Andrew Tito, Jakarta – Indonesia's wealthiest minister, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has dismissed viral social media claims that she bathes with bottled water during field visits, calling the story misleading and false.

Firda Amalia Putri and Iim Halimatusa'diyah – Violence is a persistent problem in the Indonesian police force. Recent brutalities against peaceful demonstrators underscore the imperative of reform to enhance accountability and restore public trust.

Jakarta – The MBG Monitoring Coalition is asking the government to halt the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and then take steps to fully evaluate President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious program.

Alfida Rizky Febrianna, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has outlined five priority strategies under a "quick win" program to accelerate economic growth and lift state revenue, which remains under pressure.

Denpasar, Bali – Indonesia and the European Union finalized negotiations on a trade agreement Tuesday after nearly a decade of talks, a senior minister said.

The Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is the third deal Brussels has signed with Southeast Asian countries, after Singapore and Vietnam.

Louis Plottel – "They treated us like animals! Even when you move a chicken or a dog, you set up a temporary cage first," exclaimed Hasan as he watched his home, along with the homes and workspaces of dozens of others, be razed to the ground in North Jakarta's Sunter Agung neighbourhood in 2019.

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday approved the 2026 state budget (APBN) in its fifth plenary session, marking the first budget under President Prabowo Subianto's administration.

The approval was led by House of Representatives Chairperson Puan Maharani after lawmakers voiced unanimous support.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta -The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) have extended the detention of activist Delpedro Marhaen and several other suspects in an alleged incitement case connected to recent demonstrations. The extension was made after their initial 20-day detention period expired.

Wahroni, Tangerang, Banten – Heavy rain and strong winds inundated Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday night, causing minor disruptions at Terminal 3, where water seeped into the international arrivals area

Jakarta – The government's promise to equip more than 330,000 schools with smart screens may sound like a bold leap forward in education reform, but it also feels like a chilling case of deja vu.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – The Financial Services Authority's (OJK) decision to simplify borrowing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is a calculated risk that requires stringent oversight to prevent a surge in bad loans.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto restated Indonesia's plan to establish ties with Israel under the condition that it recognizes Palestinian statehood during a much-anticipated speech to the United Nations.

Kaneta Naimatau – Indonesia has made it clear that West Papua will not feature in Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) peace and security discussions, with its Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Simamora, firmly dismissing the issue as an 'internal matter'.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – The Indonesian Economists Alliance on Tuesday welcomed the government's openness to dialogue but stressed that stronger action is needed to address its "Seven Urgent Economic Demands."

Muhammad Farhan, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has suspended new registrations for food service providers, or SPPG, under its flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program after thousands of food poisoning cases were linked to the initiative

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is working on non-fiscal incentives to offset the impact of the global minimum tax or GMT so the country remains attractive to foreign investors.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Shalom, Salve, Om swastiastu, Salam kebajikan, Rahayu, ra hayu.

Madam President, distinguished delegates, excellencies,

It is indeed a great honor to stand in this august General Assembly Hall, among leaders who represent almost all of humanity.

Jakarta – Like a doctor performing clinical trials of a drug, President Prabowo Subianto is giving a placebo to his patients. Trying to address a number of serious problems in the first year of his administration, he is only providing snake oil that does not address the issues.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Indonesia's interest in purchasing Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets as part of its military modernization plan has recently resurfaced, which was met by concerns from defense experts over the financial burden of operating non-Western aircraft and the potential geopolitical ramifications of such a deal.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian government refutes concerns that Law Number 27 of 2022 concerning Personal Data Protection (PDP Law) could restricts civil society spaces, especially journalists, academics, and artists, to unveil personal data.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The Foreign Affairs Ministry said Tuesday that time constraints were what had caused President Prabowo Subianto's microphone to get cut off in the middle of a Palestine-related speech at the United Nations.

Dili, Timor-Leste (Bernama) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim commenced his official engagements with a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace this evening.

The historic two-day visit began with a formal ceremony led by President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta at 4.10 pm local time.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto attended the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Dili – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has played a key role in advancing Timor-Leste's aspiration to join ASEAN, will begin his inaugural two-day official visit to the country tomorrow (Sept 23).

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) and the Labor Party are set to stage a protest in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building today, September 22, 2025.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – The Chair of the National Commission for Tobacco Control, Hasbullah Thabrany, has strongly criticized Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's recent statement that Indonesia's 57% cigarette excise tax is too high.

Maudey Khalisha, Jakarta – Local rice millers have been under pressure due to the narrowing gap between the government's price ceiling, farm gate prices and retail prices for the grain, with many reducing or halting operations as profit margins narrow, leading to supplies tightening and market prices creeping above the cap in recent months.

Jakarta – The latest stimulus package, unveiled by the government last week, is the third this year. It contains a wild mix of efforts targeting both supply and demand sides of the economy, which makes it different from the preceding two, and maybe better.

Dio Suhenda and Yerica Lai, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program faces mounting calls for suspension following repeated cases of mass poisoning that have heightened public concern over food safety and mismanagement.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – The government will entirely pay the salary of the fresh graduates joining the upcoming internship program meant to spur economic growth, according to a senior minister.

In other words, businesses do not have to worry about skyrocketing costs as they will not spend a single dime on the interns' paychecks.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Central Executive Board of the West Papua National Committee (BPP-KNPB) has stated that it opposes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivering a speech tomorrow at the General Debate session at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on Tuesday September 23.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – An independent fact-finding team consisting of six national human rights institutions will investigate the treatment of demonstrators and detainees during the August-September 2025 protests in Indonesia's Jakarta.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) revealed that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is the institution most frequently cited in reports of alleged human rights violations.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Indonesia's Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN) reported that hundreds of workers and security personnel from PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk (TPL) raided indigenous farmers in Nagori Sihaporas, Pematang Sidamanik, Simalungun, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Monday morning, September 22, 2025, at around 08:40 AM local time.

Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – A surge in childhood obesity across Indonesia is raising the alarm, with experts warning that the country's children face a greater risk of diabetes, heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses as junk food replaces healthier diets.

Thresa Sandra Desfika, Jakarta – Nagan Cipta Nusantara (NCN) has unveiled plans to develop a dedicated coal terminal port and a 10-kilometer hauling road in Nagan Raya, Aceh, with an investment of Rp 1.4 trillion ($8.4 million). The announcement was made at the Coaltrans Asia 2025, Asia's largest coal industry conference and exhibition, held on Sept.

Jakarta – Indonesia and the European Union will sign a trade agreement on Tuesday after nearly a decade of negotiations as they seek to mitigate the effects of US President Donald Trump's tariff policy.

The agreement, to be signed in Bali, will bring Indonesia and the 27-member European bloc into closer economic ties.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian business competition watchdog KPPU has slammed the government's decision to restrict unsubsidized fuel imports, citing that it is unfair to both consumers and private retailers.

Supplies have run dry at privately-run gas stations like Shell and BP over the past weeks.

Luh De Suriyani, Klungkung, Indonesia – Many of the fishing boats here in Kusamba village leave behind the black sand in near silence as each jukung motors away from Bali's east coast.

"We're on – it's just not that loud," boat captain Nengah Sudiarta told Mongabay Indonesia, his hand guiding the electric vehicle out from the Kusamba shoreline.

Algi Muhamad Gifari, West Bandung – West Bandung Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail has officially canceled the 2025 allowance increases for local lawmakers, reversing a decision he signed on July 23.

Salman Mardira, Jakarta – The National Strategic Project – or PSN – for a sugarcane plantation in Merauke, South Papua, is suspected of violating the rights of Indigenous peoples and committing human rights (HR) violations. Commission XIII of the House of Representatives has called for the project to be temporarily suspended.

Nuurrianti Jalli – TikTok Live's anticipatory suspension during nationwide protests in Indonesia last month shows the influence of Jakarta's interventionist digital governance. Such suspensions hurt small businesses and can fuel misinformation.

Antara, Jakarta – The rupiah slipped against the dollar on Monday, extending this year's losses as fiscal concerns and a stronger greenback added to pressure on the Indonesian currency.

Djibril Muhammad, Batam – Indonesia's Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian announced on Sunday that regional leaders and civil servants are once again allowed to travel abroad for official duties or medical needs, ending a temporary ban imposed in the wake of nationwide protests.

Roy Adriansyah, Salman Mardira, Jakarta – Mounting public complaints over the misuse of sirens and strobe lights have prompted both the House of Representatives and the police to act, with calls for stricter enforcement and a temporary halt to their use by police escort vehicles.

Akmalal Hamdhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially extended its value-added tax (VAT) exemption for property purchases until 2026, aiming to stimulate the housing sector and broader economy.

Melki Gani, Iman Rahman Cahyadi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has expelled Gorontalo provincial legislator Wahyudin Moridu after he appeared in a viral TikTok video boasting that he would "steal state money."

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged the government to temporarily halt the free nutritious meal program (MBG) for a comprehensive evaluation. This demand comes after another mass food poisoning incident involving children, including those in early childhood education (PAUD) in Tasikmalaya, West Java.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – Unlike his predecessor Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in his first year as president. Jokowi, during his 10-year presidency, never attended the UNGA usually held in New York, United States.

Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – Researcher and Policy Analyst at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS), Jimmy Daniel Berlianto, is urging the government to halt and evaluate the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. He believes this step is necessary due to many recent cases of poisoning.