Articles by Siwage Dharma Negara

Indonesia's Prabowo solidifying domestic legitimacy with visits to China, Japan and Malaysia

A defence minister's courtesy calls take on a different significance, albeit only slightly, when he will take over as Indonesia's president in a matter of months.

Leo Suryadinata

Will the 'China factor' become an election issue in Indonesia?

Indonesia's economic relationship with China is occasionally marred by deadly accidents at Chinese-built and owned industrial sites in the archipelago. Nevertheless, economic cooperation with China is not going to slow down, no matter who wins the election next month.

Leo Suryadinata

Why has Batam's Rempang Eco-City national project become a controversy?

Unhappiness among villagers in Rempang, close to Batam island, has led to riots in Batam City and threatens existing and future foreign investment. A small but diminishing window exists in which the local and central governments can improve their approach towards convincing residents of the need to relocate for a better future.

Ady Muzwardi

Should Indonesia join BRICS?

Much has been said about BRICS potentially expanding its membership to countries such as Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain and Indonesia. Indonesian academic Siwage Negara explains the draw of joining BRICS from Indonesia's perspective.

Siwage Dharma Negara

Workers' riot in a Chinese nickel company in Indonesia: Could it have been prevented?

A recent conflict between Indonesian workers and Chinese workers at a nickel smelter in Indonesia's North Morowali regency brings into focus several issues concerning Chinese investments in Indonesia, poor working environments, and bad treatment of local workers. Authorities must carefully manage the issue of migrant workers and balance national policy goals with local communities' interests.

Leo Suryadinata

Indonesian elites and the general public have different views of China

Presidents Xi Jinping and Joko Widodo witnessed the test "ride" of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (HSR) via livestream during Chinese President Xi's visit to Indonesia for the G20 Summit in Bali. Economic cooperation remain high on the cards of bilateral relations, but while China's trade and investment in Indonesia have grown substantially since the early 2000s, the Indonesian public does not share Jakarta's desire to wholeheartedly embrace Beijing.

Siwage Dharma Negara

Will China invest in Indonesia's new capital 'Nusantara'?

Amid fears of an increasing dependence on China being played up with regards to foreign investment for Indonesia's new capital in East Kalimantan, one must first ask if Indonesia offers an attractive enough proposition for Chinese (and other) investors, says Indonesian researcher Siwage Dharma Negara.

Siwage Dharma Negara