• Indonesian Politics Update: PKB Approaches PDI-P to Form Coalition

    After the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), winner of the 2014 legislative election of Indonesia, was reported to have formed an alliance with the NasDem party in order to nominate a presidential candidate for the presidential election that is scheduled for 9 July 2014, both the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) have also been approaching the PDI-P. Reportedly, the PKB has mentioned two candidates to the PDI-P to become Joko Widodo’s running mate in the election.

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  • Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Will Launch its BRIsat Satellite in 2016

    Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), the country's second-largest lender by market capitalization, will become the world's first bank that has its own communications satellite. On 28 April 2014, a contract was signed between Arianespace and BRI for the launch of the Indonesian satellite, which will be named BRIsat. The contract signing ceremony took place in Jakarta, and was witnessed by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as well as various other high positioned officials.

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  • Preparing Strategies to Tackle the Japan-Indonesia Export Ban Conflict

    The government of Indonesia has been preparing strategies to face Japan's possible complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about Indonesia's recently introduced export ban of mineral ore (UU Minerba No. 4 - 2009). A special team from Indonesia's Trade Ministry, headed by Gusmardi Bustami, has been set up to handle the dispute. Japan feels forced to bring the export ban case to the WTO because its industry is highly dependent on the supply of certain raw Indonesian commodities, particularly nickel.

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  • Joko Widodo Expected to Announce Running Mate for Indonesian Elections

    Although Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) fell immediately after its opening on Monday (28/04), the index is expected to strengthen this week as Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo will announce his running mate for the 2014 presidential election. Jokowi is the presidential nominee of the PDI-P party (the largest opposition party in the Indonesian parliament), which won the legislative election in April 2014 by securing about 19 percent of the popular vote.

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