The government is accelerating funding mechanisms to secure Indonesia’s food, energy and water needs, but the latest regulatory changes raise concerns about oversight and potential misuse. On Sept. 22, the Government Procurement Agency (LKPP) issued Regulation No. 3/2025 on Guidelines for Procurement of Goods from Completed Works in the Development of Self-Sufficiency Areas. Under the new regulation, vendors are no longer required to undergo electronic bidding or conduct feasibility studies, a change that enables faster disbursement of funds but increases the risk of inefficiency and misuse.

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

While China has been the chief driver of energy emissions so far this century, other nations including India, Indonesia and Vietnam will play a key role in determining future pollution trends.

The spread of the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hats Pirates is an example of how Gen Z is reshaping the cultural vocabulary of dissent.

Today, energy policy is investment policy, and Indonesia risks being left behind.

Public surveys confirm that the majority of respondents believed bribery existed within the police force, with many reporting direct experience or knowledge of the practice.

If there is clear proof of the incompetence surrounding President Prabowo Subianto, it lies in the poor structure and wording of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly just last week.

In the aftermath of the massive August anti-government riots, President Prabowo Subianto carried out two rounds of Cabinet reshuffles to consolidate power and control over his big-tent coalition government. The turmoil, which he described as bordering on treason, is the most serious challenge to his power since he took office in October last year.

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.

While skeptics might look askance at Prabowo's peacekeeping commitment, conveyed in his speech at the 80th UN General Assembly, this presents a chance for Indonesia to not only contribute to global stability but also to reshape the culture of both the TNI and the National Police as guardians of democracy.

Reintegration of high-profile extremists requires tailored programs addressing historical authority, relational networks and psychological needs. 

Beyond the figures and policies, humankind must come together in a collective vision that dares to look hard at the existential dilemma at the core of the climate crisis, and thereby love ourselves and our planet better.

Indonesia's Industry Ministry will phase out incentives for fully built-up (CBU) imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by the end of 2025, shifting the policy focus toward local production starting in 2026. Automakers such as BYD and Geely, which have pledged investments totaling Rp15.52 trillion (US$936.62 million), are required to begin assembling vehicles domestically from that year. Should they fail to meet the production requirements, the government reserves the right to claim their bank guarantees in line with the local content requirement (LCR) roadmap and investment regulations.

Today’s global landscape is more complex than ever, characterized by turbulent challenges and unpredictable storms that no nation can face alone. However, the persistence of unilateralism, where countries act based on narrow self-interest without regard for international law, poses a serious threat to global peace and stability. Such actions undermine the principles of multilateralism, weaken international institutions and erode trust among nations.

Decent work is more than making a living: it is a barometer of how well we are doing in society as a whole, including health, education, equality and responsible consumption and production. 

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.

Almost a year since he took office in October 2024, Prabowo has visited Beijing twice but has yet to make state visits to either Seoul or Tokyo, which has raised diplomatic eyebrows over his bilateral stance regarding those two Asian powerhouses and key trading partners.

Strong words from top leaders but few enforceable steps has characterized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for the last five decades. Why does it still matter?

The landmark WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which entered into force on Sept. 15 after a quarter century of negotiations, is only the beginning in tackling harmful subsidies toward ensuring sustainability of fish stocks, coastal communities and the planet's oceans.

Concentrating public assets in a single body like Danantara without adequate oversight invites corruption, conflicts of interest and a decrease in transparency.

Provinces such as Yogyakarta, East Java, and Bali report among the lowest farmer daily incomes, despite their reputations as cultural and agricultural centers. 

In the UN General Assembly, Palestine may win overwhelming support. In the Security Council, one raised hand is enough to block it. 

Keeping the UN in New York now risks turning its headquarters into a relic of past American aspirations, but where some voices remain privileged, others silenced and most go unheard.

The latest cabinet reshuffle under the Prabowo Subianto administration has left the future of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry uncertain. Erick Thohir, who previously led the ministry, has been reassigned to head the Youth and Sports Ministry, with no replacement or acting official named so far. Speculation over his successor is growing, while questions remain over the division of authority between the SOEs Ministry and the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara).

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

Engaging both caseworkers and former terrorists in intervention and rehabilitation programs are key to effective de-radicalization efforts.

Banking liquidity in Indonesia is abundant, but without market certainty the funds risk staying idle