Policymakers love the power of social media. Sometime, they prioritize improving their images over tackling the roots of problems.

Three government institutions have different versions regarding the suspicious transactions of Rp349 trillion at the finance ministry.

There are indications that customs officials are not taking resolute action against those smuggling luxury cars. The reform of the finance ministry bureaucracy has failed.

A summary of the week’s news on the huge transactions discovered in the finance ministry, the transfer of the Haris-Fatia case to the prosecutor's office, and the verdict received by the Kanjuruhan Tragedy defendants.

Huge assets owned by tax officials prove the failure of bureaucratic reforms in the ministry of finance. There is a need for more stringent monitoring.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on the Rafael Alun Trisambodo case and the measures being taken to restore public trust.

Sri Mulyani was included as a candidate for governor of Bank Indonesia. After getting some new whispers, Jokowi chose Perry Warjiyo again.

If Sri Mulyani really becomes a serious candidate for Bank Indonesia governor, the financial market will see a negative signal. The brakes that safeguard prudent financial policy might very well come loose.

The government will make changes to the salary and benefits system for retired civil servants. The budget burden to pay pensioner salaries has become heavier. An option is to form a new institution to manage civil servants' pension funds.

Jokowi will soon announce an increase in the price of subsidized fuel. Diesel fuel and Pertalite gasoline prices will be raised by Rp2,000 to 3,000 per liter.

The soaring prices of energy and food trigger inflation spikes across the globe. While other nations raise their interest rates, Indonesia opts to increase its subsidy budget.

The OJK’s selection of new directors for the Indonesian Stock Exchange is entering its final stage. Four candidates are competing for the support of IDX members. Some have the support of a minister.

The swearing-in of new OJK commissioners could not take place due to regulations. It is the result of the scurry to replace sitting officials.

The government asked the Supreme Court to inaugurate the members of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) Board of Commissioners despite the fact that it is not yet time. This could be against the law.

The G20 summit is often marked by geopolitical dynamics. Indonesia could bring up the Russia-Ukraine war at the group’s upcoming meeting in Bali.

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

The government is about to organize a paid booster vaccine program. This is a public commodity that should be provided free of charge.

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

There is something amiss with the tax remittances from the oil palm industry. At a time when the area of plantations is increasing, state revenues from the sector are stagnant, and are even in decline. This is an old problem long unresolved.

The explosion of new Covid-19 cases in the past month will see the increase in health care expenditure, mainly to purchase 400 million doses of vaccines and for patient treatment. The emergency has compelled Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to recalculate the budget as the health ministry increased its budget from Rp172 trillion to around Rp185 trillion. Having experienced in dealing with the 1997-1998 and 2008 financial crises, Sri Mulyani says the Covid-19 presents challenges that are starkly different from those of the previous economic calamities.