Writing for Tempo

Writing for Tempo

I AM a loyal reader of Tempo and have a strong interest in writing. How can I submit an article, especially one on political or legal topics, for either the weekly or daily editions? What are the criteria for an article to be published in Tempo?

Yulizar Akbar
[email protected]

Thank you. You may send your article to [email protected]. Articles should be 5,000 to 6,000 characters long, including spaces. The editorial team reviews all submissions. We prioritize articles that focus on a specific topic, highlight a particular issue, present well-structured arguments, and include credible references and comparisons. Please attach a short biography. The review period is seven days. If you receive no response, you are encouraged to try again—Ed.

Civic Education

THIS subject is a fundamental element that must be introduced to children from an early age. Childhood is a crucial period for shaping character, moral values, and ways of thinking. Civic education should be taught to young children because it instills tolerance and respect for diversity, builds character, provides an understanding of rights and responsibilities as citizens, introduces legal foundations, and fosters a sense of nationalism.

Civic education nurtures love for the nation through lessons on the heroes’ struggle, the national anthem, state symbols, and national culture. By learning about their national identity, children develop pride in being part of Indonesia. This sense of nationalism will serve as an important foundation that motivates them to help preserve culture, safeguard unity, and contribute to nation-building in the future.

Alyaa Naurah
Student, Yogyakarta State University

A Professional Observer’s Warning

IN the Market Pulse column of Tempo September 15-21, 2025, edition, Yopie Hidayat reminds us that misdiagnosis can occur not only in health care but also in economics. A medical misdiagnosis may endanger a patient, while an economic policy misdiagnosis can jeopardize the well-being of 280 million Indonesians.

Yopie emphasizes the need for thorough and multifaceted analysis. Oversimplifying problems and making hasty decisions are not the traits of a professional. Exercising caution and discipline in policy-making, while fostering empathy toward the public, is key. Political will aimed at improving welfare and ensuring public safety requires sound policymaking.

Take, for example, the government’s allocation of Rp200 trillion to state-owned banks. According to economist Didik J. Rachbini, this fund placement violated the constitution and several laws, as such budgeting mechanisms should go through deliberation of State Budget (APBN) with the House of Representatives (DPR). We need more figures like Yopie Hidayat and Didik J. Rachbini who provide critical insights into policymaking, before it is too late due to faulty diagnoses.

Hadisudjono Sastrosatomo
Menteng, Central Jakarta

Eradicating Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism

THE 1998 Reformasi Movement has yet to institutionalize the eradication of corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN). The people’s aspiration for a clean government remains unfulfilled. The state’s supposed alignment with the “little people” is mere rhetoric. Selective enforcement and the absence of firm action against KKN have allowed these disgraceful practices to spread across all levels of society.

In China, the fight against KKN is so serious that officials convicted of such crimes face the death penalty. While such measures cannot be replicated here, they have proven effective in significantly reducing corruption. We should perhaps recall Ki Hadjar Dewantara’s wisdom in shaping this nation: a leader must lead by example, always prioritizing the interests of the Indonesian people.

Suharyo Widagdo
Pamulang, South Tangerang, Banten