Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese set foot in Jakarta on Thursday evening for the signing of a bilateral security pact.

President Prabowo Subianto is set to host Albanese at the palace the following day. The common security treaty – which Albanese described as a "historic agreement" – will be high up on the agenda.

Jakarta – Indonesia's economy picked up pace last year to grow more than five percent, data showed Thursday, thanks to a pick-up in consumption following a huge government stimulus package.

The government unveiled a $1.5 billion package of economy-boosting measures in June including discounts for train, plane and ferry fares, as well as toll subsidies to boost tourism.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita highlighted the car sales in Malaysia approaching the same figures and potentially surpassing sales in Indonesia in 2025. He said that this situation should be a cause for concern for every brand.

Eka Jaya Saputra, Bekasi – Indonesia's central bank has launched an investigation after dozens of sacks containing shredded banknote fragments were discovered at a landfill in Bekasi, just east of Jakarta.

The team was dispatched to assist police following public reports and viral social media posts about the find in Bekasi Regency.

Antara, Jakarta – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that Indonesia's level of income inequality, or Gini Ratio, decreased to 0.363 points as of September 2025 compared to the figures recorded in March 2025.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Chairul Fikri, Jakarta – Indonesia's unemployment rate fell to 4.74% in November 2025, with Gen Z accounting for the largest share of the unemployed, while women continue to earn significantly less than men, according to official data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Reiner Brabar, Jayapura – The Papua Merauke Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) has emphasised that President Prabowo Subianto must respect and accept the results of the 2026 session of the Full Working Council of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (MPL PGI) as a form of respect for human rights, democracy and the rights of indigenous peoples in Papua.

Jakarta – The ongoing evacuation of Indonesians from overseas scam compounds lays bare a painful truth: that organizing repatriation flights and offering citizen protection services are stopgaps, not solutions for preventing the criminal exploitation of migrant workers.

Karina Tehusijarana, Jakarta – Flooding is a perennial problem in Jakarta, and 2026 is no different, with near-constant rain since the start of the year culminating in severe flooding on Jan 22 that displaced at least 1,600 people.

Nick Sas and Timor-Leste reporter Vonia Vieira in Suai, Timor-Leste – Joao Gusmao remembers the promises made when the Xanana Gusmao International Airport opened in 2017.

"We were told lots of planes would fly here," the local community leader told the ABC.

Antara, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency is preparing a distribution scheme for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program targeting the elderly, expanding its reach beyond students and expectant mothers, in coordination with the Social Affairs Ministry.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's economy grows 5.11% in 2025, beating the previous year's performance but falling short of the government's 5.2% target, official data shows.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The international credit rating agency Moody's downgraded the Indonesian government's debt outlook from stable to negative on February 5, 2026. However, Indonesia's sovereign credit rating remains at Baa2, which is one level above investment grade.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – Indonesia's poverty rate declines to 8.25% of the population in September 2025, with the number of people living below the poverty line falling to 23.36 million, official data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – A researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Budi Heru Santosa, outlined three main triggers for the flood issues in Jakarta. According to him, these three factors are interrelated and very complex.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Papua Merauke has declared its full support for the Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) in rejecting National Strategic Projects (PSN) across Papua. This stance follows the Plenary Session of the PGI Working Committee (MPL-PGI) 2026, held in Merauke from January 30 to February 2, 2026.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesian influencer Abil Sudarman experienced a cyberattack after creating a video criticizing a job posting by the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) that violated the Personal Data Protection Law.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Presidential Palace clarified that the meeting with several Islamic organizations was a routine gathering to discuss current issues, not a response to criticism of Indonesia joining the so-called Board of Peace.

Ni Made Tasyarani, Jakarta – Indonesia has seen car exports surge to a record amid persisting weak demand within the country.

The Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) recorded exports of 518,000 completely built-up (CBU) vehicles in 2025, marking an "all-time high".

Responding to the death of an elementary school student in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) after their family was unable to buy notebooks and pens, Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director Usman Hamid said:

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Cholil Nafis, expressed his skepticism regarding the Board of Peace to President Prabowo Subianto. Cholil expressed his stance when invited by Prabowo to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta along with leaders of other Islamic community organizations on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

President Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo expanded the military and placed active-duty personnel in civilian posts, a throwback to the pervasive militarization of civilian functions during the discredited Soeharto era. Prabowo, a former general accused of serious human rights violations, also appointed serving members of the armed forces to senior government positions.

Hin Pisei, Phnom Penh – Santo Darmosumarto, outgoing ambassador of Indonesia to Cambodia, has affirmed that he will continue to help promote and encourage greater exchanges of visits between Indonesian and Cambodian investors, as well as motivate Indonesians to explore investment potential in Cambodia and further expand bilateral trade.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested a former Director of Enforcement and Investigation (P2) of the Customs and Excise Office in a covert operation within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa reported that state revenue as of January 31, 2026, has reached Rp172.7 trillion. This figure is equivalent to 5.5 percent of this year's total targeted revenue of Rp3,153.6 trillion.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Imported secondhand clothing is squeezing the country's textile and garment industry while depriving the state of tax revenue, a government official told lawmakers in a hearing on Wednesday.

Arrum Harahap – From September to November 2025, severe flooding inundated large parts of both rural and urban Indonesia, especially on the islands of Sumatra and Bali. This disruption affected livelihoods, damaged infrastructure, and revealed longstanding weaknesses in local flood governance.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The elite ranks of the National Awakening Party (PKB) met with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Although various topics were addressed during the meeting, PKB Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar noted that his party and the President did not discuss the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia has allocated $120 million to support conservation, development, and maintenance efforts at Way Kambas National Park in Lampung province.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa believes that the rupiah exchange rate has room to strengthen to around Rp15,000 per US dollar if it moves in line with economic fundamentals and the strengthening of regional currencies.

A two-day West Papua Solidarity Forum and mini film festival is being held in Auckland Tamaki Makaurau next month featuring West Papuan and local academics, advocates and journalists.

The Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP) and the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) announced on Monday that Timor-Leste's judiciary opened legal proceedings against the military in Myanmar, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Albertus Pepi Kurniawan, Sukarjito, Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara. The death of a 10-year-old boy in Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara – one of Indonesia's poorest provinces – draws national attention to the impact of poverty and weak social support systems on children living in remote and disadvantaged areas.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto invited several Islamic community organizations to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The meeting discussed Indonesia's decision to join the Board of Peace and its impact on the Palestinian people's struggle.

Antara, Jakarta – The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) has stated that great improvements in the investment climate and real sector productivity are necessary for Indonesia's economic growth to surpass the 5 percent mark. This was conveyed by the Head of the Macroeconomics and Finance Center at Indef, Rizal Taufikurahman.

Muhammad Awaludin, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Rising gold prices is fueling a surge of informal gold panning in Lombok island, where hundreds of residents have been flocking to riverbanks in the hills of Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, hoping to find tiny gold fragments amid economic pressure and limited job opportunities.

Bangkok – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto adopted policies in 2025 that benefitted military officers and lawmakers, generating widespread opposition and public protests, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has not yet taken any further action after naming Yaqut Cholil Qoumas a suspect in the 2024 haj corruption case. This is despite the fact that the commission has said it has evidence of the involvement of other people.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – Amid intensifying regional conflicts across the globe, President Prabowo Subianto has maintained Indonesia's non-bloc, non-alignment foreign policy but hinted at the harsh realities of global politics, which might have compelled him to take sides on some international political issues.

Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has elevated the status of illegal logging and environmental violation cases in Aceh to the investigation stage. A total of seven police reports are currently under investigation.

Sebastian Strangio – Legal authorities in Timor-Leste have initiated legal proceedings against Myanmar's military junta, including its leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has denied claims that Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto uses two presidential aircraft during overseas visits, calling the report inaccurate.

His statement responds to an article published in Tempo Magazine's February 1, 2026 edition.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia's coal exports had plummeted 19.70% in 2025, with India and China remaining as the top buyers.

Nabiyla Risfa Izzati – 2026 could be decisive for workers in Indonesia. This is because revision of Law 13 of 2003 on the Workforce (often translated as 'Manpower Law') was included in the National Legislative Programme (Prolegnas) at the end of 2025, and it is likely to be enacted this year.

Sukarjito, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has raised alarms over the growing threat of green financial crime (GFC), a form of financial wrongdoing linked to environmental destruction. Officials warn that the crimes increasingly target the country's natural resources, which are meant to be protected.

Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – Indonesia has condemned Israel's latest air strikes and repeated ceasefire breaches in Gaza, amid public concerns that its long-standing pro-Palestinian stance is softening after joining the United States-controlled Board of Peace

Andi Irawan, Bengkulu – The debate over public policy priorities, whether to emphasize immediate consumption programs like the free nutritious meal program or structural production policies such as job creation, has reached a critical juncture

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said tariff negotiations with the United States have been concluded and are awaiting the signing by President Prabowo Subianto and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Nearly half of Indonesia's online motorcycle taxi drivers do not receive holiday allowances for Eid al-Fitr, according to a survey by the Institute for Demographic and Affluence Studies (IDEAS).

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia and Slovakia will strengthen their ties by turning their bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership, with plans to collaborate more closely on trade, investment, education, defense, and nuclear energy.