TheJakartaPost

The Hormuz naval blockade and strategic implications for Indonesia

As Mideast tensions reignite the threat of naval blockades, Indonesia’s control over global maritime choke points is no longer just a geographical fact; it is a strategic liability pointing to a need for Jakarta to move beyond diplomatic partnerships toward a unified, modernized maritime command.

1 hour ago

Opinion premium

Analysis: Fiscal stability at risk amid rising energy costs

Indonesia’s fiscal position is coming under increasing pressure as global energy prices rise. Early fiscal data already signals strain, with the budget deficit reaching 0.93 percent of gross domestic product - about a third of the 3 percent ceiling - within the first three months of the year. The abrupt reshuffle of key budget officials at the Finance Ministry has further added uncertainty at a time when policy consistency is crucial.

2 hours ago

The Latest

Human rights activists affiliated with the Justice for Victims Solidarity Network hold posters on April 2 during the 902nd "Kamisan" (Thursdays) protest across from Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. The demonstrators called for a thorough investigation into the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, urging the formation of a joint fact-finding team and demanding that those responsible be tried in a civilian court.

Editorial premium

Dark days soldier on

The case should be tried in a civilian court to ensure accountability and uncover the full chain of command.

3 hours ago

A Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) official helps a customer on May 14, 2024, at the agency's South Jakarta office.

Opinion premium

Analysis: BPJS Kesehatan under strain as claims outpace revenues

Indonesia’s universal healthcare program is coming under renewed strain as the Health Care and Social Society Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) revealed that claims have begun to outpace premium revenues. With the claim ratio reaching 111.86 percent as of February 2026, the imbalance signals growing pressure on the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance (JKN) system.

1 day ago

Container ships sail past oil tankers on April 14, 2026, anchored in the Singapore Strait, a key gateway to the Strait of Malacca.

Choke point politics: Navigating great power rift in ASEAN waters

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed a dangerous fragmentation within ASEAN, pitting Singapore’s legalism against Malaysia’s pragmatism and Indonesia’s shifting alignments. As superpower rivalries move from the Middle East to the Malacca Strait, the region faces a stark choice: restore a unified neutral voice or become a casualty of the North’s power games.

2 days ago

Children use their phones in front of a house in Depok, West Java on March 28, 2026, the day the government implemented restrictions for under 16s to use “high-risk“ social media and digital platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Roblox.

When AI agrees too much: A hidden threat to our democracy

In the absence of clear regulations, personal data shared with chatbots may be analyzed for profiling and exploited for micro-targeted political messaging, undermining both privacy and equality under the law.

2 days ago

Emancipated voice: A student recites a poem on April 21, 2026, during a poetry reading competition involving 16 top elementary schools to mark Kartini Day in Badung, Bali.

Kartini’s spirit: AI and the quiet reinforcement of gender roles

In viewing the design, development and deployment of artificial intelligence, Kartini’s legacy reminds us that direction is a vital part of progress.

2 days ago

interview

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong

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‘China, Indonesia must continue upholding international fairness and justice’

German Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN Ralf Beste speaks on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, during the submission of his credentials as Ambassador to ASEAN to Secretary-General Dr. Kao Him Hourn.

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In turbulent times, shared interest can bridge value gaps: German envoy

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung gestures while speaking about his first year in office and developing the megalopolis on Jan. 20, 2026, during an interview with 'The Jakarta Post' at City Hall in Gambir, Central Jakarta.

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Jakartans must embrace global city status: Governor Pramono

Yahya Cholil Staquf, chairman of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), speaks during an interview on Jan. 29, 2026 with The Jakarta Post in Central Jakarta.

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NU must transform to navigate uncertain world order: Chairman Yahya

This aerial photo shows people climbing debris, on Dec. 9, 2025, to cross the river on a newly built bridge, connecting Aceh and North Sumatra province, after being destroyed by flash floods along Peusangan river in Bireuen district, Aceh.

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Coordinated response key to govt’s disaster handling

History in focus: Belgian historian David Van Reybrouck, author of Revolusi: Indonesia and the Making of the Modern World, poses for a post on his official social media account.

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‘Revolusi’ returns home: David Van Reybrouck on youth, memory and the spirit of Bandung

Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti (right) talks with a student on the sidelines of the inauguration of an integrated school on Sept. 30 in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The international-standard school integrates schools of three levels of education, namely SDN 28 state elementary school, SMPN 16 state junior high school and SMA Prestasi senior high school.

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Dignifying students key for Indonesia’s education: Education minister

insight

Insight: The strategic role of PT SMI in fiscal policy and economic expansion

Indonesia’s future economic growth will not be determined solely by the size of government spending, but also by how effectively development financing is managed.

2 months ago

Insight: Rethinking work: Driving sustainable growth in the digital age

The digital age has redefined how we live, communicate and work, but perhaps nowhere is this shift more critical than in the field of medicine and public health. As healthcare systems integrate digital technologies, the traditional roles of medical professionals are being reshaped.

9 months ago

Insight: Innovations in managing and developing human capital

Over the past few years, the role of human resources (HR) has expanded far beyond administrative tasks. HR professionals today are expected to drive innovation, enhance the employee experience and align people strategies with business goals. With the help of technology, these responsibilities have become more manageable, and in many ways, more impactful.

9 months ago

Insight: AI and Efficiency: Sacrifices The Next Generation

Introduction: From One Disruption to Another

10 months ago

Insight: Securing a healthier future: The importance of Indonesia's plasma fractionation facility

The global health crisis brought on by COVID-19 tested healthcare systems worldwide, and Indonesia was no exception. As one of the world’s most populous nations, the nation faced immense challenges yet demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating the pandemic.

1 year ago