Indonesian politics

News analysis

Jokowi’s son Gibran’s outreach to student protesters puts focus on his role in government

The outreach to the students has thrust Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka into the spotlight at a time when student-led protests have spread across parts of Indonesia.

Indonesia’s blanket fuel subsidies favour the rich, say economists, urging targeted aid

A man sits on his motorbike in front of a fuel station of Indonesian state firm Pertamina, as it has raised the price of its 92-octane gasoline, known as Pertamax and 95-octane gasoline, known as Pertamax Green, by around 32%, in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

Growing discontent with policymaking keeps Indonesian students on streets

Protesters accused the Indonesian government of neglecting the economic struggles of ordinary people while continuing to fund costly flagship programmes.

As Prabowo falters, Indonesia’s political heavyweights smell an opening

epa12886782 People walk as stock prices are displayed on the LCD board at the Indonesian stock exchange building in Jakarta, Indonesia, 13 April 2026. The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) managed to close the morning trading session in the green zone after weakening at the opening of trading amid tension in the Middle East following failed US-Iran talks. EPA/MAST IRHAM

Field Notes from Jakarta

Indonesia’s latest AI-generated earworm is an ode to its energy minister

An AI-generated earworm about Indonesian Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has spawned dance videos, cartoon animations and countless remixes.

Indonesia’s top court rules to bar parties that breach 30% gender quota from legislative polls

Indonesian workers unfurl the Indonesian flag during a May Day rally in front of the East Java Governor’s Office in Surabaya on May 1.

Officials tried to silence Papua film Pesta Babi. It drew millions of views on YouTube instead

Representatives of the Awyu and Moi indigenous tribes dance and perform rituals in front of the Supreme Court building during a protest in Jakarta on May 27, 2024.

Indonesia clings to fuel subsidies despite oil price surge, worrying economists

epa12888124 A worker (R) refuels a motorbike at a gas station in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 14 April 2026. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that oil supply and prices in Indonesia remain stable, despite distribution disruptions and rising global oil prices. National stocks are in a safe condition, with fuel for up to 20 days and LPG for up to 10 days, after the crisis period, and the supply is assured to be sufficient as Indonesia's fuel needs reach around 1.5 to 1.6 million barrels per day in 2024-2026. EPA/HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK

Indonesia cannot afford to lose its top talent to fear

Gojek founder Nadiem Makarim is now under house arrest, facing corruption charges stemming from the procurement of approximately 1.1 million Chromebooks during the COVID pandemic.

Indonesian tech consultant gets four years in prison in Chromebook graft case

The court also ordered him to pay a Rp 500 million (S$3,626) fine, or serve an extra 120 days’ imprisonment in default.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.