News Columns about Indonesia

Indonesia Investments' News Columns section contains articles with a detailed analysis regarding topics that have high news value in Indonesia and can be regarded as topics that are capable of influencing Indonesia's investment climate. Most columns published in this section cover subjects related to politics, economics and social matters. By following these publications on a regular basis, one will be apprised of what is happening in Indonesia and - just as important - understand why it is happening.

  • Tanjung Priok Strike Ended, No Big Consequences for Trade

    The strike, organized by more than 600 workers of Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port, seemingly had a limited negative impact on trade. The strike took place from Thursday (03/08) to Monday (07/08) and was used by the workers to urge the transfer of bonus payments. JICT, which operates the container terminal at Tanjung Priok, is owned by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holding Group (51 percent) and Koperasi Pegawai Maritim (48.9 percent). The latter is part of state-owned port operator Pelindo II.

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  • Opinion Piece: Is Indonesia's Purchasing Power Actually Weak?

    Over the past couple of months there have been many reports about Indonesia's weak consumer purchasing power. For example, the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) said it detected rather weak retail sales during this year's Idul Fitri period (the week-long holiday that marks the end of the Islamic fasting month). Whereas these sales rose 16.3 percent during last year's edition of Idul Fitri, they rose only by an estimated 5-6 percent this year.

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  • Garuda Indonesia Delays the Arrival of New Airplanes

    Indonesia's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, a state-controlled five-star airline that is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, requested to postpone the arrival of new airplanes in an attempt to improve the company's corporate earnings. Pahala M. Mansury, General Director of Garuda Indonesia, said the order (the number of airplanes) has not been revised, neither has the company's fleet plan (that runs to 2020) been changed. Only the timing of arrival of five planes has been altered.

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  • Crime & Controversy: How Many Indonesians Use Illegal Drugs?

    Nico Afinta, Head of the Jakarta Police's Narcotics Unit, said the number of drug users in Indonesia is estimated to have grown up to 5 million people. They are particularly centered in Jakarta (where it is estimated that up to 1 million people use illegal drugs) and Bali. Afinta added that the high number of drug users makes Indonesia an attractive market for drug smugglers or traffickers, particularly as law enforcement in Indonesia is generally weak. Therefore, tough action is required.

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