When disaster data becomes political theatre

Dec 12, 2025 | Politics

In moments of national crisis, accuracy is not merely a technical requirement—it is the foundation of public trust. Indonesia witnessed a stark reminder of this when Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia told President Prabowo Subianto that...

Maha Properti: US$7 Billion Company?

Dec 12, 2025 | Market

Shares of PT Maha Properti Tbk (MPRO), a very small property developer with cash in hands less than US$1 million, ended flat at Rp11,750 on Thursday (Dec 11). At the last quoted price, MPRO, which is controlled by Tahir Family, was worth Rp116.8 trillion or around...

Holes in the System

Dec 12, 2025 | Politics

An MBG delivery van broke through a gate and crashed into students in the schoolyard of SDN 01 Kalibaru, Cilincing, North Jakarta. The police have detained the driver and a helper, who was also in the van during the accident, and are currently investigating. There is...

Nursalim Family’s overseas expansions

Dec 12, 2025 | Market

Nursalim Family, owner of GT Group, has been relatively quiet in Indonesia in recent years with  only some property projects in Batam Island and Karawang, West Java (the premium outlet with Mitsubishi Estate).  The family, however, have some high-profile projects...

Co-optation

Dec 11, 2025 | Politics

One could say that student organizations, along with other civil society groups, are the only hope for checks and balances given no formal opposition in the parliament. They keep resistance against injustice alive through social movements. But several student...

Superbank vs Seabank

Dec 11, 2025 | Market

Digital bank platform Superbank (SUPA) claims oversubscription in its initial public offering (IPO), but priced the shares at Rp635, little above median of price range of Rp525-695. That means Superbank will collect fresh money of Rp2.79 trillion.  Superbank will then...

Garuda Spark and BLOCK71

Dec 11, 2025 | Market

Indonesia’s digital ambitions have always been constrained not by lack of ideas but by the political economy that governs them. Komdigi’s Garuda Spark Innovation Hub—promising six hubs by 2026 and millions of “digital talents”—enters an ecosystem shaped by overlapping...

The Rise of Muzakir Manaf in National Politics

Dec 11, 2025 | Politics

Indonesia’s political landscape is shifting, and for the first time since the Helsinki peace agreement, Aceh’s influence is extending beyond regional politics. At the center of this phenomenon is Muzakir Manaf, popularly known as Mualem, the former commander of the...

Bio-coke vs coking coal

Dec 11, 2025 | Commodities

Indonesia imported US$4.4 billion worth of coking or metallurgical coal last year due to growing capacity of metal processing industry. Given projects in the pipeline and limited domestic production, the country might import more in the coming years. Scientists,...

Mass transportation projects update

Dec 11, 2025 | Market

Mass rapid transit (MRT) project in Bali Island seems not moving as planned due to lack of funding commitment from the central government. Private investors are struggling to get financing for the US$20 billion project, which was expected to ease traffic congestion in...