The Indonesian Update — Volume XVI, No.4 – April 2022 (English Version)

The April 2022 edition of the Indonesian Update features a main report on the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, which was officially increased by one percent on April 1, 2022. This provision is contained in Law Number 7/2021 on the Harmonization of Tax Regulations (UU HPP). Initially, the VAT was set at 10 percent, and now it is 11 percent. The VAT rate increase will also occur before 2025, which will become 12 percent in accordance with prevailing economic and social conditions. Although the increase is only one percent, it will certainly have an effect on the prices of basic commodities, leading to inflation.

In the legal field, the Indonesian Update discusses the discourse to postpone the 2024 Simultaneous Elections and other ideas such as pushing for a third term for Jokowi. There are a series of consequences that will change the face of state administration and the way we are in democracy if this discourse occurs. These changes will not lead us to a better direction, but instead pushing back Indonesian democracy. Furthermore, we also discuss the discourse of amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia (UUD 1945), which is only to accommodate the proposal to increase the authority of the MPR through the Principles of State Policy (PPHN).

In the political field, the Indonesian Update discusses the polemics over Muslim women’s freedom regarding the use of headscarf. Next, we also discuss the victory of the anti-feminist Yoon Suk-Yeol in the 2022 presidential election in South Korea, which proves that gender issues can be a powerful force to win elections. Considering these developments, it is not impossible that the same strategy will be practiced by political parties or presidential candidates ahead of the upcoming 2024 general elections in Indonesia. In addition, we discuss the challenges for election organizers for the 2022-2027 period in preparing for the 2024 General Elections and Pilkada by reflecting on previous elections and the current conditions.

In the social sector, the Indonesian Update raises the issue of preventing sexual violence in education units. The government, education units, and other stakeholders need to strengthen the prevention of sexual violence so that the education units can become proper and safe places for the learning process. In addition, we also discuss the preparations of the National Education System Bill (RUU Sisdiknas). Early and ongoing public involvement in the process of drafting the National Education System Bill is very important to comprehensively discuss various National Education System issues.

The monthly publication of the Indonesian Update with actual themes is expected to help policy makers in government and business institutions – as well as academics, think tanks, and elements of civil society, both at home and abroad, to obtain actual information and contextual analysis of economic conditions, political, social, and legal issues in Indonesia, as well as an understanding of public policy in Indonesia.

Happy reading.

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