ARTICLES

4 Dec 2023

Asia-Based Regional Banks’ Growing Footprint in Indonesia

Manggi Habir

Indonesia’s present banking landscape bears the imprint of the 1997-8 financial crisis. The sector is stronger but, as regional interest shows, has room for further consolidation and development.

Facebook Inc’s messaging platform WhatsApp and PayPal Holdings Inc have invested in payment, food delivery, and ride-hailing app operator Gojek. According to a regulatory filing, Facebook now owns a 2.4 percent stake in Gojek’s GoPay fintech arm, while PayPal owns 0.6 percent of GoPay as at 9 June 2020. (Photo by Adriana Adie/NurPhoto via AFP)

27 Oct 2023

The Digital Transformation of Indonesia’s Banking Sector: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Manggi Habir|Siwage Dharma Negara

This Long Read examines the trends and developments in the digital transformation of Indonesia’s banking landscape. These look set to benefit a large swathe of Indonesia’s 270 million population which remains unbanked and underbanked.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

A child's growth measurements are taken as part of a monthly medical check-up programme for children at an integrated services post in Banda Aceh on August 10, 2023.

20 Sep 2023

Why the Next Decade Will Be So Critical for Indonesia: It’s Not Simply about Getting Rich

Maria Monica Wihardja

The government elected next year will have a long to-do list, not least of which is to continue pursuing meaningful development as Indonesia aspires to reach high income status by 2045.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics

28 Aug 2023

Are Indonesian Banks Resilient Amidst Rising Interest Rates?

Manggi Habir|Siwage Dharma Negara

Indonesia’s banking sector is likely to withstand higher interest rates given certain fundamentals that will insulate it from the volatility seen elsewhere.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

28 Jul 2023

Can Indonesia Escape the Middle Income Trap?

A. Prasetyantoko

To succeed in truly uplifting most Indonesians to middle income status by 2045, no less than sustained and serious commitment by the country’s next administration(s) to clean up Indonesia’s economy would be required.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

9 Mar 2023

Indonesia Shepherding an ASEAN Digital Community

Maria Monica Wihardja|Ibrahim Kholilul Rohman

A truly regional digital community with borderless transactions and equitable access to online services must start with actual progress in the smallest of goals for an ASEAN-wide digitisation and digitalisation.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Indonesia Indonesian Economy

14 Feb 2023

Will the New Financial Omnibus Law Compromise Bank Indonesia’s Independence?

Manggi Habir

The Joko Widodo administration’s repeated renewal of a bond programme for burden-sharing with Bank Indonesia during the pandemic raises questions about whether the new financial omnibus law will constrain rather than strengthen the economy.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Law

A Gojek rider makes a delivery in Surabaya

23 Nov 2022

The State of Indonesia’s Digital Economy in 2022

Siwage Dharma Negara|Astrid Meilasari-Sugiana

This Long Read examines how the digital sector has transformed Indonesia’s economy during the pandemic. It analyses changes in consumer behaviour and assesses the prospects for sustainable growth for various digital services segments.

Digitalisation Indonesia Indonesian Economy

21 Sep 2022

Fuel Price Rises in Indonesia: A Challenge to Stay the Course

Max Lane

The Indonesian government has argued that there is a strong case for increasing prices for fuel. Given that fuel prices are a politically sensitive issue, it remains to be seen whether the government will be about to ride out the storm.

Civil Society Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics

8 Sep 2022

How Platform Drivers in Indonesia Are Being Taken for a Ride

Arif Novianto

A proposed increase in fares for ride-hailing drivers in Indonesia has been opposed by various parties. This has led to the normalisation of unsustainably low earnings for such drivers.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Labour Rights