A West Papuan advocacy group is calling for an urgent international inquiry into allegations that Indonesian security forces have used the chemical weapon white phosphorus against West Papuans for a second time.

The allegations were made in the new documentary, Frontier War, by Paradise Broadcasting.

Bangkok – Deforestation in Indonesia rose in 2024 for a third year running, a local environmental NGO said on Friday (Jan 31) based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork.

Indonesia has one of the world's highest rates of deforestation, with key drivers including timber plantations, palm oil cultivation and, increasingly, the mining of critical minerals.

Jakarta – Indonesia's additional budget of 100 trillion rupiah (S$8.34 billion) for its programme to give free meals to school children this year will add nearly 2 percentage points to the country's growth, an aide to President Prabowo Subianto said on Jan 31.

Siwage Dharma Negara – Indonesia weathered significant challenges in 2024. The country maintained 5 per cent growth through presidential and regional elections, while economic headwinds from El Nino caused rising food prices, higher energy prices and weakening consumer demand.

Jakarta – Nearly 3,000 people have taken refuge due to flooding in several areas across Jakarta since Thursday night after heavy rainfall poured down across the city.

Jakarta – Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that social assistance (bansos) funding would remain untouched despite the government's budget efficiency measures to support President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals program and other costly initiatives.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – Indonesian businesses have expressed frustration about the many problems they have encountered with the newly rolled out digitalized taxation administration system called Coretax.

Jakarta – Indonesia's special envoy for climate change and energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, said he considers the Paris Agreement no longer relevant for Indonesia following the US withdrawal from the deal.

Jakarta – Various illegal levies demanded from newcomers to Bali are a serious threat to the image of the Island of the Gods as a world class tourist destination. Bali has long captivated tourists with its natural beauty, unique traditions and the friendliness of the people, who are known so for their openness and being welcoming to visitors.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia announced Friday that it had attracted Rp 1,714.2 trillion or approximately $105 billion throughout 2024 with a significant portion of the money coming from international investors.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's Red and White Cabinet is ramping up its focus on food security and economic growth as they pass their first 100 days in office.

Bisnis.com, Jakarta – Singapore remains Indonesia's largest investor over the past decade, recording a total of US$20.1 billion in investment in 2024 alone, said Minister of Investment and Downstream Rosan Roeslani.

"Singapore has consistently remained in the top position for the last 10 years," he said in a press conference on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Devy Ernis, Jakarta – Chief of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, revealed the special role of the military in the free nutritious meals (MBG) program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto's government. He stated that he had ordered all Regional Defense Commands staff to manage idle lands.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf claims the free nutritious meal program could create new job opportunities. "Each kitchen requires workers. [The program] creates job opportunities," said Gus Ipul, the minister's familiar name, in an official statement on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Edna Tarigan, Jakarta, Indonesia – The defense ministers of France and Indonesia agreed Friday to work more closely to maintain regional stability, Indonesian officials said.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named five suspects in the corruption case related to the construction of the flyover at the intersection of Jl. Tuanku Ambusai and Jl. Soekarno Hatta in Riau province during the 2018 fiscal year. The suspects were named on Friday, January 10.

Jakarta – The return of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among cattle in Indonesia is a serious threat to the government's target of achieving food self-sufficiency. A number of priority programs promised by President Prabowo Subianto, such as food sustainability and improvements to children's nutrition, are also at risk of failing.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati hopes that financial institutions such as banks can contribute to the success of the free nutritious meal program (MBG).

Jakarta – Dozens of people calling themselves the Sidoarjo Youth Movement (GPS) held a protest action at the Sidoarjo National Land Agency (BPN) offices on Thursday January 30 to highlight the case of 656 hectares of sea area with right to build (HGB) certificates in the Sidoarjo Sea

Han Revanda, Jakarta – Spokesperson of the Industry Ministry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, said that the increase in certain natural gas prices (HGBT) will not significantly impact the industry. The government's natural gas incentive price is reported to have increased from US$6 per MMBTU to US$6.5.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian said the inauguration of the elected regional heads from the simultaneous regional head elections in 2024 scheduled on February 6, 2025, has been canceled.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto spoke about ongoing attempts to weaken the military. He made these remarks during a guidance session for senior and middle-ranking officers at the annual TNI leadership meeting at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Indah Handayani, Jakarta – The rupiah continued its downward slide against the US dollar on Friday, closing at Rp 16,304 per US dollar. The currency weakened by 48 points as investors remained cautious over the potential imposition of new tariffs by the United States.

Victor Mambor and Tria Dianti, Jayapura, Indonesia, and Jakarta – The Indonesian government's proposal to grant amnesty to pro-independence rebels in Papua has stirred skepticism as the administration of new President Prabowo Subianto seeks to deal with the country's most protracted armed conflict.

In his first 100 days of office, President Prabowo Subianto has appointed several military figures to his Cabinet, including serving officers. Senior figures have proposed reforming the military law, allowing the military to hold business interests and more serving officers to work in civilian government posts.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Indonesia's parliament is fast-tracking amendments to the country's mining law, in a move that could reshape the country's mining landscape for the worst, say activists who warn of environmental catastrophe and democratic erosion.

Antara, Aisha Shaidra, Jakarta – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said rice production in January-March 2025 is predicted to increase by 50 percent. Amran said that the data was obtained from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), which said that in January 2025 it rose 50 percent compared to last year and was predicted to rise 49 percent in February and 51 percent in March 2025.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The government is considering granting mining permits to universities, but Chief Social Empowerment Minister Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar said such a plan must be carefully evaluated before moving forward.

Jakarta – It is not appropriate to hand out mining permits (IUPs) to universities, as planned by the Prabowo Subianto administration. Without experience in mining management, the involvement of universities in the exploitation of natural resources will only result in destruction. Universities will lose their independence after accepting these free mining permits.

Salsabilla Azzahra Octavia, Jakarta – Center of Economic and Law Studies or Celios gave a low score to the performance of Minister of Human Rights (HAM) Natalius Pigai from the Red and White Cabinet formed by Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid said that he has canceled 50 sea fence Right of Building (HGB) in Kohod Village, Tangerang, Banten. He mentioned that the number of cancellations could be increased.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stressed that the health of a nation is reflected in the performance of its security forces, the military (TNI) and police (Polri). He noted that the signs of a failing state often manifest themselves through deficiencies in the military and police.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto mentioned the failures of the military and police in fulfilling their duties despite being entrusted by the people. He emphasized the importance of dedicated service to the nation and country.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has set an ambitious target to increase crude oil production to between 900,000 and 1 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2028, aiming to restore output levels last seen nearly three decades ago when the country was a key member of OPEC, a senior official said on Thursday.

Fuad Iqbal Abdullah, Yovanda Noni, Samarinda – Heavy flooding has inundated multiple areas in Samarinda, East Kutai Regency, and Kutai Kartanegara Regency over the past week, forcing thousands to evacuate and cutting off major roads.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – The Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry has blocked more than 882,000 online gambling-related content as part of its commitment to fighting digital crimes. This achievement is a key milestone in the government's first 100 days of work under President Prabowo Subianto's administration.

Agus Setyadi, Jogja – Two men in the Acehnese provincial capital of Banda Aceh were caught having sexual relations after local residents broke into their boarding house room. The gay couple had previously arranged to meet to do college a assignment.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Head of Information at the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Major General Hariyanto, said the government's plan to pardon prisoners linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) will not disrupt the security in Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 6-page document lists cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns; escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua; and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 October to 31 December 2024.

Human rights

Bambang Ismoyo, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia pointed out an irony on Thursday: despite being an oil-producing country, Indonesia relies heavily on oil imports from Singapore, a nation that does not produce crude oil.

Agencies, Jakarta – Dozens of Rohingya refugees who arrived by boat at a beach in Aceh have been relocated to a temporary shelter after locals allowed their landing, an official said Thursday.

The latest group of 76 refugees, including four children, were moved to tents on a soccer field in East Aceh regency, Aceh on Wednesday night, hours after arriving the beach.

Agencies, Jakarta – At least 75 Rohingya refugees arrived by boat at a tourist beach in Aceh on Wednesday, but were stopped by authorities from disembarking, local officials said.

Jakarta – Since he came to power in October, President Prabowo Subianto has visited several major world leaders, such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Associated Press, Jakarta – Dozens of Indonesians, angered over the fatal shooting of an Indonesian migrant worker in neighboring waters, threw eggs on Thursday at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said Thursday that coal-reliant Indonesia is in a dilemma in its energy transition journey, especially following US President Donald Trump's plan to quit the global climate pact.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – The Papuan people have continuously been victims of the militaristic practices carried out by the Indonesian government since 1963.

Ilham Oktafian, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Adjunct Chief Commissioner Bintoro of the Jakarta Police is set to face an ethics tribunal for allegedly extorting money from two suspects linked to the death of an underage girl, a police spokesman announced on Wednesday.

Jesslyn Giovanni Mulyanto – On 13 January 2025, Communication and Digital (Komdigi) Minister Meutya Hafid inaugurated police Brigadier General Alexander Sabar as the head of the newly-established Digital Space Monitoring Directorate General in her ministry.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck East Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at approximately 11:30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB). The tremor resulted in minor damage to 31 houses and two places of worship.

Jakarta – Thirteen students of state junior high school (SMPN) 7 Mojokerto were swept away by waves at Drini Beach in Gunung Kidul regency in Yogyakarta on Tuesday, with four of them being reported dead and the others hospitalized.

A group consisting of 261 students and 16 teachers arrived at the beach at around 6:00 a.m. and immediately began to swim.