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 – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – Indonesia's Center for Education Standards and Policy (PSKP) revealed that male students are vulnerable to becoming victims of sexual violence. This finding is based on data from the National Assessment of the Ministry of Education and Culture or Kemdikbud throughout 2022 and the results of the PSKP analysis.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said Saturday that his government had zero intention to make Indonesians suffer, while asking people to give more time for his relatively new cabinet to prove itself.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto recently clarified what he meant by pardoning people engaged in graft, saying that all he wanted was for the criminals to return the money that they had stolen.

Jakarta – Anything can happen if it is forced. This is what happened when the government ordered a number of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to reduce the costs of their services affect the price of plane tickets.

Wijayanti Putri, Solo – Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has voiced support for the government's decision to raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 11 percent to 12 percent, despite public opposition.

"The government must have already conducted calculations and considerations regarding the concerns raised by the public," Jokowi said on Friday in Solo, Central Java.

Anis Firmansah, Kediri – A group claiming to be involved in President Prabowo Subianto's flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program for children and pregnant mothers has defrauded dozens of catering business owners in Kediri, East Java.

Antara, Majalengka – The Indonesian National Police's counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, arrested five suspects in West Java on Friday, believed to be part of a terrorist network. The arrests took place in Majalengka and Tasikmalaya in separate operations.

Jakarta – If we allow President Prabowo Subianto to get his way in reforming the regional electoral law, we will be betraying the spirit of the political reforms which turned Indonesia into a democratic nation.

Jack Moore and Marchio Gorbiano, Jakarta – France has sent Indonesia an official request for the transfer of a French death row inmate who has spent nearly 20 years in prison, an Indonesian minister told AFP on Saturday.

Aswin Ariyanto Azis, Indonesia – Indonesia's decision to pursue membership in BRICS, a bloc of emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, signals that President Prabowo Subianto is steering foreign policy in a direction that contrasts with his predecessors.