Beyond the Broomstick: Prabowo’s Cooperative Vision Needs Clean Governance
President Prabowo Subianto’s speech at this year’s National Cooperatives Day was built around a compelling image. A single broomstick is weak, he said, but many broomsticks bound together become strong. Cooperatives, in his words, are “the tool of the poor,” designed to give ordinary Indonesians collective economic power.
Silencing the messenger weakens the state
The controversy over the leaked official travel document of Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has entered a more troubling phase. Public attention is no longer focused solely on the minister’s planned trip to the United States or the government’s explanation that his family’s expenses would be privately funded. Instead, discussion has shifted to reports circulating on social media that several senior civil servants within the ministry have been reassigned following the leak.
Speculations on the new Jampidsus
Speculations intensified in the business community and political elites about who will replace Febrie Adriansyah as assistant attorney general for special crime (Jampidsus). Some names have been tipped.
Top prosecutor Febrie steps down
Assistant Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah has finally stepped down late Friday (Jul 10) hours after dismissing allegation of corruption amid a police graft probe found US$26 million in cash and 74 Kg of gold bars in his private residence in Sentul, Bogor regency, West Java.
Hidden Safes, Armed Guards and Public Trust (2)
Dozens of Military (TNI) personnel appeared guarding the private residence of Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah. Soon afterwards, a confidential internal circular from the Attorney General’s Office instructing prosecutors nationwide to heighten vigilance leaked into public view.
Public trust demands more than legal compliance
The government’s explanation regarding Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo’s official trip to the United States may have answered the legal questions, but it has not resolved the ethical ones.
West Java, renamed as Tatar Sunda?
For the longest time, Indonesians have known the three largest provinces on the island of Java as West Java, Central Java, and East Java. Their names are straightforward, reflecting their geographical positions on the map. Recently, however, a proposal to rename West Java as “Tatar Sunda” has resurfaced, reigniting a debate about history, identity, and what a province’s name is meant to represent.
The Politics of Defining National Threats
Through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 111/2025 on the General Defense Policy 2025–2029, President Prabowo Subianto’s administration classifies the “spread of LGBTQ culture” as a non-military threat alongside terrorism, separatism, radicalism, cyberattacks, narcotics trafficking, illegal online gambling, illegal loans, economic crises, and natural disasters.
Trust before expansion
The announcement by National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo that the National Police (Polri) aims to build 1,500 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) by the end of 2026 was intended as a message of commitment. According to the plan, the kitchens will support the government’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, serve millions of beneficiaries and create tens of thousands of jobs.
The ever-expanding militarization
The involvement of the military in flagship government programs has once again sparked controversy. After KDMP/KNMP prospective managers, People’s School students are also now being trained by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which has deployed its academy cadets for a five-day mentoring program. Recently, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah “Gus Ipul” Yusuf clarified that the cadets’ role is limited to teaching discipline, not instilling military culture.