The Jakarta Post Editorials: Board Perspectives

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Police officers and protesters face each other on Aug. 27 during a demonstration urging lawmakers to immediately pass an asset forfeiture law for corrupt officials outside the Senayan Legislative complex in Jakarta.

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The state's new muscle

When the state embraces street thugs as political muscle, the violence that follows isn't an accident - it is government policy.

1 hour ago

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To build NU anew

As state power and political patronage close in on Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim organization faces a pivotal internal battle: preserve its independent moral voice, or become a rubber stamp for the ruling elite. ...

1 day ago

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Cost of recentralization

It seems to have become a pattern under the government of President Prabowo Subianto. When problems erupt, the state must “be present”, as the President often puts it, which translates into asserting itself more forcefully. ...

2 days ago

The Latest

A group of individuals perform group exercise at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sports complex in Central Jakarta on June 11, 2025.

Nightlife's healthier makeover

The growing focus on healthier living is evident among Gen Z and millennials across Jakarta and the Asia-Pacific region, with more in this demographic choosing to spend their nights at gyms or stadiums rather than bars and amusement centers.

1 year ago

An election staffer counts ballots at a polling station on Nov. 27, 2024, in Banda Aceh, Aceh. More than 200 million people voted to choose dozens of governors, mayors and regents in the simultaneous regional elections.

Direct elections safe, for now

Massive political education is crucial to educate the public of the risks of restoring indirect elections.

1 year ago

Volunteers and local residents clean up plastic waste on Aug. 23 at a beach in Lhok Bubon village in West Aceh regency, Aceh.

No more plastic promises

It is upsetting that the government has once again prioritized short-term economic achievements from potential money coming from the plastic industry’s investment in the country.

1 year ago

Blowing in the wind: A local resident rides his motorbike past a wind power plant facility in Tolo district, Jeneponto regency, South Sulawesi, on March 25, 2022.

Talking clean energy into existence

The best place to start realizing clean energy would be to finally pass a long-delayed bill on new and renewable energy.

1 year ago

Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf (eighth right) and Aceh wali nanggroe (traditional leader) Malik Mahmud (center) release doves with former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) officials and incumbent Aceh Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) officials during the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Aceh Peace Agreement in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on Aug. 15, 2025.

The last peace accord?

As a key player behind the Helsinki Agreement, Indonesia has the credibility, and perhaps the responsibility, to become a global peace mediator.

1 year ago

A protester holds a sign that reads “Pati united. Down with arrogant regent who oppresses the people“ during a protest in Pati, Central Java on Aug. 13, 2025.

People power in Pati

The uprising in Pati serves as a powerful message to leaders at all levels of government about the importance of public trust and consultation.

1 year ago

Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) training vessel KRI Bima Suci sails past a border marker with Malaysia in Ambalat waters on Aug. 13, 2021, near Nunukan regency, North Kalimantan.

Ending the spat over Ambalat

Ambiguous joint arrangements over Ambalat will only allow China to dilute the legal foundations of maritime governance in the region.

1 year ago

David Baszucki, founder and CEO of Roblox, presents at the Roblox Developer Conference on Aug. 10, 2019, in Burlingame, California.

Much tech, less protection

Roblox has been accused of prioritizing user growth, revenue and profit over child safety.

1 year ago

President Prabowo Subianto (left) greets People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani (second left), House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani (second right) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Speaker Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin (right) before he delivers his annual State of the Nation address during the plenary meeting at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on Aug. 15, 2025, ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day.

Centralization by budget

The conservative budget requires greater capability to generate revenue to finance the flagship programs, and even greater capacity to ensure their implementation in regions.

1 year ago

President Prabowo Subianto delivers his annual State of the Nation address on Aug. 15, ahead of the country's Independence Day in Jakarta.

To make the state great again

Prabowo's tough talk of economic nationalism included his poise to combat "greednomics", a term he used to describe the exploitative practices of powerful conglomerates and "mafias" in key sectors,

1 year ago

Human rights activists participate in the 873rd Kamisan rally on Aug. 14, 2025, in front of a banner celebrating the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence near the State Palace in Central Jakarta. Held every Thursday since 2007, the Kamisan highlights past human rights violations, such as those that occurred during then-president Soeharto’s New Order regime.

The age of nationalism

As Indonesia celebrates its 80th year of Independence this week, it is high time for everyone in the country to reflect on the state of its nationalism.

1 year ago

President Prabowo Subianto (center left, in tan suit) salutes troops on Aug. 10, 2025, during the Operational Troops and Military Honours ceremony to mark National Veterans Day at the airfield of the Suparlan Special Forces Education and Training Center in Bandung, West Java.

Reform first, arms second

The ostentatious ceremony at an airfield in Bandung on National Veterans Day has only reinforced the military buildup policy of the current administration, sounding the alarm on the feared return of militarism to Indonesia amid a perceived democratic decline.

1 year ago

Employees arrange fruits and vegetables on Aug. 16, 2019, at the TaniHub distribution center in Kedung Halang, Bogor, West Java.

Clean up, but don’t give up

We cannot let fraud scandals blind us to the importance of technological progress, especially in fields like artificial intelligence.

1 year ago

Music should not be free

Not only that, for the first time in the history, all albums, singles and EPs, from the biggest masterpieces to the most ephemeral bubblegum pop songs, are now available essentially for free.

1 year ago

A woman chooses clothes to purchase from a street vendor on April 2, 2024, at a traditional market in Jakarta.

A startling GDP report

Many would characterize the current state of our economy as neither normal, nor healthy.

1 year ago

A pirate flag from the Japanese anime One Piece is installed on a house on August 7, following an internet trend using the symbol to criticize government policies, in Solo, Central Java.

One piece of mind

Rather than acting like an authoritarian regime, the government should have looked into why people are “protesting” with the pirate flag.

1 year ago

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri welcomes party secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto on Aug. 2 before the closing session of the party congress in Nusa Dua, Bali. Hasto was convicted of bribery on July 25, just days before his appearance at the congress, but then received an amnesty from President Prabowo Subianto.

PDI-P is just a symptom

Political parties have become effective tools for the elite—whether civilians, military or business tycoons—to maintain and expand their influence.

1 year ago

Palestinians wait to receive food on August 4 from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Speak boldly, Indonesia

President Prabowo Subianto must seize his upcoming address at the United Nations General Assembly next month to make Indonesia’s stance on Palestine unambiguous.

1 year ago

Eroding public trust?: Former trade minister Thomas Lembong waves on Friday as he exits Cipinang Penitentiary in Jakarta.

Pardons and power plays

The President's decision could have serious implications not only for the country’s anti-corruption drive but also for the reputation of the judiciary.

1 year ago

Foreign Minister Sugiono delivers his annual foreign policy speech on Jan. 10 at the ministry's office in Jakarta.

Protect our diplomats

Details shared by police investigators could point to homicide.

1 year ago

A scavenger ties up used cardboard boxes he salvaged on Feb. 22, 2022, to sell for recycling in Jakarta.

Less poverty but little relief

The drop in Indonesia’s poverty rate to yet another historic low should be cause for celebration, but nobody feels in the mood.

1 year ago

A prototype of data center project SMX01 from a joint venture between Sinar Mas digital infrastructure and services company SM+ and Korea Investment Real Asset Management (KIRA) that is set to be completed in the second half of 2026.

Data center meltdown

The government must be transparent with the public and local investors about the US deal’s implications, particularly around data storage.

1 year ago

A police officer stands guard on July 28 in front of a Christian prayer house following a violent disruption of religious activities in Padang Sarai, Padang, West Sumatra. A group of residents vandalized the property that belongs to the Indonesian Faithful Christian Church (GKSI) Anugerah Padang on July 27, leading to the arrest of nine individuals.

Act more, regret less

The attacks on minority religious groups are manifestations of a broken, biased system that fails to protect the rights of all citizens equally.

1 year ago

Workers of the Dumai Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) strive to put out fires that engulf plantations on March 19, 2024, in Tanjung Sari village, East Dumai district, Dumai, Riau. The fires destroyed about 100 hectares of plantations and peatland in Dumai in four districts—East Dumai, West Dumai, Medang Kampai and Bukit Kapur.

Sumatra is burning

The peak of the dry season next month is expected to bring even less rainfall and drier weather to several Sumatran provinces, including Riau, indicating a potential escalation of the forest fires.

1 year ago

People put up election campaign posters at the candidate bulletin board July 3, the official campaign kick-off day for the July 20 upper house election, in Tokyo.

Prabowo's East Asia outlook

President Prabowo needs to abandon his take-it-for-granted stance on East Asia, which represents Indonesia's top trading partners and investment sources.

1 year ago

People rest at an evacuation center on Monday in the Thai border province of Surin. Thailand and Cambodia's leaders agreed to an “unconditional“ ceasefire on Monday after five days of fighting along their jungle-clad frontier that has killed at least 36 people.

ASEAN diplomacy delivers

What ASEAN needs is a lasting political commitment, supported by trusted civilian institutions, to make peace not just possible, but permanent.

1 year ago

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto exits the courtroom on July 25 after his trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

Rule by the law

Over the last few weeks, the nation has witnessed how the weaponization of law operates in a country that claims to champion rule of law as a foundational element of democracy.

1 year ago

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025, in Washington, DC.

The age of unfair trade

After all, given that exorbitant new US import tariffs formed the basis for negotiations, the best-case scenario was to maintain the status quo of normal trade.

1 year ago

A clerk serves a customer at the stall of a pharmacy cooperative in Banten’s Serang regency on July 21, 2025, when a massive launch event was held simultaneously in selected regions nationwide to inaugurate more than 80,000 co-ops under President Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Rural Cooperative (KDMP) initiative.

Give cooperatives a chance

The newly launched KDMP initiative must have a strategy as equally grand as its scale to not just revive co-ops, but to lift them so they become an active economic pillar.

1 year ago

People are seen at the square of Garut, West Java, on July 18 after a deadly stampede at a public event to celebrate the wedding of Garut deputy regent Putri Karlina and Maula Akbar, the eldest son of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi.

Casualties of power

Events like the Garut wedding become a political theater, where popularity is mistaken for legitimacy, and where large crowds are not managed but invited for optics.

1 year ago

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