AGRARIAN minister and chairman of the National Land Agency (BPN) Ferry Mursyidan Baldan should be more careful in launching 'green' ideas. His concept of doing away with land and building taxation (PBB) has caused an uproar. Now, the idea has gone flat, like a tire without air.

FAISAL Basri and members of Oil and Gas Reform Team cannot give up so easily if their work and recommendations face a thick wall. They should have known right from the start that they must deal with a network of syndicates and business practices entrenched in corruption and deceit, which for years caused a shortfall in the state coffers. This is why the team was established last November.

IT is becoming increasingly difficult to understand President Joko Widodo's thinking when it comes to filling strategic posts in his administration. As president, he has prerogatives. During his campaign, he always said that no deals would be made in choosing his aides. He also promised he would give precedence to professionals over party members.