Niniek Karmini, Dili, East Timor – East Timor pulled out all stops for Pope Francis' historic visit to one of the world's youngest and poorest countries to the tune of $12 million, drawing rebuke from activists and human rights organizations in a nation where almost half the population lives in poverty.

Widy Wicaksono, Semarang – Andika Perkasa is projected to secure a decisive victory in the upcoming Central Java gubernatorial election, according to a recent survey by the Indonesian Election Study Institute (LKPI).

This survey marks the first since candidates officially registered with the General Election Commission late last month.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil's unique campaign promise to offer an architect in every district is facing early challenges, as a recent survey shows that it may not resonate with Jakarta voters.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – The Political Strategy Group (PSG) has revealed that 73 percent of Jakarta residents are satisfied with the performance of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, according to the pollster's latest survey.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – The Political Strategy Group (PSG) has released a survey showing that Jakarta residents still favor former Jakarta governors Anies Baswedan and Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama in the upcoming 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election, despite neither of them competing in the race.

Jakarta – The warm welcome afforded by the Indonesian people and government to Pope Francis during his three-day stay in Jakarta shows how eagerly awaited was his arrival.

Linda Yulisman, Jakarta – In the heart of Bali, where yellow-green paddy terraces ripple across the landscape like waves, ancient subak rice fields stand as witness to the island's rich cultural heritage. These intricate, community-led irrigation systems have nourished both the land and its people, a symbol of the delicate balance between nature and tradition.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, better known as Risma, has officially resigned to focus on her gubernatorial bid in East Java, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo confirmed on Friday.

Jakarta – Over the past decade, our para-athletes have proven their ability to win medals in Paralympic Games, the highest level of para-sports competition.

And we are truly proud of them.

Pope Francis' embrace of transgender Catholics has extended from the Vatican around the world to Indonesia, where he's on a four-day official visit to the Southeast Asian island nation.

But trans women on a pilgrimage there to see the pontiff in person were left with only "dreams" of an audience with him after local bishops refused their request to meet him.

Erwin Renaldi – Pope Francis has just left Indonesia as part of his historic, ambitious tour of South-East Asia and the Pacific.

A predominantly-Muslim nation was interestingly the first stop on his journey, the first papal visit in 35 years.

And his visit to Indonesia left a lasting impression on the population – only about 3 per cent of who are Catholic.

Aisyah Llewellyn, Medan, Indonesia – Indonesian workers who paid thousands of dollars to travel to the United Kingdom to pick fruit say they face the prospect of returning home heavily in debt after being sacked for not meeting unrealistic targets.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Jakarta – The Indonesian police have detained seven people in a failed plot to attack Pope Francis, who wrapped up the first leg of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour in the archipelago on Sept 6.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated Friday the Health Ministry Hospital in East Javan capital of Surabaya which cost the government around Rp 1.6 trillion ($104 million).

Jokowi is hoping that the government hospital will prevent foreign exchange losses from people favoring to get their medical treatment overseas.

Jakarta – Representatives of a protest action by an alliance of civil society organisations including the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and the Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (KASUM), handed over 82 dossiers and a flash disk to a commissioner from the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Surabaya – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo bid an emotional farewell during his visit to Surabaya on Friday, as his presidency enters its final weeks before his upcoming retirement.

Jakarta – In 41 regencies and cities across Indonesia and, local elections will feature only one candidate for each office in the upcoming November 27 vote. Despite an extended deadline, no challengers emerged for these single pairs of candidates and their running mates.

Jakarta – Allegations of hidden backers in the alleged corruption involving the company Timah have come out into the open. The mention of the name of Brig. Gen. Mukti Juharsa at the tin corruption trial is a strong indication that law enforcement officers have been involved in wrongdoing.

Antara, Jakarta – Prospective Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil, known as RK, responded to the rejection of support from a group of North Jakarta residents and the Jakmania, fans of the Persija Jakarta soccer club, ahead of the 2024 Jakarta Regional Election.

Antara, Jakarta – Tony Fernandes, the CEO of Capital A Berhad, AirAsia's parent company, has expressed concern over Indonesia's soaring aviation fuel (avtur) prices, which he claims are the highest in the ASEAN region.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – The National Strategic Project (PSN) plan for Surabaya Waterfront Land (SWL) has been rejected by local fishers who fear losing their homes and livelihoods.

The central board of the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Union (KNTI) said that the SWL Integrated Coastal Area Project had been imposed as a PSN.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung, alongside his running mate Rano Karno, has proposed an extensive plan to install CCTV cameras in every neighborhood across Jakarta if elected in the 2024 gubernatorial race.

Hening Wikan – The term 'energy transition' has become increasingly popular in recent years to describe government-mandated green policies. Before, terms like 'decarbonisation' and 'low carbon development' dominated global policy discourses.

Dorian Malovic, Jakarta – "Papua has been living a nightmare of unimaginable violence for over half a century. No one cares about the tragic fate of the Papuan minority, who suffer from the injustices of the ruling powers and the Indonesian military, who accuse them of being separatists," said Father Alexandro Rangga.

Bella Evanglista Mikaputri, Jakarta – Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung has officially resigned from his post to run in the Jakarta gubernatorial race, according to a statement from Presidential Staff Ari Dwipayana on Friday.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has addressed the rise of single-candidate races and contests against empty ballots in the 2024 regional elections, calling it a reflection of democratic realities in Indonesia.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 29 August 2024, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) arbitrarily arrested two indigenous Papuans in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 13 August 2024, an incident of arbitrary arrest and intimidation against Papuan activists occurred in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.

Maria Baru, Jayapura – West Papua National Committee (KNPB) General Chairperson Agus Kossay was released from the Class IIA Abepura Penitentiary (Lapas) in Jayapura city, Papua, on Tuesday September 3. He had been imprisoned for one year.

Liam Pritchett – A planned five million-acre sugarcane megaproject in Indonesia's Papua province could threaten its uniquely biodiverse rainforest and the Indigenous Papuans who depend on it.

Jakarta – The Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (KASUM) is urging the government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to immediately take responsibility for and solve the assassination of renowned human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

Antara, Jakarta – Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, finally appeared in public on Wednesday night, September 4, 2024, following public criticism over his use of a private jet and left the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) puzzled about his whereabouts.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a visit from several officials of mining giant PT Vale Indonesia Tbk at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, September 5, 2024, around 10:30 a.m.

Rita Padawangi – A group of around 20 youths went to the foot of the altar after the Pope's mass, unfurling banners of protests. The Pope's safety was not in jeopardy although the protestors reached within thirty meters of the steps to the high altar.

Melisa Cavcic – Australia's energy giant Santos has signed a new mid-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contract with Glencore Singapore (Glencore) and hammered out a deal for the divestment of a partial stake in an offshore gas project with Timor-Leste's national oil company, TIMOR GAP.

Michael Rose and Ivo Mateus Goncalves da Cruz Fernandes – Next week, Timor-Leste will welcome Pope Francis, its first papal visit in 35 years. Aside from being an enormous event in this deeply Catholic country, the two-day visit also has resonance in terms of its recent history.

Hariz Baharudin, Jakarta – Indonesia's new capital city Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), which is about 15 per cent completed, has released a smartphone application that will ultimately allow residents to access public services with a tap and a swipe.

Jakarta (Agencies) – Only rockstars and presidents can usually fill the Gelora Bung Karno stadium, but on Thursday it was octogenarian Pope Francis who drew more than 80,000 fans to a Catholic Mass in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

Jakarta – Once again, the selection of members of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is like trying to clean a filthy house with a dirty broom. The state auditor body that determines how public funds are used will be filled by people from political parties – the institutions that in Indonesia were set up to accommodate crooked interests.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – Gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung has pledged to transform Jakarta into a "city of joy" with global influence, should he win the upcoming election on November 27.

Victor Mambor and Tria Dianti in Jayapura and Jakarta – Hundreds of indigenous Papuans staged protests on Wednesday to highlight ongoing violence and displacement in the conflict-torn Papua region as Pope Francis met with Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

Jakarta – Pope Francis praised Indonesians on Wednesday for their large families and suggested that people in other countries are choosing to have pets rather than bring up children.

The 87-year-old pontiff was speaking alongside President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in Jakarta on the first stop on a four-country trip to Asia.

Aditya Hadi, Jakarta – At its conclusion on Tuesday, the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) 2024 had seen the signing of 32 new business partnerships, according to the Foreign Ministry, including nine in the health sector, six in renewable energy and four in strategic industries.

Jakarta – The Indonesian government provided military aid comprising assault rifles, handguns and ammunition totaling US$500,000 to Cambodia during a handover ceremony on Aug. 29 in Phnom Penh.

The aid, which was distributed through the Defense Ministry, is part of the government's efforts to strengthen bilateral defense and security cooperation with its ASEAN neighbor.

Antara, Jakarta – Chief Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan paid tribute to the late renowned economist Faisal Basri on Thursday, visiting his home in South Jakarta to honor his contributions to the nation's economy.

Faisal, widely respected for his constructive critiques of government policies, passed away earlier in the day at the age of 65.

A National Strategic Project (PSN) in Bintuni Bay (Teluk Bintuni Regency), Papua Barat Province, has sparked concerns about the potential violation of indigenous land rights.

The project, handled by Genting Oil Kasuri Pte. Ltd, is facing criticism for lack of transparency and adherence to the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Donny Iqbal, Nopri Ismi, Palembang/Pandeglang, Indonesia – Authorities in Indonesia are investigating possible links between a recent bust of rhino horns for sale and a killing spree of Javan rhinos still being uncovered in court.

Dyna Rochmyaningsih, Lubok Pusaka, Indonesia – Jaharuddin, 50, sits deep in thought in his living room in Lubok Pusaka village, in Indonesia's Aceh province, smoking a cigarette and staring out the door. On his porch, piles of corn he harvested two before lie scattered, waiting to be sold.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – Two British nationals, Benjamin James Lovell and Benjamin Thomas Sloan, were deported from Indonesia on Wednesday September 5 for violating immigration rules.

Djibril Muhammad, Jakarta – The Central Jakarta Immigration Office has deported British nationals Benjamin James Lovell and Benjamin Thomas Sloan for participating in a demonstration by online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojek) in Jakarta.