New video footage has been released of a peaceful hand-over ceremony of Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens' release in West Papua.

The footage, sent to RNZ Pacific by a member of the West Papua Council of Churches, shows a formal ceremony followed by Mehrtens shaking hands with a number of locals before entering a helicopter and being flown away.

Hendro Dahlan Situmorang, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung has called for innovative solutions to address the city's pressing clean water crisis, promising to develop new water sources if elected.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Gresik – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo confirmed that Indonesia has not yet left the negotiation table regarding an increase in its stake in gold miner Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), a subsidiary of Freeport McMoRan, by an additional 10 percent, aiming to raise its ownership to 61 percent.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – The General Election Commission (KPU) has approved 1,553 candidate pairs to compete in the upcoming elections for governors, regents, and mayors across Indonesia.

Under Indonesian election law, all candidates are required to register alongside their running mates.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The government collected Rp 183.2 trillion ($12 billion) in customs and excise revenues as of Aug. 31, 2024, achieving 57.1 percent of the target set in the 2024 State Budget and marking a 6.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Antara, Chairul Fikri, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidates Pramono Anung, Ridwan Kamil, and Dharma Pongrekun have pledged to keep their campaigns free of religious and identity politics, calling for a peaceful and exemplary election as they secured their ballot numbers for the 2024 race.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A researcher from the Economic and Social Research, Education, and Information Institute (LP3ES), Herlambang Wiratraman, said the possibility of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) joining the Prabowo-run government will worsen the condition of democracy in Indonesia.

Jakarta – The Urban Poor Network (JRMK) held a demonstration in front of the Jakarta provincial National Elections Commission (KPU) offices on Monday morning, September 23, supporting the three-candidate ticket movement or golput (to abstain from voting or invalidate the ballot paper) in the 2024 Jakarta election or election of regional heads on November 27.

Indonesia, West Papua – A new report has revealed the devastating impacts of palm oil investment in Papua, Indonesia, on both the environment and indigenous communities. The study, conducted by researcher Wiko Saputra, found that while the economic benefits of the industry are limited, the environmental and social costs are significant.

Singgih Wiryono, Ihsanuddin, Jakarta – A split has occurred within the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) after Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was released on Saturday September 21.

Singgih Wiryono, Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) spokesperson Sebby Sambom has denied claims by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Indonesian Police (Polri) that the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was a result of their efforts.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus and Victor Mambor – Jakarta and Wellington on Monday denied claims by a Papuan rebel spokesman that Indonesian authorities had paid a guerrilla commander to free a New Zealand pilot from 19 months of captivity.

Boyko Nikolov – In 2021, Indonesia formally requested 48 F-35 fighter jets from the United States. This deal, which received approval from the US State Department, is valued at around $14 billion. Indonesia's goal is clear: to modernize its air force and boost military readiness by adding the F-35s.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Peoples' Movement Alliance Against Land Seizure (Geram Tanah) stated that it will hold a rally on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Antara, Jakarta – Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri was awarded the title of honorary professor in tourism and cultural heritage in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Rino Fajar Setiawan, Bekasi – Residents in the Jakarta suburb of Bekasi were shocked on Sunday morning when they discovered seven bodies floating in the Bekasi River, leaving police struggling to determine the cause of death.

Bekasi Metropolitan Police Chief Dani Hamdani confirmed that the victims were all young men, but none of them had identification on them.

Havana, Cuba – Eduardo Martinez Diaz, Cuban Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, and Laksana Tri Handoko, president of the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in this city relating to scientific collaboration in areas such as renewable energy, nanotechnology, agriculture and food production, and life, health and en

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Susi Air Pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens was freed from the armed group Free Papua Movement (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto stated that security forces only used persuasive approaches in the release.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Susi Air pilot of New Zealand nationality, Philip Mark Mehrtens, has been released by Indonesia's TNI-Polri security forces from the captivity of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga on Saturday, September 21, 2024, after being held captive for approximately 20 months.

Wellington, New Zealand – The family of a kidnapped New Zealand pilot on Sunday thanked the Indonesian rebels who released him for taking care of him during more than a year and a half in captivity.

Graham Readfearn and agencies – New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed after more than one-and-a-half years in captivity in Indonesia's West Papua region, Indonesian police have said.

Graham Readfearn and agencies – New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens said he was looking forward to being reunited with his family after being freed after more than one-and-a-half years in captivity in Indonesia's West Papua region.

His release follows an offer of terms made this week by rebels in the region.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) have announced their full support for President-elect Prabowo Subianto's administration, following a private meeting at the Merdeka Palace.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – As the House of Representatives ends its term, its special committee is out to conclude an investigation into alleged haj quota misallocation involving the Religious Affairs Ministry.

Responding to the release of New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens after more than 19 months held in captivity led by a pro-independence group in the Papua region, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, said:

Duncan Graham – Fresh from its latest failure to protect Palestine in the UN, the Australian government also handles brittle Indonesia tenderly lest it snaps off trade and security deals with its spacious but under-occupied neighbour.

Gabriel Collins, Morgan Bazilian and Simon Lomax – Earlier this month, the US government sounded the alarm over the use of forced labor in the nickel mines of Indonesia.

The finding has major implications for the energy transition because large amounts of nickel are needed to produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other low-carbon energy technologies.

Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attributed the release of New Zealand pilot Mark Mehrtens from the Free Papua Movement's (OPM's) captivity to the government's perseverance in seeking peaceful resolutions.

The Susi Air pilot was freed from the Egianus Kogoya-led armed separatist group after being held captive for about a year and a half.

Fika Nurul Ulya, Diamanty Meiliana, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has stressed that all activities in Papua must be accompanied by security forces both from the TNI (Indonesian Military) and Polri (National Police).

Surprising news came from Ndugama today when it was reported that New Zealand pilot Philips Mark Mehrtens was released by West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) commander Egianus Kogoya and his troops on Saturday September 21.

Irine Hiraswari Gayatri and Dini Suryani – Indonesia's future capital city Nusantara is touted as a model of sustainable development and a symbol of national progress. But it also poses a threat to indigenous communities, particularly the Balik people, who rely on the land for their livelihoods and cultural survival.

Jakarta – A glittering ceremony at the North Sumatra Stadium in Deli Serdang on Friday night marked the end of the 21st National Games (PON), but the festivities were too late and too little to make up for the controversies that have marred the quadrennial sporting event.

Novie Fauziah, Jakarta – The name Labubu might sound unfamiliar to most, but this cute doll has skyrocketed in popularity after K-Pop idol Lisa from Blackpink was spotted accessorizing with it. Labubu has now become a coveted item among collectors worldwide, including in Indonesia.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi is nudging private companies to also take part in building the transportation infrastructure – including airports – of archipelagic Indonesia.

Racism, torture and arbitrary arrests are some examples of discrimination indigenous Papuans have dealt with over the last 60 years from Indonesia, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.

Niniek Karmini, Jakarta, Indonesia – Separatist rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region warned Friday that increased Indonesian military attacks in recent days to rescue a New Zealand pilot who was taken hostage over a year ago could instead threaten his safety.

Han Revanda Putra, Jakarta – European airplane manufacturer Airbus has projected that Indonesia will require at least 1,000 new aircraft within the next two decades. This will solidify its position as one of the world's fastest-growing markets for the aviation sector.

Jakarta – West Java's sudden earthquake on Wednesday (Sep 18) which left one dead and over 80 injured was triggered by an unmapped fault, according to Indonesian earthquake experts.

Agnes Valentina Christa, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil pledged to eliminate slums in North Jakarta and transform the area into a business hub if he wins the 2024 regional election.

Jakarta – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday it has approved a US$500 million policy-based loan to fund a program designed to help Indonesia's energy transition efforts.

Fadli, Batam, Riau Islands – A protest staged on Wednesday by residents of the Putra Jaya Housing Complex in Tanjung Uncang subdistrict, Batam, Riau Islands, over water distribution must be addressed or it will disrupt investment in the city, a Batam city councilor has said.

Jakarta – As we draw closer to the start of the new government, many await the implementation of the free nutritious meal program, one of president-elect Prabowo Subianto's ambitious campaign promises.

From the discourse that has emerged so far, one particular innovation has sparked both curiosity and concern, namely fish "milk" as a substitute for dairy in these meals.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung has proposed using Jakarta's annual budget surplus to create a special fund aimed at generating new jobs if he is elected in the upcoming November election.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Head of the Indonesian Military Information Center (Kapuspen TNI), Major General Hariyanto, denied claims made by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) regarding a military-police operation to free Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens. He asserted that no deployment of troops or special operations has been undertaken for this mission.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – The Deputy Head of Corruption Eradication Corruption (KPK), Alexander Marwata, asks the state-owned Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) to prioritize integrity within its fund management.

As of 2024, he said, BPJS Kesehatan allotted around Rp150 trillion to support the healthcare of 98 percent of registered Indonesian citizens.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia has signed the Multilateral Instrument Subject to Tax Rule (MLI STTR) alongside leaders from 42 other countries and jurisdictions. This agreement is part of a global initiative to reduce unhealthy tax competition.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has announced that it will impose internal sanctions on its member, HA, who has been named a suspect in a child molestation case in Singkawang, West Kalimantan.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President-Elect Prabowo Subianto is back again on a world tour ahead of his inauguration ceremony with Filipino President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr being the most recent world leader he had visited.

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) under the Finance Ministry has denied allegations of a data leak involving the Taxpayer Identification Numbers (NPWP) of 6 million Indonesian citizens, including President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, among others.

Jakarta – A number of civil society organizations together with representatives of indigenous peoples have submitted a juridical review of Law Number 32/2024 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems (KSDAHE Law) with the Constitutional Court.