Rising political tensions, preceeding the 2019 presidential elections, is one dark worrying cloud, which could hamper the budding signs of this year's economic recovery.

Last week, after the defeat of former Jakarta governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), in last month's municipal elections, he faced a 2- year court sentence on blasphemy charges. This flared simmering tension between Ahok supporters and opposing groups leading up to and after the