Hanif Abdul Halim, Yogyakarta – Arecent White House press release, "Fact Sheet: The United States and Indonesia Reach Historic Trade Deal," highlights a significant development regarding cross-border data transfer.

Jakarta – When news broke that a young diplomat at the Foreign Ministry died under mysterious circumstances on July 8, media outlets began to dig deeper into his personal and professional past, and when a revelation surfaced that he once served as a witness in a human trafficking case, many found justification to suspect foul play.

Muhadi Sugiono, Yogyakarta – Under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian diplomacy has taken a distinctive turn. Rather than relying solely on his foreign ministry, Prabowo has been personally performing diplomatic roles on the international stage. In the nine months since his inauguration, he has visited 26 countries for bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 17 July 2025, members of the Indonesian security forces, including the Beoga Police Chief and personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), were captured on video engaging in the illegal collection of community funds from village heads in Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.

Mr Samson Same, a displaced Papuan man from Kisor Village, died in custody on 9 July 2025 at the Class IIB Sorong Prison (see photo, source: Jubi), Papua Barat Daya Province.

Ichsan Ali, Bogor, West Java – President Prabowo Subianto has called for the accelerated construction of international airports across Indonesia to spur economic growth and boost regional tourism, according to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto, with the approval of the House of Representatives (DPR), granted amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto and terminated the legal proceedings against Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – The Indonesian House of Representatives announced its approval of granting abolition to former Trade Minister in President Jokowi's cabinet, Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong, and amnesty to the General Secretary of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto.

Jakarta – Anti-corruption activists through to academics have strongly criticised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's granting of amnesty and abolition to two defendants in alleged corruption cases, namely Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and the Trade Minister for the period August 2015 to July 2016, Thomas Trikasih Lembong (To

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Several political analysts believe that President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto reflects an attempt to embrace all political factions, including his oppositions.

Nivell Rayda, Jakarta – Indonesia's plan for the military to produce medicines for public use has sparked alarm among health experts, who question whether the armed forces possess the required expertise and safety protocols.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, warns against raising the flag of the Japanese anime One Piece ahead of Independence Day on August 17. According to him, raising the anime flag tarnishes the honor of Indonesia's red and white national flag and is subject to criminal repercussions.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has found a surge in unauthorized utilization of small islands, especially in Riau and the Riau Islands. According to the Director General of Marine Management at the KKP, A. Koswara, on Friday, August 1, these practices are most common in mining areas.

Indonesia – Amnesty International Indonesia released a troubling report on 14 July 2025, documenting attacks against at least 104 human rights defenders across 54 separate cases during the first six months of the year.

On 28 July 2025, employees of the palm oil company PT Putera Manunggal Perkasa (PT PMP) in Kais, Sorong Selatan Regency, staged a peaceful protest (see photo on top, source: Jubi) demanding clarity over their employment status and labour rights following a management transition.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Badung, Bali – Megawati Soekarnoputri has officially been reappointed as the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for the 2025-2030 term, cementing her leadership for another five years.

The confirmation was made during the party's sixth national congress held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) on Friday.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Foreign Minister Sugiono has been appointed secretary-general of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), assuming a dual role in both government and party leadership. The appointment, signed by party chairman and President Prabowo Subianto, took effect immediately on August 1.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia witnessed a double-digit rise in its palm oil exports in the first half of 2025, official statistics showed Friday as Jakarta unlocked greater market access to the European Union (EU).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta boasted about Dili's economic strength, including its investments and low foreign debt, during a trip to Jakarta on Friday, as the half-island nation is set to join ASEAN in about two months.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office claims to have been unaware of the House of Representatives' approval of President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to grant amnesty to former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The proposal for granting amnesty by President Prabowo Subianto to several convicts has been approved by the House of Representatives during a consultation meeting on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas stated that this amnesty is given to 1,116 convicts from various cases.

Salsabilla Azzahra Octavia, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) announced that Indonesia is preparing a new regulatory framework to support the planned expansion of the Whoosh high-speed rail line connecting Jakarta, Bandung, and eventually Surabaya.

Jakarta – Employers have called on the government to ramp up support for domestic firms to stay afloat and remain competitive, as widespread layoffs reflect investor concerns over an uncertain economic outlook.

Maria Monica Wihardja and Siwage Dharma Negara – Indonesia's recent trade agreement with the US has drawn significant scrutiny. While President Prabowo Subianto's administration touts the agreement as a diplomatic success, because it lowers the tariffs for Indonesia's exports to the US from 32 to 19 per cent, the economic returns appear limited and potentially costly.

Hanoi – General Phan V?n Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, hosted a welcome ceremony for Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

Jaja Suteja, Muhammad Firman, Jakarta – Former Religious Affairs Minister and a key figure in the United Development Party (PPP) Suryadharma Ali, passed away early Thursday at Mayapada Hospital in South Jakarta. He was 68.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesia's daily crude oil production has surpassed the government's official target for the first time in 17 years, marking a significant milestone in the country's effort to revive its oil industry, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced on Wednesday.

Anwar Siswadi (Kontributor), Bandung – The head of the Sukabumi Geophysical Station at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Agung Sabtaji, reported a recent increase in tectonic earthquake activity across West Java.

On average, the province experiences around 510 earthquakes annually.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) has restored access to previously blocked inactive or dormant accounts. The earlier suspension of transactions on these accounts had sparked public debate.

Yogyakarta – Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Community Peace and Reconciliation Study Center by involving universities and civil society organizations across the region.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday granted legal clemency to former trade minister Tom Lembong and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto, in a move that appears to have been arranged behind closed doors and has taken many by surprise.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 3 July 2025, the Military Court III-19 Jayapura found Navy Officer Agung Suyono guilty (see photo on top: source: Suara Papua) of murdering Mrs Kesya Irene Yola Lestaluhu at the Saoka Beach, Sorong, Papua Barat Daya Province on 12 January 2025.

Yovanda Noni, Jakarta – The massive influx of trucks from China into the Indonesian market has triggered unhealthy competition in the commercial vehicle sector, particularly for mining operations. In addition to putting pressure on local industries, the presence of trucks from China also poses a potential threat to Indonesia's net-zero emission (NZE) target for 2026.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Efforts to realize net-zero emissions (NZE) in the mining sector are still progressing rather slowly. This contrasts with the oil and gas sector, which has already begun decarbonization initiatives by implementing technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in its operations.

Mila Novita, Jakarta – Bali is seen as a tropical vacation spot with beaches, waterfalls, and temples for soul-searching. However, some tourists feel that the tropical paradise is not as beautiful as it appears on social media. They reveal Bali's dark side, which social media users and influencers often overlook.

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Surabaya – The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) has urged the Surabaya administration in East Java to shut down the Benowo Waste-to-Energy Power Plant, accusing the facility of contributing significantly to the "alarming" levels of air pollution across the city.

Jakarta – Over the last few weeks, the nation has witnessed how the weaponization of law operates in a country that claims to champion rule of law as a foundational element of democracy. Such an irony seems to be easily normalized in a political system where interests justify means.

On 9 July 2024, Indonesian military personnel reportedly opened fire at indigenous Papuan, Mr Eran Gwijangge, in Yuguru Village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Yosea Iskandar, Jakarta – In a world increasingly shaped by data, trust has become both our greatest asset and our most fragile resource.

A man has died after being fatally struck by a rooster's blade at a cockfight in Bali, marking the second deadly incident linked to such events on the Indonesian island in recent weeks and prompting renewed scrutiny of the practice.

Johannesburg – Indonesia is added to CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist amid widespread state intimidation, legal manipulation, and violent crackdowns on dissent, pushing civic space to a precarious point. Nine months into President Prabowo Subianto's administration, dozens of activists have been attacked, intimidated or arrested.

Neil Tobing, Jakarta – What if public opinion was one day shaped by algorithms no one can audit? What if the truth itself became obscured by machine-generated content that merely looks convincing?

Artificial intelligence has transcended its technical origins to become a force reshaping behavior, perception and the very foundations of public discourse.

Jakarta – Malaysia and Indonesia reached several important agreements at the 13th Annual Consultation, including border issues, economic cooperation and the implementation of new energy projects, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Yovanda Noni, Jakarta – Indonesia is accelerating the realization of net zero emission (NZE) targets across various sectors, including mining. Achieving this requires strategic steps from both the government and mining industry players.

Yovanda Noni, Jakarta – Indonesia's efforts to achieve net zero emissions (NZE) by 2060 face major hurdles, particularly in the mining sector, where fossil fuel-powered vehicles continue to dominate operations.

Indonesia, West Papua – Groundbreaking satellite data analysis and interactive mapping tools have revealed the unprecedented scale of deforestation and ecosystem destruction across West Papua, with the National Strategic Projects driving 24% of the forest loss in 2024.

On 17 July 2025, two Papuan students, Mr Oknis Faluk and Mr Higit Pahabol, were arbitrarily arrested by plain clothes police officers upon disembarking at Jayapura Port, Papua Province.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Joko Pramono, Jakarta – Police have ruled out foul play in the death of Arya Daru Pangayunan, a 39-year-old diplomat with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, whose body was found under suspicious circumstances at his rented room in Menteng, Central Jakarta, earlier this month.

Dandi Bajuddin, Jakarta – The Chairperson of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI), Hariyanto Suwarno, stated that as many as 251 Indonesian migrant workers are suspected to have become victims of human trafficking.

Nabila Cahyarani Kusworo, Jakarta – Public discourse has recently picked up on two popular acronyms that reflect a growing mismatch between high mall foot traffic and sluggish sales. Rohana (rombongan hanya nanya), or "groups that only ask," and Rojali (rombongan jarang beli), or "groups that rarely buy."