Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Agnes Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated that Indonesia is experiencing human rights protection degradation. In fact, Indonesia is cited as a prominent example.

Solidarity greetings! The Indonesian Poor People's Union (SPRI) conveys its respectful greetings and revolutionary solidarity to all workers, farmers, fishers, urban poor, oppressed women, students, indigenous peoples and all elements of working people who will commemorate International Labour Day (May Day) on May 1, 2025.

Antara, Jakarta – The Constitutional Court (MK) on Tuesday issued a pair of landmark rulings that narrowed the scope of the country's controversial Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), reinforcing protections for freedom of speech and clarifying conditions under which digital misinformation can be prosecuted.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta -The President of the Association of All-Indonesian Workers' Union (Aspirasi), Mirah Sumirat, has urged companies to stop unfair and exploitative internship practices that harm Generation Z (Gen Z).

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti has voiced concerns regarding the current state of literacy among Indonesian children. He revealed that while 75 percent of 15-year-olds possess the ability to read, they lack an understanding of what they are reading.

Han Revanda, Jakarta – Arief Prasetyo Adi, Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), has voiced his support for President Prabowo Subianto's suggestion that families plant at least five chili pepper plants at home to help stabilize prices. He affirmed that there was nothing amiss with the President's statement.

Jakarta – Public trust in hospitals as a safe place for the sick to find treatment has been tested after a student of the anesthesiology program at the Padjadjaran University's School of Medicine allegedly committed sexual assaults on at least two patients and a relative of another patient at the Hasan Sadikin Central General Hospital in Bandung, West Java.

Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) claimed to have shot dead two Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldiers in an armed attack in the Maybrat Regency, South West Papua, some time ago.

More than 50,000 Catholics gathered on April 26 for a requiem Mass for Pope Francis at the Esplanade of Tasi Tolu on the coast of Timor-Leste, where the pope celebrated Mass during his visit to this Catholic-majority nation last September.

Kiki Siregar, Jakarta – When Resty Kinanthi arrived at a gold shop in South Jakarta at 8am on a recent weekday eager to buy a few grams of the precious metal, she was quickly turned away.

The 24-year-old, who is currently unemployed, had heard of the growing gold trend gripping the country in recent weeks so she turned up early, an hour before the shop opened.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – A South Korean consortium led by LG Energy Solution has officially withdrawn from the electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem development project in Indonesia. The total investment was valued at 11 trillion won, or around US$7.7 billion (approximately Rp129 trillion).

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Head of the National Civil Service Agency (BKN), Zudan Arif Fakhrulloh, has disclosed the five primary reasons behind the withdrawals of over a thousand Civil Servant Candidates (CASN) who had successfully passed the selection process. The BKN noted that a total of 1,967 CPNS applicants withdrew due to the optimization policy.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has approved the formation of three new task forces to tackle economic challenges faced by Indonesia in the wake of global uncertainties. The task forces will focus on addressing the impact of global economic turbulence, including the United States' tariff policies and rising layoffs across various sectors.

Fannesa Adisty Laksmita – Indonesia's presidents keep trying to make food estates work but the scheme will fall short without engaging the true stakeholders and honestly assessing the project's merits.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian government provided a grant of US$6 million, approximately Rp100 billion, to the government of Fiji in April 2025. Agus Pambagio, a public policy observer from the PH&H Public Policy Interest Group, assessed that this grant was likely President Prabowo's effort to seek diplomatic support from Fiji regarding the Papua issue.

Yohanes Seo, Kupang – Suratmi Hamida, head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP3MI) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), revealed that between January and April this year, 49 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from NTT were repatriated deceased.

Paulus Pulo, Sorong – The police have named four people suspects on charges of alleged makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) who have admitted to be leading members of the Federal Republic of West Papua (NRFPB) after they visited a number of government offices and police stations in Sorong City, Southwest Papua province.

Yudono Yanuar, Jakarta – In a surprising move, the previously quiet Forum of Retired Indonesian Military (TNI) Members has formally requested the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to replace Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Vice President.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto received a courtesy visit from the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday as both countries seek to strengthen economic ties amid global trade turmoil triggered by the US sweeping tariff hikes. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka also attended the meeting.

Jakarta – Amonitor lizard statue built by the Wonosobo administration in Central Java recently went viral for its striking realism and surprisingly low construction budget, sparking widespread online debate over other city monuments many netizens consider "ugly" and overpriced.

Jakarta – Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, received the Order of Timor-Leste, the highest honor granted by the government of Timor-Leste, at the country's embassy in Jakarta on Monday.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The CEO of Indonesia's Daya Anagata Nusantara, or Danantara, Rosan Roeslani, said the agency now manages 844 state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The number was revealed during a town hall meeting attended by SOE leaders and President Prabowo Subianto.

Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – As many as 95 percent of Indonesian workers are claimed to support President Prabowo Subianto's policies on International Labour Day or May Day on May 1. The claim was made by the president of the Labour Party, who is also the president of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has alleged that Indonesian military forces recently carried out an airstrike involving bomb drops. The incident reportedly took place on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Puncak Regency, Papua.

Jakarta – If he were still alive, the father of cooperatives, Mohammad Hatta, would be unhappy seeing the Red-and-White Village Cooperatives. Without the principles of togetherness, fairness, and collective endeavor, President Prabowo Subianto's 80,000 cooperatives have been established from the top down.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL), Rear Admiral Muhammad Ali, said the Navy has yet to acquire tools to detect foreign submarines. These tools, he said, are essential for underwater surveillance.

Jakarta – The government has been quick to play down the news that LG Energy Solution is withdrawing from an US$8.45 billion electric vehicle battery (EVB) project that formed a central part of its plan to develop an integrated EVB production chain.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – A senior economist said Monday that Indonesia should make regulatory changes to get rid of ageism in hiring, as many people complain about becoming "too old for the job" once they hit 30.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has reported that the banking sector's risk profile remains relatively stable as of March 2025, despite challenges in the broader economy. While non-performing loans (NPL) have decreased, the Loan at Risk (LAR) ratio continues its upward trend, and capital adequacy has weakened.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto revealed that he criticized directors of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) during the Danantara Town Hall Meeting at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Monday, April 28, 2025. He refrained from disclosing the identities of those criticized or the specific nature of his reprimands.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – Scorching hot weather has affected various regions throughout Indonesia over the past week. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded the highest daily maximum temperature during this period at 37 degrees Celsius. This was observed in Tanah Merah, South Papua, on April 21st.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) has addressed concerns that the involvement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in academic activities on campuses could stifle students' freedom of expression, dismissing these fears as an exaggeration.Togar Mangihut Simatupang, Secretary General of Kemendiktisaintek, argu

Stefani Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesian National Police (Polri) Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo has been awarded the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest honor, by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

Stefani Wijaya, Jakarta – A Jakarta councilor from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) collapsed while delivering a speech on Sunday and was later confirmed dead at the age of 47.

Bali, Indonesia – Indonesia's government on Wednesday defended the country's plan to hike mineral royalties, arguing the policy that has attracted widespread criticism from industry will "benefit" Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Jakarta – The decision by South Korean company LG to exit a US$8.45 billion (S$11.1 billion) plan to build an electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain in Indonesia has sparked debate over Jakarta's inconsistent policies and slow decision-making.

Elan Suherlan, Purwakarta – Ceramics producers in Purwakarta, West Java, have reported a halt in orders from the United States this year, despite multiple successful exports to the market in 2024.

Local officials suspect that protectionist trade policies under US President Donald Trump's administration have led American buyers to postpone or cancel their orders.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Deputy Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency (BPJPH), Afriansyah Noor, affirmed that the agency has imposed strict sanctions on producers of halal-certified snacks that were found to contain pork. He stated that these sanctions are in accordance with existing regulations.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), attended as the representative of President Prabowo Subianto at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican. They conveyed Prabowo's message of condolences on the passing of Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has urged residents to switch off their lights for one hour today, Saturday, April 26, 2025. He explained that this initiative is part of Earth Day observances, which fell on April 22.

Pramono called for the lights-off to take place simultaneously tonight.

Singgih Wiryono, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – Human rights activist Usman Hamid and the band The Blackstones commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA) at an event held by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Central Leadership Board (DPP) History Agency in Jakarta on Saturday April 26.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – Economist from the Indonesian Political Economy Association (AEPI), Khudori, confirmed that rice production in the past few months has experienced a surplus compared to the previous year.

However, Khudori disagreed with President Prabowo Subianto's decision to use the current situation as a justification for exporting rice.

Fahri Ali, Depok – West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has proposed a military-style discipline program for troubled youth in Depok, West Java, citing growing concern among parents over a rise in juvenile delinquency, including drug use and student brawls.

Jakarta – Much of North Jakarta was paralyzed for two days due to traffic snarl-ups on the roads leading to Tanjung Priok Port last week. The port authority should be held responsible for the gridlock, which was a result of its poor operations and planning.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has implemented a policy requiring all civil servants in the capital to utilize public transportation. Specifically, he has directed government employees to commute via public transit every Wednesday.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – The rupiah closes stronger at Rp16,829 per United States dollar in today's afternoon trade on Friday, April 25, 2025. The rupiah strengthens by 43 points from the previous close at Rp16,872.

Meanwhile, currency analyst Ibrahim Assuaibi predicts that the rupiah will fluctuate but close stronger in the range of Rp16,780-Rp16,830 next Monday.

Koh Ewe and Hanna Samosir – Indonesia is on an ambitious mission to offer free meals to 80 million school children – but that hasn't exactly gone according to plan.

Nearly 80 students across two high schools in Cianjur, south of the capital Jakarta, fell ill after eating the meals this week. Most of those who ended up in hospital have since been discharged.

Jakarta – The naming of the Chief of South Jakarta District Court Muhammad Arif Nuryanta as a corruption suspect is a slap in the face for our judicial system. Arif is alleged to have taken a bribe of Rp60 billion from attorneys for three major palm oil corporations embroiled in a crude palm oil export case: Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group and Musim Mas Group.

Aditya Hadi, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has authorized rice exports to countries in need, reversing an earlier statement by Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, who had insisted on prioritizing domestic reserves.

Jakarta – For years now, the media industry has been in a slump, first a downturn and now a crisis, which comes mostly from disruption ushered in by information technology. The internet and social media have rendered obsolete the old ways of delivering the news and that predicament has taken its toll on media companies' bottom line.