Other countries have tackled racketeering through a combination of targeted asset seizures, witness protection, whistleblower incentives and cross-agency coordination.  

Instead of looking to the Saudis for more sweeteners, the government must sort out all the recurring domestic problems that have marred the organization of the haj in the past.

The pessimistic scenario is that the first quarter was bad but that things will only get harder from now on, given the uncertainty ahead. The optimistic view is that, while global factors are largely out of our control, there are steps we can take at home to prepare our country.

A champion of the Catholic tradition of social justice founded by his namesake Leo XIII, Prevost's background and clear admiration for his predecessor indicates that he may follow the same path to peace and love that Francis trod for the last 12 years.

Any attempt to distort the military’s impartiality not only endangers national security, but also breaches the spirit of the reform movement 27 years ago.

As if the decline in press freedom in Indonesia were not already difficult enough for journalists, now they also have to deal with a more fundamental, if not existential question, on whether practicing journalism is a sustainable livelihood.

Indonesia needs to aggressively pursue other opportunities such as long delayed Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) and similar trade pacts.

The Surakarta brouhaha should trigger a comprehensive review of special regions and the formation of new regions in general as practices that could undermine our democratic institutions.

The sweeping re-election victories of Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in their respective parliamentary elections on Saturday should be a significant relief for President Prabowo Subianto.

Today, most workers are more concerned about holding onto their jobs than about large pay raises, even if they struggle to make a living from one payday to the next.

The neglect of teachers' welfare by the state creates an environment in which unethical practices become not just an option, but, in some cases, a survival mechanism.

Indonesia could nudge China to stop dragging its feet in concluding negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, something that ASEAN has been pushing for from Beijing for over two decades.

The West Java cases also put a spotlight on what experts call structural and psychological gaps in the safety and protection of women.

LG's recent exit from the US$8.45 billion Project Titan presents an opportunity for the government to take a step back, take stock of market conditions and take a broader view of its downstream goals.

If the government truly cares about addressing this gridlock, then it should start thinking about moving goods from production hubs in West Java and Banten to Jakarta by rail, which remains woefully underutilized.

With subscriber numbers tanking and advertising revenue drying up, the timing could not be worse for media outlets both in Indonesia and elsewhere in the world, to deal with another more serious, if not existential, challenge.

Today, as the world grapples with the resurgence of protectionism and the unraveling of multilateralism, the principles of Bandung are more relevant than ever.

Francis was known as a progressive reformer who often clashed with other top brass in the conservative Church during his 12-year papacy.

Better recruitment and oversight systems may help reduce opportunities for corruption in the judiciary, which has been resistant to external supervision by the Judicial Commission.

Every great idea begins with a spark in someone’s mind. Under duress, it is an expression of resilience to escape one’s misfortune.

In the absence of a solid foundation, as manifested by policy inconsistency, the national education system has only devoured its schoolchildren.

As the de facto leader of ASEAN, it is natural that Indonesia should do more to initiate regional measures to solve problems facing any member nation.

The new KUHAP, if passed as it is, risks worsening entrenched human rights violations in the judicial system, which is why the revision is needed in the first place.

Islamic organizations in the country, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), have voiced strong concerns over the evacuation plan, warning that it could ultimately serve Israel’s interests. 

Effective communication at times is not only about clarity, but also about the delivery of the message, whether it can convince the people who receive the message.

The problem is that the police’s generally hostile attitude toward journalists may have come directly from the top leadership.

The new Criminal Code, passed in 2022 and which will take effect next year, can mark a step forward for a complete end to capital punishment.

Facing US tariffs, ASEAN nations must unite to strengthen their bargaining power and protect their economic interests.

At this juncture, even appointing someone Prabowo trusts from the military looks better than leaving the strategic position empty for another few months.

ASEAN should work with international organizations in assisting Myanmar and facilitating a new dialogue between the Myanmar junta and various ethnic groups to promote peace and stability.