Indonesia must improve ESG standards to attract global investment

Amy Chew is an independent journalist and former investment bank analyst who covers Asian and global affairs. A former Reuters Jakarta and Channel News Asia senior correspondent, her work appears in regional publications including Nikkei Asia and Al Jazeera.

Last month, German chemical giant BASF and French miner Eramet pulled the plug on their $2.6 billion nickel-cobalt refining project on Indonesia's Halmahera Island. This decision has thrown a spotlight on the urgent need for sustainable practices in the mineral-rich archipelago.