Politics

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A major bridge in Bireuen regency was one of many swept away by cyclonic inundation in Indonesia's Aceh province three weeks ago. Flash floods and landslides caused such widespread damage to infrastructure in the region hundreds of villages remain cut off, according to local officials. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Natural disasters

In Indonesia's Aceh, slow flood aid spurs comparisons with 2004 tsunami

Residents struggle with disaster aftermath as Sumatra deaths top 1,000

16 December 2025
Flood survivors carry relief goods distributed by an Indonesian Air Force helicopter in Central Aceh, Indonesia, on Dec. 6. Provincial officials say hundreds of villages remain cut off from road transport.
Natural disasters

Indonesia's Aceh appeals to UN for help with flood disaster recovery

Move comes despite central government rejecting foreign aid, saying it can cope

15 December 2025
Indonesia's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development faces resistance from Israel. (Source photos by AP)
Politics

Indonesia's pro-Palestine stance solid as Israel resists its OECD bid

Tel Aviv can benefit from Jakarta's membership in rich-nation bloc, expert says

12 December 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, greets his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, at the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 10. 
International relations

Putin offers Indonesia's Prabowo support on nuclear energy

Leaders agree to stronger military ties, training at Russian universities

10 December 2025
Hat Yai, in Thailand's Songkhla province, has been devastated by "once-in-300-years" flooding.
Natural disasters

Southeast Asia flooding death toll rises to almost 600

Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam grapple with damage from record heavy rains

30 November 2025
Under the planned restrictions, only people 16 and older will be allowed to open social media accounts.
Technology

Malaysia says it plans to ban social media for under-16s from 2026

Similar law to take effect in Australia next month as other countries eye restrictions

24 November 2025
Officials from the Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic organization use telescopes in a mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia, May 26, 2017. (Antara Foto/Zabur Karuru/via Reuters)
Politics

Indonesia's Islamic group asks chief to resign over pro-Israeli US scholar

World’s largest Islamic organization gives chairman 3 days to step down or be removed

23 November 2025
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell, far left, who is 2025 chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, speaks at a news conference in Melbourne on Nov. 21. (Photo by Sophie Mak) 
Trade

Philippines, Indonesia flagged as potential new CPTPP members

Application by China remains stalled amid global tariff uncertainty

21 November 2025
Former Indonesian President Suharto, right, salutes after announcing his resignation in a nationwide address in Jakarta in May 1998.
Opinion

Prabowo edits Indonesia's past by making Suharto a national hero

Honor risks legitimizing a legacy marked by mass violence and repression

20 November 2025
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin inspected the Japanese Self-Defense Force's Mogami frigate on Nov. 17 as Jakarta explores the import of warships.
Defense

Japan shows off warships to Indonesia defense chief with eye on exports

Koizumi and Sjafrie affirm cooperation on maritime security at 2+2 meeting

18 November 2025
J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force's Bayi aerobatic team release colored smoke during a rehearsal ahead of a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Aug. 24.
Opinion

Pakistan has shown Indonesia value of buying arms from China

Jakarta's decision likely driven by affordability, quality and absence of US political pressure

14 November 2025
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, left, walks alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the HMAS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy's largest ship, during his visit to Sydney on Nov. 12.
Indo-Pacific

Australia and Indonesia conclude negotiations on new security treaty

Albanese says both countries will be able to 'jointly deal with threats'

12 November 2025
A restaurant owner displays a sign reading "No Israel tourist" on Thailand's Koh Phangan island on Oct. 29. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Travel & Leisure

Anti-Israel sentiment flares in Thailand, aided by misinformation

Resentment attributed to Israeli tourists' behavior and Gaza crisis

12 November 2025
Late Indonesian president Suharto's 32 years in office were marked by gross human rights abuses and corruption, with his family accused of amassing huge wealth. But he was popular among many Indonesians who believed the economy was more stable when he led the nation. 
Politics

Indonesia names late dictator Suharto a national hero

Government says former president gave 'extraordinary services to the nation'

10 November 2025
Turkey's main battle tank, the Altay, is equipped with South Korean engines that the country hopes to replace with its own versions. (Anadolu Agency)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Turkey's defense exports to Asia hinges on engine development

Homegrown powerpack makers up efforts to cut reliance on South Korea, US suppliers

10 November 2025
GoTo and Grab, once the two fiercest competitors in Southeast Asia's ride-hailing space, soon might combine. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business deals

Indonesia explores plan to merge ride-hailers Grab and GoTo: official

Deal could involve government fund Danantara, minister says

8 November 2025
Citicore Renewable Energy's solar farm at Arayat in the Philippines relies on panels supplied by China, the world's "clean energy factory" but also the top emitter of greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo by Ramon Royandoyan)
Policy Asia

Climate action vacuum looms over COP30 while China dominates clean energy tech

Beijing leads in exporting solar panels, EVs, wind turbines, but not in setting agenda on global warming

7 November 2025
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto points the way during a speech in Jakarta on Oct. 29.  
Opinion

The myth of Indonesia's economic stability

Prabowo's misaligned priorities put the economy at risk of backsliding

6 November 2025
A Chinese J-10 fighter jet performs at the Changchun Air Show 2025 last month.
Defense

Indonesian defense minister rows back on plan to buy Chinese fighter jets

Sjamsoeddin tells Nikkei the government is still 'window shopping'

31 October 2025
ASEAN leaders welcome East Timor's accession to the group in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, some 14 years after the nation of 1.4 million people submitted its application, aiming to use membership to open up trading opportunities.
Policy Asia

Dream or mirage? East Timor starts life in ASEAN as trade clouds gather

Infrastructure, law, jobs concerns remain; diversification urged as oil fund drains

31 October 2025
A  two-seater J10 fighter jet lands during the Changchun Air Show 2025, in China's Jilin province on Sept. 19. Indonesia has placed a provisional order for 42 J10 fighters.
Defense

Indonesian order of Chinese fighter jets raises strategy issues

Analysts question logic of deal and how fighters would be used with other assets

27 October 2025
Jakarta hosts the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships this week. The government's refusal to grant visas to Israeli athletes sparked the ire of the International Olympic Committee but won the hearts of many Indonesians.
Sports

IOC rebuke sparks backlash in Indonesia, gives Prabowo tailwind

Palestine supporters defend refusal to admit Israeli athletes, call for Sukarno-era games

24 October 2025
Indonesia's Whoosh high-speed rail project has been losing money since entering service two years ago. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri)
Transportation

Indonesia says deal reached with China on railway debt extension

Jakarta negotiates with Beijing as Belt and Road project struggles to turn a profit

24 October 2025
Widespread protests occurred in Jakarta during August, sparked by perks given to Indonesian lawmakers. (Photo by Rezha Hadyan)
Politics

Gen Z protesters from Nepal to Peru fly 'One Piece' anime pirate flag

Emblem symbolizes fight against oppression for youth who grew up with franchise

22 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet at the White House on Monday. 
International relations

US and Australia strike critical minerals deal as Trump backs AUKUS

President says submarine partnership is 'all set' and advancing 'very rapidly'

21 October 2025
Prabowo Subianto greets supporters after being sworn-in as Indonesia's eighth president in Jakarta on Oct. 20, 2024. A year on, he faces a plethora of domestic and external tests. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Politics

Indonesia's Prabowo reins free as he marks one year in office: 5 key points

Analysts say president's myriad populist programs threaten fiscal discipline, macro guardrails

20 October 2025
For Tatsuo Yasunaga, chairman of the Japan Foreign Trade Council and chair of Mitsui & Co., it's important for Asia to show where it can contribute to what the U.S. president wants -- the revitalization of the American economy.  (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Yuki Kohara)
Big in Asia

Japan's trading houses to Asia: We'll help you grow in era of Trump turmoil

Chairman of industry group touts diversified business model as partnership solution

18 October 2025
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto announces economic stimulus measures during a press conference in Jakarta on Oct. 17. (Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat)
Economy

Indonesia injects $1.8bn into cash aid to spur Q4 growth

Additional package to benefit 35 million households, minister says

17 October 2025
Military personnel participate in the 80th Indonesian National Armed Forces' anniversary celebrations in Jakarta on Oct. 5. The military on Oct. 17 said it reclaimed a village in the restive Papua region following a battle with bullets and arrows.
Politics

Clash between Indonesian army and insurgents leaves 14 dead in Papua region

Soldiers routed rebels following a village battle, military says

17 October 2025