Violence at Chinese-owned nickel smelter in Indonesia raises alarm

Analysts say government, company action on labor is essential to prevent spread

20230123 a nickel smelting plant in North Morowali

Police in Indonesia take up positions on Jan. 16, two days after deadly violence at a nickel smelting plant on the island of Sulawesi. The country hopes its vast reserves of the metal can help it build a domestic electric vehicle industry. © Morowali Police/AFP/Jiji

AMY CHEW, Contributing writer, and ISMI DAMAYANTI, Nikkei staff writer

January 24, 2023 14:28 JST

KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA -- Recent clashes at a Chinese-owned nickel smelting facility in Indonesia are likely to spread to other parts of the country if the government and Chinese owners fail to address issues of safety, analysts say.