In Indonesia’s digital democracy, truth is no longer determined solely by genuine public discourse, but increasingly by those who control the loudest—and most coordinated—voices online. Buzzer networks and automated bots are reshaping narratives, influencing public opinion, and even guiding policy decisions. Without the ability to distinguish between authentic sentiment and orchestrated manipulation, democratic processes are at risk.

The United Development Party (PPP) stands at a crossroads. After failing to meet the parliamentary threshold in the 2024 general election, the party will convene its 10th National Congress (Muktamar X) in Bali this September. A central agenda: electing a new party chairperson. The party has in the past few years led by acting chairman Muhamad Mardiono.

The Constitutional Court has partially granted a judicial review of Law No. 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System on Tuesday (27/05). Through this ruling, the Indonesian government is now obligated to provide free basic education for all students enrolled in public and private schools. The Commission X of DPR therefore pushes for a revision of the policy regarding school operational assistance (BOS) funds to support the new regulation.

The ongoing case involving Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Budi Arie Setiadi and his alleged involvement in the protection of online gambling operations has entered a new phase. Several cadres of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) have officially reported Budi Arie to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) for defamation, following his indirect accusation that PDIP was complicit in the spread of online gambling.

Amid the stagnation of Indonesia’s athletic achievements on the global stage, a new genre is booming at home: sportainment—the fusion of sports and entertainment. This new wave has transformed competitions into viral spectacles, laced with drama, celebrity showdowns, and lucrative branding deals. Yet beneath the spectacle and staged smiles, one must ask: who’s cashing in—and who’s really in control?

In an indictment read at the South Jakarta District Court, Budi Arie’s name was mentioned as one of the individuals allegedly profiting from the protection of online gambling sites by rogue elements within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo). Although Budi Arie has vehemently denied the accusations—calling them slanderous and claiming that his name was exploited without his knowledge—and even one of the defendants supported this defense, the damage has already been done.

A total of 273 students have ‘successfully’ completed their 2 weeks of character building training at the military barracks on Tuesday (20/05). West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (KDM), as the initiator of this program, therefore stated that he would proceed with his plan to send more ‘unruly students’ to military barracks despite the backlash against it, including from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

A week after announcing his resignation, Hasan Nasbi returned to his post as the head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) on May 6, 2025. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was seen attending a plenary cabinet session at the Presidential Palace the day prior. Some people therefore speculate that Prabowo Subianto has likely rejected Nasbi’s letter of resignation.