Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Biography
Publications
Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat is a research professor at Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies and a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), Indonesia. His research focuses on the political economy of China-Indonesia-Middle East relations. Zulfikar received his B.A. in International Affairs from Qatar University and completed M.A. and Ph.D in International Politics from the University of Manchester. He is also a Project Associate of the Digital International Relations project at LSE IDEAS.
![Indonesia-China: a smart city can make for clever politics](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-04/GettyImages-1247924697.jpg?itok=jLe5ls0I)
Indonesia-China: a smart city can make for clever politics
With a new capital to build, Indonesia can benefit from directing Chinese investment.
![Getting the narrative right: China’s media reach in Indonesia](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-11/GettyImages-1244816105.jpg?itok=7oqyCgD9)
Getting the narrative right: China’s media reach in Indonesia
Beijing is weaving its story into hearts and minds in the region via influence campaigns that could impact democracy.
![Putting food at the heart of China-Indonesia relations](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-11/36368265745_be2ac5e89b_k.jpg?itok=p-kHL9Ul)
Putting food at the heart of China-Indonesia relations
Beijing sees Indonesia as a major contributor to its food security and this has found receptive ears in Jakarta.
![Indonesia-China cooperation: Standby for take-off](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-1229982299.jpg?itok=lvo6e8mg)
Indonesia-China cooperation: Standby for take-off
For all the obstacles in the relationship, ties between Jakarta and Beijing look set to only continue to grow.
![With a UN Human Rights Council seat, Indonesia has a choice](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/32365724877_ec48fefcfe_k%20copy.jpg?itok=P_JMMwQD)
With a UN Human Rights Council seat, Indonesia has a choice
Jakarta could put human rights at the centre of its foreign policy, as well as clean up its act at home.