Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Maruarar Sirait, stated that there are currently 26.9 million uninhabitable houses in the country. "So, they have houses, but they are uninhabitable," said Maruarar after meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as quoted from Antara.

Jakarta – What can we read from the maneuvering by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin through his recent meetings with the leaders of political parties supporting the government?

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) of Indonesia, Dadan Hindayana, denied reports claiming his institution had offered Rp5 million to members of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for creating positive promotional videos about the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia will lower the 2026 Hajj cost by around Rp 2 million ($120) per pilgrim, introduce a uniform 26-year waiting period nationwide, and maintain the national Hajj quota at 221,000, under a new agreement between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR).

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Research institute IndexPolitica Indonesia released the results of a survey on presidential candidates, vice-presidential candidates, and political parties for the 2029 General Election. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa was ranked second in the electability category for presidential candidates, just after President Prabowo Subianto.

Jakarta – The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, stated that the Indonesian National Army (TNI) has been involved in the People's School program since its launch on July 14, 2025. In addition to the TNI, Saifullah also mentioned that the Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with the Indonesian National Police (Polri).

Aqraa Sagir, Jakarta – We've never had more access to films, yet the experience feels lonelier than ever. Between endless scrolling and solo binge sessions, something's been lost. For some cultural workers and curators, the answer isn't more content – it's more connection.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration's commitment to eradicating narcotics "down to the roots" as Indonesia destroyed a record 214.84 tons of seized drugs, the largest haul ever confiscated by the National Police (Polri).

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry has pressed ahead with its main programs to improve the country's education by focusing on infrastructure, technology and teacher welfare. But observers have raised concerns if these measures are sufficient to solve the root problems plaguing the education sector.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, aims to protect the pesut dolphin, or the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) population in the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, by stopping the transportation of coal through the small river.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – A panel of judges has sentenced four leaders of major sugar companies to four years in prison each for their roles in a corruption case involving sugar imports at the Ministry of Trade during the 2015-2016 period.

Hidayat Salam – Amidst the momentum of the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day on Tuesday October 28, dozens of Indonesian citizens from Indonesia Bergerak (Indonesia Moving), ranging from students to the diaspora, visited the Republic of Indonesia Consulate General (KJRI) in Melbourne, Australia, where the "Indonesia Bergerak Declaration" document was handed over to Consulate staff.

Ditya Rasyadiputra, Jakarta – The Australian government, through the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) program, has allocated approximately Rp13 billion for innovative plastic waste reduction in Indonesia.

Ni Made Tasyarani, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) plans to roll out additional macroprudential liquidity incentives (KLM) on Dec. 1 through new disbursement schemes to boost sluggish credit growth and expedite the pass-through of central bank rate cuts to commercial banking rates.

Muhammad Firman, Jakarta – Indonesia's financial services authority has revoked the business licenses of five microcredit banks, both conventional (BPR) and sharia (BPRS), this year after the banks failed to maintain adequate liquidity and meet minimum capital requirements as set by regulation.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Body (BGN) has clarified the remarks about the Rp5 million incentive for public kitchens that successfully create positive and viral content for the free nutritious meal program, or MBG.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the alleged bribery in Indonesia's high-speed train project or Whoosh after receiving several pieces of information.

Jakarta – Indonesia has drawn up new rules that will allow the central government to lend to local authorities and state-owned enterprises in order to support the country's development projects.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesia has collected 6 billion yuan (US$842.34 million) through its first-ever renminbi-denominated bond, or dim sum bond, marking its latest effort to diversify funding sources and broaden its global investor base.

Between September and October 2025, West Papua experienced widespread internal displacement affecting more than 102,966 civilians across multiple regencies due to military operations and armed conflict (see table below).

On the morning of 8 September 2025, around 30 police officers from the Jayapura District Police, using three police cars and six patrol motorcycles, dispersed members of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) Sentani Region and Yahim residents while they were carrying out a community service activity to clean the Yahim Sentani highway, Sentani Town, Jayapura Regency, Papua Pro

Jakarta – In a modern democracy, no institution, secular or religious, should be exempt from public scrutiny.

If anything, such scrutiny is a must if the institution in question gets funding from the state or receives a permit from the government to run their operation.

Kiki Safitri, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, has promised to provide incentives for organisers of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in regions who succeed in creating positive and viral content about the MBG program on social media.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) prepares incentives of Rp5 million for regional implementers who successfully create positive and viral content about the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG).

Antara, Jakarta – Heavy rain that washed Bogor, West Java, on Monday night caused the Katulampa Dam water level to rise to alert level III, triggering flooding in parts of South Jakarta early Tuesday.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that volatile food inflation in September 2025 was influenced by the accelerated rollout of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Alfin Febrian Basundoro – Indonesia is reportedly close to acquiring Chengdu J-10 fighters from China, after Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin signed a contract during an October visit to Beijing. While Jakarta urgently needs new aircraft for military deterrence, this procurement is logistically questionable and fiscally unwise.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, declined to comment on recent layoffs following the release of his ministry's performance report marking one year under the Prabowo-Gibran administration, from October 2024 to October 2025.

Samantha Tan, Kuala Lumpur – Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao has reiterated the importance of peace and dialogue in ensuring sustainable development across the ASEAN region and beyond.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Health officials warn that microplastics in rainwater pose long-term health risks, including heart disease and problems in fetal development.

Jakarta – One of the culminations of Prabowo Subianto's omon-omon, or empty words, is in the textile industry. This labor-intensive sector has been left to fend for itself against imports from other nations.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – US President Donald Trump on Sunday thanked his Indonesian counterpart and "friend", President Prabowo Subianto, again for his help in the efforts to secure peace in the war-torn Gaza.

Siwage Dharma Negara and Maria Monica Wihardja – Sri Mulyani's successor Purbaya has already signalled a greater willingness to support Prabowo's populist programmes – in ways that could potentially over-expand credit, raise debt burdens, and erode investor confidence.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Executive Director of LBH Pers Mustafa Layong revealed several anomalies in the lawsuit filed by Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman against Tempo. Amran filed a lawsuit against Tempo in the South Jakarta District Court regarding the headline story titled "Poles-poles Beras Busuk" (Rotten Rice Touch-ups) in the May 16, 2025 edition.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – An online petition created by a student using the username "siswa agit" is demanding the cancellation of the Academic Ability Test (TKA) scheduled for November 2025. The TKA score is required as one of the qualifications for the 2026 state university entrance exams via the achievement track.

Mike Yeo, Singapore – An Indonesian official's announcement earlier this month that Jakarta intends to buy at least 42 Chinese J-10 fighter aircraft raised more than a few eyebrows.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said Monday it would examine findings from the Election Organizers Ethics Council (DKPP) regarding the controversial Rp 90 billion ($5.5 million) private jet rental by the General Elections Commission (KPU), which led to a severe ethics warning for its top officials.

Jakarta – A number of historians and civil society groups have criticised the proposal that the late 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, be awarded the title of national hero.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Governor Pramono Anung has ordered the Jakarta Parks and City Forest Agency to inspect and reinforce thousands of aging trees across the capital following the death of Harry MP Danardojo, a former director of state-owned investment firm Danareksa, who was killed when a large palm tree fell onto his car during a storm in South Jakarta on Sunday.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto views that the United States (US) should be a growth partner in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the involvement of the United States can help in building ASEAN.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed the government plans to strengthen dental health services in all community health centers (Puskesmas) after a free health check program indicated numerous dental issues among the public.

Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has revealed the chronology of the arrest and naming of an activist named Muzaffar Salim as a suspect. Muzaffar, along with three other activists, has been named a suspect for provocation in the demonstrations at the end of August 2025 in Jakarta.

Martin Bagya Kertiyasa, Jakarta – Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) and Malaysia's state-owned energy giant Petronas have signed a farm-out agreement (FOA) under the production sharing contract (PSC) for the Bobara Block, marking a new chapter in regional energy collaboration.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Monday he will order the Customs and Excise Directorate to strengthen inspections at ports to combat the flow of illegal imports, particularly secondhand apparel and accessories.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Several mining associations are requesting the Indonesian government to cancel the plan to implement a 50 percent blended biodiesel (B50) in 2026. They believe that the policy has the potential to increase production costs amidst falling commodity prices and rising operational costs.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Chair of the Setara Institute National Council, Hendardi, believes that former Indonesian President Soeharto is not deserving of the title of national hero. Allegations of human rights violations and crimes against humanity during his authoritarian and militaristic government cannot be denied.

Septia Ryanthie, Jakarta – Former president Joko Widodo or Jokowi has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (KCJB), or Whoosh project, which is now reported to carry a debt burden of up to Rp118 trillion. This project was one of the signature transportation programs during his administration.

Jakarta – The Riau Islands Police have dishonorably discharged 30 officers in the past two years as part of its commitment to uphold the code of ethics and discipline for various violations, including being involved in LGBT relations.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia recently pitched nuclear power-related investment opportunities to the United States as its senior officials had another round of tariff talks on the margins of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Nadirsyah Hosen – In 2024, Indonesia's hajj administration found itself at the centre of one of the most consequential legal and political controversies in recent years.