Australia Seeking to Deepen Relations with Indonesia
At the recent Indonesia-Australia dialogue, Foreign Minister Bob Carr stressed the importance of deepening relations with Indonesia and building stronger cultural and people-to-people ties. Background At the Indonesia-Australia dialogue, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said relations between Australia and Indonesia are at a ‘near historic high’ but stressed more needed to be done to deepen the relationship. The annual conference,...
Indonesia on Track for another Growth Year
The World Bank forecasts the Indonesian economy to grow by 6.3 per cent in 2013. The figure is boosted by a growing and increasingly affluent middle class, whose demand for motor vehicles has caught the eye of the Australian automotive industry. Background Indonesia’s economic growth looks set to continue in 2013, with the country’s economy...
Indonesian Counterterrorism Arrests Highlight Successes and Challenges
The recent arrest of eleven terrorist suspects demonstrates the success of Australian-Indonesian counterterrorism co-operation since the 2002 Bali bombings, while highlighting some of the challenges that lie ahead. Background Following several days of raids across four provinces in late October 2012, the Indonesian National Police special counterterrorism unit Densus 88 arrested 11 men suspected of...
Indonesia, Malaysia Continue Corruption Fight
Both Indonesia and Malaysia are continuing their efforts to tackle corruption. While much remains to be done, Indonesia in particular is making progress. Background Officials in both Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur have recently stressed their countries’ commitment to fighting corruption. Indonesian authorities announced that the Transportation and Trade Ministries had made the greatest strides in...
Indonesia to Expand Arms Sales to Africa and Middle East
Indonesia is seeking to capitalise on interest from Iraq and Uganda in purchases of Indonesian defence products, which, if successful, will contribute to the target of US$7.6 billion in defence sector earnings. Background The Indonesian defence industry could receive a sizeable boost if plans for exports to Iraq and Uganda go ahead. Earnings from the...
China, Indonesia Begin Missile Talks
Background China and Indonesia have started talks on the ambitious local production of C-705 anti-ship missiles, as part of Indonesia’s efforts to achieve independence in weapons production. The defence co-operation reflects strengthening ties between the two countries, amid heightening tension in the South China Sea involving China and a number of Indonesia’s ASEAN neighbours. Comment...
Indonesia and the Failed States Index Report
Background The annual Failed States Index (FSI) report has once again been released by the Fund for Peace (FFP) and Foreign Policy magazine. The report analyses countries by looking at social, economic, political and military indicators. Last year, Indonesia ranked at 64 out of 178 countries. In the 2012 edition, Indonesia has moved up one...
FPI: Rising Radical Movement in Indonesia
Background As the world’s largest Muslim country and third-largest democracy, it is interesting to see how Indonesian democracy is coping with the country’s increasingly dynamic social conditions. One recent phenomenon is the emergence of more radical Islamic movements, the most well-known of which is Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defenders Front or FPI). Comment FPI...
Indonesia Must Choose Its Direction In 2012
Download PDF Yasmi Adriansyah FDI Associate Key Points Though progress has been made, corruption is still the biggest challenge confronting Indonesia. The coalition government headed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will come under increasing strain as the 2014 general election draws closer. The protection of Indonesian migrant workers abroad is becoming a more pressing concern...
The Cocos Islands Plan and Indonesia’s “Dynamic Equilibrium”
Background In March 2012, the Australian Government hinted at “a longer-term option” to host United States’ aerial surveillance assets in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. While Beijing is likely to view this plan as part of recent moves by Washington to contain China, Jakarta fears that the bilateral plan will inevitably pose challenges to Indonesia’s strategic...