Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The Iranian Embassy in Indonesia emphasized that its country has never developed nuclear weapons and never will.

In politics, polls are like mirrors. Some use them to groom their image, while others choose to shatter the glass when the reflection turns unpleasant. Yet, as long as it is backed by a valid methodology, a poll is more than just a tool for measuring popularity and electability – it serves as a gauge of whether the government remains on a track approved by the public.

Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Dionisius VDP Helan has apologised over the alleged intimidation of a Jubi journalist by one of his officers during the policing of a West Papua National Committee (KNPB) demonstration in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, on Monday, 3 August 2026.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Indonesia's population has surpassed 290 million, with nearly seven in 10 people in the traditional working-age bracket, giving Southeast Asia's largest economy a sizeable demographic advantage.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has been buying large numbers of African crude this year, according to official statistics, as Jakarta draws attention for its Russian contracts.

The government-run statistics agency BPS revealed on Monday that Nigeria made up nearly a quarter of Indonesia's crude oil imports from January to June 2026.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Thai military respects Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Anutin made this statement while awarding several medals of honor to President Prabowo during his state visit to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, August 3, 2026.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says it will stage another round of coordinated demonstrations on 15 August 2026 to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement, with protest planned across all 36 of the organisation's regional commands throughout the Land of Papua.

Laura Oliver, Jakarta – Raja Ampat, one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions, remains under pressure from Indonesia's expanding nickel industry as three companies continue to seek permission to develop nickel projects in the archipelago, according to a new Greenpeace report.

Annisa Dina Amalia, Monika Winarnita and Charlotte Setijadi – In March 2026, we wrote an article on this site about whether Indonesia would ever fully embrace its 'cultural citizens' worldwide.

At the time, the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) scheme, a visa-based stand-in for dual nationality, had drawn only a handful of applicants since its January 2026 launch.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The Head of the Development Control and Special Investigation Agency (Bappisus), Aris Marsudiyanto, has spoken out about rumored plans to replace National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. President Prabowo Subianto reportedly submitted a official letter to the House of Representatives (DPR) regarding the change.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has drawn criticism over his suggestion that Iran possessed nuclear weapons and his declaration of readiness to help mediate dialogue between South Korea and North Korea, with experts calling both remarks imprudent.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia booked a $450 million trade deficit in June, although the gap has substantially narrowed.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Presidential Special Advisor for Communications Hasan Nasbi said the term "londo ireng"used by President Prabowo Subianto was not directed at the general public, but at groups he accused of deliberately creating public controversy and spreading pessimism.

Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Several regions in North Sumatra were hit by floods in the past few days despite the intensifying dry season across much of the country.

Thousands of homes in Binjai, Pematang Siantar and Simalungun were inundated by knee-deep floodwaters on Friday after torrential rain pounded the areas overnight on Thursday.

Laurensius Teddy Saputro, Jakarta – The imagination space of Indonesian children seems to be narrowing. When asked about their aspirations, the answers are increasingly uniform, such as content creator, YouTuber, or influencer.

Sentani, Jubi – Agus Kossay, chairperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), says opposition to the group's planned public demonstrations is not new, arguing that nearly every KNPB mobilisation since the organisation's establishment has been met with resistance and counter-narratives from various groups.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia's government has uncovered the allocation and sale of parcels of sea space before reclamation and required permits were completed, with the practice most prevalent in Batam, according to the Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Ministry.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – A coalition of labor unions in Indonesia has submitted a draft proposal for a new Employment Bill to Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, as workers push for faster progress on labor law reform ahead of an October 2026 deadline.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) reiterated its demand for self-determination for the Papuan people during a peaceful demonstration at the State Housing Company (Perumnas) 3 in Waena, Heram district, Jayapura city, on Monday August.

Naina Rao – As Indonesia constructs its new capital, Nusantara, in the mountains of East Kalimantan in Borneo, the roar of chainsaws interrupts the rainforest sounds that have long been part of the cultural heritage of the Indigenous Balik community.

Herman, Jakarta – Indonesia's bank deposits are increasingly being driven by wealthy savers as households struggle to set aside money, with overall deposit growth projected to slow sharply next year.

Bank Indonesia projects third-party funds (DPK), or public deposits held in banks, to grow 6.18% year-on-year in 2026, down from 13.83% growth in 2025.

Rabin Marselino Yarangga, Jayapura – Indonesian security forces are pursuing members of an armed separatist group following an attack that killed four road construction workers in Tolikara Regency, Highland Papua, military officials said on Monday.

Agencies, Surabaya – Aferry caught fire at sea off Madura island on Sunday, killing five people and leaving another 41 missing after some jumped overboard, search and rescue officials said.

A total of 225 people on the vessel were rescued, said the regional Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency, which provided the latest figures in an afternoon update.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Special Presidential Advisor for Communications Hasan Nasbi has urged the public to refrain from amplifying negative news. Hasan delivered the remark in response to the erection of high perimeter fences around several shopping centers and office buildings across various regions, including Jakarta.

Grace el Dora, Semarang – Sudaryono, the newly appointed head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), is confronting a mass food poisoning incident linked to the government's Free Nutritious Meals program just nine days after taking office, as authorities investigate the latest setback for one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship initiatives.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Head of the Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, imposed a temporary suspension on the Karangturi Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG), or better known as free meal kitchen, after a mass food poisoning incident from the free nutritious meal (MBG) program in the city of Semarang, Central Java.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesia's government must prepare an alternative funding scheme for its Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program after the Constitutional Court ruled that the program's budget can no longer be included in the national education budget, a lawmaker said.

Michael Neilson, Jakarta – When Annisa Rahmadani posted online about being rejected from a social running club in Bali, she expected a few sympathetic comments. Instead, her story went viral, prompted national politicians to weigh in, immigration authorities to intervene and ultimately, the club's Dutch organisers barred from Indonesia.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Indonesia's economy is expected to grow below 5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia, as global uncertainties and domestic policy challenges continue to weigh on the country's growth outlook.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Constitutional Court ruled that the government must separate funding for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program from the national education budget by the time it drafts the 2028 State Budget (APBN), prompting economists to call for fiscal adjustments starting in 2027.

On 26 July 2026, Indonesian military personnel reportedly entered the compound of the St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish Church in Titigi Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, while parishioners were attending Sunday Mass. The unexpected presence of armed personnel caused fear and panic among the congregation.

Philip Jacobson, Jakarta – Two palm oil companies embroiled in a long-running land dispute with an Indigenous community in Indonesian Borneo have resumed the clearing of rainforest and other land to expand their plantations for the first time in more than a decade.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Indonesia's Defense Ministry has allocated Rp1.064 trillion for national defense education programs targeting future managers of the Red and White Village Cooperatives and Red and White Fisher Villages.

The budget will cover training expenses for 35,476 participants enrolled in the 45-day program, according to the ministry.

On 28 July 2026, Indonesian Naval Military Police personnel shot and injured Mr Timotius Rumpaidus at his residence in Klalin 6, Warmon Village, Aimas District, Sorong Regency, Southeast Papua Province. Mr Rumpaidus is a civilian and former member of the Indonesian Navy.

Jayapura, Jubi – Dozens of residents in the Korowai area of Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province, have reportedly fled into the forest since 22 July 2026. The displaced residents are believed to be sheltering in the border region between Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, and Boven Digoel Regency in South Papua Province.

Eva Fitriani, Pangkalan Bun – More than 80% of Indonesia's palm oil exports now consist of value-added downstream products rather than crude palm oil, reflecting the growing impact of the government's industrialization strategy, an official said.

Vidya Pinandhita, Jakarta – A massive fire that swept through Kasepuhan Cipta Mulya customary village in Cisolok district, Sukabumi regency, West Java, last week destroyed homes and generations-old cultural assets, renewing concerns over the vulnerability of indigenous communities to climate-related disasters.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia's shift toward low-emission vehicles is advancing faster than expected, driven by a sharp increase in electrified vehicle sales during the first half of 2026, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said.

Jayapura, Jubi – Beginning in 1947, Dutch colonial authorities intensified efforts to suppress support for the Indonesian republican movement among civil servants, including both Indigenous Papuans and migrants from other parts of the archipelago.

Kaya Selby – A new Human Rights Watch (HWR) report says that the Indonesian government is silencing environmental activists in Papua region, known internationally as West Papua.

Antara, Jakarta – The rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar at the close of trading on Thursday weakened by 38 points, or 0.12 percent, to Rp18,111 per US dollar, compared to the previous close of Rp18,073 per US dollar.

Zhulfakar, Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Thursday that one of its own employees had been arrested as part of an investigation linked to the corruption case involving Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, marking an unusual twist in the agency's latest anti-graft operation.

East Timor has become the unlikely venue for a war crimes case against Myanmar's military leadership, as proceedings advance in Dili's courts and test Asean's uneasy approach to the junta.

Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition Against Impunity, along with plaintiffs/appellants Marzuki Darusman, Fatia Nadia, Kusmiyati, I.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said anti-graft enforcement accelerated sharply in the first half of 2026, carrying out 12 sting operations that led to the arrests of seven regional leaders and several government officials.

Shreya Dasgupta – Indonesian authorities are wrongfully prosecuting environmental defenders and Indigenous leaders who protest deforestation, pollution and land grabs, says a new report by international nonprofit Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's electability in the latest survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) has drastically decreased. Jamiluddin Ritonga, a political communication expert from Esa Unggul University, stated that Prabowo needs a major evaluation to improve his electability, including reshuffling the cabinet.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday sought to dispel speculation of tensions between Indonesia's top law enforcement agencies, declaring that the National Police and the Attorney General's Office remain united despite the ongoing corruption investigation involving former senior prosecutor Febrie Adriansyah.

Antara, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has increased performance allowances, locally known as tukin, for Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel and Ministry of Defense employees through two presidential regulations after approximately eight years without adjustments.

Bangun Santoso Lilis Varwati – The Save Indonesian Education Coalition has urged the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to immediately follow up on the Constitutional Court's (MK) ruling, which declared that the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) program is not a core component of education.