Officials in more than 20 federal agencies partnering with Indonesia have failed to bring the Australian public with them, says DFAT secretary Peter Varghese. Cooperation between the two countries, such as anti-terrorism and education, would better survive policy differences if ballasted by stronger community and business ties. Australia and Indonesia face an immense gap in community awareness and understanding.

The Indonesian government should be wary of the current sluggish economic condition that could trigger massive layoffs by companies, according to a legislator. Several companies have suffered from serious financial problems due to the ongoing sluggish economic condition, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) Fadli Zon, stated here, Monday. The weakening of the rupiah, which is now stands at Rp13.5 thousand per US dollar, has affected the nations economy, he noted.

[JAKARTA] Indonesia's manufacturing activity shrank for a tenth consecutive month in July as new orders fell, a private survey showed on Monday, raising prospects for a central bank interest rate cut in coming months. The Nikkei/Markit purchasing manager's index (PMI) fell to 47.3 in July from 47.8 in June, staying stubbornly below the 50 level that separates contraction from expansion.