Indonesia’s position in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) has dropped significantly, according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2025, released in June by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The annual ranking evaluates 69 economies using global, regional, and national statistics, as well as surveys of corporate executives. The report highlights Indonesia’s sharp decline across key competitiveness indicators, amid ongoing economic headwinds.

PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) subsidiary PT Bank BCA Syariah (BCA Syariah) has disbursed a sharia investment financing facility worth Rp318.298 billion with a musyarakah mutanaqisah (MMQ) contract to PT Toya Perdana Lhokseumawe (Aceh Water). The MMQ facility will be used for the construction of a drinking water supply system (DWSS) in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh Province, one of the pioneering potable tap water projects in Indonesia.

“Don’t read too much into it,” said President Prabowo Subianto on his decision to turn down the invitation to meet with the leaders of wealthy Western countries in the Group of Seven (G7) in Canada this month, going instead to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The free nutritious meal program, intended to meet the nutritional needs of millions of students, faces significant implementation issues. Despite being a government priority, its large scale lacks organizational discipline and clear institutional alignment, leading to uncoordinated execution, especially concerning its alignment with the academic calendar and school vacations.

Concerns over the expanding role of security forces in Indonesia’s civilian institutions have intensified following the establishment of a special task force on state revenue, initiated by National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo. The task force was created to combat illegal activities across several high-risk sectors, particularly those involving natural resources—such as illegal fishing, mining, and logging. It is part of a broader government effort to strengthen enforcement and reduce losses in non-tax state revenue (PNBP).

DBS Bank subsidiary Bank DBS Indonesia and United Overseas Bank subsidiary Bank UOB Indonesia disbursed a loan facility of Rp6.7 trillion to fund the construction of a new data center campus in Indonesia that is being developed by data center operator DayOne and Indonesian sovereign wealth fund Indonesia Investment Authority (INA).

Culture Minister Fadli Zon's recent denial of mass rapes during the May 1998 riots has rightly sparked outrage, highlighting the need for accountability from state officials. The Culture Ministry is currently preparing an "official" Indonesian history book, aiming to rewrite the nation's past in a more "positive" light for Indonesia’s 80th independence anniversary.