Infrastructure - Indonesia at Melbourne

The Whoosh debt debacle: what the need for speed will cost Indonesia

Analysis, Economy, Infrastructure, Policies, Whoosh

Intended to symbolise Indonesian national pride when it began operations in October 2023, Whoosh has a speed of 350 kilometres per hour and a massive price tag of over US$7 billion, funded by Chinese state-owned finance providers. Indonesia’s Whoosh debt now amounts to US$5.4 billion (75 percent of total project costs), triggering criticism across the country and a corruption investigation.

Talking Indonesia: building the new capital

Infrastructure, Talking Indonesia, Urban planning

Indonesia's planned new capital, Nusantara, has set high standards of design and sustainability. Will it be able to deliver on its promises? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Associate Professor Eka Permanasari in Talking Indonesia.

Does Indonesia really need a land bank?

Analysis, Corruption, Environment, Infrastructure, Law, Natural Resources, Policies, Urban planning

Plans for a new national land bank need to consider how the institution would meet the government’s goals – and benefit the people.

As Jokowi calls for climate action, destructive coal mining continues to boom

Environment, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Public health

The president is signalling a shift in energy policy away from coal, but mining for the resource shows no signs of slowing. Article 33’s Santoso gives a closer view of what the practice is costing communities on the ground.

Best of 2019: Talking Indonesia

Aid & Development, Arts, Corruption, Economy, Elections, Environment, Gender, Human Rights, Infrastructure, Law, Natural Resources, Policies, Religion, Security, Talking Indonesia

2019 was a big year for Talking Indonesia. Here we present the 10 episodes that were most popular with podcast subscribers over the past year.

Talking Indonesia: moving the capital

Analysis, Environment, Infrastructure, Talking Indonesia

Will the government be able to pull off its plan to move the capital to East Kalimantan? What are the potential social, economic and environmental impacts? Dr Charlotte Setijadi speaks to Dr Martin Siyaranamual and Dr Rita Padawangi in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Talking Indonesia: energy

Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Talking Indonesia

How can Indonesia wean itself off coal and protect its electricity supply at the same time? What are the prospects for renewables, which currently only make up 7 per cent of Indonesia's energy mix? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Emanuel Bria in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

After Jakarta: imagining a new capital

Analysis, Environment, Infrastructure

In spite of the challenges involved with establishing a new capital, Dr Amanda Achmadi writes that the proposal is a valuable opportunity to discuss what constitutes Indonesia beyond Java, and how regional Indonesians see their future as part of the nation.

Ahead of the second debate, get the lowdown on infrastructure under Jokowi

2019 Indonesian Elections, Analysis, Corruption, Elections, Infrastructure, Policies, Policy in Focus

Jokowi’s government has spent big on infrastructure over the past five years. Akhmad Misbakhul Hasan takes a look at where the money has come from, and where some – but not all – of it has gone.

Posted in: Infrastructure