Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
Indonesia inequality report 2024: Private jets for the rich, bicycles for the poor
A recent CELIOS study titled “Indonesia Inequality Report 2024: Private Jets for the Rich, Bicycles for the Poor” finds that inequality in Indonesia has reached a point where the wealth of the country’s 50 richest people is equivalent to that of 50 million Indonesians. Within the next six years, Indonesia will have its first quadrillionaire in history. At the same time, it will take 133 years to eradicate poverty in Indonesia. In addition to the findings a
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Legislative Accommodation and Prabowo’s Asta Cita
Opinion article by Muhammad Saleh, published in Tempo.
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Challenges in economic recovery under the Prabowo-Gibran administration: 10 fiscal pitfalls from Jokowi's legacy
Yogyakarta, August 2024 – CELIOS released the report “10 Fiscal Gaps from the Joko Widodo Administration,” which identifies ten major fiscal challenges Indonesia faced during President Joko Widodo’s two terms. The report highlights stagnant economic growth at 5.1%, a widening budget deficit from IDR 226.69 trillion to IDR 616.19 trillion, and a debt-to-GDP ratio rising from 24.7% to 39.13%. Media Wahyudi Askar, CELIOS’ Director of Public Policy, stressed, “Fiscal polic
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The urgency of revising Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022, Article 3, Paragraph 4b: ensuring the safety of the people and environment of Indonesia
Indonesia’s ambitious steps under Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022 remain insufficient to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. A critical loophole lies in Article 3, Paragraph 4b, which still allows the construction of new coal-fired power plants for industrial use, even though industrial/captive coal capacity already accounts for nearly 30% of all operating coal-fired power plants. Revising this regulation is urgent to protect the environment and public safety. Without decisive action, this policy loophole risks undermining
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Towards KRAS’s general meeting of shareholders: convertible bonds for green steel
The PT Krakatau Steel Tbk (KRAS) shareholders’ meeting scheduled for September 5, 2024, has attracted considerable attention. KRAS needs a recovery in financial performance and a leap in innovation, including through the development of green steel, or low-carbon steel. Previously, this state-owned steel issuer recorded a loss of Rp476.57 billion in the first quarter of 2024, a 59.50% year-on-year (yoy) increase in losses. KRAS’s deteriorating financial performance has had a significant impact on the trend in its share price
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Side effects of formalizing gig workers in Indonesia
Indonesia’s gig economy exhibits unique characteristics compared to developed countries, where the shift from informal work toward semi-formal or formal employment is still at an early stage. Although digitalization has introduced elements of formality, such as recording workers’ activities in systems or apps, challenges remain around social protection and job security for gig workers. The flexibility offered by this sector creates new opportunities, but also poses
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China-Indonesia provincial index 2024: understanding Chinese influence in Indonesian provinces
Jakarta, August 22, 2024—CELIOS’ China-Indonesia Desk has launched Indonesia’s first “China-Indonesia Provincial Index,” examining China’s influence across 38 provinces in eight crucial sectors. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of CELIOS’ China-Indonesia Desk, emphasized, “The perfect score achieved by Central Java highlights that close economic ties are also facilitated by Chinese investment, reflecting the important role of local governments in maintaining these dynamic relationships.” In the...
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Amicus curiae: Challenging the loopholes in university tuition fee increases and surcharges
In support of the legal challenge against Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 2 of 2024 concerning the Standard Unit Cost for Higher Education Operational Expenses—which has burdened students through increases in Single Tuition Fees (UKT) and the imposition of various additional fees considered unreasonable—CELIOS has submitted an amicus curiae to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. This amicus curiae was prepared to provide an additional perspective based on in-depth analysis of the impact
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Amartha x CELIOS: financial technology media toolkit
This toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of Indonesia’s fintech landscape, with a focus on P2P lending. The first section discusses the industry’s current state, regulatory framework, consumer protection, transparency, growth projections, technological innovation, and collaboration to strengthen the fintech ecosystem. The second section highlights the contribution of P2P lending fintech to Indonesia’s digital economy, analyzing market growth, its positive economic impact, and measures to opt…
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A new economic paradigm: Fiscal support for a restorative economy
Jakarta, July 2024—CELIOS released a report on the fiscal needs for implementing restorative economy initiatives in Indonesia. The study emphasizes the need for substantial government investment to support environmental recovery and social justice. The report, “The New Economic Paradigm: Fiscal Support for a Restorative Economy,” estimates that Indonesia will need Rp892.15 trillion by 2045 to effectively implement restorative strategies. The report identifies
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Press release – green industry and greenwashing
PRESS RELEASE The SETARA Civil Society Coalition (Save North Kalimantan) Launches Report Titled Green Lies, Containing Findings of Social and Ecological Violations at the Indonesia Green Industrial Zone (KIHI-KIPI) in Tanah Kuning-Mangkupadi, North Kalimantan. Bulungan, North Kalimantan, July 15, 2024— The SETARA Civil Society Coalition, comprising NUGAL Institute, Perkumpulan Lingkar Hutan Lestari (PLHL), Greenpeace Indonesia, CELIOS, EN, and JATAM East Kalimantan, together with several representatives of affected communities
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CELIOS x Greenpeace: illusory prosperity in the extractive sector
Mining and quarrying are often among the main contributors to Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2023, the sector contributed up to 9.62% of total GDP after contracting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector is also often touted as one of Indonesia’s largest job creators. Even so, 7.2 million people were recorded as unemployed as of February 2024. Although the open unemployment rate declined by more than 600,000 people from t
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