Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Indonesian Press Council has urged the Presidential Palace to reinstate the press credentials of a CNN Indonesia journalist whose access was revoked after she asked President Prabowo Subianto about a government food aid program.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Press Council has sharply criticized the Presidential Palace for revoking the press credentials of a CNN Indonesia reporter who questioned President Prabowo Subianto about the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Jakarta – Forget the "Big Durian"! Jakarta now has a new nickname, albeit a less flattering one: Jakarta Kota Galian (City of Excavation). This moniker comes from frustrated Jakartans who took to social media to vent about traffic congestion exacerbated by widespread digging for utility projects across the city.

Tanjungpinang – A letter signed by a school principle agreeing to keep quiet about food poisoning incidents in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has gone viral on social media.

Monique Handa Shafira, Jakarta – The United Development Party (PPP), one of the country's oldest political parties, named Muhammad Mardiono as its definitive chairman for the 2025-2030 term on Saturday, in a chaotic congress marred by fistfights and chair-throwing among rival factions.

Sita Planasari, Jakarta – Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks that referenced President Prabowo Subianto's speech during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, ensures that the government has never banned the circulation of books. This statement follows the growing practice of police confiscating books.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has halted the illegal use of sea space in the form of reclamation for the construction of a jetty or pier on the coast of Ulu Sawa Village, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. PT GMS's jetty lacks the document of the Suitability for Utilization of Sea Space (PKKPRL).

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa led officials from the Finance Ministry to monitor the free nutritious meal program (MBG). The monitoring was conducted at 20 random locations to assess the program's execution, whether it has a positive impact on the economy, or if it is detrimental to the government.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Nutrition expert Hardinsyah has attributed recent food safety incidents in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to bacterial contamination

He stressed that stronger oversight is crucial to ensure the distributed meals do not endanger the health of children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Penitentiary Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has defended the mass arrests that followed a wave of protests across the country in late August.

He insisted that demonstrators taken into custody were not targeted simply for protesting but for committing criminal acts.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has announced that factory-produced food items will no longer be included in the government's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Deputy Head of BGN, Nanik S. Deyang, delivered the statement during a press conference at the agency's office in Jakarta on Friday, September 26, 2026.

Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat – At the United Nations General Assembly this week, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a speech that many in Jakarta framed as a defense of Palestine. He described the catastrophe in Gaza, used the word "genocide," and called for Palestinian statehood.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has completed a six-day diplomatic tour to Japan, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, underscoring Indonesia's rising global presence. The tour, which began on Sept. 19, coincided with the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Health expert Tjandra Yoga Aditama highlights the results of laboratory tests related to mass poisoning cases in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in West Java, including West Bandung Regency. Based on the regional health laboratory report, Salmonella and Bacillus cereus bacteria were found in several food samples that were tested.

Sita Planasari, Jakarta – Indonesia, provides US$12 million (Rp200.4 billion) in food aid to Gaza residents through the World Food Programme (WFP) in response to the food crisis and starvation in the region caused by the Israeli blockade.

This aid is part of the 10,000-ton rice commitment previously announced by Indonesia's president at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

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.

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.

Yogyakarta – Hundreds of mothers held a symbolic action by banging cooking utensils as a form of protest against the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program which has recently resulted in thousands of school children suffering food poisoning.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Mass food poisoning linked to Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program continues to surface across the country. Since its rollout in early January 2025, suspected cases of poisoning traced to MBG meals have been reported in multiple regions.

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.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The drafting and synchronization team for the fourth revision of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE/BUMN) Law has formally established a prohibition on ministers or vice ministers holding multiple positions on the boards of directors, commissioners, and supervisory boards of SOEs.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has suspended 190 mineral and coal mining business permits (IUP) after companies failed to meet their reclamation and post-mining payment obligations.

The decision is outlined in the Decree of the Director General of Minerals Number T-1533/MB.07/DJB.T/2025, issued on September 18, 2025.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – A growing number of organizations are urging the Indonesian government to suspend the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following a surge in student food poisoning cases.

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.

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.

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.

Monique Handa Shafira, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) issued a tearful apology Friday after nearly 6,000 schoolchildren fell ill from food served under the government's flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

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.

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.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's job market is showing signs of strain as more than 10 million people are seeking work each year, indicating the gap between steady headline employment figures and the reality of a fast-growing labor force.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.