Jakarta – Scores of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politicians who were recently inaugurated as regional heads said they would not join a retreat organized by President Prabowo Subianto this weekend in a show of solidarity to the party's secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto who has been named as a graft suspect on Thursday.

Arlina Arshad and Stania Puspawardhani, Jakarta – Nationwide student protests against Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's budget cuts continued in Jakarta on Feb 21, marking a key test of his leadership.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Thousands of students staged Dark Indonesia protests in cities across the country on Thursday (Feb 20) against budget cuts and other policies of President Prabowo Subianto, fearing they will undermine social support systems and their futures.

Jakarta – As we try to live up to the state motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), given today's political landscape in Indonesia, we may want to emphasize diversity rather than unity. We may even want to rephrase it to "diversity within unity". The difference is more than semantics.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Jakarta – A new manufacturing plant producing floating solar panel systems was officially launched in Batam on Feb 14 to tap opportunities created by a major deal to supply solar power from the Indonesian island to Singapore.

Ilham Oktafian, Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – The Indonesian punk scene is buzzing after Sukatani, a raw and defiant duo from Purbalingga, issued a public apology over their song Bayar Bayar Bayar, a critique of alleged police extortion. The track – now pulled from circulation – had struck a nerve, turning into a rallying song ahead of a mass protest on Friday.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Protests under the Dark Indonesia banner, which began on February 17, have continued nationwide, voicing dissatisfaction with government policies. As of Friday, February 21, demonstrations have taken place in Jakarta and major cities across Indonesia.

Jakarta

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – The Surabaya Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations of police officers arresting and assaulting student demonstrators during the 'Dark Indonesia' protest on Monday, February 17, 2025. The case, involving the alleged police brutality, has been formally transferred to the Surabaya Metropolitan Police for further scrutiny.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) has suspected a pattern reminiscent of the New Order regime in the withdrawal of the song "Bayar Bayar Bayar" which criticizes the police by the band Sukatani.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Free Health Check program, an initiative of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is not yet running optimally in several regions due to a lack of health facilities and medical personnel, according to Felly Estelita Runtuwene, Chair of Commission IX of the House of Representatives.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – Civil society groups across Greater Surabaya are once again staging a protest under the banner of Dark Indonesia (Indonesia Gelap) today, Friday, February 21, demanding the government pass pro-people laws and revoke harmful policies.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Central Jakarta Metro Police deployed 2,460 joint personnel to guard the ongoing demonstration of 'Indonesia Gelap' on Friday, February 21, 2025.

The areas surrounding the National Monument Horse Statue to the front of the State Palace became the primary focus of the joint personnel.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, said thousands of foreigners committed administrative violations on immigration throughout 2024.

"Monitoring on foreign nationals shows 5,434 violations," said Agus during a working meeting with House Commission XIII on Wednesday, February 19.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesian punk band based in Central Java city Purbalingga, Sukatani, announced the withdrawal of their song 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' from all music streaming platforms. The song, which criticizes the police, was released as part of their album Gegap Gempita.

Jakarta – If you want to know about the direction of President Prabowo Subianto's environmental policy, just look at how the budget cuts have been applied to a number of ministries related to natural resources. The latest fiscal policy shows even more clearly that the Prabowo administration's policies are not on the side of climate crisis mitigation and conservation agenda.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto swore in 961 regional heads at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, marking a major transition in local leadership across Indonesia.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto told the newly sworn-in regional heads to do what's best for the people as Indonesia witnessed a major transition in local leadership.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The rollout of the government's free nutritious meal program in Papua has triggered student protests, with demonstrators demanding better access to education in the region.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Charles Honoris, has called on the government to respond wisely to the viral #KaburAjaDulu, or just run away first, hashtag, which reflects growing dissatisfaction among young Indonesians over domestic job opportunities and career prospects.

Rama Sukarta, Jakarta – The government's Free Health Checkup (CKG) program, which officially launched on Feb. 10, has seen increasing public participation. However, the Health Ministry continues to push for greater public awareness, as many Indonesians still perceive medical checkups as intimidating.

Yuni Rohmawati, Palembang – South Sumatra Health Office (Dinkes Sumsel) confirmed the report of students experiencing stomach aches due to food poisoning after consuming Free Nutritious Meals in the Empat Lawang Regency, South Sumatra (Sumsel), on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Jakarta – The government of President Prabowo Subianto will host a week-long mountain glamping retreat for hundreds of regional leaders this week, a presidential official said Wednesday, sparking criticism as the President imposes widespread budget cuts.

Jakarta – A boy is missing West Kalimantan island after he was attacked by a crocodile, police said on Thursday, the second such attack in the area in two weeks.

The island is home to several species of crocodiles that regularly attack and kill humans.

Jakarta – We are witnessing a welcome resurgence of youth activism. The so-called "golden generation" is finding its voice again – at the ballot box, in the digital sphere and, most recently, on the streets. Their message is clear: they reject the status quo.

Bill Birtles in Jakarta and Hellena Souisa – Indonesia's government has slashed travel, stationary and even turned the lights off early for civil servants in a widespread austerity drive, as President Prabowo Subianto's free meal program worsens a squeeze on funds.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – More than 75% of the nickel refining capacity in Indonesia, home to the biggest reserves of this critical mineral, is controlled by Chinese companies, many with affiliations to the Chinese government, according to a U.S.-government funded think tank.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Newly sworn-in West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has vowed to crack down on budget misuse in the province, citing alleged misappropriations in the education sector and wasteful spending on non-essential programs.

Jakarta – Indonesia's current account deficit widened in 2024 as its merchandise trade surplus shrank amid weaker global demand, the central bank said on Thursday, and analysts pointed to a worsening outlook for global trade this year.

Iman Rahman Cahyadi, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday ordered all elected governors, mayors, and regents from her party to withdraw from President Prabowo Subianto's retreat program, just hours after the arrest of her close aide, Hasto Kristiyanto, on graft charges.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jeff Hutton – As a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Jakarta fast approached in September 2023, Indonesia's state-run electricity provider, PLN, partially shut down one of its oldest and biggest coal-fired power plants in the hopes of cleaning up the capital's filthy air.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and a trusted aide to party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, was detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday, nearly two months after being named a suspect for allegedly bribing an election official.

Yuni Rohmawati, Jakarta – The Chief of the Palembang Metropolitan Police, Grand Commissioner Harryo Sugiharrtono, said 2 groups of protesters would carry out the Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia) rally centered in front of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Office of South Sumatra on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Girard Mariano Lopez – Thousands of Indonesian students across the country are taking to the streets protesting the current Prabowo administration. This comes as the controversial former military general reaches five months in office, with great dissatisfaction with the current political situation across the country.

Norman Harsono – Students rallied in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities on Thursday to protest President Prabowo Subianto's state budget revamp that has threatened contractual workers' jobs, rolled back scholarships and dimmed lighting at government offices.

Jayapura – Student Executive Boards (BEM) from a number of campuses in Jayapura, including the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ), the Cenderawasih University (Uncen) and the Papua Muhammadiyah University, held a "Dark Indonesia" demonstration on the grounds of the USTJ campus in Abepura, Jayapura city, Papua province on Thursday February 20.

Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – The 'Indonesia Gelap' rally has come to its peak today, Thursday, February 20, 2025, after the protest that took place a few days ago in the Patung Kuda area. Students also took to the streets in several regions across Indonesia, including Bandung, Lampung, Surabaya, Malang, Samarinda, Banjarmasin, Aceh, and Bali.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Chairperson of Projo (a group of supporters of former President Jokowi), Budi Arie Setiadi, has confirmed that he recently met with Jokowi. He revealed that the meeting discussed the establishment of a new political party, 'Super Tbk'.

M Ambari, Yogi Eka Sahputra, Jakarta/Batam, Indonesia – Mounting reports of illegal seabed dredging in Indonesian waters have raised ecological alarm bells following the resumption of a controversial policy of sand exports.

Yogyakarta – Protesters from the Jogja Calling Alliance taking part in a protest action titled #WithThePeople (#Bersamarakyat) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta highlighted the song "Pay Pay Pay" (Bayar Bayar Bayar) by the punk band Sukatani which has recently been withdrawn from all streaming services.

Executive Summary

Jakarta – Thousands of students staged 'Dark Indonesia' protests in cities across the country on Thursday against budget cuts and other policies of President Prabowo Subianto, fearing they will undermine social support systems and their futures.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Yogyakarta – Thousands of students joining the Jogja Memanggil activist coalition marched and delivered speeches denouncing the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and the Red and White Cabinet on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the launch of the National Strategic Investment Fund (NSIF) will be carried out on Monday, February 24 next. He referred to Danantara as a force that will support Indonesia's economy in the future.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – The student demonstration entitled 'Indonesia Gelap' or 'Dark Indonesia' will reach its peak today, Thursday, February 20, 2025. The rally is a continuation of the action that took place in the Patung Kuda area, Central Jakarta, on Monday, February 17, 2025.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Papua Police Chief Inspector General Patrige Renwarin stated that Aske Mabel was involved in several attacks since fleeing the police force with four organic firearms from the Yalimo Police Resort, Papua Highlands, in mid-2024. Patrige stated that Aske was at least involved in 10 attacks and killed six people.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The Indonesian government frames the approval of the revised Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba Law) as an effort to restore the essence of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.

Oyuk Ivani S, Jakarta – Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno revealed the message from the Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Megawati Soekarnoputri, for his administration and Pramono Anung in Jakarta.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Thousands of students in Yogyakarta take to the streets on Thursday, February 20, 2025, protesting against various policies adopted by President Prabowo Subianto.

The protest, which began around 11:30 a.m. local time, completely shut down Malioboro, causing police to redirect traffic away from the area.

Jakarta – The government is currently training 32,000 people to spearhead the free nutritious meal program, National Nutritious Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana said on Monday.

"So, we are currently training 32,000 personnel who will become the heads of the SPPG," Dadan said, as quoted by Kompas.com, referring to the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units.

Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta – State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has called on the public to give President Prabowo Subianto's administration a fair chance in response to the nationwide protest called Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia).

The protest started on Monday simultaneously in multiple cities.