One year after President Prabowo Subianto took office, Indonesia finds itself walking a fine line between firmness and fear. What began as a promise of “strong leadership” has gradually evolved into a system of managed obedience — where dissent is criminalized, markets are monopolized, and the law has become a political tool rather than a moral compass.

Deputy TNI chief General Tandyo Budi Revita has increasingly shown us that he is the de facto military commander because of his more visibility than commander General Agus Subiyanto, known for close ties to the previous president Jokowi.

National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, considered the strongest representative of previous president Jokowi, has been trying to do whatever it takes to survive under the new administration. 

It is no secret that Prabowo Subianto attaches great importance to national defense. Ever since his appointment as the Defense Minister in 2019, Indonesia has continued to purchase various types of defense equipment from other countries, with the latest one being the Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet. Just like any other initiative that requires huge spending of the state budget, this recent purchase has also sparked a discourse among the public.

While the Indonesian House of Representatives is in recess, recent news about the increasing allowance provided to lawmakers during this time have triggered yet another public outrage. It appears to them that the government hasn’t learned anything from the week-long nationwide mass protests in August. Disappointing, but not at all surprising. The government as we know it has been facing transparency issues for a while now.

The government’s constant refrain of efficiency has become a defining slogan in bureaucratic reform. Over the past decade, ministries and local governments have been urged to slim down, digitalize processes, and reduce overlapping functions — all in the name of a leaner, more productive state apparatus. Yet, the newly proposed State Civil Apparatus Bill (RUU ASN) may turn this narrative on its head.

When Trans7 aired a segment that allegedly mocked Pesantren Lirboyo and its revered cleric, KH Anwar Manshur, it did more than offend one of Indonesia’s oldest Islamic boarding schools—it reignited a national debate about how the media perceives religion, authority, and the rural soul of the nation.

After its losing streak in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Indonesia has to postpone its dream of participating in the prestigious football World Cup for another four years. Fans, who are devastated by their beloved national team’s underperformance in recent games, now blame both Patrick Kluivert, the manager, and Erick Thohir, the chairman of PSSI that made the controversial decision to hire Kluivert earlier this year.

The Indonesian government officially launched Garuda Schools, another of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs in the education sector, in 12 locations across the country on Wednesday (08/10). Four additional Garuda Schools are currently under construction and set to accept new high-achieving students starting next year. Similar to People’s Schools, this initiative also sparked discourse among the public.

When the government decided to block Israel’s gymnastics team from entering Jakarta for the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, it did more than just reaffirm its pro-Palestinian stance. It also reopened an old wound — the same one that cost the country its hosting rights for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.