ASEAN’s Space Problem Is ASEAN Itself

In space, ASEAN’s non-interference principle is doing precisely what it was built to do and that is the problem. In March 2026, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn spoke in Manila, pointing to a new tracking station on Biak Island, Indonesia, as a critical step in building out a regional space economy projected to hit 100 billion US dollar by 2030.

Indonesian President’s State of the Nation Address Turns Targets Into Achievements

On August 14, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto’s 2026 addressed the country through a State of the Nation speech in anticipation of the Independence Day celebration on August 17. The message was simple, that after 21 months in office, his government claimed to be delivering results. He offered a long-list of numbers to support that message: 1,931 trillion Indonesian rupiah (109.7 billion US dollar) in investment, 5.61% economic growth, 121 “transformative” policies, 71,744 renovated schools and tens of millions reached by the flagship Free Nutritious Meals programme.