Naming former president Soeharto as national hero would reopen old wounds suffered by survivors of gross human rights violations and betray the mandate of the 1998 Reform era, activists have said.

Student associations and analysts have lamented the House of Representatives ethics committee decision on lawmakers whose alleged arrogance angered people during August’s demonstrations, saying the sanctions against only three of the politicians were “not enough” of a deterrent.

The Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) probe into alleged corruption in the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high speed railway Whoosh is proceeding apace after President Prabowo Subianto reassured the public about having "no major problems" with the project's lingering debt.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called for faster implementation of policies in Papua, as part of the central government’s push to close the development gap in Indonesia’s easternmost region.

Some members of political parties in the House of Representatives welcomed the ruling and aimed to have more than 30 percent women in all legislature internal bodies, while others warned against ‘overrepresentation’ of female lawmakers.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Riau Governor Abdul Wahid as wa suspect for allegedly extorting his subordinates following his arrest earlier this week.

Yet, memories of Soeharto's heavy-handedness in governing the country have been passed down to these twentysomething youths during their formative years. Thus, it has become easier for them to denounce the plan from President Prabowo Subianto's administration to bestow national hero status upon the former general.

Doubts are growing that five suspended lawmakers, whose alleged arrogance about their perks angered the public amid economic inequality and which sparked August’s demonstrations, will face any real consequences, as the ongoing House of Representatives ethics probe appears to focus on misinformation rather than their alleged misconduct.

The construction of legislative and judicial office buildings has officially begun in Nusantara, as President Prabowo Subianto’s administration again stressed its commitment to the country’s future capital city after international media raised fresh doubts over the project’s long-term prospects.

Press freedom in Indonesia has once again come under attack from the corridors of power, with the Agriculture Ministry becoming the latest to allegedly employ intimidation tactics in a dispute with a critical outlet that had already been mediated by the Press Council.

The purchase of military equipment has picked up since Prabowo became defense minister in 2019 and then president last year, with multiple deals struck for new fighter jets as well as submarines.

The Indonesian Air Force's first Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta on Monday.

ProJo leader Budi Arie Setiadi has said he intends to join President Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra Party, in a move that cements one of former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s biggest supporter groups with the Prabowo administration.

Activists and female lawmakers have lauded a ruling from the Constitutional Court that requires the House of Representatives to have at least 30 percent female representation across all of its internal bodies, in hopes the decision will help improve the gender balance in the legislative structure. 

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.