Indeed, for the last several years Russia became an indispensable actor in the Asia-Pacific. Our ASEAN friends understand and appreciate a constructive stabilizing role of Russia with no hidden agenda in the region. Our philosophies of international relations, based on the principle of sovereign equality of nations, are similar. We have never lectured our ASEAN partners or tried to impose on them our values while respecting each other’s culture, history, traditions and aspirations.

Both social media usage and disinformation tactics show rising trends. The 2022 Young Voters survey report from the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) expounded that social media progressively becomes the most-preferred medium for political expression and the primary source of information for the youth, who will also be the majority in next year’s election (54 percent).

The government is facing a catch-22 situation in managing its haj finances.

Kaesang Pangarep, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s youngest son, is planning to embark on a political career, following in the footsteps of his father, older brother Gibran Rakabuming Raka and brother-in-law Bobby Nasution.

Amid the fog of war engulfing Myanmar, two facts have become increasingly clear: the military has failed to take over the country amid widespread popular resistance; and the global community has failed to provide the help that the Myanmar people so badly need in their struggle for democracy.

Paludan's antics have drawn condemnation not only from the governments of Muslim countries, but also from the secular West. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was quick to condemn the incident as “deeply disrespectful”, while a spokesman of the United States State Department called it “repugnant”, “disgusting” and “vile”. 

Happier employees tend to be more productive.

The West Jakarta District Court decided recently to acquit the defendant in the case of Indosurya Savings and Loans Cooperative (KSP Indosurya) of all charges.

This does not sound like a nation that respects freedom and diversity, both guaranteed by the constitution, the state ideology Pancasila, and the state motto "Unity in diversity".

Since Indonesian independence, Australian and Indonesian governments have recognized the strategic and economic importance of their relationship. The relationship has the potential to improve the wealth and security of the entire Indo-Pacific region. 

Indonesia, which was once considered the “big jumper” in corruption prevention in Southeast Asia, representing the “best practices” in combating graft, is currently experiencing significant regression

As the country's visibility rises on the international stage, it needs to take a more serious stance on upholding human rights, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

And for those who expect that the regional grouping can have relevance to ordinary people's lives, they certainly hope Indonesia can repeat the success from the Group of 20.

When President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo demanded that the House of Representatives complete deliberations on the domestic worker protection bill earlier this month, there were few takers

Gus Yahya advised Fatayat and Muslimat, two women’s organizations under NU, that “NU doesn't need to go along with various gender ideologies developed from other cultural domains. I remind Fatayat and Muslimat, don't get involved in feminism."

The two erstwhile rivals have done a 180, forming a one-on-one alliance to serve each other's purpose heading into 2024.

Economic and political changes in Indonesia have an influence on the rise of tourism in Yogyakarta.

A long-term view that includes training and other empowerment facilities is necessary in deliberating the bill on protection for domestic workers, which can only benefit Indonesia and our workers both at home and abroad.

Amid the current global geopolitical uncertainty, there are at least three major challenges Indonesia will face during its chairmanship of the largest regional forum of the Southeast Asian countries.

The Golkar Party is looking to receive a boost of power ahead of the 2024 elections with the arrival of West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil as a new member.

China is dependent upon Saudi Arabia for its energy needs and Beijing is making all efforts to have a long-term relationship with Riyadh to address this need.

The shocking replacement of president Phuc by the much younger female politician Vo Thi Anh Xuan as interim president indicates an attempt to accumulate power among Vietnamese Communist Party elite.  

For sure Jakarta needs traffic restriction policies like ERP, due to the growth of motorized vehicles that far outpaces that of roads in the megalopolitan city

Like the House of Representatives, which plays a checks-and-balances role so that the government cannot act as it pleases, music criticism is a reminder that music should not be created without thought.

Instead of building the innovation ecosystem, which takes 15 over year or more, we tend to short cut by entering rent-seeking business. 

Village heads could become “little kings” that would no longer be able to differentiate between public and personal interests in exercising state power.

We need not only human rights defenders and activists but also mainstream figures to change the equation in the fight against death penalty.