The Jakarta Post Editorials: Board Perspectives

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Jakarta Post
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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

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$12b boost won’t fix all

The finance minister's massive liquidity boost, while well-intended, has ultimately failed to read the mood across all economic layers.

9 months ago
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Prabowo’s APEC charm

As the leader of a prominent middle power, President Prabowo showed that he was also a magnet for international leaders. 

10 months ago
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Soeharto is no hero

There are a lot of things that can disqualify former New Order strongman Soeharto from being eligible to receive the status of a national hero. 

10 months ago
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Grave matters ahead

In a sinking metropolis where land prices are among the nation’s highest, even the dead are now competing for space.

10 months ago
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Remote work dilemma

Remote working can be done and has its benefits, but is it good for the Indonesian public service?

10 months ago
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Beware of microplastics in rain

Forget traffic snarls, flooding and catching a chill: It turns out that at least for the past three years, if not longer, rainy season brings with it the risk that Jakartans could inhale microplastics that can harm our health for the long term.

10 months ago
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Time to step up

Indonesia could again take a lead as ASEAN stands at a crossroads in the present era of protectionist policies and global disruption, but only if it sends a clear signal that it is not only willing to step up to the plate but also stay and captain all players on the field as a unified team.

10 months ago
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Indonesia’s vanity ride

A national car is back on the agenda, but what makes President Prabowo Subianto think that this iteration will fare better than similar projects in the past?

10 months ago
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Modern education, old habits

If anything, such scrutiny is mandatory if the institution in question gets funding from the state or receives a permit from the government to run their operation. 

10 months ago
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Prabowo’s RCEP test

President Prabowo needs to realize that, although Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN, ignoring its neighbors is a significant blunder. 

10 months ago
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Show me the money, wisely

Asset recovery must be part of a comprehensive fiscal strategy, not a photo opportunity. 

10 months ago
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Democracy firewall

The bill will only change the method of suppression; whereas in the past silencing was achieved through military intelligence operations, it can now be done via cyber patrols.

10 months ago
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Many titles, same few holders

If Prabowo wants a mission-driven government, or simply aims to consolidate political support, he should assign new names to new roles rather than overloading the same loyal lieutenants.

10 months ago
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Time to move from vision to mission

Following a dramatic campaign and a dynamic start to his presidency, Prabowo and his administration must now get down to the nitty-gritty or risk losing both momentum and trust.

10 months ago
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Year zero

If hiccups, setbacks and public discontent in the past year can be any indication, we know that there is still much to be desired from how the Prabowo administration governs.

10 months ago
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Education beyond ambition

Indonesia’s education system continues to struggle with underpaid teachers, uneven resource distribution and dilapidated schools in vast parts of the country.

10 months ago
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Whoosh, you are trapped

Regardless of official statements, the state budget has borne, and will continue to bear, the consequences of the initial miscalculation of the Jakarta-Bandung high speed railway.

10 months ago
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Indonesia in the Middle East

An independent and free Palestine is the best and only guarantee for the security of Israel.

10 months ago
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BI must remain independent

A central bank mandated to achieve a government’s economic growth goals will blur the lines between monetary and fiscal policies.

10 months ago
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Snooze no more, fix our score

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, offering more slots than ever before, a rare window that may not open so widely again.

10 months ago
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Compromised Nobel prize

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado fully deserved to be the laureate of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent efforts to free Venezuela, which is on the verge of being a failed state.

10 months ago
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We can’t afford a lost generation

Youth unemployment has remained stubbornly high despite the oft touted demographic bonus, but the government needs to step up targeted solutions or risk losing an entire generation.

10 months ago
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An unforgivable collapse

Instead of safeguarding education for all, we are letting our children fall victim to a system that prizes expediency over integrity.

10 months ago
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The toxic truth of waste neglect

The regulations about importing waste for raw industrial materials are still lenient, making Indonesia a recipient of waste materials that are not suitable for further processing.

10 months ago
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Redesigning Tapera

Soaring land prices, costly construction materials, inconsistent spatial planning and stringent bank requirements for mortgages pose a challenge to house saving schemes like Tapera.

10 months ago
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Hailing Trump’s bad peace plan

Many Palestinians growing weary and tired of the persecution have welcomed Trump’s peace plan, without reading the fine print, perhaps too hungry to read it.

10 months ago
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Modern, not yet professional

Within a modern democratic system, the military should maintain a distance from the civilian sphere and remain focused on external defense, and to avoid the temptation of intervening in public policy

10 months ago
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Stepping out of the red shadow

For decades, the red scare has been used to silence opposition, discredit progressives and stigmatize memory itself.

11 months ago
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The palace’s press restriction

The presidential press chief's stripping a palace reporter of her credentials during a media conference, though reinstated less than a week later, has sharpened scrutiny of the state of press freedom in the country and by extension, freedom of speech.

11 months ago
Editorial

Police reform revisited

It is safe to say that the incoming police reform is no more than a reactionary policy, rather than a genuine intention to bring about change. 

11 months ago

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