Great Deal or Faustian Bargain? (2)

Feb 20, 2026 | Market

The United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia have on Thursday (Feb 19) signed an agreement on reciprocal trade. Reciprocal might not be the right term because most of the articles in the agreement started with these words…”Indonesia shall” and “Indonesia...

The politics of proximity

Feb 20, 2026 | Politics

When does hospitality become political capital? And when does access turn into advantage? These questions resurfaced after Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar attended the inauguration of a religious facility linked to politician Oesman Sapta Odang (OSO),...

Another General at the Helm of a Civilian State Body

Feb 20, 2026 | Politics

The appointment of May. Gen. (ret.) dr. Prihati Pujowaskito as president director of BPJS Kesehatan marks more than a routine leadership transition. It reinforces a pattern that has gradually taken shape under President Prabowo Subianto: the placement of retired...

Why the Rush to Assure ExxonMobil?

Feb 20, 2026 | Commodities, Market

Indonesia’s energy diplomacy with the United States is entering a delicate phase. After granting long-term operational certainty to Freeport Indonesia—controlled by Freeport-McMoRan—Jakarta is now signaling openness to extending ExxonMobil’s role in the Blok Cepu. But...

Quiet layoffs

Feb 20, 2026 | Market

Acquisition of Mandala Multifinance (MFIN) by Adira Dinamika (ADMF), a consumer financing company controlled by Bank Danamon (BDMN), forced 2,447 people out of work last year.  Consolidation in the consumer financing business led to downsize of total workforce with...

Ormat gains more grounds

Feb 20, 2026 | Commodities, Market

A geothermal specialist company from the United States, Ormat Technologies through its subsidiary PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia has been awarded the Telaga Ranu Geothermal Working Area (WKP) in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, following a competitive tender...

Great Deal or Faustian Bargain?

Feb 20, 2026 | Market

The White House posted on its website Thursday (Feb 19) a briefing and statement titled ‘Implementation of the agreement toward a new Golden Age for the U.S. – Indonesian alliance following a meeting between President Prabowo and Trump in Washington DC....

Rally in Spindo

Feb 20, 2026 | Industries, Market

Shares of PT Steel Pipe Indonesia/Spindo Tbk (ISSP) advanced 4.42% Thursday (Feb 19) to follow 7.33% gain earlier on Wednesday as investors responded positively the company’s stable financial performance last year. Spindo recorded net profit of Rp534 billion, inched...

Freeport in Grasberg: For Life?

Feb 19, 2026 | Commodities, Market

President Prabowo Subianto regularly talked about protecting Indonesian natural resources and preventing ‘leakages’. Yet, when it comes to Grasberg, the world’s largest gold and copper mine, his government has just signed a memorandum of understanding regarding aa...

CPO scandal’s second trial

Feb 19, 2026 | Law, Market

The palm oil export corruption case was supposed to be about illegal permits, corporate misconduct and state losses during the 2022 cooking oil crisis. Instead, it has evolved into something far more alarming: a trial of Indonesia’s judiciary itself. The latest...