There is a lack of clear explanations for new government programs and initiatives, leading to uncertainty about their implementation.

In a sweeping move that reshaped Indonesia’s financial landscape, the annual shareholders’ meetings (RUPS) of state-owned banks Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BBRI), Bank Mandiri (BMRI), and Bank Negara Indonesia (BBNI) not only approved multi-trillion-rupiah share buyback programs but more importantly ushered in a new era of leadership at the country’s largest state-owned banks. Market reacts positively to this sudden overhaul, with the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) rebounding slightly on the final trading day before the long holiday. The index closed at 6,510.62 on Mar. 27, marking a 0.59 percent increase from the previous day’s close.

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.

Redistributive taxation, while it is not easy to craft or implement, can encourage innovation and the equitable distribution of growth benefits, whereas Trump's tariffs will only undermine the US' competitive edge and do harm.

Considering that the free meals program has minimal socioeconomic impacts in the short term, it would be better to revert the program to its original design as a policy on improving child nutrition, which would have positive effects in terms of cost, food quality and fiscal management.

The world faces a new reality where trade becomes a matter of national security and global rules are eroded as power dominates.

Collective action that involves all stakeholders of civil society is necessary to prevent the country's encroaching descent into an oligarchy.

News media outlets and civil society organizations known to be critical of the government of Prabowo Subianto are coming under attack, mostly online, with accusations that they work for foreign interests. American billionaire, investor and philanthropist George Soros has been singled out as the main culprit behind them.

The world is witnessing a seismic shift in trade and investment, with protectionism spelling the end of open markets that are vital for emerging economies like Indonesia.

Authoritarian-leaning governments are likely to instrumentalize these trade pressures to justify greater repression. 

The paradox of economic interdependence and strategic anxiety underscores ASEAN’s urgent need for unity and legal clarity. 

Indonesia must tread carefully with a political economy approach to trade diplomacy following US tariffs, maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships and avoiding impacted countries from turning into adversarial competitors.

A truly collaborative LLM reflecting the region’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape has yet to emerge.

Because when exchange rates dictate the cost of medicines, they also quietly influence who can get medical treatment and who cannot.

Indonesia might finally add a notch to its soccer milestones if and when its men's team reaches the 2026 World Cup finals, but this will likely come at the cost of local talent, seeing as the current lineup consists of predominantly naturalized players.

Two different models indicate that in the long run, Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs stand to do more harm to the US than any of the countries it aims to target; nonetheless, they don't bode well for either international trade or the global economy.

Climate risk, energy security and food resilience are regional challenges that require cooperation. True sustainability can only be achieved through joint action.

Despite the constraints of Article 9 of its pacifist Constitution, Tokyo has found creative ways to support ASEAN’s defense capabilities without violating its non-military principles.

Indonesia's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are grappling with mounting uncertainty as the promised extension of the 0.5 percent final income tax rate remains unfulfilled.

History often reminds us that it is in these periods of turbulence that a country’s economic maturity is truly measured.

The Indonesian government’s plan to increase royalties on 12 mining commodities, including nickel, copper, gold and coal, has sparked protests from industry players. This policy, introduced during a challenging period for the mining sector, has raised concerns about its potential to discourage investment and reduce overall tax revenue. The mining industry is already struggling with regulatory mandates and fluctuating commodity prices, making the royalty hike an additional burden that could contradict the government’s goal of boosting critical mineral downstream industries.

The last three months have seen President Prabowo lurching from one crisis to another.

Aristotle offers a framework that is strikingly relevant for this age of moral confusion and civic fragmentation.

Oil diplomacy could become a hallmark of Trump's second term in office, but energy markets have mostly shrugged off his recent whirlwind of threats against Iran and Russia.

Despite all the commentary and hype around agentic AI, many big questions remain unaddressed, the biggest being which type of AI agent the tech industry is seeking to develop?

Australia’s policies toward the Pacific will continue to be primarily driven by China’s resurgence, no matter who is elected.

Beijing could appear as a more appealing option to ethnic resistance groups in Myanmar’s civil war, especially given the ongoing evolution in Washington as the Trump White House shifts to Russia's side in Ukraine and moves to dissolve USAID.