Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has denied the notion that he is being "lied to" by his ministers in the Red and White Cabinet. He said that there are some who say he is being "lied to" by his subordinates and the Indonesian economy is only good on paper. Prabowo dismisses this view.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has appointed Indonesia's 7th President, Joko Widodo or Jokowi, to attend Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican. In addition to Jokowi, Prabowo delegated Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono, and former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – A number of Greenpeace Indonesia activists held a peace rally in front of the South Korean Embassy in Jakarta today, April 23, 2025, demanding the release of five activists detained in the country since November last year.

Wahyu Sahala Tua, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has urged the government to stand firm on halal certification requirements for imported goods, despite recent criticism from the United States.

Deden Abdul Aziz (Kontributor), Cianjur – Dozens of students from the PGRI Junior High School in Cianjur were treated at the Sayang Cianjur Regional General Hospital due to suffering from alleged food poisoning originating from the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG), on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The Health Ministry admits the monitoring system in the Indonesian healthcare facilities is easily exploited by medical workers to commit violations, including sexual violence against patients. One such case occurred at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung, where Priguna Anugerah Pratama, a specialist resident, assaulted a patient's relative.

Yogi Eka Sahputra, Batam – The Riau branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has criticized the local transmigration program initiated by Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanegara for the residents of Rempang.

Dili – Catholic-majority Timor Leste will observe a week of mourning to honour Pope Francis after his death on Monday aged 88, President Jose Ramos-Horta said, hailing the pontiff's "very brave" fight for peace and support of the world's poorest people.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Siti Hediati Hariyadi, better known as Titiek Soeharto, has welcomed a renewed proposal to grant her late father, Indonesia's second president Soeharto, the title of national hero, despite longstanding controversy over his human rights record.

Responding a statement by of the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) and concurrently the presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi, who did not question the proposal to name former president Suharto a national hero, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:

Lili Retnosari and Ayesha Tantriana, Jakarta – Recent data from the World Population Review shows that Indonesia ranks fifth among countries with the highest smoking rates in the world. It is noted that smoking prevalence in South and Southeast Asia tends to be significantly higher among men compared to women.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has raised concerns over the circulation of nine children's snack products found to contain pork-derived (porcine) ingredients.

The products were identified by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) as containing non-halal elements.

Jakarta – The judiciary is, unfortunately, no stranger to misconduct and corruption due to its fair share of power.

In the latest scandal to hit the country's judicial power, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) arrested four judges last week on suspicion of taking bribes in exchange for acquitting three major palm oil groups from corruption charges last month.

Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr – On Sunday, 6 April 2025, the Governor of Bengkulu rushed to the airport after receiving a sudden report that the presidential aircraft would be landing at Fatmawati Soekarno Airport. The visit came without prior notice – the governor had not been informed in advance.

Jakarta – When it comes to implementing the free nutritious meal program, President Prabowo Subianto gives the impression of being consistent with the saying he quoted in a speech in March 2025: dogs bark, but the caravan goes on.

Arlina Arshad, Jakarta – As China and the United States vie for influence in South-east Asia amid tariff tensions, Indonesia – the region's largest economy and a key maritime power – has emerged as a central battleground in a high-stakes strategic contest.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has altered the reimbursement scheme in the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) into upfront payments. Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana stated that BGN provides upfront payments to each Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) to carry out their duties.

Deden Abdul Aziz (Kontributor), Cianjur – The Health Office of Cianjur Regency in West Java has declared an extraordinary occurrence (KLB) following an alleged mass food poisoning involving dozens of students after consuming free meals.

Fia Hamid-Walker – In January 2025, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled in favour of Indonesia's legal challenge to the European Union's (EU) restrictions on palm oil, which Indonesia said were unfair and detrimental to its exports.

Marchio Gorbiano and Sara Hussein, Jakarta and Bangkok – Keen to end its reliance on rice imports, Indonesia wants to plant vast tracts of the crop, along with sugar cane for biofuel, in the restive eastern region.

But environmentalists warn it could become the world's largest deforestation project, threatening endangered species and Jakarta's climate commitments.

Hendrawan Kariman, Pekanbaru – The presence of the Transmigration Minister (Mentrans) Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanegara in Rempang Island on April 18 is an indication that the construction of the Rempang Eco-City project will continue.

Agencies, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto mourned the death of Pope Francis on Monday, saying the world had lost a "role model".

"The world has once again lost a role model who had a great commitment to peace, humanity, and brotherhood," Prabowo wrote on social media.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Fathul Nugroho, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Association of Energy, Mineral, and Coal Suppliers (Aspebindo), considers LG Energy Solution's (LGES) decision to cancel its US$7.7 billion electric vehicle battery project a critical reminder for Indonesia not to rely on a single investment partner.

Antara, Chandra Adi Nurwidya, Jakarta – Indonesia is considering naming former president Soeharto a national hero, a move that has sparked public debate due to his controversial legacy during the New Order regime.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The police once again dispersed a camp protest across the Pancasila Gate of the Parliament (DPR) building in Central Jakarta on Monday, April 21, 2025. Chief of the Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner General Susatyo Purnomo Condro, confirmed that the police had instructed the protesters to vacate the area.

Linda Lestari, Jakarta – University Gadjah Mada (UGM) historian Agus Suwignyo stated that Soeharto indeed meets the criteria and requirements to be named a national hero. However, the public cannot ignore the historical facts and controversies surrounding President Soeharto in the 1965 era.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia is intensifying efforts to diversify its export markets following the United States' implementation of reciprocal tariff policies targeting several of its trading partners, including Indonesia. Spearheaded by the Trade Ministry, the initiative aims to sustain export growth by expanding into non-traditional and emerging markets.

Riri Rahayu, Jakarta – The Indonesian government officially disbanded the infrastructure task force of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN). The task force was formed during former President Joko Widodo's administration.

Agencies, Beijing – China's foreign minister said on Monday that China and Indonesia should oppose "any form" of unilateralism and trade protectionism at a press conference on Monday.

The two sides should jointly accelerate regional economic integration and maintain the stability of industrial chain and supply chain, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Head of Information Services of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana responded to a number of incidents involving the presence of soldiers in campuses. According to him, the arrival of military personnel, especially from the army, was due to invitations or the existence of legitimate cooperation agreements.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition condemns the Indonesian military's (TNI) entry into campuses. The presence of army personnel in several universities is considered as surveillance of academic activities.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Dayat, Putu Ayu Pratama Sugiyo, Jakarta – Indonesia joined the global Catholic community in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday morning in Rome at the age of 88. The Vatican's Apostolic Nunciature in Jakarta flew its flag at half-mast as a mark of respect for the late pontiff, who also served as head of state of Vatican City.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – The United States has raised concerns over Indonesia's Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), citing it as a trade barrier due to the perceived exclusion of American payment service providers during its policy formulation.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Migrant Worker Protection, Abdul Kadir Karding, announced that remittances, or cross-border money transfers, from Indonesian migrant workers reached Rp253.3 trillion in 2024. This total was generated by 297,000 Indonesian migrant workers employed abroad.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported Monday that Indonesia's trade surplus with the US had grown amid the ongoing negotiations on Washington's tariffs.

Hendri Dunan, Bengkulu – Former Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah pleaded guilty on Monday as he appeared before a court to deliver his preliminary defense in a graft case related to alleged misuse of authority for campaign financing.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's State Secretary Minister and Presidential Spokesperson, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that the government does not object to the proposal of the national hero title for the Indonesia's second former President Soeharto.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) assesses the action of Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman in reporting an agricultural observer from a university as a form of criminalization against academics.

Jakarta – Every great idea begins with a spark in someone's mind. Under duress, it is an expression of resilience to escape one's misfortune.

For Raden Ajeng Kartini, a Javanese noblewoman who lived in the 19th century, being betrothed to enter a polygamous marriage with a wealthy aristocrat, like most women of her rank at that time, was a dreadful fate.

Septia Ryanthie, Solo – Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has refuted claims of a "twin sun" leadership after several ministers and deputy ministers from President Prabowo Subianto's cabinet visited him in Solo, Central Java.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, mentioned that Indonesia is set to utilize nuclear power plants by 2030, as laid out in the Power Supply Business Plan for the period of 2025-2030.

Beritasatu Team, Jakarta/Jepara – From bustling city stations to traditional markets and prisons, women across Indonesia came together on Monday to commemorate Kartini Day – a national celebration of Raden Ajeng Kartini, the iconic figure of women's emancipation.

Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – Ragowo Hediprasetyo Djojohadikusumo, better known as Didit Hediprasetyo and the only son of President Prabowo Subianto, sits on the board of a foundation managing a kitchen under Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Kebayunan, Tapos District, Depok, West Java.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Indonesia's efforts to ensure its commodity exports are free of deforestation are ramping up as the European Union Deforestation Regulation, or EUDR, nears enforcement.

Jakarta – One characteristic of policies from the Prabowo Subianto administration is that they have grandeur but are hollow. One of these is the food, energy and water reserve forest program, which will make use of 26.7 million hectares of degraded forest. The impact will be significant, but the final form is still not clear, and it could even cause greater disaster.

Jakarta – The Jakarta administration is waiving public transportation fares for female passengers who take city-owned bus and train services on April 21 to celebrate Kartini Day, an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of national heroine Raden Ajeng Kartini.

Rachel Caroline L. Toruan, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Dewi Anggraeni recommends that the government halt the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program due to its frequent issues.

Agencies, Jakarta – Indonesia is considering purchasing billions of dollars worth of US-manufactured defence equipment, including fighter jets and munitions, Bloomberg news reported on Friday.

Jakarta – Hundreds of people held a Defend Palestine action in front of the United States Embassy in Central Jakarta on Sunday April 20. The protesters arrived using private vehicles and public transportation such as trains, Transjakarta buses and others.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto claims that the plan to increase import of food from the United States will not disrupt the food self-sufficiency program. Importing food is one of the things offered by the Indonesian government in tariff negotiations with the US.