Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia has begun training hundreds of civil servants to serve as part of a military reserve force, expanding a national defense program championed by President Prabowo Subianto as he seeks to strengthen discipline and national identity within the state bureaucracy.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – A study by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) revealed that the implementation of a wealth tax for the super-rich in Indonesia has the potential to contribute up to Rp142 trillion to the state's revenue annually. This finding was disclosed in Celios' Economic Disparity Report 2026.

Muhammad Yahya Ihyarozza, Jakarta – "Personal revenge" is the official motive cited for the acid-attack terrorism allegedly carried out by four Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel against Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras).

Auliya Umayna Andani, Fransiskus Adryanto Pratama – The Civil Society Coalition Against Impunity will appeal a Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) ruling that rejected a lawsuit against Minister of Culture Fadli Zon's denial of the 1998 mass rapes.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia ratified the much-anticipated Domestic Workers Protection Law (PPRT Law) after more than two decades of struggle. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) hailed the government's move as strategic steps towards strengthened state recognition, human rights protection, and social justice for domestic workers across the country.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Indonesia and Australia are using a joint film festival to deepen cultural diplomacy and expand creative industry ties, officials said Wednesday, as both countries look to strengthen collaboration beyond traditional economic sectors.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – Students from Puncak Regency, Central Papua, have urged both the Puncak regency administration and the Central Papua provincial government to immediately address the situation facing residents in several villages in Kembru District following a military operation in the area on April 14, 2026.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said he received loan offers from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank worth US$25-US$30 billion to strengthen the country's fiscal amidst turbulent global economic conditions, but rejected them.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is conducting surveys through a special team to refine the distribution of the free nutritious meal program, citing President Prabowo Subianto 's directive to prioritize undernourished children and low-income families as the primary beneficiaries of his flagship initiative.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto wants to Indonesia to host more K-pop concerts, according to chief diplomat Sugiono, but fans remain worried about the sky-high ticket prices.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Italian energy giant Eni has announced a major gas discovery off the coast of East Kalimantan, with estimated reserves of 5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 300 million barrels of condensate.

Maria Gabrielle, Sorong – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming reaffirmed the government's commitment to accelerating development in Papua following a three-day working visit across the region, underscoring efforts to deliver infrastructure and social programs more quickly.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) held its benchmark rate at 4.75% for a seventh straight month, prioritizing rupiah stability as global risks intensify, particularly from Middle East tensions.

On 14 April 2026, a police officer shot dead 16-year-old Elki Wunungga in Mairini Village, Bokondini District, Tolikara Regency, Papua Highlands Province. The incident occurred during a violent confrontation between mourners at a funeral. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his body and died at the scene.

Kerri Worthington – Gracia Afonso's grandfather was known as the old man with half an ear. "He kept his hair long, longer than other men I knew in Timor-Leste, to hide his ear and the deep scars on his neck," she said.

But it wasn't until well after his death in 2004 that Ms Afonso learned the story Joaquim da Silva Ku, known as Akiu, had never told his family.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto plans to send Indonesian citizens to Russia to participate in a cosmonaut program. Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that this is part of the exploration of cooperation with Russia in the space sector.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia stated that at least 295 human rights defenders (HRD) were attacked throughout 2025. Amnesty even referred to 2025 as the year of living dangerously for everyone who thinks critically.

Tri Listiyarini, Jakarta – A wide gap has emerged between import costs and the government's cattle price cap, with Australian feeder cattle priced at Rp 81,658 per kg, roughly 40% above the official benchmark, raising the risk of beef inflation in Greater Jakarta.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia's 50 richest people own as much wealth as 55 million people, or around 20% of the population, according to a new report by think-tank Celios, painting a grim picture of the country's economic conditions.

IC Senjaya, Nabil Ihsan, Semarang, Central Java – Central Java Police have uncovered a criminal syndicate that has been smuggling thousands of illegal motor vehicles to Timor-Leste since 2025, with two suspects arrested in connection with the case.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cases in Indonesia remain high despite the availability of vaccines, largely due to delayed detection and the long-term accumulation of infections, a forum heard on Tuesday.

Health Ministry data shows that Indonesia records around 36,000 new HPV-related cancer cases annually, with more than 21,000 deaths.

Adi Warsono, Jakarta – Former Head of the Jakarta Provincial Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, has been named a suspect in the case of the trash landslide at the Bantargebang Landfill, which resulted in the deaths of seven people.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology views the rising number of reported sexual violence cases on campuses as a sign of growing public awareness.

Cantika.com, Jakarta – Refreshing our memory together, April 21, 1879, is the birth date of Raden Ajeng Kartini which is commemorated every year as/Kartini Day' in Indonesia. This commemoration is a form of tribute to her struggle in advocating for gender equality, starting from the right to speak up, education, to the opportunity to create.

Zhulfakar, Achmat Ikhsan, Sopian Hadi, Jakarta – From surfing in traditional dress on Bali's waves to wearing kebaya uniforms on city buses, Indonesian women marked Kartini Day this week with a mix of cultural pride and modern expressions of empowerment.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa mentioned that the World Bank has apologized for the low projection of Indonesia's economic growth. The apology was conveyed during their recent meeting in the United States last week.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday to express appreciation for the start of Indonesia's urea fertilizer exports to Australia, according to a senior presidential aide.

2025 was the most dangerous year for human rights at the global and national level due to the increase in predatory attacks in 144 countries around the world, including Indonesia, said Amnesty International today when launching its global report on the human rights situation.

Antara, Jakarta – Minister of National Development Planning and Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, stated that Indonesia's population growth rate currently outpaces the global average.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia has declared that the human rights situation nationally is showing alarming signs. The institution refers to 2025 as a year of human rights catastrophe, both in civil and political freedoms and in economic and social justice.

Jakarta – Despite President Prabowo Subianto's repeated assurances that his frequent overseas trips have brought major contributions to serve the national interests, the people's skepticism remains high. This sentiment can be easily found in public discourse on social media.

Denpasar, Indonesia – Renewable energy uptake has yet to gather momentum across Indonesia's more than 84,000 villages, a new report concludes, as the government of the world's fourth-largest country pledges to achieve a radical energy transformation over the next decade.

Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr – Advisers play a crucial role in foreign affairs, shaping the decisions leaders ultimately make. But the relationship between a leader and his advisers is rarely straightforward. It is shaped by the adviser's capacity to navigate the leader's ego and temperament, and, equally, by the leader's psychological disposition toward accepting advice.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia's parliament has passed a long-awaited law to protect domestic workers, marking a historic breakthrough after more than two decades of advocacy for stronger legal safeguards.

The House of Representatives (DPR) approved the Domestic Workers Protection Bill into law during a plenary session on Tuesday, coinciding with Kartini Day.

Jayapura – Various components of society in Puncak conveyed their aspirations at the Puncak regency People's Representative Council (DPRK) offices on Monday April 20 in response to the worsening security situation over the last few days due to military operations in Kembru and Pogoma districts in Puncak early last week.

Vidya Pinandhita, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said on Monday it had strong suspicions that soldiers might have been responsible for the deaths of 12 civilians, including women and children, during a military operation against a separatist group in Kembru village, Central Papua, last week. The Indonesian Military (TNI) has denied the claims.

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Jakarta – The East Java Police Special Crimes Investigation Directorate (Reskrimsus) has dismantled a smuggling syndicate trading in protected endemic Indonesian species, including Komodo dragons, which fetch high prices in Thailand.

Between 13 and 15 April 2026, Indonesian security forces allegedly carried out ground and aerial military operations in Guamo Village, Pogoma District, and in IDP sites and multiple villages across Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in the deaths of at least nine indigenous civilians, injuries to at least six others (see tables below, source: independ

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Body (BGN) has come under public scrutiny over its procurement of goods and services, which many consider wasteful. The spending has also been seen as contradicting the core vision of the free nutritious meal program (MBG).

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – Indonesia's haj departures remain on track despite the ongoing United States-Israeli war against Iran, with preparations entering the final stage and the first group of pilgrims set to leave on April 22 as authorities press ahead with safety measures.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Pertamina has significantly raised the prices of several nonsubsidized fuel products effective Saturday as blockades in the Middle East and economic sanctions continue to roil the global oil market.

The price of RON-98 Pertamax Turbo gasoline in Jakarta was upped to Rp 19,400 (US$1.13) per liter, a steep increase from Rp 13,100.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) says it has identified recurring "inner circle" networks that help facilitate and conceal corruption, ranging from family members to political associates and trusted aides.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – Indonesia's banking credit growth remained firmly above 10% in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong lending to corporate and consumer segments, even as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continued to face pressure.

Suci Lestari Yuana (The Conversation) – Artificial intelligence is often celebrated as the future of work. It is efficient, innovative and neutral. Yet, for many women in Indonesia's gig economy, AI feels like a source of mounting pressure.

Agencies, Jakarta – AUnited States warship passed through the Strait of Malacca over the weekend, the Indonesian Navy said on Monday, adding that the transit through the major sea route was in accordance with international law.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Bali is grappling with a growing waste problem, with waste sorting and composting emerging as key solutions, experts say. As the face of Indonesian tourism, the island's mounting waste challenge is becoming increasingly critical, with direct implications for both the industry and environmental sustainability.

Agencies, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights said Sunday it was investigating the killings of 12 civilians, including women and children, in a military operation in the restive Papua region.

Judging from the handling of recent floods and landslides, here is what we can expect to happen when forest and land fires spread across several provinces following the effects of El Nino this year. Initially, the President will be late in visiting the affected areas – due to information not being passed on to those close to him.

Reiner Brabar, Sorong – The 8th National Leadership Meeting (Rapimnas) of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has declared Papua a "military and humanitarian emergency zone".

The government's commitment to preventing a climate crisis is questionable. Instead of reducing emissions to curb global warming through reforestation and restoration, the government appears to be turning a blind eye to massive deforestation and land degradation.