Jamaah, Usep Adi Wihanda, Jakarta – After enduring scorching heat with temperatures reaching up to 37.6 degrees Celsius in recent days, parts of Indonesia are now preparing for a wave of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Ricki Putra Harahap, Bandung – President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday hit back at critics who have called for the suspension of his flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following mass food poisoning cases, saying the initiative remains overwhelmingly successful and has drawn international recognition.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said the Indonesian government has demonstrated its ability to deliver on its promises during his first year in office, although he did not specify which promises had been fulfilled.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – The automotive industry is cautious in setting prices and target markets amid the sluggish economy due to weakening purchasing power and global economic instability.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has indirectly criticized those who have mocked and belittled his administration's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, accusing them of focusing only on its shortcomings rather than its impact.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – The Indonesia Cerah Foundation (CERAH) said President Prabowo Subianto has yet to deliver concrete steps to make Indonesia the 'global king of green energy' with a target of 100% renewable energy use by 2035. CERAH's Policy and Program Manager, Wicaksono Gitawan, noted an unbalanced energy policy during the first year of Prabowo's tenure.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – A recent survey by research institute Indostrategi has found that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program ranks lowest among President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's seven flagship initiatives, marking its first year in office.

Health check program leads in public approval

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has warned his ministers and members of the Red and White Cabinet to maintain discipline, saying he will not hesitate to carry out a reshuffle if they disobey his directives or act improperly.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto commented on individuals identifying as democracy activists, saying some have been involved in acts of violence and damage to democratic institutions.

Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Indonesia's Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus has urged the public to wear masks to curb the spread of Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI), as cases of flu-like infections have risen in several regions in recent weeks.

Rendy Tisna – A lower court in the Jakarta suburb of Bogor ruled in October in favor of environmental scientists Bambang Hero Sarahjo and Basuki Wasis, dismissing a lawsuit brought by Borneo plantation firm PT Kalimantan Lestari Mandiri over a wildfire more than seven years ago.

Sri Wahyuni, Samosir, Indonesia – On retirement from public life, Wilmar Eliaser Simandjorang found a quiet place on a hillside overlooking Lake Toba, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, to write about this landscape sacred to the region's Batak people.

Ni Komang Erviani, Denpasar – Three Australians accused of fatally shooting a fellow countryman in Badung regency, Bali, earlier this year, have been charged with premeditated murder. A crime that carries the maximum penalty of death under Indonesian law.

Junaidi Hanafiah, Central Tapanuli, Indonesia – Since it was first described by scientists in 2017, the Tapanuli orangutan, one of the world's rarest great apes, was believed to live only in the Batang Toru forest of Indonesia's North Sumatra province.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto celebrates his 74th birthday today, October 17, 2025.

Antara, Jakarta – A new study by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has found that rainwater in Jakarta contains hazardous microplastic particles, underscoring growing concerns over urban pollution and its environmental and health effects.

Jakarta – An "eco-city", a mining complex, and a massive project to grow food and fuel are all part of an Indonesian growth drive that activists allege is causing deforestation and dispossession.

Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – Southern Indonesia is expected to experience extreme heat until the end of the year, as both minimal cloud cover over the islands and the ongoing pancaroba (the transitional period between the dry and rainy seasons) allow for intense solar radiation to directly heat the land, authorities warned.

Heru Yustanto, Bogor – The Indonesian government has officially lifted all radiation seals in the Cikande Industrial Zone in Serang, Banten, after completing a month-long radioactive decontamination process, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq announced on Friday.

Ja'han Jones – During his trip last week to the Middle East, Donald Trump set off alarms stateside when he was caught on a hot mic talking to President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia about his request to meet with the president's son Eric, who's not a government official.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has amassed Rp 1,434.3 trillion (around $86.5 billion) in investments from home and abroad so far this year as of September, the government announced Friday, with Singapore still keeping its crown as the biggest foreign investor.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Ministry of Investment and Downstream/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) recorded a total investment realization of Rp491.4 trillion in the third quarter of 2025. This figure reflects a growing trend, particularly in downstream investment, which now accounts for 30% of the total realization for the quarter.

Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Jakarta – Indonesian former president Joko Widodo attended the anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Forestry at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesia's Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) has called on Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar to issue a public apology following his controversial remarks on sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian Constitutional Court has partially upheld a lawsuit related to the Job Creation Law. The court's decision exempts indigenous communities living in the forests from the obligation to obtain business permits for plantation activities.

Ditya Rasyadiputra, Jakarta – The Head of the Australian Defense Force (ADF), Admiral David Johnston, said that the partnership with Indonesia is being realized by increasing the number of joint military exercises.

Antara, Jakarta – Danantara Investment Management Agency has announced that it will soon allocate investments to the Indonesian stock market.

Chandra Adi Nurwidya, Yogyakarta – Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, the Sultan and Governor of Yogyakarta, has expressed disappointment over the Rp 700 billion ($42 million) reduction in central government funding for the province, a senior official said on Thursday.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, has sparked controversy by proposing that local entrepreneurs should produce counterfeit or knock-off branded bags.

Antara, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said Wednesday that a combination of capitalism and socialism would suit Indonesia's economic system the best.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Hospitals and clinics across Jakarta and surrounding regions have reported a recent uptick in patients showing flu-like symptoms.

Similar surges have also been recorded abroad, including in Malaysia, where thousands of cases have forced several schools to temporarily close.

Jakarta – The policy disarray in the energy sector is increasingly concerning. After causing public unease through restrictions on the distribution of three-kilogram cooking gas canisters, now the intervention by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia in relation to fuel import quota for private gas stations has caused new turmoil.

Hendrik Yaputra – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has asked the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Nusantara Investment Authority (BPI Danantara) to downsize the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from 1,000 to 200-240 companies.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – All victims of the collapse of Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Buduran, Sidoarjo have been identified. In total, there are 63 identified bodies. The head of the Medical and Health Division of the East Java Regional Police, Commissioner Pol. Dr.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has raised questions about the large sum of government funds piling up in fixed bank deposits. According to his records, the central and regional government funds in the form of fixed deposits were at Rp204.1 trillion and Rp204.2 trillion in December 2023 and December 2024, respectively.

Antara, Jakarta – The Jakarta provincial government is stepping up its response to extreme heat, launching weather modification efforts, accelerating tree-planting programs, and warning residents to limit outdoor activity as temperatures in the capital hit 35 degrees Celsius this week.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – A recent report from Climate Rights International (CRI) urges the Indonesian government and companies in the mining sector, particularly nickel, to immediately stop violating the rights of local communities, clean up air and water pollution, and gradually phase out the use of captive coal.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto mentioned the number of food poisoning cases related to the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in front of global Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). The Head of State mentioned that the food poisoning victims were 0.0007 percent of the 35.4 million MBG beneficiaries.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia is on track to achieve up to eight percent economic growth, driven by his flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program that he claims is already feeding 35 million people a day, the equivalent of "seven Singapores," while creating millions of new jobs.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has allowed foreigners to take leadership roles at Indonesia's state-run enterprises, especially if they are up to the job.

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has launched the People's School (Sekolah Rakyat) initiative aimed at breaking the cycle of extreme poverty in Indonesia through access to quality education.

Vinnilya Huanggrio, Jakarta – The Indonesian government should consider lowering its value-added tax (VAT) rate to strengthen competitiveness in Southeast Asia and narrow the gap with Vietnam, which has posted its fastest economic growth in a decade, a retail industry leader said on Thursday.

Fachrizal Baladraf, Maidina Rahmawati and Erasmus AT Napitupulu – Imagine the horror: as students were praying, the concrete structure above them suddenly collapsed. The main building of the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School (pesantren) in Sidoarjo, East Java, crumbled on 29 September 2025, trapping hundreds inside.

Kennedy Muslim and Burhanuddin Muhtadi – Almost a year into office, Indonesia's central government must balance its ambitions against rising public discontent. There is still time to right the ship.

Jakarta – Following the upcoming return of over 28,000 fossils from the Netherlands, the government is broadening its repatriation efforts to include artifacts currently held in Germany and other European countries, marking a significant step in Indonesia's campaign to reclaim its heritage from abroad.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Union (KNTI) highlights the declining welfare of national fishermen in recent years. The Chair of KNTI, Dani Setiawan, said the Fishermen's Exchange Rate (NTN) has been decreasing since 2022.

Rafiqa Qurrata A'yun and Tim Lindsey (The Conversation) – Mass demonstrations against the greed of politicians led to protests in late August across Indonesia, calling for major reforms to the political system and police force. Civil society groups played a key role in these events.

Jakarta – Indonesian television network Trans7 has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over a broadcast about Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) that many viewers said insulted Muslim clerics and religious culture.

Addin Anugrah Siwi, Jakarta – The Finance Ministry announced on Tuesday that the government had rolled out Rp 192.2 trillion (approximately $11.6 billion) in energy subsidies and compensation as of early October this year.

Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has found himself at the centre of global attention – and domestic debate – at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, a high-level gathering aimed at ending hostilities and planning reconstruction in the war-torn enclave.