Economy - Indonesia at Melbourne

Prabowo’s China dilemma

Since Jokowi came to power, China has become Indonesia’s biggest trading partner and a major source of investment. Indonesia has benefited from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and China’s investment in the local nickel industry has been pivotal in accelerating Indonesia’s dominance in that industry. So it is not surprising that Prabowo visited China earlier this month, well ahead of his formal inauguration.

China-Indonesia economic cooperation cannot continue to overlook human security

Economy, Environment, Foreign Policy

For national elites, China is now widely seen as a providential partner whose capital and technology are pivotal for a development agenda centred on infrastructure, digitalisation and downstreaming activities. But while Chinese funding has helped Indonesia rise up the value chain, it is clear this comes at a high cost to local people and the natural environment.

Talking Indonesia: food security

Economy, Security

In 2023 an EL Niño weather pattern across Indonesia made it the hottest year on record, leading to drought conditions and impacting rice production, with delayed harvests and low yields. Since late last year rice prices have continued to climb. In this episode of Talking Indonesia Jemma Purdey chats with Associate Professor Jamie Davidson, leader of the Cluster ‘Food Politics and Society' at the National University of Singapore, about the current state of food production and food security in Indonesia.

Talking Indonesia: energy transition

Economy, Environment, Talking Indonesia

In the recent national elections, the candidates paid surprisingly little attention to one of the greatest challenges Indonesia and the world at large is currently facing – that of climate change. What are Indonesia’s stated commitments and ambitions towards an energy transition away from fossil fuels? Does it have a plan to get there? And what will it take?

No such thing as a free lunch: counting the cost of Prabowo’s ‘free food’ program

Economy, Policy in Focus, Public health

Unofficial counts from Indonesia’s presidential election on 14 February suggest a comfortable victory for Prabowo Subianto. He brought a populist policy agenda to the table that appealed to Indonesia’s poor voters. Free food or makan gratis became a flagship program that Prabowo repeatedly promoted throughout the campaign. But just how feasible is this program?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/djou/6521912409

Talking Indonesia: big business

Economy

Over the past two decades, Indonesia’s biggest conglomerates have emerged not just as domestic oligarchs but increasingly as regional players. To help us understand how Indonesian big business has transformed Indonesia and is now reshaping our region, Jacqui Baker chats with Faris Al Fadhat, Senior Lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta.

https://flickr.com/photos/asiandevelopmentbank/14454539704/

Unpacking Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Roadmap

Economy, Environment, Policy in Focus

As part of its obligations under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, Indonesia released a Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan that details a roadmap for reaching peak emissions in 2030 and becoming net zero by 2050. It was written with an eye toward making Indonesia’s renewable energy sector more attractive to private capital. But is it politically feasible?

https://www.antaranews.com/foto/3778404/presiden-jokowi-disambut-upacara-kenegaraan-di-china/2

How green is China’s Belt and Road investment in Indonesia?

Economy, Foreign Policy, Uncategorized

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with Chinese President Xi Xinping on the sidelines of the 5th Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Summit in Hong Kong on 17 October. They announced a unveiled a host of new investment deals focused on green development. But how green is Chinese investment, really?

Indonesian tycoons: donation strategy for the 2024 election

2024 Indonesian Elections, Economy, Political parties

There are no official statistics on the cost of presidential campaigns in Indonesia but official campaign reports are far below informed estimates. For Indonesia's business tycoons, political donations might be the most important investment decisions they make over the next five years.

Posted in: Economy