Golden Visa and the politics of perception
Government is celebrating the success of its Golden Visa program after the Directorate General of Immigration announced that 1,274 Golden Visas had generated Rp52.1 trillion (US$3.2 billion) in investment realization as of May 2026. Officials also proudly highlighted that the program had contributed more than Rp16.3 billion in non-tax state revenue (PNBP).
The end of anonymous?
Government says it wants social media users to become more “accountable.” The latest proposal from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs would require social media accounts to be linked to phone numbers and eventually verified digital identities. Officials argue that anonymity enables online gambling, fraud, deepfakes, hoaxes and cybercrime.
NTT Docomo fined by KPPU
Business Competition Supervisory Comission (KPPU) has recently fined NTT Docomo Rp2 billion for delaying notification of its acquisition of Intage Holdings. The verdict was read out during the hearing of case No. 16/KPPU-M/2025 last week.
Export data discrepancy & under-invoicing
Finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa claimed of finding 10 palm oil exporters committing under-invoicing, which, among other things, justified President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to centralize export of strategic commodities through PT Danantara Sejahtera Indonesia (DSI).
Not out of the woods yet (3)
Composite index of IDX (IHSG) ended lower by 3.54% Thursday (May 21), dragged down by correction related to rebalancing of MSCI and he government’s new policy on centralizing export of strategic commodities (coal, palm oil, and other minerals).
Reassessing the MBG Budget
In the latest “APBN KITa” press conference held on Tuesday (19/05), Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa signaled a readjustment of the 2026 budget for the MBG program. He noted that President Prabowo Subianto had previously instructed the government to reduce the program’s allocation from Rp 335 trillion to Rp 268 trillion, and hinted that further cuts remain under consideration.
Resource curse & Global traders behind Danantara?
President Prabowo Subianto set a more ambitious economic growth target of up to 6.5% next year, which seems not surprising anymore given his campaign promise for 8% growth before entering 2029 election. The president spent most his almost two hours speech talking about the country’s natural resources wealth and how the State should control more in order to achieve the target.
Gaming market enters the age-control era
Gaming industry is entering a new phase — one where regulation, not just innovation, shapes the future of digital entertainment.
AI disruption has moved beyond chatbots
The arrival of AI-powered document automation platforms such as ProSnap may not generate the same public excitement as generative AI chatbots or AI-generated videos. Yet their impact on economy could be far more significant — and far more disruptive.
Coal Journal
Shares of coal miners ended mostly lower ground Wednesday (May 20) following President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to control coal export through Danantara in a bid to clamp down under-invoicing and transfer pricing practices, plus day-dreaming on controlling world price of thermal coal.