Tenggara Backgrounder March 29

Post survey, how far can candidates go?

The latest surveys by national daily Kompas and think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) provide much valuable insight on the upcoming general election. Various issues, such as presidential candidates’ electability and political parties’ loyalty come to the fore. What can be concluded from the surveys and how will presidential candidates possibly move on following the release of the surveys?

Jokowi’s foreign policy strong, but voters don’t care

The fourth round of the presidential debate on March 30 will hear the two contenders explain their foreign policy intentions. Incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo looks unbeatable in this area having built a strong and impressive track record in the last five years. Challenger Prabowo Subianto is not expected to offer any major departure from the current administration’s policy. When it comes to strategic national interests, candidates are not likely to diverge much from current policy, particularly because both are nationalist in ideology, one more so than the other. But Indonesia is now a democracy and candidates will still use foreign policy as far as possible to enhance their nationalist credentials during the election campaign.

EU-Indonesia palm oil spat over deforestation

The trade battle between Indonesia and the European Union over palm oil is set to intensify following the European Commission’s recent submission of a delegated act titled Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) to the European Parliament. Once approved, the document will place a more restrictive cap on palm oil-based biodiesel usage in the EU this year, which will lead to the complete phasing out of palm oil-based biodiesel in 2030.

Indonesia’s first BRI project proposal worth billions

Indonesia has proposed 28 projects worth US$91.1 billion to Chinese investors as part of its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan presented the projects, which include seaports and industrial estates, power plants, smelters and tourism estates, during the first meeting of the Indonesia-China BRI steering committee in Bali last week.