Former education minister Nadiem Makarim reacts prior to his trial in an alleged corruption case about his involvement in the procurement of Google Chromebook laptops for use at his ministry and by students, at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Jan. 5, 2026. `

How obscure interpretation of state losses fuels capital flight

When headline-grabbing "state loss" prosecutions replace rigorous evidence, Indonesia risks trading its top talent and foreign investment for a judicial spectacle where everyone loses.

43 minutes ago

Academia premium

Misreading Iran: How strategy collapses into damage control

When "quick wins" collide with deep-rooted regional resilience, global powers face a sobering reality: in the age of drone warfare and strategic miscalculation, air sovereignty is no longer just a legal concept - it is the ultimate survival tool.

1 hour ago

Academia premium

What role does Indonesia want to play in the world?

As Indonesia audits for a global starring role alongside giants like the US and China, its traditional seat as ASEAN's anchor is starting to look like a mere side stage. From transactional energy deals to a pragmatic silence on regional norms, President Prabowo Subianto is redrawing Jakarta’s map, leaving Southeast Asia wondering if its leader has finally outgrown the neighborhood.

2 hours ago

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A food vendor serves customers in Jakarta on Feb. 22, 2024, at her ‘warteg’, a food stall specializing in the cuisine of Tegal, Central Java.

Academia premium

Growth without gain: Why Indonesians don't feel the economy

While Indonesia's headline GDP suggests an economic triumph, a deeper look at GNP reveals a hollow growth, where wealth flows outward rather than into households. The country’s impressive statistics are failing to move the needle for the middle class and the informal workers who anchor the economy.

3 hours ago

A clerk counts United States dollar banknotes on May 22, 2024, at a money changer in Jakarta.

Opinion premium

Analysis: With falling rupiah, economic resilience faces its toughest test

Indonesia’s economy is approaching a dangerous crossroads. While Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa projects robust 5.5 percent growth, he has also warned that the country is in “survival mode” amid escalating global tensions. Beneath the headline optimism, rising energy prices, weakening purchasing power and mounting fiscal and monetary pressures are exposing deeper structural cracks, raising a critical question: Can Indonesia withstand the shock, or is its resilience beginning to wear thin?

3 hours ago

The gate of the Little Aresha daycare center in Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta, is sealed by police tape on April 27, 2026, following allegations of child abuse. Police have arrested 13 people after shocking images of alleged abuse of small children at the daycare center went viral, sparking outrage across the nation.

Editorial premium

Childcare reform can’t wait

As viral tragedies expose a broken system of unregulated daycares and uncertified caregivers, Indonesia must choose between performing temporary damage control or finally building the foundational safety net its "golden generation" deserves.

4 hours ago

Ships and boats sit at anchor on April 20, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman.

Academia

Trader or driller? Iran war exposes Big Oil's transatlantic divide

Years building vast oil trading machines have set the European majors apart from their larger US peers, for better or worse.

22 hours ago

A vehicle rides past stacks of cargo containers on July 7, 2025, at the Jakarta International Container Terminal at the Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta

Academia

insight

Insight: Securing a healthier future: The importance of Indonesia's plasma fractionation facility

The global health crisis brought on by COVID-19 tested healthcare systems worldwide, and Indonesia was no exception. As one of the world’s most populous nations, the nation faced immense challenges yet demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating the pandemic.

1 year ago

insight

Insight: Understanding sovereign wealth funds and their application in Indonesia

Toward the end of 2020, amid a world grappling with unprecedented challenges, Indonesia took a bold step in securing its economic future: establishing its first sovereign wealth fund (SWF), the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA).

1 year ago