Recruiting military reservists could help the country cope with budgetary constraints while fulfilling the need of defense force personnel, as they would be fully employed only if the country were at war or under an armed threat.

Critics have said that the amendments to the 2009 Mining Law proposed in the omnibus bill are too much in favor of the interests of big coal companies, which have since early last year lobbied for a more liberal policy. However, we beg to differ.

The draft “family resilience” bill echoes parts of the Marriage Law and seeks to allow the state to have greater authority in conjugal affairs.

For a middle-power country like Indonesia not to be trampled by two fighting giants like the US and China, it needs to operate in a way that is both agile and clever.

The census provides an opportunity for the government to better assess the population's potential, especially those in the working-age bracket. It also comes at a critical time as the digital age offers opportunities for countries to make great leaps in economic development.

The omnibus bill is designed to remove inefficient bureaucracy, opaque regulations, complex procedures and high transaction costs that undermine business competitiveness.

Even if the hazardous waste is not from an experimental nuclear reactor, radioactive exposure harkens to Chernobyl and Fukushima, where the issue of radioactive waste from nuclear accidents has yet to be resolved.

The tax cut and simplified tax-payment procedures are expected to significantly broaden the tax base, including taxes on digital-economic activities, as the degree of voluntary tax compliance will increase and investment activities thrive.

The protracted political rivalry aside, Jakarta seems to be ill-prepared for the race. The polemic over the race track only shows the Jakarta government did not involve as many stakeholders as possible in the decision making.

Jokowi’s instruction was bold and unprecedented but may simply be too little, too late. He could have prevented the rampant violations of the right to freedom of religion had he announced his tough policy when assuming power in October 2014.

It is important that the government speed up economic reforms, but in doing so it needs to ensure transparency to provide certainty.

Huge challenges stand between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and resolution of the case, not only because of internal problems within the antigraft body, but also the semblance of a conflict of interest on the part of the ruling party, the PDI-P.

In this new era of massive government surveillance, it would be very difficult for former IS fighters to drop off the radar and go rogue.

The IA-CEPA is framed around five pillars of cooperation: enhancing economic and development partnership, connecting people, securing the region’s shared interests, maritime cooperation and contributing to Indo-Pacific stability and prosperity.

Precisely because we have a hugely popular leader, who has turned out to have adeptly embraced his former opponents, the press remains among the relatively few precious watchdogs of Indonesia’s government and democracy.

Definitely China, the world’s second-largest economy, will suffer as the economic fallout of the virus outbreak unfolds. China’s economic doldrums could be as contagious as the virus. 

Uncertainties surrounding vaccines will continue to add downside risks to the global economy, which is facing challenges from climate change, US economic stagnation, public discontent around the world and conflicts in the Middle East.

The most controversial and socially sensitive component of this comprehensive reform concerns investor demand — notably among foreign investors — for more flexible labor regulations.

Jakarta has struck a fine balance between giving Beijing some courtesy while also standing up for the fate of its citizens.

While his second term should be easier, Jokowi will still need to work extra hard, especially as he’ll have to do most of the heavy lifting himself, given his comparatively weak vice president in Ma’ruf Amin.

Jakarta needs to ensure that Jakarta’s white- and blue-collar workers still have easy access to affordable food and the small and micro entrepreneurs still have access to earning a livelihood.

This is the moment for the people to stand up and act on the constitutional mandate, not only in support of the Palestinians, but also in defiance of a US government that looks increasingly toothless and unwilling to become the role model it was once for many other countries, and for its abandonment of the multilateral system.

Sri Mulyani rightly views defending the credibility of fiscal management as crucial amid the mounting global uncertainty to maintain market confidence in the country’s macroeconomic stability.

We, like the WHO, would like to trust China in caring for all our citizens, but worried Indonesian nationals have the right to their government’s protection.

Unless the enforcement of laws is not strengthened to build up a stronger good corporate governance system within the business sector, the upcoming omnibus laws may be rendered less effective to boost investment.

The PDI-P clearly benefits from a less powerful KPK. The latest case in point is the KPK’s ongoing investigation into alleged bribery surrounding a PDI-P member. 

Until the WHO issues a new protocol to handle the current outbreak, it would be better for the country to exercise the same level of preparedness implemented during the bird flu emergency.

Despite the ups and downs, the fact that Chinese-Indonesians and so-called “native” Indonesians have coexisted for many years shows there can be a bright and cohesive future as one nation.

Airlines need highly competent management, as the business is complex, capital- and labor-intensive and extremely competitive with a very thin margin, and therefore difficult to run.

President Xi Jinping said 217 people in China had been infected, with one case reported in South Korea, while last week two were reported in Thailand and one in Japan.