Antara, Jakarta – The development of Cibeet Reservoir and Cijurey Reservoir in Bogor Regency is entering its land acquisition phase. "The land acquisition will be conducted by the appraisal team," said Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono in Bogor on Sunday, September 17, 2023, as quoted from Antara.

Riri Rahayu, Jakarta – Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the investment in Rempang Island will benefit the public. The government also attempted to resolve the conflict with proper resolution.

Tika Ayu, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III member from the NasDem Party Faction, Taufik Basari, argued that it is a political scandal that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has intelligence information on political parties. He said this could threaten democracy.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Jakarta Metro Jaya Police recorded a 43 percent increase in traffic accidents from January to August 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, Deputy Chief Brigadier General Suyudi Ario Seto reported.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Erick Thohir has emerged with the highest electability as a running mate for the upcoming February presidential election in East Java, surpassing rivals, including native-born candidate Muhaimin Iskandar, who has secured a nomination, according to a survey released on Monday.

Jakarta – The government is forging ahead with its plan to construct an industrial area on Rempang Island, despite opposition from local residents who reject relocation and have clashed with authorities in recent weeks.

Jakarta – The Nusantara Traditional Community Alliance (AMAN) and the Nusantara Traditional Community Defense Association (PPMAN) have highlighted the polemic over the forced relocation of residents from Rempang Island, Batam, in the Riau Islands, to make way for the Eco City national strategic project (PSN).

Antara, Jakarta – Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono mentioned that the government has allotted Rp400 billion to repair fifteen roads in West Java included in the Regional Road Presidential Instruction (IJD) program. The information was relayed during his visit to Bogor on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Ady Muzwardi, Siwage Dharma Negara – Unhappiness among villagers in Rempang, close to Batam island, has led to riots in Batam City and threatens existing and future foreign investment. A small but diminishing window exists in which the local and central governments can improve their approach towards convincing residents of the need to relocate for a better future.

Antara, Jayapura, Papua – Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri stated that Susi Air's pilot New Zealander Phillip Mehrtens, held captive by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group members since February 7, was reportedly in good health.

Kornelius Purba, Jakarta – How severe will the damage be if either you or your parents are accused of being communists without any evidence?

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – The Indonesian Navy's quick response unit successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle workers to Malaysia via the sea route near Bintan Island, an officer said on Sunday.

BeritaSatu, Jakarta – The National Museum in Jakarta, housing hundreds of thousands of ancient artifacts, including prehistoric treasures, suffered a devastating fire on Saturday evening, resulting in substantial damage and the potential loss of national treasures.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) held a bilateral consultation meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation.

An Australian human rights advocacy group for West Papuans has condemned the killing of 5 youths found dead in Dekai, capital of Yahukimo Regency, and have challenged Canberra to reconsider government ties with Indonesian security forces.

Jakarta – The Democratic Party has made the decision to join the coalition supporting Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto's presidential bid, following a recent setback with the previous coalition that backed former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, according to a politician on Sunday.

Jakarta – Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, nominated for the February 2024 presidential election alongside running mate Muhaimin Iskandar by the Coalition of Change and Unity, does not plan to completely overturn the policies of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, a spokesman said on Saturday.

Ahlam Almazrooi/Amjad Saleh, Dili – Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN, presented his credentials as non-resident Ambassador of the UAE to the Democratic Republic of East Timor to Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, during a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in the Timorese capital, Dili.

Wahyu Gilang Putranto – The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform says that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is misusing the intelligence community for his own political interests.

Antara, Jakarta – The Jakarta Environmental Service (DLH) stated that it is not easy to determine the current condition of air pollution as an emergency or disaster response because it will intersect with the lives of various elements of society in the capital city.

Jakarta – Billboards showing smiling public officials in formal outfits and political party attire have been dotting the streets of Jakarta and other cities, months before the election of a new president, vice president and legislature. We do not know how much the advertisements cost, but we do know that only those with financial power and political clout can afford them.

Mohammad Sherafatmand, Singapore – Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, has been on an upward trajectory and shall attract significant manufacturing and technology investments over the next few years. With this industrial boom, one can only anticipate the massive volumes of water consumption that the country will soon face.

Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – Statistics Indonesia (BPS) acknowledged that China's economic slowdown potentially affected the country's trade. BPS Acting Head Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti said that however, demand for Indonesian exports to China was still growing.

Amy Heppy, Jakarta – Director of Communication and Publication of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise Nirwala Dwi Heryanto stated that tobacco products excise or cigarettes excise in Indonesia only reached Rp126.8 trillion at the end of August. This number equals 54.53% of the total target in the 2023 State Budget, amounting to Rp232.5 trillion.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Indonesian government's adoption of digital technologies to enhance public services and transparency has led to an unexpected challenge, as various state agencies compete in the ongoing digital transformation.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil had received an offer to run for the vice presidency in 2024 alongside presumptive nominee Ganjar Pranowo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar Party deputy chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia confirmed on Thursday.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Election observers have raised concerns that allowing ministers running for elected office to take leave, rather than resigning, could lead to ethical violations and abuses of power, following President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's decision to allow cabinet ministers to run as candidates in the upcoming presidential election without requiring them to resign.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated Vice Adm. Irvansyah as the new chief of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and Sahat Manaor Panggabean as head of the newly created National Quarantine Agency (Barantin) during a ceremony on Wednesday at the State Palace.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesia's furniture industry was falling behind those of its neighbors like Vietnam and Malaysia, though the country was once one of the world's leading producers decades ago, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Thursday at the Indonesian Meubel & Design Expo 2023.

Jakarta – Over the past few months the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has repeatedly warned about an extreme El Nino during this year's dry season even to the point of raising the specter of the 2015-2016 forest and peatland fire crisis which, according to World Bank estimates, destroyed 2.6 million hectares in Sumatra and Kalimantan and caused US$16 bi

Arie Firdaus (BenarNews), Jakarta – Residents of Cilegon, Banten province, have accused the World Bank Group of indirectly financing a project to expand a massive coal-fired power plant (PLTU) in Suralaya village, arguing the expanded plant would negatively affect their health and livelihood, environmental groups said on Thursday.

Henry Jom – East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao is confident that a deal to finalise an agreement with Australia over the Greater Sunrise gas and oil project will be reached by early 2024.

Aisyah Llewellyn, Rempang, Indonesia – Demonstrations have rocked Indonesia's Riau province as residents of Rempang Island protest against government plans to evict thousands of people to make way for a multibillion-dollar Chinese-owned glass factory and 'Eco-City'.

Chris Barrett and Karuni Rompies – Ki Kusomo says he has had a gift for seeing the future since he was a young boy. Growing up in the city of Indramayu, West Java, he would tell people what he believed lay ahead of them, from whether they could be involved in an accident to the chances that their marriage would end in divorce.

Tika Ayu, Yogi Eka Sahputra, Jakarta – Muhaimin Iskandar, a vice presidential candidate endorsed by the Coalition for Change, said he had been informed that the temporary shelters for the people of Rempang Island, Batam, Riau Islands, were inappropriate. He urged the government to provide a good place for those affected by the relocation.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – Social media platforms have recently been abuzz with a YouTube video featuring a song titled 'Helo Kuala Lumpur' as it was suspected to be a plagiarism of the Indonesian song 'Halo-Halo Bandung'. The animated video was uploaded by the Malaysian YouTube channel, Lagu Kanak Tv.

Fachri Hamzah, Jakarta – Padang Regional Secretary Andre Algamar stated in a written statement today, September 14, 2023, that the air quality in Padang worsens every day.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – PT Pakuwon Jati Tbk in cooperation with Marriott International is set to develop three luxury hotels in Nusantara State Capital (IKN). The hotels are Westin, Four Points, and Tribute Portfolio.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Parts of Indonesia are covered with toxic air pollutants from burning lands and forests as this year's fire season is intensifying amid the El Nino weather phenomenon, which brings drier conditions.

The Free Papua Organisation (Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM) has sent an open letter to the United Nations leadership demanding that "decolonisation" of the former Dutch colony of West New Guinea, the Indonesian-administered region known across the Pacific as West Papua, be initiated under the direction of the UN Trusteeship Council.The letter accuses the UN of being a "criminal acces

A Radio New Zealand Pacific journalist has alleged that an Indonesian official attempted to both bribe and intimidate him following an interview at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders' summit in the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila last month.

Jakarta – Indonesia recorded a large increase in rice imports in the first eight months this year compared to the same period last year, the statistics agency said Friday, as Southeast Asia's biggest economy seeks to boost stocks of its staple commodity.

Sella Rizky, Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) officially declared its support for Muhaimin Iskandar as the running mate for presidential candidate Anies Baswedan on Friday, nearly two weeks after the pairing was officially announced.

PKS Chairman Ahmad Syaikhu made the announcement after the party's advisory council approved Muhaimin's candidacy.

Jakarta – Indonesia has continued its streak of trade surpluses, marking the 40th consecutive month of surplus in August, despite a narrowing trend, according to a report from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) released on Friday.

The trade surplus for August reached $3.12 billion, with total exports amounting to $21.9 billion and imports at $18.8 billion.

Endy Bayuni, Jakarta – The alliances of political parties to put up common candidates for the presidential election in 2024 may comply with electoral law, but when parties that have little in common join hands it raises the question of what kind of government we are going to get, and whether ideological principles have been compromised in forging these coalitions.

Jakarta – Labour Party President Said Iqbal has confirmed that they will not support presumptive presidential candidate (capres) former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan in the 2024 elections following a presidium meeting held on September 11.

Jakarta – Thousands of residents of Rempang Island in Batam province have opposed being relocated to Galang Island to make way for the Eco City national strategic project (PSN).

This resistance was inevitable because residents want to remain living in an area which they claim to be ancient ethnic Malay (Malayu) villages in Rempang.

Jakarta – Protesting workers have begun leaving the Horse Statue area in Central Jakarta after holding a brief demonstration for around two hours on Thursday September 14 opposing the Omnibus Law on Job Creation.

The action, which was held by the Confederation of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI), began at around 1.25 pm and was joined by around 8,000 people.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – The government has dismissed eight Finance Ministry employees over their alleged efforts to conceal Rp 349 trillion (US$22 billion) worth of suspicious transactions that had occurred within the ministry over the course of years.