Indonesia Proposed Changes to Criminal Code and KPK Spur Concerns (28 Aug – 11 Sep) National legislators in Indonesia are expected to vote on a new penal code on 24 September, replacing the current code inherited from its Dutch colonial rulers. If the law is approved, it...
Indonesia NasDem Demurs as Jokowi Finalises Selection of His New Cabinet (14-17 Aug) President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” announced on Wednesday, 14 August that he had finalised the selection of his new cabinet. While the full list of ministers would only be announced after the start of his...
Indonesia Blackout Ordeal in Java Leads to Questions, Lawsuits (4-8 Aug) Indonesian citizens across the island of Java were hit by a sustained electricity outage on Sunday, 4 August, following disruptions to several power plants. Tens of millions were affected as traffic lights, cashless payment services and...
Indonesia Toyota, Softbank Among Big Investors as Jokowi Eyes 6% Annual Growth (19-29 Jul) Indonesia’s economic growth rate could reach an average of 6% per annum if President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” can attract more investment, according to a proposal from the Planning Ministry. The projected rate...
Indonesia Jokowi Prepares for New Cabinet (4 – 17 Jul) Second-term President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” has started reshaping his cabinet lineup behind closed doors. Tempo.co, quoting officials such as Indonesian Employers Association Deputy Shinta Kamdani, suggested that GoJek CEO Nadiem Makarim could be among those considered for...
Indonesia Tax Cuts and other Measures Mooted to Spur Investment and Unicorns (19, 26 Jun) Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati announced on Wednesday, 19 June that the Indonesian government is aiming to cut the corporate tax rate from 25% to 20% to spur investment. Indonesia, which has...
Indonesia Jokowi Meets Business Leaders to Discuss Leveraging the Trade War (12 June) President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” met with industry leaders to ask for policy suggestions on how to help Indonesia benefit the most from the trade war. Indonesia has already begun to feel the effects of...
Tech Business & Policy Thai Telecom Regulator Neutral in US-China Tech Trade War (4,11 Jun) Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has established a neutral policy on the country’s 5G development plans, in the hopes of attracting both China’s Huawei and U.S.-based vendors to develop the...
Indonesia Prabowo Ally Kivlan Zen to Be Questioned for Treason, Role in Assassination Plot (28 May) Kivlan Zen, a retired Army general and ardent supporter of Prabowo Subianto, has been in police custody since 29 May for treason allegations and his alleged role in an assassination plot...
By Simon Tay For The Straits Times As centrist parties falter in Western democracies, Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and India offer lessons on how political systems can bring stability Last month, the world witnessed its two largest democratic votes - in India and across Europe -...