There's no such thing as a free lunch...Or is there?

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It's official. The next president of Indonesia is former army general Prabowo Subianto. Quite how the next five years will pan out is anyone's guess but hopefully the foreign pundits who always bring up his dodgy human rights record will be proven wrong. Nonetheless, on policy making, Prabowo's popularist move to literally offer the poor 'a free lunch' every day of the week does not augur well for the future. Such a policy - if it ever came to fruition - would cost a phenomenal amount of money and likely lead to huge inefficiencies (food waste) and poor incentives (make people lazy). Another concern is Prabowo's strong nationalist bent. Thus, in the possible event that he finds himself with his back against the proverbial wall in the face of stern economic challenges, there is a big chance that he will simply scapegoat foreigners. But he will have to be careful. Construction of the new capital city, Nusantara, for example, is highly dependent on foreign in
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Chelsea, away. In Jakarta, Indonesia.

Chelsea, away. In Indonesia. A trip of 7,278 miles and a good deal more miles than the average Chelsea fan will cover in an entire season – or quite a few of them for that matter!

 For us, a far shorter journey - although not exactly a picnic - through the back streets of Kebon Kacang, the unbridled mayhem of the Tanah Abang market district, and the densely-populated kampung of Petamburan – followed by a energy sapping walk to the Soviet inspired stadium itself.

 Inside a sea of blue. And a chorus of chants in favor of the Indonesian team.

By the end of the match, Chelsea had banged in eight goals with Indonesia scoring a consolation goal right at the end.

You could say that the gulf in talent between the two sides was as deep as the Sunda Straits - and you’d be right. But Abramovich has deep pockets and the Indonesian players are still very much at the beginning of the learning curve.

All in all, a good match. Although I wouldn’t travel 7,278 miles to see it!

Pre-match line up and the long line of the law
Indonesia All Stars vs Chelsea, prematch

 Chelsea fans in large numbers
Indonesia All Stars vs Chelsea, prematch

 The first goal is a penalty...
Indonesia All Stars vs Chelsea, penalty

 A rare Indonesia attack
Indonesia All Stars vs Chelsea, rare Indonesia attack

 Goal number seven for Chelsea
Indonesia All Stars vs Chelsea, goal number 7

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