The United Nations Security Council votes on a resolution allowing Palestinian UN membership on April 18, 2024, at the UN headquarters in New York during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Multilateralism or bust

In today’s global landscape, the cardinal rule seems to be: With enough power, governments can get away with murder.

5 months ago

Is Beijing undermining Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy?

It is no exaggeration to conclude that by signing the joint statement, on paper Jakarta has signed up to Chinese-style modernization and Beijing’s foreign policy ambitions, while disregarding its own. ...

5 months ago

Academia premium

This week's regional polls are a referendum on Jokowi. The outcome may surprise him

For decades, it has been part of Indonesia’s political tradition that former presidents have mostly gone off into the sunset, retiring from politics completely. ...

5 months ago

The Latest

Ukrainian servicemen operate an armoured military vehicle in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on Aug. 13, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Academia premium

Should Ukraine have nuclear weapons?

With some of those around Donald Trump already accusing Joe Biden of taking a dangerous step toward a new world war, is it fair to say that Ukraine went too far?

5 months ago

Increased candidate centrality: Then-presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (center) speaks during a campaign rally at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on February 10.

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Adaptation key to political parties’ electoral success

Although politicians are becoming more ambitious and autonomous, they still need political parties to provide organizational support and resources.

5 months ago

A person opens the Satusehat Mobile app in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, in this file photo.

Academia premium

Unlocking a lifeline for Indonesia’s health system

SATUSEHAT Logistik is a shining example of how digitalization can be a force for good.

5 months ago

Fog blankets the Leuser rainforest in Subulussalam city, Aceh, on June 20, 2020.

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Indonesian social forestry often excludes women from decisions, risking greater inequality

Women remain underrepresented in forest management bodies despite efforts to boost their presence, leaving them out of decisions about their forests.

5 months ago

West Palembang Ilir Tax Office employees serve taxpayers submitting their annual tax returns on Feb. 29, 2024.

Academia premium

Tax amnesties raise revenues in short time but destroy tax culture

Do we need a tax amnesty now? Or, since we have had two amnesties since 2015: Do we need another tax amnesty now?

5 months ago

Congenial: Former president Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo and President Prabowo Subianto pose for a photo on Nov. 3 in Surakarta. (The Jakarta Post/Twitter/Jokowi)

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President Prabowo, strong leader bordering on strongman

A strong leader, however, is just one step away from a strongman, a leader who uses the powers at their disposal to amass even more power to the point of becoming authoritarian.

5 months ago

Jakarta gubernatorial candidates Ridwan Kamil (fifth left) and his running mate Suswono (fourth left); Dharma Ponrekun (fifth right) and running mate Kun Wardana (fourth right); and Pramono Anung (third right) and running mate Rano Karno (second right), pose with officials from the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU) during the peaceful campaign declaration for the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election at the Jakarta History Museum in Kota Tua in West Jakarta, on Sept. 24.

Regional Elections premium

Anies-Ahok vs. Jokowi: A battle for Jakarta governorship

A survey has found that voter preferences in Jakarta are tied to political patrons like President Prabowo Subianto, former president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and former governor Anies Baswedan.

5 months ago

Strategic development: The Sanur Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Bali, is seen in this undated aerial photo.

Academia premium

Do Java and Sumatra need more SEZs?

Limiting unnecessary tax expenditures can be done by, among other things, restricting the licensing of new SEZs in areas that are already developed.

5 months ago

Tesla CEO Elon Musk (right) jumps onstage as he joins former United States President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Oct. 5, 2024, during a campaign rally at the site of his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, the US.

Academia

Elon Musk’s $2 trillion fiscal fantasy

Supporters often say that a businessmen like Trump or Musk know how to put America’s fiscal house in order. But the smart money says they have no idea what they are doing.

5 months ago

Voices of the forest: Acehnese environmental activists hold a rally against the deforestation in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on January 30, 2018. Dozens of activists held a peaceful protest to raise environmental awareness and to save the forest that has been significantly depleted.

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Why corruption could derail Indonesia’s climate fight

Climate adaptation often involves infrastructure projects, such as earthquake or flood mitigation efforts, which are particularly vulnerable to corruption.

5 months ago

Room for improvement: Students participate in classroom activities at the SD Negeri Karangbolong 2 elementary school in Cigeulis, Pandeglang regency, Banten, on Nov. 10. The management of the public school said three classrooms had been severely damaged since four years ago, which has disrupted learning. Local authorities have not yet taken the necessary measures to solve the situation.

Academia premium

Understanding national IQs and rejecting the Indonesian mockery

Immediate policy changes in Indonesia should be paired with long-term strategies nurturing cultural shifts that value education and critical thinking.

5 months ago

Overdue change: Climate activists stage a protest inside the United Nations climate conference (COP29) venue to demand a phase out of fossil fuels during the climate summit in Baku, on Nov. 15.

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Bridging the climate finance gap: COP29’s defining moment

Hashim’s optimistic narrative about green growth must contend with the realities of mobilizing multibillion-dollar investments, while protecting community rights and biodiversity.

5 months ago

Plastics scourge: A volunteer from the Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (Ecoton), an environmental group based in Gresik, East Java, collects plastic waste from a mangrove forest in Surabaya on Sept. 19 as part of World Cleanup Day 2021.

Academia

Is sustainable packaging enough to eliminate plastic pollution?

Less than 10 percent of plastic waste is currently recycled globally, with the remaining often not managed properly.

5 months ago

Argentina's President Javier Milei (left) and President Prabowo Subianto (right) attend the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 18, 2024.

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G20 Brazil: Lessons for an effective cooperation platform

Tensions between G20 members have shifted the group’s attention from substantive discussions to political diplomacy.

5 months ago

Filling up: Workers load oil palm fruit bunches onto a truck at a plantation belonging to state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara II in Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra, on Nov. 19, 2024.

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The European Union and Prabowo's Indonesia: What’s changed?

Prabowo has accused the EU of employing double standards, invoking historical exploitation of Indonesian resources by European powers.

5 months ago

In operation: The Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon, Banten, releases steam on Oct. 31, 2023.

Academia premium

Indonesia’s rhetoric of net-zero emissions

In order to push for growth, Indonesia may clear 2.1 million hectares of rainforest over the next five years, roughly the size of 30 Singapore islands, and still claim compliance with its emissions targets.

5 months ago

Crowds of job seekers throng a job fair on March 7, 2023 in Surabaya, East Java. Data from Statistics Indonesia show that open unemployment in the country was 4.82 percent of the 149.38 million-strong workforce in February 2024, down 0.63 percent compared with the same period last year.

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The labor market dynamics and challenges for labor insurance

With more workers losing their jobs, BPJS’ potential revenue from contributions is threatened, and its capability to protect workers will decline.

5 months ago

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Indonesia has not surrendered sovereign rights in the North Natuna Sea

What Indonesia and China have agreed on is a common understanding on joint development in areas of overlapping claims, which could mean a lot of things.

5 months ago

A roadside vendor prepares his food products on May 12, 2024, for selling at his stall next to a railway in Jakarta.

Academia premium

The risks of bringing informal businesses into formal economy

The Prabowo administration's bold plan to tax the underground economy could backfire, exacerbating already existing challenges like corruption and poverty.

5 months ago

Workers check on packages of battery cells at the Hyundai LG Indonesia (HLI) Green Power plant in Karawang, West Java, following its inauguration on July 3, 2024. The plant is Indonesia's first electric vehicle (EV) battery factory.

Academia

Regenerative manufacturing: Indonesia’s engine for economic growth

Strengthening the local ecosystem, mainly through special economic zones, will be crucial for attracting FDI and establishing a solid manufacturing base.

5 months ago

Selling illusions?: Hashim Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, special envoy to the President of Indonesia, delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku on Nov. 12.

Academia premium

From Gen Z to Hashim at COP29: Our future is not for sale

Indonesia continues building new captive-coal power plants, with capacity tripled in five years, while continuously lowering renewable energy targets.

5 months ago

Academia

Collaboration is strengthening cybersecurity defenses in Indonesia

Emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing will further complicate cybersecurity, heightening the need for vendors and partners to work together.

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Caring for nature: Students of Palangka Raya University participate in a tree planting program in a peatland area in the Central Kalimantan capital of Palangka Raya on April 15, 2023.

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Healing our planet is now restoration, not just conservation

The rate of deforestation in Indonesia remains alarmingly high, with an estimated loss of 450,000 hectares each year over the past two decades

5 months ago

Crisis meeting: Delegates attend a session on Nov. 19, 2024 during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Philanthropy a catalyst for the funds needed to tackle climate crisis

Philanthropic organizations, through partnerships with civil society organizations, the private sector and government, can play a key role in facilitating the disbursement of climate finance to communities taking climate action.

5 months ago

Ceremonial breach: Indonesian Navy submarine Cakra-401 resurfaces in Jakarta Bay on Sept. 10, 2024, during an event to mark the 79th anniversary of the Navy.

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Naval ship acquisition in the face of modern warfare

The ability to address and achieve sea denial, sea control, and collaborative combat, should be considered a priority by the Navy.

5 months ago

Food matters: Farmers harvest corn on July 6, 2023, in Wambes village, Mannem district, Keerom regency, Papua. The village hosted the trial of the national food estate program, which was aimed at ensuring food security in the eastern part of the country.

Academia premium

Preventing food security agenda from exacerbating climate crisis

Policies that focus solely on food production, without taking a holistic systems approach, will not be sufficient to mitigate the growing threat of hunger caused by climate change.

5 months ago

Attorney General's Office (AGO) officials set up money seized from the houses of former Supreme Court official Zarof Ricar ahead of a press briefing at AGO headquarters in Jakarta on Oct. 25, 2024.

Academia premium

The visible and the marginalized: Examining our rule of law

Prabowo now faces a critical choice: to return to the roots of a rechtsstaat, or to continue with a regulatory state model that accommodates the interests of a broad political alliance.

5 months ago

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