Basten Gokkon – An alleged corruption case at Indonesia's Surabaya Zoo has renewed scrutiny of how the country's wildlife conservation institutions are governed and prompted experts to warn that financial misconduct can have consequences that extend beyond public finances to the welfare of animals entirely dependent on human care.

Mitra Tarigan, Jakarta – Lecturer from the Department of Indonesian Language and Literature Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), Pangesti Wiedarti, assesses that the government should prioritize strengthening the quality and welfare of lecturers before building Universitas Republik Indonesia (URI).

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – As layoff figures continue to rise, the government has acknowledged that the trend is "difficult to avoid" amid mounting global economic pressures.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) on Tuesday urged the government to accelerate deregulation and remove barriers to doing business, arguing that addressing the underlying pressures facing companies is the most effective way to prevent a wider wave of layoffs.

Rahmat Hidayat – Former Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD criticized West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi's public reward initiative for capturing robbery suspects, warning that the policy risks encouraging vigilantism and weakening the state's responsibility to enforce the law.

A security force operation in the KM 4 Logpon area of Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province on 17 July 2026, reportedly resulted in the death of two members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and one civilian named Mr Yafoluk Heluka (see photo om top, source: independent HRD).

Aliy Arivin Anward, Jakarta – The Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting (SMRC) has recorded that the majority of the Indonesian public is not confident that the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) will develop in the future.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesian stocks ended lower on Wednesday as investors reacted to global rating agencies' concerns over Bank Indonesia's independence after Governor Perry Warjiyo's resignation, adding to caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) released the latest electability survey results on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The results indicate that if the general and presidential elections were held today, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto would not win.

Aristo Setiawan, Jakarta – Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) says that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto would not be elected again as the country's leader if the election were held this Wednesday July 29.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's national employment social security agency, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, paid out 2 million Old-Age Security (JHT) claims worth Rp 30 trillion ($1.7 billion) in the first half of 2026, a 22.6% increase from a year earlier, while stressing that the rise was not primarily driven by layoffs.

Jakarta – Indonesian authorities are pursuing wrongful prosecutions of environmentalists and Indigenous community leaders who protest deforestation and pollution, or defend land rights, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Wio Students' Association (IMPW) in Jayapura has issued a statement calling for comprehensive measures to address recurring inter-community conflict in Jayawijaya Regency, the capital of Papua Highlands Province, following repeated outbreaks of violence between 2024 and 2026.

Gembong Hanung and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Jakarta/Surabaya – A number of regions in Indonesia are suffering from crop failures, as the onslaught of the warming El Nino climate phenomenon intensifies and may drag the dry season on until next year, with rice production already dropping in the last three months.

Carmeneza dos Santos Monteiro, Geordie Fung – What happens before Timor-Leste's 2027 presidential and 2028 parliamentary elections will shape whether political legitimacy in the country's next era rests on historic loyalty networks or on policy performance, economic credibility, and public accountability.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 11-page report lists cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns; developments in the armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua; and international responses and initiatives.

Human rights

President Prabowo Subianto and the Gerindra Party should not be using indigenous people as a source of votes. The job of the government, and that of the other parties in the House of Representatives (DPR) is to ensure that the Indigenous Peoples Bill currently being deliberated is able to protect the weakest groups in society, who have long been victims of state policy.

Bangun Santoso Novian Ardiansyah – Public satisfaction with the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has declined. According to a survey conducted by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) from July 5-19, the majority of the public expressed dissatisfaction with the program. Only 33.8 percent were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied.

Gayatri Suroyo and Stefanno Sulaiman, Jakarta – Amajor disagreement with the finance minister over economic growth strategies preceded Perry Warjiyo's sudden resignation as Indonesia's central bank chief, three sources told Reuters, underscoring months of reported tensions between the country's top financial officials.

Abdullah Faqih – Louis Vuitton, Bottega, Lady Dior, Hermes Lindy, Gucci Bamboo, Prada Monolith, and other luxury goods are not merely brands that we encounter in luxury malls or high-end shopping centres. They have come to represent elite status and an affluent lifestyle, particularly because they are often associated with celebrities and influencers.

Natasha Khairunisa, Ricki Putra Harahap, Jakarta – Indonesian rupiah extended its decline on Tuesday morning, slipping past the psychologically important 18,000-per-dollar level as investors continued to digest Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo's resignation while awaiting the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung on Tuesday urged residents not to be provoked by ethnic issues following a deadly clash in Central Jakarta, stressing that Indonesia's capital remains an open and diverse city.

Jayapura, Jubi – The limited representation of Indigenous voices in media coverage of Indonesia's Indigenous Peoples Bill (RUU Masyarakat Adat) came under scrutiny during the Green Editor Forum, Reading the Indigenous Peoples Bill in Mass Media Coverage, held in Jakarta on Monday.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto criticized the special treatment received by former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, Febrie Adriansyah, who did not wear a prisoner's vest and was not handcuffed when being sent to the Corruption Eradication Commission's detention center.

Responding to the 30th anniversary of the July 27th attack today, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director, Usman Hamid, said:

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Constitutional law expert from Mulawarman University, Herdiansyah Hamzah, said the sharp decline in public satisfaction with President Prabowo Subianto's performance reflects growing concerns over government policies and their implementation on the ground.

Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) believes that President Prabowo Subianto's use of the term "londo ireng" (black Dutchman) against his critics further reinforces his anti-criticism stance. Prabowo applies this label to journalists, observers, civil society organizations, and other parties who criticize the government.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jauhari Mahardhika, Jakarta – Indonesian stocks closed lower on Monday as investors weighed the market implications of Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo's abrupt resignation, overshadowing a broader rally across Asian markets fueled by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Toyota Indonesia exported 145,080 completely built-up (CBU) vehicles in the first half of 2026, a 10.7% increase from a year earlier that outpaced growth in Indonesia's overall vehicle exports.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Shadow Cabinet State Secretary Feri Amsari said the newly formed civilian-led cabinet is not seeking to overthrow the government, stage a coup, or commit treason, arguing that its establishment does not meet the legal definition of treason.

Antara, Jakarta – Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar on Sunday urged the public not to resort to vigilantism or persecution amid renewed debate over LGBT issues, saying any alleged legal violations should be handled through the country's justice system rather than by individuals.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Political analyst Dedi Kurnia Syah argued that President Prabowo Subianto's use of the term londo ireng to describe government critics is misplaced. According to Syah, the pejorative should instead be directed at corrupt current or former officials.

The case involving Febrie Adriansyah, former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, is riddled with conflicts of interest. Investigated by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) – Febrie's former office – the case is characterized by those in power attempting to utilize the situation against one another.

Salman Mardira, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Police have arrested the head of the narcotics unit at the South Tangerang Police, six of his subordinates, and an officer from the Aceh Provincial Police over alleged involvement in drug trafficking and abuse of authority, officials said Monday.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Sudaryono, the newly appointed head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), has permanently shut down 833 kitchens supplying the government's Free Nutritious Meals program after they failed to meet operational and hygiene standards.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has dismissed 261 non-civil servant employees and disciplined 48 civil servants as part of a sweeping effort by its new chief, Sudaryono, to tighten governance following a high-profile corruption scandal that rocked the agency.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia is set to make halal certificates mandatory this October. Bigger businesses already had to include halal labels on their products since October 2024.

Antara, Jakarta – Senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Ganjar Pranowo said Sunday that anyone, including Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chairman Kaesang Pangarep, son of former Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, has the right to run for parliament, dismissing suggestions that Kaesang's planned candidacy poses a threat to the party's electoral dominance in Central

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Minister of State Secretariat of the Indonesia's Shadow Cabinet, Feri Amsari, said the civilian-led group plans to publish a performance report evaluating President Prabowo Subianto's administration after three years in office.

Yulia Savitri, Palembang – In South Sumatra's Muara Maung village, coal mining has become an inescapable part of daily life, with expanding operations choking the community's air, land and water leaving residents to grapple with worsening environmental degradation.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Transparency Indonesia Society (MTI) assesses that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's statement likening journalists, observers, and civil society organizations to 'londo ireng' (meaning black Dutchman – a term to refer to local individuals who Prabowo claims serve foreign powers or interests over their own country) as an attempt to delegitimize

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) revealed that public satisfaction with President Prabowo Subianto's performance has plummeted by roughly 30 percent over the past nine months.

Septia Ryanthie, Jakarta – Chair of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Kaesang Pangarep has revealed his intention to run as a legislative candidate for the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in the 2029 General Election.

M. Nurul Fajri, Universitas Andalas, Indonesia – Indonesia's delayed Election Bill threatens preparations for the 2029 polls, raising concerns over legal certainty, institutional balance and democratic integrity.

Jayapura – The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat formally presented the call by Pacific and MSG leaders for a UN human rights mission to West Papua and the Indonesian provinces of Papua during the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva on July 25.

Febrianto Adi Saputro, Jessi Carina, Jakarta – Public satisfaction with President Prabowo Subianto's performance has now touched 51.1 percent, a decrease of 30.1 percent in the last nine months. In November 2025, Prabowo's approval rating was 81.2 percent.

RR Ariyani, Jakarta – Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs spokesperson Haryo Limanseto expressed hope that duty-free incentives for aircraft spare parts and industrial Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will ease operational costs for businesses. Lowering these costs will help companies sustain operations, boost efficiency, and stay competitive.

Sentani, Jubi – Students from Cenderawasih University's (Uncen) community service programme (KKN) have donated three plastic bottle drop boxes to Asei Besar Village in East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, in an effort to encourage waste separation at the source and create economic opportunities through recycling.

Antara, Yahukimo, Papua – Indonesian troops have recovered the bodies of two civilians allegedly killed by separatist fighters in the eastern Papua Highlands province after an evacuation operation that briefly erupted into a firefight, the military said on Friday.

Jayapura, Jubi – Provincial legislatures across Papua should initiate a Special Regional Regulation (Perdasus) granting Indigenous Papuans (Orang Asli Papua/OAP) veto rights over large-scale investment projects, according to academics and legal advocates who say stronger legal protections are needed to safeguard customary land rights.