Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific
Authors: Tao Kong, Peking University and Pierre van der Eng, ANU
In January 2017, the head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong announced that Indonesia received US$2.7 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) from China during 2016. With FDI from Hong Kong included, this figure rises to an unprecedented US$4.9 billion. Read more…
Author: Emirza Adi Syailendra, RSIS
A hard-fought election for Jakarta’s governorship has revealed new leaders in Indonesia’s political landscape. Final quick-count results showed a double-digit victory margin for former education minister Anies Baswedan over controversial incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as ‘Ahok’). The election has proved divisive, indicating a split between those who voted on performance and others who voted on identity politics. Read more…
Author: John Blaxland, ANU
Australia needs to look beyond great powers like China and holistically engage with its immediate neighbours in Southeast Asia. This means its approach to China, ‘thinking big — strategically and for the long term’ must extend to Southeast Asia, with all sectors of Australian society engaging. Read more…
Author: Charlotte Setijadi, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
The second and final round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election will take place on 19 April. After failing to secure the 50 per cent threshold required for a first round victory, incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (affectionately known as Ahok) and running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat will once again go head to head against first round runner-up Anies Baswedan and running mate Sandiaga Uno. Read more…
Author: Edward Aspinall, ANU
On 19 April, the residents of Jakarta — Indonesia’s sprawling capital — will go to the polls in an election that presents an unusually stark choice between religious solidarity and governmental performance. It pits incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as Ahok, against former education and culture minister Anies Baswedan. Read more…
Author: Matthew Busch, University of Melbourne
Good news emerged last week when the Indonesian government and Freeport Indonesia — a local subsidiary of the copper and gold giant Freeport-McMoRan — struck a deal to relieve their impasse. With more than US$15 billion in future investment riding on a resolution, Freeport is the major economics story in Indonesia currently, and its outcome will set the tone for other foreign investors. Read more…
