Indonesian human rights activists have strongly criticized a move to offer money to families of enforced disappearance victims as a ploy to clean up tainted image of retired army general and President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has confirmed that its Chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri, fully accepts President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's decision to remove two PDIP ministers from the cabinet.

Raffa Athallah – When 33-year-old Noviandi first came across a TikTok account offering a service to rent a girlfriend or boyfriend, he was sceptical and suspected it might be a scam.

The account, which only had a few thousand followers, featured blurred photos of Indonesian women and men, all promising to be "your dream partner".

Jakarta – An elderly woman was found dead after being attacked by a python in South Sulawesi, police and local officials said Friday, the third such death in the province in as many months.

Maga, a 74-year-old woman, raised concerns when she did not return home on Wednesday, prompting a search by relatives.

Jakarta – The Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has urged resident voters to report any unauthorized use of their identity by gubernatorial hopefuls Dharma Pongrekun and Kun Wardana in fulfilling the legal requirements for contesting November's regional head elections.

Nur Janti, Jakarta – United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed well-wishes for Indonesia's 79th Independence Day on Saturday, highlighting the two countries' shared goal of "promoting democracy, respect for rule of law and friendship between [...] peoples" in a statement.

Resty Woro Yuniar – Just the thought of moving to Indonesia's ambitious new capital city, Nusantara, is enough to make most people's heads spin – from the logistical challenges to the potential cost. But for one government official, the prospect of relocating is keeping her up at night for an entirely different reason: the fear of falling victim to black magic.

Ikhsan Reliubun, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Organization of Free Papua (TPNPB-OPM) stated that there will be an award given to the health workers to coincide with the celebration of Independence Day or the 79th Anniversary of Indonesia.

Tanjung Pinang – Rempang Island residents in Galang subdistrict, Batam City, Riau Islands, again held a protest action rejecting their relocation to make way for the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project (PSN) on Sunday afternoon, August 18.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States, extended congratulations to Indonesia on its 79th Independence Day.

Jakarta – Indonesia should set up a cyber force as the fourth branch of its military, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo proclaimed in his address at the annual MPR plenary session on Friday.

Resty Woro Yuniar – Controversy has surrounded Indonesia's new capital city ever since the US$33 billion gambit to reshape the nation's identity was first unveiled five years ago.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Penajam Paser Utara – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and National Democratic Party (Nasdem) Chairman Surya Paloh showcased their growing closeness as Nasdem aligns itself with the pro-government Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM).

Muhammad Husaini Fikri and Muhammad Rafi Bakri – Jakarta is exhausted from carrying the burden of being Indonesia's capital city. With a population that reached 10.6 million in 2022, the city struggles with overcrowding in its 661.5 square kilometres. Indonesia passed legislation in 2022 mandating the relocation of the capital to Nusantara.

Antara, Jakarta – The Law and Human Rights Ministry, through the Directorate General of Immigration, unveiled a new passport design in celebration of Indonesia's 79th Independence Day. The new passport features a red and white color scheme, representing the national flag, replacing the previous greenish-blue cover.

Jakarta – State-owned defense company Pindad introduced its anti-drone weapons Silent Paralyzing Weapon Series 1 (SPS-1) and the Maung MV3 Mobile Jammer vehicle at the new capital city Nusantara on Friday.

Nabire – West Papua National Committee (KNPB) member Gerson Pigai says that 101 KNPB activists who took part in demonstrations and were arrested by the Nabire District Police (Polres) on Thursday morning, August 15, including three others who were arrested prior to this for handing out leaflets, have now all been released and returned home.

Ikhsan Reliubun, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo or Jokowi released a regulation permitting foreign workers to work in Nusantara Capital City or IKN in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Jakarta Walhi (Indonesian Forum for Environment) said the development of Nusantara Capital City (IKN) seemed to disregard local communities' aspirations.

Medikantyo Adhikresna, Jakarta – The upcoming national congress of the Golkar Party will decide on a new chairman from among three leading figures, Deputy Chairman Bambang Soesatyo announced on Thursday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo kicked off his final State of the Nation address on Friday by thanking the Indonesian people for their support throughout the past 10 years of his leadership.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) should establish a fourth branch dedicated to combating the growing global threats in cyberspace, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo proposed on Friday.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – In his final State of the Nation Address at the joint session of the People's Consultative Assembly on Friday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo highlighted key economic achievements during his decade-long administration.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Resource nationalism, which has become an integral economic policy of the outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, was among the key subject matters that dominated his final state of the nation address on Friday.

Jokowi is about to retire this October, ending his 10-year rule.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo ended his final state of the nation address on Friday with a message dedicated to his successor Prabowo Subianto.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Both former Presidents, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, did not attend the 2024 State of the Union Address

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – The government has set a 5.2 percent economic growth target in the 2025 State Budget Draft, marking the beginning of President Prabowo Subianto's administration.

Jakarta – The theme of unity has always been the go-to slogan of the annual celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day.

The running theme in the country's post-independence history is that only through unity among the political elite, the people and the Indonesian Military (TNI), did Indonesia manage to free itself from the shackles of colonialism.

Jakarta – NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh held a meeting on Thursday night with Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto pledging his full support for the incoming administration and dropping the party's support for Anies Baswedan's bid in the Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Jakarta (Agencies) – President-elect Prabowo Subianto has secured a majority at the House of Representatives after the party that backed his rival in the February elections announced it was joining his big-tent coalition.

Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo once again apologized to the public for any mistakes made in the past 10 years of his presidency as he delivered his last State of the Nation address on Friday.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani lamented the state of Indonesian democracy and underlined the importance of quality elections, while warning against distorted democratic processes at the annual People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) plenary session on Friday.

Jakarta – The recent suicide of a Diponegoro University medical resident in Semarang, Central Java, allegedly as the result of bullying, is only the tip of the iceberg, the Health Ministry has confirmed, while promising to take stern measures against the deep-seated problem found at medical education institutions across the country.

Irsyan Hasyim (Contributor), Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) delivered his final state address at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Victor Mambor, Jayapura, Indonesia – Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a U.N. agreement that paved the way for Jakarta's annexation of the Papua region.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan says the government is studying the possible early retirement of the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Banten to reduce air pollution in Jakarta.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Panel Barus, General Treasurer of Pro Jokowi (Projo), dismissed claims by Megawati Soekarnoputri, leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), about an attempt to take over her party.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has proposed a government budget of Rp 3,613.1 trillion (around $230 billion) in 2025, which will be his successor Prabowo Subianto's first year in office.

Jakarta – The working period of the Peatland and Mangrove Rehabilitation Agency should be extended in order to rehabilitate the severely damaged mangrove forests.

Tanjungpinang – Rempang Island residents cannot forgive President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. This was in response to Widodo's state of the nation address at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Friday August 16.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has designated Rp 525 trillion ($33.45 billion) for subsidies and compensation in the 2025 Draft State Budget (APBN), according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. The budget will be split between energy subsidies and compensation and non-energy subsidies.

Magang KJI, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid is questioning President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's apology during his state of the nation address at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Hamid said that Widodo in fact failed to explain his actions and mistakes so he conveyed an apology instead.

Jakarta – The Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy has criticised President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's state of the nation address at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Friday morning, August 16.

Thomas Rizal, Jakarta – A government agency responsible for organizing the prestigious flag-hoisting team announced on Thursday that female Muslim members of the team will be allowed to wear hijabs, reversing a previous decision that had sparked widespread condemnation in the predominantly Muslim nation.

Vinnilya Huanggrio, Jakarta – The research firm Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) recently said that Indonesia's goal of becoming the world's food barn by 2045 could be too challenging to achieve.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia maintained its positive trade balance for the 51st consecutive month in July since May 2020, although the surplus recorded last month has narrowed, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) on Thursday.

Agnes Valentina Christa, Jakarta – The future national capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan will soon be open to both local and foreign tourists, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno announced on Wednesday.

The ministry is developing local attractions, including seaside tourism villages Nipah-Nipah and Mentawir.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia's deficit with its top trading partner China had more than doubled in July, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced Thursday.

Winarno Jain, Jakarta – In the 10 years of Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's presidency (2014-2024) Indonesian economic growth has been sustainable, resilient and relatively high. It has managed to navigate safely in the midst of global economic headwinds and turbulence.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Civil society groups and communities most affected by the effects of climate change are calling on the Indonesian government to include them in the decision-making process of climate policies.