The world is now seeing three major regulatory preferences that may or may not be easy to be fused into a global legal order, alongside Big Tech, whose powers are difficult to regulate under state sovereignty, in democracies or otherwise.

ASEAN urgently needs to adopt its Environmental Rights Framework to break the pattern of blatant impunity for perpetrators fueling an endless cycle of violence and threats against land and environmental defenders amid weak and ineffective law enforcement in the region.

A Southeast Asian parliament may sound like an improbably idealistic vision, but in this era of unprecendented advancements and challenges, thinking out of the box is the way for the region to finally take a global lead by representing its citizens, especially its youth, at the regional level.

Even with the absence of a mediating role, Indonesia should be seen championing an independent Palestinian state and full membership of the United Nations.

As the nation confronts mounting environmental challenges, investing in sustainable development becomes imperative to ensure a resilient and prosperous future. 

However, most of the financial resources allocated for the MEF programs in the last 15 years have been directed toward procuring off-the-shelf weapon systems. 

Unsurprisingly, the Constitutional Court put an end to all election result disputes by rejecting the legal challenges put forward by losing presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. In two separate five-to-three majority rulings on Monday, the justices upheld the landslide victory of president-elect Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

It would do well for the incoming government to approach foreign policy with an eye to continuing the diplomacy Indonesia has shaped over the past nine years, in both regional and global matters, into a solid model that other countries can emulate.

The experience of many countries, as well as the results of many studies, suggest that Indonesian lawmakers might want to consider regulating the domestic vaping market as part of the country's battle against its persistently high smoking prevalence.

Enforcement is only effective when comprehensive data is available. Similarly, taxpayers are more willing to pay their taxes if the tax office has sufficient information at its disposal. 

The Indonesian cybersecurity index scored 63.64, placing it 48th, below the average value of the world cybersecurity index.

The government must ensure that robust internet connectivity is accessible in all remote areas in Indonesia to successfully implement the digital transformation. 

Applications of circular economy generally involve the physical economy, but circularity can also be applied to intangibles, specifically consumer credit in the financial services sector.

Recognizing that monetary and fiscal harmony is essential in navigating complex economic challenges, Indonesia has exemplified how strategic cooperation can bolster the economy.

Civil society groups should prepare for and sound an alarm when political actors and/or the new government formulate policies or actions with the potential to reduce the quality of democracy.

The Constitutional Court justices should have explored, followed and understood the values of the law and sense of justice that exists in society.

With an estimated requirement of 10-15 tonnes of silica sand per megawatt, Indonesia has the potential to produce a staggering 30 terawatts of solar panels.

Even if voters have a choice of better access to health services, they opt for direct assistance, whether cash or noncash (e.g. rice and other basic foodstuffs).

The Indonesian government has refuted Israeli reports that it is actively seeking to normalize diplomatic ties with the State of Israel. Said reports suggested that Indonesia's alleged pursuit of such a normalization is tied to the Southeast Asian country’s ongoing efforts to join the multilateral Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), of which Israel is already a member. Indonesia sees entry to the economic forum of developed nations as a pivotal phase in its journey to become a developed country.

The government's latest regulatory gaffe related to the new import restrictions for international travelers shows how important it is to consult stakeholders, including the public, experts and experienced staff, before issuing any new rule, let alone implementing it.

Despite a seemingly good political or economic partnership, Indonesia cannot disregard the high possibility of confrontation in the South China Sea.

The government and BI need to prepare a carefully considered contingency plan to prevent a rupiah free fall in the event that escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict disrupts the global oil market and trade routes.

A paradigm shift in regional cooperation to harmonize policies, build a shared knowledge base and empower local communities can establish a well-functioning carbon market fueled by NBS to unlock a new era of climate action and green growth in Southeast Asia, home to the world’s mega-diverse forests.

ASEAN must continue to create the space to learn from the various Myanmar stakeholders and seek the support of the major frontline states, namely China and India, in its efforts.

Once a global powerhouse, Europe appears to be increasingly out of touch with today's worldview and the growing role of emerging nations as it continues to look through a colonial lens.

It is often said that change starts at home, and as the government aims to realize a female labor participation rate of 65 percent as part of its 2045 vision, society as a whole needs to embrace the role of men in achieving gender equality, both in the workplace and in Indonesian homes.

As we celebrate Kartini Day on April 21 this year, let us look to the legacy of the national heroine in light of the global transition to renewables and how women in Indonesia and around the world can be empowered to contribute to this still nascent, yet rapidly growing sector.

Politicians capitalized on Idul Fitri holiday last week to embark on silaturahmi (kinship) visits in the name of coalition building. This year, Prabowo Subianto paid visits to key allies while talks of an imminent meeting between the president-elect and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri have spread.

The overall context of the Southeast Asian visits is the consolidation of bilateral engagement with the countries that will chair ASEAN and coordinate the India-ASEAN partnership.

Mudik plays a crucial role in redistributing wealth from urban to rural areas, from major financial centers to smaller towns.