

First-ever joint military exercises underscore bloc's unity over disputed waters

19 September 2023
Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano (seated left) and Pakuwon Jati President Commissioner Alexander Tedja (seated right) sign an agreement on Sept. 13 for three hotels to be built in Indonesia’s new capital city of Nusantara. (Photo courtesy of Nusantara Capital Authority)
Travel & Leisure

Marriott to open three hotels in Indonesia's Nusantara

Announcement is welcome news as government plans to begin move next year

15 September 2023
Construction is progressing on Indonesia's new capital of Nusantara, with some government functions slated to begin moving next year to the site on Borneo. (Photo by Nana Shibata) 
Business trends

Indonesian companies show fresh interest in new capital project

But foreign investors still mostly taking wait-and-see approach on Nusantara

14 September 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden at an event during the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20.
G20 Summit

Biden to host Indonesia's Jokowi in November: White House

Two leaders hold talks on sidelines of G20 summit

10 September 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo shakes hands with Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during the handover of ASEAN's presidency at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta. 
International relations

ASEAN makes deals but no progress on South China Sea, Myanmar

Indonesia chair focuses on economy, investment over geopolitical issues

7 September 2023
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Sept. 7: Guterres came to ASEAN with a plea to show leadership in the fight against climate change. (Pool photo)
Climate Change

U.N. chief calls for ASEAN to help globe out of climate gridlock

Effective debt mechanism needed for energy transition financing, Guterres says

7 September 2023
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, takes a test ride with Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesia's coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, on a China-backed high-speed railway in Indonesia on Sept. 6. (Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment/Kyodo)
US-China tensions

China deepens ties with ASEAN as Biden skips Jakarta summits

Partnerships forged despite map furor; Li test rides Indonesia high-speed rail

7 September 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, briefly met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, on Sept. 6 in Jakarta, according to a Japanese government official. (Photos by pool photo/Reuters) 
International relations

Japan PM, China premier trade barbs over Fukushima water release

Kishida calls for 'scientific' talk as Li points finger at Tokyo at Jakarta summit

6 September 2023
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, left, is greeted by Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo upon his arrival at the ASEAN summit in Jakarta on Sept. 6.
South China Sea

ASEAN leaders meet Chinese Premier Li amid map controversy

Jokowi calls for 'mutually beneficial' cooperation at Jakarta summit

6 September 2023
The seat reserved for the leader of Myanmar is left empty during the plenary session at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Sept. 5.
Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN to engage Myanmar in 'troika' model to cool political unrest

Current, previous and next chairs to work together, seeking a sustainable approach

6 September 2023
ASEAN leaders listen to a presentation during the inaugural ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta on Sept. 5. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia’s presidential office)
International relations

ASEAN pitches 93 projects worth $38bn at summit-related forum

Aluminum smelter, port development among offerings in 'flagship' initiative

5 September 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit in Jakarta on Sept. 5. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
International relations

ASEAN summit begins as China's new territorial map fuels tensions

Biden skips regional platform; Cambodia's Hun Manet makes diplomatic debut

5 September 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a keynote address at a business forum in Jakarta on Sept. 4. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Cambodia's new leadership

Cambodia's Hun Manet shares 'high-income' goal in diplomatic debut

New prime minister also vows commitment to rule-based order at ASEAN event

4 September 2023
A worker loads harvested palm fruits in Malaysia. Major exporters Indonesia and Malaysia are pushing new uses for the tropical oil in the face of market headwinds.
Market Spotlight

Indonesia, Malaysia push biofuel to offset palm oil price downturn

Falling prices hurt companies; risks loom from El Nino and EU deforestation law

4 September 2023
U.S. and Indonesian soldiers use heavy machine guns in Baturaja, South Sumatra province, during the Super Garuda Shield exercises on Aug. 12, 2022. 
Defense

Indonesia, U.S. begin expanded drills amid South China Sea tensions

Exercises going ahead even as Jakarta tries to avoid friction with Beijing

31 August 2023
A train of LRT Jabodebek, the country's latest light rail system, passes over a highway in Indonesia. The project is entirely state-backed. (Courtesy of Kereta Api Indonesia)
Transportation

Indonesia's Widodo launches greater Jakarta light rail service

Country's third such project hits $2.1bn after cost overruns, multiple delays

28 August 2023
A mass rally following the announcement of election results in Jakarta, Indonesia on 21 May 2019
Politics

Indonesia militants adopt political tactics ahead of 2024 polls

Experts say groups have changed approach but lack sway

25 August 2023
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inspects an honor guard before meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto at the State House in Nairobi on Aug. 21.
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi deepens Global South ties in Africa tour

Jakarta bags energy, vaccine deals in landmark visits by president

24 August 2023