MBG’s Dilemma
After more than a year, the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG) has now become a battleground. Students are protesting against it, SPPG partners are demanding its continuation, and BGN officials have begun pointing fingers amid an alleged corruption case. Each side has something at stake, and no matter how the program unfolds, someone will still be left paying the price.
House Renovations for People’s School Students
When people hear about People’s Schools, housing renovations are probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Public discussions have largely centered on classrooms, dormitories, teachers, and the program’s potential impact on educational access. Yet the government is now planning to renovate 10,000 houses belonging to parents of People’s School students through the Housing Stimulus Assistance Program (BSPS), a joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Settlements.
The politics of blame
In recent weeks, allegations have surfaced linking PDIP to anti-government protests, including demonstrations involving former University of Gadjah Mada student leader Tiyo Ardianto. The accusations intensified after members of BEM Bersatu claimed to have found connections between Tiyo and figures associated with PDIP and former Ganjar Pranowo supporters.
Raising the Hajj deposit
The proposal to increase initial Hajj deposit from Rp25 million to Rp35 million has reignited a familiar debate: how to sustain the country’s Hajj financing system without closing the door on millions of aspiring pilgrims. While the idea may make sense from a financial management perspective, it risks treating a symptom rather than addressing the root cause of Indonesia’s Hajj problem.
People on the move
The appointment of former Air Force chief Fadjar Prasetyo as Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) II may appear to be a routine military reshuffle. Yet the decision comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Indonesia’s armed forces, which are facing growing public scrutiny over their expanding role in civilian affairs.
The Total Politik’s Discussion Forum
The Total Politik event titled “Kopdar Bareng Mas Dar,” intended as a public discussion forum, ended in chaos after students directed mounting criticism at the speakers. Three government officials were ultimately rushed out of the venue, while the narrative that quickly gained traction afterward was that students once again preferred disruption to discussion. But this framing deserves close scrutiny. What exactly provoked such a reaction in the first place?
A new voice in student politics—or a new political instrument?
This week, the alliance made headlines after alleging that a retired three-star general, identified as Lt. Gen. (ret.) Setyo Sularso, was linked to opposition against the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. At the same time, the group expressed support for the continuation of MBG and warned against what it described as the politicization of student activism.
A convenient pause? The curious convergence of MBG narratives
The debate surrounding Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has entered a new phase. What makes it intriguing is not merely the criticism itself, but the striking convergence of narratives emerging from two seemingly different actors: Muhammadiyah and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
Why Bundaran HI, and why not
Last Friday’s student demonstration did not go according to plan due to restrictions imposed by the authorities. Officials pointed to the lack of prior notice and the choice of the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (Bundaran HI) as the venue. Yet these explanations alone may not fully account for the restrictions that followed.
Behind Closed Doors at Kertanegara
President Prabowo Subianto’s recent closed-door meeting at his private residence in Kertanegara has raised important questions about the direction of policymaking in Indonesia. The gathering brought together several influential figures in the administration, including Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Chairman of the National Economic Council Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Higher Education Minister Brian Yuliarto, Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Dony Oskaria, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.