Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The President of the Student Senate of the State Islamic University of Ar-Raniry, Teuku Raja Aulia Habibi, rejected the plan to establish a Territorial Battalion by the Indonesian National Army (TNI) in Aceh.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Spokesperson for the National Command of the West Papuan National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, has called for a rejection of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebration.

Sapto Yunus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) has announced that the usage of its Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) has reached 57 million users by the first half of 2025.

Angelina Tiara Puspitalova, Edy Can, Jakarta – The phenomenon of the installation of the One Piece flag, which has been widespread of late, is reminiscent of the story of Indonesia's 4th President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. He once took steps that were considered brave and different in responding to the raising of flags other than the red-and-white national flag.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The All-Indonesia Student Executive Board, or BEM SI, is concerned about the government's decision to pardon Hasto Kristiyanto and Tom Lembong, fearing it is part of the effort to weaken Prabowo's administration opposition.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued Presidential Regulation Number 81 of 2025 concerning Special Allowances for Specialist Doctors, Subspecialist Doctors, Specialist Dentists, and Subspecialist Dentists Serving in Underdeveloped, Border, and Island Regions (DTPK).

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Drone Emprit, Indonesia's social media monitoring and analytics platform, conducted a study on online interactions related to the raising of the One Piece flag, which drew attention ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day on August 17.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Nine private sugar importers indicted in a corruption case plan to request that the Attorney General drop the charges following the abolition granted to former Trade Minister Tom Lembong.

Their legal representatives revealed the plan ahead of the trial at the Corruption Court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Herman Khaeron, a member of Indonesia's House of Representatives from the Democratic Party faction, criticized the recent display of the One Piece pirate flag ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebrations, calling it unethical. He said the fictional Jolly Roger symbol does not align with nationalist values.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that Indonesia's economy grew by 5.12 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2025, but Nailul Huda, Director of the Digital Economy Center at the Institute for Economic and Legal Studies (Celios), argued that the data contained several anomalies that raised questions.

Zhulfakar, Fahri Ali, Rikhi Ferdian, Jakarta – Indonesia has launched a nationwide health screening initiative targeting 58 million schoolchildren, as part of a sweeping government effort to detect early signs of illness and improve the long-term health prospects of its young population.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Former Minister of Youth and Sports Roy Suryo expressed his delight over Democratic Party's involvement in the polemic surrounding Indonesia's former president Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) fake diploma. He believes that the firm response from the party's top officials signifies that his former party has no connection to this issue.

Wawan Kurniawan, Stefani Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesian police have begun cracking down on the display of the Jolly Roger pirate flag from the popular anime One Piece as the country prepares to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its independence on August 17.

Michael Neilson, Bali – "I can't believe this is happening," said Komang Agus, looking on in despair at his workplace of 16 years in the Bali tourist hotspot of Bingin, lying in fresh ruins.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Presidential Communication Office Head, Hasan Nasbi, recently affirmed that the Indonesian flag cannot be replaced by any other flag, specifically referencing the "One Piece" flag. Hasan noted that he has not observed the widely discussed Japanese pirate anime flag displayed along public roads.

Jakarta – National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has caught wind of espionage activities involving refugees, foreign workers (TKA) and foreign tourists coming to Indonesia.

Responding to the raids and the stance taken by the authorities over the phenomenon of the raising pirate flags based on the One Piece animation film series by the public, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said:

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra responded to Yulianus Paonganan being one of 1,178 individuals granted amnesty by President Prabowo Subianto. According to Yusril, Yulianus' case is a political matter, making it fitting for him to receive amnesty for insulting former President Jokowi.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received an honor medal from the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, General Bryan Fenton, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, August 4, 2025. General Bryan Fenton met with President Prabowo in his office to strengthen defense relations between Indonesia and the United States.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Former Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, widely known as Tom Lembong, has formally lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court against the judges who presided over his sugar import corruption case.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – The polemic over Indonesia's ex-president Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s fake diploma continues. This time, the Democratic Party is also implicated in the tangle of this issue and accused as the mastermind behind the narrative of disbelief in Jokowi's bachelor's degree.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that Indonesia is currently not in good condition as the nation is struggling to compete across various sectors compared to other countries.

Wahyu Sahala Tua, Jakarta – Indonesia's top automotive industry association signaled a likely downward revision to its 2025 car sales target amid slowing national demand and weaker-than-expected transactions at the country's largest auto show.

The Myanmar junta's rhetoric against Timor Leste is reaching hysterical pitch as the island state's accession to ASEAN looms.

M. Rizki Yusrial, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai has prohibited people from raising an One Piece anime flag ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence. Pigai said that it would be a violation of the law and a form of subversion if the flag is raised alongside the red and white flag.

Jakarta – The Chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani has no issue with the hoisting of the One Piece flag by citizens ahead of the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day. Muzani sees it as an expression of creativity.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – A constitutional law lecturer from Mulawarman University in Indonesia, Herdiansyah Hamzah, stated that the law does not prohibit Indonesian citizens from flying the pirate flag from One Piece. Citizens are allowed to fly the One Piece flag as long as it is not higher than the Indonesian flag.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The act of raising the flag of the Japanese animation One Piece in Indonesia is suspected to have been infiltrated by authorities.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 10-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.

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has denied violating the Catholic-majority nation's constitution and dismissed a ruling from a top court that accused him of interfering in judicial independence.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Several sociology professors in Indonesia responded to the raising of the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, 2025.

Basudiwa Supraja, Bandung – Senior Indonesian business figure Sofjan Wanandi has called on the government to shift its focus toward ensuring legal certainty in economic regulation and promoting national unity, now that the country has concluded its election cycle.

Tess Ikonomou – Australia and Indonesia should deepen their defence ties to jointly tackle threats such as cyber attacks and economic coercion, a think tank says.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's report, released on Tuesday, calls for a framework between the two nations to focus on co-ordinated harmful activities, with the potential to expand regionally.

Yanuar Nugroho and Julia Lau – There is growing disquiet among Indonesia's political elite about the uncertain fate of the new capital city, Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) Nusantara, after President Prabowo Subianto's press office announced that Jakarta, not Nusantara, will host this year's Independence Day celebrations.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has won widespread praise for his decision to release two public figures from jail who were recently convicted for corruption, especially since the public overwhelmingly believe they were targets of separate political persecutions.

Ni Komang Erviani, Jakarta – Two foreign tourists have been arrested for two alleged robberies targeting money changers on the resort island of Bali. One of the suspects was beaten by a mob after trying to steal Rp 191,150,000 (US$11,667) from the victim.

Police discovered that this was their second such act on the island.

Ni Made Tasyarani, Jakarta – Indonesian manufacturers are increasingly cautious in their outlook as business confidence has fallen to a record low amid concerns over United States import tariffs. Experts warn that waning sentiment risks holding back investment.

Antara, Jakarta – Five regencies in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have entered drought alert status due to the ongoing dry season.

These include Dompu Regency, covering Kilo and Pajo Districts; Bima Regency, covering Lambitu, Lambu, Sape, and Soromandi Districts; and East Lombok Regency, particularly Sambelia District.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has been importing more vehicles and auto parts during the first half of this year, government data shows.

Martin Bagya Kertiyasa, Jakarta – A 46-year-old midwife named Dona Lubis bravely crossed the strong currents of the Batang Pasaman River in West Sumatra to treat a Tuberculosis (TB) patient in Kejorongan Sinuangon, Nagari (Village) Cubadak Barat, Dua Koto Subdistrict, Pasaman Regency.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has warned of strict legal consequences for individuals or companies that clear land by setting forest fires, following a high-level meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto with security and law enforcement officials.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto aims to make Indonesia an "economically independent" country, as Southeast Asia's largest economy marks its 80th year of independence this month.

In a social media post, Prabowo wrote that 80 years marked a historic milestone in the country's journey towards economic independence.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Willy Aditya, the chair of the NasDem Party's central leadership council for Public Communication, said raising the One Piece flag – Indonesian youth's current form of protest – is inappropriate.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The "One Piece" anime symbol, notably utilized by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his 2024 presidential election campaign, is now being characterized as a divisive element in Indonesian society.

M. Rizki Yusrial, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai claimed that the government's decision to prohibit the public from hoisting the One Piece flag ahead of Independence Day will receive support from the United Nations (UN).

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, has shown concern regarding the popular gaming platform, Roblox, that is gaining popularity among students. According to him, the diverse online games provided by the application can be dangerous.

Jakarta – The saying about robbing Peter to pay Paul is what is guiding the government in its efforts to deal with soaring debt. The inability of the administration to manage state finances, as well as its apparent belief that Indonesia is a major nation, could undermine the economy.

Zacharias Wuragil, Jakarta – Some Indonesians are currently protesting against the government by waving One Piece anime flags. This protest continues to go viral on social media, with images of flags featuring pirate skulls in straw hats scattered throughout.

Myesha Fatina Rachman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant abolition to Tom Lembong and amnesty to Hasto Kristiyanto on Thursday, July 31, 2025, has sparked criticism from various parties, ranging from legal experts to the Executive Board of the All-Indonesia Students' Executive Body (BEM SI).

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – The Prasasti Center for Policy Studies assesses that Indonesia's investment realization, which reached Rp477.7 trillion in the second quarter, provides a positive signal amidst global uncertainty.