Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the 12 founding members of APEC. It is an economy with a population of 261 million people. When it co-founded APEC in 1989, Indonesia’s real GDP was USD 288 billion, and its real per capita GDP was USD 1,600. By 2016, its real GDP more than tripled at USD 1 trillion, while its per capita GDP more than doubled at USD 4,000.

SoftBank chief wants to help Indonesia build a new smart capital

JAKARTA, Jan 10, 2020, Bloomberg. SoftBank Group has joined a growing list of global investors…

[Analytics] 2019: Year of rough seas for Philippines in the face of belligerent China

Yes, the Chinese have been sneaking in and around the West Philippine Sea before, but…

President Jokowi seeks Japanese investment in Indonesia’s Natuna

JAKARTA, Jan 10, 2020, ANTARA. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), through Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, put…

[Analytics] The Bougainville referendum and the fate of Melanesia: Which Way, Big Man?

A staggering 98% of Bougainvilleans voted for independence from Papua New Guinea in the recent…

South & Southeast

First pure-play digital bank in SE Asia receives bank licence approval to operate in the Philippines

MANILA, Jan 9, 2020, The Business Times. TONIK Financial’s subsidiary in the Philippines, TONIK Digital…

[Analytics] Deterrence and South China Sea strategy: What do the latest China-Indonesia Natuna tensions tell us?

The recent round of tensions between China and Indonesia in the Natunas, which comes as…

Indonesian president plans to visit Natuna amid China’s violations

BATAM, Jan 8, 2020, ANTARA. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to visit Natuna…

India asks refiners to stop buying Malaysian palm oil after political row: Sources

NEW DELHI, Jan 8, 2020, Reuters. India has informally asked palm oil refiners and traders…

Indonesia mobilises fishermen in stand-off with China

JAKARTA, Jan 7, 2020, Bangkok Post. Indonesia will mobilise fishermen to join warships in the…

Indonesia