It is not too far a stretch of our collective imagination to deduce that antidemocratic forces have continued to whittle away at the hard-won gains of the Indonesian people, when nearly three decades since the precipitous events that led to massive sociopolitical reform, those who have benefited from direct elections are now seeking retrogression.

Amid the resurgence of global power politics, Indonesia must continue to wield its unique geopolitical legitimacy, conferred by its geography, in pressing for the consistency of maritime norms in the South China Sea.

The NAM failed not because its premise was wrong, but because it lacked economic integration, technological depth and institutional discipline. 

Radicalization has evolved today from an issue of ideology to one of morals, offering answers and guidance to disenfranchised youths that are constantly exposed to volumes of decontextualized information online.

The dilemma tech firms and regulators face with regard to the recent furor over sexualized AI-generated images is the same, long-standing one that has vexed the globe whenever availability has preceded regulation.

The change in Indonesia's foreign policy from its long-standing "free and active" doctrine to resilience signals a paradigm shift in the country's worldview amid the current global leaning toward hegemonic power.

Indirect regional elections will disproportionately expand the legislature's power while drastically reducing public participation, effectively shifting the fundamental principle of popular sovereignty.

The quality of Indonesia’s lawmaking is under growing scrutiny. The skyrocketing number of judicial review petitions should serve as a wake-up call to reform the legislative process. Meaningful public participation, in particular, remains a crucial element that must be strengthened to ensure laws are drafted with prudence, accountability and constitutional soundness.

The minister has laid out his mission. What is lacking here is what concrete actions Sugiono will take and will continue to pursue to realize the ambition?

Contrary to the freedom of speech narrative espoused by tech moguls and the US leader, the coming battle centered on the "slopification" of public discourse pits free thinkers and societies against power-hungry plutocrats and wannabe autocrats.

Safeguarding rights must be a priority for sustainable development, yet it often takes public outrage to force a change. 

It is time to strengthen national mechanisms for accountability and transparency to monitor responsible business conduct under the IEU-CEPA.

More partnerships and collaborations should be formed between academic institutions in Indonesia and the region, focusing on the prevalence, economics and health impacts of alternative tobacco products use.

The implementation of KUHP and KUHAP risks reframing complex issues of health, protection and recovery as matters of moral compliance, rather than rights, evidence and public health.

By privileging access to the junta while sidelining other stakeholders, ASEAN risks reinforcing the military’s claim that it alone represents Myanmar’s political future.

The 2026 provincial minimum wage (UMP) announcements have triggered a backlash from both labor unions and businesses. On average, minimum wages rose by more than 5 percent year-on-year (yoy) compared with 2025. However, in most provinces, the final nominal wages remain below the basic cost of living (KHL), indicating a decline in real wages. This tension unfolds amid an economic slowdown, marked by persistent layoffs in labor-intensive sectors and weak household consumption.

A comprehensive climate adaptation plan aiming at long term mitigations against extreme weather should be prepared.

President Prabowo Subianto’s policy to address Indonesia’s waste emergency through the waste-to-energy (WTE) program continues to generate both support and opposition, particularly regarding the choice of technology, which some believe will generate air pollution. In fact, the latest technologies are already capable of addressing these pollution concerns. The alternative is business as usual, with waste disposed of in landfills without treatment along with all the problems that entail. Therefore, the WTE policy deserves support to achieve success.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's recent decision to withdraw Rp 75 trillion (US$4.5 billion) from state-owned banks has reignited concerns over the coherence and consistency of Indonesia's fiscal strategy.

While weather extremes such as flooding and wildfires are frequently identified as visible consequences of climate change, global warming is also affecting a deeper factor: our planet’s water cycle.

The visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to reinvigorate their longstanding partnership and elevate it to new heights.

Indonesia’s new e-IPO rules are designed to give ordinary investors a more fair shot at IPO shares while reassuring serious institutional money that the system is better policed and less prone to speculative froth. 

The decision to push through a massive budget for the free nutritious meal program reflects misplaced priorities, as the program has yet to show clear benefits in its first year while other critical policies remain underfunded.

The everyday legal landscape of the country is rife with violence, torture, extrajudicial killings and criminalization through investigations intended to perpetuate wrongdoing.

Indonesia has chosen dynamic resilience as its foreign policy doctrine, the ability and flexibility to engage where needed by first ensuring everyday public security and prosperity at home.

It should have been a no-brainer for Indonesia to condemn the United States for bombing Caracas and then seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, flying them to New York to face drug trafficking charges. This was clearly an act of aggression against a sovereign country and a violation of international laws.

Self-sufficiency was a core promise of Prabowo’s campaign, and the global geopolitical climate has made the idea politically attractive.