Annisa Rahmadani's rejection from Bali's expat-run Entourage running club went viral, sparking national debate over foreign influence and discrimination. Indonesian authorities banned the Dutch organisers, highlighting local frustrations with digital nomads and cultural clashes on the island.
A Malaysian pilot, identified as MS, was arrested at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport after flying from Kuala Lumpur, found with over 70,000 ecstasy pills and meth. He tested positive for drugs and could face the death penalty under Indonesia's strict anti-drug laws. Malaysia Airlines is conducting an internal review.
Chou Tien-chen (36) defeats Toma Junior Popov (27) 21-15, 7-21, 21-13 in China Open men’s singles final, becoming oldest Super 1000 champion.
A Chinese private firm, among others, invested in Indonesia in 2009 to secure nickel, crucial for stainless steel and advanced battery production, fostering deeper economic ties between China and Indonesia.
Indonesia's National Economic Council Chairman, 78, expresses desire to relocate assets to Bali citing the unending Middle East conflict, amidst Indonesia's economic crisis.
Bali's Immigration department banned two Dutch men, JAS (35) and HQV (37), from Indonesia for organizing an "Entourage Bali" run club event accused of discrimination against local residents and violating event regulations. The ban follows viral online complaints.
An Indonesian court convicted 19 people for baby trafficking, including at least 12 babies sent to Singapore. The verdict concludes the case but leaves the legal status and future of the adopted children in Singapore uncertain, causing anxiety for adoptive parents.
Indonesia's Child Protection Commissioner states that recent illegal adoptions and baby trafficking cases, including a syndicate that trafficked 28 babies to Singapore, are just the 'tip of the iceberg'. Poverty is identified as a root cause, with vulnerable mothers selling newborns due to financial hardship.
A draft bill to amend the 2014 copyright law has been completed by the House of Representatives, proposing that AI-assisted works receive copyright protection only with human involvement. The bill also mandates compensation from tech platforms for using news content for aggregation, republishing, link-previewing, or AI training.
Analysts view a proposed Indonesia-Philippines power link as crucial for addressing Philippine domestic energy issues, despite geographical and supply-chain challenges. The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, is advancing regional energy cooperation, while also addressing US-Iran tensions at ministerial meetings.
Seven decades after the Bandung Conference, China and Indonesia share strong economic ties, with China as Indonesia's largest trading partner and a top investor. However, Indonesia recorded a significant US$20.5 billion trade deficit with China last year, raising concerns about the displacement of domestic producers.
Indonesia's Prime Group has resumed activities for the Tuna gas field project, which involves Russian state-owned Zarubezhneft as a 50% partner. The project faces potential geopolitical challenges due to its location in Indonesia's exclusive economic zone, where China has previously objected to drilling, and complications from sanctions on Russia.
Indonesia's Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani stated the country is building a more credible capital market, responding to MSCI's warning about opaque shareholding structures and trading. Authorities have tightened transparency rules, including public disclosure of 1%+ stakes and plans to increase the minimum free-float threshold to 15%.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as chief of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency, overseeing President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program, due to health reasons. This marks the second leadership change in over a month amid budget cuts and a criminal probe into the program.
Japan is developing a project to map alternative shipping routes around Malaysian states, providing data on depths and hazards, to avoid the Strait of Malacca due to rising geopolitical tensions. This initiative aims to secure Japan's crucial trade, especially energy imports from Gulf states, following US attacks on Iran.
Leonardo, tramite il suo AD Lorenzo Mariani, ha annunciato al Farnborough Airshow un contratto da quasi un miliardo di euro con il Ministero della Difesa indonesiano per 12 velivoli M-346F 'Block 20', oltre a una lettera di intenti per elicotteri AW149, rafforzando la collaborazione e le capacità produttive.
Indonesia has again reduced the budget for President Prabowo Subianto's signature free school meals program to 229 trillion rupiah, with further cuts possible. The program, a key election pledge, faces efficiency drives, logistical issues, food poisoning incidents, and corruption allegations, prompting a review to improve quality over beneficiary numbers.
The 70-year-old leader of an Indonesian baby-trafficking ring, Lie Siu Luan, was sentenced to seven years in prison for exploiting at least 12 babies sent to Singapore. Her sentence was less than the 10 years prosecutors sought.
Indonesia joined the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico) to boost AI development and global governance. Analysts suggest this move could be a political maneuver, potentially testing a recent trade agreement with the US requiring prior consultation for digital trade pacts.
Indonesia has confirmed it does not recognize Western personal sanctions against Russian individuals, assuring Russian Ambassador Sergey Tolchenov that there is no risk of Russian citizens being arrested in the country based on these sanctions, unlike Thailand where such arrests have occurred.
Russian Ambassador Sergey Tolchenov confirmed Indonesia's ongoing military-technical cooperation with Russia, stating it remains an integral part of bilateral relations, though currently conducted "behind the scenes."
In Sumba, Indonesia, a rigid caste system perpetuates illegal slavery, with individuals like Kanisius Kanyali Hambarita working without pay and facing abuse. Despite being outlawed for over 160 years, the practice continues, particularly in the island's east, where slaves are known as 'ata'.
Indonesian authorities seized 74kg of gold and over $15 million in cash from a house linked to Febrie Adriansyah, the former deputy attorney general for special crimes, who is now suspected of corruption. The discovery raises concerns about institutional integrity and the investment climate.
Thousands of people in Jakarta rely on the Bantar Gebang landfill for their livelihoods, but the site is over capacity and slated for gradual closure by 2027. This raises concerns about where the waste will go and the future of the informal waste-picking community.
