East Java boarding school head gets 20 years, chemical castration for sexual abuse

Despite being in effect for nearly a decade, chemical castration remains a rare sentence, even for offenders who qualify under the law.

19 minutes ago

Archipelago premium

State funding for collapsed Sidoarjo ‘pesantren’ under scrutiny

The government has begun rebuilding the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school (pesantren) in Sidoarjo, East Java, even as public criticism mounts over the use of state funds to reconstruct the privately run institution, whose prayer hall collapsed in late September, killing more than 60 students.

51 minutes ago

Society premium

Govt threatens sanctions for tech firms in upcoming social media ban

The Communications and Digital Ministry is preparing a ministerial regulation that would stipulate detailed provisions on punishments for tech companies found violating a prohibition on social media for children.

1 hour ago

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Police officers march during a ceremony on July 1, 2024, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the National Police at the National Monument (Monas) Square in Central Jakarta.

Politics premium

Police defy court order on double jobs

A recently-signed National Police chief internal decree paves the way for active officers to sit in civilian positions in 17 ministries and state institutions without resigning or retiring from the force, despite a recent Constitutional Court ruling banning them from doing so.

2 hours ago

Indonesian Air Force chief of staff Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono (third left) shakes hand and delivers symbolically 27,709 kilograms disaster relief aid to National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) deputy for system and strategy Raditya Jati (third right) on Dec. 11, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta. The Indonesian Air Force has sent 413,349 of disaster relief aid from Halim Perdanakusuma AFB as the main command post, as of Thursday.

Archipelago premium

Air Force sends more than 400 tonnes of logistics for disaster-struck provinces

So far, the Indonesian Air Force has deployed 23 transport aicraft and helicopters to help aid distribution in areas affected by natural disasters in the northern part of Sumatra.

12 hours ago

President Prabowo Subianto (left) disembarks from the Garuda Indonesia-1 aircraft upon arriving at Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Dec. 12, 2025. After completing a series of state visits to Pakistan and Russia, President Prabowo immediately returned to disaster-affected areas in Sumatra.

Archipelago premium

Prabowo returns to flood-hit Sumatra after Pakistan-Russia trip

The President said he hoped conditions would stabilize soon so children could return to school, while reminding local people to protect the environment and avoid deforestation.

19 hours ago

A trained Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) ridden by a mahout clears wooden debris on Dec. 8 in a residential area of Meunasah Bie village, Pidie Jaya regency, Aceh. The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) deployed four trained elephants to help remove debris in Pidie Jaya following the widespread flooding and landslides that struck the northern regions of Sumatra and killed more than 900 people.

Archipelago premium

Use of elephants in post-flood cleanup in Aceh draws criticism

“Elephants are a protected species. Involving them in heavy post-disaster work puts their safety at risk. Deploying elephants also contradicts conservation principles, which place animal welfare as a priority,” Daniel Johan, a member of House of Representatives Commission IV overseeing agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said.

1 day ago

President Prabowo Subianto (left), accompanied by Golkar Party chairman Bahlil Lahadalia (second right) and a singer, performs a song on Dec.12, 2024, during an event commemorating the Golkar Party's 60th anniversary in Sentul, Bogor, West Java.

Politics premium

politics

Military steps up relief efforts for flood-hit Sumatra; death toll above 860

The military has erected at least 10 portable bridges, called "Bailey bridges", in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces to help with the distribution of food and aid supplies to isolated residents, Major General Freddy Ardianzah told reporters on Friday.

1 week ago

jakarta

Police officers stand guard on Dec. 11, 2025, near the free-meals delivery vehicle that struck students and a teacher at SDN Kalibaru 01 Pagi state elementary school in Cilincing, North Jakarta. The incident left 20 students and one teacher injured and requiring treatment at nearby hospitals.

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Free meals under renewed scrutiny after van injures 21 at Jakarta school

Line of cracks: A man walks with his fishing rod on Dec. 6, 2025, on top of a giant seawall built to prevent flooding, in Muara Baru, North Jakarta. Several sections of the seawall appear to have cracked, allowing seawater to overflow into residential areas.

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jakarta premium

Leaking Jakarta seawall raises concern over rising sea level, maintenance

jakarta

21 injured as car plows into students, teacher at North Jakarta elementary school

A vehicle reportedly belonging to the government’s free nutritious meals program lost control and rammed through the school’s gate, despite the gate being closed, before entering the school yard where dozens of students and staff were assembled for a literacy activity.

1 day ago

Officers from the National Police’s Forensic Laboratory (Puslabfor Bareskrim) inspect the Terra Drone Indonesia building damaged by fire, in Central Jakarta, on Dec. 9, 2025.

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Kemayoran blaze kills 22, renews citywide fire safety concerns

jakarta

Building fire kills 20 in Jakarta: Police

A fire tore through a seven-story office building in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, leaving at least 20 people dead and several others feared trapped inside.

3 days ago