This 12-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. It covers the period from 1 July to 30 September 2025.

Human rights

Irfandi, Makassar – Indonesia's divorce rate is climbing fast – and it's starting to worry the government. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said the country is now in a "warning zone," urging couples to take family stability more seriously.

Eka Jaya Saputra, Bekasi, W – Java. Michelin-owned tire maker Multistrada Arah Sarana has laid off around 370 workers at its Bekasi plant, just a day after the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) delisted the company and amid mounting pressure from new US import tariffs on Indonesian tires.

Aminuddin, Jakarta – The West Java provincial government issued 76 new mining business permits (IUP) in 2025. Bambang Tirtoyuliono, the Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Agency of West Java, stated that the issuance of these IUPs is carried out with stricter supervision and consideration for environmental and spatial aspects.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Thousands of teachers marched from the National Monument (Monas) to the Arjuna Wijaya Horse Statue in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, demanding equal treatment and permanent employment status from the Indonesian government.

On Thursday October 30, the Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (GEMAS), which consists of victims of gross human rights violations, individuals and civil society organisations, officially sent an open letter urging the chairperson of the Titles, Service and Honorary Medals Board (GTK) Board at the Ministry of State Secretariat to reject the proposal to name H.M.

Effendi Rusli, Pekanbaru – An eight-year-old girl named Citra has fallen into a coma after being trampled by a wild elephant in Rantau Panjang, Rumbai District, Pekanbaru, Riau, early Thursday morning.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Congress of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance (KASBI) reported that PT Victory Chingluh Indonesia, a Nike shoe manufacturer based in Tangerang, Banten, has laid off 1,800 of its 2,400 workers.

Jakarta – The state-owned oil and gas company's subsidiary, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN), has launched an investigation into the quality of its subsidized Pertalite fuel following numerous reports from drivers in East Java whose vehicles allegedly broke down after using the product.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Secretary of State, Prasetyo Hadi, confirmed that the Presidential Palace has received a list of national hero candidates submitted by the Ministry of Social Affairs, including the name of former President Soeharto.

Eskop Wisabla, Makassar – The University and High School Student Papua People's Solidarity Forum/Papuan People's Concern (FSPM-PRP) in Makassar city, South Sulawesi, held a protest action as support in the ongoing treason trial of four Papuan political prisoners, Abraham Goram Gaman, Piter Robaha, Nixon Maay and Maksi Sangkek, which was held in front of the Makassar District Court.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Professor Tri Wibawa, a microbiologist at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), is urging the government to update the influenza vaccine in response to the increased number of influenza cases reported in the country over the past month.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) said the number of beneficiaries under President Prabowo Subianto's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program might fall short of the year-end target.

Jakarta – The teenager with initials RTA truly suffered a terrible fate. The 14-year-old girl who worked as a spa therapist suffered twice over. She was found dead on a waste ground near Delta Spa in Pejaten, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, at the beginning of October 2025. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission said that RTA was a victim of sexual exploitation.

Agung Dharma Putra, Surabaya – Indonesia on Thursday achieved a major defense milestone after successfully testing its first domestically built unmanned autonomous submarine at the Indonesian Navy base in Surabaya.

Between 1 and 7 October 2025, Mrs Selly Selegani, a Papuan female human rights activist known for her advocacy against the Wabu Block gold mining project in Intan Jaya Regency, was subjected to a series of acts of intimidation, harassment, and physical violence after returning to Jayapura from advocacy activities in Jakarta.

A panel of judges at the Wamena District Court sentenced four Indonesian police officers on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, for their roles in the fatal shooting of Mr Tobias Silak and the serious injury of Naro Dapla in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, on 20 August 2024.

Andrew Tito, Jakarta – Torrential rain that lashed Jakarta on Thursday afternoon caused flooding across several parts of the capital, including the upscale Kemang Raya area in South Jakarta, disrupting traffic and daily activities for hours.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – A panel of judges has sentenced four leaders of major sugar companies to four years in prison each for their roles in a corruption case involving sugar imports at the Ministry of Trade during the 2015-2016 period.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – A recent survey by IndexPolitica Indonesia shows that Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has quickly become one of the most prominent figures in the national political landscape.

Ditya Rasyadiputra, Jakarta – The Australian government, through the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) program, has allocated approximately Rp13 billion for innovative plastic waste reduction in Indonesia.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – Nearly a hundred residents in Cikande district in Serang regency, Banten, have been evacuated from their homes as the decontamination process continues in the area following a radioactive leak that prompted national attention.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, aims to protect the pesut dolphin, or the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) population in the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, by stopping the transportation of coal through the small river.

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry has pressed ahead with its main programs to improve the country's education by focusing on infrastructure, technology and teacher welfare. But observers have raised concerns if these measures are sufficient to solve the root problems plaguing the education sector.

Indonesia's utopian new capital Nusantara seems to appear out of nowhere. Deep in the forest, a multilane highway abruptly opens up through the trees, leading to a palace topped by a winged eagle that glows under the equatorial sun.

But along the rows of futuristic new buildings, Nusantara's boulevards are largely empty save for a few gardeners and curious tourists.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Research institute IndexPolitica Indonesia released the results of a survey on presidential candidates, vice-presidential candidates, and political parties for the 2029 General Election. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa was ranked second in the electability category for presidential candidates, just after President Prabowo Subianto.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Maruarar Sirait, stated that there are currently 26.9 million uninhabitable houses in the country. "So, they have houses, but they are uninhabitable," said Maruarar after meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as quoted from Antara.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – The government has pushed back the launch of Indonesia's long-awaited artificial intelligence regulation to early 2026, missing its initial target for this year, as calls mount to expedite the roadmap for the rapidly evolving technology.

Fia Hamid-Walker – On 8 October 2025, the Cibinong District Court made a significant decision, dismissing a plantation firm's civil suit against two Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) professors – the first application of the Anti-SLAPP framework in Indonesia.

Hidayat Salam – Amidst the momentum of the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day on Tuesday October 28, dozens of Indonesian citizens from Indonesia Bergerak (Indonesia Moving), ranging from students to the diaspora, visited the Republic of Indonesia Consulate General (KJRI) in Melbourne, Australia, where the "Indonesia Bergerak Declaration" document was handed over to Consulate staff.

Jakarta – What can we read from the maneuvering by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin through his recent meetings with the leaders of political parties supporting the government?

Guteriano Neves – The official inauguration of Timor-Leste's membership in ASEAN has been the main topic in Dili this week and a highlight of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is a moment of great joy for many Timorese. The theme "Together We Rise" captures a sense of unity and hope inspired by this historic accession.

Jakarta – The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, stated that the Indonesian National Army (TNI) has been involved in the People's School program since its launch on July 14, 2025. In addition to the TNI, Saifullah also mentioned that the Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with the Indonesian National Police (Polri).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – A Russian diplomat said Wednesday that Indonesia had yet to terminate its contract for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets as Jakarta orders new warplanes from Turkey and possibly China.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that he often spends his nights watching podcasts that contain false accusations and harsh criticism about him, describing the experience as a lesson in humility and leadership rather than a source of resentment.

Aqraa Sagir, Jakarta – We've never had more access to films, yet the experience feels lonelier than ever. Between endless scrolling and solo binge sessions, something's been lost. For some cultural workers and curators, the answer isn't more content – it's more connection.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) of Indonesia, Dadan Hindayana, denied reports claiming his institution had offered Rp5 million to members of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for creating positive promotional videos about the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Herman, Jakarta – The development of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara (IKN), will move forward as planned, with the megaproject slated for completion in 2028.

President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to continue the construction of the future capital.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration's commitment to eradicating narcotics "down to the roots" as Indonesia destroyed a record 214.84 tons of seized drugs, the largest haul ever confiscated by the National Police (Polri).

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia will lower the 2026 Hajj cost by around Rp 2 million ($120) per pilgrim, introduce a uniform 26-year waiting period nationwide, and maintain the national Hajj quota at 221,000, under a new agreement between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR).

Tsering Lama – Deep within the forest of Sira Village, West Papua, nearly 100 young Indigenous Leaders gathered this September for the Forest Defenders Camp. They came from across the region as well as the Brazilian Amazon, the Congo Basin, and Borneo.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, declined to comment on recent layoffs following the release of his ministry's performance report marking one year under the Prabowo-Gibran administration, from October 2024 to October 2025.

On the morning of 8 September 2025, around 30 police officers from the Jayapura District Police, using three police cars and six patrol motorcycles, dispersed members of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) Sentani Region and Yahim residents while they were carrying out a community service activity to clean the Yahim Sentani highway, Sentani Town, Jayapura Regency, Papua Pro

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that volatile food inflation in September 2025 was influenced by the accelerated rollout of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) prepares incentives of Rp5 million for regional implementers who successfully create positive and viral content about the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG).

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the alleged bribery in Indonesia's high-speed train project or Whoosh after receiving several pieces of information.

Samantha Tan, Kuala Lumpur – Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao has reiterated the importance of peace and dialogue in ensuring sustainable development across the ASEAN region and beyond.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Body (BGN) has clarified the remarks about the Rp5 million incentive for public kitchens that successfully create positive and viral content for the free nutritious meal program, or MBG.

Kiki Safitri, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, has promised to provide incentives for organisers of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in regions who succeed in creating positive and viral content about the MBG program on social media.

Jakarta – Indonesia has drawn up new rules that will allow the central government to lend to local authorities and state-owned enterprises in order to support the country's development projects.