Backgrounder

Govt rolls out vaccination plan despite various efficacy rate reports

The government rolled out its vaccination program as soon as the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac vaccine after interim results of its late-stage trials in the country showed an efficacy rate of 65.3 percent. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received the first shot on Wednesday morning and around 1.3 million health workers are expected to follow suit within the next few months.

MRT Jakarta to acquire KCI, pushes integrated transport services

Jakarta administration-owned MRT developer and operator PT MRT Jakarta plans to acquire commuter railway company PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (PT KCI) in the hope of fully integrating transportation services in Greater Jakarta. Viewed by some as an unnecessary move that would reduce the flexibility of the expansion of national commuter lines, the planned acquisition is opposed by the Indonesian Railway Workers Union (SPKA) on the same grounds.

Edition

January 8, 2021

Government pulls out all stops to destroy defiant radical group

The government is doing everything it can to destroy the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) but the group, notorious for attacking religious minorities, is not taking it laying down. For now, the FPI is staying low key, playing it unusually defensive in its long-running battle with the government. Instead, it is the government that has been taking the initiative.

Govt imposes targeted COVID-19 restrictions

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo aims for a swift economic recovery in 2021 as presented in the state budget macroeconomic assumption of a 5.5 percent gross domestic production (GDP) growth target. Nevertheless, uncontrolled coronavirus infections might prevent President Jokowi from achieving his economic target. On January 6, the government finally decided to impose targeted restrictions from January 11 to 25.

Edition

December 25, 2020

Cabinet reshuffle: Jokowi ends year with a bang

Barely a year after he inaugurated his second-term Cabinet members, President Jokowi announced on Tuesday a Cabinet shake-up. The recent arrests of two of his ministers and the general inaction of some of his aides amid the COVID-19 pandemic had pressured Jokowi to reshuffle his Cabinet. Regardless, questions remain as to whether the new lineup can revive the plummeting public satisfaction with the Cabinet’s performance.

Tokopedia weighs $10 B SPAC deal to speed up US listing

Homegrown e-commerce giant Tokopedia may go public earlier than planned with blank-cheque company Bridgetown approaching them for a merger offer reportedly valued at US$8 billion – 10 billion. Tokopedia has been eyeing a dual listing, mentioning a United States market for its potential international listing, but has yet to decide which market and method to pursue. The company recently appointed Morgan Stanley and Citi to advise them on a successful stock market debut.

Edition

December 18, 2020

Police get tough on militant Islamic group, but deaths raise questions

For years, the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has been intimidating and harassing various minority groups, using the power of the mob, with the law barely touching its leaders. Police have mostly turned a blind eye to the FPI’s actions, but now police are finally getting tough on the FPI

RI on fast track to launch sovereign wealth fund

Indonesia is on a fast track to launch its sovereign wealth fund (SWF) slated to operate in February 2021. The country issued on Tuesday three pieces of legislation as the legal basis for the fund. On the finance side, the fund recently received commitments from Japan and the United States for total investment of US$6 billion.