ITSEC Asia and the Urgency of a National Cybersecurity Roadmap
In the midst of Indonesia’s digital surge, companies like PT ITSEC Asia Tbk (IDX: CYBR) exemplify a growing urgency: the need for a strong, structured, and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem. ITSEC Asia is not the answer in itself—but its presence is proof that private sector players are capable of responding to strategic vulnerabilities that the government has yet to fully address.
A more active M&A market
Merger and acquisition have increased significantly in the past few weeks despite global economic uncertainties. Rentokil Initial Indonesia, for example, completed the acquisition of Pest Terminator, a leading pest control company in the country, on May 1st.
A Wake-Up Call for Reforming Indonesia’s Non-Quota Pilgrimage System
The cancellation of thousands of Indonesian pilgrims registered under the Furoda Hajj scheme in 2025 has dealt a heavy blow to many. What was supposed to be an alternative for those hoping to bypass Indonesia’s long hajj queue has turned into an administrative mess, financial disaster, and a collective emotional toll.
Lack of competitiveness of tourism industry
Kompas, the largest newspaper in the country, published a headline about downfall of occupancy rates of hotels across the nations, which forced operators to lay off workers. In the cultural city Yogyakarta, according to the paper, around 5,000 hotel staffs have been sent home, while in Jakarta, majority of hotels have laid out similar plans.
The so-so stimulus
President Prabowo Subianto has issued five economic stimulus packages to achieve growth target around 5% in the second quarter. Those five packages are mainly consisted of discounts of transportation (including airfare), toll roads, and salary subsidy meant to support household consumption of low-income group.
PKPU for Pakerin?
For the past few years, far from the media coverage, there has been a dispute over ownership of various companies in the Njoo family. The family is the owner of the troublesome PT Pabrik Kertas Indonesia or publicly known as PT Pakerin. The patron, Soegiharto Njoo, died in 2019 and left behind many problems within the family that have apparently continued to this day. Apart from too many lawsuits filed by members of the family against each other, towards the end of May 2025, two PKPU lawsuits were registered against the company, one of which was submitted by the company’s creditors, while the other was submitted voluntarily by the company itself.
Gold Rush & EV Import
As Indonesians rushed investing in gold due to weak domestic economy and uncertainty in the global economy, import of the commodity surged 253.6% to US$2.88 billion in the first four months of 2025 with the strongest import in April.
With or without Dalio…
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates (hedge fund), has reportedly aborted plan to join board of advisors of the newly established sovereign wealth fund Danantara, but CEO Rosan P Roeslani dismissed the reports.
From Football King to Streaming Giant? Vidio’s Next Challenge
Vidio has officially joined Indonesia’s unicorn club. The streaming platform, owned by Emtek Group, secured this status after receiving additional investment from PT Dian Swastatika Sentosa Tbk (DSSA), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Group. The latest round — made through its entity PT DSST Video Gemilang — brings DSSA’s total investment in Vidio to US$ 25 million since 2022.
Pressures on domestic glass manufacturers
Last year was bad enough for Mulia Industrindo (MLIA), manufacturer of float glass, safety glass, glass containers, and glass block, with net profit falling 45% to Rp311 billion. It got worse in the first quarter of 2025 with 74.5% drop in net profit to Rp27 billion.