Philip Jacobson, Jakarta – A palm oil company is ramping up its destruction of forests that are home to critically endangered orangutans in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the island of Borneo, according to satellite imagery and government sources.

Yerica Lai, Jakarta – Several political parties in the governing coalition and cabinet members have voiced support for a proposal to cut executive and legislative officials' salaries as part of broader austerity measures to mitigate the economic impact of the ongoing United States-Israeli war on Iran.

Antara, Jakarta – Bhima Yudhistira, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), has projected Indonesia's economy to grow 5.05 percent in the first quarter of 2026, supported by seasonal spending during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri.

Plans to develop the Indonesian Haj Village project in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, further underscore the government's dual role as both regulator and operator of the haj pilgrimage. This policy is vulnerable to conflicts of interest, as its primary goal of reducing haj costs will clash with the need to generate profits from the investment.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed Indonesia's support for Palestinian independence by saying that Jakarta's policy in the Middle East, including its participation in the United States-led Board of Peace, will hinge on Palestinian approval and whether it delivers tangible benefits for Palestine.

Maretha Uli and Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – As the Idul Fitri extended holiday draws to a close, Indonesia has been hit by a series of disasters across several regions, with authorities warning travelers returning home of increasing risks of floods and landslides as well as extreme weather along their way.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – At its inception 12 months ago, President Prabowo Subianto tasked Danantara with a dual mandate, to deliver long-term returns like a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) while supporting the government's agenda by managing state assets and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Tri Listiyarini, Jakarta – Private sector investment in Indonesia's cattle industry has begun to scale up, but progress remains below expectations as land constraints and structural gaps continue to hinder efforts to cut the country's heavy reliance on imported beef and milk.

Nicholas Ryan Aditya, Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) believes that the alleged involvement of members of the Indonesian Military's (TNI) Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) in the acid attack on Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) activist Andrie Yunus constitutes a serious violation of military intelligence functio

Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara – The world is in turmoil. The geopolitical chaos in oil-producing countries has created a direct shock to the oil market and disrupted the global supply chain.

Divya Kariza, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has declared that Indonesia's aggressive push for food and energy self-reliance is not rooted in ideology but in "common sense", as it is required to survive a volatile global landscape.

Sydney – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto should immediately issue a presidential decree setting up a fact-finding team independent of the military to fully investigate the acid attack against a prominent human rights activist who has criticized the military, Human Rights Watch said today.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – A French diplomat said Tuesday that Paris' defense ties with Indonesia had been taking off ahead of the next arrival of the Rafale fighter jets later this year.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Surging global oil prices past $100 per barrel are set to push up Indonesia's non-subsidized fuel prices, raising the risk of a sharp shift in consumption toward cheaper subsidized fuels and putting fresh pressure on the state budget.

Jakarta – Public relations agency ID COMM recently launched a new report on electric vehicles (EVs) in Indonesia, which showed that economic motives were what had mostly driven people to switch their rides.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has returned former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to a detention facility after briefly granting him house arrest, as investigators press ahead with a corruption probe into the allocation of hajj quotas.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – Rupiah is facing renewed downside risks as escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States heighten global uncertainty, with analysts warning the currency could slide toward Rp 20,000 per US dollar in a worst-case scenario.

During the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, the National Police (Polri) has moved further and further away from its main duties and functions. As an institution that should focus on maintaining law and order, the police has been busy managing the President's political programs.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The difference in the determination of Eid al-Fitr day between Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian government has sparked allegations of religious freedom violations.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Coordinating Economic Affairs has responded to the results of a survey conducted by the Institute for Economic and Social Research at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia (LPEM FEB UI), which indicates that 48% of economists perceive Indonesia's economy is declining.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the security and social situation in the country is not as bad as many people imagine, even compared to conditions in several other countries. According to him, Indonesia remains relatively safe overall.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesian business groups are raising concerns over a government plan to expand work-from-home (WFH) arrangements, warning the policy could weigh on household consumption and slow economic activity despite its intended energy-saving benefits.

Jakarta – This year, several major religious celebrations in Indonesia fall close together. Lunar New Year coincided with the start of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, while the Hindu Day of Silence, Nyepi, will occur alongside the eve of Idul Fitri, when many Muslims gather for the takbiran celebration.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is pushing for the country to shift entirely to electric, solar-powered vehicles across personal, public and commercial transport, as part of a broader plan to revive domestic industry and cut reliance on imports.

Deni Ghifari, Jakarta – The government has indicated that this year's fiscal deficit may temporarily exceed the general legal limit for the sake of maintaining economic growth if oil prices remain high as war rages on in the Middle East.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said foreign investment in Indonesia's broadcasting and publishing sectors will remain subject to national laws, responding to concerns from the media industry over provisions in the Indonesia-United States reciprocal trade agreement (ART) that are seen as potentially opening the door to broader foreign ownership in those s

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation recorded a rise in the number of mudik travelers using public transportation during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr homecoming exodus, with total passenger traffic surpassing 10 million in the eight days leading up to the holiday.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto, under fire at home for signing up to United States counterpart Donald Trump's so-called "Board of Peace", has insisted his country would not pay the US$1 billion joining fee for permanent membership.

Jakarta – Indonesia's fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, welcomed Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta at her residence on Teuku Umar Street, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Monday, in a meeting aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the government will study the recommendations of the Commission for the Acceleration of Reform of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) regarding efforts to improve the police institution.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasizes that his various visits abroad are oriented towards national economic interests. This statement also addresses public perceptions that the president's official trips are often seen as ceremonial or just a form of sightseeing.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The Association of Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers (Ojol) Garda Indonesia stated that the government's plan to implement a work from home (WFH) policy is at risk of reducing the income of drivers. Therefore, the Association urges the government to issue a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on a 90:10 profit-sharing scheme to mitigate this risk.

Antara, Jakarta – Under the administration of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the government is targeting 8 percent economic growth through job creation and various strategic programs, ranging from free nutritious meals (MBG) to public housing construction.

Thresa Sandra Desfika, Jakarta – Shares of Indonesia's major banks have been among the hardest hit as escalating tensions in Iran triggered foreign capital outflows from the domestic stock market.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – Indonesian police have recorded a total of 90 traffic accidents during the Eid exodus on March 19-20, 2026. The spokesperson of the 2026 Ketupat Operation, Commissioner Marupa Sagala, said one person died from these incidents.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto discussed plans to adjust the implementation of Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during a meeting with several public figures at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday night, March 17, 2026.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has warned regional administrations not to "challenge" the central government, saying Jakarta has often stepped in to handle responsibilities that should have been carried out by provincial and regency governments.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has defended the use of coal, saying there is nothing wrong with using the affordable combustible rock in times of crisis despite its environmental drawbacks.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia sees the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran as a sign to quit the Gaza peace board, according to President Prabowo Subianto, although Jakarta wishes to consult with major Arab nations before arriving at a decision.

Naina Rao, Indonesia – A 50-meter (164-foot) mountain of waste at Indonesia's Bantargebang landfill, the country's largest, recently collapsed following days of extreme rainfall that destabilized the massive, saturated pile. The tragedy resulted in seven confirmed deaths.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasizes that everyone is allowed to check the free nutritious meal kitchens (MBG). According to Prabowo, the public is free to voice complaints to the nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) that provide food for the flagship program.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto admitted to being addicted to consuming news. During a statement released by the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday night, March 19, 2026, the Chair of the Gerindra Party referred to himself as a "news junkie."

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – A temporary halt in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during the Eid holiday is set to deliver multi-trillion rupiah savings to the state budget, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said, as the government steps up efforts to safeguard fiscal space.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – US President Donald Trump has promised to keep Israel in check, according to his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto, as Jakarta continues to defend its decision to join the controversial Gaza peace board.

Rizky Pradita Ananda, Jakarta – Indonesia is bracing for a prolonged and uneven dry season this year as the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) warns that a so-called "Godzilla El Nino" could intensify drought risks across much of the archipelago from April to October 2026.

Jakarta – Customs inspectors at the Indonesian capital's main port uncovered more than 3 metric tons of pangolin scales in a shipping container bound for Cambodia in late February, in one of the largest seizures of the critically endangered mammal in years.

East Kalimantan, Indonesia – Indonesia's Supreme Court has ordered the government to release environmental impact assessments for two projects at the country's new capital city, handing civil society groups a rare transparency victory.

Iqro Rinaldi, Jakarta – Ramadan is more than an annual ritual marked by empty plates from dawn to dusk. For Muslims, fasting carries a layered meaning, spiritual discipline, social reflection and even physical renewal.

Philip Jacobson, Jakarta – Environmental experts and activists have slammed plans for carbon and tourism projects in an Indonesian park that's home to critically endangered tigers, rhinos and elephants.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Military Police Headquarters (Puspom TNI) has announced the arrest of four suspected perpetrators of last week's acid attack on human rights advocate Andrie Yunus of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras).

All four are reportedly members of the TNI's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS).