Digital market, analog regulation
Digital economy was built on a promise: empower small businesses, connect them to millions of consumers and remove traditional barriers to entry. For years, that promise held. Platforms like Tokopedia and Shopee became gateways for micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) to scale beyond their neighborhoods.
Layoffs in 2026 (2)
PT North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE), developer of 500 MW hydropower plant in Batang Toru, North Sumatra province, avoided laying off hundreds of workers as the company, whose permits were once revoked by President Prabowo few months back, has reportedly been cleared to resume operation.
Palm oil players in Q1: Weaker margins
Palm oil maintains its strong run this year with last quoted price of RM4,534 per ton in the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Monday (Apr 27). That means the commodity gained 14.5% year-on-year. Combined with depreciation of rupiah against Malaysian Ringgit, Indonesian palm oil players should have reaped bigger benefits.
Iron & steel in Q1: Mixed results
Three iron and steel companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)—-Krakatau Steel, Spindo, and Garuda Metalindo—-reported mixed financial results in the first quarter of 2026. Krakatau and Garuda Metalindo improved on sales and margins, while Spindo weakened. All of them, however, cut workforce in the period.
Prabowo expands the bureaucracy further
Amid economic pressures and concerns about fiscal sustainability, President Prabowo opted to expand the bureaucracy with the appointment of new vice coordinating minister position and special advisor for communication affairs on Monday (Apr 27).
Fiscal rescue—or fiscal control?
The Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian announced Rp1 trillion in incentives for high-performing regional governments. The policy was framed as a reward for innovation and discipline. But beneath the surface, is this really fiscal support—or a new mechanism of control?
Off-budget defense: Reform undone?
A recent draft of the Government Regulation on the Duties of the National Armed Forces (RPP Tugas TNI) has sparked concern among researchers, including those from National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The controversy centers on a seemingly technical clause: military funding may come not only from the state budget (APBN), but also from “other legitimate sources.”
Squeezed margins at DSNG & STAA
Palm oil producer Dharma Satya Nusantara (DSNG) booked net profit of Rp430.4 billion in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 17% from the corresponding period last year even when its operating margins were squeezed.
Market pressures update
Financial markets opened this week with fading hopes of immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the cancelled US-Iran talks in Islamabad. Iran, whose economy is on the brink, however, has stepped up diplomatic efforts which might lead to reopening of the strait.
Those continue to invest: TSH Resources
KLSE-listed TSH Resources Berhad is among Malaysian companies aggressively expanding plantation in Indonesia. The most recent is the company’s acquisition of PT Dinamika Alam Segar (DAS).