Why TMMD persists in a tightening fiscal state
TNI Manunggal Membangun Desa (TMMD) is often celebrated for delivering what many government programs cannot: speed. In a matter of weeks, rural roads appear, houses are repaired and drainage systems installed. For villages long neglected by bureaucratic inertia, TMMD offers tangible change. But why is civilian development increasingly executed by the military—especially when the funding comes from tightening public budgets?
How labor demands are absorbed, not resolved
In the days surrounding May Day, the government floated a plan to push down ride-hailing commissions—reportedly to 8%—while bringing in a prominent labor figure, Jumhur Hidayat, into the policy orbit. The message was unmistakable: the state hears workers. The question is whether it is actually fixing their problem—or merely absorbing their demands.
Windfall from coal and minerals for fiscal sustainability: Evidence tells a different story (1)
Government officials continue to resist change in budget deficit management related to the spike of crude oil and downfall of rupiah, pointing to windfall from coal and minerals in filling the gap. It is true that thermal coal and minerals gained grounds in international market, but financial data from some coal miners suggested downfall instead.
Layoffs in 2026 (4): The worst may yet to come
Indofood (INDF), one of the largest employers in the country, reduced its workforce by 799 people in the first three months of 2026, while Bank Panin, among the Top 10 banks, continued downsizing in the period.
The future of MBG
President Prabowo Subianto, in his speech at the groundbreaking event for the downstreaming projects yesterday (29/04), reaffirmed his commitment to “continue MBG until completion.” The phrasing left one wondering. What does “completion” mean for a program that is supposed to run every school day? More importantly, what happens to MBG when Prabowo is no longer in office?
From unicorn dreams to prison time: The eFishery reckoning
Startup ecosystem has long thrived on a seductive mantra: grow fast, tell a compelling story and worry about the numbers later. The conviction of Gibran Huzaifah, former chief executive of eFishery, should finally bury that illusion.
Consumers in Q1: Mixed results
Unilever Indonesia (UNVR), market leader for personal and home care, reported 2.8% sales growth only in the first quarter of 2026, while HM Sampoerna, the largest cigarette player, reported 5.5% decline in sales for the period.
Reality check on FAP Agri
Shares of FAP Agri (FAPA), controlled by Fangiono Family, advanced 0.7% to Rp7,050 Wednesday (Apr 29), making it among the most ‘valuable’ plantation companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).
Layoffs in 2026 (3)
Seven more major companies, those with over 5,000 employees, decided to cut workforce in the first three months of the year, affecting thousands of both permanent and non-permanent workers. They are Astra International, Bank Danamon, BFI Finance, Catur Sentosa Adiprana, HM Sampoerna, Kimia Farma, and FAP Agri.
Gainers of Iran War: ESSA Industries
Ammonia producer ESSA Industries booked net profit of US$18.8 million in the first quarter of 2026, surged by 132% from the corresponding period last year due to the spike of ammonia price related to Iran war.