Indonesia’s Stance on Tech Giants and Dua Lipa’s Concert Cancellation Highlight Tensions in Jakarta

In recent developments, Jakarta has been at the center of two significant events that highlight the complexities of the city’s economic and cultural landscape. The Indonesian government’s decision to ban the latest handsets from Apple and Google has sparked a heated debate on protectionism and its impact on foreign investment.

The ban, justified by the government’s local content requirement (TKDN) policy, mandates that at least 40 percent of the parts in phones and tablets must be sourced in Indonesia. This move has been criticized as protectionist and potentially detrimental to investment. However, Apple’s recent announcement to invest $10 million in a factory in Bandung, West Java, suggests that the ban might have had the opposite effect, encouraging rather than deterring investment.

In another notable event, singer-songwriter Dua Lipa canceled her concert in Jakarta due to unsafe staging conditions. The concert, scheduled for Saturday, was called off just hours before it was set to begin, with Dua Lipa expressing her disappointment and assuring fans that they would receive refunds. This cancellation marks the second time Dua Lipa has had to skip a performance in Indonesia, the last being in 2019.

These incidents underscore the challenges and complexities faced by both foreign businesses and international artists in Indonesia. While the government’s stance on local content requirements aims to boost domestic industry, it also raises concerns about the country’s adherence to free trade principles. Meanwhile, the cancellation of Dua Lipa’s concert highlights the importance of safety standards in public events and the impact on fans and performers alike.