Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Indonesian government will let Freeport sell copper concentrates overseas again despite its expired export permit, but the mining giant has to pay more in taxes, according to a minister.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia kept its benchmark interest rate at 5.75 percent in a bid to control inflation and support the rupiah amid global economic uncertainty. The deposit facility rate remains at 5 percent, while the lending facility rate is unchanged at 6.5 percent.

Dayat, Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro was dismissed from his position as Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister on Wednesday, but he claimed that he had submitted his resignation letter to the president earlier in the day.

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Surabaya – The Nusantara Freshwater Fish Lovers Community (Kopipa) has called on the East Java administration to take stronger measures to protect the Brantas River, one of the province's longest rivers, as severe pollution has caused the extinction of at least half of the fish species in the river.

Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta – State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has called on the public to give President Prabowo Subianto's administration a fair chance in response to the nationwide protest called Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia).

The protest started on Monday simultaneously in multiple cities.

Jakarta – The government is currently training 32,000 people to spearhead the free nutritious meal program, National Nutritious Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana said on Monday.

"So, we are currently training 32,000 personnel who will become the heads of the SPPG," Dadan said, as quoted by Kompas.com, referring to the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units.

Jakarta – Farmers grouped under the banner of KUB Simbar Segara in Pemogan village, South Denpasar, Bali, cooperated with PT Pertamina Training and Consulting (PTC) and PT Arunika Bumi Lestari (ABL) in planting mangrove trees on Feb. 14 to commemorate World Wetlands Day.

Jakarta – Four months into his presidency, Prabowo Subianto replaced Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro on Wednesday, in the former Army general's first cabinet reshuffle.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus, Jakarta – Four months into his presidency, Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto has already secured his party's nomination for re-election, but analysts say the move is premature because of his untested leadership amid pressing economic challenges.

Jakarta – The Indonesian government will host a week-long mountain glamping retreat for hundreds of regional leaders this week, a presidential official said on Feb 19, sparking criticism as President Prabowo Subianto imposes widespread budget cuts.

Indonesia's planned expansion of "captive" coal plants used to power industry is threatening its pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 2030 and close all coal-fired plants by a decade later, said a report published Thursday.

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto revealed on Wednesday that many judges assigned across Indonesia are forced to live in rented accommodations due to a lack of state-provided housing.

Addressing the issue, Prabowo pledged quick action while urging judges to uphold integrity and professionalism despite these challenging conditions.

Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said budget cuts will be carried out in three stages. He revealed that the government targets a total of Rp750 trillion that can be obtained from efficiency.

Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – Several international media outlets have reported on the mass protest movement 'Indonesia Gelap' (Dark Indonesia) held on Monday, February 17, 2025. The protests, led by Indonesian students, voiced criticism of President Prabowo Subianto's administration for straying from reformist ideals.

1. The Star, Malaysia

M. Rizki Yusrial, Jakarta – The Association of Parents of Advanced Indonesia Scholarship (BIM) or BIM Batch 4 staged a rally in front of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The rally demanded the government provide clarity regarding the continuity of the scholarship.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Head of the Public Relations of the Papua Regional Police, Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady, denied claims that officers fired gunshots during a protest against the free nutritious meal program in Wamena, Papua Highlands on Monday, August 17, 2025. Benny also denied allegations of excessive force used by the police.

Jakarta – The revision to House of Representatives (DPR) Regulation No. 1/2020 on Code of Conduct is a brutal way for the body to increase its authority. With these extensive powers, the DPR has the potential to damage the Constitution because it takes away authority from the executive branch by placing state institutions under its control.

Solo – Hundreds of students held a "Dark Indonesia" (Indonesia Gelap) action in front of the Solo city Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) offices on Wednesday February 19. During the rally, they blockaded Jalan Adi Sucipto which is one of the main thoroughfares in the Central Java city.

Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The social media trend #KaburAjaDulu has sparked discussions among netizens on X in February 2025, coinciding with growing public disappointment towards President Prabowo Subianto's administration.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The discourse of appointing former presidents as supervisors in the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara) has sparked sharp criticism. Researcher from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) Yassar Aulia considers that the step would be a disaster for the professionalism and meritocracy within the state-owned superholding company.

Yovanda Noni, East Kutai – From January to February, the Conservation and Natural Resources Center of East Kalimantan rescued 37 orangutans in East Kutai and Kutai Kartanegara districts.

Ricki Putra Harahap, Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – A growing number of Indonesians are considering leaving the country in search of better job opportunities, as frustration over limited prospects and low wages fuels the viral hashtag #KaburAjaDulu (just run away first) on social media.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia kicked off 2025 with a considerable drop in the export of its top commodity palm oil, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is taking a significant risk with the establishment of the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency, or Danantara. More than merely a privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), this new body is a realization of the guided economy concept with the president's militaristic style.

Hendro D Situmorang, Jakarta – Village and Underdeveloped Region Development Minister Yandri Susanto confirmed that the Rp 71 trillion ($4.36 billion) allocated for 75,000 villages this year will not be impacted by government budget cuts.

Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – The presence of sea fences in Tangerang and Bekasi waters have stirred public interest recently, as the two sea fences were erected without proper permits.

European Union, Indonesia, West Papua – Over 120 civil society organisations from Europe and Indonesia, including Human Rights Monitor, have called on the European Union and Indonesia to end negotiations on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Medan – The Medan Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) and the North Sumatra (Sumut) Committee for the Safety of Journalists (KKJ) have submitted electronic evidence with the Bukit Barisan I Regional Military Command Military Police (Pomdam I/BB) related to the involvement of First Corporal HB in the alleged pre-mediated murder of Tribrata TV journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and three family

Stefani Wijaya, Jakarta – A village head in Tangerang Regency, along with his secretary and two other individuals, has been named a suspect in the ongoing investigation into the construction of over 30 kilometers of illegal sea barriers off the northern coast of Banten Province.

Jakarta – Dissatisfaction with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's new policies has turned into street demonstrations by thousands of students.

Lestareno S Basariasis, Jakarta – The government is currently trying to cut the state budget to improve efficiency in financial management. Speaking at the Labour Party's 2nd National Working Meeting (Rakernas) at the Tavia Hotel in Jakarta on Monday February 17, Labour Party President Said Iqbal highlighted the budget efficiency measures taken by President Prabowo Subianto.

Han Revanda, Jakarta – Tommy Andana, Expert Staff of Business Climate and Market Security at the Ministry of Trade, revealed that importers have yet to realize the import quota for garlic. He suspects the lack of import realization has caused the garlic prices to increase in anticipation of Ramadan.

Michelle Gabriela, Jakarta – Prabowo's government budget cuts policy has forced a number of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to terminate the contracts of honorary employees, despite Finance Minister Sri Mulyani's vow about no layoffs for workers. In several regions across Indonesia, reality paints a contrasting picture.

Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) officially approves the Draft Law on the Amendment of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Law revisions as a priority national legislation program (Prolegnas) 2025.

Anwar Siswadi (Kontributor), Jakarta – Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) responds to the government and the People's Representative Council (DPR)'s decision to not grant mining management permits to higher education institutions.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) officially passed the revised Mineral and Coal Mining Law during a plenary session on Tuesday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is planning to develop its very own version of DeepSeek, the Chinese low-cost artificial intelligence or AI that is taking the world by storm.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of Indonesia's National Economic Council (DEN), has addressed growing concerns following a viral call on social media to withdraw savings from state-owned banks, in the wake of the government's announcement regarding the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara).

Jakarta – Thick, foul-smelling smoke reportedly rose from a newly built refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plant in Rorotan, West Jakarta, last week during a test run of the facility, which is slated to process thousands of tonnes of waste every day when it begins full operations.

Jakarta – American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt begins his popular book The Anxious Generation with a graphic showing a sudden and very large upturn in major depressive episodes among adolescents after the 2010s, a period he refers to as "the great rewiring of childhood".

Rizki Dewi Ayu, Jakarta – Thousands of students in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, PapuaHighlands Province, staged a protest against the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program on Monday, February 17. The demonstration was attended by junior high school (SMP), senior high school (SMA), and university students.

Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – The Indonesian Educational Monitoring Network (JPPI) has condemned the repressive actions by the police against students who held demonstrations rejecting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Jayapura and Wamena, Papua. The peaceful demonstration was forcibly dispersed by the authorities, who were allegedly using physical violence and tear gas.

Amanda Puspita Sari, Jakarta – Earlier this month, Indonesian civil servant Kardiani (not her real name) found the supply of drinking water and toilet paper at her office restricted.

Most lights in the restrooms are now switched off, and use of the printer is tightly regulated.

Najma Sambul – As blackouts crippled Timor-Leste, its leaders scrambled for a solution. It was 2010 and the newly independent country, still reeling from decades of occupation and destruction, was desperate to keep the lights on in its capital, Dili.

Jakarta – The demonstration titled "Dark Indonesia" (Indonesia Gelap) in front of the Malang city Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in East Java descended into chaos on Tuesday February 18 when protesters managed to break down the parliament's front gate

Responding to the excessive actions by the police and the state civil servants (ASN) against protests by high school students rejecting the government's free nutritious meals (MBG) program in a number of cities in Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:

Kiki Safitri, Novianti Setuningsih, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has highlighted the increase in human rights violations in National Strategic Project (PSN) areas over the last three years.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation or TPNPB-OPM has announced that all schools in Papua, especially in armed conflict areas, should go on strike for as long as the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri) use them as military posts.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Monday signed a regulation requiring exporters of resources other than oil and gas to hold all proceeds locally for at least a year, which he said would add US$80 billion to the country's forex reserves.

Jakarta – Amid concerns of harmful content over social media and the platforms' impact on their children's development, some parents conveyed their support for the government's move to introduce age restrictions on social media users.