Alfi Dinilhaq, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Calls are mounting for the Indonesian government to cancel plans to import 105,000 pickup trucks for rural cooperatives, amid concerns the move could undermine the domestic automotive industry, which executives say is capable of supplying the vehicles locally.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Indonesia's government operates tens of thousands of digital applications that remain disconnected from one another, raising concerns about data fragmentation and policy inefficiency.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti affirmed that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program does not diminish the education budget within his ministry. He ensured that strategic education programs will continue to operate and will even expand in 2026.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Bhima Yudistira Adhinegara, Director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), raised concerns over the Agreement of Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States. He argues the pact risks stalling national industrialization.

Jayapura – An Action Plan Workshop titled "Retracing the Footsteps of the Papuan Civil Society Movement", which was attended by non-government organisation (NGO) members from various regions in the land of Papua, has agreed to form the Civil Society Transformation Coalition in the Land of Papua, abbreviated as "KO MASI" in the land of Papua.

Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – The National Police have launched a major investigation into an alleged Rp 25 trillion (US$1.48 billion) money laundering scheme linked to illegal gold mining operations in West Kalimantan.

On Thursday, investigators from the force's Directorate of Special Crime conducted coordinated raids in three locations in East Java as part of the probe.

Washington – Indonesia will continue to require domestic processing of critical minerals despite reaching a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Friday, underscoring Jakarta's long-standing downstream industrialization policy amid rising global demand for strategic resources.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Foreign Minister Sugiono claims that the authorities in the Gaza Strip understand Indonesia's reasons for participating in the International Stabilization Force (ISF). The ISF, a multi-national force led by the United States, will deploy at least 20,000 troops to the Gaza Strip.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Chair of Fatwa Division at Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh, stated that American goods entering Indonesia do not require halal certification under a trade agreement between the Indonesian government and the United States.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – The Center on Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia assesses the reciprocal tariff agreement between the United States and Indonesia as a new pattern of economic exploitation directed at developing countries. The White House, meanwhile, describes the pact as a "Great Deal" that will usher in a new era of bilateral relations.

A West Papuan leader has accused the Indonesian government of lying over its operations and "masking" the military role of some civilian aircraft.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – Among the pork and alcohol typically served during Lunar New Year celebrations, 24-year-old Aprillia Hamdani and her family had a separate table of chicken and beef to observe their Islamic dietary restrictions at a family gathering in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Agencies, Washington, DC – Indonesia will take a deputy commander role in a nascent International Stabilization Force in Gaza and Morocco will contribute troops, the unit's American chief said Thursday.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The agenda was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – Hundreds of neighborhood units (RTs) and road sections are submerged in floodwater in Jakarta as dusk falls on Friday, February 20, 2026. Widespread flooding has occurred after heavy rain inundated Jakarta and its surrounding areas since morning, triggering overflow at various points.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The government is accelerating seasonal fiscal support ahead of Ramadan, including the early disbursement of Rp 55 trillion ($3.2 billion) in holiday allowances for civil servants, military personnel and police, scheduled to begin in the first week of the fasting month.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto praised the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. He said the ceasefire has shown concrete achievements.

Grant Wyeth – With the Parseria Foun ba Era Foun declaration, Australia and Timor-Leste hope to build a partnership grounded in equality, shared regional interests, and respectful cooperation between neighbors.

Wahyu Sahala Tua, Jakarta – Indonesia's plan to import commercial vehicles worth nearly Rp 25 trillion ($1.6 billion) from India is drawing mounting criticism from industry groups and lawmakers, who warn the move could weaken domestic manufacturing capacity and threaten jobs amid sluggish local demand.

United States President Donald Trump is trying to create famine in Cuba. Mass starvation and suffering of the Cuban people are the aims of Trump's latest emergency executive order banning Cuba, an island nation, from importing oil or any energy resources it needs to survive.

President Prabowo Subianto and his ministers are playing with fire. The array of acrobatic fiscal maneuvers they are performing in an attempt to curb budget deficits stemming from the President's favorite projects will eventually culminate in major problems.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesia recorded a $7.8 billion balance of payments deficit in 2025, reversing a $7.2 billion surplus in 2024, according to data released Friday by Bank Indonesia.

Jakarta – Indonesia and the United States finalized a trade deal to cut US levies to 19 percent from 32 percent on goods shipped from Southeast Asia's biggest economy, with Jakarta securing tariff exemptions for its top export, palm oil, and several other commodities.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto revealed his aspirations for the newly established Board of Peace during its inaugural high-level meeting, initiated by US President Donald Trump.

Prabowo emphasized that the Board could provide a solution to the longstanding Palestinian issue.

The revocations, announced after C

Roy Adriansyah, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has acknowledged that not all priority programs he pledged during his election campaign have been implemented, citing sharp budget cuts and fiscal adjustments as the main obstacles during his first year in office.

Padang, Indonesia – The government of West Sumatra plans to move forward with a legal pathway for up to 300 small mines operating illegally in the heavily forested province, joining several other devolved governments grappling with how to treat the vast number of unlicensed mines operating across Indonesia.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has signed a poison pill clause in the US trade agreement, which includes provisions that analysts warn are Washington's attempt to counter China.

Eka Permadhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) has condemned the attendance of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the inaugural Board of Peace (BoP) meeting in Washington D.C. on February 19.

The organisation believes that this has the potential to weaken Indonesia's commitment to upholding international law and protecting human rights (HAM).

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A Fact-Finding Commission has identified indications of possible involvement by members of the Indonesian military in riots that broke out during a demonstration in August 2025.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has appointed Major General (Ret) Prihati Pujowaskito as the President Director of Indonesia's Health Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) for the 2026-2031 period. The retired military official replaces Ali Ghufron Mukti, who held the position since February 2021.

Eryanto Nugroho – It was watched live by 10,000 paying viewers in late August 2025, and later rose to the top of Netflix Indonesia's rankings. But Pandji Pragiwaksono's stand-up comedy special 'Mens Rea' cannot be judged solely on whether it is 'funny' or 'not funny'.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Legislator Ahmad Sahroni has been formally reinstated as deputy chair of the House of Representatives' Commission III, which oversees law enforcement, marking the end of a months-long disciplinary process stemming from controversial remarks that sparked public outrage and violent unrest last year.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – US President Donald Trump spoke highly of his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto when they met at the Gaza Peace Board's inaugural meeting on Thursday, while thanking Jakarta for its commitment to contribute thousands of soldiers to the security force.

Adinda Jasmine, Jakarta – Indonesia's planned participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to be deployed in Gaza has received approval from Palestinian authorities.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) asserts that Indonesia should withdraw from the Board of Peace established by the United States. The foundation condemns President Prabowo Subianto's presence at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Washington D.C., United States.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The American mining company, Freeport-McMoRan, has announced an agreement with the Indonesian Government to extend the operating rights of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in Papua until 2041. The agreement is outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding that governs the continuation of operations in the Grasberg Mineral District.

Jakarta – Like last year, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) plans to continue its flagship free meal program during Ramadan, which officially begins today, despite the fact that most students in Muslim-majority Indonesia will be fasting throughout school hour

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regrets the protests rejecting budget cuts. Prabowo conveyed this message while speaking at a business summit in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building in Washington, D.C.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – Days ahead of the expected signing of a bilateral tariff agreement with the United States, analysts have called on the government to tread with caution regarding concessions made, specifically opening the domestic market to US goods.

Apriwan, 360info/Padang – Many observers have linked the Sumatra floods in late 2025 to extreme rainfall associated with climate change. Heavy rain caused rivers to overflow and landslides to occur, destroying communities in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra and costing many people their lives and livelihoods.

Nino Citra Anugrahanto – The mass arrest of protesters in August 2025 is considered to be have been a large-scale operation to silence pro-democracy activists. Security forces were accused of indiscriminate arrests, which instilled fear in young people to speak out critically about deviations in state policy.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that the existence of the Territorial Development Infantry Battalion (Yonif TP) is a symbol of the state's presence. He claimed that these military bases provide a sense of security to the public.

Antara, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto recently told American investors to not worry about Indonesia's investment climate.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently looking into the alleged gratification involving Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar. According to KPK Chair Setyo Budianto, the minister was facilitated with a private jet by Hanura Party boss Oesman Sapta Odang.

On 18 February 2026, members of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force (Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade) and the Habema Operation Task Force (Indonesian National Armed Forces – Marines) arbitrarily detained four Papuan girls at Kilometer 5, Dekai City, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Yustinus Paat, Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – The number of people displaced by disasters in Sumatra since late November 2025 has fallen sharply from more than 2 million at its peak to fewer than 13,000, as temporary shelter construction reached about 50% completion, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said.

Hozaini, Situbondo, East Java – At least one person was killed and six others suffered severe burns and fractures after a house was destroyed in an explosion believed to have originated from firecracker-making materials on Wednesday, authorities said.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's external debt climbed to $431.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from $427.6 billion in the previous quarter, according to data released Wednesday by Bank Indonesia.

The increase was driven mainly by higher public sector borrowing, Bank Indonesia spokesperson Ramdan Denny Prakoso said in a statement.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian revealed that aid from the diaspora in Malaysia for the Sumatra disaster is being held at customs. According to Tito, Acehnese people living in Malaysia collected aid to support victims of the floods and landslides that occurred at the end of November 2025.