• Jakarta Governor Ahok Named Suspect in Blasphemy Investigation

    After a first hearing on Tuesday (15/11) Indonesia's Police named incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Cahaya Purnama (better known as Ahok) as suspect in a blasphemy investigation case, implying that he cannot leave the country while investigation is conducted. This announcement was made on Wednesday morning (16/11). About a dozen people filed blasphemy allegations against Ahok after a manipulated recording surfaced on social media showing him expressing disrespectful language about a specific Quranic verse during a speech in Kepulauan Seribu, off the coast of Jakarta, in early October.

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  • Foreign Ownership in Electronic Payment Services Firms Curbed by Bank Indonesia

    Bank Indonesia curbed foreign ownership in local companies that offer electronic payment services to a 20 percent stake through the implementation of Bank Indonesia Regulation No. 18/40/PBI/2016 on the Operation of Payment Transaction Processing. Central Bank Governor Agus Martowardojo said this new regulation will strengthen the development of technology-based financial services firms in Indonesia by enhancing the sector's regulatory framework amid growing interest in financial technology.

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  • Indonesian Stocks Continue to Slide on Tuesday, Rupiah Stronger

    Indonesian stocks continued to decline on Tuesday (15/11), for the third consecutive day. After a promising start - Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) rose about 1 percent in today's first trading session - the index finished the day down 0.73 percent to 5,078.50 points. Key matters that cause this selloff are the US dollar approaching a 14-year high as well as expectation of rising inflation in the USA now Donald Trump has been elected next US president. This cocktail gives rise to capital outflows from emerging markets to the USA.

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  • Trade Balance Indonesia: Exports & Imports Rising in October 2016

    Indonesia recorded a USD $1.21 billion trade surplus in October 2016 according to the latest data from the nation's Central Statistics Agency (BPS). In line with expectations both exports and imports rose last month supported by rising commodity prices (hence boosting the country's export performance) and an increase in machinery and electrical appliance imports into Indonesia. Meanwhile, BPS revised September's trade surplus to USD $1.27 billion, from USD $1.22 billion reported last month.

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