Badung, Bali – Virgin Australia Airlines has become the first international airline to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Indonesia's state-run oil company Pertamina.

The SAF is made of 38.43 percent of synthetic kerosene and 61.78 percent of regular fossil fuel. The synthetic kerosene is produced with used cooking oil.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Thursday directed the tax directorate to launch an internal investigation following reports of a data breach affecting around 6 million taxpayers, including President Joko Widodo and other top state officials.

Amendments may increase political patronage and decrease efficiency, observers say.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus, Jakarta – Indonesia's Parliament on Thursday passed amendments to laws that analysts said have revived concerns about the country's democratic trajectory because they may increase political patronage and reduce the efficacy of state institutions.

A'an Suryana and Norshahril Saat – Negative reactions in Aceh to the ritual of rain shamanism do not mask the contradiction of parts of the Islamic community tolerating 'Islamic shamanism' or mysticism and ritual over science and modernity.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Excavators have begun clearing land in the Indonesian region of Papua in what's been described as the largest deforestation undertaking in the world.

Yogi Eka Sahputra, Jakarta – Residents of Rempang Island once again experienced acts of intimidation and violence on Wednesday afternoon, September 18, 2024. In response, Wirya Adiwena, Deputy Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, urged the government to immediately halt the Rempang Eco City project, which is included in the national strategic project (PSN) list.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – General Chair of the Labor Party, Said Iqbal, has called upon President-elect Prabowo Subianto to review the Job Creation Law (UU Cipta Kerja), or Omnibus Law. He emphasized the need for a specific review of the employment cluster within the regulation.

Defara Dhanya Paramitha, Jakarta – Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has issued a strong appeal to Harun Masiku, a fugitive wanted in connection with a bribery case involving civil servants to secure a seat at the House of Representatives (DPR). Harun has been on the KPK's Most Wanted List (DPO) since January 17, 2020.

Hammam Izzuddin, Anwar Siswadi, Jakarta – The West Java Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported that the 4.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Bandung Regency, Garut, and surrounding areas on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, resulted in losses totaling Rp385,017,956,250. The damage primarily affected hundreds of residential homes and dozens of public facilities.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo criticized the lengthy and complex permit process for geothermal power projects in Indonesia, warning that such delays are hindering the development of the country's vast geothermal resources.

Maria Gabrielle, Jakarta – Pramono Anung has unveiled plans to revive a waterway transport system as part of his campaign platform if elected Governor of Jakarta.

A rebel group in Indonesia's conflict-hit West Papua has proposed terms for the release of a New Zealand pilot held hostage for a year and seven months while appealing to all parties to support the "humanitarian mission."

Zhulfakar, Jakarta – Djayadi Hanan, the executive director at pollster Lembaga Survei Indonesia (LSI), recently said that the public deserves an explanation on why President-Elect Prabowo Subianto would need a 44-strong cabinet.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Labor Party will declare its support for the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka's government, as confirmed by party leader Said Iqbal.

Jakarta – Alibaba, one of GoTo's largest investors has confirmed its intention to remain a long-term shareholder of the Indonesian tech company, addressing market fears about overhang in GoTo's stock.

Jakarta – A new clause relating to network sharing between state electricity company PLN and private electricity producers, also known as power wheeling, in the New and Renewable Energy Bill (RUU EBET), could drive reforms to our national electrical power system.

Melynda Dwi Puspita, Riri Rahayu, Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo denied that his government has reinstated sea sand exports. He clarified that the current exports involve sedimentation.

Jakarta – Most people would be reluctant to have their salaries cut to feed into a state-sponsored program, especially at a time when everyone is concerned about weakening purchasing power.

Riri Rahayu, Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – People residing in the Nusantara Capital City or IKN area in Penajam Paser Utara (PPU), East Kalimantan, are set to stage a demonstration today, September 18, 2024. This marks their third protest in response to unresolved land disputes.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) has cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 6 percent, following a review of inflation forecasts and the strengthening rupiah.

The central bank also lowered the deposit facility rate to 5.25 percent and the lending facility rate to 6.75 percent during its meeting on September 17-18, 2024.

Jakarta – The Indonesian government's suppression of widespread protests after a 2019 attack on Papuan university students highlighted longstanding racial discrimination against Indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Jakarta – Labour Party President Said Iqbal has declared the Labour Party's support for the incoming administration of president-elect Prabowo Subianto and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who will be inaugurated in October.

Nineteen-year-old Alfa Hisage was arrested on August 30, 2019, for joining a student-led protest against anti-Papuan racism in Jayapura, a city in the Indonesian territory of West Papua. He told Human Rights Watch that at the police station, officers beat and racially abused him, particularly for his dreadlocks. "They pushed my head on the table," he said.

Kurniawan Fadilah, Jakarta – President elect Prabowo Subianto has expressed his commitment to fight for justice for workers and invited all parties to unite.

Jakarta – Intimidation and violence against the people of Rempang Island in the Riau Islands is still occurring.

Responding to the intimidation and violence against the communities defending their land, Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena is asking the authorities to investigate the perpetrators of the violence and stop the intimidation.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Wednesday that he had decided to not rush with the signing of the presidential decree on the new capital, even saying that there is a possibility for his successor Prabowo Subianto to ink the document.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Jakarta – Indonesia and Malaysia, which together control the world's palm oil supplies, have set up a joint task force in response to the European Union deforestation-free regulation (EUDR), an official said on Wednesday.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Having nominated a rival candidate in the last presidential election, the National Awakening Party (PKB) won't ask a reward in the form of cabinet representation in the future government under President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Arif Ferdianto, Jakarta – The government has officially reopened the sea sand export tap after a 20-year moratorium. The restoration of sand sea export shows the government's panic in trying to increase non-tax state revenue (PNBP).

Binoy Kampmark – Like eager lice on a ripe scalp, tourists have become a much-reviled feature of various economies. While cash and contributions come in their wake, such an industry depletes, drains and pollutes the very site it idealises. International tourism does its bit to bloat global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation constituting the lion's share.

Laurens Ikinia, Jakarta – The Land of Papua is widely known as a land full of milk and honey. It is a name widely known in Indonesia that refers to the western half of the island of New Guinea.

Its natural wealth and beauty are special treasures entrusted by the Creator to the Papuan people who are of Melanesian ethnicity.

Rezwan – On February 14, 2024, the Indonesian general elections took place, marked by a high voter turnout.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Tangerang – Chief Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan recently met with two of the world's wealthiest families in Bali to discuss plans for establishing family offices in Indonesia – the meetings were part of a government effort to attract foreign wealth and bolster the national economy.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports that Indonesia has imported 3.05 million tons of rice, worth $1.91 billion, from January to August 2024 – this represents a 121.34 percent increase in rice imports compared to the same period last year, contributing 1.5 percent to the country's non-oil and gas imports.

Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has pledged to evaluate the 21st National Games (PON) organization in Aceh and North Sumatra following widespread complaints over poor and incomplete infrastructure.

Surabaya – Dozens of residents in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya held a declaration in front of the Surabaya Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building on Tuesday September 17 supporting the empty ballot box in the 2024 Surabaya mayoral election (Pilwalkot),

Arie Firdaus and Tria Dianti, Jakarta – While appearing at the anti-corruption agency Tuesday, the Indonesian president's youngest son denied allegations of misconduct for using a private jet to fly to the U.S, saying he had "hitched a ride" on a friend's plane.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian government led by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has faced sharp criticism for reopening sea sand export permits, despite concerns about the activity's environmental impact.

Jakarta – If Prabowo Subianto had said that he would not intervene in the regional head elections before Constitutional Court ruling No. 70/2024, he might have been referred to as a statesman.

Thomas Rizal, Jakarta – Almost everyone in Indonesia has their eyes glued on the upcoming election that will decide who will lead the country's largest city Jakarta for the next five years.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Jakarta – The government will raise the tax on private house construction from 2.2 percent to 2.4 percent starting next year, a Finance Ministry advisor announced on Tuesday.

The tax applies to the construction of houses with a minimum size of 200 square meters, said Yustinus Prastowo.

Jakarta – Indonesia reported a trade surplus of $2.9 billion for August, marking the 52nd consecutive month of surplus, up from the $2.04 billion surplus in July, the Central Statistics Agency announced on Tuesday.

The trade surplus streak, which began in May 2020, continued despite the August figure being $220 million lower than the same period last year.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The United Kingdom agreed to help Indonesia embrace sustainable development in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday.

Jordyn Beazley – Rebels in Indonesia's West Papua region have proposed terms for the release of the New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens a year and seven months after he was detained.

Yokie Rahmad Isjchwansyah – In response to the recent hacking of TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency data in June 2024, the TNI commander, General Agus Subiyanto, declared that he would expand the TNI structure to include a new cyber force.

Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's youngest son and Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI) chairman Kaesang Pangarep went to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in Jakarta on Tuesday to clarify his use of a private jet during a recent overseas trip.

Jakarta – An armed rebel group in the easternmost region of Papua released a proposal on Tuesday to free New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who they kidnapped more than a year ago.

Jakarta – Prabowo Subianto plans to announce his cabinet on the day of his inauguration as the next president next month, a senior politician of his Gerindra Party said.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – A rushed law revision might allow Prabowo Subianto to build a big-tent coalition government after he is inaugurated on Oct. 20 as Indonesia's eighth president, but the bigger question is if he has the skill and acumen to manage the diverse political parties and pressure groups he is bringing into the fold.

Jakarta – When it comes to the size of the government, or the cabinet, the adage "small is beautiful" should still hold. Yet with an imminent piece of legislation that will remove the cap on the size of the cabinet, currently set at 34, the incoming government is going to be very big, and it is not necessarily going to be more effective or efficient.