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The following is important information related to the development of the business universe that needs attention today based on the curation of the SUAR Team.

The Dilemma of Worker Wages: Competitiveness Amidst Declining Productivity

Wearing a red uniform, Arif Muhaimin, 24, stands alert at the reception desk of a two-star hotel in South Jakarta. His hands deftly grab the walkie-talkie when a guest reports that something has been left behind in their room. He reassures the guest, smiles, and then coordinates with the cleaning staff.
For him, a wage increase will boost his enthusiasm for work. On the other hand, the announcement of the 2026 provincial minimum wage increase is nothing new for Tina Chandra Ningrum, 26. The woman, who works as a junior social media specialist in South Jakarta, admits that she is used to seeing wage increases that she considers insignificant. A graduate of a master's program from one of the most prestigious universities in Central Java, she said that her income is almost immediately spent on daily necessities.
The recent announcement of a minimum wage increase by the government has sparked controversy among various groups. For workers, the wage increase is an important factor in meeting their basic needs, which continue to rise in line with inflation. Meanwhile, employers consider this policy to be burdensome amid the global economic slowdown. Some even say that the wage increase threatens the survival of their businesses, especially in labor-intensive sectors.

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Tolerance Maintains Peace on Christmas Eve

The courtyard of Jakarta Cathedral felt so warm that afternoon. Based on observations, thousands of people were seen queuing up, taking turns under the cool white tents that stood along the courtyard. Some of them had been queuing to enter the church since 2:00 p.m.

Some came holding hands with their partners, some parents guided their children's small steps, and some came alone. They looked neat in their best clothes.

At around 3:00 p.m., officials began to open the entrance. The growing number of congregants slowly entered in an orderly manner, filling the total capacity of 5,000 seats provided at the Jakarta Cathedral, with 800 of them inside the church.

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Attract Visitors, Take a Look at Five Favorite Malls with the Best Christmas Decorations

The atmosphere in Jakarta at the end of the year always has a special feel to it. Amidst the traffic congestion that begins to ease during the long holidays, shopping centers in the capital city are decked out in their finest attire. Many residents leave their homes just to seek out the glitz and glamour behind the twinkling decorative lights that are considered a feast for the eyes. This year, several malls in Jakarta seem to be competing to bring to life the kind of imagination that was once only seen in fairy tales. From towering snow castle installations to giant Christmas trees. Which malls?

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Featured Video: Ensuring Safety for Christmas 2025, National Police Chief Visits Cathedral Church

A Decade of Cashless Cultural Transformation in Indonesia

Bank Indonesia (BI) recorded a consistent upward trend in electronic money transactions from 2015 to 2025 (January-October) in terms of both value and volume. In 2015, the transaction volume was recorded at 590.74 million transactions and jumped dramatically to more than 25,890.89 million transactions by October 2025.
In line with the increase in volume, during the same period the transaction value also showed a fantastic surge from IDR 14,756 billion to IDR 2,700,290 billion. This increase in transactions reflects that Indonesians increasingly trust digital instruments as the main payment method in their daily economic activities.

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The Nala Festival 2025 will be enlivened by the UMKM Festival UMKM will take place from December 26, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at Nala Eco Point, Jalan Dewi Sartika, Batu City. This festival is not only a platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises, but also offers a variety of exciting activities such as fish festivals, durian festivals, music performances, DJ performances, zumba, and traditional arts such as bantengan and wayangan. Visitors also have the opportunity to win door prizes at this event, which is supported by various parties such as Ladon Entertainment and Andalas Production.

Kala Kini Jakarta: As part of the Nataru Cultural Exploration: Love for Indonesia event series, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) presents "Kala Kini Jakarta." This event carries the theme "Embrace Diversity, Nurture Hope" to enliven the year-end holiday atmosphere. Featuring an immersive experience space, this event will take place from December 25 to December 28, 2025, at the DKI Jakarta Pavilion, TMII. The exhibition offers a 360-degree visual experience that takes visitors on a journey through time, from the history of majestic wooden ships to the transformation of Jakarta into a modern global city. The event is open to the public with three visiting sessions daily: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

"You're still young, so don't spend all your time lying around. Work hard and strive while you're still healthy so that you can relax and enjoy your old age." - Bob Sadino, Entrepreneur.