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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) has dismissed a lawsuit against Culture Minister Fadli Zon for his remarks that denied mass rapes during the 1998 riots, a ruling rights groups and victims' families call a major step backward that further perpetuates impunity.

As oil supplies dwindled due to the Iran-Israel conflict, the government slashed coal production. This would have been a reasonable policy if it were supported by an energy transition that pushes the development of new, renewable energy sources. The problem is that the production cut is merely a reduction in volume without a long-term strategy.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – Residents of Puncak Regency are calling for an open and independent investigation following military operations in Central Papua that reportedly left multiple civilians dead, according to Thomas Tabuni, head of the Puncak Legislative Council (DPRK).

Bangka, Indonesia – Residents of a centuries-old coastal settlement in the world's largest tin-mining outpost – Bangka Island – fear that the environmental damage over just a few decades is behind a frightening rise in reports of violent deaths.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia has secured a commitment from Russia to supply up to 150 million barrels of oil at a special price following President Prabowo Subianto's recent visit to Moscow, according to his special envoy for energy and environment, Hashim Djojohadikusumo.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Indonesia's drive to attract investment to industrial zones is facing fresh headwinds after a series of immigration raids targeting foreign workers.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's rupiah weakened beyond the Rp 17,300 per US dollar mark on Thursday, hitting its lowest level on record, as rising global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions weighed on emerging market currencies, Bank Indonesia said.

Jakarta – Indonesia on Wednesday accused Israel of flying a "propaganda" banner over the ruins of a hospital that had been built in Gaza with Indonesian funding.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The No War Youth Alliances staged a protest in front of the United States Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The coalition of students from various Jakarta campuses expressed support for Pope Leo XIV, who has been embroiled in controversy with U.S. President Donald Trump over the war with Iran.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has downgraded the credit outlook of four major Indonesian banks. The four banks are Bank Mandiri, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Central Asia (BCA), and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

Maria Gabrielle, Sorong – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming reaffirmed the government's commitment to accelerating development in Papua following a three-day working visit across the region, underscoring efforts to deliver infrastructure and social programs more quickly.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cases in Indonesia remain high despite the availability of vaccines, largely due to delayed detection and the long-term accumulation of infections, a forum heard on Tuesday.

Health Ministry data shows that Indonesia records around 36,000 new HPV-related cancer cases annually, with more than 21,000 deaths.