Herlambang Jati, Yogyakarta – Various elements of society from workers to students held an action demanding workers' welfare during a commemoration of Labor Day in front of the Yogyakarta Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) on Friday May 1.

The protesters said that workers' welfare was still far below the standards set under the Reasonable Living Cost Index (KHL).

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Friday pledges to build daycare facilities for workers' children and accelerate the construction of at least 1 million homes, responding to labor demands voiced during International Workers' Day celebrations at the National Monument (Monas).

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia recorded a state budget deficit of Rp 240.1 trillion ($13.8 billion) in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, equivalent to 0.93% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Finance.

The naming of Hery Susanto, Chair of the Indonesian Ombudsman, as a suspect for alleged corruption is shocking as it is concerning. An institution, which was established to oversee public services, has been embroiled in a case of abused authority.

Surabaya – The commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day 2026 in the city of Surabaya, East Java, was divided on Friday May 1.

The mass of protesters was divided between the East Java governor's office on Jalan Pahlawan Surabaya and the East Java Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) building on Jalan Indrapura Surabaya.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto distributed aid packages and T-shirts after delivering a speech at the International Workers' Day or May Day event organized by the Labor Party at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on May 1, 2026.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Labor unions across Indonesia marked International Workers' Day on Friday with split events in the capital, reflecting differing approaches to engaging the government of President Prabowo Subianto.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the establishment of a Task Force for Labor Dismissal Mitigation and Workers' Welfare during the commemoration of International Workers' Day, or May Day, at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto questioned laborers on the benefits of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program during the International Labor Day celebration at the National Monument area, Jakarta, on Friday, May 1, 2026. Prabowo emphasized his view that the program remains crucial for Indonesia.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Labor groups in Indonesia staged separate May Day actions on Friday, with a coalition of unions and civil society organizations rallying outside the parliament complex while others joined an official celebration at the National Monument attended by President Prabowo Subianto.

Indra Wijaya, Banda Aceh – Hundreds of workers who are members of the Aceh Labour Alliance (ABA) held a convoy on Friday May 1 from the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (MRB) via the Aceh Provincial Legislative Council (DPRA) and ending at the Aceh governor's office.

Bangkok – A decade-long study tracking dozens of whale sharks off Indonesia's coast has revealed the secrets of their migrations and two hotspots where they gather year-round.

Muhammad Iqbal Al Fardi, Semarang - May Day or Labour Day protesters held a demonstration in front of the Central Java (Jateng) governor's office on Jalan Pahlawan in Semarang city this afternoon. They brought a number of demands and took up 11 national and four local issues.

Jakarta – Sunarno, chairperson of the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI), explained the reasons his organisation did not participate in the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Friday May 1.

Fauzan, Makassar – The commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day 2026 in Makassar city presented two different faces in one momentum of the workers' struggle.

Hilman Kamaludin, Bandung – The commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day was marred by rioting by a group of people dressed in black at the Tamansari-Cikapayang intersection in Bandung city on Friday evening May 1.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia has restored access to Wikipedia after previously restricting the platform for failing to register with local authorities, a senior official from the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188, which regulates the protection of workers in the fisheries sector. Prabowo announced the move during his speech at the International Labor Day celebration at the National Monument (Monas), Jakarta, on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Hani Sofia Muthmainnah, Denpasar – Wages that do not meet the needs of a decent living were highlighted during the commemoration of International Labour Day (May Day) 2026 in Bali. Although they did not take to the streets, trade unions remain committed to fighting for an increase in wages for workers.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI) has addressed accusations of infiltration during the International Labour Day or May Day 2026 rally in front of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR) building. Earlier, the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police claimed a mass group was suspected of intending to cause destruction during the demonstration.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The US government has kept Indonesia on its intellectual property (IP) priority watch list for 2026, citing rampant music piracy and counterfeited footwear.

Dominius Desmantri Barus, Bandar Lampung – The Lampung People's Struggle (PPRL) conveyed 18 demands to the government during the commemoration of International Labour Day (May Day) on Friday May 1.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Prabowo Subianto has signed Presidential Regulation No. 27 of 2026 on the Protection of Online Transportation Drivers, capping platform commissions at a maximum of 8 percent and ensuring drivers receive up to 92 percent of trip earnings.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – President of the Labor Party acting through the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal, has conveyed 11 worker demands to President Prabowo Subianto. These demands were voiced during the Labor Day or May Day celebration held at the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta, on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto urged workers not to harbor resentment toward the wealthy, saying many entrepreneurs provide fair employment opportunities.

Debbie Sutrisno, Bandung – Scores of students from various universities in Bandung held a protest action at the West Java Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) building on Friday May 1. They took to the streets to commemorate International Workers' Day.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto attended the International Labor Day or May Day celebration at the National Monument (Monas), Jakarta, on Friday, May 1, 2026. During the event, which was also attended by government officials, Prabowo took to the stage to deliver a speech and even danced.

Karina Tehusijarana, Jakarta – The tragic railway accident on the outskirts of Jakarta, which has taken the lives of 16 women, hit close to home for me for a few reasons.

On 15 April 2026, Indonesian military personnel allegedly detained seven indigenous Papuans from Kimurik and Pupet villages without warrant in East Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, while they were travelling to town to buy food. One of the detainees is a female. Military members detained them inside a military post, interrogated and reportedly tortured them.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Indonesian police are deploying tens of thousands of personnel to secure the 2026 May Day rally. Workers are planning to stage protests in several locations, from the National Monument (Monas) to the parliament complex in Jakarta.

Responding to the Indonesian military's move to try four members of the Military's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) for their roles in an acid attack against human rights activist Andrie Yunus in a military court in Jakarta, Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director Usman Hamid said:

RR Ariyani, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has announced several programs to enhance the protection and welfare of workers as May Day approaches on May 1, 2026. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Cris Kuntadi, revealed that one of the implemented policies is the increase in the minimum wage in 2026.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – Indonesia's tax authority has moved to reassure the public that taxpayer data remains secure, saying its systems are regularly audited by state cybersecurity and digital agencies amid concerns over data protection.

Joniansyah, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Immigration has officially inaugurated a special lounge for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. This facility has been provided as a form of appreciation for the significant contribution of migrant workers to the country.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Rupiah fell to one of its weakest levels this year on Thursday, pressured by persistent global uncertainty after the Federal Reserve held interest rates, reinforcing concerns over inflation and external risks.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) prosecutors have read the indictment against four officers for allegedly launching a premeditated acid attack against human rights activist Andrie Yunus in the first hearing of the case in the Jakarta Military Court.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – Glass manufacturer PT Muliaglass and ceramic manufacturer PT Muliakeramik Indahraya, in collaboration with renewable energy company Xurya, have officially launched Indonesia's largest commercial and industrial rooftop solar power plant (PLTS Atap). The project has a total capacity of 22.5 megawatts (MW).

Jember, Indonesia – Syazwan Luftan Riady traces his environmental campaigning to school holidays spent at his grandmother's riverside home in a rural part of Indonesia's East Java province.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Several labor unions affiliated with the Alliance of Labor Movement with the People (Gebrak) have confirmed they will stage a May Day rally in front of the Parliament building in Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – State-owned railway operator KAI President Director, Bobby Rasyidin, has asserted that the company will shut down unauthorized railway crossings controlled by mass organizations if they fail to meet safety standards. "We must close them. If it requires legal action, we will pursue it," he stated at Bekasi Station on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia slams Indonesia's Ministry of Human Rights proposal to assemble a team to determine the status of human rights defenders. The organization sees this policy as potentially limiting civil space and deviating from the principles of human rights.

Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has filed a pretrial motion at the South Jakarta District Court over what it says is a stalled investigation into the acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Authorities in Jakarta have begun deploying portable water treatment systems to ease a persistent clean water shortage, as the capital works toward universal piped water coverage by 2029.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – The government is considering using compressed natural gas (CNG) as a substitute for mostly imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to shield domestic energy supplies from global disruptions caused by the US-Israel war against Iran.

Antara – Jakarta's air quality is listed as unhealthy, prompting residents to wear masks when outside, according to the IQAir website on Wednesday morning, updated at 4:00 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesian Time).

Vidya Pinandhita, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto visited victims of a deadly train collision at Bekasi Regional Hospital on Tuesday, hours after a long-distance train smashed into a stationary commuter train overnight, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. He ordered a full investigation into the cause of the accident.

Harjuna Pademme, Jayapura (PINA) – A coalition of civil society organizations under the Papua Solidarity Network said on Wednesday that human rights conditions in Papua have worsened since Indonesia assumed the presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council in January 2026.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto once again mentioned the "Dark Indonesia" movement. This time, he remarked during the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of 13 irrigation projects in Cilacap, Central Java.

Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – Four Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers assigned to the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) have been charged with committing serious assault against the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus, involving an acid attack.

Alexander Loen, Jayapura (PINA) – More than 90% of Indonesia's malaria cases are concentrated in Papua, underscoring the region as the country's most critical hotspot for infectious diseases, Vice Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus said Tuesday.