Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia's finance chief signaled a shift to crisis footing in managing state finances, as rising global oil prices and tightening fiscal space test the government's commitment to keep its budget deficit within the legal ceiling.

Elan Suherlan, Subang, West Java – Rising liquefied petroleum gas prices are putting pressure on small businesses in Subang, forcing salted fish producers to switch from cooking gas to firewood in an effort to keep operations running.

Traditional furnaces used by salted fish makers in the area are now emitting thick smoke as producers increasingly rely on wood fuel.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's liquidity accelerated more strongly in March, with broad money growth picking up alongside surging government-related flows and steady credit expansion, Bank Indonesia reported.

Hariz Baharudin and Hadi Azmi, Jakarta – Indonesia will not impose a levy on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca, as doing so would contravene international law, said Foreign Minister Sugiono on April 23.

Gayatri Suroyo and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Jakarta – Indonesia has room to breach its legal fiscal deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP without triggering an immediate ratings downgrade, as long as it is only a temporary response to economic disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, a director with Fitch Ratings said on Thursday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has refused to dispatch its military personnel to back the UK and France-led proposal of forming a multinational mission to safeguard the commercial shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.

On 4 April 2026, Marine Corps personnel (TNI-AL) reportedly detained Mr Yepi Magayang, 25, Mr Kayas Nepsan, 23. Mr Eri Odban, 20, Mr Enias Magayang, 18, and Mr Akilis Osu, 22, without legal grounds on Jalan Gunung, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. All detainees were reportedly beaten during detention despite not having committed any criminal offence.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Foreign direct investment inflows into Indonesia totaled Rp 250 trillion (approx. $14.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, with government data showing that the top three sources remained unchanged.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Indonesia's drive to attract investment to industrial zones is facing fresh headwinds after a series of immigration raids targeting foreign workers.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia has secured a commitment from Russia to supply up to 150 million barrels of oil at a special price following President Prabowo Subianto's recent visit to Moscow, according to his special envoy for energy and environment, Hashim Djojohadikusumo.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's rupiah weakened beyond the Rp 17,300 per US dollar mark on Thursday, hitting its lowest level on record, as rising global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions weighed on emerging market currencies, Bank Indonesia said.

As oil supplies dwindled due to the Iran-Israel conflict, the government slashed coal production. This would have been a reasonable policy if it were supported by an energy transition that pushes the development of new, renewable energy sources. The problem is that the production cut is merely a reduction in volume without a long-term strategy.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) has dismissed a lawsuit against Culture Minister Fadli Zon for his remarks that denied mass rapes during the 1998 riots, a ruling rights groups and victims' families call a major step backward that further perpetuates impunity.

Bangka, Indonesia – Residents of a centuries-old coastal settlement in the world's largest tin-mining outpost – Bangka Island – fear that the environmental damage over just a few decades is behind a frightening rise in reports of violent deaths.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – Residents of Puncak Regency are calling for an open and independent investigation following military operations in Central Papua that reportedly left multiple civilians dead, according to Thomas Tabuni, head of the Puncak Legislative Council (DPRK).

Jakarta – Indonesia on Wednesday accused Israel of flying a "propaganda" banner over the ruins of a hospital that had been built in Gaza with Indonesian funding.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has downgraded the credit outlook of four major Indonesian banks. The four banks are Bank Mandiri, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Central Asia (BCA), and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The No War Youth Alliances staged a protest in front of the United States Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The coalition of students from various Jakarta campuses expressed support for Pope Leo XIV, who has been embroiled in controversy with U.S. President Donald Trump over the war with Iran.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto plans to send Indonesian citizens to Russia to participate in a cosmonaut program. Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that this is part of the exploration of cooperation with Russia in the space sector.

IC Senjaya, Nabil Ihsan, Semarang, Central Java – Central Java Police have uncovered a criminal syndicate that has been smuggling thousands of illegal motor vehicles to Timor-Leste since 2025, with two suspects arrested in connection with the case.

Auliya Umayna Andani, Fransiskus Adryanto Pratama – The Civil Society Coalition Against Impunity will appeal a Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) ruling that rejected a lawsuit against Minister of Culture Fadli Zon's denial of the 1998 mass rapes.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia ratified the much-anticipated Domestic Workers Protection Law (PPRT Law) after more than two decades of struggle. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) hailed the government's move as strategic steps towards strengthened state recognition, human rights protection, and social justice for domestic workers across the country.

Muhammad Yahya Ihyarozza, Jakarta – "Personal revenge" is the official motive cited for the acid-attack terrorism allegedly carried out by four Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel against Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia's 50 richest people own as much wealth as 55 million people, or around 20% of the population, according to a new report by think-tank Celios, painting a grim picture of the country's economic conditions.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is conducting surveys through a special team to refine the distribution of the free nutritious meal program, citing President Prabowo Subianto 's directive to prioritize undernourished children and low-income families as the primary beneficiaries of his flagship initiative.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia has begun training hundreds of civil servants to serve as part of a military reserve force, expanding a national defense program championed by President Prabowo Subianto as he seeks to strengthen discipline and national identity within the state bureaucracy.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto wants to Indonesia to host more K-pop concerts, according to chief diplomat Sugiono, but fans remain worried about the sky-high ticket prices.

Kerri Worthington – Gracia Afonso's grandfather was known as the old man with half an ear. "He kept his hair long, longer than other men I knew in Timor-Leste, to hide his ear and the deep scars on his neck," she said.

But it wasn't until well after his death in 2004 that Ms Afonso learned the story Joaquim da Silva Ku, known as Akiu, had never told his family.

On 14 April 2026, a police officer shot dead 16-year-old Elki Wunungga in Mairini Village, Bokondini District, Tolikara Regency, Papua Highlands Province. The incident occurred during a violent confrontation between mourners at a funeral. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his body and died at the scene.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia is aiming to expand its railway network beyond Java as part of efforts to strengthen national connectivity, with total investment needs estimated at Rp1,100 trillion to Rp1,200 trillion (around US$68-74 billion) through 2045.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Italian energy giant Eni has announced a major gas discovery off the coast of East Kalimantan, with estimated reserves of 5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 300 million barrels of condensate.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Indonesia and Australia are using a joint film festival to deepen cultural diplomacy and expand creative industry ties, officials said Wednesday, as both countries look to strengthen collaboration beyond traditional economic sectors.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said he received loan offers from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank worth US$25-US$30 billion to strengthen the country's fiscal amidst turbulent global economic conditions, but rejected them.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – A study by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) revealed that the implementation of a wealth tax for the super-rich in Indonesia has the potential to contribute up to Rp142 trillion to the state's revenue annually. This finding was disclosed in Celios' Economic Disparity Report 2026.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – Students from Puncak Regency, Central Papua, have urged both the Puncak regency administration and the Central Papua provincial government to immediately address the situation facing residents in several villages in Kembru District following a military operation in the area on April 14, 2026.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – Indonesia will begin construction of five waste-to-energy projects simultaneously in June 2026 as part of a national strategy to address mounting waste challenges while accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

The strategic projects are expected to process more than 7,000 tons of waste per day.

Maria Gabrielle, Sorong – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming reaffirmed the government's commitment to accelerating development in Papua following a three-day working visit across the region, underscoring efforts to deliver infrastructure and social programs more quickly.

Tri Listiyarini, Jakarta – A wide gap has emerged between import costs and the government's cattle price cap, with Australian feeder cattle priced at Rp 81,658 per kg, roughly 40% above the official benchmark, raising the risk of beef inflation in Greater Jakarta.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) held its benchmark rate at 4.75% for a seventh straight month, prioritizing rupiah stability as global risks intensify, particularly from Middle East tensions.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia stated that at least 295 human rights defenders (HRD) were attacked throughout 2025. Amnesty even referred to 2025 as the year of living dangerously for everyone who thinks critically.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cases in Indonesia remain high despite the availability of vaccines, largely due to delayed detection and the long-term accumulation of infections, a forum heard on Tuesday.

Health Ministry data shows that Indonesia records around 36,000 new HPV-related cancer cases annually, with more than 21,000 deaths.

Denpasar, Indonesia – Renewable energy uptake has yet to gather momentum across Indonesia's more than 84,000 villages, a new report concludes, as the government of the world's fourth-largest country pledges to achieve a radical energy transformation over the next decade.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia's parliament has passed a long-awaited law to protect domestic workers, marking a historic breakthrough after more than two decades of advocacy for stronger legal safeguards.

The House of Representatives (DPR) approved the Domestic Workers Protection Bill into law during a plenary session on Tuesday, coinciding with Kartini Day.

Cantika.com, Jakarta – Refreshing our memory together, April 21, 1879, is the birth date of Raden Ajeng Kartini which is commemorated every year as/Kartini Day' in Indonesia. This commemoration is a form of tribute to her struggle in advocating for gender equality, starting from the right to speak up, education, to the opportunity to create.

Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr – Advisers play a crucial role in foreign affairs, shaping the decisions leaders ultimately make. But the relationship between a leader and his advisers is rarely straightforward. It is shaped by the adviser's capacity to navigate the leader's ego and temperament, and, equally, by the leader's psychological disposition toward accepting advice.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday to express appreciation for the start of Indonesia's urea fertilizer exports to Australia, according to a senior presidential aide.

Jakarta – Despite President Prabowo Subianto's repeated assurances that his frequent overseas trips have brought major contributions to serve the national interests, the people's skepticism remains high. This sentiment can be easily found in public discourse on social media.

Vidya Pinandhita, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said on Monday it had strong suspicions that soldiers might have been responsible for the deaths of 12 civilians, including women and children, during a military operation against a separatist group in Kembru village, Central Papua, last week. The Indonesian Military (TNI) has denied the claims.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology views the rising number of reported sexual violence cases on campuses as a sign of growing public awareness.

Adi Warsono, Jakarta – Former Head of the Jakarta Provincial Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, has been named a suspect in the case of the trash landslide at the Bantargebang Landfill, which resulted in the deaths of seven people.