The financial independence of the Indonesian Military (TNI) has come under scrutiny following a leaked draft of a government regulation on TNI duties, which appears to open the door for funding from sources outside the state budget. The controversy, however, points to a deeper structural issue: Defense spending in Indonesia has long been deprioritized relative to other national priorities such as infrastructure development, energy subsidies, social assistance and food security.

Domestic workers work long hours and do all kind of chores for low wages and have little or no legal recourse in case of harassment or abuse, as they are completely at the mercy of their employers, or “masters” in this system of modern slavery that persists in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s economy is approaching a dangerous crossroads. While Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa projects robust 5.5 percent growth, he has also warned that the country is in “survival mode” amid escalating global tensions. Beneath the headline optimism, rising energy prices, weakening purchasing power and mounting fiscal and monetary pressures are exposing deeper structural cracks, raising a critical question: Can Indonesia withstand the shock, or is its resilience beginning to wear thin?

President Prabowo Subianto has reshuffled his cabinet for the fifth time just 18 months into his term. While the frequent adjustments may ostensibly reflect an effort to bolster effective governance, they also signal a state of perpetual political recalibration and unsteady organizational cohesion.

Danantara Indonesia has announced plans to consolidate 15 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and their logistics arms into a single “super” logistics entity in an effort to address longstanding structural issues in Indonesia’s state-owned logistics sector. The consolidation spans multiple segments, from railway distribution to fertilizer distribution, and combines both profitable and loss-making firms under the ambition of building a more integrated and efficient national logistics backbone.

Jusuf Kalla has been among the top trending news in recent weeks, reflecting the enduring relevance of one of Indonesia’s most seasoned statesmen. Kalla, who served as vice president a decade apart in 2004-2009 and 2014-2019, is still highly revered but now aged 83, it is unlikely that he will seek elected office again in 2029.

President Prabowo Subianto ’s administration has begun feeling the pressure of the global energy crisis, with state-owned energy company Pertamina raising prices for several unsubsidized fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products. The move appears necessary to protect fiscal stability and Pertamina’s operations amid supply disruptions caused by the United States-Israeli war on Iran.