Jakarta – While poverty remains the leading cause of child trafficking in Indonesia, the attitudes of parents and a wide-scale lack of education in certain areas of the country also con

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang – A West Sumatra independent corruption watch body said it was suspicious of the recent release of 10 former legislative members from all corruption charges

Agus Rakasiwi – The 1998 reform movement finished the task of removing Suharto from the Indonesian presidency. But have Indonesia's problems now ended?

Interview by Philip Smucker.

Jakarta – A political expert warned Tuesday that it might be too late for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to improve his performance in key sectors before the 2009 elections.

Bill Guerin, Jakarta – After years of policy confusion and political gridlock, Indonesia's Parliament this month ratified a government plan to establish full free trade zones (FTZ) for

Irawaty Wardany and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Jakarta/Malang – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated six of seven new members of the General Election Commission (KPU) at the State

The latest analysis by the International Monetary Fund which portends a weakening global economy could adversely affect Indonesia's economic prospects, which have looked much rosier aft

Jakarta – Hundreds of employees from state-owned bus company Perusahaan Pengangkutan Djakarta (PPD) braved the rain to rally in front of the company's Jl Panjaitan headquarters in East

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – The Kupang Legislative Council agreed to increase the amount of a monthly allowance paid to teachers following a strike and street rally involving some 5,000 t

Medan/Bandung – With the end of the long holidays, Indonesia's cities are returning to normal. That means traffic, smog, and big queues for public services.

Tangerang – At least two residents were injured in a clash with police at a protest over a slaughterhouse in Sepatan district on Monday.

Jakarta – Over the last three years of the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the upholding of human rights has been limited to building a good image.

Hyginus Hardoyo, Wonogiri – Amid reports of the environmentally costly exploitation of forest resources across the country, good news comes from a handful of villages in Java.

Rofiqi Hasan, Denpasar – Scores of activists from the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) held a demonstration in the Balinese provincial capital of Denpasar on Tuesday October 23.

Hyginus Hardoyo – Farmers who are actively involved in the sustainable development of community-based forests in Wonogiri, Central Java, say they are not reaping the rewards of their ha

Nurrohman, Bandung – In their daily lives women are still often marginalized, cornered and treated as creatures who are worth less than men.

Hundreds of employees from the Jakarta Transport Company (PPD), who have yet to be paid five months in outstanding wages and holiday bonuses, went on strike and demonstrated at the PPD

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – The Golkar Party's political engine is up an running on every level ahead of the 2009 elections, but the party seems determined to maintain political stabi

Jakarta – Lawyers for former president Soeharto criticized Monday state prosecution charges alleging the misuse of Supersemar Foundation funds, saying foundation money provided to some

Agus Supriyanto, Jakarta – The economists are concerned that the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla's government will conduct "window dressing" to enhance the economic report with

Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono said he expected the Indonesian economy to fare well amid a global slowdown, countering projections by the International Monetar

George Junus Aditjondro, Yogyakarta – The Helsinki peace agreement made on Aug.

Sultani – The public's assessment of the performance of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration over the last year has shown progressive signs that they have had enough.

Adhityani Arga, Jakarta – The pilot of a Garuda Indonesia aircraft that crashed at Yogyakarta airport killing 21 people ignored 15 warnings as he descended too rapidly, a transport safe

Jakarta – On a bridge in Karet, Central Jakarta, a middle-aged man sat eating a cracker.

Jakarta – Former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso said Sunday that he had approached several political parties in line with his plans to contest the 2009 presidential election.

Alfian, Jakarta – The Golkar Party could win the 2009 general elections but it needs to be on the alert for the possible loss of voters to the Democratic Party (PD), observers said Sund

The Idul Fitri party is over. People are now returning to Jakarta after spending time – and money – in their hometowns.

Fadli, Batam – Riau Islands businesspeople have proposed setting the 2008 monthly minimum wage for Batam city below the average inflation rate.

Adianto P.

Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – Indonesia will struggle to provide adequate sanitation and clean water to 72.5 percent of its population by 2015 in accordance with its commitment to achieving

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – Around 5,000 schoolteachers threatened to strike unless their allowance is increased significantly.

Hasrul, Kendari – The bodies of 27 people have been recovered after a ferry sank Thursday night off the coast of Baubau in Southeast Sulawesi carrying more than 100 passengers.

Mustaqim Adamrah, Jakarta – Jakarta administration has been criticized for raids aimed at preventing arriving migrants trying their luck in the city.

Alfian and Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – Although criticizing the selection process for the General Elections Commission (KPU), observers said Thursday the President should install the new me

Adianto P. Simamora and Irawati Wardany, Jakarta – Local organizers said Wednesday's Stand Up and Speak Out events against global poverty drew a record number of people.

Ary Hermawan, Denpasar – The decision of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to leave up to the national party leadership the nomination of a candida

... Congratulations to our leaders
the people's prosperity is ensured...

Anton Muhajir, Contributor, Kuta – Yustine (not her real name) says she feels more comfortable in the glittering Seminyak area near Kuta in Bali than in her hometown in Java.

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Instead of begging rich countries for forestry projects, the government should instead increase the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police budgets t

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Trimurjo, Central Lampung – Vice President Jusuf Kalla says Indonesia must embrace hybrid rice to improve rice production and strengthen national food reserves.

Jakarta – Health experts are pressing the government to provide easier access to health services in order to meet the needs of the poor in Indonesia, as required by the United Nation's

Jakarta – While most Muslims celebrated Idul Fitri with their families, others in the city were not so lucky.

Jakarta – The growth in the total of rich people in Indonesia is the third highest in the Asia Pacific region.

Jakarta – The number of reported domestic violence cases in Indonesia shows no signs of decreasing, despite the implementation of the 2004 Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence, r

Being the religious holiday that it is, the extended Idul Fitri celebration has not left many people with a hangover.

Jakarta – There is a strong possibly that a commitment to solve the murder of human rights activist Munir will be sought from political parties or presidential and vice presidential can

Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – Malls are bustling with shoppers, roads and popular resorts are jam-packed and many hotels are fully-booked.

Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's three years in office have yielded only mediocre results in the fields of the economy, public service and law enforcement, political exper