Josa Lukman, Jakarta – With a year as packed as 2024, we were curious what drew our readers in. Were they looking for updates on election day drama, the latest twists on the global stage or something lighthearted to distract from the world's ever-burning dumpster fire?
Turns out, they wanted all of it.
While some evergreen hits from past years, such as a 2019 guide to losing belly fat in seven days, a 2017 listicle on Osama bin Laden's favorite video games and a 2021 deep dive into virtual sex work during the pandemic continued to rack up clicks, we've narrowed this list to the most-read articles published in 2024.
1. 'Emergency Warning' trending on social media following House, MK standoff
Our most-read article of the year unpacked the origins of a protest symbol that dominated social media during one of 2024's biggest political showdowns. The House of Representatives' (DPR) August attempt to overrule the Constitutional Court's (MK) decision to lower the electoral threshold for regional elections sparked nationwide protests.
The symbol? A blue backdrop featuring the Garuda Pancasila emblem and the words peringatan darurat (emergency warning), lifted from a 2022 YouTube video by EAS Indonesia Concept, a fictional emergency broadcast creator.
As lawmakers faced backlash both online and in the streets, the proposal was eventually dropped. But the protests were marred by incidents of police brutality against demonstrators and journalists. By September, social media had already moved on to the next viral thing: The Labubu doll, thanks to Lisa of Blackpink fame.
2. Indonesia takes home first medal in Paris following shuttler's withdrawal
Indonesia's first medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics arrived under unusual circumstances. Women's singles badminton player Gregoria Mariska Tunjung secured a bronze medal after Spain's Carolina Marin withdrew mid-match during the semifinals due to a knee injury.
An Se-young of South Korea (left) hugs Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia after winning their match in women's singles badminton semifinal during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on Aug. 4, 2024.
Although Gregoria expressed mixed emotions, saying, "This is definitely not the way I wanted to win a medal," the nation celebrated her achievement. Indonesia went on to claim two gold medals by the end of the Games: One by Veddriq Leonardo in men's speed climbing and another by Rizki Juniansyah in men's 73 kilogram weightlifting.
Too bad no break dancers were sent as Indonesia could've dazzled with moves like orangutan splits and komodo dips.
3. Bakamla drives Chinese coast guard vessel out of North Natuna waters
In October, Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) drove off a Chinese coast guard ship intruding in Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea.
The Chinese vessel disrupted seismic surveys by Indonesia's MV Geo Coral, claiming the area as part of China's "nine-dash line". After Bakamla's patrol ship KN Tanjung Datu-301 intervened, it was reinforced by an Indonesian Navy ship and maritime patrol aircraft, forcing the intruding vessel to retreat.
Indonesia's swift action sent a clear message: The North Natuna Sea is not up for grabs, no matter what outdated maps might claim.
4. Indonesia attracts diaspora with permanent visa
In 2024, Indonesia rolled out a major incentive to draw its diaspora back home: The Overseas Citizens of Indonesia (OCI) permit. Inspired by India's OCI program, this special visa offers a lifetime, multiple-entry pass to Indonesia with added perks like residential and employment rights.
The government is targeting highly skilled professionals who can contribute to national development while retaining the option to reside abroad. "Indonesia is at a very interesting juncture," said former deputy foreign minister Pahala Mansury.
The question remains: Would you trade California's freeways or Melbourne's laneways for Jakarta's traffic jams?
5. Singapore keeps control of airspace near Changi airport
Although Indonesia reclaimed sovereignty over the Natuna archipelago's airspace from Singapore this year, the city-state retained control of the low-flying zone (0 to 11,277 meters) near Changi Airport, citing international aviation traffic needs.
The move, part of a broader realignment of flight information region (FIR) boundaries, highlights the complex interplay between sovereignty and practicality. Singapore's insistence on maintaining control over this airspace is unsurprising given its economic reliance on Changi International Airport's bustling operations.
And for now, Natuna's skies will continue to serve as an example of shared space, much like tourists at Haji Lane trying to snap a photo of tiny Beyond The Vines bags.
[Josa Lukman is an editor and head of the Creative Desk at The Jakarta Post. He is also a margarita enthusiast who chases Panadol with Tolak Angin, a hoarder of former "it" bags and an iced latte slurper.]