Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Constitutional Court's decision in August to lower the vote threshold for political parties to nominate gubernatorial candidates was intended to promote broader participation, enhancing the democratic process. The threshold was reduced from 25 percent of the vote to a range of 6.5 to 10 percent, depending on the province's population size.

Sui-Lee Wee and Emma Bubola – The hallelujahs rang out on Sunday from a small hall on the outskirts of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. The sounds from the Christian service could be heard within the green and orange mosque across the way, as a group of young girls in hijabs walked by.

Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia from 3 to 6 September 2024 should be a momentum to urge Indonesia to stop gross human rights violations and provide redress for past atrocities or injustices resulting from socially and environmentally unfriendly development policies, such as those in Papua and Rempang, Amnesty International Indonesia said today.

David da Costa – Today (September 2, 2024), around 12 p.m., Nelson Roldao, a Timorese human rights activist supporting the pro-West Papua movement, was arrested at Timor-Leste the Prezidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, Timor-Leste, while accompanying West Papuan activist, who was traveling back to his home country.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia recently asked Liberia to support its fight against the smear campaign targeted at palm oil as Jakarta remains alarmed at Europe's policy against its top commodity.

Palm oil has been subject to discrimination in the West with criticisms accusing the sector of being responsible for deforestation, among others.

Kate Hartcher – With rising consumer concerns for animal welfare worldwide, the poultry industry is starting to let their hens roam around in bigger spaces.

This shift from conventional battery cages to cage-free systems allow layer hens greater freedom of movement and a chance to engage in natural behaviours, from foraging to dust-bathing.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo suffered his first major political defeat, just two months before he steps down, when a popular revolt denied him the chance to field his youngest son to run in the November polls to elect the leaders of regional governments.

Jakarta – The impending visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia this week could not be more timely, coming as it does after a tumultuous period during which the country's democracy again rose up against an attempt by those with power to bury it.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesian unicorns, once thriving start-ups valued at over US$1 billion, seem to have lost their direction over the past few years with funding becoming increasingly difficult to find, while some have seen their market capitalization plummet years after going public.

Rama Sukarta, Jakarta – The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) confirmed that it is still investigating a gratification case involving five former employees who allegedly accepted bribes from companies during the initial public offering (IPO) process.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Indonesia experienced a monthly deflation of 0.03 percent in August 2024, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).

Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, reported a decrease in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 106.09 in July 2024 to 106.06 in August 2024.

Antara, Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that as many as 8 cities or regencies in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) are facing drought emergencies during this dry season.

Han Revanda Putra, Jakarta – President-elect Prabowo Subianto announced plans to separate the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) into two distinct ministries: one dedicated to housing and another focused on infrastructure development.

Lusia Arumingtyas, Sapariah Saturi, Jakarta – Indonesian conservationist Farwiza Farhan says she couldn't contain her tears when she learned that the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation had selected her as a recipient of its Emergent Leadership prize this year.

Termination notices have been sent to as many as 11 journalists days after a union was registered.

Riri Rahayu, Bagus Pribadi, Jakarta – The Ministry of Manpower responded to the alleged unilateral layoff by the management of CNN Indonesia against its employees who formed a labor union.

The Director General of Industrial Relations and Social Security, Indah Anggoro Putri, stated that workers are entitled to form a labor union and corporations must not interfere.

Antara, Jakarta – As Indonesia faces the looming threat of a megathrust earthquake, both government and public efforts must intensify to mitigate potential casualties and damage, according to a leading disaster researcher.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Jakarta – Foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 7.75 million from January to July 2024, a 20.75 percent increase from the same period last year, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – With poll leader Anies Baswedan absent from the Jakarta gubernatorial race, the competition is now wide open for two major candidates, both vying to capture his support base.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Jakarta – Medistra Hospital Jakarta has issued an apology for its policy prohibiting the wearing of hijabs by doctors, nurses, and other medical staff after a letter from a doctor raised concerns about the restriction.

Yogyakarta – A number of activists in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta have demanded and urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately summon and question President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's youngest son Kaesang Pangarep.

The summons is intended to seek clarification from Pangarep regarding a private jet that he used to travel to the United States.

Batam – Residents on Rempang Island from the Sembulang Village in Galang sub-district, Batam City, Riau Islands, claim to have been terrorised by unidentified individuals (OTK).

The Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has condemned the unilateral sacking of CNN Indonesia employees after they declared the establishment of the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity trade union (SPCI) on Tuesday August 27.

Dini Suciatiningrum, Jakarta – As many as 14 CNN Indonesia media workers have been sacked (PHK) by the CNN Indonesia management. The unilateral layoffs were done after the workers formed the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity trade union (SPCI) on Tuesday August 27.

Hariz Baharudin, Jakarta – Indonesia is stepping up security for Pope Francis's visit next week – his first stop on his 12-day tour of Asia, with snipers being deployed and thousands of officers on standby.

Will Hunter – Adelaide nurse Joy Booth sees the joy and hope that "life-changing" reconstructive surgery can bring to young people in Timor-Leste, but the working environment is often a stark departure from Australian clinical conditions.

Ms Booth recently embarked on her 11th surgical trip to train and assist local health staff.

Dayat, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung and his running mate Rano Karno unexpectedly met with former governor Anies Baswedan during a morning walk on Sudirman Street in the heart of the capital city.

Every Sunday, the street is closed to motor vehicles to provide space for Jakarta residents to enjoy morning recreation.

Jayapura – The High School and University Student Front for Human Rights Concern held a peaceful action at the United Nations Representative office in Jakarta on Friday August 30 during which they reported cases of human rights violations, genocide, ecocide and ethnocide to the UN.

Hendro Situmorang, Antara, Bali – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Sunday introduced Prabowo Subianto as his successor during the Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, where leaders and representatives from African nations gathered.

Prabowo, who will assume the presidency next month, will be joined by Jokowi's son as vice president.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Jakarta) urges CNN Indonesia's management to retract the termination letter (PHK) against nine employees who are members of the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity (SPCI).

This layoff occurred just a few days after SPCI was officially established on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Dili – Timor-Leste's leader thanked the international community Friday as his country celebrated the 25th anniversary of its referendum on independence from Indonesia, with visiting United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urging the world to do more to support the young democracy.

Niniek Karmini, Maumere, Indonesia – Arnoldus Yansen thought for certain he was going to become a Catholic priest, just like his older brother, cousin and uncle.

Greget Kalla Buana and Anisa Indah Pratiwi – Indonesia's middle class is shrinking. After expanding by 21 million from 2014 to 2018, it contracted by 8.5 million in the past six years, reducing its size to 52 million, as reported by the Indonesia Economic Outlook 2024.

Jakarta – The government's plan to charge Greater Jakarta Commuter Line passengers based on their respective income levels has triggered widespread public criticism.

Jakarta – The three-day registration window for candidates in the regional head elections, to be held simultaneously this November, officially closed at midnight on Friday with a frantic final rush of applications in several constituencies.

Beritasatu Team, Jakarta – The Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party is advancing its congress from August to February 2025, focusing on re-electing Prabowo Subianto as chairman and chief patron. This decision follows strong requests from party members during the National Leadership Meeting in Hambalang, Bogor, on Friday.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has hinted at the possibility of forming a mass organization or a political party with like-minded associates following his defeat in the 2024 presidential race and his failure to secure a candidacy in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Barita News Lumbanbatu, Sipahutar, Indonesia – On the Indonesian island of Sumatra lives a man named Efron Simanjuntak. With a stern face and thick, graying mustache, he roams the forests near the village of Bona ni Dolok. Once a player in the region's illegal logging industry, he's now a dedicated forest protector.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition pushes the Indonesian government to use the upcoming submission of the Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC) in September as momentum to correct its commitment to climate change and democracy.

Advist Khairunikmah, Jakarta – The Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) said Dharma Pongrekun-Kun Wardana did not violate Election Law for misusing Jakarta voter IDs to register as gubernatorial candidates in the upcoming regional head election.

Alex Bainbridge, Magan-djin/Brisbane – More than 100 people marched through the streets of Magan-djin/Brisbane on August 30 as part of a School Strike 4 Climate student strike for West Papua.

"Right now my people, the people of West Papua are living through a painful reality," a message from Papuan activist Jeffrey which was read to the crowd said.

Paul Gregoire – Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto was in Canberra early last week to meet with soon-to-be counter-part-prime minister Anthony Albanese and to further negotiate a new defence deal, in his current capacity as Indonesian defence minister with our own defence minister Richard Marles.

As President of the ULMWP and on behalf of the people of West Papua, I welcome the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Communique reaffirming the 2019 call for a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to West Papua:

Leaders recalled their decision from 2019 and 2023 and noted the update from the Special Envoys.

Stanley Widianto and Johan Purnomo, Jakarta – Over 1,000 ride-hailing drivers staged a strike in several cities on Thursday to protest their low pay, calling on the government to provide more protection against what they said were unfair practices by on-demand services companies.

Jakarta – Indonesia has been very active in the realm of defense over the past few months, with activities ranging from joint exercises to leveling up its defense cooperation agreement (DCA) with Australia.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Indonesia is importing growing amounts of paper and plastic scrap but remains ill-prepared to process the material, which is aggravating the country's already immense waste problem.

Asad Asnawi, Pacitan, Indonesia – Indonesia's mining ministry has ordered a suspension of operations at a controversial copper mine on Java Island following claims by local farmers that it was responsible for massive pollution wrecking the livelihoods of 200 families living downriver.

Antara, Jakarta – Chairperson of the Government Commission at the House of Representatives (DPR) Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung said the parliament would evaluate the medium and long-term position of the Constitutional Court (MK). Doli said MK often undertakes matters outside of its authorized duty.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) continues its efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar by forming a strategic partnership with the Bank of Korea (BOK) and South Korea's Ministry of Finance.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has just awarded President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo the Agricola Medal, which recognizes the Indonesian leader's support for attaining global food security.

FAO's Director-General Qu Dongyu gave Jokowi his medal at Jakarta's State Palace on Monday.