TNI’s involvement in the Andrie Yunus case

Mar 23, 2026 | Law, Politics

The acid attack on Andrie Yunus has entered a new phase following the arrest of suspected perpetrators. However, the TNI’s involvement raises fresh concerns about where the case is heading. Is this all about uncovering the truth or controlling it from the outset? With...

The new battlefield of Big Tech

Mar 23, 2026 | Market

For more than a decade, the defining metric of Big Tech competition was simple: users. Platforms fought aggressively to acquire, retain and monetize as many users as possible. From Facebook’s early expansion to TikTok’s meteoric rise, scale was everything. But today,...

Telkom vs Starlink

Mar 23, 2026 | Market

Race to expand internet access is entering a new phase—one that is no longer confined to towers and fiber optics on the ground. With Telkom Group partnering with Airbus-backed AALTO to develop high-altitude platform systems (HAPS), or “flying BTS”, the country is now...

Who is really pushing anti-China e-commerce narrative?

Mar 23, 2026 | Market

Recent remarks by Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa on the growing dominance of Chinese e-commerce platforms have reignited a familiar debate: Is Indonesia losing control of its digital economy? While the concern appears to be framed as a defense of local businesses, the forces...

Michael Bambang Hartono

Mar 23, 2026 | Profiles

Michael Bambang Hartono, co-owner of Bank Central Asia (BBCA), the most profitable bank in the country, passed away in Singapore last Thursday (Mar 19) at 86 years old. Chairman of Djarum, a diversified business group, Bambang leaves behind a wife and four children....

The enlarged losses of Garuda Indonesia

Mar 23, 2026 | Market

Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia (GIAA) recorded net loss of US$322.5 million last year, skyrocketed 341% from US$72.7 million in 2024. Massive capital injection from Danantara (sovereign wealth fund?) turned the airline’s equity to positive, but operations were under...

Barito Renewables: The undeserved king

Mar 23, 2026 | Market

Barito Renewables (BREN) undeservedly led Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) for quite sometime before losing significantly last week. Still, at the last quoted price the geothermal power producer remains among the most expensive stocks in the market. With last week’s...

MBG: Corruption and Nepotism

Mar 18, 2026 | Law, Politics

Two heads of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in Ponorogo, East Java, claimed the foundation managing their SPPGs intimidated them into limiting spending to Rp 6,500 per serving. The incident has drawn widespread attention, particularly amid reports that...

Redistribution of wealth

Mar 18, 2026 | Market

Minister of state secretary Prasetyo Hadi said on Tuesday (Mar 17) that free ‘nutritious’ meal (MBG) and the Red-and-White Village Cooperative (KDMP) programs will not be adjusted if the government should take measures preventing budget deficit for crossing the lawful...

The politics of village economies

Mar 18, 2026 | Market, Politics

Government’s plan to recruit 30,000 university graduates to manage village cooperatives under the Koperasi Merah Putih program may appear to be a bold attempt to address rural economic stagnation and graduate unemployment. However, the decision to place the Ministry...