Between 12 December 2025 and February 2026, a series of incidents of alleged shooting, vandalism, robbery, intimidation and continued harassment were reported at the home of Rev. Victor Kobak in Jalan Gunung, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province. Rev Kobak leads the Evanhastia congregation, belonging to the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI).

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has condemned the acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus, calling the assault "atrocious terrorism."

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – Chairperson of the National Council of SETARA Institute, Hendardi, assesses that the Indonesian Military (TNI) has sabotaged law enforcement in the acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus. He mentioned that case developments presented by the TNI have confused the public.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Social media activist, Palti Hutabarat, received a threat in the form of a dog's head sent by an unknown person to the yard of her parents' house in Namo Rambe District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has vowed a thorough investigation into the acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), instructing authorities to uncover the masterminds behind the assault.

East Kalimantan, Indonesia – Indonesia's Supreme Court has ordered the government to release environmental impact assessments for two projects at the country's new capital city, handing civil society groups a rare transparency victory.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – A group of prominent Indonesian public figures has urged President Prabowo Subianto to establish an independent joint fact-finding team to investigate the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The United States government has launched a Section 301 investigation into trade practices across 16 economies, including Indonesia, over allegations of industrial overcapacity and unfair trade measures. The move has drawn attention after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a retaliatory tariff policy.

The headquarters of the Papuan movement organisation West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Jayapura, Papua Province, were attacked by a drone in the early hours of 16 March 2026 at approximately 04:16 am. The drone reportedly dropped an explosive device which detonated in the office courtyard whilst several KNPB members and officials were asleep inside the building.

Antara, Jakarta – The surge in measles cases across Indonesia throughout 2025 and early 2026 has raised alarms over severe complications in children. Beyond its typical symptoms, the disease carries the potential to trigger life-threatening conditions, including pneumonia, acute dehydration, and encephalitis.

Rizal Harahap, Jakarta – Thick smoke from widespread forest fires in Riau has disrupted the Idul Fitri mudik (exodus), reducing visibility to just 10 meters on key roads and raising safety concerns among travelers.

Shela Octavia, Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition is calling for the four soldiers suspected of throwing acid on human rights activist Andrie Yunus to be prosecuted in a general court, not a military court.

Karina Tehusijarana, Jakarta – A brutal acid attack on a high-profile Indonesian human rights activist has raised the spectre of past attacks against activists, and put pressure on law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – Andrie Yunus, the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was targeted in a harrowing acid attack in Central Jakarta on Thursday night, March 12, 2026. He is a human rights defender widely recognized for his advocacy within the security sector and for civil liberties.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Iran is now accepting financial donations from generous Indonesians to rebuild the country as the US-Israeli military campaign against Tehran marked its third week with no clear end in sight.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military Police Center has confirmed that the acid attack case involving Kontras Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus will be handled through the military justice system. TNI Military Police Commander Major General Yusri Nuryanto said the decision is in line with Law No. 3 of 2025 on the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has recorded a decline in the volume of fishery exports due to the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran that erupted around late February 2026.

Charlotte Setijadi and Ivan Franceschini (The Conversation) – In the first two weeks of March, two young Indonesian women died alone in a hospital in Phnom Penh.

The first, who officials have identified as 22-year-old Susi Yanti Sinaga died following a critical illness, despite having no prior health conditions.

Calvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Around 1.2 million vehicles have departed Jakarta ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, according to toll road operator Jasa Marga.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) central management has stated that the terror attack that occurred at the KNPB central secretariat in Kampwolker, Waena, Jayapura city, Papua, was part of a widespread pattern of intimidation against activists and civil liberties.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa signaled openness to austerity measures, saying he would not object if ministers' salaries were cut as the government weighs fiscal tightening amid escalating global uncertainty.

Ni Made Tasyarani, Jakarta – International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's private sector arm, has urged Indonesia to prioritize the growth of more productive, higher-value businesses through regulatory reforms.

The government bond market is showing signs of decline. The weakening investor demand is apparent in the lack of interest in the Retail Government Bond Series ORI029, the government's first security bond in 2026. Of the indicative target of Rp25 trillion, only 58 percent, or around Rp14.44 trillion was raised.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's push for aggressive budget efficiency risks backfiring on growth if executed indiscriminately, as economists warn that cutting spending too deeply could weaken one of the economy's main drivers.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The legal team representing Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, is urging police to expedite the investigation into the acid attack he suffered on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The government will temporarily halt the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during the 2026 Eid holiday, with distribution set to stop after March 17 before resuming at the end of the month.

On 12 March 2026, Mr Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was attacked with acid by unidentified perpetrators whilst riding a motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I – Talang, Central Jakarta. The attack caused serious injuries affecting various body parts, including his face, eyes, chest, and hands.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) has confirmed that Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), is in stable condition following a targeted acid attack last week.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the option to temporarily relax the state budget deficit or APBN limit is possible if the world crude oil prices surge in the long run due to escalating conflicts in the West Asian region. However, the Head of State emphasized that expanding the deficit is a last resort.

Joko Widodo, who was President of Indonesia from 2014 to 2024, seems determined to retain his political sway. For the seventh president, 10 years at the pinnacle of power is seemingly not enough. As has often been the case, he has forgotten his own pledge to return to being an "ordinary citizen" after leaving office.

Divya Kariza, Jakarta – The government has inked a memorandum of cooperation with Japan to strengthen their partnership in the critical minerals supply chain and to develop nuclear energy technologies.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has denied forced labor allegations as the US launched an unfair trade probe into Southeast Asia's biggest economy in a bid to construct a new tariff assault.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said he wants optimistic people in his administration and has no place for pessimism in his inner circle, as he explained why he chose Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa to replace Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Central Board of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says that the bomb attack on their office is part of a widespread campaign of intimidation.

The KNPB central office in Kampwolker Waena, Yabansai Village, Heram district, Jayapura City, Papua, was terrorised by an explosion suspected to be a bomb early on Monday March 16.

Jayapura – The Papuan Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition is urging the president of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately order security forces to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the terror attack against human rights defender Andrie Yunus.

Johnny Johan Sompotan, Jakarta – Indonesia's Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has revoked the distribution permits of eight cosmetic products found to be promoted with misleading and indecent claims, following intensified surveillance in the second half of 2025.

Responding to the president who stated that he would sort out (menerbitkan) observers who were unpatriotic and do not like the success of his government, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:

Eco-friendly Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, represent a breakthrough amidst the curriculum's rigidity and dogmatic religious teachings. This type of pesantren is more than simply an educational and preaching institute but is a place for the growth of knowledge that is sensitive to environmental conservation.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas claims that the draft of the Anti-Disinformation and Foreign Propaganda Bill (RUU Disinformasi) is not intended to limit press freedom. According to Supratman, the drafting process has been conducted carefully with consideration for national needs.

Naina Rao, Indonesia – In the remote coastal areas of eastern Indonesia, a centuries-old tradition is providing a contemporary blueprint for sustainable development. The practice, known as Sasi Laut, imposes temporary fishing closures of six to 12 months to allow sedentary marine species such as sea cucumbers and shellfish to replenish.

Joint members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Dogiyai District Police (Polres Dogiyai) reportedly injured three indigenous Papuans in Moanemani town and Pogito Village, Kamu District, Dogyai Regency, Central Papua Province. The shootings followed forceful dispersal of a civil unrests using life ammunition.

The Foreign Ministry in Jakarta has condemned Israeli attacks in Lebanon, as the war in Iran spills across more borders.

Israel has launched air attacks, sent ground troops into border areas and issued evacuation warnings that reportedly have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Lebanon since it became a flashpoint in the wider conflict roiling the Middle East.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesia's external debt edged higher at the start of 2026, though growth slowed slightly as government borrowing rose while private-sector debt declined, according to Bank Indonesia data released on Monday.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian government showcased the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program as part of additional activities during the 61st Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia does not plan on cutting a slice out of its multibillion-dollar free meal budget, according to a senior minister, as the government seeks to keep its deficit in check by avoiding wasteful spending.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have identified four suspects in the acid attack targeting Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS). Jakarta Police Director of General Crime Investigation, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, revealed that the suspects operated in pairs on two separate motorcycles.

Hanoi – Vietnamese officials and businesses have discussed measures to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Indonesia while supporting Vietnamese companies to expand investment and operations in the Southeast Asian country. The issue was raised at a meeting chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Nguy?n M?nh C??ng in Ha N?i on March 13.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Jakarta decided to postpone the summit of eight Muslim-majority developing countries grouped under the D8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which was scheduled to be held in mid-April, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Ary Hermawan and Usman Hamid – The horrific acid attack on Andrie Yunus, the deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), is another grim reminder of how far Indonesia has drifted from the ideals of reformasi (the post-Soeharto reformation movement)

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed that Indonesia will not join any foreign military alliance, stressing that the nation maintains amicable relations with all countries.