The January 2026 edition of the Indonesian Update presents a main report reviewing the New Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the new face of freedom of expression in Indonesia. The ratification of these two legal instruments marks a significant shift in the national criminal justice system, while also sparking debate about the limits, protections, and practices of freedom of expression in a democratic state. Through this main report, the Indonesian Update seeks to examine the normative and practical implications of the New Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, particularly in relation to civil rights and democratic space in Indonesia.

In the economic field, this edition addresses two strategic issues. First, an analysis of natural disasters in Indonesia from an economic perspective, discussing the magnitude of economic losses caused by disasters, the challenges of fiscal capacity, and the urgency of strengthening disaster risk mitigation and management policies. Second, the Indonesian Update presents an analysis of the potential impact of the United States–Venezuela conflict on the Indonesian economy, including its implications for global economic stability and Indonesia’s commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of global geopolitical dynamics, national economic resilience, and the sustainable development agenda.

In the political realm, the Indonesian Update examines the New Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, examining Indonesia through the experiences of China and Venezuela. This comparative analysis aims to examine how changes in criminal law may be intertwined with the direction of power consolidation and the quality of democracy. Furthermore, this edition highlights the discourse on regional head elections through the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), examining its implications for political representation, accountability, and the relationship between the central and regional governments within Indonesia’s democratic system.

Meanwhile, in the social sector, the Indonesian Update highlights Bali at a crossroads, focusing on land conversion, waste management, and the challenges of becoming a sustainable tourism destination. Furthermore, an article on the aftermath of the floods in Sumatra discusses the disaster as a momentum to improve Indonesia’s disaster management capacity, including governance, preparedness, and protection of vulnerable groups. Both issues emphasize the importance of a just, sustainable, and socially resilient development approach.

The monthly publication of the Indonesian Update with current themes is expected to help policymakers in government institutions and the business world, as well as academics, researchers, think tanks, and civil society, both at home and abroad, to obtain information and contextual analysis regarding the dynamics of the economy, politics, social, and law in Indonesia, while enriching their understanding of the direction and challenges of future public policy.

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