Jayapura – Responding to various cases of human rights violations, Papuans from various components of society held simultaneous demonstrations in various cities in Indonesia, including provincial and regional capitals in the land of Papua, on Monday April 27.

Dominggus A. Mampioper, Jayapura – The body of Arnold Clemens Ap, a prominent advocate of Melanesian cultural identity in West Papua, was found on Pasir Enam Beach in Jayapura on April 26, 1984.

Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya says that impunity will recur if members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) who commit general crimes continue to be tried in military courts.

Jayapura – Papuan political figure Laurenzus Kadepa said Papua is not only rich in natural resources such as gold and natural gas, but also home to Indigenous Papuans whose existence must be protected.

On 27 April 2026, joint security forces violently dispersed a peaceful student demonstration organised by the Papuan Student Solidarity (SOMAP) in Waena and Abepura, Jayapura City, Papua province. Officers used tear gas, warning shots, and physical force, including in densely populated residential areas such as in Jalan Sosiri, Abepura, exposing residents to harmful effects.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – Protesters who were planning to hold a "Papua Military and Humanitarian Emergency" demonstration in Jayapura City, Papua, were involved in a clash with the police in the Waena area of Heram district on Monday April 27.

Fuad Iqbal Abdullah, Samarinda – Rudy Ma'ud issued a public apology on Monday after facing criticism over a Rp 25 billion ($1.5 million) budget for the renovation of the official governor's residence, including plans to purchase a massage chair and build a saltwater aquarium using regional government funds.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – A number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are members of the Civil Society Coalition for Police Reform have asked President Prabowo Subianto to prioritise the National Police (Polri) reform agenda.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto carried out a cabinet reshuffle on Monday involving six officials, including key appointments within the presidential staff and government agencies.

The changes included ministerial, coordinating, and strategic communication posts as Prabowo continued to shape his administration.

Oriza Joko, Grobogan, C – Java. Three French nationals running from Bali to Jakarta to raise awareness about plastic pollution arrived in Grobogan on Monday, drawing attention to Indonesia's mounting waste challenges and the need for stronger local action.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – Food waste contributes more significantly to global warming than carbon dioxide due to methane emissions released during decomposition, a WWF Indonesia official said.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has appointed his brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, as the Chairperson of the Task Force for Innovation in National Park Financing and Management. The appointment is formalized under Presidential Decree Number 8 of 2026.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – State asset fund Danantara is gunning for investment in a US$30 billion renewable energy export project to Singapore, according to an executive at the state asset fund who cited investors' huge appetite for green energy procurement projects.

On the brink of an economic crisis, nothing is more worrying than seeing the amount of available surplus budget balance (SAL) funds plummet. The government's emergency fund at Bank Indonesia (BI) has shrunk by more than Rp300 trillion (US$17.65 billion) in six months. The erosion of the SAL funds reflects one thing: the government's cash flow is in dire straits.

Ni Komang Erviani, Denpasar – Bali residents are facing growing concern over uncollected trash in the tourist hub, with people increasingly burning rubbish, throwing it into rivers, littering on the roadside, public parks or even in school areas.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa firmly dismissed speculation that the government's excess budget balance (SAL) has dwindled to Rp 120 trillion stressing the reserve remains intact at Rp 420 trillion ($24.4 billion) and has not been tapped for spending.

Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian government plans to inaugurate the National Command Center for the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in mid-May 2026. This was announced by Deputy of Coordination for Accessibility and Food Security of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Nani Hendiarti.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Indonesia could face a potential rice shortage in modern retail channels as surging production costs discourage suppliers from distributing to the segment, industry officials said.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) held a Joint Sea Operation Exercise in the Karimunjawa Waters, Semarang, Central Java on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The defense institution also conducted special weapon shooting exercises at the location.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that it has received a refund of Rp100 billion from the hajj and umrah bureau, which is part of the Special Hajj Organizer (PIHK).

Panji Satrio, Medan – A major fire tore through a palm oil processing plant owned by Agro Jaya Perdana in Medan on Saturday night, destroying the facility after witnesses reported hearing loud explosions.

The factory is located on Jalan Yos Sudarso in Martubung subdistrict, Medan Labuhan district.

Jakarta – Environmental activist Muhammad Rosidi shudders as he recalls the horrific moment two men on a motorbike threw acid through the open window of his car as he was driving in South Bangka, Bangka Belitung in February.

He was instantly consumed by a burning pain as the corrosive liquid ate into his hands, legs and groin.

Olena Wibisana, Yogyakarta – Police in Yogyakarta have named 13 suspects in a child abuse case at a daycare facility, following an investigation involving 30 individuals after a video allegedly showing abuse at the center circulated online.

The daycare center, Little Aresha, located on Jalan Pakel, has since been shut down and sealed by authorities.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has passed the revision of the Witness and Victim Protection Law (UU PSDK) on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. One notable change is the inclusion of informant protection.

Isaaq Tomkins – The critically endangered Sumatran orangutan has been filmed for the first time using a canopy bridge to cross a road.

In 2024, conservationists in the Pakpak Bharat district of North Sumatra in Indonesia built the bridge high over the Lagan-Pagindar road, which provides an essential route for local people but which became a barrier for animals.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendikti) plans to close various study programs deemed irrelevant to future economic growth industries. This plan was conveyed by the Secretary General of Kemendikti Badri Munir Sukoco at the National Symposium on Population in 2026 in Badung, Bali, on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Chandra Adi Nurwidya, Yogyakarta – Police are investigating a daycare center in Yogyakarta after reports of alleged child abuse triggered public concern on social media.

Silpester Kasipka, Jayapura – The rights of women and children who are victims of violence were the focus of a seminar titled "The New Criminal Code: Does It Fulfill the Rights of Women Victims of Violence?" held on Friday (April 24, 2026).

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has allocated Rp5.7 billion (about US$350,000) to subscribe to Zoom meeting licenses from April to December 2026, citing the need for large-scale coordination in implementing its Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG).

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – Women's rights activist Vero Hubi says there has been a noticeable shift in how women are perceived in Papua, a change she attributes to the erosion of customary values under external influences.

Edward Febriyatri Kusuma, Jakarta – Indonesian authorities have temporarily suspended more than 1,700 kitchens involved in the country's flagship free meal program after finding widespread violations of food quality standards, a senior official said on Saturday.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Indonesia's benchmark stock index posted a steep weekly decline, pressured by global uncertainty, currency weakness and a review by MSCI.

The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) fell 6.61% over April 20-24 to close at 7,129.49, down from 7,643.00 a week earlier, according to the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) stated that fishermen still face difficulties in accessing subsidized fuel.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia's finance chief signaled a shift to crisis footing in managing state finances, as rising global oil prices and tightening fiscal space test the government's commitment to keep its budget deficit within the legal ceiling.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Information Bureau at the Defense Ministry, confirmed that the Ministry and the TNI hosted a gathering with retired military officers at the Ministry building on Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Friday morning, April 24, 2026.

Elan Suherlan, Subang, West Java – Rising liquefied petroleum gas prices are putting pressure on small businesses in Subang, forcing salted fish producers to switch from cooking gas to firewood in an effort to keep operations running.

Traditional furnaces used by salted fish makers in the area are now emitting thick smoke as producers increasingly rely on wood fuel.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's liquidity accelerated more strongly in March, with broad money growth picking up alongside surging government-related flows and steady credit expansion, Bank Indonesia reported.

On 4 April 2026, Marine Corps personnel (TNI-AL) reportedly detained Mr Yepi Magayang, 25, Mr Kayas Nepsan, 23. Mr Eri Odban, 20, Mr Enias Magayang, 18, and Mr Akilis Osu, 22, without legal grounds on Jalan Gunung, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. All detainees were reportedly beaten during detention despite not having committed any criminal offence.

On 15 April 2026, joint security force members arbitrarily apprehended Mr Moses Worait and Mr Lukas Ky (see phot on top, source: Jubi) at a motorbike workshop located next to the South Sorong Police Station in Teminabuan District, Southwest Papua Province. Both individuals were detained without a clear legal ground.

Hariz Baharudin and Hadi Azmi, Jakarta – Indonesia will not impose a levy on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca, as doing so would contravene international law, said Foreign Minister Sugiono on April 23.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – The rapid spread of suckermouth catfish, locally known as sapu-sapu, in Indonesia's urban rivers is less about the species itself and more about worsening water quality, according to an academic from Universitas Airlangga.

Johnny Blades – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has called on the Netherlands to stop selling arms to Indonesia.

Representatives of the ULMWP were this week at the Dutch Parliament for a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the human rights situation in West Papua.

Heru Andriyanto, Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The government rice reserves managed by state logistics agency Bulog surpassed 5 million tons on Thursday, marking the highest level ever recorded in the country's history.

Rikhul Jannah (contributor), Jakarta – A peaceful Earth Day 2026 action organised by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) took place in front of the gates to the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta on Friday April 24.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the weakness of the rupiah is influenced by both global and domestic factors, noting that from the domestic side, "noise" in the market is shaping currency expectations.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said a recent report by JPMorgan Asset Management, which ranks Indonesia among the countries most resilient to global energy shocks, reflects the strength of the country's energy security.

Gayatri Suroyo and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Jakarta – Indonesia has room to breach its legal fiscal deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP without triggering an immediate ratings downgrade, as long as it is only a temporary response to economic disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, a director with Fitch Ratings said on Thursday.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Foreign direct investment inflows into Indonesia totaled Rp 250 trillion (approx. $14.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, with government data showing that the top three sources remained unchanged.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has refused to dispatch its military personnel to back the UK and France-led proposal of forming a multinational mission to safeguard the commercial shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.

Antara, Jakarta – A proposal to charge vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca is drawing sharp warnings from lawmakers, who say it risks breaching international law, triggering diplomatic backlash, and even sparking a global boycott.