Indonesia’s and global development   
   

The global economic recovery remains fragile and uncertain, as risks posed by high energy and food prices, unemployment, and uncertainty over sovereign debt in Europe and the US continue to cloud the horizon. (East Asia Forum)

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Reforming SOE’s      

Indonesia is at a fascinating crossroads. On the one hand, the country can choose a path toward long-term sustainable development, and on the other, high but potentially short-term growth rates. In the real world, to be in two places at the same time is impossible, but Indonesia aspires to do just that. (The Jakarta Globe)

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Burma’s new leader could emulate B.J. Habibie  
  

Comparisons are often made between Indonesia and Burma; two Southeast Asian nations where the militarization of politics, democracy struggles, their achievements and transitional phases, have defined their people’s recent histories. (The Jakarta Post)

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Idul Fitri: Festivity of charity and forgiveness      

Here comes Idul Fitri again, when more than 15 million people go on mudik (homecoming) to celebrate the day of forgiveness. After a full month of fasting, Muslims will celebrate the post-Ramadhan (Idul Fitri) festivities. Borrowed from Arabic, id means to be back and al-fitri means pure, nature, or disposition, suggesting a kind of “back-to-nature” status. According to Islam, a newborn is clean without any original sins. Islam teaches that naturally and biologically a newborn has the disposition to be good. (The Jakarta Post)

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Yudhoyono needs to be bold to take Indonesia forward       

Indonesia’s economic resilience and recently announced 2012 state budget are the stuff that strapped Western government can only dream about, given today’s global uncertainty. The government is projecting economic expansion of 6.7 per cent and wants to spend Rp 168.1 trillion ($19.67 billion) – or 19 per cent more that this year – on building roads, railways and airports.        (The Jakarta Globe)

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Is China a neighbor to Indonesia?   

One might wonder why this question should be asked. More importantly, does it matter? This article is about Indonesia sharing maritime areas with other countries. (The Jakarta Post)

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Ernest Bower Interviews Douglas Ramage, Principal Governance Adviser of AusAID in Indonesia (CSIS)

Indonesia among countries tightening grip on natural resources   
     

Countries from Indonesia and India to Russia are tightening their grip on natural resources as they limit exports to build up domestic industry in a trend that will spawn many challenges to World Trade Organization rules. (The Jakarta Globe)

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The Thinker: Islam in Office   
  
Governance is Indonesia’s greatest challenge. In 1998, after 32 years of authoritarianism, the people demanded a democratic system and got one. In the ensuing 13 years, they have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to democratic values. They have twice directly elected a president and vice president, and directly elected more than 500 regional executives and 17,000 regional representatives. The question now is how well these elected officials are governing.          (The Jakarta Globe)

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Can Indonesia mediate the South China Sea dispute?  
  

Tensions over the overlapping claims in the South China Sea (SCS) have mounted in the past months, with hostilities accelerating since the beginning of June. The row between China, Vietnam and the Philippines has urged current ASEAN chair, Indonesia, to step up.        (East Asia Forum)

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Indonesia: Workshop of the world  
  

A recent wave of investment in manufacturing in Indonesia could herald the country’s rise as an international industrial player. A rapidly growing domestic market of more than 230 million people, as well as the potential for exports both regional and across the globe, are major draws for companies from around the world. (The Jakarta Post)

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Keep ’em talking   
   
Indonesia should launch an initiative to bring China and others with overlapping territorial claims to an area in the South China Sea to the negotiating table, not so much to resolve the complex and difficult issue, but at the very least to make sure that everyone exercises restraint. (The Jakarta Post)

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Indonesia should cross the river by feeling for stones  

In mid-November of 2011, Indonesia will host the sixth East Asia Summit (EAS) in the newly built Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali. Based on the Kuala Lumpur Declaration of 2005, this year’s summit will continue to be a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues to promote “common security, common prosperity and common stability”. The EAS is welcoming two new members — the US and Russia — into the East Asian community. (The Jakarta Post)

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How did Indonesia become the most popular member of the UN Human Rights Council?  

In elections to the U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday, May 20, Indonesia received 184 votes of a possible 191, more than any other country. Though most candidate countries were elected on uncontested regional slates, the U.N. membership used votes and abstentions in the secret ballot to demonstrate the level of support for each state. So why did Indonesia receive the most votes? (CogitAsia)

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Indonesia needs reform to remain an attractive investment destination  
  

The feisty debate between the House of Representatives and the finance minister over purchasing a stake in miner Newmont Nusa Tenggara points to broader issues facing Indonesian investment laws. (The Jakarta Globe)

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Indonesia expands ASEAN’s role   
   

Despite the Thai-Cambodia border dispute, which overshadowed the 18th ASEAN Summit held on May 7-8 in Jakarta, Indonesia has effectively expanded the role of the ASEAN Chair, which it holds for 2011. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa discharged their duties as hosts with clarity and boldness. (Asia Pacific Bulletin)

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Reimagining Chinese Indonesians in Democratic Indonesia   
     

Indonesia's initiation of democratic reforms in May 1998 did not portend well for Chinese Indonesians. Constituting less than 5 percent of Indonesia's 240 million people and concentrated in urban areas, Chinese Indonesians were, at that point, still reeling from the anti-Chinese riots that had occurred just before Suharto's fall. Scarred by years of discrimination and forced assimilation under Suharto, many Chinese Indonesians were uncertain--once again--about what the "new" Indonesia had in store for them.                (Asia Pacific Bulletin)

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Indonesian Democracy at Standstill?  

It is hard to argue with Australia-based Marcus Mietzner, one of the most perceptive of scholars, when he contends that democracy in Indonesia has stagnated and that civil society is fighting a rearguard action to fend off attempts by the conservative elite to roll back already implemented reforms. (The Jakarta Globe)

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Wen Renewed China Charm Drive in Jakarta 
  
With Premier Wen Jiabao's recent visit to Indonesia, China has resumed its charm offensive, which was disrupted by a series of diplomatic missteps that caused concern in Southeast Asia last year. Combining comforting words with a folksy approach, Wen gave repeated assurances about Beijing's benign intentions, declaring that its priority was development and that it would never bully its smaller neighbors.                        (The Jakarta Globe)

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In a Time of Increasing Intolerance, has ‘Unity in Diversity’ Run Its Course  

Many have claimed that 2011 is the year for Indonesia to reassert its leadership in the region. The country is the 2011 chair of ASEAN, a member of the G-20 and a rising star among developing nations. But for many in the country, none of these externalities matter given a growing list of domestic problems. (The Jakarta Globe)

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