Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Public anger has ensued following a court verdict that sentenced businessman Harvey Moeis to 6.5 years in prison, with many saying the punishment is too lenient considering the scale of the case, which has cost the state Rp 300 trillion (US$18.5 billion), one of Indonesia's largest corruption cases.

Jakarta – There is no doubt that 2024 was one of the most harrowing years for aviation in recent memory. A string of tragic incidents in the final week of the year has left a deep scar on the global aviation industry and has shaken public confidence in air travel.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) on Wednesday announced the dismissal of two officers involved in extorting concertgoers, mostly Malaysians, at the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) 2024, following an internal ethics trial. The officers, identified only by their initials, D and Y, were found guilty of misconduct during a hearing on Dec. 31, 2024.

Jakarta – Indonesia has not collapsed. Although the authorities have repeatedly manipulated the law, violated ethics, used all means to suppress democracy, and repressively silenced critical voices, we still have civil society groups that are persistent in preventing the Republic from falling into lawlessness.

Jakarta – National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo has transferred Semarang City Police chief Sr. Comr. Irwan Anwar amid an investigation by Central Java Police of a fatal shooting incident that killed a vocational high school student.

Prima Wirayani and Norman Harsono – Bank Indonesia intervened to stabilize the rupiah after President Prabowo Subianto's surprise decision to scale back a tax hike sent the currency weakening by nearly 1%.

Hanif Musyaffa, Jakarta – Usra Hendra Harahap, Indonesia's Ambassador to Nigeria, is facing allegations of sexual harassment from a former staff member at the Indonesian Embassy in Abuja.

The allegations were brought to light through a petition filed by the victim's legal team, seeking intervention from Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Rizka Ardina Nugraheni, Jakarta – Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has dismissed allegations made by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which included his name in its 2024 nominations for figures linked to organized crime and corruption. Jokowi urged critics to present evidence to back their claims.

Aisyah Llewellyn, Medan, Indonesia – Winston, a medical doctor who lives and works in the capital of North Sumatra Province, is a self-proclaimed Apple fan.

Currently the proud owner of an iPhone 15, Winson had been looking forward to upgrading to the latest model, the iPhone 16, released in September.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir announced on Wednesday that the government has canceled plans to build a fourth terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport as part of its cost-efficiency measures.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto greeted thousands of National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers stationed in Papua via video call alongside Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on New Year's Eve.

Jakarta – The government is considering whether to declare a month-long school holiday for students during Ramadan 2025, Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Muhammad Syafi'i said on Monday.

"There is already discussion" of the proposal, Syafi'i said on Monday at the House of Representatives compound, as quoted by tempo.co.

Singgih Wiryono, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – The Press Council in its end of year notes has highlighted Indonesia's Press Freedom Index (IKP) which declined from a score of 71.57 in 2023 to 69.36 in 2024.

Jakarta – Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators have arrested two suspects in connection with a corruption case related to the construction of a tsunami shelter near Bangsal Port in North Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara, in 2014.

The KPK declared that the alleged corruption resulted in Rp 18.4 billion (US$1.14 million) in financial losses.

Jakarta – All things considered, 2024 turned out to be a good year for Indonesia. Talk of possible vote-rigging, election meddling and electioneering in the lead-up to the February presidential and legislative elections raised the stakes and sparked real fears that things could go sideways after the votes were tallied.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – The government must establish quality control and oversight teams to ensure the effective implementation of Indonesia's first-ever free nutritious meal program, which aims to benefit school-aged children and expectant mothers.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) of Indonesia, Adies Kadir, claimed that the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 12 percent would not affect the general community commodity sector.

Eko Listiyorini – Indonesian consumers, fuel retailers and palm oil producers are facing higher costs from the government's plan to expand its biofuel program after the price of the tropical oil surged.

Jakarta – Authorities have arrested and charged a wealthy entrepreneur from Makassar identified as ASS who they say is the primary actor in a counterfeit money syndicate linked to Alauddin State Islamic University

ASS is currently undergoing medical treatment for health issues.

Josa Lukman, Jakarta – With a year as packed as 2024, we were curious what drew our readers in. Were they looking for updates on election day drama, the latest twists on the global stage or something lighthearted to distract from the world's ever-burning dumpster fire?

Turns out, they wanted all of it.

Chandni Vatvani and Calvin Yang, Jakarta – Hundreds of Indonesian artefacts that were in the Netherlands for more than a century – the bulk of which were looted by the Dutch during their colonial rule – are now on display at Indonesia's National Museum in Jakarta.

They are among the latest batch of items returned after a lengthy process involving both countries.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – Environmental campaign organization Satya Bumi criticized President Prabowo Subianto's statement that the expansion of palm oil plantations would have no impact on deforestation.

Muhammad Ghafur Fadillah, Jakarta – The Indonesian stock market is set to face significant hurdles in 2025 with the introduction of a 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) starting January 1. This policy is expected to impact various economic sectors, particularly those reliant on domestic consumption, such as retail, automotive, and property.

Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has announced that the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo or Jokowi, has been nominated as a finalist for the 2024 Organized Crime and Corruption Figure.

Bambang Ismoyo, Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto officially announced a hike in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 11 percent to 12 percent, effective January 1, 2025. The announcement was made at the Finance Ministry in Jakarta on Thursday.

A study of the Greater Sunrise gas field by British engineering and consulting company John Wood Group has confirmed the viability of developing the project in Timor-Leste. The study was carried out between April and November of this year and was reported by the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Natau Lasniroha Sinaga, Jakarta – Director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) Mhd. Zakiul Fikri proposed that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto issue a government regulation in lieu of law (perpu) to cancel the 12 percent increase in value added tax (VAT). The reason is, there are many demands voicing rejection.

Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has doubled down on his stance against those convicted of graft, days after making an apparent U-turn on an earlier statement suggesting his administration might pardon those accused of the crime.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo acknowledged that public trust in the police remained low in 2024, with a majority of netizens expressing negative sentiments throughout the year. He disclosed these findings during the National Police's Year-End Report on Tuesday.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Health confirmed that there have been no reports of influenza type A (Flu A) and Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in Indonesia.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto alluded to the western understanding of economics known as neoliberalism. According to him, this understanding is not adopted by Indonesia because he claims that the nation's founders structured the economy based on the principle of family.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto claimed on Monday that palm oil is a national asset and the government must increase and expand palm oil plantations in the country.

The head of state also directed his staff to bolster the security measures over palm oil to protect the commodity from external interests.

Balipuspa News, Bali – The coastal area of Candidasa in Karangasem Regency, Bali, has been severely affected by oil spills, causing an unpleasant odor that has driven several tourists to leave prematurely.

Grace Sihombing and Norman Harsono – Indonesia scaled back its planned increase in the value-added tax rate just hours before it was set to take effect on January 1 amid escalating public outcry.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – The 2024 National Online Shopping Day on Dec. 10-16 recorded Rp 31.2 trillion or about $1.9 billion in transactions.

Jakarta – The Honor Council (MKD) of the House of Representatives (DPR) plans to summon Rieke Diah Pitaloka, serving at DPR's Commission VI, over her opposition to the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) voiced on social media.

Jogja, Adji G Rinepta – Protesters calling themselves the Jogja Calling (Jogja Memanggil) Alliance demonstrated in front of the Yogyakarta provincial Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Jalan Malioboro in Yogyakarta city on Monday December 30.

They were rejecting the planned increase in value added tax (VAT) to 12 percent and demanding that the policy be cancelled.

Izzatun Najibah, Reni Susanti, Surabaya – Protests against the planned increase in value added tax (VAT) are continuing. Hundreds of students who are members of the East Java Student Alliance held a petition signing action at Bungkul Park in the East Java (Jatim) provincial capital of Surabaya on Sunday December 29.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesian carmakers are expecting a minimal impact from the planned value-added tax (VAT) increase to 12 percent which is set to take effect in January 2025, thanks to fiscal incentives designed to offset the burden.

Jakarta – Indonesia has proven its economic resilience this year, with expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5 percent, according to the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank.

Wijayanti Putri, Solo – Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo asserted on Monday that he never sought a third presidential term, describing the rumors as part of a smear campaign against him.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto urged Monday Indonesian judges to stop being too soft on graft convicts, alluding that the business tycoon Harvey Moeis deserves a longer jail time.

Jakarta – Chair of the House of Representatives' (DPR's) Budget Agency Said Abdullah said that the increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 11 percent to 12 percent next year will support the President's strategic programs.

The VAT increase will be directed to support the government's strategic programs, which are funded by the state budget, he informed.

Angelina Tiara Puspitalova, Jakarta – The Indonesian government plans to impose a 12 percent increase in Value Added Tax or VAT on various sectors, including education, especially international standard education services. This policy is planned to come into effect in January 2025.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto took a jab at his critics during a keynote speech at the National Development Planning Forum (Musrenbangnas) on Monday while reaffirming his administration's commitment to securing Indonesia's future through economic self-reliance.

Linda Yulisman, Garut (West Java) – A decades-old social forestry scheme where local communities tend to state land mostly for the purpose of conservation has become a key part of the government's free meal programme for millions of people.

Medan – Dozens of students from the North Sumatra Student Alliance held a demonstration at the North Sumatra (Sumut) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building on Monday December 30. They were protesting the increase in value added tax (VAT) to 12 percent that will come into force on January 1, 2025.

Jakarta – Several catering businesses in Kediri, East Java fell victim to a fraud scheme, in which they were promised to be the suppliers for President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free nutritious meal program.

Eager to participate, these businesses quickly paid down payments to secure their position as providers for the free meal initiative.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto and Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas have walked back comments they made several weeks ago suggesting that the government might pardon graft convicts.

Roy Triono, Tanggamus, Lampung – A wild elephant rampage in Gunung Doh village, Bandar Negeri Semuong district, Tanggamus, Lampung Province, left an elderly woman dead and her husband injured on Monday morning.