Washington and Jakarta – United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed tariffs and ways to deepen defense and security cooperation with Indonesia in a meeting with the Indonesian foreign minister on Wednesday, the US State Department said.

Jakarta – Indonesia's trade surplus is expected to have narrowed month-on-month in March due to a likely contraction in exports and higher imports amid the Eid-al Fitr festival when typically consumption rises, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi dismissed rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle within the Red and White coalition. He clarified that the restructuring underway pertains to the Golkar Party's internal leadership, led by Chair Bahlil Lahadalia.

Timor-Leste has awarded its first offshore gambling license, calling the move a milestone in the broader push for economic diversification and digital sector development.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has revealed that dozens of judges have received bribes totaling billions of rupiah, based on monitoring conducted from 2011 to 2024. Over that period, 29 judges were named corruption suspects.

Jakarta – The communication problems within President Prabowo Subianto's administration are not yet resolved almost half a year after his cabinet started working. The 'retreat' at the Military Academy campus in Magelang, Central Java, which was claimed to harmonize the new government, does not seem to have produced any results.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Prosecutors have seized seven luxury cars and 21 high-end motorcycles from lawyer Ariyanto Bakri, who stands accused of funneling Rp 60 billion ($3.6 million) in bribes to judges overseeing a high-profile case involving illegal crude palm oil (CPO) exports.

Park Han-na, Seoul – Korean commercial banks are under pressure from Indonesian financial authorities to establish local holding companies, adding to the regulatory challenges that have hampered their efforts to expand in the market.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese President Xi Jinping have exchanged congratulations and warm wishes on the 75th anniversary of Indonesia and China's diplomatic relations, vowing to deepen the two countries' bilateral ties.

Muhammad Firman, Dayat, Jakarta – Prominent lawyer Hotma Sitompoel passed away on Wednesday at the age of 68 at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta after several days of intensive care for complications from multiple illnesses.

Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has named three judges as suspects in a bribery case involving the handling of crude palm oil (CPO) exports, showing that there is still a judicial mafia in Indonesia.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) on Wednesday blamed the government's ongoing austerity measures for the declining occupancy rates that have plagued the hospitality sector since the beginning of the year.

Abdul Manan, Jakarta – The Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry has announced that it will no longer issue permits for timber extraction in mangrove ecosystems. Permits will now be prioritized for environmental services.

Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The commander of the West Papua Army, Mathias L. Wenda, passed away on April 12, 2025, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesian palm oil producers are hoping that the government will slash the duty on US-bound exports, saying that such cuts would be necessary if Jakarta does not want to lose its customers following the recent tariff blitz.

Antara, Jakarta – The number of dengue fever (DBD) cases in West Jakarta has been continuously increasing since the beginning of this year. The West Jakarta Health Office (Sudinkes) has reported 186 cases of dengue fever in January 2025. In cumulative terms, the number increased to 211 cases in February and 254 cases in March.

Dedy Priatmojo, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid says that the arrival and intimidation by an Indonesian Military (TNI) officer at a student discussion at the Walisongo Islamic State University (UIN) in Semarang, Central Java, was a serious violation and threatens freedom of assembly, association and opinion as guaranteed by law.

Wijayanti Putri, Solo – Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Wednesday invited a group of journalists to a private gathering at his residence in Solo, where he showed them his school diplomas – from elementary school through university – in a move aimed at countering long-standing allegations about the authenticity of his academic credentials.

Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – The government is planning to provide subsidised housing for journalists. Three journalist organisations however have rejected the program for fear that journalists will not be critical anymore.

Irfan Maulana, Demak, Indonesia – The Java Sea has pursued Sunarti for years, first submerging her birthplace in Timbulsloko village, before forcing the mother of two to flee inland on the northern coast of Demak district in Indonesia's Central Java province.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesian consumers have continued to grow more anxious as job prospects dim and rising living costs strain household budgets, dragging confidence to its lowest level since October last year.

Jakarta – The country's law making process has been showing a disturbing trend, namely its lack of transparency, as evident in the deliberation of controversial bills. Instead of learning from past flaws, policymakers are set to revise the 24-year-old Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP) without meaningful public consultation.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – The Indonesian government plans to formally recognize ride-hailing drivers (ojol) as part of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector, offering them access to legal protection and economic support typically reserved for small businesses.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The issue regarding the authenticity of former President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) diploma continues to surface. Most recently, hundreds of people from TPUA (The Defender Team of Ulama and Activists) visited the Faculty of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University or UGM on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

M. Syaifullah, Yogyakarta – A group identifying themselves as the Defenders of Ulama and Activists (TPUA) visited the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) campus, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Their visit was intended to address the rumors surrounding the alleged fake diploma of former Indonesian president Jokowi.

Joko Laksono, Klaten, Central Java – As many as 137 residents of Karangturi Village in Central Java's Klaten Regency fell ill in a case of mass food poisoning following a community gathering and traditional wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance over the weekend.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – A petition opposing the awarding of the national hero title to Soeharto, launched by the Civil Society Movement to Try Soeharto (Gemas) on April 8, has garnered 3,479 signatures as of noon on Wednesday, April 16.

M. Rizki Yusrial, Jakarta – The kitchen partner of Prabowo's Free Meal program (MBG) at the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Kalibata, South Jakarta, plans to pursue legal action after incurring a loss of nearly Rp1 billion, precisely Rp975,375,000.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is in the Middle East to rally support for his plan to evacuate 1,000 vulnerable individuals, including injured patients and orphans, from war-torn Gaza to Indonesia for medical care or education.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged President Prabowo Subianto to reassess his plan to evacuate Gaza residents to Indonesia, saying that the plan should be reviewed thoroughly.

"It requires an in-depth and comprehensive study so that Indonesia is truly prepared," MUI secretary-general Amirsyah Tambunan said in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by tempo.co.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Defense Ministry on Tuesday categorically denied reports suggesting that the government is allowing Russia to build an air base in the eastern region of Papua.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Prosecutors in Indonesia have charged four judges and two lawyers accused of bribery in a recently concluded trial involving palm oil giants Permata Hijau, Wilmar and Musim Mas.

Yokie Rahmad Isjchwansyah – Indonesia could do without an increase in military spending that the Ministry of Defence is proposing. The country has more pressing issues, including public welfare and human rights. Moreover, the transparency and accountability to justify such a plan is also questionable.

M. Syaifullah, Yogyakarta – On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, hundreds of individuals identifying as members of the Defenders of Ulama and Activists Team (TPUA) visited the Faculty of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University (UGM).

Their visit aimed to seek clarification regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding former President Joko Widodo's academic credentials.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia asks the public not to worry too much about the United States' 32 percent reciprocal tariff policy imposed on imported products from Indonesia. According to him, Trump's tariff policy is normal in the business world.

Zacharias Wuragil, Jakarta – The joint Cartenz Peace Operation Team together with the Police Medical Team and the Police CVI have identified eleven bodies of victims of the killings of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM). The eleven bodies were officially handed over to their families on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Sita Planasari, Jakarta – The federal immigration authorities of the United States (US) arrested an Indonesian student in Minnesota in the basement of a hospital a few days after his student visa was revoked.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The Jakarta Provincial Government plans to deploy closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at public facilities throughout the city. Deputy Governor Rano Karno estimated the cost of installing these cameras could reach up to Rp380 billion or roughly US$24 million.

2024 was always going to be a year of political change and a dynamic situation, given the presidential and parliamentary elections. With Prabowo's election, the decline of rights to free expression and assembly that had already happened during President Joko Widodo's time in office, looks set to continue.

Danang Triatmojo, Jakarta – N, one of the participants at the village action (aksi kamping) has stated that he and several other civil society activists would continue to set up tents in front of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Pancasila Gate in Jakarta for as long as possible until their demands are met.

Jakarta – The general chairperson of the United Indonesian People's Movement (GRIB) Greater Jakarta Central Leadership Board (DPP), Rosario de Marshal alias Hercules, has visited the home of the 7th president of the Republic of Indonesia Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the Central Java (Jateng) city of Solo.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has no reason to ignore the threat of economic recession that is staring us in the face. Without structural and fundamental policy improvements, the sharp falls in a number of key indicators could bring disaster to the Indonesian economy.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Army (TNI) has dismissed the allegations made by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) regarding the involvement of children in espionage operations in Papua.

Sydney and Jakarta – Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government has asked Indonesia about a report in defense publication Janes that Russia has requested basing military aircraft in Papua, as the issue dominated Australia's election campaign on Tuesday.

"We obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region," Albanese told reporters.

Indonesia, West Papua – The independent media outlet Suara Papua has received information about another case of torture and extrajudicial execution in the Yuguru village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Indonesia, West Papua – On the night of 13 March 2025, military personnel reportedly tortured three indigenous Papuans in the Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Matthew Sussex – A news report that Russia has sought to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia caught Australia's political leaders by surprise during an already hectic election campaign.

Yerica Lai and Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has called out Western powers for their silence and inaction on the situation in Gaza, as Middle Eastern counties put up a united front to resist any plans to remove Palestinians from their homeland.

Fajar Fitrianto, Jakarta – Just when the global economy began adjusting to the idea of a new normal under United States President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff doctrine, the plot twisted.

On the heels of escalating trade tension, including a 32 percent tariff slapped on Indonesian exports, came a surprising turn: A 90-day pause.

Johnny Johan Sompotan, Jakarta – Wings Air, a subsidiary of Indonesia's largest airline Lion Air, announced on Tuesday that it is pursuing legal action against a passenger who was captured on video allegedly grabbing a flight attendant by the neck prior to takeoff.

The passenger has been identified as Megawati Zebua, a member of the North Sumatra provincial legislature.