Indonesia

The seas are no longer free: Pirate kings and the emerging maritime order

With the Strait of Hormuz held hostage by players like Iran and the US, the notion of “state piracy” has returned to the debate, alongside rising scrutiny of countries along key waterways such as the Strait of Malacca. US academic Ma Haiyun argues that these “strait powers” may be able to convert control over maritime chokepoints into geopolitical leverage.

Ma Haiyun

06 May 2026

Beyond trade: The human ties reshaping Indonesia-China relations

Beyond Chinese infrastructural investment or resources extraction in Indonesia, the web of exchanges formed from building mobility, education and institutional links could help to foster a more holistic approach to building bilateral relations and make them stronger, says analyst Kevin Zongzhe Li.

Kevin Zongzhe Li

28 Apr 2026

There’s no city like Singkawang: Where Hakka is the lingua franca and Cap Go Meh dazzles

In Singkawang, West Kalimantan, writer Teo Han Wue found kindred spirits, a vibrant Chinese community and a chance to witness the colourful culmination of Chinese New Year celebrations there — a spirit-medium parade, known to the locals as Cap Go Meh or Pawai Tatung.

Teo Han Wue

02 Apr 2026

Planes, missiles, submarines: Southeast Asia’s quiet arms race?

A slew of arms procurement deals in Southeast Asia has raised eyebrows on whether the region is engaged in an arms race. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Claudia Liao finds out from academics that these military upgrades may have more to do with prestige than capability.

Claudia Liao

25 Mar 2026

Indonesia’s nickel hub: Beyond state control?

Morowali, a key centre of Indonesia’s nickel processing industry, is becoming a “para-sovereign” space where formal sovereignty is intact yet practical authority is shared, fragmented or captured by private actors, says researcher Ronny P Sasmita.

Ronny P Sasmita

20 Feb 2026

Replacing the UN? Trump goes too far

US President Donald Trump’s mafia-style intimidation, extortion and coercion are finally forcing countries to act, with traditional allies leading the revolt. Former journalist Goh Choon Kang explains why Trump’s Board of Peace has hit a dead end before it even takes off.

Goh Choon Kang

03 Feb 2026

How resource nationalism is redrawing the global mineral playbook

In global politics, resource-rich countries are seeking to convert mineral wealth into security guarantees, diplomatic leverage and strategic influence — a symptom of a resurgent wave of resource nationalism.

Caixin Global

16 Jan 2026

Why Indonesian President Prabowo is drawn to Xi Jinping’s China

Prabowo’s Beijing visit signalled more than diplomacy. It reflected a shared belief in strong states, moralised authority and culturally rooted legitimacy. Like Xi, Indonesia’s president sees development without Western liberalism — and a role in a multipolar order, argues researcher Ronny P Sasmita.

Ronny P Sasmita

16 Dec 2025

Indonesia’s high-speed rail hits a money crunch — can it pull through?

Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (Whoosh) faces heavy financial losses as ridership falls short and debt payments rise. Can the project overcome these challenges and stay on track? Researcher Michael Hutahaean and academic Chen Xiangming examine the situation.

Michael Hutahaean, Chen Xiangming

12 Dec 2025

Why China wants Indonesia’s palm oil

China is seeking long-term palm oil supplies from Indonesia to safeguard its food and energy security. But as trade deepens, Jakarta faces tough questions — from environmental pressures to managing domestic demand and export commitments. Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May examines the issue.

Genevieve Donnellon-May

28 Oct 2025

[Big read] China’s money moves south: The new frontier rising off Singapore’s coast

As China’s economy slows and US tariffs bite, a new wave of Chinese entrepreneurs is heading south — to Indonesia’s Batam and Bintan islands. Drawn by opportunity and proximity to Singapore, they’re building factories, fortunes, and a fresh start. Lianhe Zaobao journalists Lee Chee Yang and Qi Lu speak to Chinese businessmen and their Indonesian counterparts to find out more.

Lee Chee Yang, Qi Lu

27 Oct 2025

Can Indonesia stay green while becoming the ‘Saudi Arabia of nickel’?

Indonesia’s push to become a nickel powerhouse amid its green energy transition threatens fragile ecosystems and local communities. The true test lies in balancing decarbonisation, biodiversity and geopolitical sovereignty amid growing Chinese influence, says researcher Ronny P Sasmita.

Ronny P Sasmita

07 Oct 2025