High-tech startup success stories shouldn’t hide that the Indonesian economy and population are relying primarily on a myriad of micro and small businesses that are low-tech and low-growth.
Mast Irham/EPA
Micro-entrepreneurs make up the bulk of the Indonesian economy and population. But red tape and corruption are keeping them from entering the 'formal' sector.
A man protesting against the government’s new power to ban organisations deemed anti-Pancasila, Indonesia’s state ideology.
Reuters/Beawiharta
A recently passed regulation in lieu of law allows the government to ban organisations deemed against Indonesia's state ideology Pancasila. It marks a troubling turn towards ultra-nationalism.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, May 14 2017.
Reuters/Kenzaburo Fukuhara
Jakarta’s gubernatorial election is by far the most significant political event of the year in Indonesia. Not only is Jakarta Indonesia’s biggest and most important city, the election matters because of…
Jokowi’s timetable omitted several of the high-profile events planned for the earlier visit.
AAP/David Moir
Jokowi’s visit was a good deal shorter than the one planned for last year. But it did highlight several important issues in the bilateral relationship.
The rally triggered by alleged blasphemy by Jakarta governor Ahok was really a vehicle for conservative groups to protest Joko Widodo.
AAP/Dani Daniar
An enormous rally in Jakarta, organised by hardline Islamic militia group the Islamic Defenders Front, appears to have mobilised a diverse group of conservative Muslims in Indonesia.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo announces the new members of his cabinet on Wednesday.
Reuters
Great expectations distorts the political horse-trading that shaped the new cabinet of Indonesia.
The presence of civil society representatives, such as State Secretary Praktikno (left), a former university rector, in government shows increased plurality in Indonesia’s bureaucracy.
Reuters/Antara News Agency
Indonesian activists see that opportunities for them to enter the state arena and influence the policy process are opening up with Joko Widodo's presidency.
Does the rest of the world care about Australia’s election?
EPA/Mast Irham
Experts in the UK, US, India, Indonesia and NZ explain how Australia's election is playing out abroad and what's at stake for our neighbours and allies.
Jokowi: scourge of corruption?
Reuters/Beawiharta Beawiharta
Indonesia's war on drugs aims to protect the country's young generation from an alleged "national drug emergency." But the government's coercive approach is harming the people it wishes to protect.
Joko Widodo is surrounded by politicians and military generals with agendas that are unlikely to help the Papuans.
EPA/Mast Irham
Australia has cut aid to Indonesia by 40%. That may cause diplomatic displeasure, but the country has restructured its development programs in recent years to be less dependent on foreign money.
Indonesians are sensitive about issues of respect for their nation and its sovereignty, as protests at Tony Abbott’s linking of aid with calls for clemency showed.
EPA/Bagus Indahono
Indonesians have long felt that Australia lacks respect for their nation's sovereignty, but Indonesia's status as a rising power adds to the urgency of recalibrating our approach to the relationship.
Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott greets Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo during the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane.
AAP/Steve Christo
Since Tony Abbott became prime minister, three issues have strained relations with Indonesia. Before the fracture over the fate of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, there were difficulties from the Coalition's tow-back policy and a major crisis after revelations of Australian spying.
Human rights lawyer Mulya Lubis shows reporters Myuran Sukumaran’s painting, ‘The Second Last Day’.
AAP/Roni Bintang
Indonesia’s most distinguished practising human rights lawyer, Mulya Lubis, is central to continuing efforts in Indonesia to abolish the death penalty.
The Australian-Indonesia relationship has become frosty and personal, which will test the diplomatic skills of Tony Abbott and Joko Widodo.
AAP/Eka Nickmatulhuda