The future of MBG

Apr 30, 2026 | Market, Politics

President Prabowo Subianto, in his speech at the groundbreaking event for the downstreaming projects yesterday (29/04), reaffirmed his commitment to “continue MBG until completion.” The phrasing left one wondering. What does “completion” mean for a program that is...

From unicorn dreams to prison time: The eFishery reckoning

Apr 30, 2026 | Law, Market

Startup ecosystem has long thrived on a seductive mantra: grow fast, tell a compelling story and worry about the numbers later. The conviction of Gibran Huzaifah, former chief executive of eFishery, should finally bury that illusion. A Bandung court sentenced Gibran...

The hidden risk in KPK leadership reform

Apr 30, 2026 | Law, Politics

The Constitutional Court of Indonesia (MK) partially granted a judicial review on the eligibility requirements for leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission, it appeared to offer a pragmatic fix. By reinterpreting the requirement from “resigning” to merely...

Threshold politics and power in next election law

Apr 30, 2026 | Politics

The debate over parliamentary threshold is returning—not as a technical tweak, but as a contest over how power in the legislature should be designed. A proposal from Yusril Ihza Mahendra seeks to replace the vote-based threshold with a seat-based one. Instead of...

Consumers in Q1: Mixed results

Apr 30, 2026 | Market

Unilever Indonesia (UNVR), market leader for personal and home care, reported 2.8% sales growth only in the first quarter of 2026, while HM Sampoerna, the largest cigarette player, reported 5.5% decline in sales for the period. Unilever’s gross profit inched up 2.4%...

Reality check on FAP Agri

Apr 30, 2026 | Market

Shares of FAP Agri (FAPA), controlled by Fangiono Family, advanced 0.7% to Rp7,050 Wednesday (Apr 29), making it among the most ‘valuable’ plantation companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).  At the last quoted price, FAP Agri was traded with PE...

Layoffs in 2026 (3)

Apr 30, 2026 | Market

Seven more major companies, those with over 5,000 employees, decided to cut workforce in the first three months of the year, affecting thousands of both permanent and non-permanent workers. They are Astra International, Bank Danamon, BFI Finance, Catur Sentosa...

Gainers of Iran War: ESSA Industries

Apr 29, 2026 | Industries, Market

Ammonia producer ESSA Industries booked net profit of US$18.8 million in the first quarter of 2026, surged by 132% from the corresponding period last year due to the spike of ammonia price related to Iran war. The war, started late February, contributed to 37% jump in...

Martabe gold & construction machinery weigh on United Tractors

Apr 29, 2026 | Market

United Tractors (UNTR), subsidiary of Astra International (ASII), suffered nearly 80% fall of net profit to Rp642.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026, dragged down by suspension of Martabe gold production and downfall in the construction machinery business. Gold...

Rethinking railway safety

Apr 29, 2026 | Market

The recent train collision at Bekasi Timur station exposed deeper issues in Indonesia’s traffic system, extending beyond road-user behavior to the safety of its public transportation infrastructure. In response, President Prabowo Subianto instructed the construction...