Divya Karyza, Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority's (OJK) decision to simplify borrowing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is a calculated risk that requires stringent oversight to prevent a surge in bad loans.

Jakarta – The MBG Monitoring Coalition is asking the government to halt the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and then take steps to fully evaluate President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious program.

Kaneta Naimatau – Indonesia has made it clear that West Papua will not feature in Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) peace and security discussions, with its Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Simamora, firmly dismissing the issue as an 'internal matter'.

Jakarta – The government's promise to equip more than 330,000 schools with smart screens may sound like a bold leap forward in education reform, but it also feels like a chilling case of deja vu.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Indonesia's interest in purchasing Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets as part of its military modernization plan has recently resurfaced, which was met by concerns from defense experts over the financial burden of operating non-Western aircraft and the potential geopolitical ramifications of such a deal.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – The Indonesian Economists Alliance on Tuesday welcomed the government's openness to dialogue but stressed that stronger action is needed to address its "Seven Urgent Economic Demands."

Firda Amalia Putri and Iim Halimatusa'diyah – Violence is a persistent problem in the Indonesian police force. Recent brutalities against peaceful demonstrators underscore the imperative of reform to enhance accountability and restore public trust.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Foreign Affairs Ministry said Tuesday that time constraints were what had caused President Prabowo Subianto's microphone to get cut off in the middle of a Palestine-related speech at the United Nations.

Jakarta – Like a doctor performing clinical trials of a drug, President Prabowo Subianto is giving a placebo to his patients. Trying to address a number of serious problems in the first year of his administration, he is only providing snake oil that does not address the issues.

Dili, Timor-Leste (Bernama) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim commenced his official engagements with a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace this evening.

The historic two-day visit began with a formal ceremony led by President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta at 4.10 pm local time.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian government refutes concerns that Law Number 27 of 2022 concerning Personal Data Protection (PDP Law) could restricts civil society spaces, especially journalists, academics, and artists, to unveil personal data.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The government will entirely pay the salary of the fresh graduates joining the upcoming internship program meant to spur economic growth, according to a senior minister.

In other words, businesses do not have to worry about skyrocketing costs as they will not spend a single dime on the interns' paychecks.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Central Executive Board of the West Papua National Committee (BPP-KNPB) has stated that it opposes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivering a speech tomorrow at the General Debate session at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on Tuesday September 23.

Dili – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has played a key role in advancing Timor-Leste's aspiration to join ASEAN, will begin his inaugural two-day official visit to the country tomorrow (Sept 23).

Thresa Sandra Desfika, Jakarta – Nagan Cipta Nusantara (NCN) has unveiled plans to develop a dedicated coal terminal port and a 10-kilometer hauling road in Nagan Raya, Aceh, with an investment of Rp 1.4 trillion ($8.4 million). The announcement was made at the Coaltrans Asia 2025, Asia's largest coal industry conference and exhibition, held on Sept.

Algi Muhamad Gifari, West Bandung – West Bandung Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail has officially canceled the 2025 allowance increases for local lawmakers, reversing a decision he signed on July 23.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian business competition watchdog KPPU has slammed the government's decision to restrict unsubsidized fuel imports, citing that it is unfair to both consumers and private retailers.

Supplies have run dry at privately-run gas stations like Shell and BP over the past weeks.

Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – A surge in childhood obesity across Indonesia is raising the alarm, with experts warning that the country's children face a greater risk of diabetes, heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses as junk food replaces healthier diets.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Indonesia's Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN) reported that hundreds of workers and security personnel from PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk (TPL) raided indigenous farmers in Nagori Sihaporas, Pematang Sidamanik, Simalungun, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Monday morning, September 22, 2025, at around 08:40 AM local time.

Nuurrianti Jalli – TikTok Live's anticipatory suspension during nationwide protests in Indonesia last month shows the influence of Jakarta's interventionist digital governance. Such suspensions hurt small businesses and can fuel misinformation.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – The Chair of the National Commission for Tobacco Control, Hasbullah Thabrany, has strongly criticized Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's recent statement that Indonesia's 57% cigarette excise tax is too high.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially extended its value-added tax (VAT) exemption for property purchases until 2026, aiming to stimulate the housing sector and broader economy.

Dio Suhenda and Yerica Lai, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program faces mounting calls for suspension following repeated cases of mass poisoning that have heightened public concern over food safety and mismanagement.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) revealed that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is the institution most frequently cited in reports of alleged human rights violations.

Luh De Suriyani, Klungkung, Indonesia – Many of the fishing boats here in Kusamba village leave behind the black sand in near silence as each jukung motors away from Bali's east coast.

"We're on – it's just not that loud," boat captain Nengah Sudiarta told Mongabay Indonesia, his hand guiding the electric vehicle out from the Kusamba shoreline.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Local rice millers have been under pressure due to the narrowing gap between the government's price ceiling, farm gate prices and retail prices for the grain, with many reducing or halting operations as profit margins narrow, leading to supplies tightening and market prices creeping above the cap in recent months.

Jakarta – Indonesia and the European Union will sign a trade agreement on Tuesday after nearly a decade of negotiations as they seek to mitigate the effects of US President Donald Trump's tariff policy.

The agreement, to be signed in Bali, will bring Indonesia and the 27-member European bloc into closer economic ties.

Jakarta – The latest stimulus package, unveiled by the government last week, is the third this year. It contains a wild mix of efforts targeting both supply and demand sides of the economy, which makes it different from the preceding two, and maybe better.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – An independent fact-finding team consisting of six national human rights institutions will investigate the treatment of demonstrators and detainees during the August-September 2025 protests in Indonesia's Jakarta.

Djibril Muhammad, Batam – Indonesia's Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian announced on Sunday that regional leaders and civil servants are once again allowed to travel abroad for official duties or medical needs, ending a temporary ban imposed in the wake of nationwide protests.

Antara, Jakarta – The rupiah slipped against the dollar on Monday, extending this year's losses as fiscal concerns and a stronger greenback added to pressure on the Indonesian currency.

Roy Adriansyah, Salman Mardira, Jakarta – Mounting public complaints over the misuse of sirens and strobe lights have prompted both the House of Representatives and the police to act, with calls for stricter enforcement and a temporary halt to their use by police escort vehicles.

Salman Mardira, Jakarta – The National Strategic Project – or PSN – for a sugarcane plantation in Merauke, South Papua, is suspected of violating the rights of Indigenous peoples and committing human rights (HR) violations. Commission XIII of the House of Representatives has called for the project to be temporarily suspended.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) and the Labor Party are set to stage a protest in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building today, September 22, 2025.

Melki Gani, Iman Rahman Cahyadi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has expelled Gorontalo provincial legislator Wahyudin Moridu after he appeared in a viral TikTok video boasting that he would "steal state money."

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Unlike his predecessor Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in his first year as president. Jokowi, during his 10-year presidency, never attended the UNGA usually held in New York, United States.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – General Agus Subiyanto, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), has voiced the same frustrations as the public regarding the widespread misuse of strobe lights and sirens on the roads. He admitted that the noise is a disturbance, even to him.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Researcher and Policy Analyst at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS), Jimmy Daniel Berlianto, is urging the government to halt and evaluate the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. He believes this step is necessary due to many recent cases of poisoning.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged the government to temporarily halt the free nutritious meal program (MBG) for a comprehensive evaluation. This demand comes after another mass food poisoning incident involving children, including those in early childhood education (PAUD) in Tasikmalaya, West Java.

Agencies, Jakarta – Over 800 students fell sick in two cases of mass food poisoning this week after consuming free school meals sponsored by the government, officials said on Friday.

One case affected more than 500 and was the biggest outbreak yet under President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa explained the government's plan to reduce electricity subsidies without burdening the public with tariff increases. One of the discussions is about the development of Solar Power Plants (PLTS) as well as the utilization of other New and Renewable Energy (EBT), which are more efficient.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is set to transfer 1,700 to 4,100 civil servants (ASN) to Nusantara Capital City (IKN). This regulation is outlined under the Presidential Regulation Number 79 of 2025 concerning the government work plan update for 2025.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has positioned the KHAN missile in the 18th Field Artillery Battalion under the Military Regional Command VI/Mulawarman in East Kalimantan Province. This ballistic missile was procured from Turkey in 2022.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is mulling restricting its citizens from having multiple social media accounts – a proposal that Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari believes can do wonders on the country's fight against hoaxes.

Agencies, Jakarta – Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has erupted multiple times, spewing a column of ash kilometers into the sky after authorities raised its alert level to the highest, prompting a local airport to suspend operations on Saturday.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – University of Indonesia (Universitas Indonesia, UI) has established the UI-Palestine Center to advocate for the struggle of the Palestinian people. Heri Hermansyah, the university rector, said the institution will conduct studies as part of advocating for Palestinian independence.

Salman Mardira, Tembagapura, Papua – Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) on Saturday has recovered two bodies from a mudslide that struck its Grasberg Block Cave mine in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, on Sept. 8, as rescue teams continue searching for the remaining trapped workers.

Saskia Wieringa – The denial of the genocide which took place in Indonesia after 1 October 1965 has cultural, legal, discursive and affective dimensions. This genocide was one of the largest mass murders after World War II, yet it is hardly known internationally.

Andreas Iswinarto – The process of democratisation that followed Suharto's resignation extended into the realm of history. His fall marked the beginning of a freer and more open engagement with the past, breaking away from the rigid, state-controlled narrative of historical truth imposed during the New Order regime.

Jakarta – Last week, our attention was drawn to Bali, but not for its natural beauty. The resort island's streets were paralyzed, buildings were submerged in mud and tourists were evacuated as floods swept through Denpasar and six of its eight regencies, including major tourist hubs Gianyar, Tabanan and Badung.