Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the cumulative foreign tourist visits from January to November 2023 at 10.4 million visits, a 110.86 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Six low-ranking Army soldiers have been identified as criminal suspects for assaulting supporters of presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo during a recent rally in Boyolali, Central Java, according to an announcement by the military on Tuesday.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Denpasar – Shri I Gusti Ngurah Arya Wedakarna, a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) from Bali, has become embroiled in controversy following a viral video of his rebuke of airport officials wearing hijabs.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Jakarta – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded a monthly inflation rate of 0.41 percent in December 2023, the highest throughout the year. Meanwhile, year-on-year inflation stood at 2.61%, the lowest in the last 20 years.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Kupang – Frans Seda Maumere Airport in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has been temporarily closed for flights to and from Maumere since Monday due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores.

Thomas Rizal, Jakarta – As the world's largest archipelagic nation, defense emerges as a crucial issue in maintaining national sovereignty. Without a robust defense, conducive security, and protection for citizens, effective development in the homeland becomes challenging.

Antara, Sumedang, West Java – The 4.8-magnitude earthquake in Sumedang district on Sunday evening damaged 248 houses and forced 456 residents to seek refuge elsewhere, acting West Java Governor Bey Triadi Machmudin said on Monday, January 1, 2024.

Tika Ayu, Jakarta – The spokesperson of the national team of Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar Billy David claimed that the spike of support from Indonesian fans of K-pop, famously known as K-popers was an organic phenomenon.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Health Ministry has announced that COVID-19 vaccines would remain free of charge for two vulnerable groups starting from January 1, 2024.

The first vulnerable group comprises elderly people who have never received the first injection of COVID-19 vaccine, the ministry's Disease Control and Prevention Director General Maxi Rein Rondonuwu stated.

Yohanes Maharso Joharsoyo, Jakarta – A member of the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar (AMIN) campaign team's expert council, Fadhil Hasan, raised concerns about the government's downstream policies following the explosion of the smelter furnace in Morowali, Southeast Sulawesi.

Rifqy Faiza Rahman – In a sweltering remote village surrounded by oil palm plantations, a conservation forest farmer shares ideas and hopes. A loud voice despite the threats against the land mafia.

Amelia Rahima, Antara, Jakarta – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi attributed the traffic congestion on the Bali Mandara toll road on Friday evening, Dec. 29, to the souvenir shop. Deddy Herlambang, a transportation observer from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), commented on the minister's statement.

Luke Hunt – John MacDougall, a cultural anthropologist from Princeton University in the United States, who dedicated his life to Indonesia and all things Balinese, died on December 30 after a long illness, a sad finale for 2023. He was 53.

Antara, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) confirmed that at least 138 fugitives were arrested from January to December 18, 2023. Out of the total, 79 fugitives were apprehended for corruption cases and 59 were apprehended for non-corruption cases.

Jakarta – The Labour Party held a protest action in front of the Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) offices in Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, January 2.

The demonstration was held to protest alleged obstacles faced by Labour Party members who are running as legislative candidates (caleg) in the upcoming 2024 legislative elections.

Usman, Karawang – A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday along the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road (Japek) in Karawang Regency. The Bhineka bus, carrying 38 passengers, overturned, resulting in six fatalities.

Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – Several residents of Jakarta and the vicinity voiced their opinions on the capital city relocation scheduled to be executed in 2024. Various opinions about Indonesia's capital relocation from Jakarta to IKN (Nusantara State Capital) in Kalimantan remain to be the talks of the town.

Ward Berenschot – The main contest in Indonesia's upcoming presidential elections involves two candidates – Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo – closely tied to the current government.

[In this 1999 piece, the late journalist reported from East Timor on how its people were abandoned by the West as they faced genocide at the hands of Indonesia's Suharto.]

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The government has extended the mandate of a government task force assigned to recover assets totaling hundreds of trillions from debtors who benefited from the so-called Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) during the 1998 financial crisis.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Surakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo conveyed New Year's greetings for 2024 through his Instagram account @jokowi on Monday.

In his post, Jokowi expressed his optimism that Indonesia is ready to face various challenges in the future after successfully navigating through the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

BeritaSatu, Jakarta – An unexpected rift within the campaign team of presidential hopeful Anies Baswedan has surfaced as two key members publicly clashed over the prospect of forming coalitions with other political parties in the event of a runoff.

Ahmad Syamsudin and Tria Dianti (BenarNews), Jakarta – He is a rock star who performs songs that millions of Indonesians love, and now he aims to be a lawmaker who shapes the nation's future.

Jakarta – More than 140 Rohingya have arrived in North Sumatra over the weekend, state news agency Antara reported on Monday, adding to a surge of arrivals of members of the Myanmar Muslim minority to Indonesia.

Tempo.co, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has pressed for strengthening audits and investigations on smelter facilities in the mining industry as a preventive measure against incidents such as fires and smelter furnace explosions.

He said that the most vulnerable area in a smelter is the one that requires heat and melting.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Sunday claimed that the state budget has seen quality spending that is "worth every penny" throughout the year.

Ayos Carlos, Bali – The severe traffic jam that paralyzed the Bali Mandara toll road last Friday resulted in numerous travelers having to walk to Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Ahmad Shoim, Jakarta – The Muslim Clerics and Students National Network (JKSN) has vowed to throw its weight behind the presidential and vice-presidential candidacy of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Juliana Harsianti – Online bullying of women and girls in Indonesia skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this disturbing trend has continued and even intensified ahead of the February 14, 2024 elections.

Jayapura, Jubi – Thousands gathered to bear the body of former Governor Lukas Enembe from the Sentani Airport to the STAKIN Sentani cemetery grounds on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Initially, a group of students, church leaders, and several others intended for the body to be transported by vehicle, accompanied by the people walking.

Jayapura, Jubi – Acting Governor of Papua Ridwan Rumasukun faced a distressing turn of events while partaking in the solemn duty of escorting the body of former Governor Lukas Enembe.

The procession, from Sentani Airport to STAKIN Sentani, took an unforeseen and tumultuous twist when Ridwan Rumasukun was struck by a stone, causing severe head injuries.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – The Ministry of Finance has implemented a policy to levy a tax on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), also known as vape, effective from Jan. 1, 2024.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Ayos Carlos, Denpasar – Dozens of travelers, both foreign and domestic, left their cars and had to walk to the Ngurah Rai International Airport as traffic congestion peaked on Friday. The typically brief journey from Kuta to the airport, lasting only a few minutes, extended into hours.

Nabiyla Risfa Izzati– Gig platforms have mushroomed in Indonesia in the past decade. But regulations have lagged and it's the workers who pay.

In just eight years, the gig economy has grown from nothing to being the primary source of income for up to 2.3 million Indonesians.

Defara Dhanya Paramitha, Jakarta – The rupiah closed up by 18 points to trade for 15,399 per US dollar at the close of this year's trade on Friday, December 24, 2023. Previously, the rupiah had weakened by 40 points to 15,417 per US dollar.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Commission for Child Protection said that throughout 2023 there were 3,547 complaints regarding cases of child rights or violence. This is a 30 percent increase compared to last year.

Muhammad Fakhruddin, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has four candidates to choose from to fill the commissioner position of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) vacated by Firli Bahuri.

Aisyah Llewellyn, Medan, Indonesia – According to local ranger Ajo, no one should have been trekking on Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia's most famous volcanoes located in West Sumatra, on December 3, 2023.

Dewi Tan – Living among 13 rivers and flood canals, the residents of Jakarta are no strangers to the presence of water flowing through the city. This overflowing water, however, does not translate to water as an abundant resource, given the city's long-standing battles with pollution.

Jakarta – An Indonesian navy vessel in Aceh drove away a boat carrying Rohingya from Myanmar, a military spokesperson said, as growing numbers of would-be refugees from the strife-torn country face hostility from locals.

The wooden boat was encountered in waters near Weh Island, off Sumatra, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Nugraha Gumilar said.

Jakarta – The East Jakarta Prosecutor's Office has arrested Indra Charismiadji, a spokesman for the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar campaign team, for alleged tax embezzlement and money laundering crimes.

Jakarta – After five years of efforts to become a global hub for electric vehicles (EV), this may be a good time for Indonesia to do some self-reflection.

Jakarta – Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan promised to provide a sufficient supply of subsidized diesel fuel for fishermen and make it easier for them to obtain licenses during a campaign stop in Lamongan, East Java, on Friday.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – Once seen as the country's most effective graft fighting institution, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is ending 2023 with a significant public confidence deficit following an extortion scandal implicating its leader that overshadowed the high-profile arrests it made throughout the year.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Businesses have shown resilience and growth throughout 2023, but for some companies, this year marks their final chapter. Intense competition and stringent funding conditions have led to the closure of various enterprises, spanning from startups to state-owned enterprises.

Nabiel Gibran El Rizani, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has signed a decree on the dismissal of Firli Bahuri from the chairmanship of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – North Aceh Regency has been hit by flooding since Sunday, Dec. 24, following high-intensity rain in the upstream area of Bener Meriah District, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo or Jokowi welcomed the visit of the alliance of village heads associations at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, Dec. 29.

The meeting was attended by the Indonesian Village Government Apparatus Association (Papdesi), the Association of Indonesian Village Governments (Apdesi), and the East Java Regional Heads Association.

Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – The nickel smelter of PT Gunbuster Nickel Industri (GNI) in North Morowali, Southeast Sulawesi, caught fire again on Thursday, Dec. 28. This was the umpteenth incident that happened to the Chinese company.

Jakarta – Young people across Indonesia are standing up to fight for their futures amid anxiety about the climate crisis and the environmental destruction that will threaten their lives now and in the future, calling on all election candidates to join the struggle by addressing the problems thoroughly.