On 13 December 2025, at around 4:00 pm, Indonesian military personnel arbitrarily arrested and ill-treated 27-year-old Papuan, Mr Nomianus Nabelau, in Enarotali Town, Paniai Regency, Central Papua Province.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian Presidential Palace has responded to reports about a draft presidential regulation outlining the Indonesian National Armed Forces' (TNI) role in countering terrorism.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Two Indonesian civilians have filed a judicial review of Law Number 31 of 1997 on the Military Judiciary at the Constitutional Court, arguing that the system fails to provide justice in cases involving personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

Jakarta – Regional health authorities have intensified surveillance and vigilance nationwide following the detection of dozens of so-called super flu cases across the country.

At I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, management has installed thermal scanners in the international arrivals terminal as a precautionary measure to detect potential cases early.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The latest consumer survey by Bank Indonesia (BI) shows rising public optimism over job availability in Indonesia, with the Job Availability Index (IKLK) strengthening in December 2025.

BI reported that the IKLK climbed to 106.5 in December, up from 103.7 in November, signaling improved perceptions of current employment opportunities.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura, Jubi – Reinhart Kmur, a legal aid officer from the Papua Legal Aid Foundation, (LBH Papua), says that the formation of three new Indonesian Military (TNI) battalions in three regencies in Papua has the potential to create human rights violations.

Jakarta – Law enforcement against companies contributing to the ecological disaster in Sumatra as of the end of 2025 has not been carried out in a comprehensive, participatory or optimally manner.

Responding to Indonesia's election as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:"The Human Rights Minister's boasting that Indonesia 'successfully won' the position of president of the UN Human Rights Council because of the 'Human Rights Ministry' is a false pride that is not based on the facts.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Researcher from the Center of Reform On Economics (CORE) Indonesia, Eliza Mardian, said that the price of Harvested Dry Grain (GKP) at Rp6,500 per kilogram affects the increase in rice prices even though Indonesia had achieved rice self-sufficiency at the end of December 2025.

Jakarta – Terror and intimidation have long been part of Indonesian politics, including during the relatively democratic period following the downfall of the New Order authoritarian regime.

Indonesia has been appointed President of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. On the surface, this moment may be seen as a diplomatic achievement and a reflection of global confidence, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region, which delivered 34 out of 47 votes from the Asia-Pacific Group (APG).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and vast natural beauty should make it Southeast Asia's top tourism destination, but the country continues to lag behind regional rivals Thailand and Malaysia in foreign visitor numbers, according to industry leaders.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the allocation of the 2024 hajj quota.

KPK Vice Chair Fitroh Rohcahyanto confirmed the decision on Friday, January 9, 2026. "It's true," Fitroh said in a brief message.

On 19 December 2025, Papuan students in Makassar City, South Sulawesi province, carried out a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the TRIKORA Military Operation, which took place on 19 December 1961.

Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, reported that about 30,000 hectares of fish ponds in Aceh were damaged due to Sumatra floods. "Not only in Pidie Jaya, which was reported, but there are about 30 thousand hectares in the entire Aceh," said Zulkifli, in a written statement on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals program, known as Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), marked its first year on January 6, 2026.

Launched by President Prabowo Subianto's administration, the flagship initiative aims to provide daily nutritious meals to schoolchildren, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is one year into Indonesia's most ambitious welfare experiment, and the political stakes are rising fast.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Defense Ministry has responded to criticism from a civil society coalition regarding a draft presidential regulation (Perpres) that grants authority to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in counterterrorism.

Roy Adriansyah, Chairul Fikri, Jakarta – Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono is facing police reports over material in his stand-up comedy special Mens Rea, igniting debate over the limits of satire, free expression and the application of Indonesia's new Criminal Code.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Constitutional Judge Arsul Sani has advised petitioners challenging Indonesia's marriage law not to equate the country's regulations with those of other nations. He made the remarks during a preliminary hearing for case number 265/PUU-XXIII/2025 at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta.

Suci Amaliyah, Jakarta – One year since its launch, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program still faces serious problems. In addition to being seen as rife with conflicts of interest, the flagship government program is also considered to be eroding the education budget and potentially reducing the quality of national education.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia officially became the president of the UN Human Rights Council for 2026 on Thursday, marking the first time for Jakarta to be at the group's helm.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa reported that the state budget deficit for 2025 reached Rp695.1 trillion or 2.92 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget deficit is higher than the initial target of Rp662.0 trillion or 2.78 percent of the GDP.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian government added Rp 744 trillion ($44.2 billion) in new debt throughout 2025, exceeding the Rp 616 trillion target set under the state budget, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Thousands of West Java laborers will stage a protest against the provincial minimum wage (UMP) in front of the State Palace, Central Jakarta today, Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Duncan Graham – The news from Indonesia this month has been dispiriting – natural disaster flooding in Bali and Flores, man-made maladministration, political chicanery, perpetual graft and rioting in the cities. The headlines imply the country is crumpling. It's not, and here's why.

A repost from 16 September 2025.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves rose to $156.5 billion at the end of December 2025, up from $150.1 billion a month earlier, driven by stronger fiscal inflows and government financing.

On 28 November 2025, members of Brimob under Ops Damai Cartenz (Cartenz Peace Operation) arrested 21-year-old student, Mr Iron Heluka (see photo on top, source: independent HRD), in Dekai town, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province (West Papua/Papuan provinces), and subsequently detained him at the Yahukimo Police Station.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto honored Indonesia's 2025 SEA Games medalists on Thursday, awarding $28 million in bonuses after the team exceeded expectations.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health Benyamin Paulus Oktavianus responded to the influence of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program on the reduction of stunting rates. Benyamin said that the nutritious meal program is indeed related to the issue of stunting.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia fears that US President Donald Trump's decision to exit 66 global bodies can undermine multilateralism, as Jakarta calls on other countries to continue to stick together.

Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – Indonesia's Forest Area Regulation Task Force has identified strong indications that 12 companies may have contributed to recent floods in Sumatra, allegedly through the conversion of forested areas within river basins.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said the government has met its oil lifting target set in the 2025 state budget, marking a rare achievement in the country's oil and gas sector.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Despite efforts to improve healthcare domestically, a significant number of Indonesians continue to travel abroad for medical treatment.

According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the reasons go beyond cost and facility sophistication – patients are often seeking better human-centered care and personalized attention.

On 7 December 2025, at approximately 10:40 am, police officers forcibly detained indigenous environmental and land-rights defender, Mr Stenly Dambujai, outside the Divine Mercy (Kerahiman Ilahi) Church in Mangga Dua, Kelapa Lima Village, Merauke Regency, South Papua province (see photos, source: LBH Merauke).

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has conferred an honor on the Minister of Agriculture, Amran Sulaiman. Amran has been awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama (Main Service Star) because he is considered instrumental in achieving rice self-sufficiency last year.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Ultra-high temperature (UHT) and evaporated milk are reported to be scarce in the market. A mother in Tangerang, Banten, identified as Putri, complained about the difficulty of finding milk over the past three days.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have deployed personnel to secure a labor demonstration organized by the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) at the southern section of the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – A study conducted by Ubaid Matraji, National Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), suggests that Indonesia's free nutritious meal program for schoolchildren, known locally as MBG, may not be improving academic outcomes.

In fact, the study indicates a decline in student performance since the program's implementation.

On 24 November 2025, at around 07:15 pm, police officers arbitrarily detained four members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at a coffee shop near Karang Tumaritis Market, Nabire town, Nabire Regency, Central Papua province, and subsequently detained them at the Nabire District Police Station (Polres Nabire).

On 9 December 2025, at approximately 10:00 pm, Mr Natan Matuan and Mr Selis Pahabol were arbitrarily arrested in Jalur 3 settlement, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said the country's average natural gas production in 2025 reached 5,600 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD), with around 31 percent, or 1,691 BBTUD, allocated for export markets.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Jessi Carina, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) is questioning Indonesia's suitability for the presidency of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the members of the Red and White Cabinet must be prepared to face criticism in carrying out their duties. Prabowo conveyed this during a grand harvest and announcement of food self-sufficiency event held in Karawang, West Java, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The issue of abolishing direct regional elections has resurfaced in Indonesia. The plan, which involves appointing regional heads through the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), is deemed a threat to local democracy by limiting public representation in determining their leaders.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Results of a survey by the Indonesian Survey Circle, or Lingkaran Survei Indonesia (LSI) Denny JA conclude that Generation Z is the group most opposed to regional elections through the Regional Representative Council or DPRD. In this research, LSI Denny JA categorized Generation Z as respondents aged below 27 years as of 2025.

On Saturday January 3 at 2 am local time, the United States (US) imperialists launched military attacks on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas along with El Higuerote, Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua. The attack was accompanied by the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The attack killed at least 40 Venezuelans.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – Indonesia's leading environmental organization, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), has rejected the government's plan to accelerate the construction of Waste-to-Energy Power Plants, known locally as PSEL.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia will require exporters of natural resources to place proceeds from their overseas sales in state-owned banks, following the signing of a new regulation by President Prabowo Subianto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Thursday.

Indonesia has been appointed President of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. On the surface, this moment may be seen as a diplomatic achievement and a reflection of global confidence, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region, which delivered 34 out of 47 votes from the Asia-Pacific Group (APG).