Jakarta – The Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) says that the forced evictions of Buntu Lane II residents in Pancoran, East Jakarta, by officials of the state-owned oil-and-gas company PT Pertamina which involved a social or mass organisation was a gross human rights violation.

Niniek Karmini – AstraZeneca's vaccine against COVID-19 was cleared Friday for use in Indonesia after the drug regulator declared it safe and clerics in the world's most populous Muslim nation said a pig-derived element was acceptable in a pandemic.

Novy Lumanauw, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo calls for Asean summit on the Myanmar crisis, as the death toll from the anti-coup protests rises.

"I will immediately hold talks with Asean chair Brunei Darussalam's Sultan [Hassanal Bolkiah] for an immediate Asean high-level meeting on Myanmar's crisis," Jokowi said at the Bogor Palace in West Java on Friday.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Company could produce up to 150,000 cars a year in Indonesia when its new factory operates at full capacity, an executive said on Friday.

The Indonesian plant will build a prototype in May. It also plans to build electric cars starting next year.

Jakarta – Our national legislative process is fraught with transactions to maintain various interests. The elimination of General Election Law and ITE Law discussions from the national legislative program is just a minor example.

Kiki Siregar, Jakarta – Indonesian tourism and creative economy minister Sandiaga Uno said on Saturday (Mar 20) that preparations can begin for a "safe travel corridor" between Singapore, Batam Nongsa and Bintan Lagoi.

Jakarta – The Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) has accused the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of becoming a tool of big business over is recommendation that coal waste – fly ash and bottom ash or FABA – be removed from the list of toxic and hazardous materials (B3).

Police have arrested Indonesian adult model Cynthiara Alona, whose 2-star hotel in Tangerang City, Banten was identified as a hotbed for prostitution.

Jasmine Chia – It is an unlikely combination: the white stars of the West Papuan and Myanmar flags, side by side.

"West Papua Stands with Myanmar," the sign said, posted by activist Veronica Koman. In another poignant picture, a small group of West Papuans stand at Simora Bay at the port town of Kaimana holding a sign that reads: "We Stand With Myanmar."

Katharina R. Lestari, Jakarta – Orphaned children representing Indonesia's six recognized religions took part in a virtual prayer session organized by the Religious Affairs Ministry to call for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eleven international NGOs delivered a statement to raise concerns about the West Papua human rights situation to the 46th regular session, questioning Indonesian government's seriousness in finding peaceful resolutions and the truth about alleged violations.

Jakarta – Steel imported allegedly for the long-completed government projects is harming the local steel industry.

Francisca Christy Rosana, Jakarta – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Friday, March 19, said that the Covid-19 vaccination for workers in the public transportation sector has been started. He explained that each and every region in Indonesia will prioritize workers in transportation nodes.

Raghu Gururaj – Through the centuries, India has been a source of inspiration for art and architecture in Sumatra as it has been to the entire Southeast Asia.

Heru Asprihanto, Wonogiri, Central Java – Once considered crazy by fellow villagers, Indonesian eco-warrior Sadiman has turned barren hills green after 24 years of effort, making water resources available in the drought-prone mountainous region where he lives.

Ryan Dagur, Jakarta – The Catholic Church in Timor-Leste says it is boosting efforts to help contain a recent spike in Covid-19 cases that has forced the government to implement lockdowns in three municipalities.

The tiny Catholic-majority country has recorded 229 infections, some 95 of which are active cases, in five municipalities since March 7.

Some 15,000 Indonesian seaweed farmers whose livelihoods were destroyed by one of Australia's largest oil spills have won a Federal Court class action.

The company behind one of Australia's largest oil spills has been found liable for damaging the livelihoods of thousands of Indonesian seaweed farmers.

Sebastian Strangio – The head of Indonesia's military has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating and increasingly violent political situation in Myanmar, as a group of parliamentarians from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for the bloc to more concerted action to solve the country's crisis.

Kiki Siregar, Jakarta – Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, is notorious for its traffic congestion, which is often cited as one of the worst in the world.

With people typically spending a minimum of two hours on the road, getting to Soekarno-Hatta International airport located on the outskirts of the city can be even more challenging.

Police in West Java have named two people as suspects for starring in a porn clip that was taken in a Bogor hotel, the video of which circulated widely on social media recently.

The suspects, identified as 31-year-old RTM and 30-year-old PVT, were arrested at a boarding house (kost) located in Cibinong.

Nivell Rayda, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) said the benefits of the country's first spaceport in Biak, Papua, are greater than the downsides, while locals are divided over the project.

Jakarta – Conquering the Democrat Party – through Moeldoko or 'defanged' Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono – for temporary benefits of Jokowi is more than just a power play. It is a betrayal of democracy.

Jakarta – Dress codes for women and girls in Indonesia discriminate against students, civil servants, and visitors to government offices and should be revoked, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Authorities in Aceh believe they have found a cop who had been missing for a little over 16 years; specifically since the day of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Zainal Abidin AKA Asep, a West Java native who was stationed in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh in 2004, was among the tens of thousands missing when waves slammed into the region on Dec. 26 that year.

The West Java Police say they're giving "special attention" to a viral porn clip depicting a couple having sex in a Bogor hotel.

Chris Barrett and Karuni Rompies, Singapore – Indonesian girls and women have frequently been ordered to wear Muslim dress regardless of their religion in what has been described as a breach of their human rights.

Grace Sihombing and Claire Jiao – Indonesia's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged and pledged greater efforts to stabilize a currency that's weakening amid global market volatility and rising U.S. yields.

Indonesia's forced withdrawal from badminton's All England Open Championships over coronavirus fears prompted a diplomatic appeal on Thursday as players were "in shock" and fans erupted online.

The Indonesian team was ruled out after a passenger on their flight to Britain tested positive for the coronavirus, triggering a 10-day period of self-isolation under British rules.

Jessica Washington and Syarina Hasibuan, Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesia's national motto is unity in diversity, but Wiwin's experiences in school have made her question how that maxim plays out in real life.

The 21-year-old lives in West Java. Her family is part of a religious minority called Sunda Wiwitan, who venerate nature and ancestral worship.

Jakarta – The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Politicians, bureaucrats and elected officials always come up with policies, programmes and initiatives designed to help the people they serve. During a crisis, these types of programmes, be they cash handouts, fuel subsidies or food assistance surely feel like a godsend.

Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, disclosed the government's plan to import four basic commodities to ensure the supply ahead of this year's Eid al-Fitr, which falls on May 12 and May 13, 2021. This data is noted in the prognosis of the national availability and needs of staple foods in January-May 2021.

Ankur Tanwar, Indonesia – Southeast Asia's biggest economy – will be propelled by consumption in the months ahead in a boost that will raise corporate revenues and reduce leverage, according to Fitch Ratings.

Egi Adyatama, Jakarta – Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on Thursday officially handed over the CN 235-220 MPA aircraft produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) to the Republic of Senegal Air Force at the PTDI hangar in Bandung. This handover marked the third purchase by Senegal.

Antonia Timmerman, Jakarta, Indonesia – Teguh Aprianto thought he was doing the Indonesian National Police a favor when he sent them a message on Twitter in June last year: "Hello @DivHumasPolri, time to clean up. Someone claims to have succeeded in breaking into the data of all members of the National Police. This person can now easily access, search and change the data."

Syam Terrajana, Yogyakarta – Her eyes are sad. Her arms stretch out, palms facing up. One hand has a tray with cups on it, on another hand she has a bag hanging. In the bag were books. She stands straight even though her head is a bit down. Below are waves of water, blue. The visual art is Irene Wagab's work, titled Ona Pak-Pak Mani Tombora.

Jakarta – Hundreds of regions across the country in 2022-2024 will be led by acting regional heads appointed by the central government. Experts say that this system will benefit people close to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and certain political parties in the lead up to the 2024 elections.

Maria Fatima Bona, Jakarta – The Health Ministry claimed on Wednesday 1.21 million registered health workers have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine since the campaign began on January 13, representing 82.25 percent of the overall number.

Furthermore, 97.48 percent of health workers have received the first dose of the vaccine.

Sania Mashabi, Jakarta – The wife of renowned human rights activist Munir Said Thalib, Suciwati, says that there has been serious neglect in the handling of her husband's murder case.

This, she said, can be seen from the attitude of the president who has instead given government posts to those suspected of being Munir's killers.

Getting a jab of the COVID-19 vaccine will not break your fast, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) said, after concerns were raised ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

In addition to prohibitions for eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, among other established fasting rules for Muslims is that injections for nutritional purposes invalidate the fast.

Human rights defenders are concerned about the welfare of two West Papuan activists detained in Indonesia's capital.

Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama were arrested by the officers with the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation in Jakarta earlier this month.

John Duerden – Most of the 260,000 foreign tourists who visited North Sumatra in the pre-pandemic year of 2019 arrived at the international airport at Medan, the island's biggest city and the biggest Indonesian metropolis not located on Java, the country's most populated island.

Yonhap – The head of South Korea's arms procurement agency on Wednesday attended a ceremony in Indonesia to mark the handing over of a 1,400-ton submarine to its navy, his office said.

Nithin Coca – In a little more than 20 years, Indonesia has gone from being a minor player in the global coal industry to playing a central role as a key consumer and producer of coal. And even as investors and key export markets are shifting toward alternative energy sources, Indonesia's laws are increasingly tying future economic growth to the fossil fuel.

Caesar Akbar, Jakarta – The House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission VI member and Deputy Chairman of the Legislation Body (Baleg), Achmad Baidowi, questioned the government's plan to import one million tons of rice this year.

Francisca Christy Rosana, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Commission (NTSC) chairperson Soerjanto Tjahjono on Wednesday's virtual discussion revealed that a number of road accidents have happened because drivers took the wrong turn and mainly due to the dependence towards recommended routes suggested by GPS-based map app used by these drivers, Google Maps.

M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia condemns police's plan to award people with a 'badge of honor' for reporting alleged criminal offenses committed in the vast social media-sphere. This plan was initiated by the police's cybercrime team from the Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim).

Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia has criticised the "badge awards" program announced by the national police criminal investigations directorate cyber crimes division. Amnesty believes that the awards have the potential to create social conflicts.

Inang Jalaludin Shofihara – More than 50 individuals and organisations have initiated a petition through the platform change.org urging President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to immediately declare a climate emergency.

Hans Kapisa, Bintuni, Jubi – Indigenous people in Fruata and Rauna villages in Bintuni Bay Regency, in West Papua province, rejected logging activities done by PT Prabu Alaska in the forests in their areas.

Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – On March 15, 12 international non-government organizations (NGOs) have conveyed the conditions that have been and are happening in West Papua at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.