Rahmat W. Nugraha, Jakarta – The Press Council says that 60 percent of their input provided before the enactment of the Draft Criminal Court (RKUHP) was ignored by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia condemn the repression used against the people in West Papua when they were commemorating Human Rights Day on December 10, which marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kelsey Ables and Winda Charmila – Sotheby's auction of the exclusive licensed rights to the Widi Reserve, more than 100 environmentally protected islands that cover 25,000 acres in Indonesia, has been delayed from its scheduled date last week.

Jakarta (Antara) – Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said that he will coordinate with the National Police chief regarding the enforcement of Article 424 of the Criminal Code, which lays down regulations regarding intoxicating drinks and substances.

Imaji Lasahido (Intern), Jakarta – In the closing of the 16 days of activism against gender violence in Indonesia since November 25, the campaign organizer arranged an event called "UNiTE" to spread awareness of gender-based violence through music and stand-up comedy.

Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia have condemned the repression used against the people in West Papua when they were commemorating Human Rights Day yesterday - December 10, which marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Jakarta – The acquittal by an Indonesian human rights court of a retired army officer from charges over the killing of four Papuan teens in 2014 was a sign of impunity, a representative of the families said.

Antara, Jakarta – The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) said the commemoration of Human Rights Day, on December 10, was a momentum to bolster the government's contribution to recovery of victims of gross human rights violations.

Jakarta – For several years now, alarm bells have sounded globally on the decline of democracy. But this year has proven to be an exceptionally dark year, with the war in Ukraine, the protests in Iran and the self-preserving tactics of a junta in Myanmar serving as reminders of how our increasingly interconnected world relies on good global governance.

Airlangga Pribadi Kusman – Just days before International Human Rights Day on 10 December, Indonesians were given a bitter pill to swallow. On 6 December, the national legislature (DPR) passed a revised Criminal Code (KUHP).

Every Year Human Rights Day is celebrated on the 10 December to create awareness and promote respect for the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Philip J. Heijmans – Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta said that Australia has shown no signs moving forward with a long-stalled gas pipeline project that runs through the Southeast Asian country, leaving around $100 billion in potential revenue untapped.

Jakarta – Several business sectors have not been able to avoid the wave of layoffs, especially the digital startup industry. Nevertheless, there are some sectors expected to remain relatively impervious to job cuts, among them food and energy.

Septia Ryanthie, Jakarta – General Manager of state-run airport operator AP I Yani Ajat Hermawan said that at least 40 private jets landed at Adi Soemarmo Airport, Solo prior to the Ngunduh Mantu wedding procession of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's youngest son Kaesang Pangarep and Erina Gudono.

Adrial Akbar – Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI) Chairperson Nining Elitos is calling for outstanding cases of human rights violations in Indonesia to be fully resolved.

Elitos made the demand while holding a demonstration to commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10 at the Horse Statue in Central Jakarta.

Boyke W, Kenzu, Jakarta – The government has officially enacted Law No. 29 of 2022 concerning Southwest Papua, making it the 38th province of Indonesia.

"(Based on the) existence of Law No. 29 of 2022, Southwest Papua is the 38th province de jure," Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian said here on Friday.

Jakarta – The United Nations has expressed concern over threats to civil liberties posed by Indonesia's new criminal code, warning the revised laws could result in the erosion of press freedom, privacy and human rights in the world's third-largest democracy.

Katharina Reny Lestari – Rights activists in Indonesia's Papua region have demanded a re-investigation into the 2014 Paniai shooting that killed four Christian students after a court acquitted the only defendant in the case.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Indonesian government on Saturday clarified a controversial article of the newly-enacted Criminal Code that bans sexual intercourse outside of marriage, saying the stipulation regulates extramarital sex which can be prosecuted only on request.

Darrelle Ng, Singapore – Indonesia's new laws criminalising premarital sex and cohabitation cannot be broadly enforced due to the sheer population size of the world's third largest democracy, said an analyst.

Aliyyu Medyati L Imaji Lasahido, Jakarta – The Traffic Director (Dirlantas) of Metro Jaya Police, Chief Commissioner Latif Usman stated that he was not aware of the problem of illegal levies collected at illegal parking spots that have been rampant in Jakarta.

Jakarta – Ten workers were killed in West Sumatra after an explosion in a coal mine caused a collapse, a rescue agency official said Friday.

The miners were at a coal mine in Sawah Lunto when the blast buried an estimated 14 people.

Heru Andriyanto, Semarang – Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo stressed that the creation of the new national capital in East Kalimantan must be completed by whoever leads the government because it has been mandated by the law.

Jayapura – The commemoration of International Human Rights Day on December 10 was marked by protest actions across Papua. In many places rallies had only just began when police disbursed the actions. Scores of people were arrested and detained at local police stations.

Fikri Harish, Jakarta – The House of Representatives has ratified a defense cooperation agreement (DCA) with Singapore, one of three agreements the two countries signed earlier this year, with an extradition treaty between the neighbors up for a vote next.

Defara Dhanya Paramitha, Jakarta – At least 2,000 workers who are members of eleven trade unions along with farmers' unions planned to stage a demonstration at the Jakarta State Palace on Saturday, December 10, 2022, which coincides with International Human Rights Day.

Jakarta – The families of the victims of the Paniai massacre are disappointed with the panel of judges which handed down a verdict of not guilty against retired Infantry Major Isak Sattu at the Makassar District Court in South Sulawesi.

We've already written quite extensively about Indonesia's revised criminal code (RKUHP) and how it would be highly unlikely for tourists to fall afoul of the so-called ban on extramarital sex and cohabitation.

Sana Jaffrey & Eve Warburton – After years of debate, protest, and delay, the Indonesian parliament passed a new criminal code (Undang Undang Kitab Hukum Pidana, or KUHP) that gives the state new tools to punish a wide range of ideological, moral and political offences.

The trial of Isak Sattu, a retired soldier who was a liaison officer present during the Paniai killings in 2014, came to a close on 8 December, with him being found not guilty of the crimes against humanity that he had been charged with. The trial has taken place in Makassar State Court since the 21st September and has been the first case tried at a Human Rights Court for 18 years.

Moh. Khory Alfarizi, Jakarta – Director of the Center for Economic and Law Studies (Celios) Bhima Yudhistira expressed his concerns about the new criminal code, which has the potential to worsen the investment climate in Indonesia.

"[I have] two notes about this," said Bhima via phone call to Tempo on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Fachrizal Afandi, Malang, East Java – Two weeks after the Kanjuruhan football stadium stampede which killed more than 130 people, Indonesian President Joko Widodo summoned hundreds of regional police chiefs and high-ranking officers to the presidential palace. He warned them against repressive approaches and banned officers from exhibiting a lavish lifestyle.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Lusia Arumingtyas, Jakarta – Indonesian academics have called out the government for banning five foreign scientists after they questioned official claims of an increase in the country's orangutan population, warning that the move sets a disturbing precedent for academic freedom.

Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has responded to the latest criticism by the United Nations in regard to the country's revised Criminal Code (KUHP), which was recently passed by the House on December 6. The UN highlighted a number of provisions that could potentially criminalize journalistic work and violate press freedom.

Jedidajah Otte – The news that Indonesia's parliament has passed new legislation outlawing sex outside marriage – as part of a wider overhaul of the country's criminal code – has triggered concern from human rights activists and prompted protests in the capital Jakarta.

Suherdjoko, Surakarta, Central Java – The Central Java Police will deploy 2,188 personnel to maintain security at the wedding reception of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's second son Kaesang Pangarep and his bride Erina Gudono in Surakarta on Sunday.

Chris Barrett – The cover of Indonesian news daily Koran Tempo on Wednesday said it all. Portraying people running from a giant book, with the image of Indonesian President Joko Widodo looming in the background, dual hashtag-style headlines warned #SemuBisaKena (All can be affected) and #TibaTibaDipenjara (Jail for everyone).

Hariz Baharudin, Singapore – Timor-Leste will work actively with the Asean Secretariat and others in the region to accelerate preparations for its membership to the regional grouping, said the country's president, Dr Jose Ramos-Horta.

Amy Heppy, Jakarta – The head of the epidemiology surveillance and immunization unit at the Jakarta Health Office, Ngabila Salama, expressed the difficulty to make the public aware of the second booster in increasing antibodies and preventing prolong Covid-19 and death.

Daniel Ahmad, Jakarta – The United Nations (UN) on Thursday issued a statement lamenting the revised Indonesian legal framework known as the Criminal Code (KUHP), which appears to be incompatible with fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Dicky Kurniawan, Jakarta – The Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in a meeting with House legislators on Friday suggested that the country should not be open to the expansion of imported electric vehicles despite the government is currently boosting the use of EVs. Indonesia set a goal to see 80 percent use of electric vehicles by 2030.

Veronica Koman – As an Indonesian lawyer living in exile in Australia, I find it deeply troubling that the changes to the Indonesian criminal code are seen through the lens that toey tourists will be denied their freedom to fornicate on holiday in Bali.

Nesa Aqila, Jakarta – Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH) public attorney Fadhil Alfathan on Thursday assessed that the latest Criminal Code (KUHP) passing on December 6 can potentially be abused by certain elites that have interpolated agendas benefiting them. LBH fears it will only narrow civil liberties.

Septia Ryanthie, Boyolali – Ahead of the wedding of President Joko Widodo's youngest son Kaesang Pangarep to Erina Gudono scheduled to be held at the end of this week, preparations were also being done by Adi Soemarmo Solo Airport to accommodate state guests and VVIPs.

Home to the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia may have a history of sporadic incidents of religious extremism, but has mostly been considered a tolerant nation with healthy democratic institutions. This week, that took a notable step backwards.

Stefanno Sulaiman, Jakarta – The House of Representatives and government have agreed on a clause in a new financial bill to allow former politicians to stand as central bank governor, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

The Indonesian government has passed a controversial new Criminal Code that seriously violates international human rights standards and will effectively curtail freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Jean Iau, Singapore – Singapore on Thursday launched a training programme for Timor-Leste officials in support of the country's bid for Asean membership.

Grace Sihombing and Claire Jiao – Indonesia is one step closer to requiring the central bank to come to the government's aid through crisis bond-buying, while dropping earlier proposals to expand the monetary authority's role.

Jakarta – Indonesia's legislation banning sex outside marriage represents a major new threat to the LGBTQ community's rights in the conservative country, where same-sex unions are not recognised.

"It's another nail in the coffin at the moment – a big nail," Mr Dede Oetomo, an activist with the LGBTQ rights group GAYa Nusantra, told Agence France-Presse.