The AFR View
Energy protectionism complicates our ties with Indonesia
Rather than the lack of complementarity between the two nations’ economies, it is the clash with Indonesia’s resource nationalism that is now a key focus of Australian interest in the election contest.
Indonesians head to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new president in the 270-million-strong, Muslim-majority nation. A third transfer of power by direct vote since the fall of the Suharto regime a quarter of a century ago will confirm the success of Indonesia’s transition to democracy after decades of rule-by-strong-man authoritarianism.
That would be further underlined if the front-running candidate, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto – who headed army special forces in the Suharto era – wins as is widely expected.
Subscribe to gift this article
Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.
Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?
Introducing your Newsfeed
Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
Find out moreRead More
Latest In Asia
Fetching latest articles