Behind the Polri SPPG

Feb 18, 2026 | Market, Politics

Recently, Indonesian social media has been abuzz with discussions about the implementation of President Prabowo’s free ‘nutritious’ meal (MBG) by the Indonesian National Police (Polri), which has established more than 400 operational SPPG (central kitchen) units...

Softened palm oil

Feb 18, 2026 | Commodities, Market

Palm oil and derivatives enjoyed nearly 28% growth in export to US$34.36 billion last year thanks to higher volume and average price of both crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO). How about this year? While CPO’s average price (MDEX/Malaysian Derivatives...

Taxed on the road, betrayed on the road

Feb 18, 2026 | Market

House of Representatives Commission II member Muhammad Khozin warned that increases in the motor vehicle tax surcharge must consider the public’s economic condition and should not be used merely to chase higher regional revenue. His statement reflects a broader...

The new politics of smart-city capital

Feb 18, 2026 | Market

Sinar Mas Land is inviting global investors to enter Indonesia not through real estate transactions, but through partnerships with startups operating inside its urban developments. The shift is particularly notable given that Sinar Mas was widely seen as one of the...

Building chargers or building patronage?

Feb 18, 2026 | Market

The recent inauguration of an ultra-fast 480-kilowatt charging station by state utility PLN, in partnership with PT Mega Energi Biru Indonesia (MEBI) and Huawei, has been presented as a milestone for the national EV ecosystem. Officials say it demonstrates Indonesia’s...

Pressures on coal-related industries

Feb 18, 2026 | Commodities, Market

PT Hasnur International Shipping Tbk (HAIS), a coal logistic and transportation company, booked net profit of Rp87.1 billion last year, dropped significantly by 28% from 2024 on lower sales revenues and higher interest expenses.  Sales revenues dropped 13.5% to...

Expanded losses at Matahari (MPPA) and LinkNet

Feb 18, 2026 | Market

Retailer Matahari Putra Prima (MPPA), controlled by Riady Family, booked net loss of Rp152 billion last year, expanded by 28.8% from 2024 due to lacklustre growth and squeezed margins. LinkNet (LINK), used to be controlled by Riady Family, also posted an expanded...

High approval & public discontent

Feb 16, 2026 | Politics

A recent survey by Indikator Politik Indonesia finds that 79.9 percent of Indonesians approve of President Prabowo Subianto’s performance. At first glance, this suggests strong public support. Over the past year, however, the country has witnessed nationwide protests,...

Coal production cut: Gain or pain?

Feb 16, 2026 | Commodities, Market

Newcastle thermal coal inched up 0.52% to US$116.7 per ton last Friday (Feb 13), reflecting 13.6% gain year-on-year. Indonesian government’s plan to curt coal production, and, accordingly, export might have contributed to the recent rally, but mid-long term outlook of...

Nickel retreats

Feb 16, 2026 | Commodities, Market

Nickel soared close to US$19,000 per ton in mid January to respond Indonesian government’s plan to cut work plan and budget (RKAB) of nickel miners, but has since retreated to as low as US$16,889 this morning.  At the last quoted price, nickel gained 8.7%...