Latest news with #EastKalimantan
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Indonesia's ballistic missile deployment, a first in Southeast Asia, could shift regional power balance
SINGAPORE: Indonesia's quiet deployment of a Turkish-made short-range ballistic missile system in East Kalimantan is a pivotal move that has 'meaningfully' shifted the regional balance of power, say analysts. From a region where no Southeast Asian state possessed an operational modern ballistic missile capability, Indonesia now holds a rapid-response, high-precision strike option that could reshape regional deterrence dynamics, they said. Closely tied to the relocation of its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara (IKN), and occurring amid simmering tensions in the South China Sea, the move signals a calculated shift by Indonesia from a largely defensive posture to a more agile, forward-leaning deterrence posture, they add. Geopolitically, it underscores Jakarta's pivot from traditional Western reliance toward diversified ties with partners such as Turkiye — bolstering its leverage in global power dynamics. The choice of the first deployment reflects geopolitical, geographic and symbolic considerations, experts say. East Kalimantan was likely chosen for its relative safety from direct attack, its strategic position overlooking key northern sea lanes, and its role as the site of the new capital — making it ideal for hosting a survivable missile force to protect both national territory and IKN. The KHAN missile system — a 280-km-range platform developed by Turkish arms manufacturer Roketsan — was first spotted by military enthusiasts at the Indonesian Army's Raipur A Yonarmed 18 base in Tenggarong in East Kalimantan, the province that will host the future capital. Pictures of the KHAN missile, produced by Turkish manufacturer Roketsan, surfaced on the Sahabat Keris Facebook page on Aug 1 and have been widely reported by defence blogs, as well as Indonesian news portal Kompas. Ballistic missiles are rocket-propelled missiles that can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. The range of the KHAN missiles extends Indonesia's strike radius into disputed maritime corridors, noted news site Defence Security Asia. Indonesia had placed its KHAN missile order in November 2022 and is the first military force outside of Turkiye to have the missile in its inventory, Roketsan's deputy general manager Murat Kurtulus reportedly said at the time. In response to queries from CNA, Indonesian army spokesperson Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana confirmed the delivery of the short-range ballistic missile from Turkiye to Indonesia. He said it is part of the first batch procured by Indonesia's Ministry of Defence and has not been officially handed over to the Indonesian Army. As such, he was unable to comment on whether the system has officially been deployed in East Kalimantan. He did not give details on how many KHAN missiles Indonesia has acquired and where it is deploying them. Defence Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Frega Ferdinand Wenas Inkiriwang told CNA Indonesia last Thursday (Aug 7) that the ministry has not monitored any updates regarding the missile. SOUTHEAST ASIA'S FIRST – BUT NOT THE LAST? With Indonesia becoming the first Southeast Asian country to publicly deploy a modern tactical ballistic missile system – a capability traditionally reserved for major military powers outside the region – there is potential for the start of an arms race in the region, said Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore-based principal defence analyst at Janes. He pointed out that until now, Southeast Asian countries have generally avoided procuring tactical ballistic systems due to their 'inherently offensive nature as opposed to purely defensive platforms. But that norm may now shift. Indonesia's move is likely to prompt other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to reassess their own missile and air defence capabilities Within the region, Vietnam is known to possess Soviet-era Scud-class ballistic missiles and North Korean derivatives like the Hwasong-6, with ranges of 300 to 500 km, but those systems are Cold War-era and not newly acquired. Myanmar, meanwhile, is widely believed to own North Korean Hwasong-5 and Chinese BP-12A ballistic missiles, possibly integrated via the SY-400 platform. However, no official confirmation exists of regular operational use. Indonesia's KHAN missile acquisition has meaningfully shifted the regional balance of power, said Ridzwan. 'I am certainly concerned about the possibility of an arms race,' he said. 'This is the first missile of its kind in the region and, until now, countries have refrained from acquiring tactical ballistic missiles due to their range and the nature of the weapon, which is harder to intercept given its limited engagement window.' Indonesia's move carries dual-edged strategic implications, said Beni Sukadis of the Jakarta-based think tank Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi). While it enhances Indonesia's defensive posture, it may raise concern among neighbouring countries and major powers with vested interests in the region, he said. 'Some may perceive this move as a form of military escalation, potentially fueling an arms race in Southeast Asia.' While the KHAN deployment is legitimate within Indonesia's framework of national defence, the country must continue to prioritise transparency and defence diplomacy, in order to avoid creating perceptions of undue threat and to help maintain regional stability, said Beni. But it is important to understand this development as rooted in Indonesia's 'active and defensive' posture, and not as a tool for expansion or provocation, said Khairul Fahmi, a military expert at the Jakarta-based Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS). 'In other words, this reinforcement is a calibrated response to regional and global security shifts,' he said. Even so, he acknowledged it could serve as a psychological catalyst for certain countries in the region to consider similar options. Vietnam or Thailand, for example, may begin evaluating the requirements and implications of developing comparable missile capabilities – particularly if tensions in the South China Sea escalate or regional competition intensifies, he said. Khairul said he predicts such responses are more likely in the medium term of three to seven years, as not all ASEAN countries possess the fiscal capacity, defence-industrial base, or strategic justification for rapid adoption. On why Indonesia has so far not disclosed the number of KHAN missile units purchased, Khairul said it is understandable as such information is typically restricted or classified. 'Full transparency on the quantity, specifications and deployment locations could expose vulnerabilities and undermine national defence interests,' he said. WHY EAST KALIMANTAN? The deployment of the KHAN missile near Indonesia's future capital is also significant, analysts said. 'It sends a clear signal that Indonesia is serious about building a robust defence architecture to safeguard the new seat of government from a range of threat scenarios — including potential long-range precision missile strikes,' said Khairul. The seeds of the missile deployment were visible as early as January 2024, when Indonesian army field artillery commander Major General Mohammad Naudi Nurdika inspected the Army's Raipur A facility in East Kalimantan province. At the time, he confirmed preparations to host a new missile-based combat unit in Nusantara, also known as Ibu Kota Negara (IKN), according to a post on Instagram by the Indonesian Army's Field Artillery Centre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝙋𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙉𝙄 𝘼𝘿 (@penpussenarmed) The relocation of the nation's capital from Jakarta to IKN is not merely administrative or political in nature, agreed Beni. It carries significant implications for the repositioning of Indonesia's military infrastructure, including command headquarters and strategic defence systems, he said. 'Given that East Kalimantan will become the new seat of government, the presence of reliable and integrated defence systems is crucial to safeguarding both the territory and the nation's center of power,' Beni explained. This positioning places Kalimantan within Indonesia's core and intermediate defence layers for the future capital. One of the possible factors for choosing East Kalimantan for deployment, Khairul noted, is that the province is geographically insulated from direct threats, making it an ideal location for logistics bases and the launch of strategic weapon systems with a high degree of survivability. East Kalimantan also holds strategic value due to its proximity to the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lane (ALKI) II, one of Indonesia's three designated archipelagic sea lanes, that is frequently traversed by foreign warships and military aircraft as part of international navigation. ALKI II runs through the Makassar Strait between Kalimantan and Sulawesi, the Flores Sea and Lombok Strait. It permits international vessels to transit between the Indian and Pacific oceans under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which grants the right of passage through designated archipelagic sea lanes. East Kalimantan's drier and firmer terrain also provides ideal conditions for hosting mobile missile units. Mounted on an 8x8 Tatra high-mobility platform, KHAN is designed for rapid 'shoot-and-scoot' operations — fire, relocate, and evade counterstrike, said Janes' Ridzwan. 'Compared to Java, where soft terrain limits mobility, Kalimantan offers ideal launch geography because it has higher ground which increases the range of the missile,' said Ridzwan. 'It also gives Indonesia direct oversight over vital maritime routes like the Makassar Strait and Celebes Sea.' Ridzwan told CNA this positions Indonesia to respond more quickly to developments from the northeast, particularly the South China Sea, an area of increasing naval activity and diplomatic tensions. While Indonesia is not a claimant of the South China Sea, China's 'nine-dash line' claiming most of the waterway overlaps with Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the oil- and gas-rich Natuna Islands. DIVERSIFICATION WITH AN EYE TO TECH TRANSFER The KHAN purchase signals another shift in Indonesia's defence orientation, analysts noted. Under the presidency of Prabowo Subianto, the Southeast Asian heavyweight is moving away from reliance solely on traditional Western partners and building new strategic alignments with countries such as Turkiye, India and other emerging powers, Khairul said. This is reflected in recent big-ticket acquisitions — from the 2022 order of 42 Rafale jets from France and the 2023 US approval for up to 36 F-15EX Eagle II fighters, to Jakarta's 2025 contract for 48 Turkiye-made KAAN stealth fighter jets, and its ongoing participation in South Korea's KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development programme. It is also evaluating China's J-10C fighter jets and in talks on BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with India. The diversification is crucial for reducing dependency and enhancing Indonesia's bargaining position in global power dynamics, he said. 'It also stands as a strategic declaration that missile capability is no longer the exclusive domain of great powers,' said Khairul. 'Indonesia is asserting its role as a credible regional actor committed to maintaining balance through responsible modernisation.' The move aligns with Indonesia's broader efforts to modernise its military arsenal and enhance the interoperability of its defence systems in the face of contemporary threats – both conventional missile attacks and unconventional foreign interventions, Beni said. The missile acquisition is also part of a broader strategic partnership between Indonesia and Turkiye that includes opportunities for technology transfer and the potential for local production in future, Khairul noted. In June at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition, one of two contracts Indonesia signed with KHAN's manufacturer Roketsan was for a planned joint venture agreement to develop local capabilities for the 'assembly, domestic production, and sustainability of missile technologies', according to Roketsan.
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Indonesia becomes first in Southeast Asia to deploy short-range ballistic missile system
SINGAPORE: Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to deploy a tactical ballistic missile system that will enhance its short-range battlefield capabilities, based on sightings by military enthusiasts in East Kalimantan. Pictures of the KHAN missile, produced by Turkish manufacturer Roketsan, surfaced on the Sahabat Keris Facebook page last Friday (Aug 1) and have been widely reported by defence blogs, as well as Indonesian news portal Kompas. Photos of the missile on a launcher were reportedly taken at the Indonesian Army's Raipur A facility in East Kalimantan. The 7.1m missile has a diameter of 610mm and a range of up to 280km, according to Roketsan's website. It weighs 2,500kg and is armed with a 470kg high-explosive warhead. It has an accuracy of sub-10m circular error probability, providing 'accurate and effective fire power on strategic targets in the battlefield', according to Roketsan. Potential targets include artillery and air defence systems, radar sites and logistics facilities. The range of the KHAN missiles extends Indonesia's strike radius into disputed maritime corridors, noted news site Defence Security Asia. While Indonesia is not a claimant of the South China Sea, China's 'nine-dash line' claiming most of the waterway overlaps with Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the oil- and gas-rich Natuna Islands. Indonesia placed its KHAN missile order in November 2022 and is the first military force outside of Turkiye to have the missile in its inventory, Roketsan's deputy general manager Murat Kurtulus reportedly said at the time. CNA has sent queries to the Indonesian military on how many KHAN missiles it acquired and where it is deploying them. Southeast Asia's largest economy has been looking to modernise its ageing military hardware as well as diversify its defence suppliers in recent years. In 2022, Indonesia purchased 42 Rafale jets from France for US$8.1 billion. China has also reportedly offered to sell its J-10 fighter jets to Jakarta. Indonesia has enhanced cooperation with Turkish defence manufacturers in recent months. In June at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition, it signed two contracts with Roketsan – one for the procurement of the ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile and the ATMACA Weapon System, and the second for a planned joint venture agreement to develop local capabilities in Indonesia for the 'assembly, domestic production, and sustainability of missile technologies', announced Roketsan. Last month, Indonesia signed a contract to buy 48 KAAN fighter jets from Türkiye. The stealth twin-engine fighter, developed by the state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries, is set to enter production soon with deliveries to the Turkish Air Force expected by 2028 or 2029.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Horrifying moment crocodile carries teen's body away in its jaws after attack
Shocking footage has captured the moment a crocodile carries away a schoolboy's body in its jaws after attacking him while he fished on a riverbank in Indonesia. Muhammad Nur Akbar, 15, was with his friends at the Santan Ulu River in East Kalimantan when the beast snatched him. Despite warnings from his classmates, Muhammad dipped his feet to wash in the murky brown waters, only for a crocodile to surge forward and sink its large jaws into his thigh. The teenager screamed for help as his friends raced over and grabbed his shirt in a desperate tug-of-war with the predator reptile. However, they were overpowered, with the beast dragging Muhammad away into the depths. Rescue teams were notified of the deadly attack. They arrived at the scene, where they found the beast still holding the boy's motionless corpse. Gruesome footage shows the reptile clutching the lifeless teen as it glides upstream near the river's edge. Fida Hurasani, head of the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Fire and Rescue Department, said: 'The incident occurred during the day. 'Residents immediately reported it to officers, including the police, and a search was launched immediately. 'During the evacuation process, the crocodile was shot to release the boy's leg. We managed to bring the body to the surface shortly afterwards.' Authorities said Muhammad's body was successfully collected at 11:50pm local time. His condition was described as 'horrific', with severe injuries to his right leg and thigh. His remains were handed over to his family for burial. Violent end: The teen suffered horrific injuries to his legs as he was pulled under the water Village head Heri Budianto said the last deadly crocodile attack in the area occurred in 2015. Local authorities have banned residents from fishing in the river to prevent further casualties. The Indonesian archipelago is home to 14 types of crocs, with a large population of extremely large and violent estuarine crocodiles that flourish in the region's climate. Conservationists believe that crocodiles have been driven further inland closer to villages due to overfishing reducing the crocodiles' natural food supplies. This is combined with habitat loss from the development of coastal areas into farms. Widespread tin mining has also caused villagers to encroach on the crocodiles' natural habitats, pushing the creatures closer toward people's homes. With uneducated locals in the developing country still using rivers for bathing and primitive fishing, the deadly combination of factors has led to rising numbers of crocodile attacks.
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Eni starts gas production at Merakes East field in Indonesia
May 13 (Reuters) - Eni ( opens new tab has started gas production from the Merakes East field in the Kutei Basin offshore Indonesia, the Italian energy group said on Tuesday in a statement. The field is part of the East Sepinggan block, where Eni holds an 85% operating stake, and its production is expected to contribute up to approximately 18,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to Eni's output. The gas is processed at the Jangkrik Floating Production Unit and transported to Indonesia's internal market and the Bontang liquefaction plant for domestic and export use. This operation is part of Eni's strategy to utilize significant gas resources in Indonesia, supported by collaboration with SKK Migas, Indonesia's Upstream Regulator and Supervisor. Eni has recently announced talks with Malaysia's state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) to create a joint venture to oversee selected upstream assets in Indonesia and Malaysia. Eni has been operating in Indonesia since 2001, with a current production of around 700 million standard cubic feet per day in East Kalimantan.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Individual investors own 19% of MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad (KLSE:MKHOP) shares but public companies control 65% of the company
MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad's significant public companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public 65% of the company is held by a single shareholder (MKH Berhad) Past performance of a company along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. To get a sense of who is truly in control of MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad (KLSE:MKHOP), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. We can see that public companies own the lion's share in the company with 65% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Meanwhile, individual investors make up 19% of the company's shareholders. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad. See our latest analysis for MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. Institutions have a very small stake in MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad. That indicates that the company is on the radar of some funds, but it isn't particularly popular with professional investors at the moment. So if the company itself can improve over time, we may well see more institutional buyers in the future. We sometimes see a rising share price when a few big institutions want to buy a certain stock at the same time. The history of earnings and revenue, which you can see below, could be helpful in considering if more institutional investors will want the stock. Of course, there are plenty of other factors to consider, too. Hedge funds don't have many shares in MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad. Our data shows that MKH Berhad is the largest shareholder with 65% of shares outstanding. This implies that they have majority interest control of the future of the company. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 3.3% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 2.2% by the third-largest shareholder. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. As far as we can tell there isn't analyst coverage of the company, so it is probably flying under the radar. The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. We can see that insiders own shares in MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad. As individuals, the insiders collectively own RM30m worth of the RM600m company. This shows at least some alignment, but we usually like to see larger insider holdings. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 19% stake in MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. We can see that Private Companies own 9.2%, of the shares on issue. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research. It appears to us that public companies own 65% of MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad. It's hard to say for sure but this suggests they have entwined business interests. This might be a strategic stake, so it's worth watching this space for changes in ownership. It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can find historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph . If you would prefer check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, backed by strong financial data. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
