Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has issued a new regulation aimed at facilitating financing for Indonesia's micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the country's economic backbone.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested two men from New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland on charges of attempting to supply firearms to the Free Papua Movement's armed wing, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM).

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – House of Representatives Deputy Commission IX Chairman Yahya Zaini has called for online motorcycle taxi drivers to be included in the national health and employment insurance schemes – BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

Timor-Leste police have fired tear gas at protesters who rallied against a plan to buy new official cars for MPs, which triggered anger in one of the poorest nations in South-East Asia.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has expressed support for the establishment of "Democracy Square," a designated demonstration area at the Parliament Complex in Central Jakarta. The proposal for this special space for demonstrations was put forth by Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported a sharp drop in PT Freeport Indonesia's (PTFI) output after a landslide struck the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine in Tembagapura, Central Papua, on Monday night, September 8, 2025.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, has proposed creating a designated space for demonstrations on the grounds of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR) building. He stated that one of the primary reasons for this is to alleviate traffic congestion caused by protestors blocking major roads.

Jakarta – The wave of public protests that erupted across the archipelago in recent weeks is a jarring reminder of what happens when governments ignore festering discontent for too long.

From Jakarta to Medan, Makassar to Malang, anger over economic hardship, tone-deaf policymaking and deepening inequality has spilled onto the streets.

Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai has proposed turning the courtyard of the House of Representatives (DPR) building into an official space for demonstrations. He argued that the state must provide a legitimate venue for citizens to express their opinions peacefully.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Jakarta Metro Police have deployed 4,562 personnel to secure a protest in front of the Parliament building, which is expected to draw thousands of participants.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that two of the seven PT Freeport Indonesia workers trapped in an underground mine landslide are foreign nationals. The two are from Chile and South Africa, while the remaining five are Indonesian citizens.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's financial markets faced turbulence last week as President Prabowo Subianto's decision to reshuffle his cabinet – including replacing the finance minister – triggered a wave of foreign capital outflows worth Rp 14.24 trillion ($869 million) in just three days.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's external debt edged down to $432.5 billion in July 2025 from $434.1 billion the previous month, according to a report released Monday by Bank Indonesia.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The General Election Commission (KPU) has stipulated that a number of documents required from presidential and vice presidential candidates, including diplomas and graduation certificates, are exempt from public access.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) denies information regarding the addition of non-organic troops in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya, Papua. Previously, news of an increase in the number of TNI troops there reportedly caused residents of Kampung Jalai to evacuate since September 11, 2025.

Jakarta – In a presidential cabinet, ministers are the president's aides who are recruited from various groups, including political parties. If they are not good at their jobs, ministers are replaced to improve the performance of the government. Political repositioning to strengthen the government is not taboo, but this should not be the main reason.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Dozens of demonstrators gathered in front of the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Monday, September 15, 2025, voicing concerns over several policing issues. Their main demand was the rejection of ongoing calls for Indonesian police reform.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has granted an operational permit to PT Gag Nikel on Gag Island, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua.

The nickel mining company had previously suspended its activities following strong public opposition.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – The Association of Ride-Hailing Drivers Garda Indonesia has called for the dismissal of Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, accusing him of incompetence and prioritizing the interests of application companies over those of drivers.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi has defended the screening of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's video in cinemas across the country before movie showings, saying it is a common practice.

Zacharias Wuragil, Jakarta – Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has officially declared the start of the rainy season, with several regions already transitioning from dry weather this September. Typically, the rainy season begins later in the year, but this time it has come earlier than expected.

Where the rains have started

Antara, Jakarta – The State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi denied rumors stating that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had sent a presidential letter (surpres) for the replacement of the Chief of the Indonesian National Police to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR).

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) is once again under public scrutiny, with growing calls for reform due to cases of police violence and weak oversight.

Civil society groups, student organizations, and religious leaders are urging the government to take action to restore public trust in the institution.

Maria Gabrielle Putrinda, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has confirmed that the controversial concrete seawall in Cilincing, North Jakarta, has been fully licensed and approved by national authorities.

Sopian Hadi, Denpasar – Bali Governor I Wayan Koster announced on Saturday that the provincial government will stop issuing permits to convert farmland into commercial areas such as hotels and restaurants, following the deadly floods earlier this week that killed 17 people and caused widespread destruction.

Ika Idris and Derry Wijaya (Monash University, Indonesia) – On the night of September 1, 2025, Indonesian police forcibly detained Delpedro Marhaen, Executive Director of the Lokatatu Foundation, a prominent human rights organization.

Vinnilya Huanggrio, Jakarta – The Indonesian government plans to launch six new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the near future, including the country's first halal industrial park in Sidoarjo, East Java, with a projected investment of Rp 40 trillion ($2.4 billion).

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Education and Culture has explained the government's insistence on continuing the program of distributing smart TVs to schools. They believe that digitalizing learning can accelerate the improvement of education quality.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – Hundreds of underage children are still being detained in police stations across various regions following the demonstrations that took place over several days in August 2025, according to records from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The screening of a video featuring President Prabowo Subianto's government programs in local cinemas has drawn sharp criticism from netizens, who argue the practice is inappropriate in the current situation.

He warned that the protests could intensify if the government continues to delay pro-people policies.

Jakarta – "Life will find a way," thus spoke by Dr. Ian Malcolm, a character in Michael Crichton's 1990 novel Jurassic Park. The quote is of course immortalized in pop culture through actor Jeff Goldblum's enunciation "life, uh, finds a way" in the 1993 movie adaptation of the book.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially moved half of its funds deposited in Bank Indonesia (BI) to the accounts of five state-owned banks. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the interest or return on the Rp200 trillion deposit is approximately 4 percent.

Dythia Novianty, Yaumal Asri Adi Hutasuhut – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has revealed that there was alleged forced disappearances that occurred during the demonstrations that took place on August 25-31.

Anna Hartley – Two men have been charged after a two-year counter-terrorism investigation allegedly linked them to the trafficking of firearms and military-grade equipment from Australia to a violent paramilitary group in Indonesia.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Danu Ali, the head of the Cilincing Fishers Community in North Jakarta, said fishing catches in the area are down 70 percent following the development of embankment and port by PT Karya Citra Nusantara (KCN).

41 years have passed since the Tanjung Priok incident occurred on September 12, 1984. The lack of justice continues to be felt especially for the victims and families of victims.

Agencies, Jakarta – Indonesia is expected to experience a longer-than-usual peak period during its wet season this year, bringing a higher risk of floods and extreme rainfall in many areas of the country, the weather agency forecast on Friday.

Alberta Christina Pertiwi – In the lead-up to Indonesia's 80th Independence Day, an unexpected symbol has surfaced across social media: the Jolly Roger. It is the pirate flag from the long-running anime One Piece. For some, it is a reference to pop-cultures.

Oslo – Norway's sovereign wealth fund said Friday it was excluding French mining company Eramet from its portfolio, citing risks that the company was contributing to human rights violations and environmental damage at a nickel mine in Indonesia.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has affirmed that cyber threats are borderless and cannot be easily distinguished between attacks originating from abroad and those from within the country.

Jakarta – Government authorities have seized a small section of the world's largest nickel mine for encroaching on forest areas without permission, authorities said Friday.

The Weda Bay Nickel concession, which has long been criticized by environmental and Indigenous rights groups for its effects on surrounding forest, spans 45,000 hectares on Halmahera Island.

Ahmad Baihaqi, Jakarta – An early morning explosion tore through a residential neighborhood in South Tangerang, just south of the Indonesian capital, destroying homes and injuring several people on Friday.

Police said they are still investigating the cause of the blast, which occurred around 5:15 a.m. on Jalan Talas II in Pamulang District.

Jakarta – State health insurer BPJS Kesehatan will require its participants to undergo a health screening test, starting this month or in October.

The screening is mandatory for those who wish to access primary healthcare facilities, community health centers (Puskesmas), clinics, and independent doctors' practices. The new policy is part of early detection efforts.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, revealed that 9 out of 14 containers of imported goods from the Philippines were found to be exposed to cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactivity.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Former Minister of Religious Affairs, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, stated that President Prabowo Subianto has committed to upholding civilian supremacy.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Vice Chairperson of Indonesia's Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), Sri Suparyati, stated that the national human rights institution (LN HAM) independent team will investigate the protests and riots that occurred at the end of last August.

Resty Woro Yuniar – Indonesia is seeking China's help to build a US$80 billion giant sea wall along the northern coast of Java in a project that officials see as essential to protecting millions of residents and key industries from rising seas and sinking land, despite criticisms over its financial and environmental costs.

Antara, Jakarta – Starting in 2026, Industry Ministry will no longer continue incentives for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) imported as completely built-up (CBU) units into the domestic market.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is planning to set up a new commission dedicated to driving reforms in the police force, according to a group of public figures and religious leaders.