The killing of an Indonesian intelligence chief by Papuan rebels has prompted calls from the president and other leaders to stamp out insurgents who support the region’s long-running independence movement.
Jokowi’s proposal to set up a rocket launch site for SpaceX in Indonesia is primarily meant to show the country’s openness to other partnerships with Elon Musk. Indonesia’s massive nickel reserves hold significant value for Tesla as the company seeks supplies for battery production.
With funding and vaccines at his disposal, Jokowi may still be unable to execute a free COVID-19 vaccination program as questions remain among Indonesians about the drugs’ safety and their halal status.
Malaysia and Indonesia’s governments have been pressured by their citizens to take a strict line against the French president’s controversial remarks. However, some politicians are seemingly using the opportunity to make political gains.
With the US election finally over and President-elect Joseph Biden set to enter the oval office, leaders across Southeast Asia have turned to what the next four years may hold for relations with the embattled superpower.
Indonesia has given control of its new national agricultural plan over to Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who stands accused of ordering civilian repression, torture and other crimes. The military’s control of the food estates program has increased opposition to the plan as critics voice concerns about the militarization of agriculture.
Indonesia’s government is working to ensure that the country’s options for COVID-19 vaccines will comply with Islamic law. However, such efforts may end up eroding the public’s trust in the vaccine and undermine the country’s fight against the pandemic.
As the United States and China compete for influence in Southeast Asia, could Indonesia’s efforts help keep ASEAN neutral?
Survey data shows Indonesians aren’t satisfied with how their democracy is functioning during the COVID-19 crisis. As the country’s economy dives, citizens are questioning their leaders’ decisions.
A catch-all omnibus job creation bill aims to put Indonesia’s demographic dividend to work.