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

The Indonesian rupiah has slumped more than 3 per cent this year. Photo: Reuters

Prabowo Subianto

Indonesia’s currency takes a severe beating as US tariff deadline nears

The central bank said the slump is due to global uncertainties including Trump’s reciprocal tariffs.

25 Mar 2025 - 7:35PMvideocam

Social media

Delivery of dead rats to Indonesian reporters sparks fears over freedom curbs

6 hours ago

Video | Protests against new military law in Indonesia

25 Mar 2025 - 6:30PM

Tourism

Bali to crack down on ‘naughty’ foreigners with new rules and tourism levy

The new guidelines for foreign tourists were issued to curb their misbehaviour.

25 Mar 2025 - 5:51PM

Foreign tourists relax on the Kuta Beach on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali in November 2023. Photo: AFP

Saudi Arabia

Indonesia set to allow domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia after 10-year ban

Jakarta is expected to send 600,000 domestic helpers and skilled labourers to Saudi Arabia, but rights groups are concerned about the move.

24 Mar 2025 - 7:32PM

Central banks

‘Dream team’ of Jokowi, ex-Thai PM, Bridgewater’s Dalio to advise Indonesian fund

Danantara Indonesia’s sovereign fund, targeting 8 per cent growth by 2029, enlisted ex-presidents and global experts to manage a potential US$900 billion in assets.

25 Mar 2025 - 10:19AM

India

Trump’s brand booms in Asia despite worldwide loathing

Two months after his frenetic return to the White House, Donald Trump’s brand has had mixed success worldwide.

22 Mar 2025 - 6:08PM

People protest during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Trump Building in New York on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Tourism

Australian tourist killed as boat capsizes off Indonesia’s Bali

The boat was travelling to Nusa Penida, a popular island near Bali, on Friday morning when it was hit by a large wave.

22 Mar 2025 - 1:56PM

Joko Widodo

Indonesian reporter receives pig’s head in incident condemned as ‘terror attack’

The severed head was found in a cardboard box delivered to Francisca Christy Rosana, who works for the Tempo magazine.

21 Mar 2025 - 7:10PMvideocam

Volcanoes

Bali flights to Australia, Malaysia cancelled after Indonesian volcano erupts

The country’s geological agency also raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level.

21 Mar 2025 - 11:34AMvideocam

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spews volcanic ash during an eruption on March 1. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

Indonesia and Vietnam to seal maritime deal – will China respond?

Indonesia’s parliament is set to sign an agreement to formalise maritime boundaries with Vietnam next month.

21 Mar 2025 - 8:11AMvideocam

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam wave to students at a welcoming ceremony in Jakarta on March 10. Photo: Reuters

China consumption

Are cheap Indonesian durians about to flood the Chinese market?

Indonesia’s huge fruit industry is preparing to begin exporting durians to China, threatening the dominance of Thai and Vietnamese growers.

21 Mar 2025 - 7:00AMvideocam

US-China relations

US-China rivalry forcing Southeast Asia to pick sides, congressional panel hears

Washington urged to adopt a sector-by-sector approach to the region, shaping its choices before Beijing does.

21 Mar 2025 - 5:51AMvideocam

Law

Indonesia passes contentious changes to military law amid protests

Civil society groups have criticised the changes, saying it could take Indonesia back to the draconian era of former president Suharto.

20 Mar 2025 - 7:09PM

Indonesian student activists protest against the revision of the country’s military law in front of the Parliament building in Jakarta. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tourism

Can Jakarta’s ‘cat island’ boost tourism and solve its stray cat problem?

Jakarta’s innovative “cat island” plan aims to solve its stray cat crisis, promote tourism and establish a safe feline haven.

20 Mar 2025 - 2:11PM

Cats are fed at a shelter in Bogor, West Java province, Indonesia, in December 2019. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Hong Kong key to StanChart’s US$200 billion new money target: CEO Winters

Bank is developing over 200 use cases for AI, including fraud detection and prevention, anti-money-laundering screening and new products.

20 Mar 2025 - 1:10PMvideocam

Drugs

Indonesia denies marijuana farm cover-up after video of cannabis crops emerges

Indonesia denied claims that officials grew cannabis near Mount Semeru following the release of drone footage, asserting the marijuana farm was raided in 2024.

19 Mar 2025 - 7:06PMvideocam

Stocks

Indonesia’s stock market turmoil fuels fears over Prabowo’s economic agenda

The Jakarta Composite Index has underperformed relative to its regional peers amid investor fears over Indonesia’s financial position.

19 Mar 2025 - 4:37PM

An electronic board displays Jakarta composite index at Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Crime

Jailing of Indonesian trans woman for Jesus’ hair remark raises rights concerns

Ratu Thalisa was convicted in Medan under a controversial blasphemy law and jailed for almost three years.

19 Mar 2025 - 3:23PMvideocam

Millionaires and billionaires

Indonesia’s richest woman loses half her wealth in 3 days

The president commissioner of Indonesia’s biggest data centre operator was sitting atop a US$7.5 billion fortune, until the stock crashed.

19 Mar 2025 - 2:56PM

Human rights

Scepticism surrounds Indonesia’s plan for island prison for corrupt officials

A recent prison break has exposed the flaws in Indonesia’s overstretched correctional system. Experts say a complete overhaul is required.

19 Mar 2025 - 8:56AM

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto greets guests at an event in Jakarta last month. Photo: AFP

Crime

Indonesia arrests 2 soldiers suspected of killing 3 police officers during raid

A group of police officers were raiding an illegal cockfighting gambling site in Lampung province when the shoot-out happened.

18 Mar 2025 - 4:57PMvideocam

A bird being displayed at a cockfighting site in Karangasem, Bali. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

Indonesia is hungry to add rendang, tempeh to Unesco intangible culture list

Gaining recognition would be a strategic step towards encouraging more tourism, Indonesia’s culture minister said.

18 Mar 2025 - 4:15PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong rolls out smoother entry policy for invited Asean professionals

Scheme allows event attendees and those who can contribute to local economy to make multiple trips to Hong Kong over three-year period.

18 Mar 2025 - 7:04PM

Insurance

Manulife picks chief actuary Finch as Asia CEO to lead biggest profit centre

Steve Finch will take over as Asia CEO from May 9, replacing Phil Witherington who is heading back to Toronto to become global CEO.

18 Mar 2025 - 5:23PM

Steve Finch, the incoming president and CEO of Asia at Manulife Tower in Kwun Tong on 18 March 2025. Photo: Sun Yeung

Myanmar

Indonesia to bring home hundreds more scam trafficking victims from Myanmar

The United Nations estimates that as many as 120,000 people have been forced to work in Myanmar’s scam hubs against their will.

19 Mar 2025 - 3:21PMvideocam

Thai soldiers in Mae Sot provide security for Indonesian nationals who are set to be repatriated after being forced to work at scam centres in eastern Myanmar. Photo: AP

Animals

‘What else can we do?’ Indonesia has more crocodile attacks than anywhere else

Indonesia recorded nearly 180 crocodile attacks last year, with 92 fatalities. Some say palm-oil plantations are making the problem worse.

17 Mar 2025 - 10:07AM

Law

Indonesia’s military once called all the shots. Under Prabowo, it may again

Activists fear legal changes will increase militarism in ex-general’s government, reviving ‘dual-function’ doctrine of Suharto’s New Order era.

17 Mar 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s currency takes a severe beating as US tariff deadline nears

The central bank said the slump is due to global uncertainties including Trump’s reciprocal tariffs.

Delivery of dead rats to Indonesian reporters sparks fears over freedom curbs

Video | Protests against new military law in Indonesia

Bali to crack down on ‘naughty’ foreigners with new rules and tourism levy

The new guidelines for foreign tourists were issued to curb their misbehaviour.

Indonesia set to allow domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia after 10-year ban

Jakarta is expected to send 600,000 domestic helpers and skilled labourers to Saudi Arabia, but rights groups are concerned about the move.

‘Dream team’ of Jokowi, ex-Thai PM, Bridgewater’s Dalio to advise Indonesian fund

Danantara Indonesia’s sovereign fund, targeting 8 per cent growth by 2029, enlisted ex-presidents and global experts to manage a potential US$900 billion in assets.

Trump’s brand booms in Asia despite worldwide loathing

Two months after his frenetic return to the White House, Donald Trump’s brand has had mixed success worldwide.

Australian tourist killed as boat capsizes off Indonesia’s Bali

The boat was travelling to Nusa Penida, a popular island near Bali, on Friday morning when it was hit by a large wave.

Indonesian reporter receives pig’s head in incident condemned as ‘terror attack’

The severed head was found in a cardboard box delivered to Francisca Christy Rosana, who works for the Tempo magazine.

Bali flights to Australia, Malaysia cancelled after Indonesian volcano erupts

The country’s geological agency also raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level.

Indonesia and Vietnam to seal maritime deal – will China respond?

Indonesia’s parliament is set to sign an agreement to formalise maritime boundaries with Vietnam next month.

Are cheap Indonesian durians about to flood the Chinese market?

Indonesia’s huge fruit industry is preparing to begin exporting durians to China, threatening the dominance of Thai and Vietnamese growers.

US-China rivalry forcing Southeast Asia to pick sides, congressional panel hears

Washington urged to adopt a sector-by-sector approach to the region, shaping its choices before Beijing does.

Indonesia passes contentious changes to military law amid protests

Civil society groups have criticised the changes, saying it could take Indonesia back to the draconian era of former president Suharto.

Can Jakarta’s ‘cat island’ boost tourism and solve its stray cat problem?

Jakarta’s innovative “cat island” plan aims to solve its stray cat crisis, promote tourism and establish a safe feline haven.

Exclusive | Hong Kong key to StanChart’s US$200 billion new money target: CEO Winters

Bank is developing over 200 use cases for AI, including fraud detection and prevention, anti-money-laundering screening and new products.

Indonesia denies marijuana farm cover-up after video of cannabis crops emerges

Indonesia denied claims that officials grew cannabis near Mount Semeru following the release of drone footage, asserting the marijuana farm was raided in 2024.

Indonesia’s stock market turmoil fuels fears over Prabowo’s economic agenda

The Jakarta Composite Index has underperformed relative to its regional peers amid investor fears over Indonesia’s financial position.

Jailing of Indonesian trans woman for Jesus’ hair remark raises rights concerns

Ratu Thalisa was convicted in Medan under a controversial blasphemy law and jailed for almost three years.

Indonesia’s richest woman loses half her wealth in 3 days

The president commissioner of Indonesia’s biggest data centre operator was sitting atop a US$7.5 billion fortune, until the stock crashed.

Scepticism surrounds Indonesia’s plan for island prison for corrupt officials

A recent prison break has exposed the flaws in Indonesia’s overstretched correctional system. Experts say a complete overhaul is required.

Indonesia arrests 2 soldiers suspected of killing 3 police officers during raid

A group of police officers were raiding an illegal cockfighting gambling site in Lampung province when the shoot-out happened.

Indonesia is hungry to add rendang, tempeh to Unesco intangible culture list

Gaining recognition would be a strategic step towards encouraging more tourism, Indonesia’s culture minister said.

Hong Kong rolls out smoother entry policy for invited Asean professionals

Scheme allows event attendees and those who can contribute to local economy to make multiple trips to Hong Kong over three-year period.

Manulife picks chief actuary Finch as Asia CEO to lead biggest profit centre

Steve Finch will take over as Asia CEO from May 9, replacing Phil Witherington who is heading back to Toronto to become global CEO.

Indonesia to bring home hundreds more scam trafficking victims from Myanmar

The United Nations estimates that as many as 120,000 people have been forced to work in Myanmar’s scam hubs against their will.

‘What else can we do?’ Indonesia has more crocodile attacks than anywhere else

Indonesia recorded nearly 180 crocodile attacks last year, with 92 fatalities. Some say palm-oil plantations are making the problem worse.

Indonesia’s military once called all the shots. Under Prabowo, it may again

Activists fear legal changes will increase militarism in ex-general’s government, reviving ‘dual-function’ doctrine of Suharto’s New Order era.

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