Indonesia Wants Larger Apple Investment to Lift iPhone 16 Ban

The Indonesian government is pushing Apple for a higher investment than its recently proposed $100 million before it will consider lifting its ban on iPhone 16 sales in the country, according to statements from government officials on Thursday.

iphone 16 design
Industry minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has held internal meetings to discuss Apple's proposal, but a ministry spokesperson reportedly said that the government expects more substantial commitments from the company.

"From the government's perspective, of course, we want this investment to be larger," Febri Hendri Antoni Arif told Antara News. The government is particularly interested in having Apple source components from domestic suppliers, suggesting this would create a "multiplier effect" for local employment.

Apple's current $100 million proposal was a significant increase from its initial $10 million offer earlier this month, and includes plans for research and development facilities and developer academies in Bali and Jakarta over a two-year period. The proposal also outlines plans to manufacture AirPods Max ear cup mesh components in Bandung starting July 2025.

The ongoing negotiations follow Indonesia's October 28 ban on iPhone 16 sales, implemented after authorities determined Apple had not met the country's requirement for 40% domestic content in smartphones. The government also claims Apple has invested only $95 million through developer academies, falling short of a previously promised $109.6 million commitment.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...

Top Rated Comments

neuropsychguy Avatar
10 months ago
This is called extortion. As Darth Vader once said: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."

Edit: My comment is a bit hyperbolic, but the Star Wars quote is accurate because the Indonesian government has the power to alter deals at will. Apple does as well with suppliers so in other situations Apple might be viewed as the Empire. I'm just focusing on the current situation between Indonesia and Apple.

In any case, I think there are better ways at growing economies than simply requiring certain businesses (e.g., Google, which was also affected) to locally manufacture and source products. Included with this is that there are better ways to incentivize individuals and businesses. For example -- if a business meets a certain target for local manufacturing or research or support, there can be tax or other incentives. That's a form of positive reinforcement. What the Indonesian government is doing is a form of negative punishment, which is not good for long-term relationships. Governments and businesses and individuals need good working relationships for all to thrive. The EU, as an aside, is effectively using negative punishment with its regulations. That is, in my opinion, the wrong way to work with people and businesses. Regulations will usually have negative consequences but there are ways to incentivize through positive means rather than negative ones.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
10 months ago
No different than the EU making the rules up as it goes along.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
10 months ago
This is quite literally extortion. Why should an US company building tech invest into a specific country (there are a lot of countries in the world, imagine everyone else starting to demand this).maybe just maybe, Indonesia is not producing anything they might need?

What stops other countries from doing the same.

"We are the experts of [...]! We demand you to invest in us, even if country X has more expertise in area Y!!!"
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagjohn Avatar
10 months ago
Gov't bribery.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

This is called extortion. As Darth Vader once said: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."
It's protectionism, as are tariffs, which the US is about to implement in spades.

It's exactly the same thing, with different wrapping paper.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarAnalogy Avatar
10 months ago
It will be interesting to see where Apple draws the line here. Clearly they will just keep asking for more until Apple says no.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)