Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia is maintaining relatively high economic growth despite ongoing global challenges.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia will absorb a sharp increase in Hajj costs for 2026, as surging global oil prices and heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East drive up travel expenses for the world's largest Muslim pilgrimage.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Indonesia, through the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), has launched the nutri-level labeling system for sweetened drinks to assist the public in identifying the nutritional content of the foods they consume on a daily basis.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – Four Chinese automakers have broken into Indonesia's top 10 car sales rankings in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the growing presence of Chinese brands in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's ambition to convert around 120 million gasoline-powered motorcycles into electric vehicles within five years is unrealistic given persistent structural challenges, an energy expert has warned.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) stated that Indonesia's economic growth has not led to a significant increase in labor absorption. Although the economy is growing at an annual rate of 5.39 percent, this growth is not strong enough to create jobs, especially in labor-intensive sectors.

Agencies, Washington – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday a "major" defense partnership with Indonesia following a meeting with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian government's free nutritious meal (MBG) program has failed to reach most vulnerable citizens, according to a study by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), while calling it costly.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – In February 2026, videos circulating on social media showed a mass of mining waste rushing downslope like thick mud, engulfing excavators and bulldozers within seconds as operators scrambled to escape.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Demands are mounting for the immediate formation of an Independent Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) in the attempted premeditated murder case of human rights activist Andrie Yunus, nearly a month after he was attacked with acid.

Djibril Muhammad, Jakarta – Indonesia plans to finish building the judicial and legislative complexes in its future political capital Nusantara by early 2028, as the government dismisses worries over the project's continuity.

Over a three-month period spanning January to March 2026, multiple incidents across the Papua Provinces have raised serious concerns about the state of healthcare access for indigenous Papuans, not only in remote communities but also in urban areas. The cases documented below point to systemic failures at several levels of the healthcare system.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Indonesian government said Monday that it had not officially reached a deal with the US on letting American military planes easily fly over its airspace.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto proposed the merger of NasDem Party and Gerindra Party when receiving NasDem Chair Surya Paloh at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, in February 2026.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia is accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar by expanding the use of local currencies in cross-border transactions, with the value of such transactions surging 163% year-on-year in early 2026.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Gerindra Party Deputy Chairperson Habiburokhman has criticised political scientist Saiful Mujani over his remarks suggesting possible public consolidation to pressure President Prabowo Subianto, calling the statement "worthy of criticism" and politically motivated.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) says a significant share of the country's healthcare spending is still borne directly by households, highlighting gaps in insurance coverage.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – The government has doubled down on its growth target for gross domestic product, insisting that it will achieve or even exceed the figure set in the state budget despite the shock from the United States-Israel war on Iran, which has prompted the World Bank to downgrade its projection for Indonesia.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has been recorded frequently using event organizer (EO) services throughout its 2025 activities, with a total procurement budget reaching Rp113.9 billion.

Adrial Akbar, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition in Solidarity with Andrie Yunus held an action to commemorate the anniversary of 30 days since the acid attack on Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) activist Andrie Yunus.

Baharudin Al Farisi, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – As many as 53 percent of respondents to an Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) poll believe that the public is always or often afraid to discuss politics.

Budiman, Lebak, Banten – Two women in Banten province have been named suspects in a blasphemy case following the circulation of a viral video showing one of them stepping on a copy of the Quran, a police spokesperson said on Sunday.

The suspects have been identified only by their initials, NL and MT.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Attorney General's Office to prosecute unruly and uncontrollable businesspeople. According to him, those who prove difficult to manage and cause harm to Indonesia may be subject to criminal charges.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board, Yahya Cholil Staquf, has raised questions regarding the mechanism proposed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to eliminate the hajj waiting period and implement a "ticket war" system. Yahya considered the idea to be mere discourse that has not yet been thoroughly considered.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesia and Russia pledged to strengthen their bilateral ties with the signing of the Protocol of the 7th Meeting of the Working Group on Trade, Investment, and Industry (WGTII) on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Jakarta – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) and its labor unions have signed a new collective labor agreement covering the 2026-2028 period, marking the latest milestone in one of Indonesia's longest-standing industrial relations frameworks.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that Indonesia is currently experiencing a phenomenon he referred to as the inflation of observers. Teddy pointed to the emergence of commentators who claim to be concerned over issues ranging from food security and the military to foreign policy.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia and the troop-contributing countries of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) "condemn in the strongest terms" the persistent attacks on UNIFIL, which resulted in the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers and the injury of several guards from other countries.

Accelerating the recognition of customary forests cannot simply be achieved by creating a task force and prolonging its mandate. This issue requires the government to muster the courage to confront the underlying problems: the task force's lack of effective authority, fragmented regulations, and clashing economic and political interests that hinder progress.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The rupiah's slide past Rp 17,000 per US dollar this week – briefly touching record lows before rebounding on ceasefire signals – underscores a deeper challenge facing Southeast Asia's largest economy: the currency's growing structural vulnerability to external shocks.

On 23 March 2026, Marine Corps (TNI AL) members arbitrarily detained Yuni Suhun, 23, and Mr Eliaton Wetapo, 31, at the marines' post in the Kokamo Village, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province. They were reportedly subjected to torture during interrogation.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian Air Force fleet escorted President Prabowo Subianto on his flight to Sleman, Yogyakarta, which departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, to Adisutjipto Air Base, Sleman Regency, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto claimed that the Forest Area Regulation Task Force (Satgas PKH) has successfully reclaimed forest areas worth Rp370 trillion. He made this statement while attending the handover of Rp11.42 trillion from the Satgas PKH to the state treasury.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Lawmakers and analysts warn that soaring jet fuel prices and a weakening rupiah, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, could add as much as Rp 1 trillion to this year's haj pilgrimage bill.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) recorded the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) at 122.9 in March 2026, a decline from the 125.2 reported in February. This marks a continued downward trend for the index, which stood at 127 in January 2026.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The latest survey by Bank Indonesia (BI) indicates a decline in optimism about job availability. In March 2026, the Job Availability Index (IKLK) score was recorded at 107.8, which is a decrease from 110.7 the previous month.

On 24 March 2026, Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), members reportedly used excessive force against civilians during a community protest in Kaugapu Village, East Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in seven residents sustaining gunshot wounds from rubber bullets.

Jakarta – After several years of declining deforestation, 2025 marked a significant regression for Indonesia's environmental health as forest cover loss surged. A recent report by the environmental watchdog Auriga Nusantara revealed that over 430,000 hectares were cleared last year – a 66 percent increase from 2024.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto urged the Indonesian Air Force to remain steadfast in its duty to safeguard the homeland. Prabowo delivered this message on the occasion of the Air Force's 80th anniversary, which fell on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia is being urged to overhaul its fuel subsidy regime by shifting from blanket price controls to a targeted quota-based system, as analysts warn the current approach is draining state finances while missing its intended beneficiaries.

Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Immigration has handed over three Australian nationals to the Indonesian Prosecutor's Office following an illegal entry case involving a private aircraft. The suspects, identified by their initials ZA, DTL, and the pilot JVD, will undergo the judicial process after their investigation files were declared complete (P21).

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto once again addressed the "Indonesia Gelap" (Dark Indonesia) movement. This time, he accused the mindset and hearts of the group propagating the narrative of dissatisfaction with the state of Indonesia as "not good enough."

Budiman, Ahmad Hisyam Nugroho, Jakarta – Surging soybean and packaging costs are squeezing Indonesia's small-scale tempe producers, forcing them to shrink product sizes and switch to traditional wrapping just to stay afloat.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Danantara Indonesia Investment Management Agency has formed a new company named PT Daya Energi Bersih Nusantara (Denera) on April 1, 2026. Denera is a subsidiary of PT Danantara Investment Management, which aims to manage the Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) Processing project.

Tempo, Jakarta – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has stated that the mining production rate following the landslide incident in the underground mining area of Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) on September 8, 2025, has reached around 40-50 percent.

DW (Deutsche Welle), Jakarta – Jakarta, October 1965. After a failed coup attempt, the Indonesian army and its allies killed, tortured and imprisoned hundreds of thousands of Indonesians they suspected to be communists, many of them of Chinese descent.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia aims to begin mass production of electric sedans by 2028 as part of the government's broader push to develop the country's domestic electric vehicle industry.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Indonesian rupiah continues to trade around 17,070 per US dollar as of Thursday, April 9, 2026. According to Trading Economics data, the currency was recorded at 17,073 per US dollar at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The World Bank has lowered its 2026 economic growth forecast for Indonesia to 4.7 percent, down from its previous projection of 4.8 percent issued in October 2025, citing rising oil prices and heightened investor caution in global financial markets.

Antara, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto expressed optimism about Indonesia's emergence as a major global power, describing the country as a "rising giant" during the inauguration of PT VKTR Sakti Industries' electric commercial vehicle assembly facility in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday.