The National Police (POLRI) and the National Armed Forces (TNI) are mobilized to ensure the success of the free nutritious meal (MBG) program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. POLRI supports the program mainly by monitoring the whole process, while TNI is tasked with facilitating logistics in the implementation of this program. So, let’s dissect it one by one.

Pramono Anung and Rano Karno have officially been declared new governor and vice governor of Jakarta, the largest city in the country. As President Prabowo Subianto will remain in the city at least until 2028, Pramono will share spotlights, which might affect dynamics ahead of the 2029 presidential race.

The kick-off of the free-meal program was timed to coincide with the start of a new term at most schools nationwide. On Monday, January 6, 2025, 190 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) spread throughout 26 provinces in Indonesia were ready to prepare free meal for schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women and nursing mothers. This program targets around 3 million beneficiaries in its initial phase of the launch (January-March 2025), and is expected to reach 15 million by the end of the year.

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its annual “Person of the Year” award have recently been the talk of the town. The award itself is meant to single out the ones who, as quoted from OCCRP’s website, do the most to wreak havoc through organized crime and corruption, therefore winning it is definitely not an achievement to be proud of. What drew the attention of many Indonesian citizens, however, is the fact that our former President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is listed as one of the finalists.

The Constitutional Court has on Thursday (January 2) issued a surprise ruling, which revokes the presidential threshold for the next election. The ruling is considered a big New Year gift for pro-democracy movement in the country.

The postponed meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim has drawn a lot of attention due to the contradictory statements from two parties involved. People wondered what actually happened behind closed doors and even started to question the credibility of the President’s communication team.

We entered 2024 with further democratic backsliding through nomination of Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of then presiding president Jokowi, as running mate of Prabowo Subianto, once widely accused of human rights abuses. The pair won the February election landslide, confirming vast majority of Indonesians do not care about the issue.

Four members of Prabowo’s cabinet have just joined the National Mandate Party (PAN), reducing number of the so-called ‘professionals’. They are not expected to achieve PAN’s target to become fourth largest party after the 2029 legislative election. What a shame. These guys have just worked for two months in Prabowo’s cabinet, but already set their sights on the next election.

It is reported that Papua, one of the richest islands in the country, accounts for 9 out of 21 gubernatorial election dispute applications submitted to the Constitutional Court (MK), seven of which are from provinces resulted from the territory split. They are South Papua (3), Papua (2), Highland Papua (2), Southwest Papua (1), and Central Papua (1), leaving West Papua to be the only province with no gubernatorial election dispute. Interestingly, most of the candidates endorsed by PDIP came out as winners in their respective election. So, let’s take a closer look at it.