TOPIC

/ location

Indonesia

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

Capital

Jakarta

Head of State

President Prabowo Subianto

Head of Government

President Prabowo Subianto

US President Donald Trump pumps his fist after announcing reciprocal tariffs on American trade partners at the White House in Washington on April 2. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

Will Trump’s tariffs force Global South to show ‘true colours’ on US and China?

Beijing’s ties with developing world to face test as Washington may push countries to take tougher China stance, analysts say.

9 Apr 2025 - 11:43PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

‘We are ready’: Indonesia offers sanctuary to Palestinians displaced by Gaza war

9 Apr 2025 - 12:32PMvideocam

Asean

Trump’s tariffs: Asean urged to explore trade diversification, tap FTAs

9 Apr 2025 - 3:47PMvideocam

Infrastructure

Rats and rubbish mar Indonesia’s vision of a futuristic new capital

Indonesia’s US$32 billion dream of a green new capital at Nusantara is facing an early challenge: a surge in rats fuelled by tourist trash.

8 Apr 2025 - 2:57PM

Videos of rodents darting through crowds in Nusantara have been making the rounds on Indonesian social media in recent days. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia

Second pygmy elephant corpse find in Malaysia raises fears of ivory poaching

The practice of giving tusks as dowry in neighbouring Indonesia may be behind the killings, conservationists say.

7 Apr 2025 - 4:46PM

US-China trade war

My Take | The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman

The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.

6 Apr 2025 - 9:00PM

Donald Trump

Indonesia will not retaliate against Trump tariff, minister says

Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that Indonesia would pursue diplomacy and negotiations to find mutually beneficial solutions.

7 Apr 2025 - 8:20AM

Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia’s chief economic minister, in 2022. Photo: Reuters

Singapore

Asian Angle | Can Indonesia’s Batam hold its own against Johor-Singapore SEZ?

Batam has struggled to attract investment, stymied by local-level dysfunctions and a lack of connections to major Indonesian cities.

5 Apr 2025 - 3:00PM

Asean

Opinion | 3 ways Asean can survive Trump’s tariff war – and 4 ways China can help

Amid escalating global trade tensions, Southeast Asian nations must stick together and diversify their options to mitigate external shocks.

4 Apr 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Energy

Indonesia’s new coal pricing rule sparks uncertainty, rattles Chinese firms

Analysts warn Indonesia may lose its competitiveness over the new regulation amid concerns about lack of market flexibility.

4 Apr 2025 - 7:03PM

Barges are fully loaded with coal on the Mahakam River in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
Indonesia’s government benchmark price, known as the HBA, went into effect in March. Photo: AP

US-China trade war

From Guangdong to LA, tariff superstorm alters course of business expansions

Businesses rethink plans after Trump unleashes whirlwind of tariffs, and analysts say that while trade barriers might be overcome, others must ‘abandon wishful thinking’.

4 Apr 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

Vietnamese factory staff handle apparel at a factory in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday after US President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on trading partners. Photo: AFP

US-ally trade wars

‘Bad news for all’ as Asia hard hit by Trump tariffs, amid trade war fears

‘Disproportionately stiffer’ tariffs for the region will be detrimental to growth for export-reliant Asian economies, experts warn.

4 Apr 2025 - 3:56AMvideocam

Prabowo Subianto

Video | Is Indonesia marching back towards military rule?

A recent bill passed by Indonesian lawmakers rolls back restrictions put in place after the end of Suharto’s 32-year authoritarian rule

3 Apr 2025 - 6:03PM

South Korea

South Korea mulls giving Indonesian wildfire hero a long-stay visa

He carried elderly villagers on his back to a sea wall about 300m from the hamlet as the fast-moving flames approached.

2 Apr 2025 - 7:31PMvideocam

A wildfire-damaged house in a coastal village in Yeongdeok, South Korea, on Friday. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Temasek, Asian state funds seen growing their assets to US$25 trillion by 2030

Singapore’s GIC and Temasek were among the most aggressive, accounting for three-quarters of capital deployed by Asian state investors.

2 Apr 2025 - 7:49PM

The main entrance to Danantara’s headquarters in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Ramadan

Video | Indonesian Muslims mark Eid amid economic worries

As Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, the festivities in some corners of Asia have been tempered by political, economic and humanitarian concerns

2 Apr 2025 - 2:05PM

SCMP Highlights

Singaporeans rediscover China, what Duterte’s downfall means: 7 Asia highlights

From rescuers’ battle in Myanmar quake to Japan’s ‘major disaster’ action plan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

1 Apr 2025 - 12:00PM

India

Eid celebrations in Indonesia and India face economic and political challenges

Eid ul-Fitr in Indonesia sees subdued celebrations due to soaring prices and economic strain, while Indian Muslims face political challenges amid festivities.

2 Apr 2025 - 2:35PMvideocam

A balloon vendor waits for customers at the site where Indonesian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jakarta on March 31. Photo: AFP

Asia travel

‘The sooner, the better’: Bali governor wants island waste-free by 2027

A sustainable waste management facility which can convert rubbish to energy is in the works for the resort island.

31 Mar 2025 - 4:51PM

Asia housing and property

The View | How Indonesia can calm property investors’ fears of a return to 1998

Concern about democratic backsliding and poor liquidity are obscuring otherwise solid fundamentals in one of Asia’s largest markets.

31 Mar 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Video | Danantara targets economic growth amid investor concern

31 Mar 2025 - 12:11PM

08:19

Sovereign wealth fund

Can Danantara deliver? Indonesia’s sovereign fund vows to be ‘super transparent’

Investment chief Pandu Sjahrir is confident the new sovereign wealth fund can overcome market jitters and keep political meddling at bay.

31 Mar 2025 - 1:49PMvideocam

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto (centre) shakes hands with former leader Joko Widodo during Danantara’s launch in Jakarta on February 24. Photo: AFP

China-Asean relations

Exclusive | China woos the neighbours, with Xi said to be planning 3-country tour in April

The Chinese leader is expected to spend three days in Malaysia as well as visit Vietnam and Cambodia.

1 Apr 2025 - 12:38AMvideocam

Pacific nations

‘Glassman’ jailed: PNG hopes ruling can curb tribal sorcery violence

After a horrific machete killing, a landmark ruling in Papua New Guinea aims to curb deadly sorcery accusations driven by jealousy and greed.

31 Mar 2025 - 3:18PM

Mergers & Acquisitions

Hutchison says it is evaluating spin-off of global telecoms business

‘From time to time, the [group] receives proposals and explores and evaluates opportunities that may be available,’ Hutchison said in a statement.

31 Mar 2025 - 10:40PM

A branch of CK Hutchison’s Three cellular telecommunications network in the United Kingdom. Photo: CK Hutchison

Sovereign wealth fund

Indonesia’s Danantara fund faces constitutional challenge over corruption concerns

Critics fear the new law underpinning the fund weakens oversight of state-owned enterprises, potentially fuelling corruption risks.

29 Mar 2025 - 3:07PMvideocam

Exterior facade of the building housing Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, known as Daya Anagata Nusantara or Danantara, in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Wellness

From a prison stretch in Bali to becoming yoga teacher in Hong Kong

Caught with marijuana leaving Bali, Lyn Savage spent 11 months in prison, where she took up yoga, which she now teaches in Hong Kong.

29 Mar 2025 - 7:54AM

Banking & finance

Venture-capital club expands to Hong Kong, plans US$250m fund

London Technology Club opens in the city with a focus on fast-scaling companies in AI, fintech.

28 Mar 2025 - 6:44PM

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Indonesia

Will Trump’s tariffs force Global South to show ‘true colours’ on US and China?

Beijing’s ties with developing world to face test as Washington may push countries to take tougher China stance, analysts say.

‘We are ready’: Indonesia offers sanctuary to Palestinians displaced by Gaza war

Trump’s tariffs: Asean urged to explore trade diversification, tap FTAs

Rats and rubbish mar Indonesia’s vision of a futuristic new capital

Indonesia’s US$32 billion dream of a green new capital at Nusantara is facing an early challenge: a surge in rats fuelled by tourist trash.

Second pygmy elephant corpse find in Malaysia raises fears of ivory poaching

The practice of giving tusks as dowry in neighbouring Indonesia may be behind the killings, conservationists say.

My Take | The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman

The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.

Indonesia will not retaliate against Trump tariff, minister says

Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that Indonesia would pursue diplomacy and negotiations to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Asian Angle | Can Indonesia’s Batam hold its own against Johor-Singapore SEZ?

Batam has struggled to attract investment, stymied by local-level dysfunctions and a lack of connections to major Indonesian cities.

Opinion | 3 ways Asean can survive Trump’s tariff war – and 4 ways China can help

Amid escalating global trade tensions, Southeast Asian nations must stick together and diversify their options to mitigate external shocks.

Indonesia’s new coal pricing rule sparks uncertainty, rattles Chinese firms

Analysts warn Indonesia may lose its competitiveness over the new regulation amid concerns about lack of market flexibility.

From Guangdong to LA, tariff superstorm alters course of business expansions

Businesses rethink plans after Trump unleashes whirlwind of tariffs, and analysts say that while trade barriers might be overcome, others must ‘abandon wishful thinking’.

‘Bad news for all’ as Asia hard hit by Trump tariffs, amid trade war fears

‘Disproportionately stiffer’ tariffs for the region will be detrimental to growth for export-reliant Asian economies, experts warn.

Video | Is Indonesia marching back towards military rule?

A recent bill passed by Indonesian lawmakers rolls back restrictions put in place after the end of Suharto’s 32-year authoritarian rule

South Korea mulls giving Indonesian wildfire hero a long-stay visa

He carried elderly villagers on his back to a sea wall about 300m from the hamlet as the fast-moving flames approached.

Temasek, Asian state funds seen growing their assets to US$25 trillion by 2030

Singapore’s GIC and Temasek were among the most aggressive, accounting for three-quarters of capital deployed by Asian state investors.

Video | Indonesian Muslims mark Eid amid economic worries

As Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, the festivities in some corners of Asia have been tempered by political, economic and humanitarian concerns

Singaporeans rediscover China, what Duterte’s downfall means: 7 Asia highlights

From rescuers’ battle in Myanmar quake to Japan’s ‘major disaster’ action plan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Eid celebrations in Indonesia and India face economic and political challenges

Eid ul-Fitr in Indonesia sees subdued celebrations due to soaring prices and economic strain, while Indian Muslims face political challenges amid festivities.

‘The sooner, the better’: Bali governor wants island waste-free by 2027

A sustainable waste management facility which can convert rubbish to energy is in the works for the resort island.

The View | How Indonesia can calm property investors’ fears of a return to 1998

Concern about democratic backsliding and poor liquidity are obscuring otherwise solid fundamentals in one of Asia’s largest markets.

Video | Danantara targets economic growth amid investor concern

Can Danantara deliver? Indonesia’s sovereign fund vows to be ‘super transparent’

Investment chief Pandu Sjahrir is confident the new sovereign wealth fund can overcome market jitters and keep political meddling at bay.

Exclusive | China woos the neighbours, with Xi said to be planning 3-country tour in April

The Chinese leader is expected to spend three days in Malaysia as well as visit Vietnam and Cambodia.

‘Glassman’ jailed: PNG hopes ruling can curb tribal sorcery violence

After a horrific machete killing, a landmark ruling in Papua New Guinea aims to curb deadly sorcery accusations driven by jealousy and greed.

Hutchison says it is evaluating spin-off of global telecoms business

‘From time to time, the [group] receives proposals and explores and evaluates opportunities that may be available,’ Hutchison said in a statement.

Indonesia’s Danantara fund faces constitutional challenge over corruption concerns

Critics fear the new law underpinning the fund weakens oversight of state-owned enterprises, potentially fuelling corruption risks.

From a prison stretch in Bali to becoming yoga teacher in Hong Kong

Caught with marijuana leaving Bali, Lyn Savage spent 11 months in prison, where she took up yoga, which she now teaches in Hong Kong.

Venture-capital club expands to Hong Kong, plans US$250m fund

London Technology Club opens in the city with a focus on fast-scaling companies in AI, fintech.

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