Iim Halimatusa'diyah – The leadership of Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organisation has decided to accept a government mining licence, just like the largest. Consternation from eco-activists and others within has ensued, together with warnings about a loss of moral direction.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – The state palace has denied rumors of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo possibly holding another cabinet shake-up today or tomorrow.

"There are no plans for the rumored cabinet reshuffle on Aug. 14 or 15," Jokowi's senior aide Ari Dwipayana said Wednesday.

A contentious legal dispute has emerged in the Sorong Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province, involving PT Mancaraya Agro Mandiri (MAM), a subsidiary of the Manca Group, and the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Malamoi.

The 15 August marks 62 years since The New York Agreement and West Papuans are still suffering under Indonesian colonial rule. Yes, most of the world recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua at this stage but most also would recognise that the so called act of free choice in 1969 was a sham.

The New York Agreement

Ikhsan Reliubun, Jakarta – Bondan Andriyanu, the Greenpeace Indonesia Climate and Energy Campaigner, responded to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's claim that the air quality in Nusantara Capital City or IKN is "very fresh and clean."

Bondan said on Tuesday that Kalimantan often faces forest fires, one of the contributing factors to air pollution.

Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – The National Research and Innovation Agency or BRIN proposed a solution to overcome air pollution by using nuclear technology.

Jakarta – The opportunity for Anies Baswedan to contest the Jakarta gubernatorial election is slipping away after the coalition of parties supporting him fell apart. There is a guerrilla from the Palace.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo seemed to be fine with the slow foreign investment in the Indonesian Capital City of Nusantara or IKN project, stating that the government is prioritizing domestic investors.

Fauzi Ibrahim, Jakarta – Dozens of Rempang, Batam residents staged a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 14, to voice their opposition to the Rempang Eco-City National Strategic Project (PSN). The community insists that they can thrive without the project, relying on local resources, such as agriculture and fishing.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo conferred honorary medals upon 64 individuals, including prominent figures such as NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh and Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. The ceremony took place at the State Palace on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, as part of the nation's 79th Independence Day commemorations.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – An economist recently said that disrupted food security – a situation in which the population could not access affordable rice – could worsen Indonesia's poverty rate.

Bella Evanglista Mikaputri, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo admitted Wednesday that he could finally get a restful sleep when staying at the yet-to-be-built Indonesian future capital Nusantara.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, said on Tuesday that the Indonesian government is prioritizing industrialization to enhance the export of processed commodities with higher added value.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita was appointed as the acting chairman of the Golkar Party during an emergency leaders' meeting on Tuesday evening, following the sudden resignation of Chairman Airlangga Hartarto.

The meeting, held at the party's headquarters in Jakarta, involved top Golkar executives and senior members.

Despite being mineral-rich, conflict-torn Christian-majority region among the poorest and most underdeveloped provinces

Yuliana Langowuyo hopes that Pope Francis will remember to speak about the ongoing rights violations and injustices in the restive Papua region when he visits Indonesia next month.

Singgih Wiryono, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Chairperson Andy Yentriyani says that as many as 34,682 women fell victim to acts of violence in 2024.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Activists from the 98 Resistance Forum have come together to voice their anxieties about the quality of democracy in the era of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. They highlighted the issue of Airlangga Hartanto's ousting as general chairperson of the Golkar Party recently.

Antara, Jakarta – Several areas in East Kalimantan, including those within Nusantara Capital City (IKN), are still at risk of flooding in the coming week. After heavy rainfall last weekend, floods have inundated several sub-districts in Mahakam Ulu, Balikpapan, and North Penajam Paser.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza is still operating despite facing a lack of electricity, according to the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C).

"We need to immediately restore the electricity supply," said Dr. Dany Kurniadi Ramdhan, a MER-C volunteer, during a virtual press conference on Monday, August 12, 2024

Jakarta – Harli Siregar, head of the Attorney General's Office's (AGO's) Legal Information Center (Kapuspenkum Kejagung), said the investigation into the crude palm oil (CPO) export corruption case was being conducted without any political pressure or influence.

The CPO corruption case resurfaced after Airlangga Hartarto resigned from his position as Golkar chairman.

Duncan Graham – ABC foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic's 'exclusive' claim that "Australia and Indonesia are on the brink of sealing an upgraded defence pact" hasn't been refuted by Defence so is probably right.

This is a distressing idea practically and morally for a nation that claims to respect the rules of warfare and human rights. That's us.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – Anti-graft activists are calling on the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) commissioner selection committee to take a stronger stance and eliminate problematic candidates from the shortlist, including two incumbent KPK commissioners who have been hit with allegations of ethics violations.

Jakarta – Two former presidents, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), have confirmed that they will not join the Independence Day celebration at Indonesia's future capital in Nusantara, East Kalimantan, scheduled for this weekend.

Jakarta – Asenior Golkar politician has said an interim chairman of the party will be elected by acclamation in a plenary meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

Jakarta – Our founding fathers chose the banyan tree as the symbol of the third pillar of state ideology Pancasila – Indonesian unity, most likely because of its longevity and its enormous size, which provides shelter. The tree also represents Golkar Party for the same reasons, as it claims to serve the political aspirations of people from all walks of life.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Investors continue to show strong interest in properties in Jakarta and the surrounding Greater Jakarta metropolitan area despite the construction of the country's new capital located in East Kalimantan, according to property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Indonesia.

Andrea Arshirena Hosana, Jakarta – Rather than food security, it would be best for Indonesia to focus on finding ways in which it can feed its people without having to rely on imports, according to political expert Achmad Nur Hidayat.

Antara, Jakarta – The budget for Indonesia's 79th Independence Day celebrations in the new capital Nusantara (IKN) on Aug. 17 is set at Rp 87 billion ($5.5 million), up from last year's Rp 53 billion allocated for Jakarta's celebrations.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The government has spent approximately Rp 11.2 trillion (around $707 million) to fund Indonesia's future planned capital development so far this year as of the end of July.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – Chico Hakim, spokesperson for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), responded to rumors about a potential cabinet reshuffle by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, which may see the replacement of PDI-P ministers, including Yasonna Laoly with Supratman Andi Agtas from the Gerindra Party.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Metro Jaya Police have advanced their investigation into a controversial meeting between former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Firli Bahuri and ex-Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) at a sports hall in West Jakarta.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Tuesday that the existing presidential palaces remind him of Dutch colonial rule as the incumbent leader once again tried to defend his decision to build an entirely new capital, including a massive, Garuda-inspired presidential workplace.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – Professor Subejo of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) argues that Indonesia should prioritize maximizing the potential of its 7.4 million hectares of existing rice fields rather than pursuing the risky food estate policy to achieve national food sovereignty.

Teguh Adi Prasetyo, Jakarta – A devastating fire that swept through five sub-districts in the Manggarai area this morning has left hundreds, if not thousands, of residents homeless.

Victims were seen scrambling to gather their remaining belongings, from bags containing valuables to important documents, as they wandered aimlessly in search of temporary shelter.

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Jakarta – Agricultural expert Dwi Andreas Santosa recently revealed ways on how Indonesia could achieve food security, citing improving farmers' welfare as one of the things that could enable the country feed its people easily.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Anies Baswedan could face a significant setback in his bid for reelection as Jakarta governor if the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) withdraws its support. Even his political ally, the National Awakening Party (PKB), would be unable to secure his candidacy without PKS.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – Vox Point Indonesia supports Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas's proposal to eliminate the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) recommendation requirement for building places of worship, arguing that it will streamline the process and enhance religious freedoms.

Zikrullah Shubhy, Depok – Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) staged a protest at the Depok mayor's office in West Java on Sunday by dumping dozens of sacks filled with household garbage, expressing their frustration with the city's inadequate waste management.

Thomas Rizal, Jakarta – Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto abruptly announced his resignation on Sunday, prompting the party's leadership board to call an emergency meeting to appoint an acting chairman.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" defended his decision to build an entirely new capital during a historic cabinet meeting on Monday, saying that the move could spread economic activities from Java.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia losing its 34-month streak of an expanding manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) has worried President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

Thomas Rizal, Nusantara – President-elect Prabowo Subianto confirmed on Monday that he has invested in the new national capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan as a businessman and suggested that he plans to relocate to the city as president once it's operational.

Djibril Muhammad, Jakarta – Dozens of hotel Google business accounts across Indonesia were hacked on Sunday, according to the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI). The association has announced that it will report the incident to the Cyber Crime Directorate of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri).

Jakarta – Indonesia has joined a chorus of nations condemning a deadly Israeli air strike over the weekend on a school housing displaced Palestinians, with Jakarta calling for the international community to stop the "crimes against humanity" and ensure accountability from Israel, as the crisis in Gaza enters its tenth month.

Alifia Sekar, Jakarta – The emergence of alleged incidences of child abuse on social media platforms in recent weeks have put a negative spotlight on childcare services and facilities in the country, sparking public outrage and prompting many to urge the government to set competency standards and tighten oversight.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – With over two months still to go until his inauguration in October, president-elect Prabowo Subianto has nonetheless established good rapport with President Vladimir Putin, setting the tone for Indonesia-Russia bilateral ties during his Moscow visit early this month.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – As many as 84 private universities (PTS) may shut down due to failure to meet accreditation standards, according to the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN PT). The affected institutions are spread across several Indonesian provinces, including West Java, Jakarta, and Sumatra.

Aisyah Llewellyn – The operator of fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Indonesia has reported steeper losses as pro-Palestinian boycotts continue to hammer businesses in the country perceived to be associated with Israel or its army.

Jakarta – Indonesian President Joko Widodo held his first Cabinet meeting in his planned new capital, Nusantara, on Aug 12, as the outgoing leader seeks to reassure investors his US$32 billion (S$42.4 billion) mega-project remains on track before he steps down this October.

Nicholas Ryan Aditya, Ihsanuddin, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has released findings showing that there are still many incidents of torture being committed by law enforcement institutions from the police to correctional institutions (Lapas).