#Public Affairs
Jokowi's ASEAN vision: Securing stability and prosperity for 2045
As the ASEAN 2023's Chairman, Indonesia hopes to bring stability and prosperity in the region on various issues, including climate change, cyber security, digital economy and disruption of the regional supply chain. Therefore, the government must create a strong foundation of cooperation so that ASEAN can face all kinds of challenges in a responsive manner as a region.
The ‘BTS effect': How Indonesia should learn from South Korean soft 'economy' power
As the current biggest Korean boy band in the world, BTS has been proving its status by breaking barriers and records - in or outside music industry - around the world.
Sweden, Indonesia sign 10 points of cooperation
Sweden and Indonesia have agreed on 10 points of cooperation during Sweden-Indonesia Sustainable Partnership (SISP) 2022.
'Start-up Nation' seeking its future Indonesian-Israeli leaders
The Israel-Asia Center is seeking for its future emerging leaders from Indonesia to develop relations between the two countries, through its Israel-Indonesia Futures Program and Israel-Indonesia Futures 2022 Challenge Program. The programs are destined to Indonesian emerging leaders in innovation, social entrepreneurship, tech, education and other sectors who demonstrate a track record for creating impact and who are eager to contribute to the strengthening of Israel-Indonesia relations in the post-COVID era.
China's coal-fired power plants should be terminated over public concerns
The government should terminate all captive coal-fired power plant projects funded by the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since the projects have yet to comply with China's commitment to cease the development of coal-fired power plants at home and overseas since September 2021. Ironically, several nickel-based industrial parks are powered by coal to produce nickel-based batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).
Michelin allegedly involves in deforestation, intimidation against Jambi local community
French tire company Michelin's local subsidiary, PT Lestari Asri Jaya (LAJ), has been allegedly involved in deforestation and intimidation against local farmers although the company had secured green bonds.
Stunting threat in Indonesia
According to Banggai Islands Regent Ihsan Basir, stunting cases in the Central Sulawesi's regency in 2019 had been recorded at 22.6%. The figure increased to 23% in 2020 but then decreased to 21.54% in 2021. However, until mid year 2022, the stunting rate in the regency slightly increased to 21.87% in 2022.
Fuel price dilemma: Mass strikes to happen in next several months
The government recently raised fuel prices to avoid an overburdening of the state budget from subsidies designed to keep domestic fuel costs low despite increasing global oil prices. Some may question, though, why even supposedly unsubsidized fuel in Indonesia is still priced significantly below global standards. And a lot of it has to do with definitions.
G20 Summit targets: Responding to food crisis, clean energy
The world is now facing the risk of a global food security crisis. Global markets for food, fertilizer and fuel are thus extremely nervous. Of course, market forces could solve such a crisis, but only by driving food prices higher and forcing hundreds of millions of households into possible hunger and starvation.
Regulation on PSE solidifies as big tech companies register their services
Indonesia’s censorship and tight internet regulation mission continue with the implementation of the ministry of communication and informatics' Ministerial Regulation no. 5/2020 on Private Electronic System Operators (PSE).
Labor Party plans to protest until September 26, 2022
Labor Party Chairman Said Iqbal said that party elements of workers, fishermen, farmers, women, youth organizations and other informal workers will continue to protest the government on the latter's policy on fuel price hike. The protests will take place in offices of governors, regents and mayors as well as the Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) buildings until September 26, 2022.
Government increases fuel prices, sparks protests across Indonesia
Protests broke out in several cities on September 6, 2022, following the government's decision to raise fuel prices three days earlier. Thousands of workers, grouped under the Labor Party, staged a protest in front of the House of Representatives (DPR)/People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta.