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

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.

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. 

The government has no choice but to immediately pause the program and carry out a full systemic overhaul now that thousands of people have fallen ill due to food poisoning.   

Concentrating vast public wealth in one body without strong oversight is a recipe for corruption, conflict of interest and declining transparency.

We must use current momentum to push for a lasting solution that recognizes and guarantees the sovereignty of the two states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting side by side.

The "normal" level of congestion in Greater Jakarta is already worse than in most other major cities, causing at least Rp 100 trillion (US$6 billion) in direct and indirect economic losses per year.

Realpolitik dictates that Indonesia cannot be too rigid on its principles against Israel; a certain level of flexibility is required.

It is finally done; Indonesia and the European Union have agreed on a free trade pact that had been in the making for more than a decade.

Without substantial changes, the bill's passage risks having only a minimal impact. It could even create new opportunities for corrupt law enforcers to abuse it for personal or political gain.

Flashy devices often end up unused or misused in schools with no technical support, little training and no curriculum integration.

We are not in an acute crisis like five years ago, monetary and fiscal stimulus made good sense then. What we have, rather, is an economy that is not as strong as it could be.

Environmental activists argue the rapid and often unregulated conversion of agricultural land into buildings is a primary cause of increased flood risk. 

In the wake of looting and rioting in late August, President Prabowo Subianto deployed more than 75,000 Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers to secure areas in and around Jakarta.

While the OIC condemned "aggression" against Qatar, the Gaza Strip and other regional states, its statement lacked any concrete plans for action. 

But if overregulation pushes Shell, BP and Vivo to scale back, or worse, pack up and leave, motorists will be left with fewer choices and Pertamina’s grip on the market will only tighten.

As a founding member, Thailand’s political instability undermines the regional bloc's principles of democracy, rule of law and good governance.

Online mobilization may ignite public discourse, but it cannot replace the deep, patient work of organic movement-building.

For years, the state’s approach aligned more closely with regimes that repress rather than protect free speech. 

Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa begins his job as the country’s new finance minister at a tough moment, as the 2026 budget plan comes with lots of open questions but little time to find the answers.

Deforestation often benefits a few political and business elites in Jakarta, leaving rural communities with limited resources to protect themselves from environmental degradation.

The attack on Tuesday is a blatant breach of international law and a stumbling block to the ongoing efforts to end the violence that has claimed thousands of innocent lives in the past two years.

After seeing online videos showing the interior of her home being vandalized with her hand-drawn painting being damaged in the incident, many certainly expected that it would be difficult for Sri Mulyani to return to her job the next day.

The President should consult with his aides before striking a deal with a foreign leader or institution. 

It would be tempting to interpret the excessive increase in lawmakers’ housing allowance as the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Jakarta's ambition to stand equal with the world’s major cities is being undermined by the absence of a comprehensive traffic plan and persistent policy inconsistencies.

Many people still remember the sight of troops in camouflage on Jakarta's streets almost three decades ago, and that the current domestic security response to the ongoing protests isn't what they fought for.

As the health system grapples with the unprecedented spread of misinformation, fueling vaccine hesitancy and eroding public trust in the government’s health programs, it is more critical than ever for the government to reinvest in the foundations of public health. 

The awards no longer signify a person's dedication to the state, but rather mark their loyalty to the President.

What began as scattered unrest has now spilled across cities, fueled by deep economic frustration, perceived elite impunity and a rising sense that the political class has grown deaf to the people’s plight.