The wRap Indonesia: Trump controversy, goodbye bullet train

JAKARTA, Indonesia – From a controversial appearance with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump to a new chief detective, here’s the top news you missed over the weekend, to help you catch up and start your week.

1. Donald Trump asks: Do they like me in Indonesia?

The U.S. presidential candidate had one important question to ask Friday, September 4: Do they like me in Indonesia? After a press conference in New York, the notorious billionaire introduced Indonesian House of Representatives Speaker Satye Novanto to the crowd and posed him the question, to which Novanto said, “Yes.” 

Trump also described Novanto as “one of the most powerful men, a great man.” Novanto is one of the most notorious figures in the House, due to allegations of graft against him. Netizens were irked by Novanto’s appearance and answer but others, like head of House of Representatives Commission I Tantowi Yahya, have come to Novanto’s defense saying there was no political motive behind Novanto’s visit to New York – saying it was simply a diplomatic move. Read more.

2. Bye, bye bullet train

A bullet train in Indonesia? Not anymore. Indonesia has unexpectedly dumped much-vaunted plans for its first high-speed railway in favor of a slower and cheaper rail option, in a blow to Japan and China who have been fiercely competing to win the construction job.

President Joko Widodo was expected to award either China or Japan the multi-billion contract this week but instead, the government announced Friday, September 4, the project had been shelved, citing cost and feasibility concerns. “I conveyed that Indonesia thanked them, but we wouldn’t be continuing with the high-speed train project,” Chief economics minister, Darmin Nasution told reporters about meeting with the Japanese ambassador, adding he expected to inform the Chinese ambassador later in the day. Read more.

3. New chief detective

After initial denial from the National Police, the agency finally announced it would replace Commissioner General Budi Waseso with former National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Commissioner General Anang Iskandar.

Waseso was largely unpopular by the time he left, with the relationship between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) strained under his watch – partly because Waseso investigated KPK officials on false charges, a move that was seen as revenge after the KPK filed charges against his deputy police chief. Waseso is now BNN chief. Read more in Bahasa Indonesia.

4. Death toll up to 50

The death toll from the sinking of a boat carrying Indonesian migrants is now at 50, a Malaysian official said on Sunday, September 6, after 35 more bodies were found.

The boat, which sank off the coast of central Malaysia’s Selangor state was believed to have been carrying up to 80 people. So far, 20 people have been rescued. The group was leaving Malaysia to return to Indonesia. Read more.

5. Indonesia among the world’s lowest meat-eaters

Sure, many Indonesians don’t eat pork. But they don’t seem to eat much of other meat either – at least compared to the rest of the world.

According to Nomura, a financial services group based in Asia, Indonesia is among the lowest meat-eaters in the world. Certainly, religion may play a huge role as to why some countries eat more meat than others, but Nomura says there is also an economic explanation. In countries where people have more money, Nomura found that people tend to consume more meat. Read more.