On 18 February 2026, members of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force (Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade) and the Habema Operation Task Force (Indonesian National Armed Forces – Marines) arbitrarily detained four Papuan girls at Kilometer 5, Dekai City, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Adinda Jasmine, Jakarta – Indonesia's planned participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to be deployed in Gaza has received approval from Palestinian authorities.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The American mining company, Freeport-McMoRan, has announced an agreement with the Indonesian Government to extend the operating rights of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in Papua until 2041. The agreement is outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding that governs the continuation of operations in the Grasberg Mineral District.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) asserts that Indonesia should withdraw from the Board of Peace established by the United States. The foundation condemns President Prabowo Subianto's presence at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Washington D.C., United States.

Nino Citra Anugrahanto – The mass arrest of protesters in August 2025 is considered to be have been a large-scale operation to silence pro-democracy activists. Security forces were accused of indiscriminate arrests, which instilled fear in young people to speak out critically about deviations in state policy.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has appointed Major General (Ret) Prihati Pujowaskito as the President Director of Indonesia's Health Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) for the 2026-2031 period. The retired military official replaces Ali Ghufron Mukti, who held the position since February 2021.

Apriwan, 360info/Padang – Many observers have linked the Sumatra floods in late 2025 to extreme rainfall associated with climate change. Heavy rain caused rivers to overflow and landslides to occur, destroying communities in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra and costing many people their lives and livelihoods.

Yustinus Paat, Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – The number of people displaced by disasters in Sumatra since late November 2025 has fallen sharply from more than 2 million at its peak to fewer than 13,000, as temporary shelter construction reached about 50% completion, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said.

Eryanto Nugroho – It was watched live by 10,000 paying viewers in late August 2025, and later rose to the top of Netflix Indonesia's rankings. But Pandji Pragiwaksono's stand-up comedy special 'Mens Rea' cannot be judged solely on whether it is 'funny' or 'not funny'.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Legislator Ahmad Sahroni has been formally reinstated as deputy chair of the House of Representatives' Commission III, which oversees law enforcement, marking the end of a months-long disciplinary process stemming from controversial remarks that sparked public outrage and violent unrest last year.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A Fact-Finding Commission has identified indications of possible involvement by members of the Indonesian military in riots that broke out during a demonstration in August 2025.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – Days ahead of the expected signing of a bilateral tariff agreement with the United States, analysts have called on the government to tread with caution regarding concessions made, specifically opening the domestic market to US goods.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently looking into the alleged gratification involving Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar. According to KPK Chair Setyo Budianto, the minister was facilitated with a private jet by Hanura Party boss Oesman Sapta Odang.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that the existence of the Territorial Development Infantry Battalion (Yonif TP) is a symbol of the state's presence. He claimed that these military bases provide a sense of security to the public.

Associated Press, Jakarta – Indonesia is tightening state control over the world's largest nickel supply after years of betting the metal would anchor a homegrown electric-vehicle industry, and just as global demand begins shifting away from heavy reliance on nickel.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – A report by the Fact-Finding Commission (KPF) stated that the arrest of activists following the August 2025 protests in Indonesia was the biggest manhunt post-reformation. This commission is responsible for gathering and verifying facts related to last year's massive demonstrations on behalf of civil society.

Thomas Harefa, Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Food prices in Indonesia are climbing ahead of Ramadan 2026, reflecting a typical seasonal pattern rather than an extreme surge seen during past supply crises, economists say.

Marchio Gorbiano, Cirebon, West Java – Villager Supriyanto is visibly frustrated as he discusses the sprawling coal power plant emitting white plumes of smoke over his small fishing community in Cirebon, West Java.

Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – Human rights organization Lokataru Foundation warns of potential conflicts of interest and the practice of state capture within the Academic Script and the draft of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (RUU KKS) currently under government discussion.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian revealed that aid from the diaspora in Malaysia for the Sumatra disaster is being held at customs. According to Tito, Acehnese people living in Malaysia collected aid to support victims of the floods and landslides that occurred at the end of November 2025.

Cheta Nilawaty P, Jakarta – A study from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) indicates that almost all campuses in Indonesia are not yet accessible to lecturers with disabilities.

Without serious efforts to eradicate bribery within the customs zones, the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Customs will be even worse than the old saying: only a donkey falls into the same hole twice.

Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – A study by Indonesia's Lokataru Foundation has identified at least 22 major concerns in the Academic Draft and the draft Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill (KKS Bill) currently under government discussion.

Lokataru conducted the review between October 2025 and February 2026.

Adhyasta Dirgantara, Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – The 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has bluntly stated that the revisions to the old version of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law were an initiative of the House of Representatives (DPR).

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's external debt climbed to $431.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from $427.6 billion in the previous quarter, according to data released Wednesday by Bank Indonesia.

The increase was driven mainly by higher public sector borrowing, Bank Indonesia spokesperson Ramdan Denny Prakoso said in a statement.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has named PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia as the winner of the bid for the Ranu Lake Geothermal Working Area (WKP) in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Solidarity House has expressed its position on the security situation in the land of Papua in recent weeks, which has been marked by a number of cases of violence.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia needs over Rp 2 trillion or around $118.5 million to provide the much-needed social assistance for victims of the catastrophic Sumatra flood, according to government estimates.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Riots that broke out during the nationwide protests last August were escalated after incidents of police brutality, revealed Ravio Patra, a researcher from the Fact-Finding Commission (KPF).

Hozaini, Situbondo, East Java – At least one person was killed and six others suffered severe burns and fractures after a house was destroyed in an explosion believed to have originated from firecracker-making materials on Wednesday, authorities said.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa responded to the lawsuit against Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) for the 2026 Fiscal Year, which was submitted to the Constitutional Court. The lawsuit was filed by the Nusantara Learning Garden Foundation along with three students and a non-permanent teacher.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is set to receive the next batch of the French-made fighter jets when it is ready from a technical standpoint, according to the Defense Ministry, without disclosing the exact timeline.

On February 13, Myanmar's military junta ordered the head of Timor-Leste's Embassy in Yangon to leave the country within seven days. The expulsion comes after Timorese authorities opened legal proceedings against Myanmar junta officials earlier this month for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Jakarta – Indonesia is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, including in the way people welcome the month of Ramadan. In addition to spiritually observing the fast, many Muslim communities across the archipelago have unique traditions they perform before the fast begins.

On 10 February 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI AD) reportedly tortured Mr Kristo Gonus Okui Kaize, an indigenous Papuan of the Malind Maklew tribe at the National Strategic Project (PSN) site in Wanam, Ilwayab District, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province. Mr Kaize was employed as labourer at the PSN Wanam Project.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. announced the export of 35,000 pickup units for PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara this year.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has barred mass organizations, locally known as ormas, and any other groups from carrying out sweeps or raids on restaurants that continue operating during the Ramadan fasting month.

The policy, officials said, is intended to preserve a peaceful and orderly atmosphere in the capital during the fasting month.

Antara, Jakarta – Authorities in Indonesia's capital will require nightclubs, discotheques, bars, and several other adult entertainment venues to close during much of the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, officials said on Tuesday.

The Indonesian government has dismissed a claim that its military has been bombing villages in West Papua.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims a makeshift refugee camp in Puncak Regency of was bombed, and that many villagers have been displaced.

Pelalawan, Indonesia – A radical new policy to relocate people living in a notoriously deforested national park on Sumatra has moved hundreds of families to date, with Indonesian officials presenting the controversial program as a blueprint for other protected areas across Asia's largest remaining tropical forests.

Ahmad – The policy of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, of awarding a geothermal project concession in Telaga Ranu, West Halmahera, to PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia, a subsidiary of Ormat Technologies, has sparked criticism from several groups.

On 14 February 2026, a joint team of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Yahukimo District Police (Polres Yahukimo) officers arbitrarily detained seventeen-year-old Elipianus Esema and Atios Sobolim,18, in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. The arrests occurred in the vicinity of Block B shop houses following a fire incident earlier that evening.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia has tightened security at several strategic sites in its easternmost region of Papua following a series of shooting incidents targeting an aircraft and personnel near a major mining operation, a senior minister said on Tuesday.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform has urged Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP), a peace council initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, citing concerns over its implications for Jakarta's foreign policy.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has criticised a statement by the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who said he supports the Corruption Eradication Commission Law (UU KPK) being revised again..

Antara, Jakarta – The Jakarta government revealed that 93% of its citizens were not physically active amid rising health concerns.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Orders for Lunar New Year (Imlek) decorations began pouring in unusually early this year for Jakarta-based decoration service Party Buddies, as the festive season closely coincides with the fasting month of Ramadan, which starts less than a week late

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has suspended the operation of 11 pioneer airports in Papua, following the shooting of a Smart Air plane at Korowai Airport in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.

Jamal Abdun Nashr, Jakarta – Floods inundate several neighborhoods in Semarang city on early Monday, February 16, 2026, as heavy downpours struck the Central Java capital overnight.

Andrew Tito, Jakarta – The Jakarta Public Order Agency or Satpol PP has deployed 1,900 personnel to launch a crackdown against illegal distribution of alcoholic beverages ahead of the Ramadan season.