During the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Switzerland, WCC convened a side event on 4 March, titled "Human Rights in Indonesia – The Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment."

The event was co-sponsored by Franciscans International and Forum Asia.

"The Israeli and American attacks on Iran is part of a violation of international law, it is also part of a crime against humanity (a gross human rights violation).

Jakarta – United Nations (UN) special rapporteurs have issued a warning to the government of the Republic of Indonesia regarding the Draft Presidential Regulation (Ranperpres) on the role of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in combating terrorism.

Tria Sutrisna, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – The coordinator of the National Network for Domestic Worker Advocacy (JALA PRT), Lita Anggraini, is asking for the completion of the Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers (RUU PPRT) to be accelerated immediately, considering that President Prabowo Subianto promised to finish the law within three months.

A new documentary film on the devastating "ecocide" happening in West Papua will be screened as a world premiere at a weekend solidarity forum in Auckland Tamaki Makaurau this weekend.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has invited several Islamic community organizations to break the fast together. The iftar event will be held at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Antara, Jakarta – Hundreds of people crowded the residence of the Iranian Ambassador in Jakarta on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to hold mass prayers as a form of solidarity against the aggression of the United States and Israel that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Jakarta – The government is ready to adjust budget expenditure to keep its fiscal deficit below 3 percent of GDP as the conflict in the Middle East threatens to drive up oil prices and pile more pressure on the economy, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Tuesday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – About 4 days have passed since Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei succumbed to Israeli strikes, but questions have arisen over Indonesia's silence on his death.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Associated Press, Jakarta – Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) plunged sharply on Wednesday, tumbling 362 points or 4.57% to close at 7,577, as investors reacted to intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a downgrade of Indonesia's sovereign outlook by Fitch Ratings.

Between 21 and 23 February 2026, joint forces of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force conducted a series of arbitrary arrests against at dozens of civilians, including minors and students, in the Kali Biru area, Seradala Road (Kilo 4), and at the old KPU/Bawaslu office on Sohosa Road.

Agencies, Jakarta – Passengers stranded in Bali clamoured for flight news Tuesday as the outbreak of war in the Middle East grounded planes and turned a tropical holiday dream into an ordeal for many.

Hundreds were crowded at Ngurah Rai International Airport, many dressed in shorts, flip-flops and summer dresses, their expressions dour.

Jakarta – Multiple Indonesian local media reported on Wednesday that Fitch Ratings has downgraded Indonesia's sovereign credit rating outlook to negative from stable.

A representative of Fitch's media team reached by Reuters declined to comment.

Natasha Khairunisa Amani, Jakarta – Rupiah weakened against the US dollar on Wednesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised concerns over global oil supply disruptions.

Muawwan Daelami, Jakarta – Fitch Ratings has revised Indonesia's sovereign outlook to negative from stable while affirming its BBB investment-grade rating, citing rising policy uncertainty and concerns over the credibility and consistency of economic policymaking.

Jakarta – Indonesia has signed a package deal with the United States, anchored by the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and accompanied by what appears to be a series of "sweetener" transactions: large purchases and cooperation pledges designed to rebalance trade and signal political alignment.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla received a visit from the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, at his private residence in South Jakarta on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Hamid Awaluddin, the former Minister of Law and Human Rights, accompanied Jusuf Kalla during the meeting.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – As the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel rages on, pressure has been growing domestically for Indonesia to withdraw from the US-led Board of Peace, with Islamic communities and lawmakers questioning the body's commitment to peace in the region.

Banyumas, Indonesia – The first two months of the year would ordinarily see Ganjar Budi Setiaji hurrying around Plana village's durian orchard, here in the hilly Javanese district of Banyumas. But on the last Tuesday of January, the 53-year-old father instead appeared restless.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has expressed his condolences over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes.

M. Syaifullah, Jakarta – Torrential downpour on the Mount Merapi summit on Tuesday afternoon, March 3, 2026, triggered cold lava floods, resulting in the deaths of three sand miners and injuring six others, with two people still missing as of Wednesday afternoon.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Oleh Soleh, a member of the Indonesian Commission I of the House of Representatives, condemned the joint Israeli-US attack that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Hendro Dahlan Situmorang, Jakarta – Indonesia's dry season could begin earlier than usual this year, with the onset forecast between April and June 2026 and a peak expected in August, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said on Wednesday.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of the Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, claimed that the death of Fatih, a student at State Elementary School (MIN) 2 North Bengkulu, was not related to consuming the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) menu distributed by the Giri Kencana Nutrition Fulfillment Service

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The price of world oil continues to soar on the fifth day of the Iran-Israel conflict in the Middle East. Quoting data from Trading Economics, the futures contract for Brent crude oil on Wednesday, March 4, reached the level of US$82 per barrel. This value increased by 1.26 percent, marking the fourth consecutive session of gains.

Jakarta – A number of student and youth organisations held a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta on Tuesday February 3 condemning the attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran and accusing the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka of siding with imperialist interests.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Indonesia is stepping up its push to become a regional poultry exporter after declaring self-sufficiency in chicken meat and eggs, with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman on Tuesday flagging off 75 tons of poultry products to three countries.

Alfida Rizki Febrianna, Jakarta – Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has banned poultry and egg imports from 40 countries, including Indonesia, tightening health controls and raising urgency for Jakarta to restore its avian influenza-free status.

The restriction on Indonesian products is stipulated under SFDA Policy No. 6057 and took effect on March 1, 2026.

Anwar Siswadi, Jakarta – As one of the parties likely to be affected by the US-Israel war on Iran, the Indonesian government must take a firm stance, said Dina Yulianti Sulaeman, a Middle East geopolitical expert from Padjadjaran University (Unpad).

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – A politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Mohamad Guntur Romli, has questioned why President Prabowo Subianto has not publicly expressed condolences over the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Around 500 to 1,000 workers will stage a protest in front of the Ministry of Manpower office tomorrow, March 4, 2026, to demand a tax-free Eid allowance and reject the imports of 105,000 Indian pickups for the Red and White Village Cooperatives.

Devy Ernis, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has dismissed rumors of a purchase contract related to the grant of the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy. Information circulating on social media suggests the ship's grant is intended to support the purchase of defense equipment.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), urged the Indonesian government to utilize its presence and position on the Board of Peace (BoP) to end the war between Israel and the United States with Iran. Indonesia, Yahya said, must urge the United States, Israel, and all parties involved to pursue a peaceful resolution.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – A group of professors, academics, and faculty members from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has stated that the bilateral cooperation agreement between the United States and Indonesia, known as the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), is detrimental and threatens national sovereignty.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, announced that this year's International Labor Day rally will be held at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The joint strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States are unjustifiable under international law, said the chair of Foreign Affairs and International Agreements of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Central Executive Board, Luluk Nur Hamidah.

Ervana Trikarinaputri – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri has condemned the sudden military attack launched by Israel and the United States against Iranian territory.

Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) has condemned the military aggression carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran, as well as other conflicts in the Middle East.

The Indonesian government's stance in approving the trade agreement with the United States brings to mind the old Malay proverb: sepiring bagi dua, sebutir bagi tiga – one plate shared by two, one grain shared by three. It boasted of its success in the negotiations, but the fact is that the agreement is highly favorable to the US.

Nabila Kusworo, Jakarta – Leo Tolstoy once wrote that "all happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Consumption cycles follow a similar logic. When household balance sheets are healthy, festive seasons move in sync. When buffers thin, divergence follows.

Antara, Jakarta – The government is under mounting pressure to expand energy subsidies as escalating tensions between Iran and the United States threaten to drive up global oil prices and squeeze household purchasing power.

Petra Mahy – Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) is currently debating a new labour law. Labour law has been left in a very messy state following the protracted saga of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation during the second period of the Joko Widodo presidency (2019-2024).

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended the operations of 47 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program since the beginning of Ramadan. This decision was made following repeated findings of failure in meeting food quality standards.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – A screenshot from the Threat Watchdog account circulating on social media claims the "240 Million Population Database" has been leaked, or a database of 240 million Indonesians.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesian palm oil exporters started 2026 strong as shipments soared in January, according to the Central Statistics Agency or BPS, although the growth was not good enough to lift the country's shrinking surplus.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Global rating agency Standard & Poor's Global Ratings (S&P) reported that Indonesia's manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) in February is still in the expansion zone with a score of 53.8. This marks an improvement from January.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is banking on supplies from the US after the Iran war triggers oil price hikes and unstable waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

Silpester Kasipka, Jayapura – The Borme District Government in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province, together with church leaders from 13 villages, have declared their rejection of a plan to establish an Indonesian military (TNI) post in their area.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – A number of parties have called on the Indonesian government to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP) following the United States and Israel's attack on Iran. Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran on Saturday morning, February 28, 2026. This attack on Iran was carried out as a joint military operation between the US and Israel.

Antara, Jakarta – Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla doubts President Prabowo Subianto's "well-intended" plan to fly to Tehran as a "mediator" in the Iran-Israel war.

A US-Israel joint attack on Tehran has been taking the global news cycle. The attack quickly morphed into a regional conflict after Iran targeted Arab nations that host US military bases.