Immigration under political control?
The appointment of Hendarsam Marantoko as Indonesia’s new Director General of Immigration marks more than a routine bureaucratic reshuffle. It signals a deeper shift in how strategic state institutions are staffed—and raises a fundamental question: Is immigration policy becoming an extension of political control?
The man beside the President
Prabowo Subianto attended a luncheon with Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince Fumihito during his recent diplomatic visit to Japan. Photos released by the Ministry of State Secretariat on social media show that the president was accompanied not only by his son but also by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. This may seem trivial at first, but it has prompted questions among the public: was Teddy’s presence customary? And what exactly was his significance at the meeting?
Prabowo’s Seoul Visit
Following a three-day state visit to Japan, President Prabowo Subianto and his entourage departed for South Korea on Tuesday (31/03). The visit, scheduled to run until April 2, is part of his East Asian diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, including defense and security.
Judicial independence—or judicial immunity?
Indonesia is once again attempting to reform its judiciary. The proposed RUU Jabatan Hakim (Judges Bill) promises to elevate judges into fully independent state officials, free from bureaucratic constraints. On paper, it is a long-overdue correction. In practice, it may create a more complicated question: are we strengthening judicial independence—or institutionalizing judicial immunity?
Civilian victim, military court
The decision by the TNI to formally request access from Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK) to question Andrie Yunus is not merely procedural. It signals a deeper and far more consequential legal question: will this case be tried in a military court, even though the victim is a civilian?
KDMP so far
The Red-White Village Cooperative (KDMP) was initially designed to strengthen the rural economy. However, when cooperatives are created through government mandates rather than local community initiative, fundamental problems emerge from the very beginning. In many areas, land is unavailable, and those appointed to manage the cooperatives are not even local residents.
Rebuilding trust after the attack
The image of Gibran Rakabuming Raka being turned away from visiting Andrie Yunus is more than a moment of awkward protocol. It is a stark signal of something deeper: a widening trust deficit between the state and civil society. In today’s Indonesia, even gestures of sympathy from top officials are no longer automatically welcomed. They are questioned, scrutinized and, in this case, rejected.
Indonesia’s Acquisition of Giuseppe Garibaldi
The Italian Senate has recently given the green light for Indonesia’s acquisition of the retired carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. Classified as a grant, the Indonesian government has framed the move as a cost-effective way to support the national armed forces’ military operations other than war (OMSP). However, the long-term maintenance costs may be far less economical than initially anticipated.
Jakarta’s new strongman
The elevation of Deddy Suryadi to a three-star general while serving as Jakarta’s military commander marks more than a routine promotion—it reflects a quiet but significant recalibration of power at the heart of Indonesia’s political system.
Built fast, or built right?
Sekolah Rakyat program is being sold as a bold intervention to break the cycle of poverty through education. With a target of more than 100 new schools in its second phase alone—promised to be completed by June 2026—the initiative signals urgency, ambition, and political commitment. But behind the narrative of acceleration lies a more uncomfortable question: is the government building these schools fast, or building them right?