The INDONESIAN —
ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ ʾAs-salāmu ʿalaykum.
As a proud son of Betawi, I firmly believe in the spirit of unity and nationalismvalues that are being revitalized under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Within the framework of Law No. 2 of 2024 concerning the Special Region of Jakarta (DKJ), we are witnessing a historic moment for the revival of Betawi identity as both the host of history and a driver of future civilization.
The Latin phrase “Per Imperium Venit Pax” — through governance comes peace finds its relevance once again. A strong government is not defined merely by power, but by moral courage to uphold justice for all, especially amid the complexities of the digital economy era.
Behind Numbers and Algorithms: A Portrait of Digital Economic Inequality
Reflecting on Indonesia’s economic journey, I highlight an emerging phenomenon found in the financial reports of several technology corporations, including PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk (GOTO).
While the company’s financial achievements deserve recognition, they must also be examined critically particularly in terms of transparency, ethics, and the welfare of partner workers who serve as the operational backbone of the business.
According to GOTO’s financial report for the third quarter of 2025, profitability appears heavily dependent on “black box” algorithms systems that lack transparency and potentially suppress the welfare of driver-partners on the ground.
The company recorded an “adjusted” pre-tax profit of IDR 62 billion. Yet, the term “adjusted” raises significant questions:
Which operational costs were excluded from this calculation? Could some of those costs include the entitlements of partners that the company should rightfully bear?
Meanwhile, Gross Transaction Value (GTV) rose 43% to IDR 102.8 trillion, and net revenue grew 21%, yet there is no corresponding evidence of improved partner income.
This gap underlines a crucial point: digital efficiency does not always translate into human prosperity.
Ethics, Law, and the Call for Accountability
The lack of transparency in financial reporting and algorithmic management risks violating the principles of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) and fundamental business ethics.
Such practices amount to a form of covert economic exploitation, where companies leverage partner dependence on digital platforms without ensuring fairness.
In the context of a government now focused on human development and national digitalization, such issues demand firm regulatory intervention.
Relevant institutions including the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), and the Ministry of Manpower must take concrete action to ensure:
- Algorithmic transparency, enabling partners to understand how their income is determined.
- Digital ethics audits, ensuring that technology does not become a tool for exploitation.
- Law enforcement and business morality, to guarantee that economic growth never sacrifices social justice.
A Reflection for the Prabowo–Gibran Administration
The Prabowo–Gibran government inherits a significant responsibility: to recalibrate the ethical foundation of Indonesia’s digital economy.
Their courage in pursuing revolutions in food, energy, and technology must be matched with a moral revolution in corporate and financial conduct.
Here lies the role of all Indonesians including the Betawi community to ensure that the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) is not lost in the tide of algorithmic capitalism.
As a Betawi son, I believe the future of our nation will be determined by our courage to uphold justice and honesty.
Let me close with a traditional Betawi verse:
“On the land stands a mountain,
Above the mountain lies the sky.
We Betawi children shall not be confused,
For our decree has come from the heavens.”
If there are faults, they are mine alone;
Perfection belongs only to Allah SWT.
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
