Why we cannot afford to neglect the urban middle class

Why we cannot afford to neglect the urban middle class

As national policies pivot toward rural and lower-income support, the urban middle class is being left out in the cold, squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, creating a "quiet frustration" that could pose a systemic risk to economic and political stability.

<Why we cannot afford to neglect the urban middle class - Academia - The Jakarta Post>

Pressing for an open society

Pressing for an open society

In recent years, we have seen the civic space shrinking, undermining the quality of democracy. The press can help to stop and reverse the trend.

<Pressing for an open society - Editorial - The Jakarta Post>

Catastrophe brings a reckoning for Sumatra's oil palm plantations

Catastrophe brings a reckoning for Sumatra's oil palm plantations

Indonesian island considers future of farms that magnified damage from floods and landslides

<Catastrophe brings a reckoning for Sumatra's oil palm plantations - Nikkei Asia>

2025 GDP growth misses target

2025 GDP growth misses target

Economic growth improved slightly last year but failed to meet the government's target set out in the state budget.

<2025 GDP growth misses target - Economy - The Jakarta Post>

Prabowo courts Islamic leaders to support Board of Peace membership amid pushback

Prabowo courts Islamic leaders to support Board of Peace membership amid pushback

President Prabowo Subianto courts major Islamic organizations in an apparent attempt to ease opposition to Indonesia's Board of Peace participation, amid doubts over Israel’s involvement and the initiative's impact on Palestinian independence.

<Prabowo courts Islamic leaders to support Board of Peace membership amid pushback - Politics - The Jakarta Post>

Indonesia's opaque stock market risks $60bn outflow

Indonesia's opaque stock market risks $60bn outflow

Equities rout threatens bourse's attempt to boost country's IPO market

<Indonesia's opaque stock market risks $60bn outflow - Nikkei Asia>

Govt vows swift changes to heed MSCI demands for RI stocks

Govt vows swift changes to heed MSCI demands for RI stocks

Both Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) have promised to act fast and change stock market regulations pursuant to points made by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) that prompted a massive sell-off

<Govt vows swift changes to heed MSCI demands for RI stocks - Regulations - The Jakarta Post>

Indonesian minimart major Alfamart enters Bangladesh, to open 100 stores

Indonesian minimart major Alfamart enters Bangladesh, to open 100 stores

Dhaka opening marks company's second overseas foray after the Philippines

<Indonesian minimart major Alfamart enters Bangladesh, to open 100 stores - Nikkei Asia>

Death toll climbs in West Bandung as disasters grip Java

Death toll climbs in West Bandung as disasters grip Java

Flooding and landslides that were triggered by torrential rains have continued to paralyze parts of Java and disrupt traffic and public service, with the worst single disaster killing at least nine people and leaving more than 80 missing in West Java.

<Death toll climbs in West Bandung as disasters grip Java - Archipelago - The Jakarta Post>

Jakarta beef sellers strike as import cuts send prices soaring

Jakarta beef sellers strike as import cuts send prices soaring

Expert warns of trouble as state companies get most of foreign product quota

<Jakarta beef sellers strike as import cuts send prices soaring - Nikkei Asia>

Indonesia, UK to elevate ties to Strategic Partnership

Indonesia, UK to elevate ties to Strategic Partnership

Economic growth will be a central priority of the partnership, UK Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey said in a video statement from London, describing the initiative as part of broader efforts to foster "a more peaceful and stable world".

<Indonesia, UK to elevate ties to Strategic Partnership - Europe - The Jakarta Post> 

Indonesia turns to internships to quell youth unemployment

Indonesia turns to internships to quell youth unemployment

Government subsidizes work experience, but unclear if it will lead to full-time jobs

<Indonesia turns to internships to quell youth unemployment - Nikkei Asia>

Start-up scandals in 2025 force investors to raise the bar, change playbooks

Start-up scandals in 2025 force investors to raise the bar, change playbooks

From the unravelling of eFishery saga to corruption probes ensnaring venture capital executives tied to state-backed funding at TaniHub, the year stripped the gloss from Southeast Asia’s most coveted start-up market.

<Start-up scandals in 2025 force investors to raise the bar, change playbooks - Tech - The Jakarta Post>

Heavy rain, coastal erosion compound flooding threats in Java

Heavy rain, coastal erosion compound flooding threats in Java

Persistent heavy rainfall across West and Central Java has triggered flooding and landslides with coastal areas bearing the greatest impact due to ongoing erosion. The situation is expected to continue in the coming days.

<Heavy rain, coastal erosion compound flooding threats in Java - Archipelago - The Jakarta Post>

Undoing democratic reform

Undoing democratic reform

Indirect elections through local councils offer no guarantee of cleaner or cheaper politics, if they go ahead they may be composed of political party representatives who are often no less corrupt than elected officials. 

<Undoing democratic reform - Editorial - The Jakarta Post>

Asia ditches two-child policies as fears of demographic decline rise

Asia ditches two-child policies as fears of demographic decline rise

Officials in Vietnam, India and Indonesia pivot toward encouraging bigger families

<Asia ditches two-child policies as fears of demographic decline rise - Nikkei Asia>

Military and trade wars, protests: Top Southeast Asian stories of 2025

Military and trade wars, protests: Top Southeast Asian stories of 2025

Political upheaval, scam centers and a mixed economic picture also grabbed headlines

<Military and trade wars, protests: Top Southeast Asian stories of 2025 - Nikkei Asia>

Do-or-die year for Prabowo's free meals rollout

Do-or-die year for Prabowo's free meals rollout

With a budget nearing one-tenth of this year's state spending, President Prabowo Subianto 's flagship free nutritious meal program faces mounting pressure to justify its cost, amid criticism over food safety incidents, weak oversight and competing policy priorities.

<Do-or-die year for Prabowo’s free meals rollout - Society - The Jakarta Post>

China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions

China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions

Xi's invitation to Lee for a state visit from Sunday is a calculated move aimed at deepening bilateral relations especially before the South Korean leader visits Japan, analysts say.

<China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions - Asia & Pacific - The Jakarta Post>