Latest survey of Poltracking
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 same survey reveals a less reassuring reality.
Said Iqbal to enter the Palace?
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 already raised a broader question: what happens when labor leaders move from representing workers on the streets to influencing policy from inside the State Palace?
People’s Schools: Under the radar
Talking about fiscal management, in recent weeks, public debate has been fixated on the MBG and the controversies surrounding it. Amid this intense scrutiny, the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) program has continued to expand under the radar, despite being another flagship initiative of the Prabowo Subianto administration backed by a substantial budget. It is worth asking: How far has the program progressed, and what issues deserve closer attention in the years ahead?
Double blow: Corruption in the free meal program
A lot of people, including foreign investors, have long questioned effectiveness of Prabowo administration’s costly free meal program. Indonesians have also long suspected corruption in the program, but had only been confirmed at grandeur scale with the arrest of Dadan Hindayana, who has just been sacked as chief of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and two of his deputies on Wednesday (Jun 3).
Leadership Change at BGN: What’s Up?
President Prabowo Subianto has officially removed Dadan Hindayana from his position as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and appointed Nanik Sudaryati Deyang as his replacement. The sudden leadership change was announced by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi during a press conference on Tuesday evening (02/06), quickly sparking public attention and speculation. What exactly is happening inside BGN?
Lost in translation
President Prabowo Subianto’s recent call for French to be taught across Indonesian schools has generated curiosity, excitement and skepticism in equal measure. Presented during a state visit to France and in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, the proposal was framed as part of a broader effort to strengthen educational, scientific and economic ties between the two countries.
New faces of nutrition agency
President Prabowo Subianto recently removed BGN chief Dadan Hindayana and replaced him with Nanik S. Deyang. At the same time, both deputy heads—Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung—were dismissed. Their replacements are Agustina Arumsari, a senior state auditor from BPKP, and Major General Trenggono, a military officer with experience in food and logistics programs.
Silent diplomacy problem
Former vice foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal publicly questioned why some foreign leaders seeking meetings with President Prabowo Subianto allegedly received no response, the controversy was immediately framed as another debate over the President’s frequent overseas travel. That interpretation misses the more important story.
Review the MBG Reviu application
The controversy surrounding the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) Rp1.2 trillion information technology budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is not merely about software. It is about transparency, accountability and whether Indonesia is once again repeating a familiar pattern in public-sector digitalization: spending first and explaining later.
Pesta Babi controversy
The controversy surrounding Mama Yasinta Moiwend has evolved far beyond a dispute over a documentary film. It has become a test of transparency, credibility and public trust in one of Indonesia’s most controversial strategic projects: the Merauke food estate.