TheJakartaPost

The toll of taxation: Why the VAT plan is a risky gamble

The government’s plan to tax public mobility risks stalling the nation’s economy before it even reaches the finish line.

1 hour ago

Political reform 2.0: Restoring the state to its foundational principles

Public policy ceases to be guided primarily by considerations of efficiency or long-term national interest; instead, it often becomes the outcome of negotiated distributions of power.

2 hours ago

The Latest

People visit the booths of participating companies on Aug. 19, 2025, during a job fair in Jakarta.

Opinion premium

Analysis: An economy that isn’t hiring: Why policy is failing the labor market

The job creation engine is showing signs of strain. Despite steady economic growth and rising investment, businesses are increasingly reluctant to expand their workforce, raising concerns over the economy’s ability to absorb millions of new job seekers each year. The emerging disconnect between growth and employment is no longer cyclical but structural, pointing to deeper challenges in how investment, labor policy and skills development are aligned.

2 hours ago

Two residents haul a net with a large catch of janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys) on April 17, 2026, during a Ciliwung River cleanup activity in Cililitan, East Jakarta, as part of the Jakarta administration’s war on the invasive catfish species thriving in the city’s heavily polluted waterways.

Editorial premium

Culling pests, cleaning rivers

As Jakarta ramps up its war on janitor fish, the real enemy isn't the invasive pests, but the decades of systemic pollution that allow them to thrive.

3 hours ago

Philippine and United States soldiers salute during the flag ceremony on April 20 at the opening ceremony of the US-Philippines “Balikatan“ joint military exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines.

The international system remains uni-multipolar, with the US at its core

Whether the uni-multipolar system tilts toward stability or confrontation will depend on how the US chooses to wield the immense power it still possesses.

21 hours ago

A worker takes part in an International Workers' Memorial Day vigil on April 28, 2025, to honor colleagues who have died from workplace accidents and occupational diseases, in an industrial area in Jakarta.

It’s time to address psychosocial hazards in a changing world of work

For workers in every sector, psychosocial factors at work can make the difference between a job that supports well-being and one that undermines it.

22 hours ago

A pregnant woman receives the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 19, 2021, in Surabaya, East Java, during an accelerated vaccination program including pregnant women.

Questions on COVID-19 that are unsatisfactorily answered

Six years after the outbreak, the world has moved on, yet the most critical questions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic remain shrouded in mystery. From lab-leak theories to the ethics of draconian lockdowns, this inquiry demands an objective post-mortem to ensure history does not repeat itself.

23 hours ago

interview

premium

RI seeks new suppliers, export markets as tensions mount: Trade minister

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong

premium

‘China, Indonesia must continue upholding international fairness and justice’

German Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN Ralf Beste speaks on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, during the submission of his credentials as Ambassador to ASEAN to Secretary-General Dr. Kao Him Hourn.

premium

In turbulent times, shared interest can bridge value gaps: German envoy

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung gestures while speaking about his first year in office and developing the megalopolis on Jan. 20, 2026, during an interview with 'The Jakarta Post' at City Hall in Gambir, Central Jakarta.

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Jakartans must embrace global city status: Governor Pramono

Yahya Cholil Staquf, chairman of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), speaks during an interview on Jan. 29, 2026 with The Jakarta Post in Central Jakarta.

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NU must transform to navigate uncertain world order: Chairman Yahya

This aerial photo shows people climbing debris, on Dec. 9, 2025, to cross the river on a newly built bridge, connecting Aceh and North Sumatra province, after being destroyed by flash floods along Peusangan river in Bireuen district, Aceh.

premium

Coordinated response key to govt’s disaster handling

History in focus: Belgian historian David Van Reybrouck, author of Revolusi: Indonesia and the Making of the Modern World, poses for a post on his official social media account.

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‘Revolusi’ returns home: David Van Reybrouck on youth, memory and the spirit of Bandung

insight

Insight: The strategic role of PT SMI in fiscal policy and economic expansion

Indonesia’s future economic growth will not be determined solely by the size of government spending, but also by how effectively development financing is managed.

3 months ago

Insight: Rethinking work: Driving sustainable growth in the digital age

The digital age has redefined how we live, communicate and work, but perhaps nowhere is this shift more critical than in the field of medicine and public health. As healthcare systems integrate digital technologies, the traditional roles of medical professionals are being reshaped.

9 months ago

Insight: Innovations in managing and developing human capital

Over the past few years, the role of human resources (HR) has expanded far beyond administrative tasks. HR professionals today are expected to drive innovation, enhance the employee experience and align people strategies with business goals. With the help of technology, these responsibilities have become more manageable, and in many ways, more impactful.

10 months ago

Insight: AI and Efficiency: Sacrifices The Next Generation

Introduction: From One Disruption to Another

10 months ago

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