Indonesia

The United States, Mexico, and Canada aren’t the only neighbors working on Free Trade Agreements. Just a few days after taking office, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will travel to Indonesia this week to announce what’s being described as an historic deal.

“Smart Cities” use technology to connect citizens and government. One example is Bandung--the third largest city in Indonesia. The mayor who brought a technology upgrade to the city has just been elected to be the next Governor of West Java. Ridwan Kamil is in Honolulu as part of an event at the East West Center--the “Smart Cities Thought Leaders Forum.” He talked with Bill Dorman about what it means to be a “Smart City” in 21st century Asia.  

In less than a month, more than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries will go to Indonesia for the “Asian Games.” The country’s capital is going through a number of preparations — including some dealing with water pollution.

The Trump Administration is reviewing rules about foreign investment in the United States. But it’s not the only government taking a closer look at how foreign businesses operate in other countries. And last week, that sparked some confusion in Indonesia.

As you’ve been hearing on NPR, there’s a lot of attention swirling around a potential summit meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But another top-level meeting in Asia this week may also have significant strategic importance. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The source of a deadly oil spill off the coast of Borneo has been identified. After denying responsibility for days, Pertamina, Indonesia’s state oil company now admits that unknown quantities of crude oil leaked from a crack in one of its underwater pipelines. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

The long running division in the Melanesian Spearhead Group has erupted into public. Senior officials in the Solomon Islands and Fiji have attacked each other over the issue of West Papua. We have details from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific New Minute.

Last week, we reported on the inconclusive decision by the Melanesian Spearhead Group on West Papua’s bid for full membership. Since then, Indonesia’s declared victory in its campaign to block international recognition for the United Liberation Movement, and we’ve learned more about how they did it. Neal Conan has details in today’s Pacific News Minute.

The Indonesian government expelled a BBC crew from West Papua after a series of tweets “hurt the feelings of soldiers.” Indonesia rarely allows foreign reporters to visit that restive area because of the on-going independence struggle, but the BBC was given permission to cover an outbreak of measles and malnutrition. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

In recent weeks, the political world in the United States has been focused on today’s U.S. Senate election in Alabama. But on the other side of the world, there’s a legislature that’s consumed by allegations of corruption. And it’s starting to take a political toll. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

There are conflicting reports on a crisis in Indonesia’s restive Papua Province. Police say that an armed group linked to the Free Papua Movement is holding 1300 people hostage in two villages near the world’s second largest copper mine. The group denies it, we have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Resentment continues in Jakarta after Indonesia’s top military official was denied entry to the United States last weekend. Senior American officials have apologized but Indonesia demands a full explanation. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Declassified documents from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta show that U.S. officials closely followed the massacre in Indonesia in the mid-1960s, but did and said nothing. At least 500,000 Indonesians died after a bungled Communist coup but the documents make clear that mass murders spread to include ethnic Chinese, students and union members as well as communists. Details from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

The President of Indonesia met with a group of civic leaders from West Papua last month to discuss opening a dialogue on problems in the restive province. The group did not include representatives of the United Liberation Movement, which issued a statement that rejected the overture. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

A well-known international brand has disappeared from Southeast Asia’s largest economy. 7-Eleven convenience stores operate in 18 countries around the world—with more than half of the in the Asia Pacific. But the stores are no longer in Indonesia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Tourism is not only Hawai‘i’s top economic sector, it’s a growing business in many parts of the world. And that includes Indonesia—which has great ambitions and is getting some help from the World Bank. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Sustainable fishing is a practice that’s getting more attention—not only here in Hawai‘i but also around the globe. Indonesia has become the first country in the world to take an unusual step in that direction. And it’s being led by a cabinet minister who is gathering a growing international following. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Authorities in the Philippines have seized a stunning amount of methamphetamine headed into the country from China. Police say there was more than half a ton of the drug, smuggled into warehouses in metropolitan Manila—making it the latest multi-million dollar methamphetamine bust in Asia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

It’s been a dramatic week in Asia for the gay community. Taiwan has moved a step closer to becoming the first government in Asia to approve same-sex marriage. And about 2,400 miles away, more than a hundred people were arrested because of suspicions about their sexual orientation. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

In April, the incumbent Governor of Jakarta lost his bid for election in a campaign dominated by allegations that he had committed blasphemy against the Koran. Yesterday, he was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. Details, from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Vice President Mike Pence is stopping in Hawai‘i as he wraps up a 10 day visit to the Asia Pacific. As part of that trip, U.S. firms signed a number of business deals—including at least one with links to Hawai‘i. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Security will be tight as voters in Jakarta head to the polls tomorrow in an election seen as a test of Indonesia’s longstanding secular tradition. And, as we hear from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute, one candidate faces a blasphemy trial as soon as the election’s over.

Indonesia has become the focus of a case involving local laws and gay rights. It’s gaining broader attention around the region and this week the publicity has spread around the world. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

A major rail project has run into financial trouble. There’s a controversy about funding, and actual construction of the route has been delayed. The story may sound familiar to Hawai‘i residents, but this rail line is thousands of miles from Honolulu. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Preserving ocean coral is a priority for many scientists and others around the world, including here in Hawai‘i. One challenge is rising ocean temperatures—but another one can be certain aspects of tourism. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The king of Saudi Arabia is in Asia this week. In fact he's traveling in the region for an entire month. He's already spent time in Malaysia and Indonesia and will later head to Japan and China. Why the extensive travels? HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

This was an election week in many parts of Indonesia.  Races were held for governor and mayor in about a quarter of the country’s provinces, but most of the attention was focused on the national capital. HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

The future of President Trump’s travel ban from seven predominantly Muslim countries remains under judicial review (this morning/this afternoon). But the country with the largest Muslim population in the world has another focus. Elections are coming—next week. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

While President-Elect Donald Trump has promised no new foreign business deals while he’s in office, projects already underway will go ahead, including two big developments in Indonesia. Now, Trump’s Indonesian business partner says he wants to run for President himself. More from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Police in Indonesia are warning about a new tactic that terrorists are using. It involves a shift in strategy and a new focus for law enforcement officials. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The newest factor in domestic terrorism in Indonesia may be the emerging role of women.  The country’s chief of police says militant cells are now specifically recruiting women—calling that a new development.