Jakarta – The Constitutional Court ruling on the requirements for nominating candidates for regional heads restores the political rationality that had been hijacked by the parties. Democracy in Indonesia, which had been fading away for some time, is now shining a little brighter.

Moh. Khory Alfarizi, Jakarta – Greg Barton, Professor of Global Islamic Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization (ADI) in Melbourne, Australia, commented on the declaration of disbandment by terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah at the end of June, facilitated by the National Police's Special Anti-Terrorism Detachment 88 or Densus 88.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has ordered the postponement of the planned relocation of central government employees to the still-developing new capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan. The delay is to ensure that essential infrastructure is completed beforehand, an aide said on Tuesday.

Feri Amsari – On 27 August 2024, former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Anwar Usman lodged an appeal against a Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) ruling (604/G/2023/PTUN.JKT) that cancelled ethical sanctions imposed on him by the Constitutional Court. He did so because it also denied his request to be reinstated as head of that court.

Rama Sukarta, Jakarta – The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) confirmed that it is still investigating a gratification case involving five former employees who allegedly accepted bribes from companies during the initial public offering (IPO) process.

David da Costa – Today (September 2, 2024), around 12 p.m., Nelson Roldao, a Timorese human rights activist supporting the pro-West Papua movement, was arrested at Timor-Leste the Prezidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, Timor-Leste, while accompanying West Papuan activist, who was traveling back to his home country.

Antara, Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that as many as 8 cities or regencies in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) are facing drought emergencies during this dry season.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Indonesia experienced a monthly deflation of 0.03 percent in August 2024, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).

Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, reported a decrease in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 106.09 in July 2024 to 106.06 in August 2024.

Han Revanda Putra, Jakarta – President-elect Prabowo Subianto announced plans to separate the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) into two distinct ministries: one dedicated to housing and another focused on infrastructure development.

Kate Hartcher – With rising consumer concerns for animal welfare worldwide, the poultry industry is starting to let their hens roam around in bigger spaces.

This shift from conventional battery cages to cage-free systems allow layer hens greater freedom of movement and a chance to engage in natural behaviours, from foraging to dust-bathing.

Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo suffered his first major political defeat, just two months before he steps down, when a popular revolt denied him the chance to field his youngest son to run in the November polls to elect the leaders of regional governments.

Jakarta – The impending visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia this week could not be more timely, coming as it does after a tumultuous period during which the country's democracy again rose up against an attempt by those with power to bury it.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesian unicorns, once thriving start-ups valued at over US$1 billion, seem to have lost their direction over the past few years with funding becoming increasingly difficult to find, while some have seen their market capitalization plummet years after going public.

Lusia Arumingtyas, Sapariah Saturi, Jakarta – Indonesian conservationist Farwiza Farhan says she couldn't contain her tears when she learned that the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation had selected her as a recipient of its Emergent Leadership prize this year.

Termination notices have been sent to as many as 11 journalists days after a union was registered.

Riri Rahayu, Bagus Pribadi, Jakarta – The Ministry of Manpower responded to the alleged unilateral layoff by the management of CNN Indonesia against its employees who formed a labor union.

The Director General of Industrial Relations and Social Security, Indah Anggoro Putri, stated that workers are entitled to form a labor union and corporations must not interfere.

Antara, Jakarta – As Indonesia faces the looming threat of a megathrust earthquake, both government and public efforts must intensify to mitigate potential casualties and damage, according to a leading disaster researcher.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Jakarta – Foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 7.75 million from January to July 2024, a 20.75 percent increase from the same period last year, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – With poll leader Anies Baswedan absent from the Jakarta gubernatorial race, the competition is now wide open for two major candidates, both vying to capture his support base.

Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo, Jakarta – Medistra Hospital Jakarta has issued an apology for its policy prohibiting the wearing of hijabs by doctors, nurses, and other medical staff after a letter from a doctor raised concerns about the restriction.

Yogyakarta – A number of activists in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta have demanded and urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately summon and question President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's youngest son Kaesang Pangarep.

The summons is intended to seek clarification from Pangarep regarding a private jet that he used to travel to the United States.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia recently asked Liberia to support its fight against the smear campaign targeted at palm oil as Jakarta remains alarmed at Europe's policy against its top commodity.

Palm oil has been subject to discrimination in the West with criticisms accusing the sector of being responsible for deforestation, among others.

The Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has condemned the unilateral sacking of CNN Indonesia employees after they declared the establishment of the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity trade union (SPCI) on Tuesday August 27.

Dini Suciatiningrum, Jakarta – As many as 14 CNN Indonesia media workers have been sacked (PHK) by the CNN Indonesia management. The unilateral layoffs were done after the workers formed the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity trade union (SPCI) on Tuesday August 27.

Hariz Baharudin, Jakarta – Indonesia is stepping up security for Pope Francis's visit next week – his first stop on his 12-day tour of Asia, with snipers being deployed and thousands of officers on standby.

Will Hunter – Adelaide nurse Joy Booth sees the joy and hope that "life-changing" reconstructive surgery can bring to young people in Timor-Leste, but the working environment is often a stark departure from Australian clinical conditions.

Ms Booth recently embarked on her 11th surgical trip to train and assist local health staff.

Dayat, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung and his running mate Rano Karno unexpectedly met with former governor Anies Baswedan during a morning walk on Sudirman Street in the heart of the capital city.

Every Sunday, the street is closed to motor vehicles to provide space for Jakarta residents to enjoy morning recreation.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Jakarta) urges CNN Indonesia's management to retract the termination letter (PHK) against nine employees who are members of the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity (SPCI).

This layoff occurred just a few days after SPCI was officially established on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Jayapura – The High School and University Student Front for Human Rights Concern held a peaceful action at the United Nations Representative office in Jakarta on Friday August 30 during which they reported cases of human rights violations, genocide, ecocide and ethnocide to the UN.

Batam – Residents on Rempang Island from the Sembulang Village in Galang sub-district, Batam City, Riau Islands, claim to have been terrorised by unidentified individuals (OTK).

Hendro Situmorang, Antara, Bali – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Sunday introduced Prabowo Subianto as his successor during the Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, where leaders and representatives from African nations gathered.

Prabowo, who will assume the presidency next month, will be joined by Jokowi's son as vice president.

Beritasatu Team, Jakarta – The Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party is advancing its congress from August to February 2025, focusing on re-electing Prabowo Subianto as chairman and chief patron. This decision follows strong requests from party members during the National Leadership Meeting in Hambalang, Bogor, on Friday.

Niniek Karmini, Maumere, Indonesia – Arnoldus Yansen thought for certain he was going to become a Catholic priest, just like his older brother, cousin and uncle.

Greget Kalla Buana and Anisa Indah Pratiwi – Indonesia's middle class is shrinking. After expanding by 21 million from 2014 to 2018, it contracted by 8.5 million in the past six years, reducing its size to 52 million, as reported by the Indonesia Economic Outlook 2024.

Jakarta – The government's plan to charge Greater Jakarta Commuter Line passengers based on their respective income levels has triggered widespread public criticism.

Dili – Timor-Leste's leader thanked the international community Friday as his country celebrated the 25th anniversary of its referendum on independence from Indonesia, with visiting United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urging the world to do more to support the young democracy.

Jakarta – The three-day registration window for candidates in the regional head elections, to be held simultaneously this November, officially closed at midnight on Friday with a frantic final rush of applications in several constituencies.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has hinted at the possibility of forming a mass organization or a political party with like-minded associates following his defeat in the 2024 presidential race and his failure to secure a candidacy in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Senior minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan recently revealed that Bali still planned on constructing an underground light rail transit – popularly abbreviated as LRT – to ease traffic congestion.

Indonesia has long been wanting to proceed with this project. But the tourist haven has yet to break ground on the transport infrastructure to this day.

Ahmad Fikri, Jakarta – The President's Special Staff Coordinator, Ari Dwipayana, emphatically denied allegations that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo played a role in preventing Anies Baswedan from advancing in the 2024 Regional Elections.

Edna Tarigan, Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesia and Australia signed a defense agreement on Thursday that both sides described as a significant upgrade to their military relationship.

Amy Sood – Amid nationwide protests in Indonesia against outgoing President Joko Widodo's perceived power grab, his successor Prabowo Subianto has managed to escape criticism by deftly positioning himself as a defender of democracy, a move analysts said might allow him to "benefit from this entire fiasco".

Calvin Yang, Singapore – More foreign investors are showing interest in the Nusantara megaproject, said newly-appointed Indonesian Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani.

Mr Rosan said he was confident about attracting more investments to Indonesia's new capital. This is despite critics casting doubts over the project's feasibility and challenges securing investors.

Jakarta – A declining middle class population in Indonesia is ringing alarm bells in the country, analysts have warned, even as the government introduces a raft of measures aimed at supporting this group.

And the analysts further added that more support is needed to bolster this segment of the population to prevent a further drop.

Dili – Timor-Leste's independence was a gift to the world because it showed conflict could be resolved through negotiation, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Aug 30, the 25th anniversary of its vote to separate from Indonesia.

Heru Andriyanto, Aep Sopandi, Bandung – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) registered relatively unknown party members as candidates for the West Java gubernatorial election just 30 minutes before the midnight deadline on Thursday, following Anies Baswedan's refusal of the nomination.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has had enough of Bali being overcrowded by unruly foreigners.

Jakarta – Indonesia has been very active in the realm of defense over the past few months, with activities ranging from joint exercises to leveling up its defense cooperation agreement (DCA) with Australia.

Fito Akhmad Erlangga, Jakarta – The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has just awarded President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo the Agricola Medal, which recognizes the Indonesian leader's support for attaining global food security.

FAO's Director-General Qu Dongyu gave Jokowi his medal at Jakarta's State Palace on Monday.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) continues its efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar by forming a strategic partnership with the Bank of Korea (BOK) and South Korea's Ministry of Finance.