Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
Low wages, high hopes: inside Indonesia’s fashion supply chains
CELIOS’ new report “Low Wages, High Hopes” sheds light on the harsh realities behind Indonesia’s textile, garment, shoe, and leather industries. Drawing on DecentWorkCheck survey data from 2017–2024, the study finds widespread short-term contracts, wage theft, and declining social protection—trends worsened by deregulation under the Job Creation Law. The report calls for stronger labor enforcement and greater accountability from global fashion brands to ensure decent work and fair pay across I
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Maintaining the sustainability of Indonesia’s online lending ecosystem
The online lending industry (Pindar) has experienced rapid growth in recent years, making a significant contribution to national financial inclusion. Through inclusive regulations, Pindar services have helped individuals and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that remain underserved by the formal banking system, while also providing investment opportunities for both individual and institutional lenders. However, along the way, the Pindar industry has faced serious challenges due to th
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China-Indonesia energy transition cooperation: Progress, prospects, and recommendations
Between October 2024 and October 2025, Indonesia and China have strengthened their energy transition cooperation, reflecting a growing alignment in policy priorities for sustainable growth and green industrial transformation. The partnership has expanded beyond traditional trade and infrastructure toward renewable energy development, battery supply chains, electric vehicle production, and digital energy systems. Institutional and financial engagement has deepened, with Indonesia’s new sovereign
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Survey: Prabowo–Gibran’s 1-Year Performance Report Card
One Year of Prabowo–Gibran: A Failing Grade from the Public CELIOS has released the results of its One-Year Performance Evaluation of the Prabowo–Gibran Government, assessing program achievements, leadership, budget governance, policy communication, and law enforcement. The evaluation was conducted through a panel survey of 120 journalists from 60 national media outlets and a public survey of 1,338 respondents across Indonesia. The results show failing grades in nearly every sector. Prabowo Subianto scored 3 out of 10, Gibran
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2025 Indonesia-MENA survey: Insights into Indonesian perceptions of the Middle East and North Africa
Indonesia’s relationship with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is built on a foundation that stretches back centuries. From early trade routes linking the archipelago with the Arabian Peninsula to the spread of Islam and the exchange of ideas, Indonesia and the MENA region have long shared economic, cultural, and religious ties. In the modern era, this relationship has grown beyond historical connections, evolving into a strategic partnership with increasing collaboration across diplomacy
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IEU-CEPA: transition toward an anti-deforestation and low-carbon regime
The signing of the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) on September 23, 2025, marks a strategic milestone for Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports to access the European market starting in 2027. However, beyond its economic prospects, this agreement also signifies the beginning of a new phase of regulatory and governance reform. Under the agreement, Indonesia must align its domestic policies with two major EU frameworks: the EU Deforestation Regulation
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The economic diversification potential of North Maluku Province
Since 2020, North Maluku has become the center of the Indonesian government’s ambitions in nickel mining and downstream processing. The impact has been significant: on paper, the province has recorded double-digit economic growth since 2021. Even in 2022 and 2023, amid the pressures of COVID-19, growth still exceeded 20%. While these figures look impressive, excessive reliance on nickel poses serious risks to the local economy and the environment. Nickel is a finite resource, with prices and demand
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The economic diversification potential of Konawe: moving beyond the extractive development model
Although the nickel boom has driven extraordinary economic growth in Southeast Sulawesi—particularly in Konawe Regency—this is by no means a recipe for sustainable development. Sole reliance on nickel leaves Konawe’s future vulnerable on multiple fronts. Nickel is a non-renewable resource, and its price is heavily affected by volatility in international markets. Moreover, excessive exploitation can cause serious environmental damage,
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Morowali's economic diversification potential for non-mining products
The RPJPN 2025–2045 has emphasized the importance of promoting sustainable economic growth at both the provincial and regency levels. For Morowali, this mandate underscores the urgent need to move away from an economy that is overly dependent on nickel mining and processing. The regency needs a more resilient economic model—one that can ensure long-term prosperity while preserving the environment. In this report, CELIOS designs several diversification
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The national strategic projects paradox: economic growth at the expense of quality
CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara gave expert testimony at the Constitutional Court during a judicial review hearing on the Job Creation Law. He stressed that National Strategic Projects (PSN) often prioritize private investors’ profits over the public interest, ultimately triggering agrarian conflicts, environmental damage, and low-quality economic growth. Rather than creating jobs and improving welfare, PSN risks deepening
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2025 China-Indonesia Provincial Index: understanding China's footholds across Indonesian provinces
China’s presence in Indonesia is no longer confined to the national capital it is deepening and spreading across the archipelago. The 2025 China–Indonesia Provincial Index, the second edition of this annual study, provides a systematic mapping of China’s footholds in Indonesia’s provinces from 1 August 2024 to 1 August 2025. Building on last year’s inaugural research, the findings show that China’s presence has not only persisted but expanded across more provinces, sectors, and levels of governa
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Challenging cement extractivism: valuation of ecosystem services in the Pracimantoro Karst, Central Java
The planned construction of a cement factory and its accompanying limestone quarry in Pracimantoro District, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, has drawn strong opposition from local residents because of the risk of serious environmental damage. Located within the Pegunung Sewu karst landscape, the quarry is feared to damage the fragile hydrological system and threaten the livelihoods of local farmers who depend on their land. Residents are also concerned that this kind of environmental degradation would...
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