External pressures resurfaced, net sell continues

Jul 8, 2026 | Market

Rupiah weakened to Rp18,066 per USD Wednesday (Jul 8) on the rise of Dollar Index (DXY) as market participants see higher possibility of Fed rate hike in September. Escalated tensions in the Middle East, meanwhile, lifted Brent crude oil futures to US$78 per barrel....

West Java, renamed as Tatar Sunda?

Jul 8, 2026 | Politics

For the longest time, Indonesians have known the three largest provinces on the island of Java as West Java, Central Java, and East Java. Their names are straightforward, reflecting their geographical positions on the map. Recently, however, a proposal to rename West...

Open networks need open governance

Jul 8, 2026 | Market

For years, Indonesia has searched for ways to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand beyond local markets while gaining better access to financing. Digital platforms have undoubtedly opened new opportunities, but they have also created a new...

Heritage cannot become a convenient excuse

Jul 8, 2026 | Law

The controversy surrounding the construction of a new building inside Presidential Palace complex should not be dismissed simply because the government says it complies with the law. Culture Minister Fadli Zon has argued that the project does not violate heritage...

The wrong debate over lecturers’ pay

Jul 8, 2026 | Market

When news emerged that functional allowance for lecturers has remained largely unchanged for nearly two decades, the public reaction quickly split into two camps. One argued that lecturers have been neglected by the state. Another, led by many senior academics,...

Critical minerals: Where are we?

Jul 8, 2026 | Commodities

Almost a year since President Prabowo Subianto established Mineral Industry Agency (Badan Industri Mineral/BIM). Early this year, state fund management company Danantara established PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (Perminas), designed to focus on development of...

Oil and Gas Journal

Jul 8, 2026 | Commodities

Brent crude oil futures stayed above US$76 per barrel in Asian trading this morning following substantial hike on Tuesday (Jul 7) due to fresh geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Indonesia, a net importer of oil, however, proceeds with development of two major...

Rally continues, but foreign investors maintain net sell

Jul 8, 2026 | Market

Composite index of Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) advanced 1.19% on Tuesday (Jul 7) as domestic investors responded some ‘positive news’, including foreign exchange reserves data and tax-non tax revenues of the State budget 2026.  Minister of finance Purbaya Yudhi...

More support from Sjafrie to Haji Isam

Jul 7, 2026 | Market

Shares of PT Abadi Nusantara Hijau Investama Tbk (PACK), majority controlled by China’s CNGR Group, ended flat at Rp230 on Tuesday (Jul 7) to make a market capitalization of Rp7.45 trillion.  Haji Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, popular as Haji Isam (Jhonlin Group), as you...

Indonesia-India economic relations

Jul 7, 2026 | Market

Some 16 agreements were signed in Jakarta Tuesday (Jul 7) during the state visit of India PM Narendra Modi including cooperation in defence industry, minerals for steel supply chain, steel, and critical mineral.  Among the interesting agreements are: 1/ Contract...