Natasya Salim and Tri Ardhya – Anger over slashed government budgets, poor quality of life, career stagnation and rampant official corruption is motivating many Indonesians to fantasise about "running away" from the country of 280 million people.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The exchange rate of the rupiah against the United States dollar experienced considerable pressure during the final week of February 2025.

Andrea Hosana, Jakarta – The prices of staple food commodities in Indonesia, including chili and cooking oil, are expected to rise during Ramadan, driven by increased demand and supply limitations, according to the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF).

Wahroni, Tangerang – The Indonesian government has repatriated 84 of its citizens who were victims of an alleged online scam operation in Myanmar. All returnees arrived in Indonesia safely and in good health.

According to Judha Nugraha, Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, among the 84 repatriated individuals, 15 were women.

Han Revanda, Jakarta – Chairperson of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced a promising prediction that 100,000 jobs are expected to be created in the textile and footwear industries. This opportunity emerged after a global apparel company expressed interest in tripling its orders from Indonesia over the next three years.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto stated that the presence of the sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and the seventh President Jokowi at the regional heads' retreat shows the continuity of national leadership.

Antara, Sukoharjo – The employees of PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk or Sritex will stop working starting March 1, 2025, confirmed Head of the Department of Industry and Labor of Sukoharjo Regency, Sumarno. The workers are continuing their duties until Thursday, February 28, 2025.

Jakarta – The protracted bankruptcy proceedings of Sri Rejeki Isman, or Sritex, a company with 50,000 employees, are the result of government interference. The plan to save the integrated textile company through a bailout has the potential to cause financial losses to the state.

Antara, Jakarta – The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Karen Agustiawan, former CEO of state-run oil company Pertamina, and extended her prison sentence from nine years to 13 years for her corruption conviction.

Ricki Putra Harahap, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has floated a plan to hold a follow-up military retreat for local leaders next year, according to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya.

Yustinus Paat, Antara, Jakarta – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Wahyu Sakti Trenggono said Kohod Village Chief Arsin must pay a Rp 48 billion ($3 million) fine for constructing illegal sea barriers off the northern coast of Banten Province. The barriers, spanning over 30 kilometers, restricted fishing access and sparked concerns over unlawful territorial claims.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – The government is reducing the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on economy-class domestic flights to ease travel costs ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Under a new regulation, passengers will pay only 5 percent VAT instead of the standard 11 percent, as the remaining 6 percent is covered by the government.

Jakarta – The government has announced that Ramadan will start on Saturday following an isbat (confirmation) meeting with several Islamic organizations and other parties in Jakarta on Friday.

Antara, Jakarta – A number of Chinese investors are eyeing to relocate their factories to the Kendal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Central Java, according to Deputy Industry Minister Faisol Riza.

Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – The alleged corruption case of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga with the modus operandi of mixing Pertamax (RON 92) fuel with Pertalite (RON 90) has left numerous people feeling dismayed.

Jamal Abdun Nashr, Magelang – Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Central Board, Puan Maharani, commented on the absence of nine regional heads from Bali at the retreat at the Magelang Military Academy from February 21 to 28, 2025.

Herman, Jakarta – Several Muslim groups in Indonesia have started observing the fasting month of Ramadan earlier than the official government announcement. Among them is the An-Nadzir congregation in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, which began fasting on Friday, despite the government not yet declaring the first day of Ramadan.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform has strongly condemned the intimidation of a journalist while covering an event involving the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). The coalition argues that this incident adds to a troubling pattern of misconduct by national soldiers.

Rizka Ardina Nugraheni, Wijayanti Putri, Solo – Indonesia's textile giant Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex) will cease all factory operations in Central Java on Saturday, following a bankruptcy ruling over its failure to repay debts. The shutdown of the country's largest textile company will affect more than 10,000 workers across the province.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – Several activists who are part of the Civil Society Coalition Against Corruption have reported alleged corruption related to the organization of the regional heads' retreat held at the Magelang Military Academy (Akmil) in Central Java.

Aditya Hadi, Jakarta – Despite little chance of lowering benchmark interest rates amid a strengthening United States dollar and highs cost of bond issuance, the Indonesian government is pushing for growth while relying on budget cuts to finance key programs like the free nutritious meal program and the new sovereign wealth fund, Danantara.

Jakarta – New sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia will focus on large-scale projects generating good returns as it prioritises sectors championed by the government to increase economic growth and create jobs, its chief investment officer told Reuters.

Jakarta – Growing public distrust of the newly formed sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara), has sparked online discussions on switching banks and cash withdrawals, leading analysts to debate the actual risks of a potential bank run or the ensuing economic crisis.

Jakarta – Indonesian democracy faced yet another tough challenge last week. Students and members of civil society came out onto the streets to protest President Prabowo Subianto's austerity measures, but unfortunately, the voices of opposition are being silenced.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Corruption in the energy sector continues to be the main obstacle in the transition to renewable energy. The alleged corruption of crude oil by PT Pertamina, which produced Pertamax and Pertalite, adds to the long list of challenges for Indonesia's transition to renewable energy.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed on Thursday that he has signed a regulation requiring all export coal sales to adopt the government's coal price benchmark (HBA), effective March 1.

Linda Lestari, Jakarta – The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) announced the recall of 91 illegal cosmetic and skincare brands containing hazardous ingredients, as quoted from Antara, Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Sukma Kanthi Nurani, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto attended the closing ceremony of the VI Congress of the Democratic Party, which took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Jakarta, on Tuesday night, February 25, 2025.

As part of the agenda, Prabowo was scheduled to deliver the closing speech for the party, known for its mercy star emblem.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The IDX Composite (IHSG) remained below the 6,600 mark, closing today's trading session with a 2.23 percent dip to 6,458.3.

Yogi Eka Sahputra, Jakarta – Dozens of Rempang residents protested the Rempang Eco City national strategic project in front of the Riau Islands police headquarters in Batam on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The residents demanded justice from the new police chief, Police Inspector General Asep Safrudin.

Muawwan Daelami, Jakarta – Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara), is considering stepping in as a standby buyer for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) looking to strengthen their capital amid weak investor sentiment, Chief Investment Officer Pandu Sjahrir said Thursday.

Sopian Hadi, Denpasar – Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has admitted to a tense atmosphere within the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) following the recent corruption-related arrest of the party's secretary-general, Hasto Kristiyanto.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – A top executive of Danantara has denied reports claiming that the newly established sovereign wealth fund enjoys complete legal immunity from prosecution.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Villages and Underdeveloped Regions, Yandri Susanto, has partnered with Minister of Trade Budi Santoso to enhance the export potential of rural commodities. Many villages across the country produce high-value export goods, such as palm sugar, corn, cashews, vannamei shrimp, and djembe drums, yet they struggle with market access.

Luh De Suriyani, Denpasar, Indonesia – Conservation foundations on the Indonesian island of Bali raised concerns in February over the volume of live sea turtles seized from traffickers so far this year.

Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – The Central Java Regional Police stated that the alleged intimidation case involving the Sukatani band is currently being handled by the Professional and Security Division (Propam) of the Indonesian National Police Headquarters (Polri).

Arjuno Welirang – Hundreds of professors, academics, students and civil society activists gathered at the University of Indonesia (UI) Salemba campus in Jakarta on Thursday February 27 to issue the "Second Salemba Call, Free Indonesia from Darkness".

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The Coordinator of the Indonesian Higher Education, Science, and Technology Lecturers Alliance (Adaksi), Anggun Gunawan, stated that his group is prepared to file a legal lawsuit if the performance allowance (tukin) for previous periods cannot be backpaid.

Jakarta – Without a radical breakthrough, there is no way the government will achieve its targets of reducing household waste by 30 percent and of processing waste by 70 percent by 2025. The handling of waste is still an indicator of failure of almost every city and regency administration in Indonesia.

Ni Made Sukmasari, Jakarta – Chief Economist of Permata Bank Josua Pardede assesses nominating former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as Supervisory Board of Danantara Investment Management Agency as an Indonesian government strategy to enhance international credibility and attract global investors.

Han Revanda, Jakarta – Members of the public and traders under the Indonesian People's Care Movement (Gempari) are set to hold a protest today against the alleged garlic import mafia. The protesters will move from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building, Istana Merdeka, to the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag).

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia must protect its textile industry from an influx of Chinese exports while continuing to attract investment and create jobs, National Economic Council (DEN) Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara), will assume management of all 47 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by the end of March, marking a sweeping consolidation effort aimed at optimizing national assets and strengthening corporate governance.

Jakarta – The unexpected alignment of the United States with Russia during a recent vote on a United Nations resolution on the Ukraine war underscores a profound shift in the global order.

Just a year ago, such a move would have been unthinkable under a US administration that seemed determined to hold Moscow accountable.

Shinta Maharani, Jakarta – Indonesians living in Berlin, Germany, are set to stage a protest at Brandenburg Gate on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in solidarity with the 'Dark Indonesia' (Indonesia Gelap) protest.

Brandenburg Gate, a national symbol of peace and unity, is a key gathering point for people from around the world.

Kiki Siregar, Jakarta – Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto has hit back at recent "Dark Indonesia" protests in the country, depicting a bright future as he expressed confidence that the archipelago would become the world's fourth-biggest economy in 2050.

Syafiq Hasyim – Indonesia's largest Muslim organisation missed out on the most significant ministerial portfolio – religious affairs – despite supporting presidential candidate Prabowo. What now?

Trissia Wijaya – The idea of creating a 'superholding' of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – promoted during his presidential campaign by Prabowo Subianto – is now becoming a reality.

Andreas Harsono – In Indonesia, Islamist groups have long misused the country's blasphemy law as a political weapon to target perceived critics of Islam, discriminate against religious minorities, and carry out personal vendettas.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) president, Said Iqbal, said workers are planning to stage a protest in Jakarta tomorrow to express disappointment over the Pertamina corruption case.