The anti-money laundering agency reported the accumulated money turnover connected to online gambling last year reached Rp327 trillion (US$21 billion), equal to the government’s spending on energy subsidies and compensation as of October.

Countries and regions have their own excuses for hampering the global flow of goods and services with trade tariffs, non-tariff barriers and sanctions.

For Prabowo, Singapore plays a strategic role as the largest source of foreign direct investment for Indonesia and one the most important trading partners.

Businesses are reluctant to expand, citing a lack of financing access and government policy flip-flops, among others reasons.

Those who claimed the Trump brand would sink the Republican Party were proven wrong, as this time the 78-year-old millionaire won the popular vote, with more than 70 million ballots cast for him versus Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ 64 million as of Wednesday night.

The disappointing performances of some regional head candidates indicate the failure of political parties not only to vet and nominate capable figures but also to develop a merit-based system to produce party members with the skills to hold public office responsibly.

Recent bribery cases involving judges could be just the tip of the iceberg, considering the stagnated internal reforms in the judiciary.

The foreign minister's hinting at the Prabowo government's interest in joining BRICS marks a departure from the previous administration's lackluster foreign policy approach, but it would do well for Indonesia to not get stuck in a nonreciprocal relationship.

Indonesia may have made a poor showing by sending low-ranking officials to COP16, but seeing as the President's brother is leading the delegation to COP29 later this month, this could be a sign that the government is finally getting serious about the country's positioning on global climate issues.

While continuation of the economic cooperation should top Prabowo’s agenda in Beijing, he can raise his concern about the latest situation in the North Natuna waters. 

The idea of the state using taxpayer funds to save a private textile company is problematic for a number of reasons, and the desire to save jobs is a weak argument to justify such a move.

The country has seen many instances of politicians chasing doctorates, honorary doctorates and even professorships just for public prestige.

Out of the 48 ministers in President Prabowo Subianto’s newly inaugurated Red and White Cabinet, there are only five women, and only eight female deputy ministers out of a total of 56. The same trend exists for other public offices in the country.

An energetic continuation of the Nusantara project following the government handover would assure investors that the country’s national strategic projects are called “national” for a reason.

Depok’s fire agency is among the institutions to receive the smallest portion of the city budget with only Rp 34 billion for a whole year.

As the foreign minister, Sugiono will need to realize President Prabowo’s hope for Indonesia to play a much more active role in global affairs.

Prabowo’s cabinet of a whopping 109 ministers and other senior officials will take a lot of managing, but seeing is believing, so let's see where the government – and the nation – is in six months' time.

With the new law in force all data controllers or processors must have their security systems in place.

However, choosing the same cabinet members may not guarantee economic policies will remain consistent in the new administration, as Jokowi and Prabowo have distinct agendas to pursue.

Prabowo's large, likely bloated cabinet may serve to maintain political harmony, but it also risks inflating costs and inefficiency.

In the last few years of his administration, Jokowi set a dangerous precedent that future leaders may be tempted to emulate. And the impact on the political perspectives of the nation’s youth is equally worrying, as they may lose their appreciation for democracy, subordinating that precious and fragile gift to naked self-interest.

A backpacker lodging in a bed-and-breakfast and eating at streetside warung should be welcomed just as warmly as a well-to-do family staying at a five-star hotel.

It is disappointing that despite the fact that the crisis is worsening, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) have opted to be silent and to ignoe the horrifying tragedy unfolding in Gaza and Lebanon.

The outgoing President also claimed that the fact that people could still criticize him on social media is proof of the health of Indonesia's democracy. 

The new administration will have more time to properly assess the candidates and ensure a smooth transition of leadership without the rush.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has a vast knowledge of ASEAN, and we hope he can not only conclude the bloc’s unfinished business but also create a more solid foundation for the group’s 2045 vision.

The short-cut effort only confirms the country’s flaws in developing soccer, which is evident in the fact that Indonesia had to wait for 32 years to regain the soccer gold medal in the SEA Games last year.

Many of the national strategic projects are built where they make business sense, not where development priorities would have them.

As a middle power, Indonesia could use the ASEAN vehicle to further its and regional national interests, and even the interests of the Global South.

Jokowi's decision to reverse the decades-old ban on sea sand exports, whether in part or whole, raises the classic dichotomy of can versus should and disregards not only the contemporary issues of climate change and sustainability, but also the very reasons the policy was imposed in the first place.