Muhammad Ali - monitoringindonesia.com

Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program and the Leadership Test for Prabowo

When Prabowo Subianto won Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election, one campaign promise stood out more than any other: free nutritious meals program for schoolchildren. It sounded simple, almost disarmingly populist. Yet behind the promise, lies one of the most complex and ambitious social policy experiments in modern Indonesia. Launched in January 2025, the Free Nutritious Meals […]

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Analysis: Indonesia in The Board of Peace and the Palestinian Conflict After the Attack on UNIFIL Troops in Lebanon

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Three soldiers of the Garuda Contingent were killed in Lebanon within 24 hours. This incident is not merely a national tragedy—it exposes the deepest contradiction in Indonesia’s diplomacy: Indonesia is in The Board of Peace, sponsored by a country accused of killing its own soldiers. Saturday night, March 29, 2026. At a guard post near

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Iran Military Capabilities After the 2025–2026 Strikes: A Strategic Assessment by Indonesian Military Expert

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Iran has absorbed several waves of large-scale strikes and still retains asymmetric retaliation capacity; Iran military capabilities is degraded but not collapsed. Every conventional strike that fails to end the regime, reinforces Iran’s nuclear justification – making this the most important variable to consider. Two waves of large-scale airstrikes launched by the United States and

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Tourism Investment in Indonesia: Indonesia’s $13 Billion Invitation to Global Investors

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Indonesia is rolling out the red carpet for foreign capital with a mix of tax holidays, simplified licensing, and a digital-first strategy. Tourism investment in Indonesia is one of the most compelling tourism stories for 2026 and beyond. Indonesia is no longer just counting tourists; it’s counting on quality. As the nation eyes an ambitious

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Golkar and The Oligarchy In Indonesia

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The Golkar Party stands as one of the most effective instruments for oligarchy in Indonesia to secure their interests. The 1998 Reformation brought great hope for a more democratic Indonesia. However, 27 years later, we are witnessing a concerning phenomenon: our democracy is increasingly dominated by a handful of oligarchs—ultra-wealthy individuals who use their riches

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The Global Echo of Palestine: How Boycotts are Redefining Consumption in Indonesia

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This boycott stands as one of the most massive global acts of mass political resistance in the 21st century in support of Palestine. At one point, the people of Banda Aceh measured progress by the presence of KFC in their city. It was a benchmark of sorts; after all, in almost every major city across

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Political Lineage, Elite Reproduction, and the Power Transition in Indonesia

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The period from 2026 leading up to the next two presidential elections in 2029 and 2034 represents a crucial juncture for Indonesia’s political future. A number of veteran Indonesian political elites who have occupied the inner circle of power—many since the 1998 Reformasi—are entering their twilight years. How will the power transition unfold in their

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The Nickel Nexus: Chinese Conglomerates and the Local Tycoons in Indonesia

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The ambitious $35 billion (approx. Rp500 trillion) investment by Chinese battery titan CATL in Indonesia’s nickel downstreaming sector has transitioned from blueprint to breakthrough. As of 2026, the project—driven by Robin Zeng’s global dominance and Indonesia’s strategic positioning—stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s “Green Energy” roadmap. The Strategic Foothold: From Karawang to Halmahera Under

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Between Development and Democracy: Comparing Prabowo and Lee Kuan Yew’s Development Model

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President Prabowo appears to be inspired by Lee Kuan Yew’s model of economic pragmatism. This is evident in the policies adopted through bureaucratic efficiency, strict oversight of corruption, and state-led economic development. Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew’s administration is often cited as an example of the East Asian model of economic development. Massive economic development

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Declining Marriage Rates and Surging Divorces as a New Phenomenon in Indonesia

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A headline from Kompas.id caught my eye. The report unveiled a startling reality: marriage rates in Indonesia have plummeted by nearly 30% over the last few years, while divorce rates have simultaneously climbed by 9%. While marriage is often viewed through a private lens—as an individual choice or a romantic milestone—it is, in fact, a

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