Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is scaling up its efforts to clamp down on the illicit trade of prescription skincare products amid growing concerns from the public about the impact on health.

The BPOM temporarily closed down a factory in Bandung, West Java, over the weekend on suspicion of mass producing illegal prescription skincare.

Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – Novel Baswedan, a former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator, said he was puzzled by the conduct of the anti-corruption agency's leadership. According to him, the KPK's way of handling the case of South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor, or Uncle Birin, was too soft.

Jakarta – A group of people claiming to be former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan volunteers, under the banner of Pejuang Anies (Anies Warriors), declared their support for Jakarta governor and deputy governor candidates Pramono Anung and Rano Karno at the Hariston Hotel in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, on Sunday.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's decade-long leadership has spurred the massive development of Indonesia's special economic zones which have given the country a major economic boost.

Sella Rizky Deviani, Jakarta – The House of Representatives accepted Wednesday the nomination of Muhammad Herindra as the head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), replacing Budi Gunawan who has led the agency throughout the past decade.

House Speaker Puan Maharani said Herindra is the sole candidate for the BIN head proposed by President Joko Widodo.

Rifky Pratama Wicaksono and Dewi Abiola Buchita Natakusuma – Indonesia faces the dual challenge of leveraging its demographic dividend while mitigating the risks posed by an aging population.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) has decided to maintain its benchmark interest rate (BI Rate) at 6 percent, the deposit facility rate at 5.25 percent, and the lending facility rate at 6.75 percent during its Board of Governors Meeting on Wednesday.

Arti Ekawati – On October 20, Prabowo Subianto will be inaugurated as Indonesia's president. He won an election in February by running a populist campaign that included promises of 8% economic growth while ending poverty and malnutrition.

In recent decades, the Southeast Asian nation has been a success story, recording rapid growth rates and reducing extreme poverty.

Andi Muttaqien – The European Union's recent decision to propose a 12-month delay to the enforcement of the Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) has sparked new conversations, especially for nations like Indonesia.

Ary Hermawan – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will end his presidency on a low note this week as a "reformist" president who turned back the clock on Indonesian democracy. According to the latest polls, he remains popular among the general population, but he has lost any credibility with the progressives that once supported him.

Jakarta – With just a week left before President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hands over the reins of power, there are several items on his agenda that remain unfinished. Yet, of all the issues on his list, none stand out as sharply as his insistence on continuing the selection process for new commissioners for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Jakarta – The process of the selection of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leadership for 2024 to 2029 by the Joko Widodo administration is at odds with the provisions of a Constitutional Court ruling. If it continues, as well as being unconstitutional, the process could endanger the legality of all decisions taken by the newly elected KPK leadership.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, said the dismissal of Budi Gunawan from his position as the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) was upon the request of President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Jakarta – Chair of the central executive board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Puan Maharani, said that her party strongly supports the government of President- and Vice President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Jakarta – In July, when asked about democratic backsliding in Indonesia, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo responded by saying that democracy is alive and well in the country, citing regular elections as proof.

The outgoing President also cited the fact that people could still criticize him on social media as more proof of the health of Indonesia's democracy.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Indonesia has seen little progress in its energy transition over the past decade as President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has straddled two diverging boats, trying to increase power generation from renewable sources but failing to phase out coal.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – Head of the Information Center of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Hariyanto, stated that the military is involved in assisting the free nutritious meal program (MBG) supported by the elected president and vice president, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Jakarta – Government authorities plan to inspect grocery store shelves to check compliance with a law requiring halal labels on food items from Friday, officials said, although some importers and restaurants face hurdles in complying.

Jakarta – A senior NasDem Party member said on Monday that it would be unethical for the party to ask for cabinet seats from president-elect Prabowo Subianto, given that the party had backed an opposing candidate in February's presidential election.

Endy Bayuni – "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority" – Lord Acton

How will President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo be remembered after his reign ends on October 20?

Heru Andriyanto, Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Two long-time former executives of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Maruarar Sirait and Budiman Sudjatmiko, have been named among the prominent figures chosen by President-elect Prabowo Subianto to join his upcoming cabinet, which is expected to comprise at least 44 ministries and state agencies.

Jakarta – Indonesia's incoming president Prabowo Subianto held talks on Tuesday with candidates for senior government posts, as he seeks to bring the country's biggest political party into his already dominant parliamentary coalition.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – President-elect Prabowo Subianto is reportedly planning to add ministries to his cabinet following his inauguration on October 20, 2024. A circulating document titled "Description of Nomenclature of AKD Partners (Dewan Equipment)" indicates that there will be 46 ministries partnering with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR).

Antara, Petir Garda B, Yudono Yanuar, Jakarta – PT Freeport Indonesia's sulfuric acid smelter unit at the Gresik Special Economic Zone, East Java, caught fire on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 5:45 PM local time.

"There were no casualties," said VP Corporate Communications of PTFI Katri Krisnati to ANTARA in Gresik.

Yanuar Nugroho – The next president of Indonesia has ambitious plans for his country but a widely anticipated growth in the number of ministers and ministries in his administration could jeopardise quick results.

Jakarta – With just a week left before President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hands over the reins of power, there are several items on his agenda that remain unfinished. Yet, of all the issues on his list, none stand out as sharply as his insistence on continuing the selection process for new commissioners for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported a trade surplus of $3.26 billion (Rp 50.79 trillion) for September 2024. This surplus increased by $480 million compared to August 2024 but contracted by $150 million compared to September 2023.

Christ Belseran, Irfan Maulana and Asad Asnawi, Ambon/Surabaya/Jakarta, Indonesia – Criminal investigations of environmental advocates in Indonesia continue to undermine civil society in the world's third-largest democracy, with two anti-mining activists the latest to be hauled before police following a routine demonstration.

Jakarta – When President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo was first inaugurated in 2014, his eldest son didn't want to be there.

Edward Aspinall – As Indonesia's president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) prepares to leave office, Indonesia is still routinely lauded as one of Asia's most important democracies. Jokowi was first elected, in 2014, on the promise of breaking with the old Jakarta elite and making government more responsive to ordinary people.

Yolanda Agne, Jakarta – President-elect Prabowo Subianto is optimistic that Indonesia could achieve the 8 percent economic growth target within two to three years of his administration.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has attracted Rp 1,261.4 trillion (nearly $81 billion) in combined investments from both foreign and domestic investors so far this year as of September, the government announced Tuesday.

Senay Boztas, Amsterdam – Families of 20 men who were jailed for refusing to fight to preserve the former Dutch colony in Indonesia have formally asked for their names to be cleared, arguing that instead of "deserters, traitors and cowards" their relatives deserve to be recognised as having been on the right side of history.

Hendro Dahlan Situmorang, Jakarta – A total of 35 ministerial candidates have been summoned to meet with President-elect Prabowo Subianto at his residence on Jalan Kertanegara in South Jakarta on Monday. This meeting is part of the preparations for Prabowo's cabinet for the 2024-2029 administration.

Hendro Dahlan Situmorang, Jakarta – President-elect Prabowo Subianto met with several potential ministerial candidates at his South Jakarta residence on Monday. Among those summoned was Natalius Pigai, a prominent human rights activist and former commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani announced the decision to expand the number of commissions within the DPR from 11 to 13. This agreement was reached during a leadership meeting and consultation with all factions on Monday, October 14, 2024.

Dewi Elvia Muthiariny, Bandung – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Bandung Geophysics Station recorded a total of 147 earthquakes in the West Java region throughout September 2024. According to the Head of the Bandung Geophysics Station, Teguh Rahayu, the majority of these tremors, 132 in total, originated from shallow depths, less than 60 kilometers.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Depok – Outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his successor, Prabowo Subianto, attended a major National Police event on Monday to showcase the security preparedness for the upcoming presidential transition.

Jakarta – In 2014, then presidential hopeful and outsider Joko Widodo attended packed campaigns with a white ribbon warning against election fraud tied around his head.

At the time Jokowi – as the president is known – symbolised democracy and change, embodying the hope of a better, cleaner Indonesia.

Jakarta – Indonesia has seen a marked decrease in the number of forest and land fires this year compared to 2023, according to an official from the country's environment and forestry ministry (KLHK).

Rahman Yaacob – In two weeks, Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto will officially take over the presidency. In leading the vast archipelago through the treacherous regional waters of great power rivalry between the United States and China, there is a widely held argument that he will focus on domestic stability and defend Indonesia's territorial integrity.

Charlie Campbell, Jakarta – A dozen masked commandos crouch inside a jet-black navy dinghy as it carves across shimmering Jakarta Bay. At the bow, loops of 12.7mm bullets spill from a tri-barreled gatling gun; at the stern, Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's Defense Minister and President-elect, appraises the fishing boats and rusting refueling stations that pepper the inky water.

Djibril Muhammad, Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The National Democratic (Nasdem) Party has decided to not propose some of its members as President-Elect Prabowo Subianto's ministers, although the party said they would fully support the future government.

Dewi Elvia Muthiariny, Jakarta – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the great potential of the millennial generation to revolutionize agriculture through innovation. He highlighted that productive millennials, along with land resources and technology, are one of the key drivers of Indonesia's economy.

Petir Garda Bhwana, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) praised the final result of the construction of the State Palace in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), East Kalimantan. The building was just inaugurated by Jokowi on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Lily Kristanto – Dimas and Bella had plans to earn some money and travel Australia when they arrived for their working holiday.

They left behind jobs in Indonesia's banking industry and flew to Darwin, with work lined up picking and packing cucumbers at a farm.

Sahrudin Nurdin, North Maluku – North Maluku gubernatorial candidate Benny Laos has been confirmed dead following a speedboat fire that occurred while he and his entourage were aboard.

Cecilia Octavia Mbotengu, Head of Bobong Regional Hospital in Pulau Taliabu Regency, confirmed Laos' death at 5:20 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT) despite the medical team's efforts.

Jakarta – A miracle almost happened once again as Indonesia pursues its long-held dream of reaching the soccer World Cup for the first time. This time around Indonesia came close to humiliating host Bahrain in their World Cup Asia qualifier tie on Thursday, which saw the home team needing a last-gasp goal in extended injury time to earn a 2-2 draw.

Wijayanti Putri, Solo – As his term comes to an end next week, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo chose to spend his weekend reflecting on his childhood in his hometown of Solo.

One of his activities included visiting his former school, SDN Tirtoyoso 111 Gilingan Elementary School, on Saturday.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Icha Rastika, Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) suspects that the new policy of providing a housing allowances to House of Representatives (DPR) members for the 2024-2029 period has been poorly planned bearing in mind it will be a huge waste of the state budget.