Coretax: Tax System That Keeps Going Offline
Every taxpayer in Indonesia knows the rules. File late, and there may be penalties. Submit inaccurate information, and there can be sanctions. The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) expects punctuality, accuracy and full compliance from millions of taxpayers every day.
Week ahead
Composite index of IDX (IHSG/JCI) ended higher by 2.28% last Friday on thin trading. Foreign investors returned to net buy, whilst very small (US$0.34 million). As external pressures eased off, investors will pay more attention to domestic issues.
Layoffs in 2026 (6)
The latest reports of layoffs at Tokopedia, following TikTok’s confirmation of an organizational restructuring, should not be viewed merely as another round of workforce reductions in the technology sector.
Beyond the 8 Percent: New Battle Over Platform Power
The debate over the government’s decision to cap ride-hailing platform commissions at 8 percent has been framed as a victory for Indonesia’s millions of motorcycle taxi drivers. After years of complaints over shrinking earnings and opaque commission structures, the new 92:8 revenue-sharing formula appears to signal a more equitable digital economy.
AI Hub without AI ownership
Indonesia has every reason to welcome the announcement that Australian AI infrastructure company Firmus Technologies, together with Nvidia and Singapore-based DayOne, will build a 360-megawatt AI data center campus in Batam. With up to 170,000 Nvidia AI accelerators scheduled for deployment beginning in 2027, the project is expected to become one of the largest AI computing facilities in the Asia-Pacific region. It promises billions of dollars in investment, new jobs, and a stronger position for Batam in the global digital economy.
Beyond the partnership with Imperial College London
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Technology is set to partner with Imperial College London to establish 10 medical and science universities in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto’s plan. On paper, the initiative is both ambitious and promising. However, many key questions remain unanswered, and how they are addressed will ultimately determine the program’s success.
Agrinas Palma, a giant in the making?
By late 2025, state-owned company PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara (APN) controlled 1.7 million hectares of area, including forest areas seized by Satgas PKH, a task force established by Prabowo administration. Big portion of the areas will be developed into palm oil plantation by cooperatives.
Revisiting Danantara Sumberdaya (DSI)
Starting January 1st, 2027, all export of coal, palm oil and ferro alloy, will go through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI). Recently, however, Danantara leaders said DSI is not a trading company. Then, what is it?
One Data, One State? The Risks of Digital Centralization
Indonesia’s proposed One Data Bill is being presented as a long-overdue solution to a familiar problem: fragmented government databases. Ministries often produce conflicting figures on poverty, education, agriculture, and social assistance, undermining policy effectiveness and wasting public resources. Few would dispute that better data governance is urgently needed.
Trust before expansion
The announcement by National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo that the National Police (Polri) aims to build 1,500 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) by the end of 2026 was intended as a message of commitment. According to the plan, the kitchens will support the government’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, serve millions of beneficiaries and create tens of thousands of jobs.