Indonesia's utopian new capital Nusantara seems to appear out of nowhere. Deep in the forest, a multilane highway abruptly opens up through the trees, leading to a palace topped by a winged eagle that glows under the equatorial sun.

But along the rows of futuristic new buildings, Nusantara's boulevards are largely empty save for a few gardeners and curious tourists.

Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – A panel of judges has sentenced four leaders of major sugar companies to four years in prison each for their roles in a corruption case involving sugar imports at the Ministry of Trade during the 2015-2016 period.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) of Indonesia, Dadan Hindayana, denied reports claiming his institution had offered Rp5 million to members of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for creating positive promotional videos about the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia will lower the 2026 Hajj cost by around Rp 2 million ($120) per pilgrim, introduce a uniform 26-year waiting period nationwide, and maintain the national Hajj quota at 221,000, under a new agreement between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR).

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, aims to protect the pesut dolphin, or the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) population in the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, by stopping the transportation of coal through the small river.

Aqraa Sagir, Jakarta – We've never had more access to films, yet the experience feels lonelier than ever. Between endless scrolling and solo binge sessions, something's been lost. For some cultural workers and curators, the answer isn't more content – it's more connection.

Jakarta – What can we read from the maneuvering by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin through his recent meetings with the leaders of political parties supporting the government?

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Health officials warn that microplastics in rainwater pose long-term health risks, including heart disease and problems in fetal development.

Kiki Safitri, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, has promised to provide incentives for organisers of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in regions who succeed in creating positive and viral content about the MBG program on social media.

Ruth Dea Juwita, Jakarta – Indonesia has collected 6 billion yuan (US$842.34 million) through its first-ever renminbi-denominated bond, or dim sum bond, marking its latest effort to diversify funding sources and broaden its global investor base.

Alfin Febrian Basundoro – Indonesia is reportedly close to acquiring Chengdu J-10 fighters from China, after Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin signed a contract during an October visit to Beijing. While Jakarta urgently needs new aircraft for military deterrence, this procurement is logistically questionable and fiscally unwise.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, declined to comment on recent layoffs following the release of his ministry's performance report marking one year under the Prabowo-Gibran administration, from October 2024 to October 2025.

Samantha Tan, Kuala Lumpur – Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao has reiterated the importance of peace and dialogue in ensuring sustainable development across the ASEAN region and beyond.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that volatile food inflation in September 2025 was influenced by the accelerated rollout of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Between September and October 2025, West Papua experienced widespread internal displacement affecting more than 102,966 civilians across multiple regencies due to military operations and armed conflict (see table below).

Jakarta – Indonesia has drawn up new rules that will allow the central government to lend to local authorities and state-owned enterprises in order to support the country's development projects.

Antara, Jakarta – Heavy rain that washed Bogor, West Java, on Monday night caused the Katulampa Dam water level to rise to alert level III, triggering flooding in parts of South Jakarta early Tuesday.

Jakarta – In a modern democracy, no institution, secular or religious, should be exempt from public scrutiny.

If anything, such scrutiny is a must if the institution in question gets funding from the state or receives a permit from the government to run their operation.

Muhammad Firman, Jakarta – Indonesia's financial services authority has revoked the business licenses of five microcredit banks, both conventional (BPR) and sharia (BPRS), this year after the banks failed to maintain adequate liquidity and meet minimum capital requirements as set by regulation.

On the morning of 8 September 2025, around 30 police officers from the Jayapura District Police, using three police cars and six patrol motorcycles, dispersed members of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) Sentani Region and Yahim residents while they were carrying out a community service activity to clean the Yahim Sentani highway, Sentani Town, Jayapura Regency, Papua Pro

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Body (BGN) has clarified the remarks about the Rp5 million incentive for public kitchens that successfully create positive and viral content for the free nutritious meal program, or MBG.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the alleged bribery in Indonesia's high-speed train project or Whoosh after receiving several pieces of information.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) prepares incentives of Rp5 million for regional implementers who successfully create positive and viral content about the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG).

Ni Made Tasyarani, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) plans to roll out additional macroprudential liquidity incentives (KLM) on Dec. 1 through new disbursement schemes to boost sluggish credit growth and expedite the pass-through of central bank rate cuts to commercial banking rates.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto views that the United States (US) should be a growth partner in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the involvement of the United States can help in building ASEAN.

Jakarta – One of the culminations of Prabowo Subianto's omon-omon, or empty words, is in the textile industry. This labor-intensive sector has been left to fend for itself against imports from other nations.

Shinta Maharani, Jakarta – The Indonesian diaspora scattered across 23 countries held the Indonesia Bergerak (Indonesia Moves) Congress virtually on Sunday night, Indonesian time, October 26, 2025, to commemorate the Youth Pledge.

Septia Ryanthie, Jakarta – Several players in the national garment and textile industry have formed the Indonesian Garment and Textile Association (AGTI), which was officially launched on October 1, 2025. The establishment of this association coincides with the Pancasila Sanctity Day.

Martin Bagya Kertiyasa, Jakarta – Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) and Malaysia's state-owned energy giant Petronas have signed a farm-out agreement (FOA) under the production sharing contract (PSC) for the Bobara Block, marking a new chapter in regional energy collaboration.

Jakarta – The Riau Islands Police have dishonorably discharged 30 officers in the past two years as part of its commitment to uphold the code of ethics and discipline for various violations, including being involved in LGBT relations.

Mike Yeo, Singapore – An Indonesian official's announcement earlier this month that Jakarta intends to buy at least 42 Chinese J-10 fighter aircraft raised more than a few eyebrows.

Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has revealed the chronology of the arrest and naming of an activist named Muzaffar Salim as a suspect. Muzaffar, along with three other activists, has been named a suspect for provocation in the demonstrations at the end of August 2025 in Jakarta.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – US President Donald Trump on Sunday thanked his Indonesian counterpart and "friend", President Prabowo Subianto, again for his help in the efforts to secure peace in the war-torn Gaza.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said Monday it would examine findings from the Election Organizers Ethics Council (DKPP) regarding the controversial Rp 90 billion ($5.5 million) private jet rental by the General Elections Commission (KPU), which led to a severe ethics warning for its top officials.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Monday he will order the Customs and Excise Directorate to strengthen inspections at ports to combat the flow of illegal imports, particularly secondhand apparel and accessories.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Several mining associations are requesting the Indonesian government to cancel the plan to implement a 50 percent blended biodiesel (B50) in 2026. They believe that the policy has the potential to increase production costs amidst falling commodity prices and rising operational costs.

Septia Ryanthie, Jakarta – Former president Joko Widodo or Jokowi has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (KCJB), or Whoosh project, which is now reported to carry a debt burden of up to Rp118 trillion. This project was one of the signature transportation programs during his administration.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Chair of the Setara Institute National Council, Hendardi, believes that former Indonesian President Soeharto is not deserving of the title of national hero. Allegations of human rights violations and crimes against humanity during his authoritarian and militaristic government cannot be denied.

Siwage Dharma Negara and Maria Monica Wihardja – Sri Mulyani's successor Purbaya has already signalled a greater willingness to support Prabowo's populist programmes – in ways that could potentially over-expand credit, raise debt burdens, and erode investor confidence.

Responding to the verdict of the South Jakarta District Court judge on the pre-trial motion by a number of activists against the legal actions of the Metro Jaya Jakarta Regional Police (Polda), Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:

Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Governor Pramono Anung has ordered the Jakarta Parks and City Forest Agency to inspect and reinforce thousands of aging trees across the capital following the death of Harry MP Danardojo, a former director of state-owned investment firm Danareksa, who was killed when a large palm tree fell onto his car during a storm in South Jakarta on Sunday.

Aidan Hall – Indonesia's current president, Prabowo Subianto, took power exactly one year ago. He won his country's election on a swathe of grand economic promises, including achieving 8 percent annual growth, total energy self-sufficiency, and even eliminating extreme poverty.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – An online petition created by a student using the username "siswa agit" is demanding the cancellation of the Academic Ability Test (TKA) scheduled for November 2025. The TKA score is required as one of the qualifications for the 2026 state university entrance exams via the achievement track.

Nadirsyah Hosen – In 2024, Indonesia's hajj administration found itself at the centre of one of the most consequential legal and political controversies in recent years.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Executive Director of LBH Pers Mustafa Layong revealed several anomalies in the lawsuit filed by Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman against Tempo. Amran filed a lawsuit against Tempo in the South Jakarta District Court regarding the headline story titled "Poles-poles Beras Busuk" (Rotten Rice Touch-ups) in the May 16, 2025 edition.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed the government plans to strengthen dental health services in all community health centers (Puskesmas) after a free health check program indicated numerous dental issues among the public.

Jakarta – A number of historians and civil society groups have criticised the proposal that the late 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, be awarded the title of national hero.

Antara, Jakarta – Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has apologized to the entire Papuan community for the burning of the Cenderawasih Crown by the Papua Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia recently pitched nuclear power-related investment opportunities to the United States as its senior officials had another round of tariff talks on the margins of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Agencies, Kuala Lumpur – Timor Leste joined the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc as its 11th member state on Sunday, after 14 years of campaigning.

Its Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined ASEAN leaders for a summit and signing ceremony in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, before posing for photographs together in interlocking arms.