A teacher and six students from SMP N 1 Senior Highschool Sinak were reportedly apprehended without warrant and subsequently tortured by military personnel during an operation in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, on 25 March 2026. According to information received, the arrests occurred whilst classes were in progress on the school premises.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The 908th Kamisan Movement took place during the commemorative moment of the 1998 Reform on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Several participants considered the current government no different from the regime of former President Soeharto who resigned exactly 28 years ago.

Delfi Neski, Effendi Rusli, Padang/Pekanbaru – A massive blackout swept across Sumatra island on Friday evening after a major disruption in the regional power transmission system, leaving millions of residents without electricity and crippling traffic and public activity in several provinces.

Theressia Sunday Silalahi, Leonard AL Cahyoputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's plantation industry pushed back on Thursday after President Prabowo Subianto announced a policy requiring natural resource commodity exports to be routed through a single state-controlled entity under sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – A number of high-school students participated in the 908th Aksi Kamisan, which coincided with the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the 1998 Reform on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – All Indonesian citizens who were held captive by Israel while participating in the Gaza humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 have been released. They are currently in transit in Istanbul, Turkey, for examination before being repatriated to Indonesia.

Reza Hery Pamungkas, Jakarta – Jakarta authorities are stepping up efforts to curb rising street crime after a wave of violent robberies and mugging cases in the Indonesian capital sparked public anxiety and prompted social media users to compare the area to "Gotham City," the fictional crime-ridden home of Batman.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia has criticized the directive to shoot suspected street robbers, or locally known begal, on the spot. The order was issued in response to a recent surge in violent robberies.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, Darianto Harsono, stated that nine Indonesian citizens detained by the Israeli military suffered physical violence.

Ricky Juliansyah, Jakarta – The University of Indonesia's Student Executive Body (BEM UI) sent a condolence flower wreath to the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The 2026 Coordinator of the Social and Political Affairs Division of BEM UI, Hafidz Haernanda, confirmed that they had sent the flower arrangement.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesia may have large natural gas reserves, but replacing imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with compressed natural gas (CNG) for millions of households would require major investment in pipelines, compression facilities, and distribution systems, analysts say.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed responsibility for the deaths of eight gold panners in the Korowai region of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on Wednesday, May 20.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – Indonesia's business chamber Kadin warns that the rupiah's continued slide against the US dollar is squeezing consumers and businesses alike, raising concerns over household spending in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Bali – From worsening traffic in Canggu to rising concerns over overtourism, Bali is facing growing questions about whether the island's current development model is still sustainable.

Piter Lokon, Dekai, Jubi – The Yahukimo Police in Papua Highlands released Kone Kobak, the International Diplomacy Chair of the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, for the Yahukimo region, on Wednesday (20/5/2026).

Zane Goebel, Sonia Roitman and Udiana Dewi (The Conversation) – Indonesia plans to build a "Giant Sea Wall" more than 500 kilometers long to defend Java's north coast from rising sea levels. The proposal includes a large lagoon behind the colossal concrete wall, raising significant questions about the feasibility and cost of such a massive project.

Hearts of Palestine (HOPE), which is made up of several civil society organisations, groups and individuals, strongly condemns the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in intercepting and detaining civilian vessels, kidnapping and holding hostage civilians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission in international waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Padang, Indonesia – Nine people were killed on May 14 in Indonesia's West Sumatra province after heavy rain triggered the collapse of a 30-meter (100-foot) cliff at an illegal gold mine.

"Three people survived, while nine others who were buried have been recovered deceased," said Susmelawati Rosya, a spokesperson for the West Sumatra province police.

Jakarta – An Instagram [archive] post featuring a poster claims that the director of the documentary "Pesta Babi" (Pig Feast), Cypri Paju Dale, admitted his work was funded by foreign parties. This narrative emerged after authorities disrupted public screenings of the film across several regions.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Education stakeholders have welcomed the government's plan to introduce English lessons at an earlier stage of schooling, calling it a positive step toward strengthening Indonesia's global competitiveness.

Antara, Jakarta – Jakarta's air quality on Thursday morning fell into the unhealthy category, ranking first among cities with the worst air quality in the world. Residents are advised to wear masks when outdoors.

Timika – "The recent drone attack on a Catholic church in Intan Jaya has claimed civilian lives and severely traumatized the local population. As Friars Minor of the Justice and Peace Commission, we express our deep concern about the increasing violence against places of worship and unarmed residents.

Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid says that the Israeli military's arrest of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 volunteers violates human rights.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Associated Press, Jakarta – Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) plunged more than 3% on Thursday as investors dumped commodity-linked shares after President Prabowo Subianto moved to tighten state control over strategic natural resource exports, overshadowing a broader rally across Asian markets.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesia announces remote work extension for civil servants. Government employees will now continue to work from home (WFH) every Friday for at least the next two months.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto cites the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a backdrop for the policy.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that Indonesia has significantly increased judicial salaries, including compensation for the chief justice of the Supreme Court, which he claimed is now higher than that of an equivalent official in Singapore.

Jakarta (Agencies) – Separatists in eastern Papua region have shot and killed eight gold miners they claimed were undercover members of the security forces, the military said Thursday.

The miners were attacked while working in the far-flung district of Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan province on Wednesday, military spokesman Lt. Col. Wirya Arthadiguna said in a statement.

On 10 May 2026, security forces allegedly shot dead Mr Nopison Tebai, a 21-year-old high school student, during a joint security operation in Dogimani and Idadagi villages, Dogiyai District, Dogyai Regency, Central Papua Province. The shooting occurred near a football pitch beside the Dogiyai District Office whilst local residents were attending Sunday church service.

Bambang Ismoyo, Andrew Tito, Jakarta – Indonesia's electronics trade is coming under growing pressure as the rupiah weakens toward Rp 18,000 per US dollar, driving up prices and sharply slowing sales in one of Jakarta's busiest retail hubs.

Officers of the Demta Sub-district Police detained 30-yea-old Agustinus Burame in the Demta District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, on 4 May 2026. While held in police custody, he was allegedly beaten by three police officers, sustaining serious injuries to his head and body (see photos below, source: independent HRD).

President Prabowo Subianto's intent to include the Red-and-White Village Cooperatives in the development of a large-scale solar power plants (PLTS) project could lead to future problems. Aside from the massive capital required, developing solar power projects necessitates sound governance in technical, standardization, and occupational safety aspects.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – The Secretary General of Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that President Prabowo Subianto genuinely appreciates the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which is outside the government coalition.

Twenty-eight years after reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998 – Indonesia is showing increasingly serious signs of democratic decline.

Brigitta Belia Permata Sari, Jakarta – A Kamisan (Thursday) action coinciding with the 28th anniversary of reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998 – touched on a number of human rights issues, from alleged human rights violations in Papua to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious 2027 economic growth target of 5.8% to 6.5% remains achievable despite mounting global uncertainty and persistent pressure on the rupiah, as the government bets on stronger private-sector activity to drive expansion.

Arjuna Pademme, Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army Regional Command XVI Yahukimo, or TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo, has claimed responsibility for killing eight people it alleged were security personnel disguised as illegal gold miners in Korowai.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Israeli forces have abducted all 9 Indonesians who were aboard the Gaza-bound aid ships as of Wednesday at 7.13 a.m Jakarta time, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday reaffirmed the government's commitment to accelerating national industrialization, including plans to expand domestic production of cars, motorcycles, computers, and mobile phones.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia is gaining greater respect on the global stage, claiming that foreign leaders now view the country as an important partner capable of helping others.

Giovanni Torre – At least two civilians were feared dead and two others injured after an aerial bombing at a Catholic church compound in the Central Papua province, West Papua.

The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) reported at least two civilians were believed dead and two others injured after the suspected drone attack on Sunday.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura, Papua – Aliko Walia, an 8-year-old boy who was shot during a military operation in Tenoti Village, Kembru District, Puncak Regency, on 14 April 2026, died at RSUD Mulia in Puncak Jaya Regency on Tuesday (19 May 2026).

Jakarta – Indonesia has largely kept fuel prices at pump stations affordable despite a roughly 50 per cent surge in global oil prices since the Iran war, swelling the country's already hefty energy subsidy bill.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia has trimmed the budget for its flagship Free Meal Program (MBG) by an estimated Rp 67 trillion ($3.77 billion) as President Prabowo Subianto pushes for broader government spending efficiency, while insisting the cuts will not weaken the program's reach to millions of students.

Jacobus E. Lato – Indonesian Navy suspended the planned construction of a patrol dock close to a Church in the restive, Christian-majority Papua region following a protest joined by hundreds of Papuans.

Simon Butt & Tim Lindsey – The corruption trial underway in Jakarta of Nadiem Makarim, Indonesia's former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and co-founder of Gojek (Indonesia's version of Uber), reveals two major problems with Indonesia's anti-corruption regime.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – Indonesia will maintain its 2026 state budget macroeconomic assumptions despite the rupiah weakening to around Rp 17,700 per US dollar, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Tuesday, arguing the government had already built severe stress scenarios into its fiscal calculations.

Syahrul Yunizar – Amnesty International's latest report has revealed findings related to a coordinated disinformation campaign. The aim of the campaign is to label government critics as foreign agents. The targets range from vocal activists to journalists.

Andrew Mathieson – Senior West Papuan figures have slammed the most recent Indonesian attacks on the occupied Indigenous territory of Western New Guinea.

Leonard AL Cahyoputra, Jakarta – Indonesia is targeting Rp 63.5 trillion ($3.6 billion) in tourism investment across 13 priority destinations in 2026, but officials say investment flows remain heavily concentrated in Bali, Jakarta, and the Riau Islands.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the government projects the country's economy to grow between 5.8 percent and 6.5 percent in 2027, supported by economic strategy and fiscal policy measures outlined in the government's macroeconomic framework.