From free meals to landfills: How many poblems should the military solve?
Recent reports suggest that the Indonesian Military (TNI), particularly the Army, will be involved not only in waste cleanup operations but also in the revitalization of landfills and the construction of modern waste-management facilities in several regions. The initiative follows a pattern that has become increasingly visible under the current administration.
The new chapter of MBG?
The leadership transition at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has ushered in new policies for the MBG program. Among the most notable is the plan to cap the number of SPPGs per sub-district. At the same time, BGN is exploring the possibility of utilizing school canteens, particularly in 3T regions. These policies may seem unrelated, but both are rooted in the same challenge: how to adapt MBG implementation to the vastly different conditions across Indonesia.
The curious timing of new debate on civilians in the Police
When National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo recently stated that civilians could occupy certain positions within the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the announcement was presented as a discussion about institutional openness and modernization. Yet the more interesting question is not whether civilians can work in Polri. They already do.
Beyond the acid attack
As Indonesia awaits the verdict in the case of Andrie Yunus, much of the public debate has focused on a single number: the 2.5-year prison sentence sought by military prosecutors for four soldiers accused of carrying out the acid attack against the KontraS activist, Andrie Yunus.
Latest survey of Poltracking
A new Poltracking survey shows that 72.2 percent of Indonesians are satisfied with the government’s performance, while public trust stands even higher at 74.2 percent. On paper, those numbers suggest a comfortable political position. Yet a closer reading of the same survey reveals a less reassuring reality.
Said Iqbal to enter the Palace?
Rumors that labor leader Said Iqbal may soon be appointed as a Presidential Special Staff member on labor affairs have sparked intense discussion across Indonesia’s labor movement. While the Presidential Palace has yet to confirm the appointment, the speculation has already raised a broader question: what happens when labor leaders move from representing workers on the streets to influencing policy from inside the State Palace?
People’s Schools: Under the radar
Talking about fiscal management, in recent weeks, public debate has been fixated on the MBG and the controversies surrounding it. Amid this intense scrutiny, the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) program has continued to expand under the radar, despite being another flagship initiative of the Prabowo Subianto administration backed by a substantial budget. It is worth asking: How far has the program progressed, and what issues deserve closer attention in the years ahead?
Double blow: Corruption in the free meal program
A lot of people, including foreign investors, have long questioned effectiveness of Prabowo administration’s costly free meal program. Indonesians have also long suspected corruption in the program, but had only been confirmed at grandeur scale with the arrest of Dadan Hindayana, who has just been sacked as chief of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and two of his deputies on Wednesday (Jun 3).
Leadership Change at BGN: What’s Up?
President Prabowo Subianto has officially removed Dadan Hindayana from his position as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and appointed Nanik Sudaryati Deyang as his replacement. The sudden leadership change was announced by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi during a press conference on Tuesday evening (02/06), quickly sparking public attention and speculation. What exactly is happening inside BGN?
Lost in translation
President Prabowo Subianto’s recent call for French to be taught across Indonesian schools has generated curiosity, excitement and skepticism in equal measure. Presented during a state visit to France and in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, the proposal was framed as part of a broader effort to strengthen educational, scientific and economic ties between the two countries.