Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaking with the media on 8 May 2023 at Meruorah Convention Centre in Labuan Bajo, the fishing town on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia that is the venue of the two-day ASEAN Summit. (SPH Media)

Indonesia’s strategic considerations in joining BRICS

Given the intensity of the China-US rivalry and the upcoming presidential election in Indonesia, President Jokowi has seemingly changed his strategy temporarily so as not to be distracted by BRICS issues. However, Jokowi is still determined to make Indonesia a strong country, says ISEAS academic Leo Suryadinata.
Members of the Muslim community protest against a government plan to develop the Rempang Island into a Chinese-funded economic zone that would displace around 7,500 people, near the Presidential Palace in Bogor on 24 September 2023. (Aditya Aji/AFP)

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.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang (fifth from left) waves after a family photo with ASEAN leaders before the start of the ASEAN-China Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, 6 September 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)

Elites vs citizens: How Singapore and Indonesia are divided on China

Surveys show that the elite’s opinion toward China diverges with those of citizens in Singapore and Indonesia. Elites tend to weigh long-term geopolitical strategies and have more access to information, but increased citizen engagement will enhance foreign policy.
A woman poses in front of signage before the TikTok Southeast Asia Impact Forum 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15 June 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/AFP)

TikTok’s foray into Southeast Asian e-commerce is no slam dunk

TikTok is set to pour US$12.2 million over the next three years into supporting more than 120,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia, as it pushes into the e-commerce business in the region. However, it will not be smooth sailing as TikTok will need to contend with regional e-commerce titans GoTo, Shopee and Lazada.
Supporters gathered outside one of the main campaign centres in Jakarta, Indonesia, celebrating Jokowi’s victory by sample votes in 2019. (SPH Media)

The Chinese Indonesian vote in the 2024 presidential election

Coming to the end of his second term, Indonesian President Jokowi is still enjoying influence in Indonesian politics, with analysts believing that whoever he endorses will end up the winner in the presidential election in February 2024. How critical will the Chinese Indonesian vote be? ISEAS academic Leo Suryadinata explains.
A woman stands next to a display at the launch ceremony for VinFast electric car models in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 7 July 2023. (Nhac Nguyen/AFP)

Chinese capital funds hesitant about Southeast Asian investments

Chinese venture capital funds are flocking to Southeast Asia in search of the next Alibaba and ByteDance. However, given the market’s nascent stage, along with the Chinese funds’ preference for Chinese-affiliated enterprises, options are limited. Liu Sha looks into the challenges these Chinese funds face in finding success in Southeast Asia.
This picture taken on 11 March 2023 shows people riding in a trishaw in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP)

From Borneo to Penang: Preserving our culture and language for future generations

If languages and cultural practices are disappearing fast in the indigenous communities of Borneo to the Chinese community in Penang and elsewhere, can digital technology and AI play a bigger role to document pieces of our identity that can be preserved beyond time and space?
Workers monitor the nickel melting process at a nickel smelter of PT Vale Tbk in Sorowako, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, 30 March 2023. (Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters)

Indonesia's Chinese investment-dominated nickel industry: Social and environmental safeguards needed

Acknowledged as a key industry in the National Mid-Term Development Plan 2015-2019, Indonesia's nickel industry has witnessed significant investments, especially from China. While the industry faced a boom from the Russian-Ukraine conflict and the easing of China’s zero-Covid policy, the unchecked growth of Class 2 nickel production from Indonesia could cause oversupply in global markets and suppress the commodity’s price. In crafting new policies, Indonesia must also prioritise stronger social and environmental safeguards.
Indonesia President Joko Widodo at Ecosperity 2023 at the Marina Bay Sands Sands Expo & Convention Centre on 7 June 2023. (SPH Media)

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.