Jakarta – The Indonesian government will release 1.3 million tons of rice from national reserves into the market to curb rising prices and maintain supply stability, presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi said on Thursday.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation through more joint exercises and military exchange programs, reaffirming on Tuesday their shared commitment to uphold international law and maintain ASEAN unity amid rising global instability.

Nabiila Azzahra, Linda Trianita – Protesters who took part in International Labour Day or May Day rallies earlier this year are now being intimidated by unknown individuals.

Harumbi Prastya Hidayahningrum, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has removed 228,000 individuals from its social assistance program after a joint investigation found they were either linked to online gambling or no longer met the criteria for financial aid.

A truck driver in Indonesia named Rahmat (30 years old), who works in the Kranji area of West Bekasi, chose to install a pirate flag from the One Piece manga at the back of his vehicle's cargo box.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) has raised doubts over the credibility of Indonesia's second-quarter economic growth figure, calling the 5.12 percent year-on-year expansion released by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) an "anomaly" that does not reflect the real economy.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – The Strategic Intelligence Agency of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (BAIS TNI) has captured a personnel from the Police's Special Detachment for Counterterrorism (Densus 88) named Briptu FF on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Didik Fibrianto, Julianus Palermo, Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Indonesians continue to hoist One Piece's Jolly Roger flag during public celebrations ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day on Aug. 17, defying mounting pressure from local authorities and concerns over its perceived anti-government symbolism.

Amnesty International criticized the Indonesian government's stance on the display of the One Piece flag as a potentially divisive act. The phenomenon of displaying the flag depicting a skull from the Japanese anime series became widespread on social media ahead of the 80th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

Hendrik Yaputra, Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto warned that Indonesia is being exploited by economic actors who prioritize profit over public welfare.

Speaking at a full cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 5, 2025, he claimed these groups deliberately keep the population poor.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto has rejected suggestions that Indonesians' purchasing power is in decline, following the country's stronger-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter of 2025.

Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – The Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) evacuated a male orangutan named Sugiman after receiving a report from residents of Mendawai Seberang Village in Arut Selatan District, Kotawaringin Barat Regency, Central Kalimantan, on July 30, 2025.

The phenomenon of raising the One Piece flag with the iconic skull and straw hat emblem from the widely popular anime series is increasingly widespread in Indonesia leading up to the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day. The black flag with the smiling skull and straw hat is the symbol of the fictional pirate group led by the main character of the anime.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – One of the activists behind the One Piece flag installations, Kharik Anhar, said several specific locations had been targeted for displaying the pirate anime flags.

He plans to put up the flags in the lead-up to Indonesia's 80th Independence Day, particularly in neglected areas such as damaged roads, rundown schools, and underdeveloped regions.

The Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Amirsyah Sanusi Tambunan, stated that the use of "sound horeg," an excessively loud music system, could be considered haram, or forbidden, if it causes mafsadat, or harm. Amirsyah's comment was made in response to the death of a resident in Lumajang, East Java, who was watching a sound horeg performance.

Sylviana Hamdani, Jakarta – At a glance, kebaya may appear delicate, with its sheer fabric adorned with intricate lacework. But beneath its graceful silhouette lies a legacy of quiet power, a symbol of cultural pride and the enduring strength of Indonesian women throughout history.

Duncan Graham – Happy birthday, monster neighbour. Er, do we know you? We're strangers here – our proper place is mid-Atlantic, 'twixt the Old World and the New. However, we're trying hard to cope by promoting trade and investment, while ignoring endemic corruption and avoiding deep involvement.

Cut Mery, Jakarta – An employee of the Banda Aceh City Government has been arrested by the Indonesian National Police's Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88) Anti-Terror Unit for alleged links to a terrorist network.

Chappy Hakim, Jakarta – As Indonesia nears its 80th year of independence, the nation should reflect on its maturity as a sovereign and democratic state.

Jakarta – The drop in Indonesia's poverty rate to yet another historic low should be cause for celebration, but nobody feels in the mood.

Antara, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has no objection to communities hoisting the One Piece flag as a form of creative expression, according to State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi. He made the statement at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

"As a form of creative expression, it's fine. We have no issue with it," Prasetyo said.

The lawsuit filed by a lawyer from Makassar, Komardin, against several officials of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) regarding the alleged fake diploma of former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Sleman District Court has been deemed invalid.

Singapore – Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to deploy a tactical ballistic missile system that will enhance its short-range battlefield capabilities, based on sightings by military enthusiasts in East Kalimantan.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has reported three alleged violations in the procurement of catering for the 2025 hajj pilgrims to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). ICW researcher, Wana Alamsyah, stated that the alleged corruption is estimated to have caused a state loss of Rp 306 billion.

The hoisting of One Piece flag has become a public spotlight here in Indonesia. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence on August 17, the flag of the Japanese anime series about pirates has been flying from houses to vehicles in various regions.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The practice of returning political favors is becoming more apparent through the appointment of dozens of deputy ministers as commissioners of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This is a serious symptom of the worsening of governance in the President Prabowo Subianto era.

By Lin Ching-yin, Wu Hsin-yun and Wu Kuan-hsien, Taipei (CNA) – Taipei-based conglomerate Walsin Lihwa Corp. was accused Wednesday of causing severe pollution and human rights violations at its factories in Indonesia by local environmental groups and workers.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The former CEO of state-owned construction firm Hutama Karya, Bintang Perbowo, was detained on Wednesday as a suspect in a corruption case linked to the Trans-Sumatra toll road project, which allegedly caused Rp 205 billion ($12.5 million) in state losses.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's decision to pardon Thomas Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto in their high-profile graft cases has sounded alarms over political interference in the judiciary and sparked renewed scrutiny over his administration's commitment to anticorruption.

Anne Barker and Natasya Salim – More than 20 years after Australia banned all forms of asbestos, the deadly legacy still lingers.

It is in the walls and roofs of homes, schools and countless other buildings, as well as the lungs of the thousands of Australians who still die every year from exposure they never saw coming.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto recently engaged in back-to-back talks with the military top brass of the world's biggest economic superpowers: China and the US.

The raising of the One Piece manga series flag ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day on August 17 has caught public attention. The flag of the Japanese manga series about pirates, known as the Jolly Roger, is being raised in homes and vehicles in various regions.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi announced that the launch of Indonesia's new history book might be postponed. The initial launch was scheduled for August 2025.

"There is a possibility of postponement," Prasetyo said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Wednesday firmly defended the credibility of the country's second-quarter GDP data, dismissing public skepticism and affirming the government's full confidence in the national statistics agency.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has assured that Indonesia's food production is currently secure and robust. He attributed this stability to the smooth transition of power from former President Joko Widodo to his administration.

At a Full Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto asked journalists to leave during a discussion about the 2026 State Budget Draft. The media were initially allowed to cover the meeting while Prabowo delivered his opening remarks and guidance.

Jakarta – Since the debut of ChatGPT in 2022, the world has plunged headfirst into an artificial intelligence frenzy and the race to build the infrastructure needed to support it.

Elan Suherlan, Subang, West Java – A gas well operated by Pertamina EP in Kampung Babakan Cidahu, Cidahu Village, Pagaden Barat District, Subang, exploded early Tuesday morning, sparking panic among nearby residents and sending flames towering into the sky.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Drone Emprit, Indonesia's social media monitoring and analytics platform, conducted a study on online interactions related to the raising of the One Piece flag, which drew attention ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day on August 17.

On behalf of the people of West Papua, I condemn the arrest of the 42 ULMWP representatives last week by the Indonesian police. Indonesia has proven once again that fundamental human rights do not exist in West Papua.

Basudiwa Supraja, Jakarta – The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) outlines four key aspects that need to be addressed to support Indonesia's economic growth.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Nine private sugar importers indicted in a corruption case plan to request that the Attorney General drop the charges following the abolition granted to former Trade Minister Tom Lembong.

Their legal representatives revealed the plan ahead of the trial at the Corruption Court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia's mining industry faces growing pressure to adopt stricter emissions standards for operational vehicles, as experts and industry players warn that outdated, diesel-powered fleets are undermining the country's net zero goals and investor confidence

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The President of the Student Senate of the State Islamic University of Ar-Raniry, Teuku Raja Aulia Habibi, rejected the plan to establish a Territorial Battalion by the Indonesian National Army (TNI) in Aceh.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The All-Indonesia Student Executive Board, or BEM SI, is concerned about the government's decision to pardon Hasto Kristiyanto and Tom Lembong, fearing it is part of the effort to weaken Prabowo's administration opposition.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Spokesperson for the National Command of the West Papuan National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, has called for a rejection of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebration.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued Presidential Regulation Number 81 of 2025 concerning Special Allowances for Specialist Doctors, Subspecialist Doctors, Specialist Dentists, and Subspecialist Dentists Serving in Underdeveloped, Border, and Island Regions (DTPK).

Apriadi Gunawan, Jakarta – A North Sumatran man has been handed a 1.5-year prison sentence for stealing a pair of sandals from his former boss, prompting a wave of public criticism over what many see as an unequal justice system that punishes the poor more harshly than corrupt elites.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Herman Khaeron, a member of Indonesia's House of Representatives from the Democratic Party faction, criticized the recent display of the One Piece pirate flag ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebrations, calling it unethical. He said the fictional Jolly Roger symbol does not align with nationalist values.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Gayuh Satria Wicaksono, Jakarta – Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) has instructed banks across the country to block nearly 26,000 bank accounts suspected of being tied to online gambling activities, as part of a wider crackdown on a practice officials say is fueling social and economic harm.