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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

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono at a press briefing after the first China-Indonesia “2+2” foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, in Beijing on Monday. Photo: via Reuters

China-Asean relations

China calls on Indonesia to jointly oppose protectionism as US trade war deepens

Call from China’s top diplomat Wang Yi follows first ‘2+2’ talks between the two countries’ foreign and defence ministers.

5 hours ago

Asia travel

Recap | The best of Bali, from iconic wildlife, laid-back Nusa Lembongan, world-leading beach clubs and more

21 Apr 2025 - 11:00AM

Africa

Is Indonesia destined to be a footnote in Africa’s growth story?

21 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Asean

Amid ‘Jumbo’ success, can Indonesia become an animation powerhouse?

The Indonesian film has become Southeast Asia’s biggest ever animation release in terms of revenue, at US$10 million as of April 14.

19 Apr 2025 - 3:30PMvideocam

The Indonesian hit cartoon film “Jumbo” has become the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animation release in history. Photo: Visinema Group

Environment

Indonesian woman turns to mangroves to keep floodwaters at bay

Pasijah’s home is the only one remaining in this part of Rejosari Senik, a small village on Java’s northern coast that is now submerged in water.

19 Apr 2025 - 4:15PM

Asean

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

19 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Electric & new energy vehicles

Video | Vintage Vespas go electric in Indonesia

As Indonesia pushes for more EVs on the roads to curb air pollution, many Vespa lovers are taking part in the revolution.

18 Apr 2025 - 7:45PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Indonesia to raise US imports by up to US$19 billion in move to avert tariff

Indonesia pledges to buy more US energy and agricultural products, and unveil other trade concessions amid a looming 32 per cent tariff.

18 Apr 2025 - 7:00PM

Video | Vintage Vespas go electric in Indonesia

As Indonesia pushes for more EVs on the roads to curb air pollution, many Vespa lovers are taking part in the revolution

18 Apr 2025 - 7:16PM

Asean

Can Asean withstand the flood of Chinese exports amid Trump’s tariff war?

Facing reduced domestic demand and increasing trade barriers, Chinese manufacturers are turning to Southeast Asia to export their surplus goods.

18 Apr 2025 - 5:09PMvideocam

Cheap Chinese imports are flooding Southeast Asia, testing industrial resilience following Trump’s tariffs. Photo: Shutterstock

Middle East

Can Indonesia’s Prabowo succeed in plan to evacuate Gaza’s Palestinians?

The Indonesian president has said that his plan would happen only with agreement from ‘all parties’.

18 Apr 2025 - 3:31PMvideocam

A boy in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has proposed to evacuate 1,000 wounded or orphaned Palestinians from Gaza. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | As US retreats, Asian powers can reshape world order to meet their needs

Global South countries, tired of bearing the costs of globalisation, are asserting their economic visions.

17 Apr 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Scams and swindles

‘Risking our lives’: Indonesians warn of dangers in Cambodian scam compounds

Indonesians promised employment in Cambodia say they were instead forced to work long hours in shadowy compounds scamming victims.

16 Apr 2025 - 6:25PMvideocam

Singapore

Shipping under siege: armed piracy surges in Singapore Strait

Guns were reported in over half the attacks as acts of piracy and armed robbery soared almost fourfold in the vital shipping lane.

16 Apr 2025 - 6:47PM

Cargo ships in the Singapore Strait. The International Maritime Bureau said the rise of reported incidents in the strait highlighted “the urgent need to protect the safety of seafarers navigating these waters”. Photo: AFP

Australia

Indonesia won’t host Russian military aircraft, Australia says

Canberra’s defence minister said he had received ‘unequivocal’ assurances over reports of a Russian request for access to a Papua airbase.

16 Apr 2025 - 9:06AM

Russian anti-submarine aircraft patrol during joint naval and aerial drills with China last year. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service / AP

Law

Indonesia’s new rule for foreign reporters raises concerns about press freedom

The introduction of police certification is yet another indication of the challenges of reporting in Indonesia, critics say.

15 Apr 2025 - 5:53PM

Asia travel

US tourist deported from Bali after rampage at medical clinic

Footage depicts the 27-year-old man screaming and destroying property in the clinic in Badung despite attempts to stop him.

15 Apr 2025 - 6:05PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong immigration officers arrest 43 in crackdown on illegal employment

The 35 suspected illegal workers and eight alleged employers were apprehended after officers raided dozens of premises, including restaurants and canteens.

15 Apr 2025 - 4:59PM

Forty-three people have been arrested in a crackdown on illegal employment, the Immigration Department has said. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong economy

How Trump’s tariffs are forcing mainland, Hong Kong firms to rethink plans

Relocation to Mexico among options on the cards for companies eyeing the US market amid unpredictable trade policies.

15 Apr 2025 - 4:12PMvideocam

Asia travel

Indonesia’s Bali raises alarm over rise in sham marriages to evade legal curbs

Lawmakers urge action after viral social media posts alleging that foreigners are exploiting legal loopholes to acquire land and property.

14 Apr 2025 - 8:47PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong visa relaxation sparks surge of Vietnamese visitors

Approved visa applications from Vietnam increased from 322 in the five years before the relaxation of criteria in October 2023 to 4,970 since.

14 Apr 2025 - 7:59PM

Approved visa applications from Vietnam have increased to 4,970 in the 16 months following the relaxation of entry rules. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Indonesia’s Prabowo opens up but did interview help boost transparency?

Prabowo clarifies that recent reforms are misunderstood and promises greater communication but analysts say his responses are ‘misleading’.

15 Apr 2025 - 3:33PMvideocam

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto speaks during an economic event in Jakarta on April 8. Prabowo engaged the media in a round-table session held at his private residence on April 6. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

How far should Indonesia go to appease Trump on tariffs?

Jakarta is weighing trade concessions, but analysts warn the cost may be long-term harm to local industries.

14 Apr 2025 - 3:42PMvideocam

Malaysia

Controversial Malaysian series on Islamic cult tops 1 billion streams

‘Bidaah’ echoes a real-life case in Malaysia of a shadowy cult hit by allegations of human trafficking and abuse.

14 Apr 2025 - 3:21PM

Asia travel

60 years ago, Sanur was ground zero for Bali tourism

Championed by Indonesian president Sukarno, Sanur was a high-flying destination for Rockefellers, Rothschilds – and even hosted Mick Jagger’s wedding.

14 Apr 2025 - 11:00AM

The Sanur Beach Hotel complex in Bali. Sanur was once a favoured haunt of rock stars and celebrities. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

Could a ‘more focused’ US gain an edge over China in Indonesian tech contest?

Although Jakarta has close economic ties with Beijing, a report says the push to boost its hi-tech economy could present openings for American firms.

13 Apr 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Jakarta has long sought to balance its ties between the US and China. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Indonesia’s Prabowo: Gaza violence undermines world’s rules-based system

Indonesian president says violence and unilateral decisions by the West are only leading the world towards unrest with little say for emerging nations.

12 Apr 2025 - 1:50PMvideocam

Millionaires and billionaires

Rich Indonesians concerned about Prabowo’s policies send wealth overseas

The shift began in October when Prabowo came to power but accelerated substantially after the rupiah plunged in March, people have said.

12 Apr 2025 - 12:33PM

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