Jakarta – The opportunity for Anies Baswedan to contest the Jakarta gubernatorial election is slipping away after the coalition of parties supporting him fell apart. There is a guerrilla from the Palace.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, said on Wednesday her party is being sidelined in the upcoming local elections, as rivals increasingly align with the coalition that backed Prabowo Subianto's successful presidential bid.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Anies Baswedan's bid for re-election as Jakarta governor hangs in the balance after a key ally, National Democratic Party (Nasdem) Chairman Surya Paloh, indicated on Wednesday that the party may endorse a rival candidate.

Antara, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – A senior executive of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has been chosen as the running mate for Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil, confirming speculation that the party has withdrawn its support from Anies Baswedan.

Aditya Hadi, Jakarta – Hotels in the East Kalimantan cities of Samarinda and Balikpapan have seen a surge in demand to full capacity ahead of the 79th Independence Day celebrations in Nusantara, according to the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI).

Sylviana Hamdani, Jakarta – Art does not always capture the beauty of our world for the enjoyment of the audience. Sometimes, art also pokes at our neatly dressed wounds and rips the bandages off.

Jakarta – Conventional wisdom has it that, while Indonesia may have all sorts of problems, at least the country's macroeconomic fundamentals are in order.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has been trying to facilitate a smooth transition of power for his successor Prabowo Subianto by various means, but accommodating Prabowo's signature programs in the 2025 budget has proven to be the most challenging considering the narrowing fiscal space and economic deceleration.

Anies Baswedan saw an outpouring of support for his reelection bid as Jakarta governor in the 2024 regional head elections, when hundreds of people turned up last week in rallies at the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in the city, calling on the parties to back the former presidential candidate.

Jakarta – Indonesia's President-elect campaigned on a pledge to provide free meals to over 80 million school children, a costly and daunting logistical effort that is poised to lift dairy imports and ultimately boost the country's underdeveloped milk industry.

Indonesia may be forced to delay plans to relocate a first batch of civil servants to its beleaguered new capital, potentially casting further doubts on a project that remains behind schedule and is struggling to attract funding.

Padang, Indonesia – One of an estimated 400 of the world's remaining Sumatran tigers was found dead on July 25 after becoming trapped in a wire snare set in Agam district, West Sumatra province.

Iim Halimatusa'diyah – The leadership of Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organisation has decided to accept a government mining licence, just like the largest. Consternation from eco-activists and others within has ensued, together with warnings about a loss of moral direction.

Ahmad Syamsudin, Jakarta – As Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo prepares to exit office in October, his decade-long leadership is coming in for a reckoning.

On the verge of completing the maximum-allowed two presidential terms, he is set to deliver his final State of the Nation address on Friday.

Bhima Yudhistira – Indonesia's next president, Prabowo Subianto, will be inaugurated in October. In May, at the Qatar Economic Forum, he promised to achieve 8% GDP growth within two or three years – ambitious given this year's growth is around 5%. The nickel industry would be a major driver of the increased growth, he said.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – The state palace has denied rumors of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo possibly holding another cabinet shake-up today or tomorrow.

"There are no plans for the rumored cabinet reshuffle on Aug. 14 or 15," Jokowi's senior aide Ari Dwipayana said Wednesday.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – An economist recently said that disrupted food security – a situation in which the population could not access affordable rice – could worsen Indonesia's poverty rate.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has pushed back against suggestions that it is to blame for the uncertainty surrounding Anies Baswedan's candidacy in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election, saying that Anies himself has been unable to secure the necessary support from other parties to meet the nomination threshold.

Bella Evanglista Mikaputri, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo admitted Wednesday that he could finally get a restful sleep when staying at the yet-to-be-built Indonesian future capital Nusantara.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo conferred honorary medals upon 64 individuals, including prominent figures such as NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh and Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. The ceremony took place at the State Palace on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, as part of the nation's 79th Independence Day commemorations.

Fauzi Ibrahim, Jakarta – Dozens of Rempang, Batam residents staged a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 14, to voice their opposition to the Rempang Eco-City National Strategic Project (PSN). The community insists that they can thrive without the project, relying on local resources, such as agriculture and fishing.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo seemed to be fine with the slow foreign investment in the Indonesian Capital City of Nusantara or IKN project, stating that the government is prioritizing domestic investors.

Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – The National Research and Innovation Agency or BRIN proposed a solution to overcome air pollution by using nuclear technology.

Ikhsan Reliubun, Jakarta – Bondan Andriyanu, the Greenpeace Indonesia Climate and Energy Campaigner, responded to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's claim that the air quality in Nusantara Capital City or IKN is "very fresh and clean."

Bondan said on Tuesday that Kalimantan often faces forest fires, one of the contributing factors to air pollution.

A contentious legal dispute has emerged in the Sorong Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province, involving PT Mancaraya Agro Mandiri (MAM), a subsidiary of the Manca Group, and the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Malamoi.

The 15 August marks 62 years since The New York Agreement and West Papuans are still suffering under Indonesian colonial rule. Yes, most of the world recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua at this stage but most also would recognise that the so called act of free choice in 1969 was a sham.

The New York Agreement

Jakarta – Harli Siregar, head of the Attorney General's Office's (AGO's) Legal Information Center (Kapuspenkum Kejagung), said the investigation into the crude palm oil (CPO) export corruption case was being conducted without any political pressure or influence.

The CPO corruption case resurfaced after Airlangga Hartarto resigned from his position as Golkar chairman.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza is still operating despite facing a lack of electricity, according to the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C).

"We need to immediately restore the electricity supply," said Dr. Dany Kurniadi Ramdhan, a MER-C volunteer, during a virtual press conference on Monday, August 12, 2024

Antara, Jakarta – Several areas in East Kalimantan, including those within Nusantara Capital City (IKN), are still at risk of flooding in the coming week. After heavy rainfall last weekend, floods have inundated several sub-districts in Mahakam Ulu, Balikpapan, and North Penajam Paser.

Singgih Wiryono, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Chairperson Andy Yentriyani says that as many as 34,682 women fell victim to acts of violence in 2024.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Activists from the 98 Resistance Forum have come together to voice their anxieties about the quality of democracy in the era of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. They highlighted the issue of Airlangga Hartanto's ousting as general chairperson of the Golkar Party recently.

Teguh Adi Prasetyo, Jakarta – A devastating fire that swept through five sub-districts in the Manggarai area this morning has left hundreds, if not thousands, of residents homeless.

Victims were seen scrambling to gather their remaining belongings, from bags containing valuables to important documents, as they wandered aimlessly in search of temporary shelter.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, said on Tuesday that the Indonesian government is prioritizing industrialization to enhance the export of processed commodities with higher added value.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita was appointed as the acting chairman of the Golkar Party during an emergency leaders' meeting on Tuesday evening, following the sudden resignation of Chairman Airlangga Hartarto.

The meeting, held at the party's headquarters in Jakarta, involved top Golkar executives and senior members.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – Chico Hakim, spokesperson for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), responded to rumors about a potential cabinet reshuffle by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, which may see the replacement of PDI-P ministers, including Yasonna Laoly with Supratman Andi Agtas from the Gerindra Party.

Duncan Graham – ABC foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic's 'exclusive' claim that "Australia and Indonesia are on the brink of sealing an upgraded defence pact" hasn't been refuted by Defence so is probably right.

This is a distressing idea practically and morally for a nation that claims to respect the rules of warfare and human rights. That's us.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – Anti-graft activists are calling on the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) commissioner selection committee to take a stronger stance and eliminate problematic candidates from the shortlist, including two incumbent KPK commissioners who have been hit with allegations of ethics violations.

Jakarta – Two former presidents, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), have confirmed that they will not join the Independence Day celebration at Indonesia's future capital in Nusantara, East Kalimantan, scheduled for this weekend.

Jakarta – Asenior Golkar politician has said an interim chairman of the party will be elected by acclamation in a plenary meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

Jakarta – Our founding fathers chose the banyan tree as the symbol of the third pillar of state ideology Pancasila – Indonesian unity, most likely because of its longevity and its enormous size, which provides shelter. The tree also represents Golkar Party for the same reasons, as it claims to serve the political aspirations of people from all walks of life.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Investors continue to show strong interest in properties in Jakarta and the surrounding Greater Jakarta metropolitan area despite the construction of the country's new capital located in East Kalimantan, according to property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Indonesia.

Andrea Arshirena Hosana, Jakarta – Rather than food security, it would be best for Indonesia to focus on finding ways in which it can feed its people without having to rely on imports, according to political expert Achmad Nur Hidayat.

Antara, Jakarta – The budget for Indonesia's 79th Independence Day celebrations in the new capital Nusantara (IKN) on Aug. 17 is set at Rp 87 billion ($5.5 million), up from last year's Rp 53 billion allocated for Jakarta's celebrations.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The government has spent approximately Rp 11.2 trillion (around $707 million) to fund Indonesia's future planned capital development so far this year as of the end of July.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – Vox Point Indonesia supports Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's proposal to eliminate the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) recommendation requirement for building places of worship, arguing that it will streamline the process and enhance religious freedoms.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Metro Jaya Police have advanced their investigation into a controversial meeting between former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Firli Bahuri and ex-Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) at a sports hall in West Jakarta.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Tuesday that the existing presidential palaces remind him of Dutch colonial rule as the incumbent leader once again tried to defend his decision to build an entirely new capital, including a massive, Garuda-inspired presidential workplace.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – Professor Subejo of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) argues that Indonesia should prioritize maximizing the potential of its 7.4 million hectares of existing rice fields rather than pursuing the risky food estate policy to achieve national food sovereignty.

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Jakarta – Agricultural expert Dwi Andreas Santosa recently revealed ways on how Indonesia could achieve food security, citing improving farmers' welfare as one of the things that could enable the country feed its people easily.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Anies Baswedan could face a significant setback in his bid for reelection as Jakarta governor if the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) withdraws its support. Even his political ally, the National Awakening Party (PKB), would be unable to secure his candidacy without PKS.