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☆ Indonesia Presidential Hopeful Prabowo Seen Getting Majority Votes Survey
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian defence minister Prabowo Subianto is predicted to secure over 50% of votes needed to win the country's presidential election in one round, a new opinion survey showed on Saturday, the last day of campaigning. Prabowo is projected to gain 51.9% votes, based on a survey of 1,220 respondents by Lembaga Survei Indonesia (LSI), conducted between Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. On Friday, pollster Indikator Politik projected Prabowo to pip the 50% threshold needed to win in a single round. A run-off between two candidates with the most votes will be held in June if no candidate gets more than 50% of votes. Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, has been accused of interference and bias over his implicit support for Prabowo, which his allies have denied.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Lembaga Survei, Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, pip, Djayadi Hanan, Joko Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Hanan, Jokowi, Gibran, Jokowi's, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor, Sam Holmes Organizations: Jakarta Locations: JAKARTA, Lembaga Survei Indonesia, Central Java, Anies

☆ Indonesia Scraps Plan to Buy Mirage Fighter Jets From Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has ditched a controversial plan to buy 733 million euros ($790 million) worth of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets previously used by Qatar, the defence ministry spokesperson said late on Saturday. "There is no purchase of Mirage jets. Last month, the ministry said the deal to purchase the 12 fighter jets was delayed due to fiscal constraints and that the military would order a retrofit for its existing Sukhoi and F-16 aircraft instead. The planned purchase garnered controversy when it was announced last year, as lawmakers said the secondhand jets were old. Prabowo has overseen the military's efforts to modernise its ageing fleet, which include purchases of Rafale fighter jets, drones from Turkish Aerospace and fighter jets and transport helicopters from U.S. companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Persons: Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Lockheed Martin, Ananda Teresia, Gayatri Suroyo Organizations: Mirage, Defence, Rafale, Turkish Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, U.S

☆ Indonesia election: Young voters will decide the country’s future, here’s what they care about
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Rachel Wilson | Rosa Deacostanoya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

With a majority of the electorate under 40 years of age, the candidates are all vying for young voters to claim victory. On the ground, young voters are struggling to find jobs that suit their aspirations.” Yoes Kenawas, doctoral candidate at Northwestern UniversityIn addition to these economic concerns, more young voters also now worry about climate change. The social media battlegroundNearly 80% of people in Indonesia are connected to the internet and people aged 16 to 64 spend an average of more than three hours a day on social media, according to the We Are Social 2023 Digital Report, which provides global social media insights. Wednesday’s results will potentially offer a verdict on how effective social media campaigns have been in addressing young voters’ worries. There is a concern that young voters could get trapped in “a political campaign that is relying on gimmicks,” Kenawas said.

Persons: Indonesia’s, Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, — Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Raka, Widodo’s, Subianto, Abigail Limuria, Bijak, ” Abigail Limuria, ”, Yoes Kenawas, ” Yoes Kenawas, Instagram, Kenawas, Muhaimin Iskandar, Mahfud, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Subianto’s, Widodo, He’s, he’s, ’, ” Kenawas Organizations: CNN, Indonesia, Indonesian Defense, CNN Indonesia, Center for Strategic, International Studies, International Labour Organization, Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency, Northwestern University, “, CSIS, Widodo Locations: Central Java, Jakarta, Swiss, Indonesia, policymaking, CNN Indonesia

☆ Indonesian K-Pop Fans Rally for Presidential Candidate Anies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tommy Ardiansyah and Ajeng Dinar UlfianaJAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan's young supporters are borrowing elements from their favourite music genre K-pop to boost his popularity, swapping photocards and light sticks decorated with his face before the Feb. 14 poll. "It all started with a TikTok live that Anies did one day," said Hera Putri Haris, a 22-year-old Anies supporter who was carrying plastic cups and fans plastered with his image. K-pop inspired political rallies have become more common as the South Korean music genre sweeps the globe. K-pop fans rallied in Thailand's anti-government movement in 2020, while K-pop fans in the United States raised funds for the Black Lives Matter movement. Anies' campaign team did not respond to a request for comment but event organiser Muhammad Rasyid Al Kautsar said he believes the cultural phenomenon can help rally supporters.

Persons: Tommy Ardiansyah, Anies, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Hera Putri Haris, Muhammad Rasyid Al Kautsar, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Miral Organizations: Ulfiana, Defence, Central Java Locations: Ulfiana JAKARTA, Korean, Thailand's, United States

☆ Indonesia President Not Meddling With Election, Backs Prabowo for Continuity - Loyalist
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

If so, there must be something wrong with the appointment process," Luhut told CNN Indonesia. CONTINUITY CANDIDATEAsked why Jokowi supported Prabowo, Luhut said the president believed he was the candidate to advance his economic policies, such as creating downstream industries to process natural resources following its successful implementation on nickel. "It has nothing to do with his son being on the ticket," he said of Jokowi backing Prabowo. Luhut praised Prabowo, who was accused of - but denies - committing human rights violations in the 1990s while special forces commander. I never doubted his sense of nationalism, I never doubted his consistency and I never doubted his love for this republic," Luhut said.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Luhut Pandjaitan, Prabowo Subianto, Jokowi, Luhut, Jokowi's, Prabowo, Anies Baswedan, Fransiska Nangoy, Martin Petty Organizations: Constitutional, CNN Indonesia Locations: JAKARTA

Increasingly, voters are demanding that the men vying to succeed him address the tradeoffs between fast growth and a healthy environment in the world's fourth most populated country. In recent years, surging commodity prices have fueled fast economic growth and helped Indonesia become a middle-income country. That growth is expected to slow as the boom loses steam, according to a World Bank report. “That means, if the government forces its development, it will involve inefficient and unproductive allocation of resources.”Another campaign issue: food estate programs, massive plantations the government set up to fortify national food security. INDONESIA’S ENERGY TRANSITIONIn 2021, coal-rich Indonesia was the world’s ninth-largest source of carbon emissions that are causing global warming, according to a report by the International Energy Agency.

Persons: —, Joko Widodo, It's, Joko Widodo —, Prabowo Subianto, Josua Pardede, ”, Arianto Patunru, Baswedan, Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, El Organizations: Permata Bank, EV, Australian National University, of Economic, Law Studies, International Energy Agency, World Bank, Youth, Bank, El Nino, AP Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jakarta, Nusantara, Borneo, Anies, Central Java, Widodo, Washington, Kalimantan

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Seventeen-year-old Naima Khairiya Ismah started being bombarded by social media posts from candidates for Indonesia's presidential election on before she'd even given voting any thought. Candidates are reaching out through the apps young voters use, the K-pop music many love, and even video gaming events. “As young people, we can't meet the candidates in person,” said first-time voter Ismah, chatting after class outside her Jakarta high school. But their campaigns have been stressing issues that matter to young people: job opportunities, climate change and institutional corruption. Last month, Raka showed up at the popular Mobile Legend Championship e-sport tournament in Jakarta to appeal to young gamers.

Persons: Khairiya Ismah, Joko Widodo, they've, ”, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Subianto, They're, who's, Raka, Subianto's, Chong Sung Kim, Kim, ” Kim, It's, Karlina Octaviany, Baswedan, Ahn, Octaviany, “, Muhammad Fakrezi Syamil, he’s, ” Ismah Organizations: Indikator Politik, Pixar, Subianto's Gerindra Party, Twitter, Golkar, Indonesian, “, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jakarta, Surakarta, Indikator, Indikator Politik Indonesia, South, Israel, Korean, Indonesian, South Korea, South Jakarta

☆ Factbox-Policy Pledges of Indonesia's Presidential Candidates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

(Reuters) - Three candidates are running in Indonesia's presidential election on Feb. 14. The following is a summary of policy objectives they have pledged while campaigning. ANIES BASWEDAN- Target 5.5%-6.5% average annual economic growth from 2025-2029- Create 15 million jobs, including 'green' jobs- Raise the tax-to-GDP ratio from 10.4% in 2022 to 13%-16% by 2029- Target annual inflation of 2%-3% from 2025-2029- Offer incentives for renewable energy projects- Impose a carbon tax with proceeds to be used as an endowment fund to finance development of renewable energy- Increase the 'village fund' to 5 billion rupiah ($317,965) for each village, from the current 1 billion rupiah. - Widen access to global markets for palm oil farmers- Strengthen free trade agreements and Indonesia's role in international financial institutions- Minimise imports of staple foods- Create 2 million new affordable housing units, including for informal workers, youth- Expedite forest conservation and rehabilitation projects- Limit new construction of, and retire existing coal-fired power plants, especially in Java, Bali islands- Review debt of state-owned enterprises, continue debt restructuring programme- Revise Jobs Creation Law with goal to ensure fair wages for workers- Evaluate the $32 billion new capital city project- Evaluate food estate programme, replacing it with contract farming, a scheme to ensure farm products will be sold- Impose a wealth tax on Indonesia's 100 richest people- Audit the nickel industry with focus on its impact on the environment and ensuring welfare of domestic workers- Strengthen the anti-corruption agency by revising the law that regulates it- Ease permitting requirements for building places of worshipGANJAR PRANOWO- Continue programmes of outgoing President Joko Widodo's administration- Target average annual economic growth of 7%- Create 17 million new jobs- Expedite construction of new capital city- Increase the defence budget as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) to between 1%-2%, from about 0.8% presently. Modernise military hardware- Target 30% share for renewable sources in energy mix by 2029- Allow more renewable energy producers to use electricity grids of state utility firms to boost green energy adoption- Set up a dedicated ministry for the palm oil sector- Maintain moratorium on deforestation, accelerate reforestation programmes- Create digital tax collection system under the new tax agency separated from finance ministry- Limit permit issuance of new nickel smelter to avoid a further oversupply- Expand social welfare to cover 15 million families, up from 10 million currently- Provide funding to ensure at least one member of a poor family receives education until college- Strengthen national anti-corruption agency- Maintain foreign policy of non-alignment- Strengthen Indonesia's commitment to support fight of Palestinian people- Revitalise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its decision-making process, especially regarding South China Sea disputes.

Persons: ANIES, GANJAR, Joko Widodo's, PRABOWO, Joko, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Bernadette Christina Munthe, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Locations: Java, Bali, South

☆ Phillip Mehrtens: Militants squabble over fate of New Zealand pilot on anniversary of his kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Militant rebels in Indonesia’s restive West Papua are urging their most feared comrade to release a New Zealand pilot held hostage for a year. Mehrtens’ captors initially threatened to kill him unless New Zealand agreed to pressure Indonesia into allowing West Papua to secede from Indonesia, a seemingly impossible demand. West Papua separatist fighters release images of their hostage soon after his capture in February 2023. West Papua National Liberation ArmyFailed rescue effortsGrainy proof of life videos sent by the rebels between February and November 2023 show Mehrtens growing thinner and more unkempt. “The Indonesian response is dictated by the Indonesian military and their view is that they will hunt down this group, kill the leaders and release Mehrtens,” Kingsbury said.

Persons: Eganius Koyega, Phillip Mehrtens, Mehrtens ’, Mehrtens, Koyega, ” Koyega, ” TPNPB, Terryanus Satto, aren’t, hasn’t, Damien Kingsbury, ”, Winston Peters, Christmas Phillip, ” Peters, ” Kingsbury, “, Cammi Webb, Gannon, ’ ”, Webb, ” Webb, TPNB, Andreas Harsono, Prabowo Subianto, “ Prabowo, ” Harsono Organizations: CNN — Militant, New, Koyega, West Papuan National Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement, West Papua National Liberation Army, Indonesian Army, New Zealand, New Zealand Foreign Affairs, New Zealand Government, CNN, Australia’s University of Wollongong, Indonesian, Human Rights Watch, Rights, West Locations: Indonesia’s restive West Papua, Zealand, Nduga, New Zealand, Indonesia, West Papua, Indonesian, Papuan, West, New, Australia, Jakarta, “, ” West Papua, Papua

☆ Factbox-Candidates for Indonesia's Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

(Reuters) - Indonesia holds a presidential election on Feb. 14, with three contenders vying to succeed incumbent Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, as leader of the world's third-largest democracy and its most populous Muslim-majority nation. He is not a member of a political party but is backed by three parties, including a secular party in the ruling coalition and the conservative Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). He is the nephew of the late Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, a well-respected former president and religious leader. After losing the 2019 election, he was appointed defence minister by Jokowi, a move analysts say helped heal divisions. Prabowo chairs the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) party, which endorsed him as its presidential candidate last year.

Persons: Joko Widodo, ANIES BASWEDAN, Jokowi, Anies, Basuki Tjahaja, Muhaimin Iskandar, Imin, Abdurrahman Wahid, Gus Dur, Ganjar, Mahfud, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, Suharto, Prabowo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Gibran, Ananda Teresia, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, Fulbright, Islamic Prosperous Justice Party, National Awakening Party, Ulama, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Israel, Islamic, NU, Mahfud, Great Indonesia Movement, Constitutional Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Chinese, East Java, Central Java, Surakarta

☆ Indonesia's elections may go to a second round of voting in June, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIndonesia's elections may go to a second round of voting in June, analyst saysRichard Borsuk, adjunct senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University's Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, says it's Prabowo Subianto's "election to lose, but that doesn't mean he's going to win this fast. It may not be won and done like his camp would naturally like."

Persons: Richard Borsuk, it's Organizations: Nanyang Technological, Rajaratnam, of International Studies Locations: Singapore

☆ TikTok election? Indonesia's presidential hopefuls battle it out on social media
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Joseph Rachman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Indonesia's presidential election is due 14 February and candidates are going all out to win over voters in this country of 274 million. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesJAKARTA — Indonesia's presidential hopefuls are pulling out all stops to win over voters on social media ahead of the Feb. 14 election. This time it's the TikTok election," says Aryo Seno Bagaskoro, a young spokesperson for the presidential campaign of Ganjar Pranowo, the former governor of Central Java. One of his supporters is a 22-year-old female student who posts on social media platform X about Anies and his campaign using Korean hangul captions. The Ganjar campaign has gimmicks of its own too, such as "Top Gun"-style jackets and penguin symbols.

Persons: TikTok, Seno, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo, Ganjar, Anies, belying, Karaniya Dharmasaputra, Mahfud, Pak Mahfud Organizations: Getty, Central Java, Defense, CNBC Locations: JAKARTA, Central, Indonesia, Jakarta, Islam, TikTok

☆ Indonesia's Presidential Contenders Promise Tax Reform to Boost Revenue
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The three main candidates contesting Indonesia's presidential elections this month are proposing to bolster government coffers by creating a new tax collection agency, despite scepticism from the tax and business community. Prabowo has set the highest tax-to-GDP target of 18%, or about $100 billion in additional tax revenue, if he wins the presidency, while also promising personal income tax cuts. NEW AGENCY NOT ENOUGHHowever, some economists and the business community say a new tax agency might not lead to higher revenue if other issues like the low tax base are not addressed. "There may be more binding constraints to revenue collection than administrative independence of the tax authority," the multinational lender told Reuters. "Tax officers should be fair ...

Persons: Joko Widodo's, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo, Drajad Wibowo, Jakarta Governor Anies, Wijayanto Samirin, Jahen, Fajry Akbar, Tutum, Stefanno Sulaiman, Stephen Coates Organizations: Jakarta Governor, U.S . Internal Revenue Service, Central Java, University of Indonesia, Bank, Reuters Locations: JAKARTA, Asia's, Indonesia

☆ Indonesia Leader Accused of Bias, Interference in Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

In Indonesia, sitting presidents are allowed to campaign for candidates provided they do not use state resources and take official leave to do so, but incumbents have typically remained neutral. The furore has prompted Jokowi to repeatedly clarify his stance and even show reporters print-outs of the election law to clear his name. "Some of our campaign activities were indeed cancelled or not permitted by various local governments...and non-governmental entities, which likely were influenced by those in power," said Ade Chandra, a campaign spokesperson for rival presidential candidate Anies Baswedan. State rice handouts have allegedly included Prabowo campaign stickers, prompting complaints from rivals, according to media. Discontent with Jokowi's actions is also extending to his cabinet, from which chief security minister Mahfud MD, who is a vice presidential candidate on a rival ticket, has said he will resign soon.

Persons: Kate Lamb, Stanley Widianto, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Jokowi, Ade Chandra, Anies Baswedan, Mahfud, Kanupriya Kapoor, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Defence, Prabowo, Gadjah Mada University Locations: Stanley Widianto JAKARTA, Indonesia, alma, Gadjah Mada

☆ Indonesia Chief Security Minister to Tender Resignation 'Soon'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's Chief Security Minister and vice presidential candidate Mahfud MD on Wednesday said that he would tender his resignation to President Joko Widodo once he has the chance to meet the president. Mahfud did not say why he would be stepping down from the job. Mahfud is the running mate of former provincial governor Ganjar Pranowo, who is up against Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, and ex-Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan. Mahfud's resignation comes amid speculation and reports in local media about the potential resignation of respected Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. The finance ministry has said Sri Mulyani is continuing to carry out her duties in managing state finances.

Persons: Mahfud, Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo Subianto, Anies Baswedan, Mahfud's, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Mulyani, Ganjar, Prabowo, Widodo's, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Stanley Widianto, Martin Petty Organizations: Defence Locations: JAKARTA, Jakarta, Indonesia

☆ Why This Presidential Front-Runner Is Stirring Fears of the ‘Death of Democracy’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Even so, Prabowo Subianto has spent the past two decades trying his hand at democratic politics, donning different personas in multiple attempts to become Indonesia’s leader. Now, a month before the next election, nearly every poll shows Mr. Prabowo, 72, leading in the first round of voting. A victory for Mr. Prabowo, his critics warn, would revive a dark past. “What will happen is the death of democracy,” said Hendardi, the director of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace. “We have long been against Prabowo,” he added, “and with our limited power, we were still able to prevent him from moving forward.

Persons: Indonesia’s, Subianto, Prabowo, Joko Widodo, Suharto, Prabowo’s, ”, Hendardi Organizations: Setara Institute for Democracy Locations: East Timor

☆ Indonesia Presidential Hopefuls Pledge to Boost Troubled Anti-Graft Agency
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's presidential candidates have pledged to strengthen the government's anti-corruption agency, laying out their plans ahead of the country's Feb. 14 election, to counter pervasive graft in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Anies, the former governor of the capital Jakarta, said he would bring Indonesia's battle against graft back on track by strengthening the KPK and revising the law governing the agency. The revision, made under current President Joko Widodo, who is known as Jokowi, triggered mass protests at the time. We have the capability, we are not poor," he added, without elaborating on the budget plan for the wage increase. In 2022, Indonesia dropped four places on global graft watchdog Transparency International's corruption perception index to 110 out of 180 countries.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Prabowo, Jokowi, Jokowi's, Firli Bahuri, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Christian Schmollinger Locations: JAKARTA, Asia's, Jakarta, Central Java, Indonesia

☆ Indonesians head to the polls in February. Here are key issues dominating the elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Randy Mulyanto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Indonesia is preparing to hold general elections for president and vice president for the 2024-2029 period in February 2024. The world's third-largest democracy will open its polls to over 204 million eligible voters casting their ballots, according to its General Elections Commission. While having greater opposition representation in Indonesia's parliament could raise the bar for passing such laws, Titi said there's still a very high barrier to entry for the candidacy process. According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2023 report, Indonesia ranked "partly free," scoring 58 out of 100. But for some Indonesians, the cozier relationship has also sparked debt-trap fears and concerns about an influx of Chinese workers.

Persons: Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar, Aditya Irawan, Joko, Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo, Gibran, Anies, Titi Anggraini, Titi, there's, Indonesia's, Singapore's ISEAS — Yusof, Lina Alexandra Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, JAKARTA —, Commission, Solo, National Awakening Party, Central Java, Politik, Nusantara, Association for Elections, Democracy, CNBC, Constitutional, House's, Institute, Indonesia's, of Economic, Law Studies, Initiative, Strategic, International Studies, Hamas, Lowy Institute Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, JAKARTA, JAKARTA — Indonesia, Central, Politik Indonesia, Nusantara, Borneo, China, Beijing, Southeast Asia, Southeast, Israel, Australian

☆ Indonesia Approves 20% Rise in Defence Budget by 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's outgoing president has approved a 20% hike in defence spending through the end of next year, to upgrade the country's military hardware in response to geopolitical developments, its finance minister said. In a press conference on Wednesday, Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the approval came in a meeting she attended with President Joko Widodo and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo is the leading candidate in the upcoming presidential election in February, and is running with Widodo's son. The defence budget will be increased from $20.75 billion to $25 billion, Sri Mulyani said. They considered them as a necessity given the condition of our military hardware as well as rising threats amid increasing geopolitical and geo-security dynamics," she said.

Persons: Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Mulyani, Lockheed Martin, Gayatri Suroyo, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Sri, Defence, Dassault Rafale, Turkish Aerospace Locations: JAKARTA, U.S

☆ Campaigning gets underway in Indonesia for February presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Recent surveys have showed former special forces commander Prabowo leading with Ganjar second and Anies a distant third. Prabowo and his vice-presidential pick Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Widodo, will start their campaign at a later date. The candidates will appear in debates organised by the election commission in the coming weeks, with no schedule unveiled so far. About 205 million of Indonesia's more than 270 million population are eligible to vote in the election. Reporting by Ananda Teresia, Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Ganjar, Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Prabowo, Mahfud, Muhaimin, Widodo, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: Defence, Java, Thomson Locations: Mahfud, Jakarta, JAKARTA, Indonesia, Papua, Aceh province, Anies, Muhaimin Iskandar, East Java's Surabaya, Prabowo

☆ Ahead of Indonesia’s elections, critics slam Jokowi for nepotism and ‘dynastic politics’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Ulet Ifansasti | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesA year before stepping down as Indonesia's president, Joko Widodo is facing serious allegations of establishing a political dynasty through nepotism. The constitutional court, which was helmed by the president's brother-in-law Anwar Usman at that time, was widely criticized for changing the law, which enabled Jokowi's son to contest the election. Kompas Research and DevelopmentAccording to a poll in mid-October by Kompas Research and Development, 60.7% of respondents consider the participation of Jokowi's eldest son Gibran in the election as a form of dynastic politics. Son-in-law, Bobby Nasution Adding to Jokowi's political chessboard is also his son-in-law Bobby Nasution, the current mayor of Medan. The 'Jokowi effect'Analysts are now expecting what they call "a Jokowi effect" for the PSI and Gerindra parties.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Ulet Ifansasti, Joko, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Prabowo Subianto, Gibran, Anwar Usman, Anwar, Kompas, Kaesang, Kaesang Pangarep, Bobby Nasution, Julia Lau, – Yusof, Jokowi's, Andi Widjajanto, Andi, Jokowi, Vedi Hadiz, Iriana Widodo, Gibran Rakbuming Raka, Lau, bode, Julia Lau ISEAS – Yusof Ishak, didn't, ISEAS – Yusof Organizations: Getty, Defence, Gerindra Party, Solo, Research, Kompas Research, Development, Indonesia Solidarity Party, PSI, Indonesia, Reuters, National Resilience Agency, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne, Afp, CNBC, Asia, Central Java, Indonesian Democratic Party of Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Ulet, Medan, Jokowi, Central Java, Afp, Southeast Asia, Ganjar

All three candidates vying to win the Feb. 14 election in Southeast Asia's largest economy have said they will prioritise cleaning up the power sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To do that, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and former provincial governor Ganjar Pranowo, running neck-and-neck in recent surveys, would consider ending state-run Perusahaan Listrik Negara's (PLN) monopoly in order to allow renewable power producers to sell directly to customers. Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, trailing in opinion polls, has called for improved leadership for the power sector but has not proposed breaking up PLN's monopoly. Proponents argue that opening the sector would accelerate adoption of renewables, as independent power producers will be incentivised to offer green power to companies pledging carbon neutrality. Agam, from the climate consultancy, said delaying renewable power to companies could mean lost investment.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Dita Alangkara, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Agam Subarkah, Alexander Sonny Keraf, PLN, Prabowo, Eddy Soeparno, Soeparno, Gayatri Suroyo, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Stanley Widianto, Tony Munroe, Miral Organizations: Indonesia's Defense, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Defence, Former Jakarta, Cendekia, POWER WHEELING Ganjar, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, Southeast Asia's

☆ US, China, Southeast Asia defence officials meet amid crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ministers and members of the delegates attend the opening session of the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting - Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Defence ministers and officials from the United States, China, Russia and Southeast Asia gathered in Indonesia on Thursday for a meeting where they are expected to discuss geopolitical crises in and outside the region. Defence ministers in Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN called on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution in Myanmar, as conflicts are deepening there. "Indonesia is of the view that the region's multiple security issues, ranging from traditional and non-traditional threats, can only be solved by extensive open and inclusive global collaboration," Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's defence minister said in an opening speech on Thursday. Visiting Washington this week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo pressed Biden to do more to end Israel's war with Hamas.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Prabowo, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Fomin, Jing Jianfeng, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Joko Widodo, Biden, Stanley Widianto, Lincoln Organizations: 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Defense, REUTERS, Rights, Defence, U.S . Defense, Joint Staff Department of, Central Military Commission, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, United States, China, Russia, Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia's, Gaza, Myanmar, Korean, Australia, New Zealand, San Francisco, Malaysia, Washington

☆ Indonesia hosts regional defence chiefs amid multiple global crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - Defence ministers in ASEAN called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution to the crisis in Myanmar during the opening of a regional meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. Defence ministers from the Asian bloc are attending the 2-day meeting alongside key players in the Indo-Pacific as major powers jostle for regional influence, and as conflicts deepen from Myanmar to the Middle East. All ASEAN defence ministers, with the exception of Myanmar's, attended Wednesday's forum, with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet counterparts later in the day. The talks will expand on Thursday to include Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia. The country removed its defence minister in October, raising questions about the stability of the leadership around President Xi Jinping.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Joko Widodo, Joe Biden, Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Prabowo, Myanmar's, Lloyd Austin, Jing Jianfeng, Xi Jinping, Austin, Aaron Connelly, Thomas Shoal, Connelly, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Kate Lamb, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, ASEAN, Wednesday, Indonesian Defence, Hamas, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, U.S . Defence, Air, Joint Staff Department, China's, Military Commission, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Myanmar, Jakarta, Washington, Malaysian, Malaysia, East, Ukraine, South China, China, Philippines, Russia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, Beijing, Indonesia, North Korea, Pyongyang, Singapore, U.S, Israel

☆ US, China, Southeast Asia Defence Officials Meet Amid Crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Defence ministers and officials from the United States, China, Russia and Southeast Asia gathered in Indonesia on Thursday for a meeting where they are expected to discuss geopolitical crises in and outside the region. Defence ministers in Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN called on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution in Myanmar, as conflicts are deepening there. Among those attending are U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin and Jing Jianfeng, China's deputy chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission. Other countries participating on Thursday are Australia, New Zealand and others, while Myanmar is absent. Visiting Washington this week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo pressed Biden to do more to end Israel's war with Hamas.

Persons: Prabowo, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Fomin, Jing Jianfeng, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Joko Widodo, Biden, Stanley Widianto, Lincoln Organizations: Defence, ASEAN, U.S . Defense, Joint Staff Department of, Central Military Commission, Hamas Locations: JAKARTA, United States, China, Russia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia's, Gaza, Myanmar, Korean, Australia, New Zealand, San Francisco, Malaysia, Washington

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