PT Fast Food Indonesia (FAST) Tbk, operator of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlets, has just released financial report for full year 2024, where it posted net loss of Rp797 billion, surged by nearly 92% from 2023 on falling sales and squeezed margins.

Crude palm oil (CPO) recovered slightly by 0.2% to MYR3,975 per ton in Kuala Lumpur this morning on reports about potential de-escalation in the US-China trade war. The commodity lost 10.6% year-to-date, but gained 0.8% year-on-year. First quarter 2025 data pointed to strong performance of Indonesian palm oil producers.

Shares of coal miners operating under the special mining business permit (IUPK) like Bumi Resources (BUMI), Adaro Andalan (AADI), and Indika Energy (INDY) gained substantially on Tuesday (Apr 22), while those under mining business permit (IUP) edged up slightly to respond the new royalty scheme for the commodity.

In the last five years, Indonesia has watched several major investment opportunities slip away—often not because of macroeconomic instability, but due to persistent interference from mass organizations (ormas) operating beyond the law. High-profile investors such as Tesla and LG have withdrawn plans to enter the country, citing regulatory uncertainty and environmental risks. Even projects already in development—like BYD’s electric vehicle factory in Subang—have experienced delays due to ground-level obstruction by ormas demanding access or concessions.

In recent years, coding bootcamps have surged in popularity across Indonesia as a fast-track solution for anyone seeking a career in tech. Hacktiv8, one of the pioneers, offers intensive programs lasting three to four months, claiming to transform even those from non-technical backgrounds into job-ready software developers. The cost isn’t cheap—reaching tens of millions of rupiah—with some programs offering an “Income Share Agreement” (ISA), allowing students to pay only after securing a job.

If Bumi Resources (BUMI) was not bad enough, try reading financial report of PT Berau Coal Energy (BRAU), a company previously controlled by Bakrie Group but later on acquired by Widjaja Family (Sinarmas Group). 

Shares of Bumi Resources (BUMI), the largest coal producer in Indonesia controlled by Bakrie Group and Salim Group, ended higher by 3.1% to Rp100 Monday (Apr 21). While the company reported 519% jump in net profit to US$67.5 million last year, it’s too small to...

Indonesia’s export grew 6.93% to US$66.62 billion in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to higher volume of some key commodities, particularly palm oil and nickel. Higher purchase ahead of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs might have also contributed to the growth, particularly in some traditional commodities exported to the world’s largest economy.