Rewriting emergency powers law
For nearly seven decades, Law on the State of Emergency has remained largely untouched. Enacted in 1959 during President Soekarno’s Guided Democracy, the legislation was designed for a vastly different political era—one in which executive authority faced few institutional constraints. Today, however, House of Representatives has opened the possibility of revising the law as it undergoes judicial review in the Constitutional Court.
Prabowo & Sjafrie-Dasco
The arrest of Silmy Karim, former vice minister of immigration, in a corruption case is interpreted by some as part of competition between key influencers close to President Prabowo Subianto, simply because of Silmy’s close relationship with Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, defence minister and one of trusted aides of Prabowo. Really?
Jokowi’s next move
For much of post-election transition, the relationship between former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and President Prabowo Subianto appeared remarkably smooth. There were no visible rivalries, no competing power centers and no public disputes over policy.
The UBK bribery case
Abdimaludin, head of the Student Executive Board of Bung Karno University’s Faculty of Law, has admitted to receiving Rp 20 million to redirect a recent student protest he led. According to latest reports, the money was allegedly funneled through an unidentified police officer, fueling suspicions of efforts to steer and suppress student dissent.
Miiltary training for KDMP and KNMP managers
The Red-White Village Cooperative (KDMP) and the Red-White Fishermen’s Village (KNMP) are being promoted as instruments to strengthen economic independence in rural communities. Curiously, their managers are also required to undergo basic military training in addition to managerial training. It makes one wonder. What is the government trying to produce? Capable managers, or program implementers trained to obey orders?
A tragic cost of policy militarization
The deaths of two candidates for the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes) management program during military-style training should force Indonesia to ask an uncomfortable question: why are future cooperative managers being trained like soldiers in the first place?
The politics of a phone call
In politics, symbolism often matters as much as substance. That is why Deputy Speaker of the House Sufmi Dasco Ahmad’s decision to publicly call Pertamina’s leadership during a national labor gathering deserves closer attention.
More New Schools
People’s Schools, Garuda Schools, and now a new model is in the works: Integrated National Schools. Through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the government is reportedly set to build 100 Integrated National Schools starting this year, backed by a budget allocation of Rp 7.21 trillion. But what exactly distinguishes these schools from the special-school schemes already on the table, and what problem is the government trying to solve by creating yet another one?
The battle behind NU’s ministerial debate
Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) recent National Conference (Munas-Konbes) was expected to discuss a range of organizational and policy issues, from governance reforms to the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Yet one debate overshadowed everything else: whether a cabinet minister should be allowed to simultaneously serve as chairman of the Executive Board (PBNU).
West Java’s education problem
The controversy surrounding West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s free-school program has quickly evolved into a debate about subsidies, private schools, and access to education. But beneath the headlines lies a more fundamental question: Why does Indonesia still lack a unified national vision for education?