Guardian staff reporter – The death toll from a train collision near the Indonesian capital Jakarta has risen to 14 with another 84 injured, the train operator said on Tuesday, as rescuers worked to extract survivors still trapped in the wreckage.

The collision between a commuter train and a long-distance train happened late on Monday in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Finance Juda Agung said that the elimination of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program on Saturdays could save around Rp1 trillion in one day. Juda stated that this step is part of the government's budget restructuring to ensure that the implementation of priority programs continues to run more efficiently and with higher quality.

The debate surrounding the revision of the General Election Law should ideally rest on its fundamental purpose: ensuring that every voter's voice is fairly represented and that political competition remains a level playing field. Otherwise, election regulations easily shift from being democratic instruments into mere tools for securing narrow political interests.

Antara, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has allocated around Rp4 trillion (approximately $250 million) to upgrade 1,800 railway crossings across Java, aiming to improve public transportation safety following a deadly train collision in Bekasi.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Fitch Ratings, a global credit rating agency, has outlined several investor concerns regarding Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund Danantara, which was also a key factor in the agency's decision to revise Indonesia's sovereign debt outlook from stable to negative in March 2026.

Yogyakarta – Yogyakarta police have arrested 13 people after shocking images of alleged abuse against small children at a daycare center went viral, sparking outrage across the nation, officials said Monday.

Police last Friday raided Little Aresha, a daycare center in Yogyakarta on Java island, following a report from a former employee.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection has reported that around 44 percent of daycare services in Indonesia operate without permits or legal status, while only 39.7 percent have official operational licenses.

Radityo Dharmaputra and Ananda Caesar – A familiar divisive rhetoric has emerged in Indonesian political conversations. Protests are described as foreign-backed, and critics framed as part of a deep state and even a global conspiracy against Indonesia (including references to colour revolutions).

Leo Plunkett, Tom Richards, Sandy Watt – Indonesia's forests, long held up as a case of tentative progress, are again under pressure. New analysis shows deforestation rose sharply in 2025, reversing several years of decline and returning to levels not seen in nearly a decade, reports Mongabay's Hans Nicholas Jong.

Jakarta – A student alliance is urging the Constitutional Court (MK) to grant a judicial review of Law Number 31/1997 on Military Justice.

This demand was conveyed by the group Democracy and Legal Social Concern during a demonstration at the Constitutional Court building on Tuesday April 28.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Trade Minister Budi Santoso has defended the government's decision to pursue a trade agreement with the United States, known as the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), which has been criticized for placing Indonesia in an unequal position with the world's largest economy.

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – The Health Ministry has been grappling with rising anti-vaccine narratives and misinformation surrounding vaccination, which have hindered efforts to boost uptake as childhood immunization coverage remains below national targets.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto announced that the government is waiving import duties on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to stabilize industrial costs. Previously, imported LPG was subject to a 5 percent tariff.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – The rupiah exchange rate closed weaker at Rp17,243 per US dollar on Tuesday afternoon, April 28, 2026, down 32 points from the previous day at Rp17,211 per US dollar.

The Director of PT Traze Andalan Futures, Ibrahim Assuaibi, said that externally, the conflict in the Middle East influenced the rupiah depreciation.

Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya says that impunity will recur if members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) who commit general crimes continue to be tried in military courts.

On the brink of an economic crisis, nothing is more worrying than seeing the amount of available surplus budget balance (SAL) funds plummet. The government's emergency fund at Bank Indonesia (BI) has shrunk by more than Rp300 trillion (US$17.65 billion) in six months. The erosion of the SAL funds reflects one thing: the government's cash flow is in dire straits.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has appointed his brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, as the Chairperson of the Task Force for Innovation in National Park Financing and Management. The appointment is formalized under Presidential Decree Number 8 of 2026.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – A number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are members of the Civil Society Coalition for Police Reform have asked President Prabowo Subianto to prioritise the National Police (Polri) reform agenda.

Oriza Joko, Grobogan, C – Java. Three French nationals running from Bali to Jakarta to raise awareness about plastic pollution arrived in Grobogan on Monday, drawing attention to Indonesia's mounting waste challenges and the need for stronger local action.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa firmly dismissed speculation that the government's excess budget balance (SAL) has dwindled to Rp 120 trillion stressing the reserve remains intact at Rp 420 trillion ($24.4 billion) and has not been tapped for spending.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – State asset fund Danantara is gunning for investment in a US$30 billion renewable energy export project to Singapore, according to an executive at the state asset fund who cited investors' huge appetite for green energy procurement projects.

Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian government plans to inaugurate the National Command Center for the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in mid-May 2026. This was announced by Deputy of Coordination for Accessibility and Food Security of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Nani Hendiarti.

Fuad Iqbal Abdullah, Samarinda – Rudy Ma'ud issued a public apology on Monday after facing criticism over a Rp 25 billion ($1.5 million) budget for the renovation of the official governor's residence, including plans to purchase a massage chair and build a saltwater aquarium using regional government funds.

Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto carried out a cabinet reshuffle on Monday involving six officials, including key appointments within the presidential staff and government agencies.

The changes included ministerial, coordinating, and strategic communication posts as Prabowo continued to shape his administration.

Ni Komang Erviani, Denpasar – Bali residents are facing growing concern over uncollected trash in the tourist hub, with people increasingly burning rubbish, throwing it into rivers, littering on the roadside, public parks or even in school areas.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Indonesia could face a potential rice shortage in modern retail channels as surging production costs discourage suppliers from distributing to the segment, industry officials said.

Jakarta – Environmental activist Muhammad Rosidi shudders as he recalls the horrific moment two men on a motorbike threw acid through the open window of his car as he was driving in South Bangka, Bangka Belitung in February.

He was instantly consumed by a burning pain as the corrosive liquid ate into his hands, legs and groin.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) held a Joint Sea Operation Exercise in the Karimunjawa Waters, Semarang, Central Java on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The defense institution also conducted special weapon shooting exercises at the location.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that it has received a refund of Rp100 billion from the hajj and umrah bureau, which is part of the Special Hajj Organizer (PIHK).

Panji Satrio, Medan – A major fire tore through a palm oil processing plant owned by Agro Jaya Perdana in Medan on Saturday night, destroying the facility after witnesses reported hearing loud explosions.

The factory is located on Jalan Yos Sudarso in Martubung subdistrict, Medan Labuhan district.

Olena Wibisana, Yogyakarta – Police in Yogyakarta have named 13 suspects in a child abuse case at a daycare facility, following an investigation involving 30 individuals after a video allegedly showing abuse at the center circulated online.

The daycare center, Little Aresha, located on Jalan Pakel, has since been shut down and sealed by authorities.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has allocated Rp5.7 billion (about US$350,000) to subscribe to Zoom meeting licenses from April to December 2026, citing the need for large-scale coordination in implementing its Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG).

Chandra Adi Nurwidya, Yogyakarta – Police are investigating a daycare center in Yogyakarta after reports of alleged child abuse triggered public concern on social media.

Edward Febriyatri Kusuma, Jakarta – Indonesian authorities have temporarily suspended more than 1,700 kitchens involved in the country's flagship free meal program after finding widespread violations of food quality standards, a senior official said on Saturday.

Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Indonesia's benchmark stock index posted a steep weekly decline, pressured by global uncertainty, currency weakness and a review by MSCI.

The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) fell 6.61% over April 20-24 to close at 7,129.49, down from 7,643.00 a week earlier, according to the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) stated that fishermen still face difficulties in accessing subsidized fuel.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has passed the revision of the Witness and Victim Protection Law (UU PSDK) on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. One notable change is the inclusion of informant protection.

Isaaq Tomkins – The critically endangered Sumatran orangutan has been filmed for the first time using a canopy bridge to cross a road.

In 2024, conservationists in the Pakpak Bharat district of North Sumatra in Indonesia built the bridge high over the Lagan-Pagindar road, which provides an essential route for local people but which became a barrier for animals.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendikti) plans to close various study programs deemed irrelevant to future economic growth industries. This plan was conveyed by the Secretary General of Kemendikti Badri Munir Sukoco at the National Symposium on Population in 2026 in Badung, Bali, on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Foreign direct investment inflows into Indonesia totaled Rp 250 trillion (approx. $14.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, with government data showing that the top three sources remained unchanged.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Indonesia's liquidity accelerated more strongly in March, with broad money growth picking up alongside surging government-related flows and steady credit expansion, Bank Indonesia reported.

Hariz Baharudin and Hadi Azmi, Jakarta – Indonesia will not impose a levy on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca, as doing so would contravene international law, said Foreign Minister Sugiono on April 23.

Gayatri Suroyo and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Jakarta – Indonesia has room to breach its legal fiscal deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP without triggering an immediate ratings downgrade, as long as it is only a temporary response to economic disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, a director with Fitch Ratings said on Thursday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has refused to dispatch its military personnel to back the UK and France-led proposal of forming a multinational mission to safeguard the commercial shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.

Heru Andriyanto, Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The government rice reserves managed by state logistics agency Bulog surpassed 5 million tons on Thursday, marking the highest level ever recorded in the country's history.

Elan Suherlan, Subang, West Java – Rising liquefied petroleum gas prices are putting pressure on small businesses in Subang, forcing salted fish producers to switch from cooking gas to firewood in an effort to keep operations running.

Traditional furnaces used by salted fish makers in the area are now emitting thick smoke as producers increasingly rely on wood fuel.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Head of the Information Bureau at the Defense Ministry, confirmed that the Ministry and the TNI hosted a gathering with retired military officers at the Ministry building on Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Friday morning, April 24, 2026.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said a recent report by JPMorgan Asset Management, which ranks Indonesia among the countries most resilient to global energy shocks, reflects the strength of the country's energy security.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – The rapid spread of suckermouth catfish, locally known as sapu-sapu, in Indonesia's urban rivers is less about the species itself and more about worsening water quality, according to an academic from Universitas Airlangga.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia's finance chief signaled a shift to crisis footing in managing state finances, as rising global oil prices and tightening fiscal space test the government's commitment to keep its budget deficit within the legal ceiling.