Revisiting Danantara Sumberdaya (DSI)

Jul 2, 2026 | Market

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? Government Regulation No. 24/2026 signed by...

One Data, One State? The Risks of Digital Centralization

Jul 2, 2026 | Law, Market

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...

Trust before expansion

Jul 2, 2026 | Market, Politics

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...

The Kuansing case

Jul 2, 2026 | Law

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) alleges that Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby demanded a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR-S worth around Rp2.05 billion in connection with the appointment of a regional secretary (sekda). Investigators also allege that...

The ever-expanding militarization

Jul 2, 2026 | Politics

The involvement of the military in flagship government programs has once again sparked controversy. After KDMP/KNMP prospective managers, People’s School students are also now being trained by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which has deployed its academy...

Hashim Effect

Jul 2, 2026 | Market

So, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, brother of President Prabowo Subianto, has officially been appointed chairman of ICT infrastructure company Solusi Sinergi Digital (WIFI). The shares ended slightly lower by 0.31% to Rp1,600 on Wednesday (Jul 1) to make a market cap of...

Going downhill (2)

Jul 2, 2026 | Market

Rupiah opened lower at Rp18,026 per USD this morning on more depressing news. Indonesia dropped significantly in the World Competitiveness Ranking 2026 to 48th out of 70 countries, below the Philippines (47), Vietnam (27), and Malaysia (15). The country’s...

Lackluster tourism growth

Jul 1, 2026 | Market

Indonesia welcomed 1.38 million foreign tourists in May, an increase of 10.7% from the previous month, but 5.83% growth only year-on-year. Vietnam, in the meantime, welcomed 1.78 million tourists in the same month with 17% growth year-on-year. In the first five months...

Indonesia turns to trade deficit

Jul 1, 2026 | Market

For the first time in many years, Indonesia recorded trade deficit of US$1.61 billion in May 2026 due to 5.7% decline in export, while import surged by 22.2%. That doesn’t help in the context of rupiah, which has been under pressure for several months now.  Export’s...

The Promotion of Four Police Generals

Jul 1, 2026 | Politics

The National Police (Polri) has promoted four senior officers to the rank of Commissioner General (Komjen), a three-star rank reserved for the institution’s highest leadership circle. The promotions went to Winarto, Rudi Darmoko, Asep Edi Suheri and Agung Setya Imam...