Asset seizure bill returns: reform or political choreography?
For years, Asset Seizure Bill (RUU Perampasan Aset) sat in legislative limbo, repeatedly promised yet quietly stalled. Anti-corruption activists pushed for it, law enforcement agencies endorsed it and successive presidents expressed rhetorical support. Yet political parties in the House of Representatives (DPR) never allowed it to move forward decisively. Now, suddenly, the bill has returned to the legislative agenda. The question is not only why—but why now.
Halal sovereignty or trade concession?
As public concern grows over the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States, senior officials have moved quickly to reassure public that the country’s halal certification regime remains untouched. Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, who led Indonesia’s negotiating team, stressed that the agreement focuses on trade and investment facilitation and does not undermine domestic regulations. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya similarly framed the ART as a strategic economic step that preserves Indonesia’s national interests while strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Expanding MBG before fixing its flaws
Government’s flagship Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program was introduced with a clear, politically compelling promise: to improve the nutrition of schoolchildren and strengthen the country’s future human capital. Yet even before its implementation for students has stabilized, the government is already preparing to expand the program to cover elderly citizens and people with disabilities. This expansion raises a fundamental question: Why broaden a program that has yet to resolve its own structural controversies?
BRI’s less convincing numbers
Shares of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BBRI), the second largest financial group in terms of total assets, opened lower by 1% this morning as investors responded negatively the company’s full year financial report.
Quiet (mass) layoffs (4)
Maybank Indonesia Group, which consists of Bank Maybank (BNII), Maybank Finance (BIIF), and WOM Finance (WOMF), reduced its workforce significantly last year. Panin Group, which controls Bank Panin (PNBN), Clipan Finance (CFIN), Panin Sekuritas, and Panin Sharia (PNBS), also took similar steps without significant noise in the media.
Canva’s motion bet could redraw creative labor market
Canva’s latest acquisitions—Cavalry, a professional motion graphics software, and MangoAI, an artificial intelligence marketing optimization startup—may appear as routine product expansion. In Indonesia, however, they signal something far more consequential: a structural shift in the country’s creative labor market.
The Procurement of official Cars: Necessity or Luxury?
The plan to procure an official car worth Rp 8.5 billion for the Governor of East Kalimantan, Rudy Mas’ud, has triggered strong public backlash. It raises a question about the invocation of “the dignity of the province” as justification: can such dignity be measured by the price tag and prestige of the vehicle assigned to its high-ranking officials? Or does this reflect yet another instance of self-indulgence, dressed up as an effort to enhance performance?
Sudden rise of Ekalya
Logistic company PT Pelayaran Nasional Ekalya Purnamasari Tbk (ELPI) advanced further by 4% to Rp2,600 on Tuesday (Feb 24) to make a market capitalization of Rp19.3 trillion, more than three times of Samudera Indonesia (SMDR).
Further consolidation in consumer financing industry
Adira Dinamika Multi Finance (ADMF) acquired smaller player PT Arthaasia Finance for Rp1 trillion last year following acquisition of Mandala Finance in 2024. The acquisitions led to dismissal of thousands of workers.
Modern retail vs Prabowo’s Co-ops
Minister of trade affairs Budi Santoso said on Tuesday (Feb 24) that he would seek explanation from minister of village affairs Yandri Susanto regarding the later’s controversial statement about the importance to stop expansion of modern retailers like Alfamart and Indomaret, giving way to the growth of President Prabowo’s Red-and-White Village Cooperatives (KDMP).