Bracing for more pressures

Mar 4, 2026 | Market

Asian stock markets opened mostly lower ground this morning due to escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. Rally in oil price briefly halted by Trump’s pledge to escort oil tankers passing through the Straits of Hormuz, while Qatar’s decision to halt LNG...

The Disposable Couriers

Mar 4, 2026 | Law

The debate surrounding the death sentence imposed on the Sea Dragon Tarawa crew members should not be reduced to a binary question of guilt or innocence. The more urgent issue lies on whether the punishment imposed is proportionate to the actual role, and whether law...

Prabowo’s geopolitical play

Mar 4, 2026 | Market, Politics

President Prabowo Subianto invited former presidents and vice presidents to the State Palace this week, the official explanation was to discuss “global geopolitical developments.” The wording was intentionally broad. But the timing—amid escalating tensions in the...

Free speech wins in court

Mar 4, 2026 | Law, News Group

The acquittal of a so-called “buzzer boss” and the former news director of Jak TV by the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court this week is more than a personal legal victory. It is a defining moment for free speech in Indonesia’s evolving democracy. Prosecutors from the...

Golkar’s second regent in an OTT

Mar 4, 2026 | Law, Politics

The arrest of Fadia Arafiq in a recent sting operation (OTT) by the Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (KPK) has quickly evolved from a local legal case into a national political signal. With this operation, Fadia became the second Golkar regent to be...

Uni-Charm turns to huge losses

Mar 4, 2026 | Industries, Market

PT Uni-Charm Indonesia Tbk (UCID), one of big players in diapers market, booked net loss of Rp1.19 trillion last year against net profit of Rp350 billion in 2024. What happened to the company? First of all, sales revenues dropped by 17.5% to Rp7.98 trillion, while...

Impairment losses hurt SMBC Indonesia

Mar 4, 2026 | Market

Bank SMBC Indonesia (BTPN), one of the largest in private sector, booked net profit of Rp505.5 billion last year, collapsed 82% from 2024 on substantial hike of allowance for impairment losses, mostly from consumer financing segment. SMBC Indonesia actually reported...

Hartono Family bets more in F&B

Mar 3, 2026 | Market

PT Savoria Kreasi Rasa, a company controlled by Hartono Family, has on March 2nd completed the acquisition of SariWangi tea brand from PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk (UNVR) for Rp1.5 trillion. This will make Savoria a bigger player in the food and beverage industry.  It’s...

FID approval for Hashim’s oil & gas project

Mar 3, 2026 | Commodities, Market

Conrad Asia Energy Ltd and its subsidiary West Natuna Exploration Limited (WNEL) have secured approval of Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development of Mako gas field in Duyung production sharing contract (PSC). The company, previously, signed and agreement...

Quiet (mass) layoffs (9)

Mar 3, 2026 | Market

Six out of eight IDX-listed companies releasing full year 2025 financial reports on Monday (Mar 2) cut their workforce last year, some in double digit percentage. Not necessarily because of falling revenues and profit.  PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources (SMAR) Tbk, one of...