More than 900 people have been indicted using the rubber (catchall) articles under the Information and Electronic Transaction (ITE) Law and the Criminal Code (KUHP) over the last eight years said Amnesty International Indonesia today in its reflection on 80 years of Indonesian independence.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has officially set the 2026 annual economic growth target at 5.4 percent, higher by 0.2 percentage points than what the country had aimed for this year.

Yustinus Paat, Arnoldus Kristianus, Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Friday laid out a 2026 state budget blueprint that aims to shrink the fiscal deficit, ramp up spending on energy security and food resilience, and accelerate the country's transition to renewable power, while committing hundreds of trillions of rupiah to a nationwide free nutritious meals pro

Fahri Ali, Depok, W – Java. Police in the West Java city of Depok confirmed that officers shot and seriously wounded two teenagers suspected of involvement in a street brawl in Sukmajaya in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 9.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has called for sweeping reforms in Indonesia's state-owned enterprises (SOEs), slamming bloated boards of commissioners and lavish annual bonuses paid even to loss-making companies.

Kiki Safitri, Robertus Belarminus, Jakarta – Human rights activist and the wife of renowned human rights defender Munir Said Talib, Suciwati, has emphasised that despite two decades passing, there has yet to be any certainty over Munir's assassination.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Multi Bintang Indonesia (IDX: MLBI), the Heineken-owned brewer, posted solid first-half 2025 results, driven by lager market leadership, premium brand expansion, and ongoing digital transformation.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Indonesian House Speaker, Puan Maharani, considers the raising of the One Piece flag ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebration as an expression of public concern.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Finance Ministry recently destroyed shipments of smuggled used clothes in several regions of Indonesia. Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budhi Utama, stated that the majority of these illegal imports originated from Malaysia.

Jakarta – Fiscal decentralization and regional autonomy are now under threat because the funds that should be used for development and public services in the regions have been allocated to cover the costs of the central government's wishes.

The Timor-Leste government has dropped a proposed legal clause that sought to criminalize media freedom to criticize the state, following protests from journalists and civil society.

Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Febriyan – Amnesty International Indonesia has recorded that 145 Papuan and Maluku activists were convicted for makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) between January 2019 and 2025. Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid stated that the hundreds of people were convicted after peacefully voicing aspirations for independence.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) on Wednesday alleged that a member of the National Police's elite counterterrorism unit, Detachment 88, was abducted and tortured by military personnel acting on the request of a businessman.

Jakarta – Anybody concluding that the death of Arya Daru Pangayunan, a young diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was by suicide is being too hasty or intentionally cutting corners. There are a number of facts behind the death that do not support each other: the strange cause of death, unusual injuries, missing evidence and unexplained gaps in the timeline.

Adinda Jasmine, Jakarta – The book The Jokowi Presidency: Indonesia's Decade of Authoritarian Revival was officially launched on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Central Jakarta. The launch was held in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the ANU Indonesia Project.

Alfitria Nefi P – A lecturer from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the UGM (Gadjah Mada University) Faculty of Engineering, Tumiran, questions the urgency of importing food trays for the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG).

Jakarta – The Indonesian Government and the United Nations launched the Indonesia-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026-2030 on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Bappenas-UN Forum 2025, held at the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) in Jakarta.

Alfitria Nefi P – The Foundation of the Indonesian Consumer Agency (YLKI) is urging the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) to tighten supervision over the meal equipment due to recurring cases of food poisoning in the free nutritious meal project (MBG).

Welcoming 80 years of Indonesian independence, the Indonesian History Transparency Alliance (AKSI) has warned of the dangers of a "national decline".

On 31 July 2025, the Nabire City Police arrested Mr. Deki Widigipa, 24, a member of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), at A. Gobay Road, Karang Tumaritis Market, Nabire, at 11:00 am. The officers accused him of robbery and motor vehicle theft.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced Thursday that it had green-lit a $500 million policy-based loan for Indonesia to improve its tax collection.

The financial support comes at a time when Jakarta struggles with its annual tax revenue target, coupled with some mishaps surrounding the Coretax digital taxation platform.

Salman Mardira, Banda Aceh, Aceh – Aceh Governor Muzakir "Mualem" Manaf has urged residents to refrain from hoisting the province's crescent-and-star flag during this week's commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Aceh peace agreement.

Muhammad Firman, Jakarta – While the average company lifespan is just 40-50 years, according to Boston Consulting Group, some Indonesian firms have defied the odds, enduring for more than a century. These businesses have weathered colonial transitions, political upheavals, shifting consumer trends, and economic crises, and remain integral to the country's economy.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday summoned B. Rudijanto Tanoesoedibjo, the elder brother of MNC Group chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo, for questioning in a newly launched corruption case over the distribution of social aid by the Social Affairs Ministry.

Putu Ayu Pratama Sugiyo, Malang – The government recently said that Indonesia had no plans to import rice as the country still had enough supply of the staple food to feed its sizable population.

According to Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono, the government's rice reserves currently reach 4.3 million tons.

Ni Made Tasyarani, Jakarta – Indonesia has seen foreign investors' appetite weaken despite surging domestic investment that took up the slack.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's push to develop a stronger national defense force is certainly fitting, given the vast territory and huge population the country has to protect.

Eka Yudha Saputra – The Presidential Palace ensures that there are no casualties in the protest rejecting the increase in rural and urban land and building tax (PBB-P2) and demanding the removal of Regent Sudewo in Pati, Central Java, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's middle class – long regarded as the backbone of domestic consumption and a key driver of national economic growth – has been shrinking sharply over the past five years, prompting calls for urgent government intervention, including tax relief.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The government revealed Thursday that the United States had been the biggest buyer of Indonesian toys as Washington's fresh tariff hikes had been around for a week.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 10 August 2025, police officers from the Teluk Bintuni Police Department arbitrarily arrested two young women, Mrs Aksimina Muuk,20, and Mrs Derina Mosoum, 20, at Bintuni Bay Port, Papua Barat Province, along with a five-month-old infant and a five-year-old boy, Wene Husage.

On 5 August 2025, members of the Yahukimo Military District Command (Koramil) arbitrarily detained Mr Son Balingga (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs) at the rear complex of the Koramil Yahukimo. At the time of his arrest, Mr Balingga was accompanied by his friend and had stopped to refuel his motorcycle.

Indonesia, West Papua – In the early hours of 7 August 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly raided the Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency, resulting in the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of church facilities, and the shooting of a 13-year-old girl named Y. W.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has officially dissolved two pension funds owned by state-run insurer Asuransi Jiwasraya, as part of the company's ongoing liquidation process.

Putri Nurjannah Kurita, Sentani – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has called for peaceful actions to commemorate 63 years since the New York Agreement on August 15, 1962, and the racist incident against Papuan students in Surabaya on August 17, 2019.

Anisa Fauziah, Jakarta – Indonesian shopping mall operators are banking on a nationwide Independence Day discount program to revive sales during the current low season following the end of the long school holidays.

Dandi Bajuddin, Jakarta – The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) projects that Indonesia's economic growth may still struggle to reach the 5 percent mark.

Dewi Rina Cahyani, Jakarta – Indonesia is seeing about a 75.12 percent surge in instant noodle exports to Canada in 2024, with US$4.94 million in 2024, compared to US$2.82 million the previous year.

Criticisms continue to rage against the Timor-Leste government's plan to build a football stadium in a historically, culturally, and religiously significant environmental zone.

The opposition has grown as the government reportedly aims to start this year the proposed US$20 million stadium at Tasi Tolu, some eight kilometers west of the national capital, Dili.

Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has deployed dozens of personnel on a 12-day humanitarian mission to deliver aid via airdrop for Palestinians in Gaza, where the hunger crisis is spreading.

Jamal Abdun Nashr – Police fired tear gas in various directions to disperse protesters calling for the resignation of Pati Regent Sudewo on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The protest descended into chaos, leading to dozens being hospitalized.

Eka Yudha Saputra – Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regretted the arrogant attitude of Pati Regent Sudewo in responding to public protests against the 250 percent increase in the Rural and Urban Land and Building Tax (PBB-P2).

Antara, Jakarta – The protest by Pati Regency residents against Regent Sudewo's policy and demanding his resignation descended into chaos. Initially peaceful, the demonstration turned violent.

The crowd damaged the fence of the regent's office, shattered glass windows, and set a car on fire, Antara reported on Wednesday afternoon, August 13, 2025.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia's flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program could require more than Rp 300 trillion ($18.58 billion) in state funds annually by 2026 as the government expands coverage to 82 million beneficiaries, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Wednesday.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested nine people in a sting operation in Jakarta over alleged bribery involving a state-owned forestry company.

Jakarta – When the tech boom was at its peak, its shine hid a lot of problems. But as the tech winter arrives, the water level has fallen, and like a drying lake, the ugly things at the bottom are now in plain sight.

Indonesia, West Papua – The humanitarian crisis in West Papua continues. As of mid-August 2025, more than 80,709 people in West Papua [1] remain internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – Indonesia's Attorney General's Office (AGO) has named Sritex Director General Iwan Kurniawan Lukminto (IKL) as a new suspect in the case involving credit provided by PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten, PT Bank Jawa Tengah, and PT Bank DKI to Sritex.

Jamal Abdun Nashr, Jakarta – Pati Regent Sudewo is refusing to resign despite protests by residents on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The demonstration turned chaotic, with police using water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Devy Ernis – The decision by Pati Regent Sudewo to increase rural and urban land and building tax (PBB-P2) rates was met with a demonstration by thousands of residents on Wednesday August 13.