The economic burden of smoking in the country reached Rp 531.8 trillion (US$35.6 billion) in 2017, or about 3.6 times greater than the tobacco excise revenue of that year.

Due to the possibility of the deal bringing about a shift in regional power dynamics, Indonesia should engage in diplomacy with both the US and PNG to ensure its concerns are heard and addressed.

For Iran, the bilateral initiatives are indeed a welcome respite, allowing the Islamic republic to offset the economic impact of Western and international sanctions, with economic growth in the Middle East headed for a slowdown this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Electricity in ASEAN countries still largely relies on fossil fuels, meaning EV adoption will not be truly green in the region. 

Twenty-five years after the reform movement, one thing for sure is that we do not live under an authoritarian regime. If anything, we are going to have a presidential election next year, the fifth direct balloting in the past 20 years.

Voting for candidates who engage in vote buying will very likely result in corrupt politicians, who steal state funds allocated for improving the well-being of the nation.

The PSSI should refrain from protecting those involved in the scuffle or sweeping the humiliating incident under the rug in the name of our national soccer pride. Failure to take disciplinary action would further jeopardize the association’s already fragile international reputation.

Thailand’s constitution has been amended 18 times to serve the interests of the military and royal family.            

Teddy's conviction has given the police the impetus to carry on their internal reforms, launched in the wake of the regime change in 1998 to transform the police into a more accountable and credible institution.

Improving vaccine distribution and education, boosting healthcare infrastructure, and addressing vaccine hesitancy are necessary to further contain the virus and protect all citizens.

Many would insist that SEA Games achievements do not count given the fact that the regional sporting meet now tends to serve as a medium to boost national pride for a host country.

More than two years since the Myanmar military overthrew the country’s democratically elected civilian government, ASEAN has yet to make a dent in changing the situation on the ground. If anything, the conflict has gotten worse, with signs of even more brutal suppression by the junta.

Governments and central banks across the world have scrambled to stabilize their currencies and shield their economies from a series of United States Federal Reserve (Fed) rapid interest rate increases.                             

Junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has given no sign of respecting ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus of peace restoration, which he accepted during an emergency summit with the bloc’s leaders in Jakarta in April 2021.

GDP never provides the big picture of a country's economic or social wellbeing, and we should remember that before tooting our own horn too loud.

Many countries have reverted to authoritarianism, while in others, including established democracies, there are signs of deterioration in the quality of freedom.            

Through a combination of careful planning, unwavering commitment and close cooperation with local and foreign organizations and officials, Indonesia was able to safely and effectively extract its citizens from Sudan.

Our police force needs to respond with more stringent reforms to the public's continuing high trust in them, despite the growing number of graft cases involving police officers of all ranks.

The littoral states responsible for security in the major commercial sea-lane must step up their game against the rising tide of maritime piracy.

Categorically opposing the European Union law will make the government lose sight of the opportunities the law will create for Indonesia to improve its forest management and sustainability.              

The country achieved the fourth-highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth among the Group of 20 economies last year at 5.3 percent, and in April the International Monetary Fund revised its forecast for the current year.            

Against the odds, authorities seem to have managed to alleviate this year's Idul Fitri congestion. For its preparedness and timely intervention, the government deserves high praise.

The public has remained in the dark about how many military and police troops are in place in Papua.

Various opinion surveys have found Ganjar consistently took the lead, unlike Puan who has trailed far behind. 

After taking a moment to cut the cake, blow out the candles and pop the champagne, we’ll be back doing what we, over the past four decades, have striven to excel at: shining light on the tribulations and triumphs of Indonesian democracy.

The government-sanctioned long holiday season, which kicked off on Wednesday and will last until Tuesday night, is a good enough excuse to travel. Meeting relatives, joining family or high school reunions and attending religious gatherings certainly come as a bonus. 

The military’s seizure of power in February 2021 and the subsequent arrest of elected leaders, including Suu Kyi, may have resulted in a significant deterioration of human rights and democratic institutions.

Imposing a tax on all tourists in response to a handful behaving badly reeks of collective punishment and will do the industry more harm than good.

Overall, the balance of payments outlook for 2023 is good, with a manageable current account within the range of GDP plus or minus 0.4 percent. 

The government may have quashed radical and intolerant groups like the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), but inconsistent enforcement of the law, if not failure to enforce it, will only embolden other groups to rear their ugly heads.