Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Human Rights speaks out about the mass poisoning incident experienced by students after consuming the free nutritious meal (MBG). Until now, the number of students affected by the poisoning continues to rise.

The proposal to name former president Suharto a national hero is a policy that is blind to history and defies the law. During his 32 years in power, Suharto ruled over an authoritarian and corrupt regime, with a record of gross human rights violations.

Jakarta (The Jakarta Post/ANN) – A soldier testified about the inhuman treatment and torture he suffered with a fellow soldier which led to the death of his friend, on accusations that they both were involved in LGBT relationships.

Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – The families of Muhammad Farhan Hamid and Reno Syahputradewo have undergone deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing following the discovery of two human skeletons on the second floor of the Astra Credit Companies (ACC) building in Kwitang, Senen Sub-district, Central Jakarta.

Jakarta – South Korea's Hyundai Motor is interested in participating in Indonesia's plan to develop its own national car, the government said on Friday.

President Prabowo Subianto said on Oct. 20 that Indonesia was planning to fully manufacture its own national car in the next three years, with a budget already allocated and land prepared for the factories.

This 12-page document outlines cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns, the escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians, significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua, and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 July to 30 September 2025.

Human rights

Irfandi, Makassar – Indonesia's divorce rate is climbing fast – and it's starting to worry the government. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said the country is now in a "warning zone," urging couples to take family stability more seriously.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia must strengthen its bargaining position to push the United States into lowering its import tariff on palm oil to zero percent, mirroring the deal Washington recently struck with Malaysia, according to the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios).

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has identified 21 problematic articles in the draft revision of Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights.

Aamer Madhani and Edna Tarigan, Washington – President Donald Trump made sure during his visit to Asia this week to praise regional allies who have backed his push to bring about a permanent end to the Israel-Hamas war.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chair of the National Economic Council, claims that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, also known as Whoosh, has had a significant economic impact on the regions it serves. Luhut made this statement while sharing his recent travel experience using Whoosh to Bandung.

Jakarta – The administration of President Prabowo Subianto does not appear to be serious in preventing the climate emergency by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.

Mila Novita, Jakarta – The construction of a glass elevator in Nusa Penida, Bali, has sparked controversy. The elevator at Kelingking Beach was built to make it easier for visitors to reach the beach, but it has also damaged the scenery. Furthermore, the construction of the elevator has compromised the purity of the beach, which tourists actually favored.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – The planned Gilimanuk – Mengwi toll road project in Bali has failed to draw investor interest, causing repeated delays, Public Works and Housing Minister Dody Hanggodo said on Friday.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Corruption, unemployment, and social inequality are the top issues worrying Indonesians in the first half of 2025, according to a new survey by global market research firm Ipsos.

Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) expressed deep concerns regarding a proposed revision to Indonesia's foundational human rights legislation that threatens to fundamentally undermine independent human rights protection mechanisms.

Wawan Kurniawan, Jakarta – About 1,800 workers at Victory Chingluh Indonesia, a shoe manufacturer in Tangerang, Banten, have been laid off following a wave of export product returns due to quality issues. The mass termination adds pressure to Indonesia's labor-intensive manufacturing sector, which is struggling to balance rising costs and global competition.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – At least ten trees fell after a torrential downpour and strong winds lashed in Jakarta yesterday afternoon, Thursday, October 30, 2025. Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo mentioned that the extreme weather caused damage at various points in the capital.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has formed a new partnership with the United Kingdom to strengthen national cybersecurity. This agreement aims to strengthen the country's digital resilience in the face of increasing complexity and ensure support for digital transformation.

Kyaw Win – As leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened in Kuala Lumpur for their biennial summit over the weekend, they formally admitted Timor-Leste into the bloc, marking the first expansion of its membership since 1999.

Ian Story – Indonesia's recent announcement that it was considering buying the China-made J-10 fighter raises more questions than answers.

Eka Jaya Saputra, Bekasi, W – Java. Michelin-owned tire maker Multistrada Arah Sarana has laid off around 370 workers at its Bekasi plant, just a day after the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) delisted the company and amid mounting pressure from new US import tariffs on Indonesian tires.

Jakarta – Prosecutors are seeking an 11-year prison sentence for Priguna Anugerah Pratama, a former anesthesiology resident at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung, West Java, who is accused of raping two patients and a patient's family member.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia (GIAA), recorded a net loss of US$180.7 million or Rp3 trillion (at an exchange rate of Rp16,654 per US Dollar) in the third quarter of 2025. This figure represents an increase from the loss of US$129.6 million or Rp2.1 trillion recorded in the same period last year.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has introduced a new food safety protocol for the free nutritious meal program to ensure that food remains fresh as well as to bring the program's rollout closer to its "zero incidents' target, although concerns persist over its rapid scale-up to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries.

Thresa Sandra Desfika, Jakarta – Cigarette manufacturer Gudang Garam recorded a net profit of Rp 1.1 trillion ($66.2 million) in the January-September 2025 period, marking an 11.8 percent increase from Rp 992.2 billion in the same period last year.

A panel of judges at the Wamena District Court sentenced four Indonesian police officers on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, for their roles in the fatal shooting of Mr Tobias Silak and the serious injury of Naro Dapla in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, on 20 August 2024.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) said the number of beneficiaries under President Prabowo Subianto's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program might fall short of the year-end target.

On Thursday October 30, the Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (GEMAS), which consists of victims of gross human rights violations, individuals and civil society organisations, officially sent an open letter urging the chairperson of the Titles, Service and Honorary Medals Board (GTK) Board at the Ministry of State Secretariat to reject the proposal to name H.M.

Between 1 and 7 October 2025, Mrs Selly Selegani, a Papuan female human rights activist known for her advocacy against the Wabu Block gold mining project in Intan Jaya Regency, was subjected to a series of acts of intimidation, harassment, and physical violence after returning to Jayapura from advocacy activities in Jakarta.

Aminuddin, Jakarta – The West Java provincial government issued 76 new mining business permits (IUP) in 2025. Bambang Tirtoyuliono, the Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Agency of West Java, stated that the issuance of these IUPs is carried out with stricter supervision and consideration for environmental and spatial aspects.

Jakarta – The state-owned oil and gas company's subsidiary, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN), has launched an investigation into the quality of its subsidized Pertalite fuel following numerous reports from drivers in East Java whose vehicles allegedly broke down after using the product.

Andrew Tito, Jakarta – Torrential rain that lashed Jakarta on Thursday afternoon caused flooding across several parts of the capital, including the upscale Kemang Raya area in South Jakarta, disrupting traffic and daily activities for hours.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Congress of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance (KASBI) reported that PT Victory Chingluh Indonesia, a Nike shoe manufacturer based in Tangerang, Banten, has laid off 1,800 of its 2,400 workers.

Effendi Rusli, Pekanbaru – An eight-year-old girl named Citra has fallen into a coma after being trampled by a wild elephant in Rantau Panjang, Rumbai District, Pekanbaru, Riau, early Thursday morning.

Eskop Wisabla, Makassar – The University and High School Student Papua People's Solidarity Forum/Papuan People's Concern (FSPM-PRP) in Makassar city, South Sulawesi, held a protest action as support in the ongoing treason trial of four Papuan political prisoners, Abraham Goram Gaman, Piter Robaha, Nixon Maay and Maksi Sangkek, which was held in front of the Makassar District Court.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Professor Tri Wibawa, a microbiologist at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), is urging the government to update the influenza vaccine in response to the increased number of influenza cases reported in the country over the past month.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Thousands of teachers marched from the National Monument (Monas) to the Arjuna Wijaya Horse Statue in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, demanding equal treatment and permanent employment status from the Indonesian government.

Jakarta – The teenager with initials RTA truly suffered a terrible fate. The 14-year-old girl who worked as a spa therapist suffered twice over. She was found dead on a waste ground near Delta Spa in Pejaten, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, at the beginning of October 2025. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission said that RTA was a victim of sexual exploitation.

Agung Dharma Putra, Surabaya – Indonesia on Thursday achieved a major defense milestone after successfully testing its first domestically built unmanned autonomous submarine at the Indonesian Navy base in Surabaya.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Secretary of State, Prasetyo Hadi, confirmed that the Presidential Palace has received a list of national hero candidates submitted by the Ministry of Social Affairs, including the name of former President Soeharto.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that he often spends his nights watching podcasts that contain false accusations and harsh criticism about him, describing the experience as a lesson in humility and leadership rather than a source of resentment.

Herman, Jakarta – The development of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara (IKN), will move forward as planned, with the megaproject slated for completion in 2028.

President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to continue the construction of the future capital.

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).

Fia Hamid-Walker – On 8 October 2025, the Cibinong District Court made a significant decision, dismissing a plantation firm's civil suit against two Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) professors – the first application of the Anti-SLAPP framework in Indonesia.

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).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – A Russian diplomat said Wednesday that Indonesia had yet to terminate its contract for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets as Jakarta orders new warplanes from Turkey and possibly China.

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.

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.