Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has completed a six-day diplomatic tour to Japan, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, underscoring Indonesia's rising global presence. The tour, which began on Sept. 19, coincided with the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Penitentiary Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has defended the mass arrests that followed a wave of protests across the country in late August.

He insisted that demonstrators taken into custody were not targeted simply for protesting but for committing criminal acts.

Monique Handa Shafira, Jakarta – The United Development Party (PPP), one of the country's oldest political parties, named Muhammad Mardiono as its definitive chairman for the 2025-2030 term on Saturday, in a chaotic congress marred by fistfights and chair-throwing among rival factions.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Health expert Tjandra Yoga Aditama highlights the results of laboratory tests related to mass poisoning cases in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in West Java, including West Bandung Regency. Based on the regional health laboratory report, Salmonella and Bacillus cereus bacteria were found in several food samples that were tested.

Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat – At the United Nations General Assembly this week, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a speech that many in Jakarta framed as a defense of Palestine. He described the catastrophe in Gaza, used the word "genocide," and called for Palestinian statehood.

Yogyakarta – Hundreds of mothers held a symbolic action by banging cooking utensils as a form of protest against the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program which has recently resulted in thousands of school children suffering food poisoning.

Indonesia, West Papua – The World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, together with several partner organisations, convened a side event during the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 22 September, examining conditions one year into Indonesia's current administration.

Jakarta – History will remember President Prabowo Subianto as the first Indonesian leader to explicitly declare the country's readiness to open official diplomatic ties with Israel at the United Nations' highest forum. He did so with one crucial caveat: It will only happen if Palestine gains independence and coexists with Israel.

Louis Plottel – In late August and early September 2025, Indonesia saw one of its most intense protests in the country's post-reformasi history.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The drafting and synchronization team for the fourth revision of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE/BUMN) Law has formally established a prohibition on ministers or vice ministers holding multiple positions on the boards of directors, commissioners, and supervisory boards of SOEs.

Antara, Jakarta – Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Tandyo Budi Revita claims that the food produced in the TNI's free nutritious meal kitchen (MBG) meets quality standards. Tandyo made the statement in response to reports of residents experiencing food poisoning after consuming MBG in several areas.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Mass food poisoning linked to Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program continues to surface across the country. Since its rollout in early January 2025, suspected cases of poisoning traced to MBG meals have been reported in multiple regions.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) responded after the rupiah's exchange rate fell to Rp16,700 per U.S. dollar. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the rupiah closed at Rp16,749 per U.S. dollar, which is 64 points weaker than the previous day. In response, Bank Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining exchange rate stability.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has come under mounting scrutiny following a string of mass food poisoning cases linked to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in several regions.

By the end of September, the Civil Society Coalition reported that at least 6,432 people had fallen ill after consuming meals from the program.

Antara, Jakarta – The illiteracy rate in Indonesia continues to decline. Deputy of Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Atip Latipulhayat, said on Friday that over the past five years, Indonesia, through collective efforts, has successfully reduced the illiteracy rate to just 0.92 percent.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has suspended 190 mineral and coal mining business permits (IUP) after companies failed to meet their reclamation and post-mining payment obligations.

The decision is outlined in the Decree of the Director General of Minerals Number T-1533/MB.07/DJB.T/2025, issued on September 18, 2025.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – A growing number of organizations are urging the Indonesian government to suspend the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following a surge in student food poisoning cases.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's job market is showing signs of strain as more than 10 million people are seeking work each year, indicating the gap between steady headline employment figures and the reality of a fast-growing labor force.

Libby Qahtany – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a number of controversial statements during the general debate session at the United Nations 80th General Assembly in New York on Tuesday September 23.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The government and parliament have agreed to dissolve the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry, a landmark restructuring that shifts control of state assets to the sovereign wealth fund Danantara and a newly created regulator.

Monique Handa Shafira, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) issued a tearful apology Friday after nearly 6,000 schoolchildren fell ill from food served under the government's flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Dayat, Jakarta – Jakarta Police are offering a Rp500,000 ($30) bonus to ride-hailing motorcycle drivers who provide verified reports of street crimes in the capital, aiming to strengthen community participation in public safety.

The Hague, Netherlands – The Netherlands pledged on Friday to return to Indonesia the remains of "Java Man", the first-ever "Homo Erectus" unearthed by modern scientists in a landmark discovery for human evolution.

Stefanno Sulaiman, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Friday he did not instruct state banks to raise their United States dollar deposit rate to 4 percent, and that the government was still considering what incentives to offer to bolster the domestic US dollar supply.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Chairperson of the Indonesian Catering Association (PPJI), Minerva Taran, criticized the government's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, calling its kitchen management careless and poorly planned.

She described the program's execution as "systemic negligence" that risks undermining its very purpose.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – A group accompanying President Prabowo Subianto during his visit to New York allegedly stayed at the Aman Hotel New York, with rooms costing up to Rp100 million per night. The President was in New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Jakarta – After six years in limbo, the Kayan hydropower plant (PLTA) in North Kalimantan has been revived. The project, which almost lost its permit in the era of President Joko Widodo, was restarted after Hashim Djojohadikusumo, President Prabowo Subianto's younger brother, joined the Kayan Hydro Energy construction consortium.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Agrarian conflicts have expanded significantly over the past decade, with millions of Indonesians losing land and livelihoods despite repeated government pledges to resolve the issue.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro responded to information circulating on social media suggesting that the American diaspora interviewed by the government about President Prabowo Subianto's presence in the United States was staged.

Yogyakarta – The Gajah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Council Community of Students (BEM KM) is urging the government to totally re-evaluate the free nutritional meal (MBG) program which is a flagship project of President Prabowo Subianto.

Ilham Oktafian, Muhammad Farhan, Jakarta – The Indonesian government and parliament agreed Thursday to dissolve the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), marking a major restructuring of state corporate governance as the country's new sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, assumes control of all state-owned assets.

Hanaa Septiana, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, responded to the police's seizure of books as evidence from students and activists who were arrested during a protest that resulted in riots at the end of last August. Brian hopes that students will read books in accordance with the regulations.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday September 23 in New York has attracted the attention of several civil society organisations. They believe that Prabowo's statements about the food crisis and climate are not in line with the conditions domestically.

Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – Commissioner General Syahardiantono, Head of the Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), has announced the legal actions taken against individuals involved in the nationwide riots that occurred from August 25 to August 31, 2025.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, New York – President Prabowo Subianto said Wednesday it was a great honor for him and for Indonesia to deliver his speech as the third speaker at the United Nations General Assembly, marking the earliest speaking slot ever given to an Indonesian leader in the forum's history.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – Indonesian police announced Wednesday that nearly 1,000 people have been named suspects in connection with violent protests that erupted across 12 provinces since late August, leaving 10 people dead and extensive public facilities damaged.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – Civil society groups are calling on the Indonesian government to adopt bolder and more consistent energy transition targets following President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Jakarta – If he does not want to stumble into economic catastrophe, President Prabowo Subianto needs to start listening carefully. A number of economists have sounded the alarm because the policies he has implemented are misdirected and have caused many problems.

Sahrudin Nurdin, North Maluku – The Raja Ampat Regency Government and the North Maluku Provincial Government are in dispute over three islands: Sain Island, Piay Island, and Kiyas Island.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – The Indonesian government said it will continue its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program despite a surge in food poisoning cases that have sickened thousands of schoolchildren across the country.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has reaffirmed Indonesia's sovereign credit rating at BBB+, investment grade with a stable outlook.

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said the affirmation reflects strong trust from global stakeholders in Indonesia's ability to protect macroeconomic and financial stability.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia has officially become the first ASEAN country to strike a bilateral trade pact with Canada as Ottawa looks for ways to offset US tariff impacts.

Salman Mardira, Jakarta – The Supreme Court has overturned the acquittals of three major palm oil conglomerates in a high-profile corruption case involving crude palm oil (CPO) export permits, reinstating their criminal liability after prosecutors won an appeal.

Suara Kalbar, Ketapang – Dozens of children and one adult were reported to have suffered food poisoning after consuming the Free Nutritious Meal program in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. As of Wednesday afternoon, the total number of patients reached 25 people, consisting of 24 children and one adult who is a teacher.

Associated Press, Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – The Jakarta Composite Index closed sharply lower on Thursday, tracking concerns over the widening fiscal deficit after lawmakers approved the 2026 state budget.

Ramadani Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's two biggest Islamic organizations usually seize the country's attention twice a year, when they gather to determine when the religious holidays of Idul Fitri and Idul Adha will be celebrated.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has announced that the government will take strict action against the circulation of illegal cigarettes, which has affected state revenue due to a significant decline in excise duties.

The World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, on 22 September, co-coordinated a side event at the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Titled "Human Rights in Indonesia – One Year into the New Administration," the event featured a panel of speakers.

Nirarta Samadhi and Ananda Putri Permatasari, Jakarta – "Let alone safe drinking water, any kind of water is hard to come by," the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for water, Retno LP Marsudi, said when quoting a witness from an international community during Bali Climate Week in August. Likewise, Indonesia's water is "too little, too much and too polluted".

Bintang Aulia Lutfi, Jakarta – Banking liquidity in Indonesia is abundant, but without market certainty the funds risk staying idle. Lending must focus on productive sectors to drive growth rather than fuel inflation.