Dandi Bajuddin – Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlements Fahri Hamzah stated that Indonesia is currently facing a significant housing backlog. He noted that out of the 9.8 million families who do not own their own homes, 6 million reside in dwellings that are structurally and sanitarily unsuitable.

Jamal Abdun Nashr, Jakarta – The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) has raised questions over Indonesia's economic growth figure of 5.12 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, saying it surpasses most predictions and appears to contradict several key indicators suggesting a slowdown.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) surged 47 percent in 2024, but most companies are still using the technology for basic operational tasks rather than transformative business innovation, according to a joint study by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and London-based consultancy Strand Partners.

Jakarta – In addition to analyzing financial transactions and preventing money laundering, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) now has a new responsibility: closing and opening bank accounts. Using the pretext that accounts could be being used by terrorists, gamblers, and money-laundering criminals, the PPATK is closing passive or dormant accounts.

Antara, Bogor, W – Java – President Prabowo Subianto met with more than 230 members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) at his Hambalang residence on Friday before sending them to a three-day leadership retreat, from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, in Magelang, Central Java.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The Ministry of Forestry said it's working with various agencies to prevent illegal trade of sea turtles in Bali. The popular tourist destination is one of the places most vulnerable to trades of the protected species' meat and eggs. Bali also makes up a significant market for sea turtle meat and egg consumption.

Yolanda Agne, Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – U.S.-based business magazine Forbes has published its latest list of the world's richest people, including updated rankings for Indonesia. The list is based on real-time wealth tracking using data from stock market movements, corporate financials, and asset valuations.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry has stepped up inspections of mining operations, with a particular focus on the safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance of operational vehicles.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The regent of East Kolaka in Southeast Sulawesi, Abdul Azis, was arrested on Thursday night on corruption charges, shortly after returning from the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) congress in Makassar.

Ilona Estherina – The Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) has formally requested that the United Nations (UN) Statistics Division audit Indonesia's second-quarter 2025 economic growth data, which was reported by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized that Indonesia's national transformation strategy must be rooted in "realism" as the country navigates escalating global conflicts and economic uncertainty, triggered by tariff policies under United States President Donald Trump.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Tempo's journalist Francisca Christy Rosana, also known as Cica, received the 2025 Udin Award at the 31st Anniversary of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) on Friday, August 8, 2025. Cica was awarded the Udin Award along with another journalist, Safwan Ashari Raharusun.

Jakarta – With her recent reelection as chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggles (PDI-P), 78-year-old Megawati Soekarnoputri is poised to become the lifetime paramount leader of the country's largest party and cement a political dynasty for herself, although her loyal followers claim her leadership is needed most to maintain unity.

Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) will add six new regional military commands (Kodam) to strengthen the Army's presence and improve operational readiness nationwide, the military confirmed on Friday. A symbolic launch ceremony will be held this Sunday in Bandung, West Java.

Jamaah, Pati, Central Java – The regent of Pati, Sudewo, has revoked a 250 percent increase in property taxes following mounting public protests and pledged to refund residents who had already paid the higher rate.

The announcement was delivered on Friday at the Pati Regency Hall, where Sudewo said the property tax rate would be restored to 2024 levels.

Widy Wicaksono, Semarang – The Semarang District Court on Friday sentenced former police officer Robig Zaenudin to 15 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old student Gamma Rizkynata Oktavandy.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named two members of parliament as suspects in a corruption case involving the alleged misuse of Rp 28.38 billion ($1.74 million) in corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds provided by Bank Indonesia and the Financial Services Authority (OJK).

Julianus Palermo, Surabaya, E – Java. Surabaya's education department has officially banned elementary and junior high school students from playing the popular online game Roblox, over concerns of violent content and its potential psychological impact on children.

Responding to the recent crackdown against people flying Japanese anime One Piece flag as a symbol of defiance and criticism of the Indonesian government, Amnesty International Indonesia's executive director Usman Hamid said:

Toronata Tambun, Jakarta – Indonesia is pushing hard on vehicle electrification. The numbers are bold: From just 14,000 domestically produced electric vehicles in 2022, the figure is projected to reach 374,000 by year-end.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is planning to temporarily shelter thousands of wounded Gazans in Galang Island for medical treatment.

Ananda Teresia and Yuddy Cahya Budiman, Pandeglang, Banten – At a shrimp farm in Indonesia, more than 16,000 km from Washington, DC, US President Donald Trump's import tariffs have left Denny Leonardo's expansion plans in disarray.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has unblocked 122 million dormant bank accounts that were previously frozen over suspected links to online gambling syndicates and other criminal activities.

Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – The release of Indonesia's economic growth data by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), showing a year-on-year increase of 5.12 percent in the second quarter of 2025, has sparked mixed reactions. The achievement drew attention not only domestically but also from several international media outlets.

Jakarta – The Indonesian government will release 1.3 million tons of rice from national reserves into the market to curb rising prices and maintain supply stability, presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi said on Thursday.

Residents of Kebayoran, South Jakarta, including Riki Hidayat, expressed their refusal to display the Indonesian national flag in celebration of the 80th Independence Day on August 17, 2025. Riki mentioned having half-masted the flag every Independence Day over the past three years.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – US President Donald Trump's 19 percent tariffs on Indonesian goods officially kicked in on Thursday, just after the clock struck midnight in Washington.

Jakarta – Indonesia must stop hedging its position on the prolonged war in Gaza and speak with greater moral clarity in support of the Palestinian cause.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation through more joint exercises and military exchange programs, reaffirming on Tuesday their shared commitment to uphold international law and maintain ASEAN unity amid rising global instability.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) regrets the government's move to ban the raising of the One Piece flag. Komnas HAM Chairman Anis Hidayah believes that the arrest of individuals raising the skull and straw hat-emblazoned flag is excessive and violates human rights.

Bella Evanglista Mikaputri, Jakarta – Indonesia is prepared to send peacekeeping troops and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, as part of its commitment to supporting global peace efforts amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, a senior official said on Thursday.

A truck driver in Indonesia named Rahmat (30 years old), who works in the Kranji area of West Bekasi, chose to install a pirate flag from the One Piece manga at the back of his vehicle's cargo box.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has ruled out the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle in the near future, citing satisfaction with the performance of his ministers just eight months into the administration.

Harumbi Prastya Hidayahningrum, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has removed 228,000 individuals from its social assistance program after a joint investigation found they were either linked to online gambling or no longer met the criteria for financial aid.

Jeff Bachman and Esther Brito Ruiz – Since World War II, the United States has repeatedly supported governments that have been committing mass atrocities, which are defined by genocide scholar Scott Straus as "large-scale, systematic violence against civilian populations."

Aliy Arivin, Jakarta – The Ministry of Transportation has officially designated five new international airports as of early 2025. This change is based on Minister of Transportation Decree Number KM 26 of 2025 and KM 30 of 2025

Previously, Indonesia had 17 international airports listed under Ministerial Decree Number KM 31 of 2024.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has set a target of reaching 20 million beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program by August 2025.

According to Tigor Pangaribuan, Deputy for System and Governance at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), efforts are now focused on expanding kitchen facilities to meet that goal.

Nabiila Azzahra, Linda Trianita – Protesters who took part in International Labour Day or May Day rallies earlier this year are now being intimidated by unknown individuals.

Riandy Laksono – President Prabowo might have breathed a little easier after 15 July 2025. On that day, agreement was reached with the US to reduce tariffs for Indonesia to 19% – lower than the threatened 32% and seemingly more favourable than regional peers.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian immigration officials are investigating two Israeli nationals, reportedly former members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), for allegedly managing a series of luxury villas in Bali.

Immigration and Correctional Affairs Minister Agus Andrianto confirmed on Wednesday that an investigation is underway, with a team already deployed on site.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Indonesia's anti-corruption watchdog has arrested East Kolaka Regent Abdul Azis in a sting operation (OTT) in Southeast Sulawesi, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed on Thursday.

"The team is still in Kolaka Timur," KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak told reporters.

Anne Barker and Natasya Salim – More than 20 years after Australia banned all forms of asbestos, the deadly legacy still lingers.

It is in the walls and roofs of homes, schools and countless other buildings, as well as the lungs of the thousands of Australians who still die every year from exposure they never saw coming.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The former CEO of state-owned construction firm Hutama Karya, Bintang Perbowo, was detained on Wednesday as a suspect in a corruption case linked to the Trans-Sumatra toll road project, which allegedly caused Rp 205 billion ($12.5 million) in state losses.

Hendrik Yaputra, Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto warned that Indonesia is being exploited by economic actors who prioritize profit over public welfare.

Speaking at a full cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 5, 2025, he claimed these groups deliberately keep the population poor.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has assured that Indonesia's food production is currently secure and robust. He attributed this stability to the smooth transition of power from former President Joko Widodo to his administration.

The Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Amirsyah Sanusi Tambunan, stated that the use of "sound horeg," an excessively loud music system, could be considered haram, or forbidden, if it causes mafsadat, or harm. Amirsyah's comment was made in response to the death of a resident in Lumajang, East Java, who was watching a sound horeg performance.

Singapore – Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to deploy a tactical ballistic missile system that will enhance its short-range battlefield capabilities, based on sightings by military enthusiasts in East Kalimantan.

At a Full Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto asked journalists to leave during a discussion about the 2026 State Budget Draft. The media were initially allowed to cover the meeting while Prabowo delivered his opening remarks and guidance.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Wednesday firmly defended the credibility of the country's second-quarter GDP data, dismissing public skepticism and affirming the government's full confidence in the national statistics agency.

By Lin Ching-yin, Wu Hsin-yun and Wu Kuan-hsien, Taipei (CNA) – Taipei-based conglomerate Walsin Lihwa Corp. was accused Wednesday of causing severe pollution and human rights violations at its factories in Indonesia by local environmental groups and workers.