Backgrounder

Puan makes last dash in 2024 presidential bid

House Speaker Puan Maharani is making high-profile public appearances and increasingly playing the woman card in a bid to boost her electability, which has remained stubbornly low in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.

Govt rolls out social aid, signaling approaching fuel subsidy cut

The government has been holding back on reducing fuel subsidies, fearing the move would exacerbate already rising inflation. As it consistently informs the public of the difficulty of maintaining the current subsidy levels, the government is also rolling out social aid schemes worth Rp 24.17 trillion (US$1.62 million), presumably aimed at softening the blow from an upcoming subsidized fuel price hike.

Edition

August 26, 2022

Jokowi seeks to circumvent courts in resolving human rights violations

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has set up a team to resolve past serious human rights violations without going through courts of law, prompting some civil society organizations to accuse the government of trying to absolve the perpetrators of any guilt.

Coal royalty rate for IUP holders now higher

There is a wide gap between the coal royalty rate charged to coal mining permit (IUP) holders and to contract of work (PKP2B) holders, especially ones that have converted to special mining permit (IUPK) holders. Whereas the former was only charged a maximum royalty rate of up to 7 percent, the latter had to pay almost twice that with 13.5 percent.

Edition

August 19, 2022

Police dissolve special task force, as more secrets unfold

The probe into the murder of Brig. Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat has escalated far and wide. Most recently National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo dissolved a special police task force led by Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo, the former internal affairs chief named a suspect in the case.

Govt mulls over lifting subsidized-fuel prices to save state budget

The Indonesian government is planning to lift prices of currently-subsidized fuels to safeguard the state budget’s (APBN) sustainability. As subsidized-fuel consumption surges in recent months, its corresponding supply stock is quickly depleting, hence jeopardizing the APBN’s health. The price increase is expected to intensify domestic inflation to 7-8 percent.

Edition

August 12, 2022

Police general named murder suspect as institution seeks to regain public trust

In a shocking turn of events, the National Police declared former internal affairs chief Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo a suspect on Tuesday and announced plans to charge him with the premeditated murder of his former aide Brig. Nofryansyah Yosua Hutabarat.

After tug of war, Jakarta’s Halim airport goes to private company to manage

After a protracted legal battle and a series of negotiations, state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II has finally given in and will allow PT Angkasa Transportindo Selaras (ATS) to operate Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta. Passengers, however, will have to wait as ATS has not got a license from the Transportation Ministry and the airport is still under renovation.