Notwithstanding the heated controversy, Indonesia’s political predicament provides plenty of opportunities to the people to rise to their religious beliefs.

Jakarta will remain a strategic business and trade hub when the capital is relocated to East Kalimantan, which is why the political elites intend to preserve their control of the city. 

Several public officials are reportedly challenging Airlangga in the race for the party's top job, including Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, who is expected to make his bid as Jokowi’s proxy.

It is estimated that Indonesia's interest payments on debt will reach a whopping 20 percent this year, and considering that the country borrowed heavily during the pandemic and its deficit only returned to below the 3 percent legal cap last year, higher is not necessarily better when it comes to prudent fiscal management.

As the country with the world's biggest Muslim population, Indonesia could become the benchmark for other Muslim countries on how they should deal with the Jewish state.

With the region's heads of state getting involved in the controversy, we cannot help but wonder whether this Taylor Swift issue is threatening ASEAN unity.

ASEAN and Australia have built a strong foundation over the past 50 years that is invaluable as we look forward to strengthening our cooperation, despite our differences, over the next five decades in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Some experts say the drastic increase in the PSI’s votes contradicts the quick counts by various credible pollsters, which projected that the party had won less than 3 percent of the vote.

Driven by low-cost production, especially because of cheap labor and poor environmental standards, Indonesia’s dominance has caused a rout in the global market with other miners deciding to cut production or even stop operations.

To Jokowi, a former businessman, Prabowo represents a big investment calculated to produce handsome returns.

The minister and religious leaders are better off dedicating their time and energy to addressing pending real problems some people face in getting their marriages recognized by the state.

At the very least, the prospect of setting up a House inquiry, in addition to the appeals to election bodies and the Constitutional Court, should allay concerns of bad governance and restore some credibility to the political process.

After two years of war, both Russia and Ukraine have conceded losses not only in the form of the lives of thousands of troops and civilians, but also the devastation of their economies.

Food can be a sensitive issue, especially in Indonesia, so getting this wrong would cost the government a lot of political capital.

It's better for the President to distance himself from the post-election political dynamics and let the political parties settle their issues among themselves.

The dedication of poll workers, amid challenges and sacrifices, embodies the spirit of democracy and strengthens the foundation of our nation.

Prabowo may eventually be able to implement his expansive fiscal policy if he can get adequate political support at the House to amend the 2003 State Finances Law that limits the deficit to 3 percent but that would cause big risks to the economic stability.

Thaksin’s release on parole shows Thailand has set an example for its ASEAN neighbors about the absolute necessity to adopt an inclusive and democratic system of government. 

After being left for nearly two decades to fend for themselves against digital disruption, mostly from Big Tech, and with the latest tide of artificial intelligence, Indonesian media companies finally have some room to breathe after a newly passed presidential regulation on publishers' rights.

Indonesia and the rest of the world must fight harder the diplomatic battles through the UN to end all wars, occupations, atrocities and genocides.

The shortages prove something has gone wrong with the Bulog distribution system and the government must mend it as soon as possible.

In a country where both the executive and legislative branches of government play an active role in lawmaking, the results of the legislative race will be important in determining the strength and direction of the nation.

Bekasi won the award because of its bylaws that promote religious harmony and its sufficient budget allocation to organize programs aimed at strengthening religious tolerance among residents.

With all the uncertainty that comes with a regime change, Indonesia's business world has breathed a collective sigh of relief at the highly likely possibility of closing the chapter on the presidential election in just one round.

For those who expected the presidential poll to be decided in two rounds, the result, based on the quick count method conducted by a number of pollsters, was a continuation of a trend prevailing since 2009 that presidential elections finish after a single round.

Opinion surveys have found that while most voters know who they will vote for, many remain on the fence.

It is getting harder to take Washington’s Middle East policy seriously when it has been arming, funding and assisting Israel in the Gaza war.

One of the causes of widening income inequality is the structure of personal income tax (PIT), which until 2021 favored the upper middle income and rich taxpayers. 

As the economy seems to be under control, it is entirely valid to question the need for Jokowi's opaque budget adjustment.

Let us hope we can rest and refresh over the coming long weekend, so we can channel the positive characteristics of the Wood Dragon and herald a new era of courage and wisdom as we head to the polls a few days later.