Political proximity builds towers—and parties merge
The reported merger talks between Gerindra Party and NasDem Party have been publicly denied. Yet in politics, denial often says less than timing. The sequence of events is difficult to ignore.
Feeding programs or funding events?
When Indonesia established the Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN), it carried a clear moral and policy mandate: to tackle one of the country’s most persistent structural problems—malnutrition. Yet the recent revelation that the agency has allocated Rp113 billion for event organizer (EO) services raises a fundamental question: Is the state feeding its people, or funding events?
Anwar Usman’s replacement
Following Anwar Usman’s retirement, the Presidential Palace has reportedly received the name of the new judge who will replace him, proposed by the Supreme Court. The official inauguration by President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled for this week, although the exact date has not been disclosed. What we do know is that three candidates who passed the selection process had previously been announced. Who are they? Let’s take a closer look at their profiles and track records.
Bakrie is back?
President Prabowo Subianto jokingly asked, “Why isn’t he here?” in reference to Aburizal Bakrie at a recent public event, it sounded like harmless banter. But in political economy, visibility is rarely accidental. It is curated, and often consequential.
Justice in Papua: Equal before the law, or equal in rhetoric?
Recent remarks by Papua Police Chief Mathius D. Fakhiri, assuring that the legal process in the Dogiyai case will proceed “without discrimination,” may sound reassuring on the surface. Yet in Papua, such statements are not new—and more importantly, they are rarely taken at face value.
Magdalena’s case: Public Order of Censorship?
Recently, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) blocked one of Magdalene’s Instagram posts featuring an investigative report on the acid attack against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. Komdigi argued that Magdalene is not a verified press institution and that its content was provocative. This makes one wonder: is the move truly intended to maintain public order, or is it an attempt to silence dissent?
MBG & The procurement of electric motorcycles
The lack of transparency in the government’s flagship program has once again fueled public suspicion. Out of nowhere, no less than 20,000 electric motorcycles appeared ready for distribution to support the operations of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, without any prior notice from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). While the procurement itself may be entirely legal, the way it was carried out so quietly makes it difficult not to view it as unusual.
Security at what cost?
At a time when the government urges efficiency, trims budgets and warns of fiscal pressure, a new defense procurement has quietly entered the spotlight: the planned purchase of 12 aircraft from Pilatus Aircraft. The timing could not be more politically charged.
MBG legal challenges
Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meals program (MBG) is facing legal challenges from multiple quarters, including educators and civil society groups. At the heart of their concern is the program’s financing, which they argue comes at the expense of other essential sectors, particularly education. The Constitutional Court (MK) has begun its preliminary review, and whatever ruling it delivers will carry significant implications.
Immigration under political control?
The appointment of Hendarsam Marantoko as Indonesia’s new Director General of Immigration marks more than a routine bureaucratic reshuffle. It signals a deeper shift in how strategic state institutions are staffed—and raises a fundamental question: Is immigration policy becoming an extension of political control?