June 6, 2025 JAKARTA – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is facing intensifying pressure as a group of retired military generals has formally petitioned the nation’s legislative bodies to begin impeachment proceedings against him, just as President Prabowo Subianto appears to be consolidating support from key figures once aligned with his political rivals. In a … Read more
June 4, 2025 DENPASAR – The trial of three British nationals accused of smuggling cocaine or taking part in a drug deal in Bali began Tuesday, with all facing the death penalty. Indonesia hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling and has previously executed foreigners, but has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. … Read more
Indonesia Revamps Stimulus: Wage Subsidies Doubled, electricity Discount Scrapped Jakarta – June 4, 2025 – In a notable move, the Indonesian government has reshaped its consumer stimulus package. This Indonesia stimulus refocuses on wage subsidies while scrapping the planned electricity discount. The revised plan, announced by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, aims to provide financial … Read more
JAKARTA – ASEAN has set its sights on strengthening economic cooperation in an attempt to navigate regional security challenges, though analysts warn that such ambitions may fall short without meaningful institutional reform. At the summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, Southeast Asian leaders convened to discuss the region’s most pressing issues, while also unveiling the … Read more
KUALA LUMPUR – President Prabowo Subianto has voiced support for Papua New Guinea’s bid to join ASEAN, saying that the move would boost the bloc’s influence and resilience amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. Speaking during a closed plenary session of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the President revealed that PNG had expressed interest … Read more
May 23, 2025 JAKARTA – Culture Minister Fadli Zon’s plan to launch a newly rewritten history of Indonesia by Aug. 17, in time for the nation’s 80th Independence Day, is sparking both anticipation and controversy. Described as a “special gift”, the initiative raises questions about whether it will unify the nation or ignite a new … Read more
May 20, 2025 DILI – For the people of Timor-Leste, May 20 is Independence Restoration Day: the day the United Nations officially handed over sovereignty after the Portuguese and Indonesian colonial periods, a time characterized by an enduring struggle for independence. As my memory recalls, I have never seen either the Indonesian public or officials … Read more
May 20, 2025 JAKARTA – A surprise trade deal between the United States and China on May 12 means a lot for emerging economies like Indonesia. Having the US postpone overall tariffs it imposed on countries for 90 days since early April would mean little to global trade unless the US and China, the world’s … Read more
May 20, 2025 JAKARTA – An ongoing clinical trial for a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate in Indonesia has been met with rising public criticism, especially on social media, which experts attribute to unclear communication from health authorities surrounding the program. Indonesia was selected as one of the countries to host the third phase of clinical trials … Read more
May 19, 2025 JAKARTA – Despite a vast labor force, local businesses continue to struggle with hiring and retaining top talent. As the government looks to prohibit arbitrary practices like withholding employees’ graduation certificates, companies must find better ways to navigate a labor market marred by low productivity and educational gaps. Private-sector companies argue that … Read more