Backgrounder

Business gives big thumbs down on Prabowo’s anti-graft drive

President Prabowo Subianto may be projecting himself globally and at home as a leader who is tough on corruption, not just in words but also in actions, with several high-profile corruption cases in his first year in office. But the business community is not impressed, and has even given the thumbs down to his overall anti-graft campaign.

Questioning the government’s health commitment to the poor

Prabowo’s corporate courtship and the politics of proximity

President Prabowo Subianto convened back-to-back meetings with key business leaders at his Hambalang residence on Feb. 9 and 10. He began with representatives of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) before hosting five of the country's largest conglomerates the following day. The meetings were framed as efforts to strengthen government–business synergy and accelerate economic development. Yet they have also sparked questions about the political and economic calculus behind the outreach.

Edition

February 13, 2026

How Prabowo controls criticism in Indonesia’s democracy

On many occasions, President Prabowo Subianto has publicly stated that he welcomes criticism of his administration, emphasizing that governments require critical feedback, even when it is uncomfortable. Yet the situation on the ground suggests a paradoxical reality: criticism may be welcomed in rhetoric, but its public expression appears increasingly constrained.

How many political parties does Indonesia need? House decides

Himbara remarks signal expanding security role in economic governance

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stirred controversy after revealing that the Prabowo Subianto administration is considering a leadership reshuffle at state-owned banks. The announcement was unusual, coming from a Cabinet official whose portfolio centers on national defense. However, it reflects the increasingly visible role of the national security under the current administration.

Edition

February 6, 2026

Nepotism is back in vogue, with a vengeance

The appointment of Thomas Djiwandono, a nephew of President Prabowo Subianto, as deputy governor of Bank Indonesia, has raised the spectre of nepotism making a comeback in Indonesian politics.

Political interest, not statesmanship, behind Adies’ judicial appointment

MSCI freezes Indonesia review, raises specter of rating downgrade

MSCI has temporarily frozen Indonesia's February market status review and warned of a potential downgrade from Emerging Market to Frontier Market, citing persistent structural and governance weaknesses in the equity market. Key concerns include opaque ownership structures, limited disclosure of UBO, and significant price distortions in several heavily weighted stocks, particularly conglomerate- and SOE-linked names, which have pushed the JCI higher without corresponding improvements in fundamentals.

Edition

January 30, 2026

Joining Trump’s Board of Peace may be Prabowo’s biggest foreign policy blunder

President Prabowo Subianto sprang another foreign policy surprise, or a blunder depending on how one looks at it, by joining the Board of Peace which United States President Donald Trump launched last week as part of his Gaza peace plan.

Beef prices rise as quota cuts, import costs, alleged speculation collide

Beef retailers have gone on strike in protest over the rising price of live cattle set by feedlot operators. While the increase is partly attributed to supply losses caused by flooding in Australia, Indonesia's largest source of imported cattle, the Agriculture Ministry suspects foul play among feedlot operators, alleging that they are maintaining elevated prices to secure higher margins. This comes as the government earlier this month slashed the private sector's beef import quota from 180,000 tonnes last year to just 30,000 tonnes.