The government lobbied various groups before ratifying the new Criminal Code to anticipate protests and accelerate the deliberation process.

As long as President Joko Widodo fails to improve the accuracy of rice data, food policy will always be in disarray. Both supporters and opponents of rice imports have problems.

Each League 1 soccer club receives a commercial contribution of Rp5.5 billion. These funds come from the holder of broadcast rights that are paid to Liga Indonesia Baru.

The chances of Dudung Abdurachman becoming commander of the Indonesian Military are slim. There are lobbies in the DPR to approve of the President’s candidate.

The global economic downturn has resulted in one million workers in the textile and footwear industries under threat of being laid off. The government needs to intervene to prevent potential widespread restiveness in the labor force.

An interview with CEO of state electricity company PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, on the company’s initiatives as regards climate change mitigation, energy transition and electric cars.

The pro-Anies Baswedan coalition has not come to an agreement surrounding the presidential candidacy. There is outside lobbying to prevent Anies from running for president.

The National Police’s image continues to nose-dive following the exposed distribution of crystal meth, taken from the evidence room, by Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa Putra. The Palace has intervened.

Sugar producers claim they were not involved in the discussion of sugar self-sufficiency regulations. They question the import quota for raw sugar.

Indonesia increases its target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions yet again. This will only be of any use if it is accompanied by real action and transparency of data.

Weekly news capsules, from the threat of an economic crisis to the arrest of Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa.

Why do Joko Widodo’s supporters continue promoting his third-term presidency?

The government finally increases fuel prices. Rising inflation could be tackled by social assistance and by investigating the causes of price rises.

President Joko Widodo needs to immediately reduce fuel subsidies. Most of these subsidies do not reach their targets.

Why do many policies of President Jokowi’s government trigger debates? 

Some of former President Joko Widodo’s ministers and supporters now support for Anies Baswedan. They give advice on the 2024 presidential election.

Anies Baswedan’s chance at becoming a presidential candidate in 2024 continues to grow. Three political parties are preparing to support Anies, led by Surya Paloh and Jusuf Kalla.

Jokowi appoints political party cadres as ministers and deputy ministers in the cabinet reshuffle. These politicians have been loyal to the President.

The government relaxes mask use and Covid-19 testing regulations for travelers. The Covid-19 pandemic is shifting to endemic status.

Aksi Kamisan, a weekly rally staged in front of the Presidential Palace, has entered its 15th year. Kamisan activist, Maria Katarina Sumarsih, talks about her fight for the cause.

Indonesian Village Administration Association Chair Arifin Abdul Majid expresses his concern about a village association national gathering during which the much-debated presidential term extension was promoted. He warns against the dangers of village officials getting involved in politics.

Marcus Mietzner, an associate professor in Indonesian Studies at the Australian National University, sees the proposed delayed elections and presidential term extension as democratic setbacks. He attributes President’s lack of firmness to the unabated rumors.

There is still a chance to postpone the general elections and extend the President’s tenure by amending the constitution. Several Senayan politicians are secretly in support of the plan.

The families of Luhut Pandjaitan and Boy Thohir are behind the plan to build the Kayan hydropower plant in North Kalimantan to supply electricity for the green industrial park. There are high-level conflicts of interest.

The movement against postponing the elections and extending the president’s term of office is growing. Megawati openly opposes the idea.

The increasing global oil prices add pressure to Pertamina’s finances. The state budget is allocated to curb the fuel price hike.

Ministers and senior officials from the government coalition are calling for the 2024 elections to be delayed. Like those of Sukarno and Suharto, Jokowi’s presidency could end in tragedy.

Pro-government parties held a meeting to discuss the plan to extend the President’s tenure. Some parties had a change of heart.

Two of Jokowi’s ministers, Luhut Pandjaitan and Bahlil Lahadalia, are maneuvering to prolong the President’s tenure and delay the 2024 elections. Political party general chairpersons are allegedly pressured to support the plan.

The TNI makes changes to its organizational structure in order to provide official positions to its unassigned officers. Some see it as ineffective and possibly against the law.

The construction of the Bener dam is in breach of a number of regulations, and might even be a violation of the Constitution. It is not right to use repressive measures against people opposing a development project.

President Joko Widodo is considering candidates for the Capital City Authority chief. He reportedly offers the position to West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. The PDI-P has its own candidates.

The government and the DPR are to move the national capital city through a decision reached with minimal public participation. It is a threat to the environment and to the state budget.

The merger of all research institutes into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has a political motive. It is not in compliance with the law.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobieva, sees Indonesia as an unofficial leader of ASEAN and an influential Islamic country. She talks about Russia’s offer for nuclear technology, strengthening trade, ASEAN, and the tension with NATO over Ukraine.

The government is ready to launch a draft regulation regarding maritime security. There is friction among government institutions to take care of the matter of Rp5.5 trillion a year in illegal retribution fees at sea.

Politicians and officials allegedly intervene in the NU congress scheduled for December. The organization has always been close to the center of power.

President Jokowi proposed General Andika Perkasa as the new TNI commander despite the fact he will only serve 13 months. There is a strong aroma of politics.

The government approves the use of state budget funds to cover the cost of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project. This policy carries with it risks of abuse.

There is no pressing reason to establish a TNI Reserve Component. It has the potential to endanger civil democracy.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) is approaching President Joko Widodo’s supporters. The Palace reportedly asked Zulkifli Hasan several times to give them the names of candidates for ministerial posts.

Constitutional amendments could open the door to changing the article limiting the number of presidential terms. These are dirty games by the political cartel.

Civil liberties are felt increasingly threatened. Murals in the form of criticism are expressions and aspirations conveyed through art.

More people continue to be victimized by the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. Three government institutions issued a joint decree as a temporary solution.

A number of politicians in Senayan are campaigning for an extension to the presidential term limit to three terms. This is a betrayal of the 1998 reformasi spirit.

President Jokowi validated hedonistic sensibility on social media when he attended the wedding of social media celebrity Atta Halilintar. It showed scant regard for social empathy.

The week’s news summary

The government is insisting that the flooding in South Kalimantan was caused by extreme natural events. This ignores the massive change of function of upstream forests.