THE emergence of app-based taxis has aroused the ire of conventional taxi companies. On March 22, hundreds of taxi drivers under the Association of Land Transport Drivers (Organda) held a demonstration in Jakarta. The rally triggered huge traffic jams and turned violent in several locations.

RELIGIOUS issues typically color the public's discussion of politics prior to an election. When Basuki Tjahaja 'Ahok' Purnama ran as Joko Widodo's running mate for the Jakarta governorship in 2013, for example, his Christian identity in Muslim-majority Jakarta was invoked in attempts to discredit his candidacy. The strategy is common nationwide.

BASUKI Tjahaja Purnama, popularly called Ahok, decided to run as an independent candidate in next year's Jakarta gubernatorial election, and his decision has been met with excitement. Two weeks ago, after he named financial and regional asset management chief Heru Budi Hartono as his running mate, the support he received through Teman Ahokhis primary volunteer organizationgrew even greater.

THREE weeks ago, floodwaters reached 20 centimeters on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. Although it had stopped raining, the water was not receding. The cause was finally discovered after water systems officers investigated sewers in front of the energy and mineral resources ministry building. The sewer was clogged with cable wrappingsup to 22 medium truck loads of the stuff.

ON February 21, the government announced a new policy on the use of plastic bags in retail stores: Customers shopping in supermarkets will now be charged Rp200 for every plastic bag they use to carry goods home.

THE recent uproar over the morality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons was triggered by Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir's comment that people with such sexual orientations were dangerous influences on college campuses and should thus be barred. He later softened his stance.