On July 14, Singapore and Indonesia launched a joint defence alumni body in Jakarta, turning decades of informal contact between their officer corps into a standing institution. Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin launched the Indonesia-Singapore (INDOSIN) Defence Alumni Initiative, known as PERSAHAN (Persahabatan Alumni Pertahanan, Indonesian for Defence Alumni Friendship), as co-founders. They signed the body’s initiating directive and unveiled its logo on the sidelines of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day reception in Jakarta. The two armed forces’ chiefs, SAF chief Vice Admiral Aaron Beng and Indonesian military (TNI) commander General Agus Subiyanto, will serve as co-presidents.
Category: Indonesia
Top Indonesian Prosecutor Named Suspect In Massive Corruption Scandal
Indonesia’s Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, Febrie Adriansyah, resigned from his position on July 11 following the police raid on his local residence and cafe on July 8. During that operation, investigators seized 20 million US dollar in cash across multiple currencies and 74 kg (163 lbs) of gold bars. On July 11, the Head of the National Police Anti-Corruption Task Force named Febrie as a suspect of corruption and graft.
Indonesia’s Candrani Yulis Showcases “Passage” Solo Exhibition Ahead of Lyon Biennale Debut
Indonesian contemporary artist Candrani Yulis will present Passage, a solo exhibition at the Institut français d’Indonésie (IFI) Yogyakarta from 14 to 24 July, ahead of her appearance at the 18th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art later this year. Organised by the Embassy of France in Indonesia, IFI and Ellipse Art Projects, the exhibition marks a significant milestone in the Yogyakarta-based artist’s growing international career.
Indonesia Targets 1.3 GW Data Centre Growth to Fuel AI and Tech Talent
Global tech investors are preparing a massive 20 billion US dollar investment pipeline to build 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of new data centre capacity in Indonesia.
Philippines Introduces 2026-2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan
On July 10, the Luzon leg of the 2026-2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) Roadshow commenced in Makati City, the Philippines. It served as the official venue for presenting Manila’s newly revised fiscal incentives and high-value investment paths.
Indonesia Government Responds to Criticism Over LGBTQ Regulation
On July 9, the Indonesian government sought to reassure the public that a recently issued presidential regulation on national defence should not be interpreted as legitimising discrimination against LGBTQ people.
Indonesia to Launch First Domestically Built NEO-1 Satellite
On July 8, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the national satellite programme, Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) announced that the country’s first domestically built satellite NEO-1 is set to launch in January 2027.
India’s Modi Winds Up Visit to Indonesia, Securing Key Defence and Trade Deals
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a three-day state visit to Indonesia on July 8, marking his first bilateral visit since the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The visit produced a series of core agreements spanning defence, maritime, technology, healthcare and economic cooperation.
Indonesia Launches First Carbon Credit Projects, Unlocks $279m Trading Value
Jakarta has officially launched the Indonesia Forestry Carbon Hub (IFCH) and debuted its first carbon credit projects, the Ministry of Forestry announced on July 6.
Is It Time for Indonesia to Rewrite Its Constitution?
Indonesia’s Reform era (Reformasi) commenced in 1998 with the resignation of President Soeharto, ending more than three decades of authoritarian rule. His resignation followed a week of widespread civil unrest amid the economic turmoil caused by the Asian financial crisis. More than two decades after the Reform era began, Indonesia still struggles with familiar political pathologies: excessive centralisation, uneven development, strained centre-periphery relations, entrenched oligarchic power and weak mechanisms of accountability.