Like in Indonesia many years ago, the people’s ability to oust the president and his powerful family could be a starting point to rebuilding the nation.

But as regards the risk of capital outflows, Indonesia is not as vulnerable as it was during the 2013 tapering because foreign holdings of rupiah government bonds are now estimated at just 17 percent.

Since assuming power in October last year, Kishida has outlined his plan to double Japan's military budget to about 2 percent of gross domestic product.

The strong demand for coal would bring in more than enough revenue to help the Finance Ministry cover subsidies for the poor and tame inflation in the country.  

At times like this, making personal sacrifices has never been more important for the unity of the nation.

The United Nations has removed marijuana from its list of most dangerous narcotics because of the substance’s medical properties.

Founded in 1999, in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, members of the grouping, the world's largest economies, have used the forum to coordinate policies and steps taken to maintain global economic and financial stability.

Marcos Jr will likely continue to pursue pragmatic ties with China, the Philippines’ most important trading partner, although this will be disappointing for the military and his domestic audience.

The real test of PLN’s resolve — and by extension, the government’s resolve — in distancing itself from coal power is whether a switch toward greener supply is made even when it would entail some pain.

While the Jakarta gubernatorial election is still two years away, Jakartans should start envisioning what kind of leader they want, especially after the city stops being the nation's capital.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zainudin Amali said there should be no qualms about Israel’s participation in the U-20 World Cup as the matter had been discussed and agreed upon by all parties, including Indonesia as the host, since 2019.

Commendation also goes to First Lady Iriana who stoically stood by the President, accompanying him on the trip to what is currently the most dangerous war zone in the world.

We suggest that the application system only allow cars with an engine displacement capacity of up to 1,500 cc to access the subsidized fuels, otherwise bigger-capacity cars would shift from the higher grade Pertamax gasoline (RON92) to Pertalite (RON90). 

In Indonesia, abortion remains illegal, except for in cases of rape or to save the mother's life, as stipulated in the 2009 Health Law.

Indonesia is also facing its own demons when it comes to identity politics, as our very own politicians pander to fringe Islamist groups for electoral gains.

The government has made the right call to restrict the interprovincial movement of cattle in response to foot and mouth disease, despite the high demand. Muslim leaders should remind adherents that making an Idul Adha sacrifice is not obligatory if the animals are not available or if one’s means do not allow it.

After all, Documenta, held once every five years since 1955, is one of the biggest art exhibitions in Germany, and this year it displayed the works of more than 1,500 artists over 100 days at 32 sites across the city of Kassel.

The monetary policy should depend mainly on core inflation and not inflationary pressures associated with administered prices, transportation or volatile food commodities.

The EU looks eager to boost its economic and military presence and influence in the Indo-Pacific with one of its strategic goals being to contain an increasingly assertive China.

On one hand, the city's 495th anniversary festivities are well-deserved, as it has worked hard over the past two years to bring COVID-19 under control.

The option of bankruptcy would kill any chance of the creditors recouping their loans because any revenues obtained from asset liquidation would first be allocated to tax payments and severance allowances to employees.

The time has come for a major power like Japan to play more transparent and accountable roles in regional and global security and defense.

Whether we can actually become a coronavirus vaccine hub remains in question, as we have less production capacity than the world’s current main vaccine producers, such as China. But it would be a victory simply to produce enough COVID-19 vaccines to fulfill our domestic needs.

Police are trying to put Khilafatul Muslimin leaders in jail and eventually outlaw the organization, in the name of protecting Pancasila.

President Jokowi inaugurated Zulkifli Hasan and Hadi Tjahjanto as the new trade minister and agrarian reform minister respectively on Wednesday, knowing that their entry into the Cabinet would further consolidate his power and keep him from being a lame duck president.

Indonesia will never engage in any military alliance with other countries, but the nation, living around friendly neighbors, will refrain from being complacent.

In a democracy, the process of lawmaking should be done in transparency, especially for a piece of legislation as critical as the penal code.

When the government slapped a total export ban on palm oil products on April 28 through an erratic and emotionally charged policy, the prices of smallholders’ FFB fell by almost 40 percent to Rp 2,000 (US$0.13) per kilogram.

Owning a second car, or buying a single electric one, is far beyond the means of most Jakartans, meaning they’ll have to resort to public transportation as the city’s odd-even license plate policy comes back into force.

The two-horse race has done more harm than good in Indonesia, not only because of the stark divide it creates but also because it offers limited choices to voters.