Beyond tourism: Indonesian Ambassador Penny D. Herasati on Indonesia’s rise, EU ties and opportunities for Hungary – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Indonesia is often seen through the lens of tropical beaches and postcard-perfect sunsets, yet the world’s fourth-most populous country is rapidly emerging as a key economic and geopolitical player. In an exclusive interview with Daily News Hungary, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Hungary, Penny D. Herasati, speaks about moving beyond Bali and beyond stereotypes, from untapped travel destinations and cultural connections to strategic cooperation with Hungary in areas such as clean energy, digital innovation and electric vehicle supply chains.

Daily News Hungary (DNH): Your Excellency, what were your first impressions of Hungary, and what has surprised you the most since your arrival?

H. E. Penny D. Herasati: My first impression of Hungary was that it’s a country with an incredibly deep history and a unique cultural identity right in the heart of Central Europe. What surprised me most after arriving was how naturally Hungary blends tradition with modern life. I knew the country had a rich historical heritage, but I didn’t expect to see it so effortlessly woven into everyday routines.

Before coming here, I’d heard that Hungarians might seem a bit reserved at first especially in professional settings. And yes, they can come across as formal initially. But after spending some time here, I’ve learned that once you get to know them, they’re warm, sincere, and genuinely welcoming. Their straightforward way of communicating makes conversations honest and easy.

Budapest has also been a real highlight. I’d seen plenty of photos before, but experiencing the city in person is something totally different, the stunning architecture, the Danube running through the city, and its lively cultural scene are beautiful. 

Overall, Hungarians are open to dialogue and cooperation, which gives me a lot of confidence and excitement about what we’ll be able to achieve together during my time here.

DNH: Hungary is geographically far from Indonesia, yet many people here dream of visiting your country. What is your secret? Why should travellers choose Indonesia instead of a closer, for example, European destination?

H. E. Herasati: Indonesia offers a wide range of travel experiences, including warm weather throughout the year, diverse beaches, regional cuisines, and a rich cultural heritage. The country is known for its varied natural landscapes, as well as historical and architectural sites that reflect centuries of human civilisation. For example, visitors familiar with European landmarks such as Budapest’s St. Stephen’s Basilica may also appreciate Indonesia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Borobudur and Prambanan temples in Java.

Indonesia is also considered a cost-effective destination. With a budget of around USD 50 per day, travellers can often afford private accommodation, meals at reputable restaurants, and wellness services such as massages, even in popular destinations like Bali. In comparison, average daily travel expenses in Europe may cover multiple days of comfortable travel in Indonesia. Combined with a warm climate and well-known local hospitality, Indonesia presents an appealing option for European travellers seeking both cultural and leisure experiences.

DNH: Which Indonesian destinations would you recommend to Hungarian travellers who already know Jakarta and Bali, but are looking for something new and less well-known?

H. E. Herasati: Some of the most recommended prime destinations include Labuan Bajo, a paradise that offers a breathtaking view of a pink beach and a raw experience to see real living ancient dragons at the Komodo National Park. 

Another highly recommended destination is Wakatobi, the ultimate destination for snorkelers and divers who are seeking Indonesia’s purest underwater sanctuary, often called the ‘Amazon of the Ocean.’ 

For travellers who prefer the mountain to the seas, I would suggest trying the hike to Mount Bromo to experience a powerful, misty, and otherworldly sunrise over an active volcanic caldera. 

For another genuine experience of a local culture, I think Tanah Toraja would also be perfect. Over there, ancient traditions are an essential part of daily lives and not just performed for tourists. Like in the event of Rambu Solo (ancient ceremonies to honour the dead), travellers don’t buy tickets. They would instead have to hire a local guide who would ask the family for permission to attend the ceremony and be welcomed as a guest, seated with extended family members.

There are places that are still unfamiliar to foreign tourists, where infrastructures are not yet fully developed, waiting to be discovered by travellers. I would recommend travellers to come and visit these places before they become too touristic. 

DNH: How would you describe the relationship between the Hungarian and Indonesian governments? What are the main areas of political common ground?

H. E. Herasati: The relationship between Hungary and Indonesia is constructive and getting stronger every year. We’ve had 70 years of diplomatic ties, and over that time we’ve built a solid foundation of mutual respect and steady political cooperation.

You can see this in the regular exchange of high-level visits. Just last November, our Foreign Ministers met in Brussels to talk about boosting cooperation in important areas like digital infrastructure and food security. Parliamentary ties have also become an important part of the relationship, with delegations from both countries meeting to share ideas and strengthen understanding between our institutions. There are friendship committees in both parliaments. 

A recent example is the visit of Dr. Márta Mátrai, the First Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, who travelled to Indonesia earlier this month. She met with the Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament and the Governor of Bali, highlighting how active and friendly our political exchanges have become.
Hungary and Indonesia maintain strong cooperation in multilateral forums, reflecting our shared commitment to global collaboration and multilateral diplomacy. At their core, both countries value stability, sovereignty, and a pragmatic approach to diplomacy that delivers tangible benefits to our peoples.

There’s still plenty of room for both sides to grow together not just at the government level, but also in culture, society, and people-to-people exchanges. We’re confident that the partnership will continue to expand in both depth and scope in the years ahead.

DNH: What are currently Indonesia’s most important mineral resources and natural assets, and which of these could be particularly interesting for Hungarian economic actors?

H. E. Herasati: Indonesia is often called “Emerald of the Equator” for good reason. The country are incredibly rich in biodiversity and minerals. 

Hungary has become a major hub for EV battery manufacturing in Europe, attracting large investments from Asian companies like CATL, Samsung SDI, and BYD, all producing various types of lithium-ion battery chemistries. Most of the EV car batteries manufactured or assembled in Hungary are exclusively lithium-ion batteries and utilize both nickel (specifically in nickel manganese cobalt, or NMC, formulations) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries.

These many high-performance batteries manufactured by companies like Samsung SDI in Göd use cathode materials containing a mix of nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC). The high nickel content in these batteries helps provide greater energy density, which translates to a longer range for vehicles.

Indonesia holds the world’s largest reserves of nickel, which is the heart of those batteries. We invite Hungarian companies to come to Indonesia, build processing facilities, and be part of the value chain right at the source. It is a perfect match. 

Indonesia offers Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for industrial investors, such as Palu SEZ for the base metal industry, Sorong SEZ for the nickel smelter industry, and Galang Batang SEZ in Bintan, Riau Islands, for the bauxite industry. And there are fiscal and non-fiscal incentives available to investors in SEZs.

In addition to that, like Hungary, Indonesia sits on a “hotbed” of energy literally. There are immense potential for Hungarian engineers to work with Indonesia to harness the volcanic heat for clean electricity.  

The Indonesian government already have a comprehensive power development plan for the next decade, balancing rapid electricity demand growth with a strategic shift toward renewable energy one of which is through maximising the potential of geothermal energy.

DNH: Beyond raw materials, which service or technology sectors do you see as areas where Indonesia and Hungary could mutually benefit from closer cooperation?

H. E. Herasati: Raw materials remain important. However, Indonesia and Hungary have far greater potential in value-added services and technology-based cooperation. Both countries have dynamic modern economies, and the focus should now shift from extraction to innovation, skills, and long-term partnerships.

The Indonesian market offers strong opportunities for Hungarian companies, but success requires a well-prepared strategy. The Indonesian Embassy plays a practical role in helping companies navigate the market and identify sustainable entry points focusing on long-term cooperation rather than one-off transactions.

Four priority areas for closer cooperation to be considered:

a. Green Technology & Smart Cities

As Indonesia advances its energy transition and net-zero targets, Hungary’s technical expertise is highly relevant.

• Water Management Technologies
  Hungarian solutions in water purification, flood control, and smart irrigation support public health, food security, and sustainable urban development.
• Clean Energy & Smart Grids
  Hungary’s experience in geothermal energy, solar power, and smart grid systems aligns well with Indonesia’s clean energy ambitions.

b. Digital Economy, Startups & Innovation

Both countries have young populations and active startup ecosystems, creating strong potential for collaboration.

• Fintech & Cybersecurity
  Indonesia’s rapidly growing fintech sector can benefit from Hungary’s strengths in cybersecurity and digital protection.
• Talent Exchange & R&D Cooperation
  Expanded student exchanges, joint research programs, and shared tech incubators can connect talent in science, technology, and computer science.
• E-Government Solutions
  Joint development of digital public service platforms can improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.