Market corrections & the scapegoats

Jun 5, 2026 | Market

Composite index of IDX (IHSG/JCI) crashed 4.2% Friday (Jun 5), while rupiah weakened further to Rp18,130 per US dollar in some banks. Pretty much as predicted, government’s supporters blamed foreign investors/powers behind the corrections. It was a broad market...

Rewriting the rules, but keeping the same mentality?

Jun 5, 2026 | Market

Government’s PR agencies/influencers/economists boasted the establishment of Danantara’s DSI to control export of coal, palm oil and ferro alloys as an act of rewriting the rules. How many times Prabowo writing new rules but leading to the same old results? Indonesia...

Tony Robbins: Prabowo’s New Friend

Jun 5, 2026 | Profiles

The appearance of American motivational speaker Tony Robbins at the recent MBG consolidation event in Sentul has sparked public curiosity. Introduced by Prabowo Subianto as a friend who overcame poverty to achieve extraordinary success, Robbins was invited to share...

Mineral Exchange?

Jun 5, 2026 | Commodities, Market

The government’s plan to establish a National Mineral Exchange is being presented as a bold step toward economic sovereignty. The argument is simple: Indonesia is one of the world’s largest producers of nickel and other strategic minerals, yet prices are often...

Latest survey of Poltracking

Jun 5, 2026 | Politics

A new Poltracking survey shows that 72.2 percent of Indonesians are satisfied with the government’s performance, while public trust stands even higher at 74.2 percent. On paper, those numbers suggest a comfortable political position. Yet a closer reading of the...

Said Iqbal to enter the Palace?

Jun 5, 2026 | Politics

Rumors that labor leader Said Iqbal may soon be appointed as a Presidential Special Staff member on labor affairs have sparked intense discussion across Indonesia’s labor movement. While the Presidential Palace has yet to confirm the appointment, the speculation has...

Patriot Bond II, Merah Putih Bond

Jun 5, 2026 | Market

We first published an article about Patriot Bonds II in early December 2025 quoting some conglomerates approached by the government/Danantara. Given tight State budget, Danantara will eventually issue new series to indirectly finance ‘public/government programs’. “I’d...

Major Groups to Watch

Jun 5, 2026 | Market

Given global economic uncertainties and series of controversial policies issued by Prabowo administration, most major business groups in the country might opt to wait-and-see, avoiding making major investment decisions. Some, however, continue to expand.  Djarum Group...

Where’s the bottom? (2)

Jun 4, 2026 | Market

Composite index of IDX (IHSG/JCI) pared some losses Thursday (Jun 4) and ended lower by 1.71% as foreign investors continued dumping Indonesian equities. Rupiah, meanwhile, was firm above psychological level Rp18,000 per US dollars.  IHSG dropped as much as 5%, but...

Silmy Karim, a corruption suspect

Jun 4, 2026 | Law

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Silmy Karim, vice minister of immigration, as corruption suspect alongside seven other officers. This might be considered a surprise because Silmy is known for close relationship with Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin,...