Awarding the national hero title for former president Soeharto, who was known for his 32 years of authoritarian rule, will betray the spirit of the reform movement of 1998 and the fight for justice for many victims of his crimes, activists have asserted.

The Air Force sent 22 personnel, including pilots, loadmasters and technicians, to Seville, Spain, for a series of training courses to operate and maintain the A400M heavy transport aircraft.

President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday he does not consider himself an authoritarian leader and that he is open to criticism.

Civil groups have condemned the South Jakarta District Court’s decisions to reject the pretrial motions of four activists accused of inciting riots during the August protests, warning that the rulings set a troubling precedent for the criminalization of pro-democracy activism.

The investigation into suspected corruption pertaining to the construction of Jakarta-Bandung high speed railway Whoosh has added pressure to the megaproject that is recently in hot water over debt financing.

The latest plan is to launch the new official Indonesian history books on Dec. 14, coinciding with the commemoration of the National History Day, according to Culture Minister Fadli Zon.

In his first year in office, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has taken on a largely symbolic role, with limited involvement in major policy discussions and cabinet decisions, while continuing his blusukan (impromptu visits) to maintain public support, analysts say. 

Human rights groups have condemned the inclusion of late president Soeharto in the government’s proposed shortlist of nominees for national hero status and have decried human rights abuses that occurred throughout his rule.

Growing military involvement in civilian affairs, including President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, may put civilians, especially those in vulnerable communities, at risk, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP) has issued stern warnings to General Elections Commission (KPU) chair Mochammad Afifuddin, its secretary-general and four out of six commissioners for using private jets for nonofficial business during the 2024 elections.

The repatriation will be carried out on humanitarian grounds, according to the government, as both convicts are diagnosed with illnesses.

As President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka marked their first year in office on Monday, a new report revealed that public confidence in their administration remained low and both leaders received average performance scores of 3 and 2 out of 10, respectively.

While the President has touted short-term economic achievements, Amnesty said the administration has caused a “massive erosion of human rights” through populist policies that exclude public participation.

About 300 students clad in yellow and blue jackets gathered near the presidential palace while Prabowo's cabinet met, far fewer than the numbers in August's student-led protests against government policies and lawmaker perks that spread countrywide.

Praising the efforts of officials involved in the recovery, Prabowo also warned business leaders across all industries that it was “impossible” for them to get away with corrupt practices in today’s interconnected world, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting national sovereignty and public welfare.

Protesters will gather near the presidential palace to protest against government policies, a coalition of student bodies known locally as BEM SI said on Instagram, accompanied by hashtags #1YearIsEnough and #1YearOfContinuousProblems.

President Prabowo Subianto has spent his first year in office consolidating power, expanding an already bloated cabinet, redrawing the political map and strengthening the military’s role in civilian government, further tightening his grip on power.

Criticism has centered around the composition of National Nutrition Agency (BGN) leadership, dominated by retired military and police officers, many without formal training or expertise in nutrition, food safety or public health.

After a meeting with NasDem Party chair Surya Paloh, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters he received several suggestions from the politician-cum-businessman in maintaining national stability and protecting the country’s sovereignty.

Some businesses prefer direct elections for early opportunities to engage with candidates, while others prefer indirect polls for more political predictability and stability, according to a recent study from Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Sjafrie described the one-hour meeting with Surya as part of an outreach to politicians in a bid to "maintain national stability" and "protect the country's sovereignty", which is under the purview of his ministry.

President Prabowo Subianto’s popularity may help the nationalist party win the 2029 elections, analysts have said, but extra efforts will still be needed as Gerindra may face more challenges in the next four years.

Former education minister Nadiem Makarim told reporters that he accepted the court’s decision to reject his pretrial motion that challenged the Attorney General’s Office’s (AGO) naming him a suspect.

The House of Representatives has denied reports of a fresh increase in lawmakers’ recess allowances, asserting its commitment to reform pledges as experts urge for stronger transparency and accountability in the use of the funds.

Each lawmaker will now get Rp 700 million ($42,200) for each recess, up from Rp 400 million previously. All of the 580 lawmakers take approximately five breaks per year.

The government is aiming to pass the cybersecurity and resilience bill into law by the end of 2025, as the draft law has been included in the House of Representatives’ 2025 Prolegnas (National Legislation Program) priority list.

Scholars have reminded the Indonesian Navy to carefully study the planned acquisition of the Italian decommissioned light aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, weighing both the merits and disadvantages of having a capital ship. 

The five Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel who were in the back seat of the vehicle that killed Affan Kurniawan were ordered to issue an apology to the public and the National Police leadership alongside administrative sanctions.

President Prabowo has once again expanded his already large cabinet, bringing in four new officials and creating a new government body in his fourth reshuffle on Wednesday, a move analysts say may risk hampering efficiency and straining coordination.

The Alliance of Independence Journalists (AJI) has reported persistent police brutality across several provinces, calling for stronger oversight and genuine reform amid what it described as systemic impunity within the force.