Jakarta – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and the South Papua provincial government launched 500 thousand hectares of rice fields in the region to increase agricultural production, both regionally and nationally.

Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – The chairperson of Centra Initiative and Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) senior researcher, Al Araf, says that the reuse of the term Free Papua Organisation or OPM will not solve the problems or the conflict in Papua.

Elisa Sekenyap, Jayapura – The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) says it deplores the recent sadistic torture of indigenous peoples of Melanesia in West Papua committed by the Indonesian government through members of the TNI (Indonesian military).

Jakarta – The Army's Cendrawasih Military Command in Central Papua said that a soldier died in Aradide district after allegedly being attacked by a group of Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels.

The soldier was Second Lt. Oktovianus Sogalrey, a commander of Aradide district's military command in Paniai regency in Central Papua.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Indonesian economy will likely slow down if the Middle East conflict worsens following Iran's retaliatory strike on Israel, according to experts.

Iran's recent missile strikes on Israel have sparked worries over the escalation of the Middle East crisis. Fears over its economic impact –including on Indonesia– are mounting.

Jakarta (Agencies) – Landslides in South Sulawesi on the weekend killed at least 18 people with rescue efforts, including police sniffer dogs, still ongoing for two missing people, local authorities said on Monday.

The local government in South Sulawesi also reported that two people were in a critical condition in hospital.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Prabowo Subianto has apparently seized the opportunity presented by the Idul Fitri holiday to strengthen his existing ties and win over potential allies, in a move likely intended to shore up political support for his incoming government.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Plans to pursue a legislative inquiry into alleged irregularities in the February presidential election appear to have failed as the House of Representatives went into recess on Thursday, without a single political party aligned with losing candidates bringing a proposal to the floor.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has denied claims involving a female celebrity with the initial "A" in a corruption case linked to trading permits for tin commodities at state-owned tin miner Timah, which implicates businessman Harvey Moeis.

Adinda Jasmine and Amelia Rahima, Jakarta – A political observer Adi Prayitno assessed that the verdict of the Constitutional Court (MK) judges in the election dispute (PHPU) case will not alter the current conditions, which is that Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka are the victors of the 2024 presidential election.

Yohanes Maharso (Antara), Jakarta – Head of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Information Center, Major General Nugraha Gumilar, confirmed that Navy soldiers and the Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) members who were involved in the recent clash in Sorong City, Southwest Papua, on Sunday, April 14, would receive punishment as per the existing regulations.

Yudono Yanuar, Jakarta – The depreciating trend of the rupiah against the US dollar persisted in the recent week. On the last day of the joint leave of Eid al-Fitr on Monday, April 15, began trading at Rp16,117 per US dollar, marking the lowest level in the last four years since the dollar reached Rp16,373 on April 3, 2020.

Antara, Jakarta – At least 18 neighborhood units (RT) in East Jakarta were submerged by floods on Monday morning at 08:00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time). The Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said the flooding was caused by the overflowing Ciliwung River.

Yudono Yanuar, Jakarta – Indonesia has secured the third spot among the top 20 most competitive countries in Asia to attract investors, based on research conducted by the financial and investment site, Insider Monkey 2024.

Jayapura – It has been proven that applying a security approach in Papua just continues to result in the sacrifice of civilians. It is hoped the Indonesian government will immediately open space for a peaceful dialogue to resolve the armed conflict in the land of Papua.

Diamanty Meiliana, Jakarta – The issue of a people's tribunal or pengadilan rakyat has come up again following the 2024 elections that were allegedly marred by election fraud.

Diamanty Meiliana, Jakarta – Human rights activists Usman Hamid believes a people's tribunal is needed to hold a hearing into the 2024 general elections during which widespread fraud is alleged to have occurred.

Hamid said that the uncommon practices in the form of electoral fraud were widespread, especially in the presidential election.

Muhammad Ghafur Fadillah, Jakarta – Astra International (ASII), a leading business conglomerate, intends to propose a dividend payout amounting to Rp 21 trillion ($1.3 billion), representing 62 percent of the company's net profit in 2023.

The Indonesian National Army's (TNI) crime of torturing civilians in Papua has attracted criticism and resistance from the ordinary people. Ranging from Jakarta to Papua, statements were made and demonstrations launched everywhere.

Derrick A Paulo and Lewa Pardomuan, Bali – The resort island of Bali has been called by many names, from the Island of Gods to the Morning of the World. To many, it is simply paradise.

But its free and easy atmosphere may not be quite what it was. In February, the local government launched a new tourism police unit to deal with problematic foreign and domestic tourists.

Sri Hastjarjo – Surveys over the past decade show that nuclear energy as an energy option is being increasingly accepted in Indonesia.

More videos appear to have been released by the West Papua Liberation Army showing Kiwi hostage Phillip Mehrtens.

The New Zealander was taken hostage more than a year ago on 7 February in Paro, Papua, while providing vital air links and supplies to remote communities.

Johannes Nugroho – Indonesian cinema has experienced some incredible high and lows since the day director Usman Ismail started production on the country's first ever home-grown film, Darah dan Doa (Blood and Prayer), 74 years ago.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Maruarar Sirait, a politician who withdrew his membership in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in January, is planning to join the Gerindra Party of president-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – The government has decided to implement a combination of in-office duty (work from office/WFO) and remote work (work from home/WFH) for civil servants on April 16-17. This measure aims to smooth the Eid exodus return flow.

Heru Yustanto, Bogor – The surge of tourists to the Puncak area from Saturday morning until noon has resulted in severe traffic congestion towards various tourist destinations in Puncak, located in the Bogor Regency of West Java. Despite the implementation of a one-way system towards Puncak, traffic jams persist along the 15-kilometer route.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The National Police Traffic Corps recorded a decrease of 15 percent in accidents during the 2024 Eid al-Fitr exodus compared to last year's Eid.

"Nationally, traffic accidents have decreased from 2,159 to 1,835, a decrease of 15 percent," said the Corps Chief Aan Suhanan, to reporters on Friday.

Beritasatu Team, Jakarta – As the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches, Indonesians across the archipelago are gearing up for the annual tradition of 'mudik' – returning to their hometowns.

Antara, Jakarta – Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, dismissed the notion of internal division within the party.

Hasto responded to concerns about factions that either want to be embraced or excluded in the upcoming government within PDIP. "There are none [division]," said Hasto in Jakarta on Friday, April 12, 2024.

Jakarta – Indonesia's military on April 13 denied using air strikes in a remote, restive part of the country, after a video of a New Zealand pilot kidnapped by Papuan rebels featured him saying military actions had made his position unsafe.

Glori K. Wadrianto, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) have revealed the conditions for the release of Susi Air pilot captain Philips Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage by the group since February 7, 2023.

Jakarta – The TNI (Indonesian military) headquarters has denied deploying combat aircraft and dropped bombs in Papua in the context of efforts to free Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Meirto Tangkepayung, Jayapura – The Indonesian Military reported on Friday that a middle-ranking Army officer was discovered dead with gunshot and stab wounds in Paniai regency, Papua.

The Free Papua Movement (OPM) claimed responsibility for the killing of 2nd Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, who served as the commander of the Aradide District Military Command.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta. The highly polluted and congested Jakarta is struggling in the Smart City Index, as it fails to crack the top 100 once again.

Aditya Hadi, Jakarta – On expectations that the mudik (exodus) return traffic to Greater Jakarta will peak on Sunday and Monday, the government is calling on road travelers to start heading back earlier.

Beijing – The Chinese military is willing to work with its Indonesian counterpart to further consolidate strategic mutual trust, enhance pragmatic cooperation, and elevate the relationship between the two militaries to new heights, a defense ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Tragedy struck during a funeral gathering in the Yokatapa Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 8 April 2024, resulting in the death of thirteen-year-old Ronaldus Duwitau. Six-year-old Nepina Duwitau sustained multiple bullet wounds on the hand and the head. She is currently in a coma.

Yohanes Maharso, Jakarta – Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen), Major General Nugraha Gumilar, explained the purpose of changing the term armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua to the Free Papua Organization (OPM) by the TNI.

Yohanes Maharso, Jakarta – The Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights or Komnas HAM, Atnike Nova Sigiro, responded to the TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces) changing the term armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua to the Free Papua Organization (OPM).

According to him, the TNI Commander has the authority and considerations regarding the change of this term.

Abdul Manan, Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Station detected 169 hotspots spread across East Kalimantan Province.

Jakarta – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) on Friday described an attack by separatist rebels in Central Papua in which a sub-district military commander was killed as a serious violation of human rights.

Natalie Sambhi – With Indonesian President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo fast approaching the end of his 10-year term and the February election result now official, it's time to consider how incoming president Prabowo Subianto will shape the country's strategic and defence affairs.

Riani Sanusi Putri , Jakarta – The chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Shinta Kamdani, responded to the government's decision to keep the 2025 State Budget deficit below 3 percent. She said the preparation of the 2025 State Budget (APBN) Draft must be disciplined.

Yohanes Maharso Joharsoyo, Jakarta – Chairman of the Gerindra Party Central Leadership Council (DPP) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said there should be a reconciliation between the Gerindra Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) because the two parties' relationship has never been different.

The president of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, has questioned whether the country is prepared to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, as currently planned, given its lack of key infrastructure.

Riyad Dafhi Rizki, Sembilan Island, Indonesia – Until recently, skippers on this island relied on their day's catch of grouper, mackerel and snapper tipping the scales at around 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Today, Mukhlis provides for his family with just a fraction of that daily haul.

On 21 March 2024, an incident of police violence reportedly unfolded in the town of Timika, Mimika Regency, Papua Tengah Province, at approximately 2:00 pm. According to witnesses, a Papuan man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was collectively beaten by officers while purchasing cigarettes in a store near the Timika Indah field.

Fabian Januarius Kuwado, Jakarta – Indonesian military (TNI) commander General Agus Subiyanto has emphasised that they will not play around in crushing the Free Papua Organization (OPM).

The reason being that the OPM is creating terror, even committing acts of violence against communities as well as the TNI and Polri (Indonesian police).

Per Elinder Liljas – Standing chest-deep in the Molucca Sea, just outside the billowing smokestacks of the world's largest nickel industry, Upin adjusts his mask and dives.

Members of his people, the Bajau, have been known to stay underwater for more than 10 minutes but Upin resurfaces shortly. He hauls a rugged disc of metal over the side of his dugout canoe.

Joshua Davidovich – Indonesia could normalize ties with Israel as part of a deal to smooth the entry of the world's most populous Muslim nation into a global forum for developed countries, an Israeli official said Thursday.