Tim Lindsey – Following weeks of intrigue about a possible deal, the remaining members of the Bali Nine have been released from prison in Indonesia and returned to Australia. The five Australians had served nearly 20 years of their life sentence for their involvement in a drug-smuggling operation.

Kirsten Han – In April 2015, Mary Jane Veloso was moved to Nusa Kambangan, a maximum security prison island in Indonesia. The plan had been to execute her by firing squad with other death row prisoners, including Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. Veloso was spared at the eleventh hour.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto plans to grant pardons to tens of thousands of inmates on compassionate grounds and in the spirit of reconciliation, Human Rights Affairs Minister Natalius Pigai announced on Monday.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to restore the indirect election of regional heads (Pilkada) through Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) is not really a solution to the high political costs of elections.

Antara, Jakarta – The government has spent around Rp 504 trillion (around $31.4 billion) on the education sector so far this year as of the end of November, according to Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara.

Candra Kurnia, Jakarta – The Supreme Court (MA) rejected the judicial review filed by the eight convicts involved in the 2016 Vina and Eky murder case in Cirebon, West Java. This ruling, delivered on Monday, was met with deep disappointment from the convicts' families, who were seen crying in the courtroom.

Jakarta – The newly appointed chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Setyo Budiyanto, vowed on Monday to continue the commission's hallmark practice of catching corruption suspects red-handed, a method that has garnered public praise in the past.

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has unveiled a series of economic stimulus packages totaling Rp 827 trillion ($51.65 billion) for 2025, designed to mitigate economic shocks and address the weakening purchasing power of low- and middle-income groups.

Jakarta – A flood in Trenggalek regency, East Java, has cut off access to Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, a key national road leading into the city center. The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall on Sunday, affected several subdistricts, including Kelutan and Tamanan, in Trenggalek district, the seat of the regency with the same name.

Antara, Jakarta – Chief Legal Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has proposed changes to the Narcotics Law, advocating for rehabilitation rather than imprisonment for drug users.

Speaking at an event in Jakarta on Wednesday, Yusril called for a new approach that views drug users as victims of illegal narcotics distribution rather than as criminals.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas says approximately 39,000 drug-related inmates are being considered for amnesty. This number is the largest compared to other categories eligible for amnesty, including violators of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) regarding insults against the head of state and political cases in Papua.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo inaugurates the elected leaders and supervisory council of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the 2024-2029 period today, Monday, December 16, at the Presidential Palace.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization Muhammadiyah will most likely get to manage an old coal mine formerly operated by mining giant Adaro Energy, according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

Karen Middleton – The five remaining members of the Bali Nine jailed for life over a drug smuggling plot have returned to Australia under a deal negotiated with the Indonesian government.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed that Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj returned to Australia from Indonesia on Sunday afternoon.

Zach Hope, Bali – Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephens and Si-Yi Chen are free men after almost 20 years in jails on the islands of Bali and Java. Fair-minded Australians will take this as fair enough. Two decades in foreign jails is a severe punishment for a stupid mistake of youth.

But there are questions that still deserve answers.

Andrew Mathieson – An Indonesian minister within Prabowo Subianto's new government took little time to announce plans to resume a former transmigration program throughout the eastern regions of a sovereign Indonesia, including the largest Papua province in western New Guinea, saying it was needed to enhance unity and provide locals with welfare.

Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – The United States (US) Ambassador to Indonesia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, responded positively to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the United States.

Jakarta – Indonesia has once again followed a global trend, but not in a good way, as this is related to the use of ketamine.

Dian Yuliastuti, Jakarta – Several artifacts or Objects of Suspected Cultural Heritage (ODCB) from the United States have returned to Indonesia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono handed over six ODCBs to Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at the Pancasila Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, December 13, 2024.

Adi Renaldi Thomson, Jakarta – Environmentalists are warning that Indonesia's ambitious plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 rely too heavily on biofuels and risk a new wave of deforestation in the world's third-largest rainforest.

Nona Evita – The November 27 elections for governors, mayors, and regents experienced an unexpectedly low voter turnout – In the Jakarta gubernatorial election, just over half of registered voters cast their ballots, marking the lowest turnout in the city's history.

Thomas E Harefa, Jakarta – The number of Indonesian Muslims waiting to perform the Hajj pilgrimage has reached 5.4 million and continues to grow each year, government officials revealed on Saturday.

Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, has an annual Hajj quota of around 200,000 pilgrims. This means the current waiting list spans at least 25 years.

Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian government will revise Indonesia's historical records, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said this after meeting with the Indonesian Historians Society or MSI in Bandung on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

Dhaka – President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta today urged Bangladesh business firms to come up with their investment in Timor Timor-Leste.

He came up with the call while speaking at a joint press appearance at Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) here after holding talks with Chief Adviser Dr Professor Muhammad Yunus, followed by a delegation-level meeting.

Adhyasta Dirgantara, Ambaranie Nadia Kemala Movanita, Jakarta – Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) Deputy Director Maidina Rahmawati is urging the administration of President Prabowo Subianto to remain transparent and accountable about giving amnesty to 44,000 convicted prisoners.

Prima Wirayani – At least one in four firms in Indonesia evaded tax last year, according to a World Bank survey.

The survey, highlighted in the bank's December edition of Indonesia Economic Prospects report, showed that tax evasions in Southeast Asia's largest economy were likely influenced by the companies' perception of a common practice in the system and administration.

Jakarta – The police raided an international drug trafficking factory with drugs worth some Rp 670 billion (US$42 million) on Thursday inside of a house at the Podomoro Park upscale housing complex in Bojongsoang district, Bandung regency, West Java.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program, which provides free nutritious meals to children, expectant mothers, and breastfeeding mothers, is projected to generate at least 2.5 million new jobs, according to a presidential advisor.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Constitutional Court (MK) has received 283 regional election dispute cases as of Saturday, December 14, 2024. The number is expected to rise as the registration period for election disputes remains open until December 18, 2024.

Negar Mohtashami Khojasteh – For over two decades, domestic workers in Indonesia, the vast majority of them women, have been advocating for their rights to no avail. Millions of Indonesian women and girls work in private households as domestic workers, but despite their critical role in the economy, they remain unprotected under Indonesian labor laws.

Antara, Jakarta – The value of cryptocurrency transactions in Indonesia reached Rp 475.13 trillion ($29.63 billion) by October 2024, a 352.89 percent year-on-year increase, according to a report from the Financial Services Authority (OJK).

Jakarta – A number of political parties, the government and the General Elections Commission (KPU) have responded to the discourse initiated by President Prabowo Subianto who proposed that regional heads be chosen by Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) rather than through direct elections.

Ayu Cipta, Jakarta – Two police officers in Papua, Adjunct Inspector One (Aiptu) Hidayat Suratnoharta and Senior Brigadier Tri Yudha Argadianto, died following an attack by unidentified assailants.

Aiptu Hidayat passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, a day after the death of Bripka Tri Yudha, who succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia is set to announce a new economic policy package on Monday, according to Chief Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. The package will address various issues, including multi-tiered value-added tax (VAT) policies and non-tax economic measures.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto will pardon tens of thousands of prisoners, ranging from activists convicted of defamation to those jailed in the easternmost province of Papua for criticizing the government, a minister said on Friday.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – The inauguration of Maj. Gen. Ariyo Windutomo as head of the Presidential Secretariat in place of Heru Budi Hartono on Nov.

Yustinus Paat, Zhulfakar, Jakarta – In the midst of ongoing debates over the future of regional elections in Indonesia, Ganjar Pranowo, Chairman of the Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), has called for a comprehensive review of President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to return the election of local leaders (pilkada) – such as governors,

Jakarta – The government amended the beef import regulations in order to smooth the way for the free nutritious meal program. This will have a negative effect on the management of the livestock sector.

Jakarta – Senior United Development Party (PPP) politician Sandiaga Uno has said former president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo instructed the party's leadership to pay close attention to citizens' aspirations during their latest meeting in Surakarta, Central Java.

Jakarta – A 14-year-old allegedly killed his father and grandmother and injured his mother at their home in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta. This is a heartbreaking tragedy. MAS is both a perpetrator and a victim of complicated circumstances for which we, as adults, should all bear responsibility.

Fika Nurul Ulya, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – Minister of Law (Menkum) Supratman Andi Agtas has revealed that it has been proposed that as many as 18 prisoners involved in cases related to Papua are to be given amnesty.

Jakarta – Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has suggested scrapping one of the country's two nationwide elections to cut costs, advocating a return to a model similar to that used during its three-decade era of authoritarian rule.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Cigarette prices will rise in 2025, even though the government is not increasing tobacco excise duties, under new rules set by Finance Minister Regulation (PMK) No. 97/2024 on tobacco excise.

Andrea Arshirena Hosana, Jakarta – Gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil officially conceded defeat on Friday, accepting the victory of rival Pramono Anung in the Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Any economic decision made by the US President-Elect Donald Trump is set to affect Indonesia, according to a top brass at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is still weighing the pros and cons of joining President Prabowo Subianto's giant political alliance, according to its matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Jakarta – There is no mistaking the signs that the government is getting serious about nuclear energy as a way out of the power supply dilemma.

Jakarta – Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas underscored the need to consider and study the discourse on electing regional leaders through members of local representative councils (DPRD).

Max Lane – The new president has been in power nearly two months but many questions remain unresolved.

Zach Hope – Greetings from Jakarta. My favourite Christmas carol is O Holy Night, that stirring ballad of almost impossible range.

You don't hear it around the shopping centres in Australia as much as other carols. Maybe it's not boppy enough. Maybe the lyrics, which declare Christmas "the night of our dear Saviour's birth", are just a little too ... Jesusy.