Every five years, Indonesia holds a multi-party general election typically participated in by around 20 political parties. But every time the nation launches a discourse on how best to finance these parties, someone in the room will quickly shout “corruption”, a reflection of the distrust the public has toward them.

The long-waited, and so-called “green”, long-term electricity business plan (RUPTL) is here, but it is not what we were hoping for.

ASEAN urgently needs to build its strategic autonomy so the region will not become a proxy to any great power.

While continued development of Blok M will undoubtedly enhance the area’s appeal, Governor Pramono must look beyond South Jakarta if he wants Jakarta to become a “global city” that’s on par with urban giants like Singapore, New York, London and Tokyo.

Indonesia can draw lessons from France regarding the management of food resources as ingredients to enhance the global perception of Indonesian gastronomy.

The Prabowo-Albanese partnership has the potential to inspire the development of a coordinated mechanism for the rapid deployment of combined forces in times of need, such as the December 2004 tsunami. 

The Indonesian Military (TNI) has begun deploying personnel to protect all prosecutor's offices nationwide, a move that has sparked widespread debate due to a lack of clear explanation and a solid legal basis presented to the public. Critics suggest this deployment, favoring the military over the police, although not unprecedented, further showcases the TNI’s intention to flex its muscles beyond its defense realm.

Indonesia has relatively low levels of digital literacy among its population.

The government can do much in rural reform and revitalization to help the country's youth pursue their aspirations, whether they choose to contribute to agricultural and tourism development in villages, open entrepreneurial ventures or pursue advanced education to build better futures.

By forging common rules and investing in ocean stewardship, the world can unlock the blue economy's full potential, securing prosperity and equity while keeping our seas healthy.

Indonesia must reassess its nontariff measures to address US concerns while ensuring fair trade practices and maintaining economic stability.

Indonesia has no legally binding framework like the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to ensure responsible business practices.

While more expansive and forward-looking than Vision 2025, ASEAN's latest vision document still treads the well-worn path of consensus without an alternative mechanism for when consensus fails or the institutional reforms necessary for implementation and enforcement.

President Prabowo Subianto has officially launched the initial production of the Forel and Terubuk oil and gas fields located in the South Natuna Sea Block B, Riau Islands Province. The block is operated by Medco E&P Natuna Ltd., a subsidiary of PT Medco Energi Internasional. This milestone aligns with the government’s drive toward energy self-sufficiency and is further bolstered by signs of renewed interest from global energy giants Chevron Corporation and TotalEnergies, both of whom had previously exited Indonesia due to shifting oil and gas regulations.

To be more widely welcomed in the Indo-Pacific, France should focus on acting as a local power rather than a foreign power dictating terms to countries in the region. 

Following India's strikes in response to the Pahalgam massacre last month, Pakistan stands at the precipice of a strategic decision that will likely define its existence, present and future, in South Asia’s fragile security landscape.

Thailand's health-and-rights-oriented approach should enable transgender persons to access medical care, such as hormone treatment and data protection. 

In a collective-exclusive society like Indonesia, disruption is hard because it means crossing status lines and shaking up patron-client networks. 

The global trade landscape is witnessing significant disruptions following Trump's tariffs, with countries navigating the fallout and rearranging trade relations in a post-American world trade order.

If Indonesia can ensure that its cooperation includes not just capital, but skills and innovation, then this phase of Sino-Indonesian partnership could prove transformative.

In 2023, 96.9 percent of terrorism-related arrests involved individuals of productive age (18–55 years old), with 11.9 percent falling within the young adult bracket of 18–27 years old, according to BNPT.

The National Police have launched a massive crackdown on preman (thugs), following a series of high-profile cases of violence and extortion linked to them that embarrassed the country in the eyes of foreign investors. While some of those arrested will face prosecution, it is unlikely that the larger organizations behind them will be dissolved as President Prabowo Subianto has ordered.

Now that President Prabowo Subianto has made his debut at the ASEAN summit this week, we in Indonesia and the world can dispel concerns that he does not care so much about the regional grouping.

Relations with China cannot be pinned solely on strong economic cooperation as some issues remain, including the skirmishes in the South China Sea, and the flooding of Chinese goods into our markets. 

The UK supports Indonesia’s efforts to curb emmisions, develop affordable and reliable energy and protect its natural wealth for its people and industries, as well as the overall well-being of the planet.

Operators now have years of accumulated knowledge at their disposal and can use this database of information to identify weak spots in their potential victims.

In ASEAN, the gap between recognition and realization is most visible in communities affected by pollution, deforestation and climate disasters—where corporate impunity and weak oversight are the norm.