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Isu Perbatasan Sabah–Kalimantan: Meluruskan Fakta di Tengah Riuh Narasi Kehilangan Kedaulatan

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Sejak semalam, ruang publik—khususnya media sosial—diramaikan oleh narasi bahwa kedaulatan negara “tergadai”. Isunya terdengar serius: disebutkan bahwa Malaysia telah “menyerahkan” sekitar 5.207 hektare tanah di kawasan perbatasan Sabah–Kalimantan (Nunukan) kepada Indonesia. Bagi masyarakat awam, angka ribuan hektare tentu terdengar besar. Narasi kehilangan wilayah pun mudah memicu emosi, kecurigaan, bahkan kemarahan. Namun, sebelum kesimpulan ditarik terlalu jauh, penting untuk berhenti sejenak, menarik napas, dan melihat persoalan ini secara utuh dan jernih. Apa sebenarnya yang terjadi? Isu ini bukan soal jual beli tanah, bukan pula hadiah wilayah antarnegara. Persoalan yang dimaksud adalah Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP), yakni persoalan batas wilayah yang sejak masa kolonial belum memiliki penegasan garis perbatasan yang jelas di lapangan. Perjanjian-perjanjian lama antara Inggris dan Belanda—khususnya perjanjian tahun 1915 dan 1928—memang telah menetapkan prinsip batas wilayah...

The Epstein Files, Conspiracy Theories, and the Limits of Elite Power

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Over the past two to three days, a single sentiment has appeared to dominate the global public sphere. Since the United States Department of Justice (DOJ)—the rough equivalent of an Attorney General’s Office in many countries—released the Epstein Files to the public, social media timelines seem to have found a momentum of their own. Phrases such as “I told you so,” “this was always dismissed as conspiracy theory,” and “now everything has been proven” have circulated widely. For some, this is not merely news, but a moment of validation: long-held beliefs once ridiculed now appear to have received official confirmation. For those who have not followed the case closely, the Epstein Files refer to a collection of documents, email correspondence, photographs, victim testimonies, and internal records related to Jeffrey Epstein—an American billionaire with extensive connections to political elites, major business figures, royalty, celebrities, and global power brokers. In 2019, Epstein was ar...

Politics of Pity and Jokowi’s Residual Power

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Frankly, I have never seen Joko Widodo deliver a speech like the one he gave at the PSI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) in Makassar. For years, the public has known him as a calm, composed, and controlled figure. Even when angry, his voice rarely rises. His gaze is flat. His emotions are almost unreadable. Many observers associate this style with Jokowi’s cultural background as a Javanese—more specifically, a Javanese from Solo, the heartland of the Islamic Mataram cultural tradition. Indonesia has had two presidents from this region: Soeharto and Jokowi. Soeharto was famously known as “the smiling general.” He smiled in almost every situation. It was difficult to read his mood, let alone predict his political direction. Legend has it that the smile remained even when he made the most brutal decisions. Jokowi is different. He does not rely on smiles, but on a flat, almost expressionless demeanor. His slender body and distinctive gestures have often made him the target of mockery, l...

The Mystery of Ringgit at 3.92:Coincidence, or an Economic Strategy Finally Taking Shape?

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On the morning of January 28, 2026, global currency charts turned red. But this time, red did not signal danger. It signaled a quiet victory. 1 USD = RM3.92. After years of the Ringgit being “bullied” beyond the 4.70 level, this figure surprised many. Social media buzzed with speculation. Some began to wonder, “Are we returning to the golden era of RM2.50 or RM2.90?” Emotionally, a stronger Ringgit is something to be proud of. But in economics, emotion is not a compass. What truly matters is structure and reality. This appreciation did not happen by accident. It is the result of a convergence between global economic forces and domestic policies whose investments are now beginning to mature. Let us examine this rationally. 1. When the “King Currency” Begins to Waver – The U.S. Factor To understand why the Ringgit is strengthening, we must first understand why the U.S. dollar is weakening. Between 2023 and 2025, the United States offered exceptionally high interest rates. Global capital—...

Hello, 2026

Alhamdulillah. Year after year, there are always small changes that can truly be felt within me. A mindset that gradually becomes calmer, a way of seeing life that grows simpler, and a heart that is learning to accept that time keeps moving forward and cannot be held back. I am increasingly aware that as age advances, our time in this world is not long. This awareness is not meant to frighten me, but to remind me to live each step more meaningfully. That life is not only about running after targets, but also about setting intentions, guarding the heart, and realigning direction. In this year of 2026, my hopes are simple yet essential. May Allah ease all my affairs, widen the path ahead, and strengthen my steps. May I remain focused on my goals, cultivate discipline in my daily life, and continue to persevere even when fatigue comes again and again. Because in the end, what matters most is not how fast I arrive, but how consistently I endure and keep learning to become a better version ...

PUSAT PELAYANAN CS TERBAIK 2025 (Versi Pengalaman Pribadi)

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PUSAT PELAYANAN CS TERBAIK 2025 (Versi Pengalaman Pribadi) Di penghujung tahun 2025 ini, izinkan saya menutup tahun dengan sebuah catatan apresiasi yang jujur dan lahir dari pengalaman pribadi. Di tengah begitu banyak cerita tentang pelayanan yang mengecewakan—antrian panjang, jawaban normatif, sikap dingin, hingga proses yang berbelit—saya justru dipertemukan dengan pelayanan yang memberi harapan. Tiga nama ini pantas saya beri standing applause sebagai pelayanan customer service terbaik yang pernah saya rasakan secara langsung: CS BCA, CS Grab, dan Ibu Ardana Adi dari Disdukcapil Sumba Timur. Saya tidak bisa—dan tidak ingin—mengurutkan siapa yang paling nomor satu. Karena ketiganya, dengan caranya masing-masing, sama-sama layak mendapat 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ penuh. Bukan hanya karena masalah terselesaikan, tetapi karena prosesnya manusiawi. Pelayanan yang cepat tanpa tergesa-gesa, jelas tanpa berputar-putar, solutif tanpa menyalahkan, ramah tanpa dibuat-buat, dan yang paling penting: melayani deng...

Patience and Gratitude

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Over the past few days, I fell ill. Targets slipped away, income declined, and my energy was completely drained. In that moment, I truly realized something important: good health is not a bonus—it is a fundamental necessity. I used to be too busy chasing targets, pushing my body to keep going without pause. Eventually, exhaustion turned into illness, and I couldn’t do anything at all. Today, I’ve learned a new perspective. Not everything has to be forced. What truly matters is discipline, focus, patience, and remaining grateful for whatever results come our way. Because sustenance is not only about numbers—it’s also about a body that remains strong, a heart that stays calm, and the opportunity to rise and fight again. Ya Allah, on this day of recovery, bless the steps of us who struggle on the roads. Grant us greater patience and gratitude in our lives. Aamiin Ya Rabb. My deepest respect to all drivers who continue to persevere. We are not weak—we are learning how to be strong in the r...