Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has downgraded the credit outlook of four major Indonesian banks. The four banks are Bank Mandiri, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Central Asia (BCA), and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

Bangka, Indonesia – Residents of a centuries-old coastal settlement in the world's largest tin-mining outpost – Bangka Island – fear that the environmental damage over just a few decades is behind a frightening rise in reports of violent deaths.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia is aiming to expand its railway network beyond Java as part of efforts to strengthen national connectivity, with total investment needs estimated at Rp1,100 trillion to Rp1,200 trillion (around US$68-74 billion) through 2045.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cases in Indonesia remain high despite the availability of vaccines, largely due to delayed detection and the long-term accumulation of infections, a forum heard on Tuesday.

Health Ministry data shows that Indonesia records around 36,000 new HPV-related cancer cases annually, with more than 21,000 deaths.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto wants to Indonesia to host more K-pop concerts, according to chief diplomat Sugiono, but fans remain worried about the sky-high ticket prices.

Tri Listiyarini, Jakarta – A wide gap has emerged between import costs and the government's cattle price cap, with Australian feeder cattle priced at Rp 81,658 per kg, roughly 40% above the official benchmark, raising the risk of beef inflation in Greater Jakarta.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia has begun training hundreds of civil servants to serve as part of a military reserve force, expanding a national defense program championed by President Prabowo Subianto as he seeks to strengthen discipline and national identity within the state bureaucracy.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia's 50 richest people own as much wealth as 55 million people, or around 20% of the population, according to a new report by think-tank Celios, painting a grim picture of the country's economic conditions.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Italian energy giant Eni has announced a major gas discovery off the coast of East Kalimantan, with estimated reserves of 5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 300 million barrels of condensate.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is conducting surveys through a special team to refine the distribution of the free nutritious meal program, citing President Prabowo Subianto 's directive to prioritize undernourished children and low-income families as the primary beneficiaries of his flagship initiative.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto plans to send Indonesian citizens to Russia to participate in a cosmonaut program. Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that this is part of the exploration of cooperation with Russia in the space sector.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said he received loan offers from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank worth US$25-US$30 billion to strengthen the country's fiscal amidst turbulent global economic conditions, but rejected them.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia ratified the much-anticipated Domestic Workers Protection Law (PPRT Law) after more than two decades of struggle. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) hailed the government's move as strategic steps towards strengthened state recognition, human rights protection, and social justice for domestic workers across the country.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia stated that at least 295 human rights defenders (HRD) were attacked throughout 2025. Amnesty even referred to 2025 as the year of living dangerously for everyone who thinks critically.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – A study by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) revealed that the implementation of a wealth tax for the super-rich in Indonesia has the potential to contribute up to Rp142 trillion to the state's revenue annually. This finding was disclosed in Celios' Economic Disparity Report 2026.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Indonesia and Australia are using a joint film festival to deepen cultural diplomacy and expand creative industry ties, officials said Wednesday, as both countries look to strengthen collaboration beyond traditional economic sectors.

Auliya Umayna Andani, Fransiskus Adryanto Pratama – The Civil Society Coalition Against Impunity will appeal a Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) ruling that rejected a lawsuit against Minister of Culture Fadli Zon's denial of the 1998 mass rapes.

Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) held its benchmark rate at 4.75% for a seventh straight month, prioritizing rupiah stability as global risks intensify, particularly from Middle East tensions.

Muhammad Yahya Ihyarozza, Jakarta – "Personal revenge" is the official motive cited for the acid-attack terrorism allegedly carried out by four Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel against Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras).

Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – Indonesia will begin construction of five waste-to-energy projects simultaneously in June 2026 as part of a national strategy to address mounting waste challenges while accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

The strategic projects are expected to process more than 7,000 tons of waste per day.

Jakarta – Despite President Prabowo Subianto's repeated assurances that his frequent overseas trips have brought major contributions to serve the national interests, the people's skepticism remains high. This sentiment can be easily found in public discourse on social media.

Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr – Advisers play a crucial role in foreign affairs, shaping the decisions leaders ultimately make. But the relationship between a leader and his advisers is rarely straightforward. It is shaped by the adviser's capacity to navigate the leader's ego and temperament, and, equally, by the leader's psychological disposition toward accepting advice.

Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – Indonesia's parliament has passed a long-awaited law to protect domestic workers, marking a historic breakthrough after more than two decades of advocacy for stronger legal safeguards.

The House of Representatives (DPR) approved the Domestic Workers Protection Bill into law during a plenary session on Tuesday, coinciding with Kartini Day.

Zhulfakar, Achmat Ikhsan, Sopian Hadi, Jakarta – From surfing in traditional dress on Bali's waves to wearing kebaya uniforms on city buses, Indonesian women marked Kartini Day this week with a mix of cultural pride and modern expressions of empowerment.

Antara, Jakarta – Minister of National Development Planning and Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, stated that Indonesia's population growth rate currently outpaces the global average.

Cantika.com, Jakarta – Refreshing our memory together, April 21, 1879, is the birth date of Raden Ajeng Kartini which is commemorated every year as/Kartini Day' in Indonesia. This commemoration is a form of tribute to her struggle in advocating for gender equality, starting from the right to speak up, education, to the opportunity to create.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology views the rising number of reported sexual violence cases on campuses as a sign of growing public awareness.

2025 was the most dangerous year for human rights at the global and national level due to the increase in predatory attacks in 144 countries around the world, including Indonesia, said Amnesty International today when launching its global report on the human rights situation.

Denpasar, Indonesia – Renewable energy uptake has yet to gather momentum across Indonesia's more than 84,000 villages, a new report concludes, as the government of the world's fourth-largest country pledges to achieve a radical energy transformation over the next decade.

Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday to express appreciation for the start of Indonesia's urea fertilizer exports to Australia, according to a senior presidential aide.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa mentioned that the World Bank has apologized for the low projection of Indonesia's economic growth. The apology was conveyed during their recent meeting in the United States last week.

Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia has declared that the human rights situation nationally is showing alarming signs. The institution refers to 2025 as a year of human rights catastrophe, both in civil and political freedoms and in economic and social justice.

Adi Warsono, Jakarta – Former Head of the Jakarta Provincial Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, has been named a suspect in the case of the trash landslide at the Bantargebang Landfill, which resulted in the deaths of seven people.

Endang Mulyani, Jakarta – Bali is grappling with a growing waste problem, with waste sorting and composting emerging as key solutions, experts say. As the face of Indonesian tourism, the island's mounting waste challenge is becoming increasingly critical, with direct implications for both the industry and environmental sustainability.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) says it has identified recurring "inner circle" networks that help facilitate and conceal corruption, ranging from family members to political associates and trusted aides.

Agencies, Jakarta – AUnited States warship passed through the Strait of Malacca over the weekend, the Indonesian Navy said on Monday, adding that the transit through the major sea route was in accordance with international law.

Judging from the handling of recent floods and landslides, here is what we can expect to happen when forest and land fires spread across several provinces following the effects of El Nino this year. Initially, the President will be late in visiting the affected areas – due to information not being passed on to those close to him.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Body (BGN) has come under public scrutiny over its procurement of goods and services, which many consider wasteful. The spending has also been seen as contradicting the core vision of the free nutritious meal program (MBG).

Alfi Dinilhaq, Jakarta – Indonesia's banking credit growth remained firmly above 10% in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong lending to corporate and consumer segments, even as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continued to face pressure.

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – Indonesia's haj departures remain on track despite the ongoing United States-Israeli war against Iran, with preparations entering the final stage and the first group of pilgrims set to leave on April 22 as authorities press ahead with safety measures.

Divya Karyza, Jakarta – Pertamina has significantly raised the prices of several nonsubsidized fuel products effective Saturday as blockades in the Middle East and economic sanctions continue to roil the global oil market.

The price of RON-98 Pertamax Turbo gasoline in Jakarta was upped to Rp 19,400 (US$1.13) per liter, a steep increase from Rp 13,100.

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Jakarta – The East Java Police Special Crimes Investigation Directorate (Reskrimsus) has dismantled a smuggling syndicate trading in protected endemic Indonesian species, including Komodo dragons, which fetch high prices in Thailand.

Suci Lestari Yuana (The Conversation) – Artificial intelligence is often celebrated as the future of work. It is efficient, innovative and neutral. Yet, for many women in Indonesia's gig economy, AI feels like a source of mounting pressure.

The government's commitment to preventing a climate crisis is questionable. Instead of reducing emissions to curb global warming through reforestation and restoration, the government appears to be turning a blind eye to massive deforestation and land degradation.

Medikantyo Adhikresna, Jakarta – The Jakarta provincial government is drafting new regulations that will impose taxes on electric vehicles after the central government issued guidelines for regional administrations on EV taxation.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – The Chair of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, dispels rumors about the merger of NasDem with the Gerindra Party, as reported by Tempo Magazine on April 12, 2026. Surya made this statement in response to the media after the editors' gathering at the Nasdem Tower in Jakarta on Thursday, April 16.

Basudiwa Supraja, Jakarta – Indonesians have been urged to use fuel more wisely, with around 60% of the country's fuel supply still dependent on imports to meet domestic demand.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – A number of practitioners and academics have recently been reported to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police. Among those targeted are Saiful Mujani, founder of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC); Ubedilah Badrun, a lecturer at the State University of Jakarta (UNJ); and Feri Amsari, a legal scholar from Andalas University.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has issued Presidential Decree Number 4 of 2026, establishing a Task Force (Satgas) to accelerate government programs aimed at boosting economic growth.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Chairperson of the Central Leadership Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, proposed the implementation of the second edition of the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA).