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Indonesia

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

Capital

Jakarta

Head of State

President Prabowo Subianto

Head of Government

President Prabowo Subianto

A technician checks and cleans solar panels in Depok, Indonesia. The Southeast Asian country has become a promising solar hub as Chinese firms seek to bypass US tariffs. Photo: EPA-EFE

Trade

Trump’s tariffs drive Chinese solar firms to Indonesia after Southeast Asia levies

Indonesia is now appealing to companies seeking to relocate operations due to high US tariffs on Chinese solar firms in Southeast Asia.

2 hours agovideocam

Donald Trump

Indonesian students in US fear immigration crackdown over political views

5 hours agovideocam

Food and agriculture

Indonesia’s food estate push targets self-sufficiency, but Papua concerns grow

2 May 2025 - 12:30PMvideocam

Crime

Indonesian city considers China-style boot camps to curb youth crime surge

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi proposed the idea in response to a recent increase in youth crimes, such as drug use and violence, in Depok city.

1 May 2025 - 8:09PM

A sunny street view with large “Depok” city sign on the roadside.
The Indonesian city has seen a recent increase in youth crimes, such as drug use and violence. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & finance

BlackRock-backed Suez taps HSBC to review China assets

A transaction could value the China water business at more than US$1 billion, sources say.

1 May 2025 - 2:00PM

Asia travel

Bali renews rabies warnings for tourists visiting monkey parks

Despite there being no cases of visitors contracting rabies from monkeys at the parks, officials still advise caution against getting close.

29 Apr 2025 - 9:18PM

Food and agriculture

Indonesia’s free meal scheme faces calls for stronger food safety standards

Several food poisoning incidents have led to calls for food suppliers involved in the free meals programme to undergo proper training.

29 Apr 2025 - 6:58PMvideocam

A free meal provided at a school in Depok, West Java under the Indonesian government’s free nutritious meal programme. Photo: EPA-EFE

Diplomacy

Opinion | As Trump rides roughshod over trade, China is ready to pick up the pieces

China’s message of stable cooperation is resonating as Trump accelerates the birth of a post-US world with rising powers independent of US whims.

28 Apr 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Opinion | Time for China to align with nations like it’s 1955

The need to unite for fairer international relations has not dissipated. The spirit of the Bandung Conference is a credible counter to ‘America first’.

27 Apr 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | Asean must see US tariff pause for what it is – a trade hostage crisis

By pausing tariffs instead of repealing them, Trump creates the illusion of flexibility while retaining coercive leverage.

27 Apr 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth look on during a cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10 in Washington. Photo: AFP

Pakistan

Pakistan’s mining push: a chance to equal Indonesia’s nickel success?

A landmark deal unlocking vast copper and gold reserves has Pakistan eyeing a transformative economic shift.

26 Apr 2025 - 10:02PM

Copper smelting at an underground copper mine. Pakistan’s Reko Diq project is expected to yield 13.1 million tonnes of copper over its 37-year lifespan. Photo: AFP

Architecture and design

I started a sustainable furniture brand in Hong Kong. Here’s what I learned

In 2014, interior architect Caroline Olah founded her furniture brand with a commitment to responsible design. She recounts what happened when she saw the wood – not just the trees.

26 Apr 2025 - 6:00PM

US-China trade war

Crunch time for China’s solar panels as Trump’s 3,521% tariffs loom

Chinese firms have been exporting from offshore factories to beat US tariffs for a decade, and Washington is determined to shut the loophole.

27 Apr 2025 - 9:43AMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysians poor? ‘We have free healthcare, grandpa,’ they tell Bill O’Reilly

The US political commentator drew the ire of Malaysians by suggesting they were too poor to buy a hat or afford a proper meal.

25 Apr 2025 - 5:17PM

Bill O’Reilly hosts the No Spin News channel on YouTube. Photo: Instagram/Bill O’Reilly

Electric & new energy vehicles

Indonesia stays committed to EV battery hub goal despite LG’s ‘significant’ exit

China-backed Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt will replace LG Energy Solution, which pulled out due to ‘market conditions’, in a mega EV project.

25 Apr 2025 - 7:28PM

An electric car at an Indonesian auto show in 2023. Indonesia will keep its plan to build its electric vehicle battery supply chain despite LG’s exit from a mega project. Photo: EPA-EFE

Video gaming

Indonesian indie game Afterlove EP tells a moving story of grief and music

The final work of Coffee Talk and What Comes After game designer Mohammad Fahmi covers grief, new beginnings and the power of music.

24 Apr 2025 - 7:15PMvideocam

The Philippines

Despite Trump’s tariffs, Philippines ‘strategically positioned to benefit’

The study found that low tariffs and exemptions may boost trade opportunities despite the Philippines’ infrastructure challenges.

24 Apr 2025 - 8:21PMvideocam

Diplomacy

‘Balanced’ ties: Indonesia treads careful path between China and US

This impartial stance could set Jakarta up to be a good mediator between Beijing and Washington, observers say.

24 Apr 2025 - 3:53PM

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding after the first 2+2 meeting in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua/EPA-EFE

Luxury travel

2 iPhones, 3 pillows, Air France: hotel designer Kelly Wearstler’s travel tips

Commercial interior designer Wearstler, who logs 150,000 air miles a year, shares her top travel hacks for the well-heeled.

23 Apr 2025 - 8:00PM

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for April 24-26

Go low-ABV at Mostly Harmless, sip craft beer at Flower Years’ 7th anniversary party, and enjoy drinks by Jakarta’s Carrots at The Opposites.

23 Apr 2025 - 6:15PM

Israel

Presence of Indonesian students in Israel stirs debate over Palestinian issue

While some students have hailed the benefits of studying in Israel, others warn the stint may affect the students’ mindset over Palestine.

23 Apr 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

A foreign worker at an agriculture field near the Israeli city of Beersheba. More Indonesian students are studying Israeli agriculture. Photo: AFP

Pope Francis

Indonesians mourn Pope Francis’ death: ‘we were so proud of him’

Indonesians across the Muslim-majority nation share warm messages of support as they remember the late pontiff’s compassion and humility.

22 Apr 2025 - 6:12PM

A teacher lights a candle next to a portrait of the late Pope Francis on display at St Stanislaus junior school in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

China-Asean relations

China calls on Indonesia to jointly oppose protectionism as US trade war deepens

Call from China’s top diplomat Wang Yi follows first ‘2+2’ talks between the two countries’ foreign and defence ministers.

22 Apr 2025 - 5:31PM

Asia travel

Recap | The best of Bali, from iconic wildlife, laid-back Nusa Lembongan, world-leading beach clubs and more

Discover what makes Bali unique in five articles highlighting some of the holiday island’s top spots and other not-so-well-known hidden attractions beyond the usual tourist trail.

21 Apr 2025 - 11:00AM

Africa

Is Indonesia destined to be a footnote in Africa’s growth story?

Despite President Prabowo’s heartfelt words and promises of partnership, analysts question Indonesia’s commitment to the continent.

21 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Workers use sewing machines at a textile factory in the small African kingdom of Lesotho. Photo: AFP

Asean

Amid ‘Jumbo’ success, can Indonesia become an animation powerhouse?

The Indonesian film has become Southeast Asia’s biggest ever animation release in terms of revenue, at US$10 million as of April 14.

19 Apr 2025 - 3:30PMvideocam

The Indonesian hit cartoon film “Jumbo” has become the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animation release in history. Photo: Visinema Group

Environment

Indonesian woman turns to mangroves to keep floodwaters at bay

Pasijah’s home is the only one remaining in this part of Rejosari Senik, a small village on Java’s northern coast that is now submerged in water.

19 Apr 2025 - 4:15PM

Asean

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

19 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

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