TL;DR
- Papua New Guinea's attack on an Indonesian fishing boat escalates maritime tensions and triggers a diplomatic response.
- Indonesia asserts agricultural self-sufficiency as global protectionism rises, banking on food security amid trade uncertainty.
- Rescuers saved 11 foreign nationals from sinking speedboat in Tomini Bay; the captain remains missing.
- Vale's $2B nickel facility nears completion, anchoring Indonesia's EV battery supply chain ambitions.
Politics and policy
Indonesia is demanding clarification from Papua New Guinea over a shooting that wounded an Indonesian fishing boat captain on July 21. Captain Ma'rufuddin Dhuhri from Merauke is recovering in stable condition at a hospital in Daru, according to Indonesian Consul Alexander Tangkuman, though crew members aboard the vessel remain out of contact. (via Antara News)
As global protectionism rises, Indonesia is asserting agricultural self-reliance. The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs told the 8th Indonesian Muslim Congress that the country has achieved surpluses in key commodities, shoring up confidence in food security despite mounting external trade barriers. (via Antara News)
Vale's $2 billion high-pressure acid leaching facility in Central Sulawesi is on track for completion by year-end, a bet on processed nickel exports for electric vehicle batteries. Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani framed downstreaming as essential to anchoring Indonesia's position in the global supply chain. (via Antara News)
Business and economy
RANS Entertainment's director, Grandy Prajayakti, abruptly resigned on July 22, just twelve days after the Jakarta-listed entertainment company's public debut on July 10. Finance Director Rumunggu Yokonapita cited "personal reasons" for the departure. A shareholders meeting must now formally approve the resignation and nominate a successor. (via Jakarta Globe)
Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.34% to 6,196.430 in the week ending July 24, holding gains despite massive foreign investor withdrawals totaling Rp79.09 trillion year-to-date (roughly $4.4 billion). Brent crude surging above $100 and fresh U.S. tariffs rattled traders, yet domestic buying shored up the line. (via Jakarta Globe)
Technology and industry
Technology sector saw limited newsflow today.
Society
Indonesian search and rescue teams plucked eleven foreign nationals and one crew member from the sea off Central Sulawesi on July 26 after their speedboat sank in rough conditions near Tomini Bay. The captain remains missing as operations continue, with the vessel sinking after waves breached the hull Friday night. (via Jakarta Globe)
Indonesia launched the National Cassava Center at the University of Lampung on July 25 to lift research, productivity, and farmer welfare. Lampung produces roughly 70% of Indonesia's cassava crop but endures wild price swings; the center will focus on superior varieties, mechanized farming, and processing technology to aid half a million farmers. (via Antara News)
A coalition of civil society groups formed an alternative Shadow Cabinet to monitor and propose counterpoint policies to the government. Made up of academics, activists, and specialists, the new body aims to institutionalize expert scrutiny of Prabowo's administration, functioning as a policy parallel to the official Red and White Cabinet. (via Tempo English)