An Indonesian anti-corruption court sentenced former education minister Nadiem Makarim to 10 years in prison on Tuesday, June 30, following a conviction for graft related to school Chromebook procurement. Judges ordered the 41-year-old former Gojek co-founder to pay a 1 billion rupiah fine and 809 billion rupiah in restitution, marking a significant legal fallout for … Read more
Sony Music Indonesia and Sun Eater Group have launched Lunar, a joint-venture record label operating as PT Lunar Musik Indonesia, to scale Indonesian talent for global audiences. By merging Sony’s international distribution network with Sun Eater’s grassroots curation, the label aims to bridge the gap between local creative communities and mainstream international markets. How does … Read more
The Indonesian government is scaling back President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meal programme following weeks of nationwide protests demanding its complete suspension. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed the decision, stating that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) initiated the reduction to ensure budget security, though he noted the programme remains a “good programme” that … Read more
Indonesia’s human rights commission and other rights groups are calling for an end to basic military training for prospective managers of the “Red and White Cooperatives” programme following the deaths of five participants. The casualties occurred within the first 10 days of a 45-day program designed to prepare staff for President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship village … Read more
A 47-year-old Portuguese woman was arrested at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on June 20 after aviation security discovered 50 .22 caliber Long Rifle bullets in her backpack without proper documentation. The incident occurred at a departure checkpoint as she prepared to fly to Abu Dhabi. Did You Know? The .22 caliber … Read more
Indonesia and Egypt have officially elevated their diplomatic ties to a Strategic Partnership, signaling increased cooperation in defense, education, and regional stability. This shift, formalized following high-level summits in late 2025, aims to deepen economic and political integration between the two nations, according to Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy. Why is the … Read more
Indonesia is implementing a multi-alignment strategy under President Prabowo Subianto to navigate the intensifying competition between the United States and China. By securing a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership with the U.S. while pursuing energy ties with Russia and trade with China, Jakarta aims to maintain neutrality in the emerging multipolar world order. How is Indonesia … Read more
South Korean officials have identified regulatory hurdles and shifting electric vehicle incentives as primary obstacles to deepening economic ties with Indonesia. While bilateral trade has declined from a $25.5 billion peak in 2020, both nations continue to pursue a comprehensive strategic partnership. Indonesian officials maintain that investor confidence remains stable despite these reported challenges. What … Read more
Jakarta Police detained former youth and sports minister Roy Suryo and health activist Tifauzia “Tifa” Tyassuma on Friday morning at their residences. The pair are suspects in an ongoing defamation case involving allegations that former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s university diploma was falsified. Authorities stated the arrests are a procedural step to transfer the case … Read more
Mountaineers and conservationists have rediscovered the blue-fronted lorikeet on Indonesia’s Buru Island, capturing the first photographic evidence of the bird in a decade. A team led by the Indonesian mountaineering group Kanal Buru documented the species in the cloud forest of Mount Kapalatmada during a 14-day expedition in April, according to reports. The discovery provides … Read more