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Indonesia
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Indonesia

Indonesia
Indonesia
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion from Indonesia.
Capital
Jakarta
Head of State
President Prabowo Subianto
Prabowo Subianto
Head of Government
President Prabowo Subianto
Prabowo Subianto
A sailor observes the landing of an E-2D Hawkeye on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford while operating in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, on March 2. Photo: US Navy via Reuters
Middle East

Letters | Iran war: democracy, power and the US’ changing strategic limits

Readers discuss the implications of the war in Iran, the impact on Asian economies, and Hong Kong as a safe haven.

Trade

Indonesia’s US trade deal faces a sovereignty reckoning at home

Social media

Indonesia to ban under-16s from ‘high-risk’ social media platforms

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Crime

DNA confirms mutilated remains found on Bali beach belong to kidnapped Ukrainian

Ihor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian national, was reported abducted in mid-February while riding a motorcycle with a friend in Jimbaran.

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Tourists relax at a beach in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: EPA
Iran

Is Indonesia’s fuel subsidy sustainable as Iran war continues?

Higher oil prices would mean bigger fuel subsidies, piling on the pressure on a budget that is already under investor scrutiny.

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Middle East

Letters | As the US attacks Iran, the ancient Battle of Carrhae offers lessons

Readers discuss the war in the Middle East, the opportunity for Colombians in Hong Kong to vote, the importance of teacher well-being, and the poon choi tradition.

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Asean

‘We will go to war’: why #SEAblings became a Southeast Asian rallying cry

The hashtag went viral following a row over a South Korean band’s concert in Kuala Lumpur in January and protests in Indonesia last year.

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A social media post using #SEAblings and an illustration over a row following South Korean rock band Day6’s concert in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: X/Boju
Singapore

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

Asia travel

Thousands of passengers ‘stuck’ in Indonesia’s Bali after war grounds planes

With foreigners at risk of overstaying their visas, the Bali immigration office has introduced a free same-day emergency stay permit.

Iran

‘Nothing to them’: Indonesia’s US-Iran peace broker bid faces long odds

Indonesia’s president offered to fly to Tehran in person, but critics say joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ cost Jakarta its neutrality.

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Young Indonesians hold signs as they take part in a protest against Israel outside the US embassy in Jakarta last month. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Southeast Asian navy strategies, Japan video sparks outrage: 7 Asia highlights

From predictions on Iranian leadership to North Korea’s nuclear vindication, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Screenshots from a viral video posted by an social media user on Wednesday showing her daughter being shoved while attempting to take a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing. Photo: Instagram/peipeilin527
US, Israel war on Iran

Millions of Asian migrant workers in Gulf at risk as war with Iran rages on

Deaths or injuries of people from the Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, who were working in the region, have been reported.

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South China Sea

South China Sea expert warns 2026 code of conduct is ‘simply not achievable’

The agreement ‘cannot be successfully negotiated’ while rival claimant Philippines holds Asean chair, Chinese analyst Wu Shicun says.

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SCMP Highlights

US mining expansion in Africa, Indonesia’s aircraft carrier: 5 weekend reads

From how Khamenei’s death will impact China-Iran ties to what Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier means, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

The Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi pictured in 2016. Photo: AFP
Iran

Death of Iran’s Khamenei sparks outrage and calls for restraint in Asia

Protesters stormed the US consulate in Karachi as leaders, including Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the killing and appealed for dialogue.

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Shiite Muslims mourn the killing of Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Srinagar, India-run Kashmir, on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Artificial intelligence

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia needs AI sovereignty – the Grok scandal proved it

From Singapore’s SEA-LION to Malaysia’s ILMU, Southeast Asian nations aim to build AI that reflects their own languages, cultures and values.

The Philippines

Indonesia is getting an aircraft carrier. The Philippines isn’t. Does it matter?

Indonesia wants to project power. The Philippines wants to deny it. In the South China Sea, one approach may matter more than the other.

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Asean

Letters | Asean is not choosing sides, but strategically maximising space

Readers discuss how Southeast Asian governments have gained bargaining power, the benefits of cheap public transport, and a harbourfront project.

A boat cruises past a nickel processing plant at Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park in Central Halmahera, North Maluku province, Indonesia in 2024. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

47% of Hong Kong employees happy at work, lowest among 8 Asia-Pacific economies

Less than half of local employees report feeling happy at work, compared with 56 per cent from Singapore, according to Jobsdb Hong Kong.

Crime

Indonesia’s bid to execute 6 cargo ship crew in drug case sparks legal debate

Prosecutors allege the crew knowingly transported nearly two tonnes of meth, while lawyers say criminal intent must be assessed individually.

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Prabowo Subianto

Pertamina corruption trial: 9 jailed over US$17 billion state loss in Indonesia

Kerry Adrianto Riza, son of ‘gasoline godfather’ Riza Chalid, was given 15 years’ jail and ordered to pay US$173 million in restitution.

Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza, a former vice director at Kilang Pertamina Internasional, arrives for his sentencing hearing on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Thailand

US, Thailand lead 30 nations in Southeast Asia’s largest military drill

Cobra Gold is necessary to address emerging threats and improve interoperability in the region, the US ambassador to Thailand says.

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US Ambassador Sean O’Neill attends the opening ceremony of Cobra Gold in Rayong province, Thailand, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Extreme weather

Video | Heavy rain triggers serious flooding in Bali

No fatalities reported despite days of heavy rain that left many trapped in homes and vehicles.

Religion

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

A New Zealander’s disruption of a prayer session over the use of loudspeakers at a mosque has prompted some to call for a law on their use.

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South Korea

South Korea axes visa barriers for Indonesians in 30 million visitor drive

Citizens of China and Southeast Asian nations who have previously visited the country can apply for multiple-entry visas of up to 10 years.

Filipino tourists pose for a photo in front of Hongje Falls in the Seodaemun district on February 9. Photo: The Korea Times
South Korea

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

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Screenshots from an AI-generated video posted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung showing young versions of himself and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva embracing as well as the two of them hugging in real life during Lula’s state visit to Seoul. Photo: X / Jaemyung_Lee
Crime

Bali ‘suitcase murder’ convict leaves Indonesia to face US court

Tommy Schaefer, convicted of killing girlfriend Heather Mack’s mother in 2014, apologised to the victim’s family after his early release.

Israel-Gaza war

Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk

Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.

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