Jakarta | President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s determination to slash the cost of doing business in Indonesia could become a test of his political capital, with business interests pitted against the powerful nationalist and pro-worker groups that have prevailed in the country.

Jokowi this week set the clock ticking on the so-called "omnibus bills" central to his plan to make up ground lost to neighbours Vietnam and Malaysia in the race to secure foreign investment for export-orientated industries.