If the government truly cares about addressing this gridlock, then it should start thinking about moving goods from production hubs in West Java and Banten to Jakarta by rail, which remains woefully underutilized.

With subscriber numbers tanking and advertising revenue drying up, the timing could not be worse for media outlets both in Indonesia and elsewhere in the world, to deal with another more serious, if not existential, challenge.

Today, as the world grapples with the resurgence of protectionism and the unraveling of multilateralism, the principles of Bandung are more relevant than ever.

Francis was known as a progressive reformer who often clashed with other top brass in the conservative Church during his 12-year papacy.

Better recruitment and oversight systems may help reduce opportunities for corruption in the judiciary, which has been resistant to external supervision by the Judicial Commission.

Every great idea begins with a spark in someone’s mind. Under duress, it is an expression of resilience to escape one’s misfortune.

In the absence of a solid foundation, as manifested by policy inconsistency, the national education system has only devoured its schoolchildren.

As the de facto leader of ASEAN, it is natural that Indonesia should do more to initiate regional measures to solve problems facing any member nation.

The new KUHAP, if passed as it is, risks worsening entrenched human rights violations in the judicial system, which is why the revision is needed in the first place.

Islamic organizations in the country, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), have voiced strong concerns over the evacuation plan, warning that it could ultimately serve Israel’s interests. 

Effective communication at times is not only about clarity, but also about the delivery of the message, whether it can convince the people who receive the message.

The problem is that the police’s generally hostile attitude toward journalists may have come directly from the top leadership.

The new Criminal Code, passed in 2022 and which will take effect next year, can mark a step forward for a complete end to capital punishment.

Facing US tariffs, ASEAN nations must unite to strengthen their bargaining power and protect their economic interests.

At this juncture, even appointing someone Prabowo trusts from the military looks better than leaving the strategic position empty for another few months.

ASEAN should work with international organizations in assisting Myanmar and facilitating a new dialogue between the Myanmar junta and various ethnic groups to promote peace and stability.

The world is witnessing a seismic shift in trade and investment, with protectionism spelling the end of open markets that are vital for emerging economies like Indonesia.

Indonesia might finally add a notch to its soccer milestones if and when its men's team reaches the 2026 World Cup finals, but this will likely come at the cost of local talent, seeing as the current lineup consists of predominantly naturalized players.

The last three months have seen President Prabowo lurching from one crisis to another.

Unless the President can empathize with people’s grievances and burdens, public discontent will persist. 

The government is now facing a serious crisis of trust from the people and financial markets, including foreign investors and countries.

Once thugs, clad in the outfits of their mass organization, escape justice after extorting a business owner or street food seller, they will look for other opportunities to bully their way into wads of cash.

For decades, the nation’s extractive industries have been plagued by issues such as corruption and regulatory inconsistency, as well as unfair profit-sharing mechanisms with local governments.

The last time we wrote about the fragile Gaza truce, we questioned how long it might last. And now that we know the answer, we must pick up where we last left off.

Sending alley cats to a designated island in Thousand Islands regency is a sure way of destroying their lives, especially if the human population is too small.

With a former Army general in the highest office, the country will likely experience a bolder, brasher TNI in the years to come.

In a way, a country’s stock market performance is like a report card for the national economy, and by extension for the government, and in Indonesia’s case right now, the report is not pretty.