Jakarta – The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry has established 27 new task forces dedicated to preventing and addressing incidents of violence in educational institutions, Secretary General Suharti said.

Ilham Oktafian, Tangerang – A shooting at the kilometer 45 rest area along the Tangerang-Merak toll road in Banten on Thursday resulted in the death of Ilyas Abdul Rahman, 48, a resident of Aceh Province. Another victim, Ramli Abu Bakar, 60, also from Aceh, was critically injured. The shooting is suspected to be linked to a car rental fraud scheme.

Jakarta – Indonesia's Constitutional Court on Thursday (Jan 2) said a law requiring a minimum number of votes for political parties to nominate a presidential candidate was not legally binding, which could allow a wider range of candidates in 2029.

Linda Yulisman, Jakarta – A call by the Indonesian President to expand oil palm plantations has drawn backlash from environmental and farmers' groups, which warn that his comments may set back efforts to curb deforestation in the country.

At the close of 2024, a non-profit organization called the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) released a list of nominations of people who were considered to have contributed greatly to worsening organised crime and corruption. Indonesia's seventh president, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, was included in the list of nominees.

Jakarta - The Constitutional Court (MK) rejected a judicial review request requesting that non-religious citizens be recognized in Law Number 23 of 2006 concerning Population Administration (Adminduk).

Indonesia, West Papua – On 20 December 2024, Mr Sulfianto Alias, director of the NGO Panah Papua, was beaten by a group of individuals in multiple locations in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province. One of the perpetrators allegedly identified himself as a police officer.

Antara, Jakarta – Chinese carmaker Wuling Motors has officially begun operating its electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Cikarang, West Java, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia's push toward sustainable transportation.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Jakarta Police dishonorably discharged 31 officers in December 2024 for committing serious disciplinary violations, including desertion and drug-related offenses, a spokesman said on Friday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Chinese polyethylene terephthalate or PET plastic manufacturer Wankai New Materials has pledged to establish a factory in Banten's industrial city of Cilegon.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – An Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher was doxxed by the Instagram account @volt_anonym, allegedly after responding to a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The report nominated Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi for the "Organized Crime and Corruption 2024" category.

Tempo.co, Jakarta – The Indonesian government said it's reviewing the Constitutional Court's decision to abolish the presidential threshold, said Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, claiming it necessary as the court did not have a timeline set to enforce the ruling.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto announced a free health check program for all citizens on their birthdays. The program is funded by the 2025 State Budget (APBN) with an allocation of Rp3.2 trillion.

Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed the reasoning behind former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's nomination as finalist of the most corrupt public figure of 2024.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Juli Hantoro, Jakarta – President Labor Party Said Iqbal welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court or MK, which abolished the presidential nomination threshold provision or presidential threshold of 20 percent.

Jakarta – The collapse of several peer-to-peer lending fintech companies has brought much concern to individual investors. They were late in anticipating the huge risks involved.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 24 December 2024, Mr Febrian Agapa, 20, was seriously injured after being shot at close range by the driver of a vehicle from a convoy escorted by security forces.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The police reported Friday that they recorded fewer traffic accidents in the 2024 Christmas and year-end holiday season, marking a double-digit decline compared to 2023.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – In a controversial speech, Indonesia's new president argued oil palm plantations are like forests, calling for their expansion by stating, 'oil palms are trees... they've got leaves.'"

Jakarta – The Constitutional Court (MK) on Friday ruled that all marriages must be conducted in keeping with religious principles. It emphasized that a marriage not based on religious principles and rules would not be considered valid by the state.

Tria Dianti, Jakarta – Indonesia's Constitutional Court was able to issue a judgment that opened the door for more inclusive presidential elections because it wasn't under as much political pressure as before, analysts said.

Rahmat Fajar Nugraha, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has revealed that one of its researchers was doxed after commenting on former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's nomination for the most corrupt figure of 2024 by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

Indonesia experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, the country's weather agency said Friday, matching several other nations which have reported similar rises in temperature.

Indonesia still relies enormously on fossil fuel energy – which scientists say is a leading cause of global warming – and is listed as one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the world.

Jon Emont, Singapore – Dozens of foreigners attending a large music festival in Indonesia were detained by police, accused of using drugs and allegedly told to pay thousands of dollars to gain their release, exposing what experts say is a deepening toll of corruption in a nation that aspires to be a global economic heavyweight.

Jakarta – Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo clarified that his absence from the Bentang Harapan JakASA event on Dec. 31 was not due to any disagreement with former Jakarta governors, including Anies Baswedan and Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized approximately Rp 62 billion ($3.82 million) in connection with an alleged corruption case involving the state-owned construction company PT PP. The confiscated funds include deposits and cash found in a safe.

Antara, Jakarta – The executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, has announced the establishment of a limited liability company, Berkah Usaha Muamalah Nusantara (BUMN), to manage between 25,000 and 26,000 hectares of mining concessions previously owned by Bakrie Group's Kaltim Prima Coal in East Kalimantan.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia's oil production has shown significant improvement over the past two months, reaching 600,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) in November and December 2024, up from 580,000 BOPD in August, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – A legal expert from Indonesia's Mulawarman University, Herdiansyah Hamzah, said former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's nomination for the most corrupt figure of 2024 by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is unsurprising, given his track record.

Yustinus Paat, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Constitutional Court on Thursday instructed lawmakers to draft a new law on presidential elections to prevent an overabundance of candidates following its decision to ease nomination requirements.

Jakarta – The National Police have dishonorably dismissed Jakarta's narcotics investigation chief, Sr. Comr. Donald Parlaungan Simanjuntak, after allegations of extortion against the division's officers related to Malaysian festivalgoers at the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP).

Jakarta – A local fire department has pointed to fireworks as the cause of two fires early on New Year's Day that damaged several houses and the roof of a government office in North Jakarta.

Divka Talulla, Jakarta – Speaking at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Peru, President Prabowo Subianto assured that all foreign investments entering Indonesia will be protected because foreign investment plays a vital role in driving economic growth, bringing in capital, creating jobs and advancing technology.

Fabby Tumiwa, Jakarta – During his first overseas visit last November, President Prabowo Subianto made two important statements highlighting Indonesia's ambitions for an energy transition.

Jakarta – There is no doubt that 2024 was one of the most harrowing years for aviation in recent memory. A string of tragic incidents in the final week of the year has left a deep scar on the global aviation industry and has shaken public confidence in air travel.

Hanif Musyaffa, Jakarta – Hermawati Setyorinny, General Chair of the Indonesian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Industry Association Akumandiri, criticized the government's poor communication regarding MSMEs' involvement in the free nutritious meal (MBG) program.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia in the 11-month period ending in November has exceeded the total for the entire year of 2023, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced on Thursday.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's annual inflation rate for December 2024 stood at 1.57 percent, aligning with the government's target of around 2.5 percent. The figure showed a slight increase compared to November 2024's inflation rate of 1.55 percent, but was lower than the 2.61 percent recorded in December 2023.

Tri Listiyarini, Jakarta – A smallholder association recently urged the Indonesian government to rethink before raising the export levy on crude palm oil (CPO).

Dani Aswara, Aisha Shaidra, Jakarta – Indonesian people's spending has the potential to increase in 2025 because they have to pay several new levies and certain tariff increases. The 12 percent VAT increase on a number of goods and services is one of them.

Nabilla Azzahra, Eko Ari Wibowo, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) will draft the omnibus law Politics Bill this year. Commission II is currently in the stage of listening to informal input from the public and will determine the agenda after the House's recess, which runs until January 20, 2025.

Ni Kadek Trisna Cintya Dewi, Jakarta – Reports of violence against journalists in Indonesia have increased, followed by a decline in the national press freedom index (IKP). The 2024 Press Freedom Index (IKP) survey showed a decline to 69.36 compared to 2023 which was at 71.57. This is a fairly sharp decline compared to the 2022 IKP which reached 77.88.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) responded to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project's (OCCRP) inclusion of Indonesia's 7th president, Joko Widodo or Jokowi, among the candidates for its 2024 Organized Crime and Corruption figures.

Hammam Izzuddin, Eko Ari Wibowo, Jakarta – The House of Representatives Ethics Committee (MKD) will summon a member of the House of Representatives, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, for alleged ethical violations. Rieke was reported by a person named Alfadjri Aditia Prayoga, who felt that the PDIP politician was provoking the public to reject the value-added tax policy or PN 12 percent.

Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto opened the option of sinking ships smuggling textile commodities from abroad. This was done because according to Prabowo, textile smuggling could endanger Indonesia's sovereignty. He said he would consult with legal experts to resolve this issue.

Tria Dianti and Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Jakarta – Indonesia has said it aims to start producing nuclear power by 2032 to meet electricity needs and attain environmental goals although serious concerns remain about the cost, safety, and risk of setting up an atomic power plant.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Public anger has ensued following a court verdict that sentenced businessman Harvey Moeis to 6.5 years in prison, with many saying the punishment is too lenient considering the scale of the case, which has cost the state Rp 300 trillion (US$18.5 billion), one of Indonesia's largest corruption cases.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin announced on Thursday that five companies have been named corporate criminal suspects for their alleged involvement in an illegal tin mining scandal.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that state revenue for 2024 did not meet the established target. She attributed this shortfall to economic pressures experienced during the first half of 2024.

Hanif Musyaffa, Jakarta – Usra Hendra Harahap, Indonesia's Ambassador to Nigeria, is facing allegations of sexual harassment from a former staff member at the Indonesian Embassy in Abuja.

The allegations were brought to light through a petition filed by the victim's legal team, seeking intervention from Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry.