Reza Hery Pamungkas, Jakarta – Jakarta authorities are stepping up efforts to curb rising street crime after a wave of violent robberies and mugging cases in the Indonesian capital sparked public anxiety and prompted social media users to compare the area to "Gotham City," the fictional crime-ridden home of Batman.

Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Merauke has censured a documentary about development projects in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua for presenting a one-sided narrative that excludes the perspective of the Catholic Church.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Indonesia's environment ministry has issued a new approval for a controversial zinc and lead mine in an earthquake-prone region of Sumatra Island, less than a year after a Supreme Court ruling forced it to rescind its earlier approval. Critics of the project have slammed the U-turn, pointing out that nothing has fundamentally changed in that time.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia has expanded the range of foreign currencies allowed for the placement of export earnings from natural resource commodities, permitting exporters to deposit funds in currencies other than the US dollar at state-owned banks.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The 908th Kamisan Movement took place during the commemorative moment of the 1998 Reform on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Several participants considered the current government no different from the regime of former President Soeharto who resigned exactly 28 years ago.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, Darianto Harsono, stated that nine Indonesian citizens detained by the Israeli military suffered physical violence.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – All Indonesian citizens who were held captive by Israel while participating in the Gaza humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 have been released. They are currently in transit in Istanbul, Turkey, for examination before being repatriated to Indonesia.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Bali – From worsening traffic in Canggu to rising concerns over overtourism, Bali is facing growing questions about whether the island's current development model is still sustainable.

The ecological damage experienced by communities living along the Oko-Oko River in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, adds to the growing narrative of the devastating impact of downstream mining projects in Indonesia. The root of the problem is a latent issue: development policies that encourage maximum investment while ignoring environmental and social concerns.

Hearts of Palestine (HOPE), which is made up of several civil society organisations, groups and individuals, strongly condemns the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in intercepting and detaining civilian vessels, kidnapping and holding hostage civilians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission in international waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Jakarta – An Instagram [archive] post featuring a poster claims that the director of the documentary "Pesta Babi" (Pig Feast), Cypri Paju Dale, admitted his work was funded by foreign parties. This narrative emerged after authorities disrupted public screenings of the film across several regions.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Education stakeholders have welcomed the government's plan to introduce English lessons at an earlier stage of schooling, calling it a positive step toward strengthening Indonesia's global competitiveness.

Arjuna Pademme, Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army Regional Command XVI Yahukimo, or TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo, has claimed responsibility for killing eight people it alleged were security personnel disguised as illegal gold miners in Korowai.

Officers of the Demta Sub-district Police detained 30-yea-old Agustinus Burame in the Demta District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, on 4 May 2026. While held in police custody, he was allegedly beaten by three police officers, sustaining serious injuries to his head and body (see photos below, source: independent HRD).

Zane Goebel, Sonia Roitman and Udiana Dewi (The Conversation) – Indonesia plans to build a "Giant Sea Wall" more than 500 kilometers long to defend Java's north coast from rising sea levels. The proposal includes a large lagoon behind the colossal concrete wall, raising significant questions about the feasibility and cost of such a massive project.

Timika – "The recent drone attack on a Catholic church in Intan Jaya has claimed civilian lives and severely traumatized the local population. As Friars Minor of the Justice and Peace Commission, we express our deep concern about the increasing violence against places of worship and unarmed residents.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – The Secretary General of Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that President Prabowo Subianto genuinely appreciates the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which is outside the government coalition.

Brigitta Belia Permata Sari, Jakarta – A Kamisan (Thursday) action coinciding with the 28th anniversary of reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998 – touched on a number of human rights issues, from alleged human rights violations in Papua to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid says that the Israeli military's arrest of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 volunteers violates human rights.

On 10 May 2026, security forces allegedly shot dead Mr Nopison Tebai, a 21-year-old high school student, during a joint security operation in Dogimani and Idadagi villages, Dogiyai District, Dogyai Regency, Central Papua Province. The shooting occurred near a football pitch beside the Dogiyai District Office whilst local residents were attending Sunday church service.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Associated Press, Jakarta – Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) plunged more than 3% on Thursday as investors dumped commodity-linked shares after President Prabowo Subianto moved to tighten state control over strategic natural resource exports, overshadowing a broader rally across Asian markets.

Bambang Ismoyo, Andrew Tito, Jakarta – Indonesia's electronics trade is coming under growing pressure as the rupiah weakens toward Rp 18,000 per US dollar, driving up prices and sharply slowing sales in one of Jakarta's busiest retail hubs.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesia announces remote work extension for civil servants. Government employees will now continue to work from home (WFH) every Friday for at least the next two months.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto cites the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a backdrop for the policy.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that Indonesia has significantly increased judicial salaries, including compensation for the chief justice of the Supreme Court, which he claimed is now higher than that of an equivalent official in Singapore.

Antara, Jakarta – Jakarta's air quality on Thursday morning fell into the unhealthy category, ranking first among cities with the worst air quality in the world. Residents are advised to wear masks when outdoors.

Twenty-eight years after reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998 – Indonesia is showing increasingly serious signs of democratic decline.

Jakarta (Agencies) – Separatists in eastern Papua region have shot and killed eight gold miners they claimed were undercover members of the security forces, the military said Thursday.

The miners were attacked while working in the far-flung district of Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan province on Wednesday, military spokesman Lt. Col. Wirya Arthadiguna said in a statement.

Piter Lokon, Dekai, Jubi – The Yahukimo Police in Papua Highlands released Kone Kobak, the International Diplomacy Chair of the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, for the Yahukimo region, on Wednesday (20/5/2026).

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious 2027 economic growth target of 5.8% to 6.5% remains achievable despite mounting global uncertainty and persistent pressure on the rupiah, as the government bets on stronger private-sector activity to drive expansion.

Padang, Indonesia – Nine people were killed on May 14 in Indonesia's West Sumatra province after heavy rain triggered the collapse of a 30-meter (100-foot) cliff at an illegal gold mine.

"Three people survived, while nine others who were buried have been recovered deceased," said Susmelawati Rosya, a spokesperson for the West Sumatra province police.

President Prabowo Subianto's intent to include the Red-and-White Village Cooperatives in the development of a large-scale solar power plants (PLTS) project could lead to future problems. Aside from the massive capital required, developing solar power projects necessitates sound governance in technical, standardization, and occupational safety aspects.

Simon Butt & Tim Lindsey – The corruption trial underway in Jakarta of Nadiem Makarim, Indonesia's former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and co-founder of Gojek (Indonesia's version of Uber), reveals two major problems with Indonesia's anti-corruption regime.

Jakarta – Ride-hailing company Grab Indonesia said it will discontinue its "Akses Hemat" subscription program for motorcycle taxi driver-partners, citing the need for better adjustments to support a sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders.

Ricky Juliansyah, Jakarta – The University of Indonesia's Student Executive Body (BEM UI) staged a symbolic demonstration at Tugu Makara on the Depok Campus on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. During the rally, the student body officially declared that reformasi, the country's era of democratic reform, is dead.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto today, Wednesday, May 20, during the plenary session of the House of Representatives, cited the "deep state," or the unauthorized network operating within a government, as part of the reasons obstructing the functioning of state institutions.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Israeli forces have abducted all 9 Indonesians who were aboard the Gaza-bound aid ships as of Wednesday at 7.13 a.m Jakarta time, according to the Foreign Ministry.

M Ghafur Fadillah, Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Associated Press, Jakarta – Indonesian stocks extended their decline on Wednesday as investors reacted to a mix of domestic pressures, including Bank Indonesia's aggressive rate hike, concerns over tighter state control of commodity exports, and continued weakness in the rupiah, overshadowing broader regional market weakness tied to rising glob

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesians should not be overly impressed by countries that achieved prosperity by exploiting the wealth of other nations, referring to the legacy of colonialism during a speech before Parliament on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will use advanced technology to search for the hidden assets of corruptors in bunkers. Prabowo claims that current technology is very advanced and can track underground storage.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura, Papua – Aliko Walia, an 8-year-old boy who was shot during a military operation in Tenoti Village, Kembru District, Puncak Regency, on 14 April 2026, died at RSUD Mulia in Puncak Jaya Regency on Tuesday (19 May 2026).

The blocking of screenings of the documentary film Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita (Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time) shows that the authorities are increasingly allergic to criticism. The Indonesian Military (TNI) does not have the authority to ban the screening of a film, yet alone to forcibly stop it.

Andrew Mathieson – Senior West Papuan figures have slammed the most recent Indonesian attacks on the occupied Indigenous territory of Western New Guinea.

Jakarta – Indonesia has largely kept fuel prices at pump stations affordable despite a roughly 50 per cent surge in global oil prices since the Iran war, swelling the country's already hefty energy subsidy bill.

Muhammad Ammar Hidayahtulloh & Shelli Israelsen – Since the formal restoration of Timor-Leste's independence on 20 May 2002, the women's movement has evolved beyond the goal of national liberation to the struggle to secure an equal place for women in the new state.

Syahrul Yunizar – Amnesty International's latest report has revealed findings related to a coordinated disinformation campaign. The aim of the campaign is to label government critics as foreign agents. The targets range from vocal activists to journalists.

Jacobus E. Lato – Indonesian Navy suspended the planned construction of a patrol dock close to a Church in the restive, Christian-majority Papua region following a protest joined by hundreds of Papuans.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the government projects the country's economy to grow between 5.8 percent and 6.5 percent in 2027, supported by economic strategy and fiscal policy measures outlined in the government's macroeconomic framework.

Giovanni Torre – At least two civilians were feared dead and two others injured after an aerial bombing at a Catholic church compound in the Central Papua province, West Papua.

The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) reported at least two civilians were believed dead and two others injured after the suspected drone attack on Sunday.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia is gaining greater respect on the global stage, claiming that foreign leaders now view the country as an important partner capable of helping others.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia unexpectedly delivered a larger-than-anticipated interest rate hike on Wednesday, raising its benchmark BI Rate by 50 basis points to 5.25% as the central bank moved aggressively to defend the rupiah amid escalating global market volatility triggered by the Middle East conflict.