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Indonesia

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion from Indonesia.

Capital

Jakarta

Head of State

President Prabowo Subianto

Head of Government

President Prabowo Subianto

News of the possible deal sent shares of Jakarta-listed GoTo soaring. Photo: GoTo

Mergers & Acquisitions

Will Indonesia’s GoTo and Singapore’s Grab merge to become a regional superapp?

As Singapore-based Grab reportedly eyes Indonesia’s prized GoTo in a potential US$7 billion deal, analysts predict a nationalist backlash.

4 hours ago

Asian cinema

Indonesian animated movie Jumbo topples Frozen 2 at country’s box office

19 May 2025 - 11:15AMvideocam

History

Will Indonesia’s new history books ‘reinvent’ past rights abuses?

19 May 2025 - 10:28AM

War and conflict

Opinion | How China’s military tech proved its worth in India-Pakistan clashes

The battlefield testing of Chinese weapons systems during the India-Pakistan clash may signal a paradigm shift in global military dynamics.

19 May 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

The Pakistan Air Force’s J-10C fighter jets perform at a rehearsal ahead of the country’s national day parade in Islamabad, on March 21, 2024. Photo: AFP

Human rights

Victory for free speech in Indonesia as court curbs defamation law

Public officials and corporations can no longer sue critics for defamation under the Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law.

18 May 2025 - 3:00PM

United States

Macroscope | No, stock markets are not a barometer of the world’s economic health

Markets have largely returned to calm after the US-China trade truce but all is not as it seems.

17 May 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

China-EU relations

‘It’s crazy’: inside Europe’s growing obsession with Chinese blind-box toys

The craze is the latest sign that Chinese brands are becoming more skilled at winning over Western consumers.

17 May 2025 - 4:00PM

Shoppers look through the window of a Pop Mart store near the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Chinese toy giant has attracted a devoted fan base in Europe with its Labubu and Crybaby collectible dolls. Photo: Xinhua

Singapore

Indonesia slams Singapore’s ‘shameful’ fuel prices, plans pivot to US imports

Despite being an oil producer, Indonesia’s low refining capacity leaves it heavily reliant on Singapore for fuel — but that may soon change.

18 May 2025 - 11:10AM

Huawei

Southeast Asia’s tech reliance on China: a ‘double-edged sword’?

Huawei and other Chinese firms offer growth, but analysts warn of rising digital threat exposure and geopolitical challenges.

16 May 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Social media

Is Indonesia a ‘guinea pig’ in Bill Gates-backed TB vaccine trial?

The controversy began after President Prabowo Subianto said that Bill Gates was developing a tuberculosis vaccine to be tested in Indonesia.

15 May 2025 - 6:08PM

Bill Gates speaks at a Save the Children event on vaccine equity in Germany last year. Photo: AP

Asia travel

Where to catch the most photogenic beach sunsets in Asia

If you’re chasing the perfect sunset shot, head to one of these Asian beaches, all of which offer social media gold.

15 May 2025 - 5:02PM

Narigama Sri Lanka beach cricket during sunset. Photo: Tim Pile

Artificial intelligence

Chinese AI stalwart Zhipu eyes expansion on back of Belt and Road Initiative

Zhipu AI’s plan reflects intensifying efforts by both Chinese and US companies to widen the global adoption of their AI systems.

14 May 2025 - 7:00PM

Pakistan

Indonesia’s bet on French Rafale jets under scrutiny after India-Pakistan clash

US$8.1 billion deal for 42 Rafale jets triggers alarm, but Pakistan’s claims may offer grounds for ‘evaluation’ of their use in Indonesia’s defence strategy.

14 May 2025 - 8:12PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

K-pop boy band NCT Dream to perform at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium in August

NCT Dream will be first K-pop group to perform at new venue, with concert part of Asian tour that includes stops in Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei.

14 May 2025 - 11:10PM

Ticket prices and sales arrangements have yet to be announced for NCT Dream’s concert in the city. Photo: Facebook/NCT Dream

Australia

Re-elected Australian PM heads to Indonesia first to signal Southeast Asia focus

The prime minister’s visit to his ‘good friend’ Prabowo shows that the region is central to Australia’s foreign policy agenda, experts say.

13 May 2025 - 5:47PMvideocam

Australia’s re-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives for his swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Crime in Hong Kong

Helper arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly stealing HK$300,000 of cash, jewellery

Second time in three days that a domestic helper has been arrested for allegedly stealing from an employer.

13 May 2025 - 5:13PM

SCMP Highlights

India-Pakistan water wars, ‘detrimental’ NewJeans K-pop saga: 7 Asia highlights

From a Malaysian witness’ abduction to water issues plaguing India and Pakistan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

13 May 2025 - 12:45PM

Explosion at ammunition disposal site in Indonesia kills 13

Troops were disposing of expired munitions when a blast ripped through the site, the second such incident in just over a year.

13 May 2025 - 12:40PM

Social media

Asia-Pacific takes the lead in fight to regulate Big Tech for children

From Australia’s under-16s ban to Malaysia’s licensing demands, the region is blazing a trail to protect young users from online harms.

13 May 2025 - 11:51AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | Strategic clarity can calm the waters between China and Asean

Beijing and Southeast Asian capitals can build confidence by upholding local autonomy over foreign agendas and keeping each other accountable.

13 May 2025 - 10:57AMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Helper arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly stealing HK$203,000 from boss

Woman detained hours after 63-year-old female employer reported alleged theft at The Leighton Hill in Happy Valley.

12 May 2025 - 4:42PM

The Leighton Hill is an upmarket development in Happy Valley. Photo: Martin Chan

SCMP Highlights

US-China talks in Geneva, why Indonesians are ‘flourishing’: 5 weekend reads

From China and the US’ trade talks in Geneva to why Indonesians are ‘flourishing’, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

12 May 2025 - 1:36PM

A press briefing is held by the Chinese side following the US-China high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 11, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Commodities

In Indonesia, nickel miners warn of mass lay-offs as royalty rise hits profits

The Indonesian government’s bid to boost state revenue and fund projects with higher mining royalties is being met with an industry backlash.

11 May 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

The Philippines

Marcos touts Philippines economic gains ahead of midterm election

The president also repeated his pledge to defend Philippine territory, as his government contends with lingering tensions with Beijing.

10 May 2025 - 11:32PM

Religion

Could ‘flourishing’ Indonesians teach even happy Nordic dwellers a thing or two?

Harvard researchers claim first-ever study measures factors that go beyond wealth, and is more encompassing than usual world happiness surveys.

10 May 2025 - 12:10PMvideocam

Indonesia has been ranked as the world’s “most-flourishing” country. Photo: Getty Images

Australia

No ‘radical changes’ from Australia as Albanese looks to shore up alliances

Canberra expected to continue managing close US relationship as it leans towards boosting ties with Southeast Asia, analysts note.

10 May 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Anthony Albanese is the first Australian prime minister in two decades to win re-election Photo: AAP/dpa

Tourism

Indonesian spirits soar in the Netherlands as Europe’s first Balinese temple opens

Constructed using materials brought directly from the Indonesian island, the temple was fully funded by the local Balinese community.

9 May 2025 - 5:39PM

Trending in China

Chinese diver, 30, drowns trying to recover dropped camera off Indonesian island

Dead woman said to be experienced diver with instructor qualifications, family devastated over underwater tragedy.

12 May 2025 - 10:18AM

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