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).
Red and white village
Indonesia’s village fund policy was born out of reformasi’s promise: empower villages to decide their own development priorities. For nearly a decade, Dana Desa has financed roads, irrigation, clean water systems, health posts and small-scale economic initiatives based on deliberations at the village level. It was imperfect, but it was participatory.
LPDP: Taxpayers, Talent and the Trust Deficit
The recent uproar surrounding an alumna of the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) has exposed more than a viral social media controversy. It has laid bare a deeper tension in Indonesia’s social contract: What does the state truly expect in return when it funds the global education of its brightest citizens?
LPDP Post-study oversight issues
The recent viral case involving LPDP awardees is not necessarily representative of the program as a whole. However, it reopens a long-standing question that has often gone unaddressed: beyond the selection process, how effective is the oversight of alumni after they complete their studies? Public backlash emerged not simply because of controversial online remarks, but because of alleged breaches of contractual obligations attached to state-funded scholarships.
Indonesia within the Board of Peace
In the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace (BoP) held in Washington on Thursday (19/02), President Prabowo Subianto represented Indonesia among other participating leaders. Yet, domestically, questions persist regarding what concrete deliverables Indonesia stands to gain from its participation.
The politics of proximity
When does hospitality become political capital? And when does access turn into advantage? These questions resurfaced after Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar attended the inauguration of a religious facility linked to politician Oesman Sapta Odang (OSO), traveling on transportation provided by the host. Much of the public debate has centered on the optics of the trip. But the deeper issue goes beyond one flight or one ceremony.
Another General at the Helm of a Civilian State Body
The appointment of May. Gen. (ret.) dr. Prihati Pujowaskito as president director of BPJS Kesehatan marks more than a routine leadership transition. It reinforces a pattern that has gradually taken shape under President Prabowo Subianto: the placement of retired military officers at the helm of key civilian state bodies.
DPR draws the line for judicial ethics
The House of Representatives (DPR) have publicly pressured the Constitutional Court’s Ethics Council (MKMK) not to process a complaint related to the appointment of Constitutional Court justice Adies Kadir. Their argument is simple: the MKMK has no authority to examine a political process carried out by the legislature.
Prabowo’s Visit to the U.S.
President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to meet with his counterpart in Washington on Thursday 19, local time. In addition to advancing economic cooperation with the United States–including the signing of a Reciprocal Trade Agreement–the president will also attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, an initiative launched by Donald Trump as part of broader efforts to stabilize the conflict in Gaza.
Behind the Polri SPPG
Recently, Indonesian social media has been abuzz with discussions about the implementation of President Prabowo’s free ‘nutritious’ meal (MBG) by the Indonesian National Police (Polri), which has established more than 400 operational SPPG (central kitchen) units across the country. A significant number of these units are managed by Yayasan Kemala Bhayangkari, an organization representing the wives of police officers. Given its close ties to the state apparatus, this arrangement has inevitably sparked concerns over potential conflicts of interest and accountability.