Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Several political analysts believe that President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto reflects an attempt to embrace all political factions, including his oppositions.

Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto, with the approval of the House of Representatives (DPR), granted amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto and terminated the legal proceedings against Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, warns against raising the flag of the Japanese anime One Piece ahead of Independence Day on August 17. According to him, raising the anime flag tarnishes the honor of Indonesia's red and white national flag and is subject to criminal repercussions.

Nivell Rayda, Jakarta – Indonesia's plan for the military to produce medicines for public use has sparked alarm among health experts, who question whether the armed forces possess the required expertise and safety protocols.

Hanif Abdul Halim, Yogyakarta – Arecent White House press release, "Fact Sheet: The United States and Indonesia Reach Historic Trade Deal," highlights a significant development regarding cross-border data transfer.

Indonesia – Amnesty International Indonesia released a troubling report on 14 July 2025, documenting attacks against at least 104 human rights defenders across 54 separate cases during the first six months of the year.

Juan Ardya Guardiola, Badung, Bali – Megawati Soekarnoputri has officially been reappointed as the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for the 2025-2030 term, cementing her leadership for another five years.

The confirmation was made during the party's sixth national congress held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) on Friday.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Foreign Minister Sugiono has been appointed secretary-general of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), assuming a dual role in both government and party leadership. The appointment, signed by party chairman and President Prabowo Subianto, took effect immediately on August 1.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia witnessed a double-digit rise in its palm oil exports in the first half of 2025, official statistics showed Friday as Jakarta unlocked greater market access to the European Union (EU).

Ichsan Ali, Bogor, West Java – President Prabowo Subianto has called for the accelerated construction of international airports across Indonesia to spur economic growth and boost regional tourism, according to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta boasted about Dili's economic strength, including its investments and low foreign debt, during a trip to Jakarta on Friday, as the half-island nation is set to join ASEAN in about two months.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office claims to have been unaware of the House of Representatives' approval of President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to grant amnesty to former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong.

On 28 July 2025, employees of the palm oil company PT Putera Manunggal Perkasa (PT PMP) in Kais, Sorong Selatan Regency, staged a peaceful protest (see photo on top, source: Jubi) demanding clarity over their employment status and labour rights following a management transition.

Mr Samson Same, a displaced Papuan man from Kisor Village, died in custody on 9 July 2025 at the Class IIB Sorong Prison (see photo, source: Jubi), Papua Barat Daya Province.

Jakarta – When news broke that a young diplomat at the Foreign Ministry died under mysterious circumstances on July 8, media outlets began to dig deeper into his personal and professional past, and when a revelation surfaced that he once served as a witness in a human trafficking case, many found justification to suspect foul play.

Jakarta – Bali is always the face of Indonesia. In international forums held there, the government often shows off renewable energy projects as a realization of its commitment to the global climate movement. And now, Bali will become the right place to see if the government's noble promise to promote the energy transition is anything more than a promise.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – A celebratory and hopeful tone has been raised over the United States' decision to lower Indonesia's trade tariff to 19 percent, but analysts have warned that the country may still face tricky situations ahead as nonaligned Jakarta works to rebalance ties with other key economic partners.

Wahyu Sahala Tua, Jakarta – Indonesian car owners pay up to ten times more in annual vehicle taxes than their Malaysian counterparts, a disparity that industry leaders say is discouraging middle-class consumers and weakening the domestic automotive market.

Ilham Oktafian, Juan Ardya Guardiola, Jakarta – The sudden emergence of One Piece pirate flags flying alongside Indonesia's national flag across several regions has sparked political controversy just weeks ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day celebration on August 17.

Muhadi Sugiono, Yogyakarta – Under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian diplomacy has taken a distinctive turn. Rather than relying solely on his foreign ministry, Prabowo has been personally performing diplomatic roles on the international stage. In the nine months since his inauguration, he has visited 26 countries for bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia recorded a $10.69 billion trade deficit with China in the first half of 2025, the largest among its trading partners with which it posted a negative trade balance, according to figures released by the central Statistics Agency (BPS) on Friday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Official statistics showed Friday that the trade gap between Indonesia and the United States continued to widen to $8.57 billion in the first half of 2025, ahead of Washington's new tariffs.

BeritaSatu, Jakarta – The CEO of Jakarta-owned food enterprise, Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, has been named a suspect in a rice mislabeling and adulteration case, along with two of his subordinates, police confirmed on Wednesday.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has requested approval from the House of Representatives to grant presidential pardons to former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, both of whom were recently convicted on corruption charges.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) reports that the fish population around the island of Java is dwindling due to a high amount of waste damaging the marine ecosystem. The Director General of Marine Management at the KKP, A. Koswara, stated that waste is currently one of the biggest threats to marine health.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has declared August 18, 2025, a national holiday to celebrate the 80th Indonesian Independence Day, which falls on August 17. Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro stated that the holiday is a "gift for the public."

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to pursue Harun Masiku in connection with the bribery case involving Wahyu Setiawan, the former Commissioner of the General Election Commission (KPU) for the 2017-2022 period.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 17 July 2025, members of the Indonesian security forces, including the Beoga Police Chief and personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), were captured on video engaging in the illegal collection of community funds from village heads in Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Presidential Palace has confirmed that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka will attend the 80th Indonesian Independence Day ceremony at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Deputy State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro reiterated that Gibran will be present in Jakarta for the ceremony.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – According to the 2024 Asia Scam Report compiled by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), 65 percent of Indonesians experience scam attempts every week. These scams take various forms, from fake job offers to investment fraud.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 3 July 2025, the Military Court III-19 Jayapura found Navy Officer Agung Suyono guilty (see photo on top: source: Suara Papua) of murdering Mrs Kesya Irene Yola Lestaluhu at the Saoka Beach, Sorong, Papua Barat Daya Province on 12 January 2025.

Maria Monica Wihardja and Siwage Dharma Negara – Indonesia's recent trade agreement with the US has drawn significant scrutiny. While President Prabowo Subianto's administration touts the agreement as a diplomatic success, because it lowers the tariffs for Indonesia's exports to the US from 32 to 19 per cent, the economic returns appear limited and potentially costly.

Yovanda Noni, Jakarta – The massive influx of trucks from China into the Indonesian market has triggered unhealthy competition in the commercial vehicle sector, particularly for mining operations. In addition to putting pressure on local industries, the presence of trucks from China also poses a potential threat to Indonesia's net-zero emission (NZE) target for 2026.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Efforts to realize net-zero emissions (NZE) in the mining sector are still progressing rather slowly. This contrasts with the oil and gas sector, which has already begun decarbonization initiatives by implementing technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in its operations.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) has restored access to previously blocked inactive or dormant accounts. The earlier suspension of transactions on these accounts had sparked public debate.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday granted legal clemency to former trade minister Tom Lembong and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto, in a move that appears to have been arranged behind closed doors and has taken many by surprise.

Yogyakarta – Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Community Peace and Reconciliation Study Center by involving universities and civil society organizations across the region.

Mila Novita, Jakarta – Bali is seen as a tropical vacation spot with beaches, waterfalls, and temples for soul-searching. However, some tourists feel that the tropical paradise is not as beautiful as it appears on social media. They reveal Bali's dark side, which social media users and influencers often overlook.

Anwar Siswadi (Kontributor), Bandung – The head of the Sukabumi Geophysical Station at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Agung Sabtaji, reported a recent increase in tectonic earthquake activity across West Java.

On average, the province experiences around 510 earthquakes annually.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesia's daily crude oil production has surpassed the government's official target for the first time in 17 years, marking a significant milestone in the country's effort to revive its oil industry, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced on Wednesday.

Jaja Suteja, Muhammad Firman, Jakarta – Former Religious Affairs Minister and a key figure in the United Development Party (PPP) Suryadharma Ali, passed away early Thursday at Mayapada Hospital in South Jakarta. He was 68.

Hanoi – General Phan V?n Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, hosted a welcome ceremony for Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

Jakarta – Employers have called on the government to ramp up support for domestic firms to stay afloat and remain competitive, as widespread layoffs reflect investor concerns over an uncertain economic outlook.

Salsabilla Azzahra Octavia, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) announced that Indonesia is preparing a new regulatory framework to support the planned expansion of the Whoosh high-speed rail line connecting Jakarta, Bandung, and eventually Surabaya.

Yovanda Noni, Jakarta – Indonesia's efforts to achieve net zero emissions (NZE) by 2060 face major hurdles, particularly in the mining sector, where fossil fuel-powered vehicles continue to dominate operations.

Nabila Cahyarani Kusworo, Jakarta – Public discourse has recently picked up on two popular acronyms that reflect a growing mismatch between high mall foot traffic and sluggish sales. Rohana (rombongan hanya nanya), or "groups that only ask," and Rojali (rombongan jarang beli), or "groups that rarely buy."

Johannesburg – Indonesia is added to CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist amid widespread state intimidation, legal manipulation, and violent crackdowns on dissent, pushing civic space to a precarious point. Nine months into President Prabowo Subianto's administration, dozens of activists have been attacked, intimidated or arrested.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – CIVICUS Monitor, an international research collaboration dedicated to tracking civil liberties across 197 countries, has added Indonesia to its watchlist.

Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) should be more cautious in its handling of the case relating to alleged corruption over the purchase of Chromebook laptops at the Ministry of Education and Culture from 2019 to 2022. It must not ignore the integrity of the investigation process and the protection of citizens from arbitrary action by law enforcement officers.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Joko Pramono, Jakarta – Police have ruled out foul play in the death of Arya Daru Pangayunan, a 39-year-old diplomat with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, whose body was found under suspicious circumstances at his rented room in Menteng, Central Jakarta, earlier this month.