Kornelius Purba, Jakarta – ASEAN has eventually accepted Timor Leste Republic as its 11th member last week after years of debate that included initial reservations from Singapore. The inclusion of the young republic into the regional club looks like Indonesia's mea culpa confession and fulfillment of its debts to its former colony.

In a November 17 statement, Jesuit Mission said thanks to the collaboration of many village leaders over the last four years, its partnership with

Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – The parliamentary watchdog Forum of Concerned Citizens for Indonesia's Parliament (Formappi) says that the delay in the House of Representatives (DPR) dealing with a presidential letter (surpres) on revisions to the Information and Electronic Transaction (ITE) Law is not surprising.

BTV, Bali – An unidentified woman triggered members of the presidential security force to take action after she disrupted President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's motorcade and reach out her hand through the car window in the Bali district of Badung on Thursday.

Nur Janti, Jakarta – The House of Representatives unanimously passed on Thursday a law to create another new province in the underdeveloped region of Papua, expecting that this will allow the government to redraw electoral districts in all four new provinces ahead of the 2024 general election.

Jakarta – Tech giant GoTo on Friday announced a plan to lay off 12 percent of employees affecting around 1,300 people in the company's efforts to boost efficiency and reach financial independence faster.

Aloysius Efraim Leonard, Jakarta – Karaoke events held in hip bars and clubs and attended by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of participants, have become the country's new 'it' party.

While karaoke clubs have long been ubiquitous in Indonesia, the festivities typically take place in private rooms at private gatherings by attendees who know each other.

Vincent Fabian Thomas, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) has decided to raise its benchmark rate by another 50 basis points (bps) in a move to bring down domestic inflation and to safeguard the rupiah from depreciating even further against the United States dollar.

Vincent Fabian Thomas, Jakarta – Indonesia has attracted new investment into the electric vehicle (EV) sector, coinciding with the Group of G20 forum, where global leaders and businesses agreed on commitments to lower carbon emissions.

Jakarta – Muhammadiyah, the largest modernist Islamic organization in Indonesia, will begin its 48th national congress today after two years of postponement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua) on Thursday, November 17, 2022, announced the results of its investigation on the clashes that occurred in Dogiyai Regency last week.

The solidarity group West Papua Action Aotearoa has criticised New Zealand for not "being stronger" over growing global concern about Indonesian human rights violations in West Papua, and contrasted this with Vanuatu's leadership.

The group was reacting to the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review into Indonesia report in Geneva last week.

Aninda Dewayanti – Activist groups in Indonesia inspired by Islamic and pro-environment ideas have the potential to do more to address climate change problems, provided those in charge will stop and listen, and perhaps even collaborate.

Aliyyu Medyati, Jakarta – A large group of protestors consisting of labor union workers held a demonstration in front of the Jakarta City Hall on Friday, November 18, 2022. The protesters voiced their demand for a 13 percent minimum wage increase for 2023.

M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the sideline of the 29th APEC Summit held in Bangkok on Friday, November 18, 2022.

Bisnis.Com, Jakarta – Minister of Investments and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that Indonesia has managed to gather US$8 billion of investment commitment during the G20 Summit in Bali. Most of the commitment came from South Korea, China, and European countries.

Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – The number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia starting to show another increase. As of Thursday, November 17, 2022, the Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that more than 7,000 people have been infected with Covid-19.

Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) head Penny K Lukito revealed the investigation results on five pharmaceutical companies following the rising cases of acute kidney injury among children.

It is found that their syrup drugs contain ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) at 433 to 702 times the safe limit.

Anisa Hafifah, Jakarta – The Labor Party asked the Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono to file a cassation appeal against the Jakarta State Administrative High Court's (PTTUN) ruling which rejected the Jakarta government's appeal regarding the provincial minimum wage or UMP 2022.

Info Tempo, Jakarta – PT PLN (Persero) signed an agreement with Amazon on Tuesday to develop new renewable energy (NRE) with a capacity of 210 megawatts (MW) of solar power plants (PLTS) in Indonesia. This agreement is a first for both companies to allow the addition of large-scale PLTS into the national power system.

Indonesian police are monitoring the activities of a prominent Papuan figure, including the possibility of treason charges against him for his statement in support of Papuan independence on the sidelines of a session at the UN meeting.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi said hosting the G20 Summit in Bali during the rainy season was quite challenging, especially since the weather forecast said that rain was expected at Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) park.

The First Family is calling for calm after First Lady Iriana was mocked on Twitter with a tasteless comment that triggered outrage in the country.

Iriana was recently photographed with her South Korean counterpart Kim Kun-hee at the G20 Summit in Bali. The latter in particular has wowed many in Indonesia who praised her beauty and elegance at the summit.

There has never been democracy for the Papuan people. Repression accompanied by violence has again been committed by security forces and reactionary ormas (mass or social organisation) against Papuan students in Bali.

Jakarta – Indonesia's central bank raised its key interest rate by 50 basis points for a third consecutive month on Thursday, saying it will strengthen its response to "high" inflation expectations amid a strong economic backdrop.

If you've been on the Indonesian internet over the past week, you might have seen a viral video depicting a supposedly dead man in an open casket coming back to life.

The incident received widespread coverage by local media, but we hesitated to report on the story as we believed there had to be a rational explanation for everything.

Oh boy, we were right.

M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo or Jokowi disclosed his reasons for conducting his signature impromptu visit, known as blusukan, to traditional markets and have dialogues with the people. He said such visits allow him to understand the real challenges and economic conditions at the grassroots.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) in Bali island rallied to reject the G20 summit and demand the right to self-determination for Papua on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. However, they were blocked by a mass organization and the authorities until they were pulled back to the Papuan Student Dormitory.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – As this year's Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) draws closer, the award committee has disclosed its final jury in charge of picking the winners.

Jayapura, Jubi – Student president of the University of Science and Technology Jayapura (USTJ) Ronny Tigi said the student protest in Jayapura City to reject the G20 summit on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, was in accordance with the rule. However, the police still dispersed the demonstration.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the establishment of Southwest Papua as Indonesia's 38th province.

The new province comprises Sorong Municipality as the provincial capital, the District of Sorong, the District of South Sorong, the District of Raja Ampat, the District of Tambrauw, and the District of Mamberamo.

Hendro Situmorang, Jakarta – Two pharmaceutical companies have been named suspects for allegedly using dangerous chemicals in the production of syrup medicines, the Drug and Food Supervisory Agency (BPOM) confirmed on Thursday.

The Kebaya Merah (red kebaya) sex tape scandal was far from over, as police arrested another woman who allegedly featured in dozens of videos produced by the adult content creators.

Amid his busy G20 Summit schedule in Bali, President Joko Widodo today took the time to announce that Indonesia is considering a bid for the 2036 Olympics, which he hopes can be staged in the future capital city Nusantara.

In a video he posted today, Jokowi said he conveyed to other world leaders Indonesia's intention to host the Olympics in 14 years' time.

Moh. Kadafi – Seven students were secured by Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officials for holding a demonstration opposing the G20 Summit in Bali on Tuesday November 15. The students are understood to be from the Udayana University (Unud) in Bali and held a peaceful action on Jalan Sudirman in the provincial capital of Denpasar.

Agencies – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Wednesday officially handed over the G20 presidency to India at the end of a summit of the bloc's leaders in Bali.

The Group of 20 major economies adopted a joint leaders' declaration and produced other partnerships, Jokowi said.

Fikri Harish, Jakarta – MRT Jakarta announced on Tuesday that they would extend the operational hours by one hour from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. effective immediately. Operational hours start at 5 a.m. on weekdays and at 6 a.m. on weekends.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – The government finally migrated on Nov. 2 analog free-to-air TV to digital broadcasts through the analog switch off (ASO) program for almost half of 514 regions in Indonesia, including the Greater Jakarta area, after seven years of delay. The government will free some TV frequencies for other purposes, including 5G fast internet services.

Fadhil Haidar Sulaeman, Jakarta – Business initiatives conducted throughout the year under the Group of 20 framework have culminated in a series of investment agreements presented at the Business 20 (B20) Summit on Monday.

Ima Dini Shafira, Jakarta – NasDem Party deputy chair Ahmad Ali asserted that there was no ulterior motive in Anies Baswedan's meeting with Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the two are friends.

Abdul Latief Apriaman, Mataram – At least 26 students who are members of the Indonesian People's Assembly (IPA) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) were arrested when staging demonstrations against this week's G20 Summit on Tuesday, November 15.

Antara, Jakarta – The Jakarta Environment Office has established a forum that will encourage collaboration among several parties to support air quality improvement in the capital city.

Makassar, Jubi – The Public Prosecutor in the alleged gross human rights violations of Bloody Paniai at the Makassar Court on Monday, November 14, 2022, demanded 10 years of imprisonment against the sole defendant in the case, Maj. Inf. (Ret.) Isak Sattu.

In the indictment, the prosecutor stated that Isak Sattu had been found guilty of committing a crime against humanity.

Vincent Fabian Thomas, Jakarta – Indonesia's trade balance experienced an unanticipated bump in October as demand from the country's largest Asian trading partners increased and imports of capital goods fell.

Yerica Lai, Nusa Dua, Bali – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo asked Group of 20 leaders to show wisdom and not allow the world to "fall into another cold war" as he opened the G20 Leader's Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday morning

Riani Sanusi Putri (Majalah Tempo), Jakarta – Indonesia's Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto highlighted food security issues in Global Food Security Forum, held on the sidelines of this week's Group of Twenty (G20) Summit, in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Ilona Esterina Piri, Arya Prasetya (Intern), Jakarta – A number of events and discussions held in Bali were forced to be dismissed ahead of the G20 Summit this week.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – PAM JAYA president director Arief Nasrudin said that the cause of drinking water in Jakarta being contaminated with E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria, which comes from feces, is excessive groundwater exploitation.

Jakarta – The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a global non-profit organization, has pledged $36 million for investment in sustainable projects or solutions to help Indonesia reduce ocean plastic pollution by 70 percent by 2025 and reach near zero leakage by 2040, it said in a statement on Monday.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – Food insecurity has become one of the most talked about issues on the global stage as the staple food supply chain continues to be disrupted by the war in Ukraine. Experts argue that tempeh and cassava could be the answer to the problem.