Alastair McCready – Demonstrators were angered by a plan to spend $4.2m on cars for lawmakers in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries.

Lawmakers in East Timor have voted to end a law providing lifetime pensions for parliamentarians, following student-led demonstrations against lavish perks for public officials in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The government and parliament have agreed to dissolve the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry, a landmark restructuring that shifts control of state assets to the sovereign wealth fund Danantara and a newly created regulator.

Stefanno Sulaiman, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Friday he did not instruct state banks to raise their United States dollar deposit rate to 4 percent, and that the government was still considering what incentives to offer to bolster the domestic US dollar supply.

Dayat, Jakarta – Jakarta Police are offering a Rp500,000 ($30) bonus to ride-hailing motorcycle drivers who provide verified reports of street crimes in the capital, aiming to strengthen community participation in public safety.

Antara, Jakarta – The illiteracy rate in Indonesia continues to decline. Deputy of Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Atip Latipulhayat, said on Friday that over the past five years, Indonesia, through collective efforts, has successfully reduced the illiteracy rate to just 0.92 percent.

Antara, Jakarta – Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Tandyo Budi Revita claims that the food produced in the TNI's free nutritious meal kitchen (MBG) meets quality standards. Tandyo made the statement in response to reports of residents experiencing food poisoning after consuming MBG in several areas.

Indonesia, West Papua – The World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, together with several partner organisations, convened a side event during the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 22 September, examining conditions one year into Indonesia's current administration.

Libby Qahtany – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a number of controversial statements during the general debate session at the United Nations 80th General Assembly in New York on Tuesday September 23.

Louis Plottel – In late August and early September 2025, Indonesia saw one of its most intense protests in the country's post-reformasi history.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has come under mounting scrutiny following a string of mass food poisoning cases linked to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in several regions.

By the end of September, the Civil Society Coalition reported that at least 6,432 people had fallen ill after consuming meals from the program.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Chairperson of the Indonesian Catering Association (PPJI), Minerva Taran, criticized the government's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, calling its kitchen management careless and poorly planned.

She described the program's execution as "systemic negligence" that risks undermining its very purpose.

Jakarta – History will remember President Prabowo Subianto as the first Indonesian leader to explicitly declare the country's readiness to open official diplomatic ties with Israel at the United Nations' highest forum. He did so with one crucial caveat: It will only happen if Palestine gains independence and coexists with Israel.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) responded after the rupiah's exchange rate fell to Rp16,700 per U.S. dollar. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the rupiah closed at Rp16,749 per U.S. dollar, which is 64 points weaker than the previous day. In response, Bank Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining exchange rate stability.

The Hague, Netherlands – The Netherlands pledged on Friday to return to Indonesia the remains of "Java Man", the first-ever "Homo Erectus" unearthed by modern scientists in a landmark discovery for human evolution.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro responded to information circulating on social media suggesting that the American diaspora interviewed by the government about President Prabowo Subianto's presence in the United States was staged.

Ilham Oktafian, Muhammad Farhan, Jakarta – The Indonesian government and parliament agreed Thursday to dissolve the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), marking a major restructuring of state corporate governance as the country's new sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, assumes control of all state-owned assets.

Antara, Mimika, Papua – Rescue operations entered their 17th day on Thursday at Freeport Indonesia's (PTFI) Grasberg Block Cave underground mine in Mimika, Central Papua, where five workers remain trapped following a deadly mudslide incident.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has announced that the government will take strict action against the circulation of illegal cigarettes, which has affected state revenue due to a significant decline in excise duties.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – Commissioner General Syahardiantono, Head of the Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), has announced the legal actions taken against individuals involved in the nationwide riots that occurred from August 25 to August 31, 2025.

Iqbal Tawakal Lazuardi, Jakarta – With a trembling voice, Iyen Rumaningsih describes the condition of her 24-year-old son, Very Kurnia Kusumah, who is currently detained at the Indonesia's West Java Regional Police headquarters.

Nirarta Samadhi and Ananda Putri Permatasari, Jakarta – "Let alone safe drinking water, any kind of water is hard to come by," the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for water, Retno LP Marsudi, said when quoting a witness from an international community during Bali Climate Week in August. Likewise, Indonesia's water is "too little, too much and too polluted".

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – Civil society groups are calling on the Indonesian government to adopt bolder and more consistent energy transition targets following President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Ramadani Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's two biggest Islamic organizations usually seize the country's attention twice a year, when they gather to determine when the religious holidays of Idul Fitri and Idul Adha will be celebrated.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has officially become the first ASEAN country to strike a bilateral trade pact with Canada as Ottawa looks for ways to offset US tariff impacts.

Bintang Aulia Lutfi, Jakarta – Banking liquidity in Indonesia is abundant, but without market certainty the funds risk staying idle. Lending must focus on productive sectors to drive growth rather than fuel inflation.

Salman Mardira, Jakarta – The Supreme Court has overturned the acquittals of three major palm oil conglomerates in a high-profile corruption case involving crude palm oil (CPO) export permits, reinstating their criminal liability after prosecutors won an appeal.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has reaffirmed Indonesia's sovereign credit rating at BBB+, investment grade with a stable outlook.

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said the affirmation reflects strong trust from global stakeholders in Indonesia's ability to protect macroeconomic and financial stability.

The World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, on 22 September, co-coordinated a side event at the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Titled "Human Rights in Indonesia – One Year into the New Administration," the event featured a panel of speakers.

Yogyakarta – The Gajah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Council Community of Students (BEM KM) is urging the government to totally re-evaluate the free nutritional meal (MBG) program which is a flagship project of President Prabowo Subianto.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Agrarian conflicts have expanded significantly over the past decade, with millions of Indonesians losing land and livelihoods despite repeated government pledges to resolve the issue.

Jakarta – After six years in limbo, the Kayan hydropower plant (PLTA) in North Kalimantan has been revived. The project, which almost lost its permit in the era of President Joko Widodo, was restarted after Hashim Djojohadikusumo, President Prabowo Subianto's younger brother, joined the Kayan Hydro Energy construction consortium.

Jakarta – Nickel mining threatens one of the world's most important marine biodiversity and coral hotspots in Indonesia, despite the government revoking several permits, a report warned Thursday.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, New York – President Prabowo Subianto said Wednesday it was a great honor for him and for Indonesia to deliver his speech as the third speaker at the United Nations General Assembly, marking the earliest speaking slot ever given to an Indonesian leader in the forum's history.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, responded to the police's seizure of books as evidence from students and activists who were arrested during a protest that resulted in riots at the end of last August. Brian hopes that students will read books in accordance with the regulations.

Suara Kalbar, Ketapang – Dozens of children and one adult were reported to have suffered food poisoning after consuming the Free Nutritious Meal program in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. As of Wednesday afternoon, the total number of patients reached 25 people, consisting of 24 children and one adult who is a teacher.

Jakarta – If he does not want to stumble into economic catastrophe, President Prabowo Subianto needs to start listening carefully. A number of economists have sounded the alarm because the policies he has implemented are misdirected and have caused many problems.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – The Indonesian government said it will continue its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program despite a surge in food poisoning cases that have sickened thousands of schoolchildren across the country.

Associated Press, Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – The Jakarta Composite Index closed sharply lower on Thursday, tracking concerns over the widening fiscal deficit after lawmakers approved the 2026 state budget.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – Indonesian police announced Wednesday that nearly 1,000 people have been named suspects in connection with violent protests that erupted across 12 provinces since late August, leaving 10 people dead and extensive public facilities damaged.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday September 23 in New York has attracted the attention of several civil society organisations. They believe that Prabowo's statements about the food crisis and climate are not in line with the conditions domestically.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – A group accompanying President Prabowo Subianto during his visit to New York allegedly stayed at the Aman Hotel New York, with rooms costing up to Rp100 million per night. The President was in New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sahrudin Nurdin, North Maluku – The Raja Ampat Regency Government and the North Maluku Provincial Government are in dispute over three islands: Sain Island, Piay Island, and Kiyas Island.

United Nations, United States – President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday offered to send at least 20,000 troops as peacekeepers to Gaza to safeguard any future peace deal.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Prabowo said that the world's most populous Muslim-majority country wanted a peace that shows that "might cannot make right."

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) suspects two causes of recent food poisoning cases in the free nutritious meal program (MBG). "There is a suspected allergy, and there is suspected food poisoning," said Deputy Head of BGN Nanik Sudaryati Deyang on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Antara, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung on Wednesday reaffirmed that Jakarta remains Indonesia's capital city even as President Prabowo Subianto pushes ahead with relocating the nation's political center to Nusantara in East Kalimantan by 2028.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – Thousands of members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) took to the streets to hold a peaceful demonstration to commemorate National Farmers' Day (HTN) on Wednesday September 24.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's debut speech at the UN General Assembly has shown global leaders how much Indonesia craves becoming the world's granary as the country seeks to become a rice supplier for countries in need.

Responding to a speech by the President of Indonesia at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said:

Ilham Octafian, Jakarta – The government will distribute two liters of cooking oil each month to social aid recipients starting October, with Rp 6.5 trillion ($390 million) allocated to expand the food aid program.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the 2026 State Budget Law in a plenary session attended by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.