Despite fierce international criticism, Indonesia will go-ahead with the executions of 14 convicted drug traffickers, including 10 foreigners (from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan). According to local media coffins have already arrived at the Nusa Kambangan prison island (Central Java) where executions usually take place, while the families of those who face imminent executions have already been informed. The executions, by firing squad, are expected to be conducted tonight or tomorrow (traditionally around midnight).

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In yesterday's cabinet reshuffle Budi Karya Sumadi replaced Ignasius Jonan as Indonesia's new transportation minister. Sumadi is instructed by President Joko Widodo to improve Indonesia's connectivity - on land, sea and air - with the aim to empower the people. Currently, Indonesia is still plagued by weak connectivity, mainly due to the lack of quality and quantity of infrastructure as well as weak public transportation services. If these issues are improved, then businesses will become more competitive on lower logistics costs, while people's access to healthcare services improves.

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In today's cabinet reshuffle (27/07) economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati was appointed as Indonesia's new finance minister, replacing Bambang Brodjonegoro. One day earlier, when few were aware about this surprise move, Sri Mulyani spoke briefly to reporters - in her position as managing director and chief operating officer of the World Bank - about the Indonesian and global economy. She sees two matters that negatively affect Indonesia's economic growth: slowing economic growth in China and the Brexit issue.

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Indonesian stocks and the rupiah performed well on the day that President Joko Widodo announced his cabinet reshuffle, while Japan announced a larger-than-expected economic stimulus package to boost the local economy. The benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index) surged 0.96 percent to 5,274.36 points, while the Indonesian rupiah appreciated 0.29 percent to IDR 13,137 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index) on Wednesday (27/07). Lets take a closer look.

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