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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – Nearly a hundred residents in Cikande district in Serang regency, Banten, have been evacuated from their homes as the decontamination process continues in the area following a radioactive leak that prompted national attention.

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.

Tsering Lama – Deep within the forest of Sira Village, West Papua, nearly 100 young Indigenous Leaders gathered this September for the Forest Defenders Camp. They came from across the region as well as the Brazilian Amazon, the Congo Basin, and Borneo.

Hidayat Salam – Amidst the momentum of the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day on Tuesday October 28, dozens of Indonesian citizens from Indonesia Bergerak (Indonesia Moving), ranging from students to the diaspora, visited the Republic of Indonesia Consulate General (KJRI) in Melbourne, Australia, where the "Indonesia Bergerak Declaration" document was handed over to Consulate staff.

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.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – A panel of judges has sentenced four leaders of major sugar companies to four years in prison each for their roles in a corruption case involving sugar imports at the Ministry of Trade during the 2015-2016 period.

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.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – A recent survey by IndexPolitica Indonesia shows that Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has quickly become one of the most prominent figures in the national political landscape.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, aims to protect the pesut dolphin, or the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) population in the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, by stopping the transportation of coal through the small river.

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.

Jakarta – What can we read from the maneuvering by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin through his recent meetings with the leaders of political parties supporting the government?

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Maruarar Sirait, stated that there are currently 26.9 million uninhabitable houses in the country. "So, they have houses, but they are uninhabitable," said Maruarar after meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as quoted from Antara.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – The government has pushed back the launch of Indonesia's long-awaited artificial intelligence regulation to early 2026, missing its initial target for this year, as calls mount to expedite the roadmap for the rapidly evolving technology.

Aqraa Sagir, Jakarta – We've never had more access to films, yet the experience feels lonelier than ever. Between endless scrolling and solo binge sessions, something's been lost. For some cultural workers and curators, the answer isn't more content – it's more connection.

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry has pressed ahead with its main programs to improve the country's education by focusing on infrastructure, technology and teacher welfare. But observers have raised concerns if these measures are sufficient to solve the root problems plaguing the education sector.

Guteriano Neves – The official inauguration of Timor-Leste's membership in ASEAN has been the main topic in Dili this week and a highlight of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is a moment of great joy for many Timorese. The theme "Together We Rise" captures a sense of unity and hope inspired by this historic accession.

Indonesia's utopian new capital Nusantara seems to appear out of nowhere. Deep in the forest, a multilane highway abruptly opens up through the trees, leading to a palace topped by a winged eagle that glows under the equatorial sun.

But along the rows of futuristic new buildings, Nusantara's boulevards are largely empty save for a few gardeners and curious tourists.

Jakarta – The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, stated that the Indonesian National Army (TNI) has been involved in the People's School program since its launch on July 14, 2025. In addition to the TNI, Saifullah also mentioned that the Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with the Indonesian National Police (Polri).

Between September and October 2025, West Papua experienced widespread internal displacement affecting more than 102,966 civilians across multiple regencies due to military operations and armed conflict (see table below).