President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to procure 100 Bailey bridges from abroad for disaster-stricken regions in Sumatra has been presented as a symbol of decisive leadership. The message is clear: people need roads, logistics must move, and emergency infrastructure must be deployed fast. On the surface, it sounds like a rational emergency response — practical, immediate, and solution-oriented.

Household spending remains the single largest component of Indonesian GDP. Their overall spending might grow modestly alongside higher minimum wage, while aggressive expansion of free meal program might suppress purchasing power of households.

Today is the last trading day for 2025. The composite index of Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) gained 21% year-to-date to become one of the best performing stock market indexes, thanks to trading manipulation and irrational behaviour of investors. 

Indonesia’s plan to halt private-sector diesel imports beginning in 2026 while tightening reliance on domestic supply and accelerating biodiesel expansion has been promoted as a patriotic project: securing energy sovereignty, reducing import bills, and elevating national industry. It is a bold narrative—but energy policy is rarely just technical. It is political economy in motion, and this policy is quietly rearranging who gains leverage and who loses it.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is preparing to enter the second year of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. While the initiative has delivered tangible benefits, it has also presented significant challenges for the Prabowo-Gibran administration considering various issues that emerged throughout 2025. As preparations begin for the coming year, attention now turns to how the program, the largest from the administration, will evolve in 2026.

Shares of small coal miner and contractor PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi (CUAN) Tbk, controlled by Prajogo Pangestu, surged 6% to Rp2,361 this morning on the company’s plan to acquire smaller coal miner Singaraja Putra (SINI). At the last quoted price, CUAN is now worth nearly twice ‘market value’ of Bumi Resources (BUMI), the largest coal miner.

State budget 2025 might see a widening deficit to 2.78% GDP from initial target of 2.53% due to downfall of revenues from both tax and non-tax collections. In order to prevent the deficit of breaching the 3% GDP cap, Prabowo administration has taken some policies deemed shortcuts by many.

As the holiday season is right around the corner, we would like to extend our warmest wishes for a joyful Christmas to those who celebrate, and a restful weekend ahead to all our valued subscribers. May this festive season bring us happiness and peace.

At a time when many political actors appear eager to align themselves with power, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has unexpectedly stepped into a role this country desperately needs: a functioning opposition. Its firm rejection of the government’s plan to push large-scale palm oil expansion into Papua is more than a policy disagreement. It is a political confrontation with a development model that continues to treat Papua as empty land rather than a living society.

Japan’s Hankyu Hansin Properties Corp. has officially announced its plan to acquire Deli Park Mall, a prominent large-scale commercial facility in Medan, North Sumatra province next month. Hankyu Hanshin will acquire Deli Park Mall through its subsidiary PT DPM Assets Indonesia (DPMAI).