Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Monday he will order the Customs and Excise Directorate to strengthen inspections at ports to combat the flow of illegal imports, particularly secondhand apparel and accessories.

Mike Yeo, Singapore – An Indonesian official's announcement earlier this month that Jakarta intends to buy at least 42 Chinese J-10 fighter aircraft raised more than a few eyebrows.

Jakarta – One of the culminations of Prabowo Subianto's omon-omon, or empty words, is in the textile industry. This labor-intensive sector has been left to fend for itself against imports from other nations.

Antara, Jakarta – Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has apologized to the entire Papuan community for the burning of the Cenderawasih Crown by the Papua Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed the government plans to strengthen dental health services in all community health centers (Puskesmas) after a free health check program indicated numerous dental issues among the public.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Chair of the Setara Institute National Council, Hendardi, believes that former Indonesian President Soeharto is not deserving of the title of national hero. Allegations of human rights violations and crimes against humanity during his authoritarian and militaristic government cannot be denied.

Nadirsyah Hosen – In 2024, Indonesia's hajj administration found itself at the centre of one of the most consequential legal and political controversies in recent years.

Siwage Dharma Negara and Maria Monica Wihardja – Sri Mulyani's successor Purbaya has already signalled a greater willingness to support Prabowo's populist programmes – in ways that could potentially over-expand credit, raise debt burdens, and erode investor confidence.

Jakarta – A number of historians and civil society groups have criticised the proposal that the late 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, be awarded the title of national hero.

Shinta Maharani, Jakarta – The Indonesian diaspora scattered across 23 countries held the Indonesia Bergerak (Indonesia Moves) Congress virtually on Sunday night, Indonesian time, October 26, 2025, to commemorate the Youth Pledge.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto continues to make large-scale investments in Indonesia's primary weaponry systems (alutsista), a policy consistent with his tenure as Minister of Defense from 2019 to 2024.

According to Tempo's report on October 23, 2025, Prabowo has strategically used defense procurement as a high-level diplomatic tool.

Agencies, Kuala Lumpur – Timor Leste joined the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc as its 11th member state on Sunday, after 14 years of campaigning.

Its Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined ASEAN leaders for a summit and signing ceremony in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, before posing for photographs together in interlocking arms.

Kuala Lumpur – Asia's youngest nation Timor Leste on Sunday became the 11th member of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN, fulfilling a vision set out by its current president nearly a half-century ago while under Portuguese rule.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – The Center for Economic and Law Studies (Celios) has found that the public is dissatisfied with the performance of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka one year into their term. The conclusion is based on a survey involving 120 journalists and 60 media organizations.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned the labor attache at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Friday as part of its investigation into a Rp 85 billion ($5.1 million) extortion case linked to the issuance of foreign worker permits at the Manpower Ministry.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia plans to use the COP30 momentum as an opportunity to woo foreign buyers into purchasing its carbon credits following sluggish demand.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – There has been a recurrence of the free nutritious meal (MBG) poisoning in Mlati Sub-District, Sleman, Central Java. However, this time it involves a different Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG/kitchen) compared to the previous MBG poisoning case.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Ministry of Industry confirms that Indonesia's position is becoming stronger in the global textile and textile product (TPT) industry.

Anggita Raissa, Serang, Indonesia – The rain had just passed over Nambo Udik, a village in Cikande, Serang, Banten. The air hung heavy and damp, and puddles lingered in the muddy yard in front of Sakinah and Roni's home.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Member of House Commission X (DPR), Bonnie Triyana, stated that it would be better for President Prabowo Subianto to expand the teaching of the Mandarin language rather than introducing Portuguese in Indonesian schools.

Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) General Chairperson Muhamad Isnur has criticised law enforcement agencies over the demonstrations last August.

Jakarta – The government recently reaffirmed its continued supports for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who contribute to the development of a sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Special Advisor to the President for National Defense, Dudung Abdurachman, raised the issue of the absence of mandatory military service in Indonesia, citing that several countries, such as South Korea and Singapore, have implemented this practice.

Muhammad Farhan, Wawan Kurniawan, Jakarta – Indonesia will begin construction of waste-to-energy (WtE) plants in seven regions starting March 2026, as the government accelerates efforts to convert urban waste into renewable electricity under President Prabowo Subianto's green energy agenda.

Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka took up a populist platform during the election campaign, garnering the full support from the oligarchy and mainstream political parties, and ultimately secured a victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Julie Wark – The United Nations has recently come under attack from the Trump Administration and, much as it goes against the grain, it's difficult to argue with real-estate-developer-cum-ambassador-Representative for U.N. Management and Reform [sic], Jeff Bartos:

Zhulfakar, Jakarta – Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiharto clarified on Thursday that the large amounts of regional government funds held in banks are not the result of hoarding or attempts to gain interest, but rather part of normal cash management practices.

Servio Maranda, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has called on managers of nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) to produce positive content on TikTok to highlight the free nutritious meal program (MBG).

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – A political communication lecturer at Paramadina University, Hendri Satrio, said there was a communication gap between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his ministers during the first year of his presidency.

Hensa, as he is known, observed that this gap is one of the main factors affecting the effectiveness of the government.

Christine Rovoi – For Pasifika, the conflict in West Papua is no longer a distant neighbour's affair – it is a family issue, a regional humanitarian challenge, and a test of the 'Blue Pacific' solidarity.

Suharto's nearly 32-year rule considered one of the most brutal, corrupt regimes in 20th century

Human rights activists have criticized the Indonesian government for including former military dictator Suharto, much criticized for authoritarianism, in a list of individuals nominated for recognition as national heroes.

On 21 October 2025, plainclothes police officers riding motorcycles arbitrarily arrested 17-year-old Cansius Yawiwa in Jalan Kuda Mati, Kamundu Subdistrict, Merauke City, South Papua Province.

Antara, Jakarta – The Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) has revealed that 40 to 50 percent of the Indonesian population cannot afford a balanced, nutritious diet due to its high cost compared to a merely sufficient diet.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said the government will offer incentives to companies that invest in ethanol production facilities to support Indonesia's plan to introduce mandatory 10 percent bioethanol (E10) fuel blending by 2027.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Investment Management Agency Danantara Indonesia plans to enter the Indonesian stock market. The majority of the funds acquired by Danantara come from managing dividends from several state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Danantara believes this move will strengthen the fundamental liquidity of the domestic stock market.

Jakarta – Asia's youngest nation Timor Leste is set to achieve a decades-long dream when it becomes the 11th member of ASEAN this weekend, which analysts say is a win politically although the economic benefits remain to be seen.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Eddy Soeparno, said climate change can no longer be viewed as a mere environmental issue. During the opening of the 3rd Indonesia Climate Change Forum (ICCF), co-organized by the Emil Salim Institute (ESI) and MPR, Eddy mentioned climate issue is now linked to national development.

On 3 October 2025, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly arrested Mr Mumak Nirigi, 35, a resident of Mebarok District, near the Wisigi area, amidst intensified military operations.

On 16 October 2025, members of the Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly tortured ten Papuans, including two volunteers from the Manokwari Institute for Research, Assessment and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH Manokwari), in North Moskona District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, Papua Barat Province.

The Prabowo-Gibran administration has now completed its first year. Over the past year, the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) noted a deterioration in human rights enforcement across Indonesia, based on a year of monitoring and advocacy experience.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – "Going to Dubai was an act of desperation," says Muninggar, a 48-year-old former fish farmer from northern Java. "There were no jobs left in the village. If I wasn't forced to, I wouldn't have gone – my kids were still small."

Jakarta – Several regional administrations have unveiled austerity measures, including reduced workdays and remote work policies for civil servants, following the central government's decision to cut regional transfers (TKD) for fiscal year 2026.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno opened the Jakarta Film Week (JFW) 2025 on Wednesday night, launching the fifth edition of the international festival that features 134 films from 25 countries and a series of industry programs for young filmmakers across Asia.

Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – More than 1,000 prison guards are undergoing retraining at the maximum-security prisons on Nusakambangan Island, following a string of scandals involving criminal activities orchestrated from behind bars, a senior minister has said.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto announced that Portuguese will soon be added to Indonesia's school curriculum, underscoring the country's deepening ties with Brazil.

Kadek Wara Urwasi – 17 August 2024 did not end up being a significant milestone for Nusantara, Indonesia's planned new capital city currently under development in East Kalimantan. That year, on the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's independence, outgoing president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had intended to celebrate the inauguration of a brand new capital.

Caleb Fotheringham – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims more than a dozen civilians have been killed in the Papuan highlands, including three men who were allegedly tortured and a woman who was allegedly raped.

However, the Indonesian government has dismissed the accusations "baseless".

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday praised Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's leadership and claimed that he had copied some of the South American leader's policies.

Prabowo made the statement during a bilateral meeting with Lula at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday morning.

Agencies, Jakarta – Indonesia vowed Thursday to play an "active role" in global sports after the IOC urged federations not to stage events there following the country's ban on Israeli gymnasts.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – Indonesia imported 157,000 tons of cocoa beans in 2024 to meet the needs of the domestic processing industry, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.