Indonesia Regional News: from Sumatra, Java, Bali, to Papua

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Jakarta Post
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N. Sumatra Police seize 244 kg of 'sabu' from Malaysian drug syndicate

Narcotics detectives also detained nine suspects from three cases involving Malaysian syndicates controlling the smuggling and distribution of sabu (crystal methamphetamine).

42 minutes ago
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Fire razes Semarang’s Jatibarang landfill

Firefighters were still trying to extinguish fires and locate hot spots underneath the piles of garbage using thermal drones. ...

1 hour ago
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Whirlwind kills one, injures three in North Sumatra

The incidents occurred over two consecutive days on Tuesday and Wednesday, damaging six houses and forcing 26 residents to evacuate after their homes were inundated by almost 1 meter. ...

2 days ago

The Latest

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East Java passes new regulation to strengthen disability rights

The regulation was passed on Monday to replace a similar measure enacted in 2013, widening protections for people with disabilities and shifting policy toward a rights-based approach.

2 days ago
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Semarang Zoo turns to frozen meat, fruit cocktails to beat scorching heat

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) data showed temperatures in Semarang reached 37.1 degrees Celsius over the past week, putting the Central Java city among the hottest places in Indonesia during that period.

2 days ago
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New islands appear after Anak Krakatau volcano erupts

One of the islands was located about 760 meters northwest of Mount Anak Krakatau, the other about 495 meters southwest.

2 days ago
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Elephant cub born at Riau’s Tesso Nilo national park

The male calf is the sixth delivery for the 45-year-old Lisa, a tamed elephant.

3 days ago
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Eight Chinese nationals detained in Batam over 11 kg gold smuggling

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise has foiled attempts to smuggle a total of 330 kg of gold since the beginning of the year through Sept. 14, with initial investigations indicating that the gold came from illegal mines in various parts of the country.

3 days ago
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Massive fires hit three landfills across the country as dry season intensifies

At least 43 landfills across Indonesia have been hit by major fires this year, highlighting the environmental and safety risks associated with the country’s continued reliance on open dumping.

3 days ago
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Police arrest captain of capsized ferry for violating shipping law

The Virgo Transport 8 ferry was carrying 243 people when it capsized in bad weather in the Java Sea on September 13 during a voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Authorities said 108 people survived.

3 days ago
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E. Java earmarks Rp 6 billion to improve ferry pier in Banyuwangi

The East Java provincial administration is pushing ahead to connect Bulusan pier with the landing craft machine (LCM) main piers in Ketapang ferry crossing.

4 days ago
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Investigation finds animal welfare concerns at Bali wildlife attractions

The investigations found that nocturnal species, including owls and bats, were displayed during daylight hours and repeatedly handled by visitors, according to the report.

4 days ago
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Death of Indonesian recruited by Russian military leaves family bereft

Indonesia’s ambassador to Russia and Belarus, Jose Antonio Morato Tavares, said the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow had received dozens of reports from families about Indonesian citizens who were allegedly recruited to fight for Russia after being promised high salaries.

4 days ago
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BP Batam requires data centers to construct desalination plants after water crisis

Industries requiring large number of clean water are directed to have their own clean water sources through seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) or desalination plants.

5 days ago
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Women fight fires, sexism in Kalimantan

Housework in the morning followed by several hours of firefighting: women in West Kalimantan risk life and limb to battle blazes making their communities sick, all while shouldering a sexist backlash.

5 days ago
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Five whales, whale sharks die in separate strandings across Indonesia

A 2025 study by the Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia and Konservasi Indonesia found a sharp increase in reported whale shark strandings in Indonesia, from about four cases a year before 2020 to 22 a year afterward.

5 days ago
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Central Java seeks more power over free meals program after string of mass poisonings

Central Java has recorded 77 food poisoning incidents linked to the free meals program since the start of the year, affecting 13,390 people.

5 days ago
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Gowa regent named graft suspect amid impeachment motion

Police said Sitti Husniah Talenrang was allegedly involved in four separate cases involving corruption, extortion and money laundering.

6 days ago
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Aceh, North Sumatra hit by floods despite prolonged dry spell across the country

The latest floods in Aceh and North Sumatra come amid a sharp contrast in weather conditions across parts of the region, with some areas facing heavy rainfall while others continue to experience prolonged drought associated with the El Nino weather pattern.

6 days ago
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'Struggling to eat': Survivors suffer after NTT quake

Sitting outside her damaged house in Flores's Sikka district, Maria Onselia said she has struggled since the disaster to find buyers for the fabric she weaves.

6 days ago
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Ferry death toll hits 66 as search enters 16th day

The current death toll stands at 66 people, with 108 survivors and 69 still missing, Basarnas figures show.

1 week ago
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Death toll from Java Sea ferry sinking jumps to 64

The search operation would be extended a further seven days but will be evaluated every three days as dozens are still missing.

1 week ago
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Riau Police foil effort to smuggle mangrove charcoal to Malaysia

Detectives found 400 sacks of mangrove charcoal onboard a ship and another 1,967 sacks nearby amounting to a total of 65 tonnes of mangrove charcoal. 

1 week ago
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Govt kicks off Rp 150 billion revamp of historic Surakarta Palace

The renovation comes amid a leadership dispute within the palace following the death of Sultan Pakubuwono XIII on Nov. 2 last year, with two of his sons from different marriages each claiming the throne. The rival claims have divided the royal household and complicated efforts to manage and restore the palace complex.

1 week ago
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Veteran Aceh journalist and Serambi Indonesia founder Sjamsul Kahar dies at 80

Born on Oct. 9, 1945, Sjamsul began his journalism career as a reporter for national daily Kompas in Aceh. After gaining experience in the profession, he and his colleague M. Nourhalidyn founded Serambi Indonesia on Feb. 9, 1989.

1 week ago
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Discharged policeman sentenced to death penalty for killing sister-in-law

The death penalty verdict against the dishonorably discharged police officer was tougher than the life sentence demanded by the prosecution.

1 week ago
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East Java prepares for long dry season

The province faces double ecological crisis in 2026, consisting of floods and landslides during rainy season and forest and land fires as well as expanding extreme drought during dry season.

1 week ago
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Calls grow for tighter food safety in free meal program after child’s death

A nine-year-old boy in Lampung recently died after choking on a longan fruit distributed as part of the initiative, marking the first reported death linked to the program.

1 week ago
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Dozens of homesick students leave North Sumatra community schools

Presidential chief of staff Dudung Abdurrahman said 30 students from Integrated Community School 1 in Serdang Bedagai regency returned to their homes because they were unable to settle in the boarding school.

1 week ago
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167 psychiatric patients evacuated as haze worsens in South Kalimantan

Authorities are preparing to move patients to an off-site facility if smoke from the wildfires around the hospital could not be brought under control.

1 week ago

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