The Myanmar junta's rhetoric against Timor Leste is reaching hysterical pitch as the island state's accession to ASEAN looms.

Jakarta – The saying about robbing Peter to pay Paul is what is guiding the government in its efforts to deal with soaring debt. The inability of the administration to manage state finances, as well as its apparent belief that Indonesia is a major nation, could undermine the economy.

Michael Neilson, Bali – "I can't believe this is happening," said Komang Agus, looking on in despair at his workplace of 16 years in the Bali tourist hotspot of Bingin, lying in fresh ruins.

Ni Komang Erviani, Jakarta – Two foreign tourists have been arrested for two alleged robberies targeting money changers on the resort island of Bali. One of the suspects was beaten by a mob after trying to steal Rp 191,150,000 (US$11,667) from the victim.

Police discovered that this was their second such act on the island.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has won widespread praise for his decision to release two public figures from jail who were recently convicted for corruption, especially since the public overwhelmingly believe they were targets of separate political persecutions.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that Indonesia is currently not in good condition as the nation is struggling to compete across various sectors compared to other countries.

Jakarta – National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has caught wind of espionage activities involving refugees, foreign workers (TKA) and foreign tourists coming to Indonesia.

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has denied violating the Catholic-majority nation's constitution and dismissed a ruling from a top court that accused him of interfering in judicial independence.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The "One Piece" anime symbol, notably utilized by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his 2024 presidential election campaign, is now being characterized as a divisive element in Indonesian society.

Antara, Jakarta – Five regencies in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have entered drought alert status due to the ongoing dry season.

These include Dompu Regency, covering Kilo and Pajo Districts; Bima Regency, covering Lambitu, Lambu, Sape, and Soromandi Districts; and East Lombok Regency, particularly Sambelia District.

Wawan Kurniawan, Stefani Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesian police have begun cracking down on the display of the Jolly Roger pirate flag from the popular anime One Piece as the country prepares to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its independence on August 17.

Myesha Fatina Rachman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto on Thursday, July 31, 2025, has sparked criticism from various parties, ranging from legal experts to the Executive Board of the All-Indonesia Students' Executive Body (BEM SI).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has been importing more vehicles and auto parts during the first half of this year, government data shows.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Former Minister of Youth and Sports Roy Suryo expressed his delight over Democratic Party's involvement in the polemic surrounding Indonesia's former president Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) fake diploma. He believes that the firm response from the party's top officials signifies that his former party has no connection to this issue.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Several sociology professors in Indonesia responded to the raising of the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, 2025.

Yanuar Nugroho and Julia Lau – There is growing disquiet among Indonesia's political elite about the uncertain fate of the new capital city, Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) Nusantara, after President Prabowo Subianto's press office announced that Jakarta, not Nusantara, will host this year's Independence Day celebrations.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Willy Aditya, the chair of the NasDem Party's central leadership council for Public Communication, said raising the One Piece flag – Indonesian youth's current form of protest – is inappropriate.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra responded to Yulianus Paonganan being one of 1,178 individuals granted amnesty by President Prabowo Subianto. According to Yusril, Yulianus' case is a political matter, making it fitting for him to receive amnesty for insulting former President Jokowi.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 10-page document outlines cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns, the escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians, significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua, and international responses and initiatives.

Basudiwa Supraja, Bandung – Senior Indonesian business figure Sofjan Wanandi has called on the government to shift its focus toward ensuring legal certainty in economic regulation and promoting national unity, now that the country has concluded its election cycle.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Ahmad Luthfi, the Chair of the Ansor Cyber Agency, stated that the One Piece pirate flag is not a threat. The spirit of adventure, courage, and solidarity in the One Piece series aligns with the values of struggle and unity of the Indonesian nation.

Danang Triatmojo, Jakarta – Pro-Palestine protesters from the Free Palestine Network (FPN) descended on the Egyptian Embassy in the Menteng neighbourhood of Central Jakarta on Saturday afternoon August 2.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – A large-scale rally in support of Palestine was held this morning in the southern area of the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta.

Wawan Kurniawan, Antara, Jakarta – Flying the Jolly Roger next to the Indonesian flag this Independence Month? Authorities say that's a no-go.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – A total of 2,123 joint security personnel have been deployed to secure the Palestine solidarity rally at the South Monas Square area, Central Jakarta, this morning.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – The Prasasti Center for Policy Studies assesses that Indonesia's investment realization, which reached Rp477.7 trillion in the second quarter, provides a positive signal amidst global uncertainty.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – The National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Movement, or TPNPB OPM, issued a prohibition on the raising of the Indonesian flag in Papua on August 17, 2025, which is the day Indonesia commemorates its Independence Day. Their reason is for the education of the Papuan people.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Hanin Marwah, Badung – Megawati Soekarnoputri, the general chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDIP said the concept of "opposition" and "coalition" does not exist in Indonesia's presidential system. According to her, the terms government opposition and coalition are known in a parliamentary system.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – One of the residents from Riau, Kharik Anhar, is undaunted by the Indonesian government's criminal threat against those who raise the One Piece flag. "There is no law prohibiting people from raising flags of characters, football clubs, or animations at home or on vehicles," said Kharik when contacted on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

Iman Pambagyo – After a turbulent first half of 2025, Indonesia enters the second semester with hopes of recovery – yet, much like a boat navigating choppy waters during the eastern monsoon season, the national economy must still weather global uncertainties, weakening commodity prices, and unresolved domestic challenges.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Banten Provincial Police have threatened to take firm action against residents who intentionally raise the pirate flag of One Piece during the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – SETARA Institute criticizes the use of articles used by the Indonesian police in handling intolerant acts. In some cases of forced dispersal and prohibition of religious worship, the police only use the vandalism article.

Jakarta – After months of troubling silence in the face of rising violence against religious minorities, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has finally spoken out – expressing regret over the recent attack on a Christian prayer house in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra.

Ricki Putra Harahap, Iqbal Riyanda, Agung Dharma, Jakarta – State railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) canceled dozens of train services across Java on Saturday following the derailment of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train in Subang, West Java, on Friday afternoon.

Yustinus Paat, Monique Handa Shafira, Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has granted amnesty and abolition to two prominent political figures previously aligned with rival presidential candidates, triggering debate over the intersection of law and politics.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The 2025 World Giving Report (WGR) has ranked Nigeria as the most generous country globally with an average donation of 2.83 percent of per capita income. Meanwhile, Indonesia has dropped from first place to 21st out of 101 surveyed countries.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – A total of 1,178 inmates have been declared eligible for amnesty or pardon from President Prabowo Subianto following a verification process, according to Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas.

Yogyakarta – The August 17 '45 People's Resistance Alliance will hold a One Piece flag-raising competition on Indonesian Independence Day on August 17. In addition to this, they have also called for the raising of the One Piece flag in various places to symbolise resistance.

Jakarta – Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir stated that Timor-Leste is an important partner in building a peaceful, inclusive, and dynamic Southeast Asian region.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), Transparency International Indonesia (TII), and the IM57+ Institute have strongly criticized President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant special privileges to two corruption convicts.

Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto, with the approval of the House of Representatives (DPR), granted amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto and terminated the legal proceedings against Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Several political analysts believe that President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto reflects an attempt to embrace all political factions, including his oppositions.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has found a surge in unauthorized utilization of small islands, especially in Riau and the Riau Islands. According to the Director General of Marine Management at the KKP, A. Koswara, on Friday, August 1, these practices are most common in mining areas.

Nivell Rayda, Jakarta – Indonesia's plan for the military to produce medicines for public use has sparked alarm among health experts, who question whether the armed forces possess the required expertise and safety protocols.

Indonesia – Amnesty International Indonesia released a troubling report on 14 July 2025, documenting attacks against at least 104 human rights defenders across 54 separate cases during the first six months of the year.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, warns against raising the flag of the Japanese anime One Piece ahead of Independence Day on August 17. According to him, raising the anime flag tarnishes the honor of Indonesia's red and white national flag and is subject to criminal repercussions.

Muhadi Sugiono, Yogyakarta – Under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian diplomacy has taken a distinctive turn. Rather than relying solely on his foreign ministry, Prabowo has been personally performing diplomatic roles on the international stage. In the nine months since his inauguration, he has visited 26 countries for bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Hanif Abdul Halim, Yogyakarta – Arecent White House press release, "Fact Sheet: The United States and Indonesia Reach Historic Trade Deal," highlights a significant development regarding cross-border data transfer.

Mr Samson Same, a displaced Papuan man from Kisor Village, died in custody on 9 July 2025 at the Class IIB Sorong Prison (see photo, source: Jubi), Papua Barat Daya Province.

Jakarta – When news broke that a young diplomat at the Foreign Ministry died under mysterious circumstances on July 8, media outlets began to dig deeper into his personal and professional past, and when a revelation surfaced that he once served as a witness in a human trafficking case, many found justification to suspect foul play.