Meaghan Tobin and Hasya Nindita, Jakarta and South Sumatra, Indonesia – A year ago, TikTok's e-commerce business in Indonesia was thriving. With its viral videos, TikTok had become a worldwide phenomenon, and it was translating its influence into a powerful new revenue stream by letting users buy and sell things while its videos played.

Meaghan Tobin and Hasya Nindita – Iksan knows the roads around his hometown on the Indonesian island of Sumatra like the back of his hand. He runs a package sorting center from his garage, a small but essential piece of a sprawling network delivering goods bought on Tokopedia, the country's biggest homegrown e-commerce company.

Douglas Kammen – For Timor-Leste, the 20th century was a century of repeated mass violence.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Only one percent of Indonesia's population, or approximately 77,753 individuals, hold doctoral degrees, revealed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

An exiled West Papuan leader has praised Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape for his "brave ambush" in questioning new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto over West Papua.

Prabowo offered an "amnesty" for West Papuan pro-independence activists during Marape's revent meeting with Prabowo on the fringes of the inauguration, the PNG leader revealed.

Jakarta – Indonesia and Russia will hold their first joint naval drills next month, Jakarta's navy said Tuesday, as the Southeast Asian archipelago's new leader seeks to boost ties with Moscow.

Southeast Asia's biggest economy maintains a neutral foreign policy, refusing to take sides in the Ukraine conflict or in great power competition between Washington and Beijing.

As a largely patriarchal society, the bar is quite low for gender equality in Indonesia, especially in politics.

Out of the 48 ministers in President Prabowo Subianto's newly inaugurated Red and White Cabinet, there are only five women, and only eight female deputy ministers out of a total of 56. The same trend exists for other public offices in the country.

Jakarta – Apresidential spokesperson said on Monday that President Prabowo Subianto used his own money to pay for organizing of a mountain retreat in Central Java last week for his newly inaugurated ministers in the cabinet.

Teguh Adi Prasetyo, Jakarta – Housing and Settlement Minister Maruarar "Ara" Sirait announced that four prominent business tycoons have pledged support to advance the government's ambitious 3-million-homes initiative.

Jakarta – Iran's ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, said that Iran and Indonesia can expand their economic cooperation, particularly in energy and food security, under President Prabowo Subianto's leadership.

Jakarta – Iran's ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, has called on Indonesia, as the world's largest Muslim-majority country, to play a crucial role in promoting peace in the Middle East by uniting Islamic nations against Israel's military aggression and advocating for solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Palestine.

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Jakarta – The Manpower Ministry has assured that no employees at Indonesia's largest textile company, Sri Rejeki Isman, better known as Sritex, will face layoffs, despite the company being declared bankrupt by the Semarang Commercial Court.

Roy Adriansyah, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Tuesday named former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong as a suspect in a corruption case involving alleged fraudulent sugar imports in 2015.

AGO's Director of Criminal Investigation, Abdul Qohar, said Thomas was detained along with another suspect, a businessman identified by the initials DS.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and the Labor Party, Said Iqbal, said that thousands of workers planned to stage a rally at the Constitutional Court (MK) on October 31, 2024, to protest against the Job Creation Law. The workers aim to influence the Court's decision on the material review of the law.

Vedro Imanuel G, Jakarta – Economist Eliza Mardian from the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) has criticized the government's food estate project, arguing that it has yet to deliver substantial economic benefits and has instead become a financial burden on the state.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Muhammad Aminullah, a campaigner at Walhi (Indonesian Forum for the Environment) Jakarta, said there are six major environmental issues that require resolution by the future Jakartan governor and deputy governor. The gubernatorial candidates for the upcoming regional election, however, only cover about half of these problems.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – Deputy Chair of the Gerindra Party, Rahayu Saraswati, said the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is currently still in the trial stage before being implemented in 2025.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Army (TNI) signed a memorandum of understanding or MoU with Komnas HAM regarding the advancement and protection of human rights within the TNI. The MoU was signed by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto and Chairperson of Komnas HAM, Atnike Nova Sigiro, at the Komnas HAM Office in Jakarta on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) says that the House of Representative's (DPR) move to not include the Draft Law on Asset Seizures (RUU Perampasan Aset) in the proposed National Legislation Programs (Prolegnas) for 2025-2029 is very disappointing for the public.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Committee for the Safety of Journalists (KKJ) has reported the recent firebomb attack on the Jubi media editorial offices in Jayapura, Papua, to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). The KKJ wants Komnas HAM to take part in monitoring the case.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – President of the Student Executive Board or BEM of FISIP Unair Tuffahati Ulayyah admitted to receiving terror and threats through messaging applications on WhatsApp and messages on his social media accounts.

Najwa Abdullah – Indonesia has pushed ahead with initiatives to promote religious moderation. Such programmes, however, need to address deeper issues.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – The Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo) has revised its vehicle sales target for 2024 from 1.1 million units to 850,000 units.

Gaikindo Chairman Jongkie Sugiarto explained that the automotive market, particularly for passenger vehicles, has been sluggish throughout 2024, prompting the downward revision.

Esti Widiyana, Surabaya – The Airlangga University (Unair) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Student Executive Council (BEM) criticised the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka in a satirical congratulatory flower board. This however turned into a polemic and three BEM management board members were suspended.

Sarjan Lahay, Pohuwato, Indonesia – Heavy trucks roll toward a semiremote coastline here on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island before idling alongside a waiting barge, which will later make a vast shipment of wood pellets to Japan and South Korea.

Kennedy Muslim and Burhanuddin Muhtadi – Indonesia's new president might have squandered an opportunity to start with a lean, efficient Cabinet instead of appeasing supporters and partners to form the largest Cabinet since Sukarno.

Jakarta, Indonesia – A major labor group in Indonesia has called on the government to bail out troubled textile giant Sritex, after President Prabowo Subianto ordered his ministers to save the firm from bankruptcy.

Jakarta – Pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia has released new findings regarding public expectations for Prabowo Subianto's administration, showing that 85.3 percent of respondents believe he could lead Indonesia toward a better future.

Burhanuddin Muhtadi, a researcher at the pollster, noted that the public had high expectations and trust for Prabowo.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – A police officer in East Nusa Tenggara was dishonorably discharged after being caught having a karaoke party with three colleagues during work hours. However, the decision has drawn the attention of lawmakers, who have summoned the local police chief to reconsider the dismissal.

BeritaSatu, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office has charged businessman Budi Said with corruption related to gold transactions. Prosecutors allege that Budi colluded to purchase state-owned Antam gold at prices below official rates, causing state losses of Rp 1.1 trillion ($69.98 million).

Jakarta – The fact that President Prabowo Subianto made no mention of Nusantara in his inauguration speech on Oct. 20 has caused some concern about his commitment to the planned new capital city.

Chandra Adi Nurwidya, Yogyakarta – President Prabowo Subianto called on his ministers and echelon-1 state officials to replace their imported vehicles with domestically produced cars from the state-owned defense company Pindad, a senior official said on Monday.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung questioned his rival Ridwan Kamil on Sunday evening about his repeated promises to bring a Disneyland theme park to the capital, which resurface with every election cycle.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has signaled that regular retreats will be held for his cabinet, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has revealed.

"President Prabowo indicated that retreat activities like this are not only carried out for now but also regularly," Sjafrie said in a written statement on Monday, October 28.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – Member of the Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (KIKA), Rina Mardiana, drew parallels between the recent suspension of the Student Executive Body (BEM) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Airlangga University (Unair) and the authoritarian era of Soeharto.

Erwin Renaldi and Toby Mann – He sells rice, oil, sugar and other daily essentials, but customers have been a relatively rare sight recently for Erick Saputra.

Mr Saputra, from Bukittinggi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, said that for the past five months his small shop had made the equivalent of less than $30 per month. That's less than half of what he usually earns.

Djibril Muhammad, Jakarta – Gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil pledged on Sunday to provide free education for students at private schools from elementary through high school if elected next month. His campaign platform also includes a promise to create 1 million new jobs over the next five years.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – The Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Airlangga University (Unair) in Indonesia was frozen after creating a satirical flower arrangement for President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The Dean of FISIP Unair argued that the flower arrangement was unethical.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The founder of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), Saiful Mujani, mentioned that the approval rating towards Joko Widodo (Jokowi) influenced Prabowo Subianto's victory in the 2024 Presidential Election. Prabowo was paired with Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, against the pairs of Anies-Muhaimin and Ganjar-Mahfud.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Zarof Ricar, a former head of the Supreme Court's R&D division, enjoyed a prestigious career before his retirement in 2022. However, recent events have cast a shadow over his post-retirement pursuits, which included producing the film Sang Pengadil (The Judge), aimed at inspiring young people to become judges with a commitment to integrity.

Surabaya – Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Emeritus Professor Dr. Hotman Siahaan from the Airlangga University (Unair) in Surabaya says he regrets the freezing of the Unair FISIP Student Executive Board (BEM).

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – Muhammad Qodari, the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), assured that KSP's data was not hacked by cybercriminals, following concerns raised about a potential breach.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Ichsan Ali, Magelang – The days of Prabowo Subianto's "gemoy" (adorable) campaign persona during the 2024 Presidential Election are over. After dancing his way to a decisive electoral victory, the former army general has reverted to his true identity as a leader who embraces a military approach.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Jakarta – Indonesia's resort island of Bali is set to have a second international airport, with the long-delayed project now being revived under the new administration of President Prabowo Subianto.

Asia Indonesian Fisheries – Labor abuses on foreign-flagged fishing vessels in Indonesia's remote eastern seas continue to claim lives, with Indonesian crew members bearing the brunt of exploitation amid weak law enforcement, a new report published on Oct. 3 shows.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is being asked to push for a resolution to the armed conflict and violence in the land of Papua. Violence and armed conflicts in Papua can only be resolved through peaceful dialogue.

Surabaya – The Airlangga University (Unair) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Student Executive Council (BEM) in Surabaya, East Java, has been frozen by the dean's office after making a satirical congratulatory message in the form a flower board marking the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia, Yose Rizal Damuri, said nearly 9,000 ministerial regulations were circulating in Indonesia before President Prabowo Subianto's Red and White Cabinet.

Jakarta – An economist from the Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) Veteran Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, criticized the Indonesian government's food estate plan that has been conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan.

Mediana – A total of 238 people out of 257 workers in six industrial sectors claimed that their monthly wage is not enough to meet the necessities of life. As many as 200 people or 78 percent of these are trapped in debt in order to survive each month.