The issue of Chinese investment is a controversial topic in Indonesia. Viewed with suspicion and even animosity, Chinese investments are often associated with the ideological threat of communism, as well as a reminder of negative stereotypes of the ethnic Chinese business elites in the country. As such, Chinese investments are considered to be a political liability, especially during and around election times. Yet Chinese investments in Indonesia is on an upward trend. China became Indonesia's second-biggest source of foreign direct investment in 2017, and it seems only a matter of time before China becomes the biggest foreign investor in Indonesia.
In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Charlotte Setijadi chats to Dr Siwage Dharma Negara from ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore about trade and investment relations between Indonesia and China, and how Jokowi's political opponents may use the issue of Chinese investments against him in the 2019 presidential election.