Antara, Jakarta – At least 18 neighborhood units (RT) in East Jakarta were submerged by floods on Monday morning at 08:00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time). The Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said the flooding was caused by the overflowing Ciliwung River.

Yudono Yanuar, Jakarta – Indonesia has secured the third spot among the top 20 most competitive countries in Asia to attract investors, based on research conducted by the financial and investment site, Insider Monkey 2024.

Diamanty Meiliana, Jakarta – The issue of a people's tribunal or pengadilan rakyat has come up again following the 2024 elections that were allegedly marred by election fraud.

Diamanty Meiliana, Jakarta – Human rights activists Usman Hamid believes a people's tribunal is needed to hold a hearing into the 2024 general elections during which widespread fraud is alleged to have occurred.

Hamid said that the uncommon practices in the form of electoral fraud were widespread, especially in the presidential election.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Indonesian economy will likely slow down if the Middle East conflict worsens following Iran's retaliatory strike on Israel, according to experts.

Iran's recent missile strikes on Israel have sparked worries over the escalation of the Middle East crisis. Fears over its economic impact –including on Indonesia– are mounting.

Jayapura – It has been proven that applying a security approach in Papua just continues to result in the sacrifice of civilians. It is hoped the Indonesian government will immediately open space for a peaceful dialogue to resolve the armed conflict in the land of Papua.

Derrick A Paulo and Lewa Pardomuan, Bali – The resort island of Bali has been called by many names, from the Island of Gods to the Morning of the World. To many, it is simply paradise.

But its free and easy atmosphere may not be quite what it was. In February, the local government launched a new tourism police unit to deal with problematic foreign and domestic tourists.

The Indonesian National Army's (TNI) crime of torturing civilians in Papua has attracted criticism and resistance from the ordinary people. Ranging from Jakarta to Papua, statements were made and demonstrations launched everywhere.

Muhammad Ghafur Fadillah, Jakarta – Astra International (ASII), a leading business conglomerate, intends to propose a dividend payout amounting to Rp 21 trillion ($1.3 billion), representing 62 percent of the company's net profit in 2023.

Glori K. Wadrianto, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) have revealed the conditions for the release of Susi Air pilot captain Philips Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage by the group since February 7, 2023.

Jakarta – Indonesia's military on April 13 denied using air strikes in a remote, restive part of the country, after a video of a New Zealand pilot kidnapped by Papuan rebels featured him saying military actions had made his position unsafe.

Sri Hastjarjo – Surveys over the past decade show that nuclear energy as an energy option is being increasingly accepted in Indonesia.

Antara, Jakarta – Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, dismissed the notion of internal division within the party.

Hasto responded to concerns about factions that either want to be embraced or excluded in the upcoming government within PDIP. "There are none [division]," said Hasto in Jakarta on Friday, April 12, 2024.

Beritasatu Team, Jakarta – As the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches, Indonesians across the archipelago are gearing up for the annual tradition of 'mudik' – returning to their hometowns.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The National Police Traffic Corps recorded a decrease of 15 percent in accidents during the 2024 Eid al-Fitr exodus compared to last year's Eid.

"Nationally, traffic accidents have decreased from 2,159 to 1,835, a decrease of 15 percent," said the Corps Chief Aan Suhanan, to reporters on Friday.

Heru Yustanto, Bogor – The surge of tourists to the Puncak area from Saturday morning until noon has resulted in severe traffic congestion towards various tourist destinations in Puncak, located in the Bogor Regency of West Java. Despite the implementation of a one-way system towards Puncak, traffic jams persist along the 15-kilometer route.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – The government has decided to implement a combination of in-office duty (work from office/WFO) and remote work (work from home/WFH) for civil servants on April 16-17. This measure aims to smooth the Eid exodus return flow.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Maruarar Sirait, a politician who withdrew his membership in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in January, is planning to join the Gerindra Party of president-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Johannes Nugroho – Indonesian cinema has experienced some incredible high and lows since the day director Usman Ismail started production on the country's first ever home-grown film, Darah dan Doa (Blood and Prayer), 74 years ago.

More videos appear to have been released by the West Papua Liberation Army showing Kiwi hostage Phillip Mehrtens.

The New Zealander was taken hostage more than a year ago on 7 February in Paro, Papua, while providing vital air links and supplies to remote communities.

Jakarta – The TNI (Indonesian military) headquarters has denied deploying combat aircraft and dropped bombs in Papua in the context of efforts to free Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Meirto Tangkepayung, Jayapura – The Indonesian Military reported on Friday that a middle-ranking Army officer was discovered dead with gunshot and stab wounds in Paniai regency, Papua.

The Free Papua Movement (OPM) claimed responsibility for the killing of 2nd Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, who served as the commander of the Aradide District Military Command.

Tragedy struck during a funeral gathering in the Yokatapa Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 8 April 2024, resulting in the death of thirteen-year-old Ronaldus Duwitau. Six-year-old Nepina Duwitau sustained multiple bullet wounds on the hand and the head. She is currently in a coma.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta. The highly polluted and congested Jakarta is struggling in the Smart City Index, as it fails to crack the top 100 once again.

Aditya Hadi, Jakarta – On expectations that the mudik (exodus) return traffic to Greater Jakarta will peak on Sunday and Monday, the government is calling on road travelers to start heading back earlier.

Riani Sanusi Putri , Jakarta – The chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Shinta Kamdani, responded to the government's decision to keep the 2025 State Budget deficit below 3 percent. She said the preparation of the 2025 State Budget (APBN) Draft must be disciplined.

Yohanes Maharso Joharsoyo, Jakarta – Chairman of the Gerindra Party Central Leadership Council (DPP) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said there should be a reconciliation between the Gerindra Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) because the two parties' relationship has never been different.

Natalie Sambhi – With Indonesian President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo fast approaching the end of his 10-year term and the February election result now official, it's time to consider how incoming president Prabowo Subianto will shape the country's strategic and defence affairs.

The president of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, has questioned whether the country is prepared to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, as currently planned, given its lack of key infrastructure.

Beijing – The Chinese military is willing to work with its Indonesian counterpart to further consolidate strategic mutual trust, enhance pragmatic cooperation, and elevate the relationship between the two militaries to new heights, a defense ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Jakarta – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) on Friday described an attack by separatist rebels in Central Papua in which a sub-district military commander was killed as a serious violation of human rights.

Abdul Manan, Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station detected 169 hotspots spread across East Kalimantan Province.

Yohanes Maharso, Jakarta – The Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights or Komnas HAM, Atnike Nova Sigiro, responded to the TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces) changing the term armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua to the Free Papua Organization (OPM).

According to him, the TNI Commander has the authority and considerations regarding the change of this term.

Yohanes Maharso, Jakarta – Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen), Major General Nugraha Gumilar, explained the purpose of changing the term armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua to the Free Papua Organization (OPM) by the TNI.

A 12-year-old boy was killed, and his six-year-old sister seriously injured in a gunfight between Indonesian security forces and an armed rebel group in Christian-majority Papua province, drawing strong condemnations and demands for a thorough probe by rights groups.

Suryadi, Indragiri Hilir, Indonesia – Dahniar starts worrying after a few days without rain during the dry season here on the northeast coast of Sumatra.

Traders selling water will complain of supplies drying up. Even Dahniar's neighbors are reluctant to sell their water when the heat is on and anxiety begins to drip through Kuala Selat village.

Singapore – Indonesia's biggest political parties are lining up candidates for the country's local elections in November.

Two major parties, Golkar and Gerindra, could back former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil for Jakarta governor, Golkar leader Airlangga Hartarto said on Wednesday (April 10), news outlet Kompas reported.

Riyad Dafhi Rizki, Sembilan Island, Indonesia – Until recently, skippers on this island relied on their day's catch of grouper, mackerel and snapper tipping the scales at around 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Today, Mukhlis provides for his family with just a fraction of that daily haul.

Zach Hope and Karuni Rompies, Singapore/Jakarta – An animal rights activist, hidden camera tucked in his clothes, finagles his way into an Indonesian abattoir and films what he and others claim is inhumane treatment of Australian cattle.

Joshua Davidovich – Indonesia could normalize ties with Israel as part of a deal to smooth the entry of the world's most populous Muslim nation into a global forum for developed countries, an Israeli official said Thursday.

Fabian Januarius Kuwado, Jakarta – Indonesian military (TNI) commander General Agus Subiyanto has emphasised that they will not play around in crushing the Free Papua Organization (OPM).

The reason being that the OPM is creating terror, even committing acts of violence against communities as well as the TNI and Polri (Indonesian police).

On 21 March 2024, an incident of police violence reportedly unfolded in the town of Timika, Mimika Regency, Papua Tengah Province, at approximately 2:00 pm. According to witnesses, a Papuan man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was collectively beaten by officers while purchasing cigarettes in a store near the Timika Indah field.

Per Elinder Liljas – Standing chest-deep in the Molucca Sea, just outside the billowing smokestacks of the world's largest nickel industry, Upin adjusts his mask and dives.

Members of his people, the Bajau, have been known to stay underwater for more than 10 minutes but Upin resurfaces shortly. He hauls a rugged disc of metal over the side of his dugout canoe.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The head of president-elect Prabowo Subianto's campaign team came to the private residence of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri not once, but twice on Wednesday to extend Eid al-Fitr greetings.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Head of the Curriculum Assessment Standards Agency of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) Anindito Aditomo, stated that the Ministry is currently urging several schools to implement the Merdeka Curriculum.

A century-old Catholic church in Indonesia allowed Muslims to conduct the Eid prayers on its premises on April 10, saying such moves could help build brotherhood in the Muslim-majority nation.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – Member of the National Campaign Team (TKN) Advisory Council for Prabowo-Gibran, Budiman Sudjatmiko, stated that so far there has been no discussion regarding President Joko Widodo or Jokowi becoming a special advisor to the elected president, Prabowo Subianto. According to Budiman, the issue of position will be determined by Prabowo himself.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has denied rumors of Jakarta mulling developing diplomatic ties with Israel to secure a seat at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Semarang – A bus operated by leading land transport operator Rosalia Indah careened into a roadside ditch in Central Java on Thursday, killing at least seven people including two children.

The fatal crash took place at the 370th kilometer mark on the toll road connecting Batang and the provincial capital, Semarang.

Hendro D Situmorang, Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – President-elect Prabowo Subianto embarked on visits to his crucial allies on the second day of Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, following his meeting with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo for the second consecutive day.