Human rights group Amnesty International Indonesia has documented what it calls a “massive” wave of attacks on human rights defenders in the first half of 2025, warning of deteriorating civic space and the government’s persistent failure to protect those speaking out.

Culture Minister Fadli Zon’s decision to designate Oct. 17, President Prabowo Subianto’s birthday, as National Culture Day has sparked public outrage, with critics questioning the date’s cultural and historical relevance amid growing concerns over the politicization of national symbols.

The lack of a checking mechanism for underperforming deputy ministers raises the risk of conflicts of interest for cabinet members holding double positions as state-owned enterprises (SOEs) commissioners, which may undermine the government's overall performance, experts have warned.

Public criticism is intensifying over President Prabowo Subianto's decision to appoint deputy ministers as commissioners in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a practice critics warn threatens good governance and undermines anti-corruption efforts.

Civic groups have accused the House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs of not listening to their input for the revision of the Criminal Law Procedure Code (KUHAP) that is expected to pass by year-end.

The Human Rights Ministry has kicked off an initiative to revise the country’s Human Rights Law to strengthen the authority of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), a move cautiously welcomed by rights groups who urge that the reforms avoid legal overlaps or weaken existing protections.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) suspects businessman Riza Chalid of conspiring  in a  deal with state energy giant Pertamina to lease the Merak fuel terminal in Banten that caused state losses.

Another Indonesian Army officer Maj. Gen. Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, who is still in active duty, was appointed by State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir as the next State Logistics Agency (Bulog) president director.

The House of Representatives Commission I, overseeing defense and foreign affairs, has submitted the result of a confirmation hearing for 24 ambassadorial nominees to the legislature leadership, who are expected to send it to President Prabowo Subianto.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has affirmed his readiness to oversee development and address ongoing human rights issues in Papua, as he prepares to lead the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board in accordance with existing legal mandates.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has raised concerns over the police’s plan to channel most of its proposed budget increase into capital expenditure, an area highly prone to corruption due to its reliance on procurement of goods and services.

Talks to revise the Constitutional Court Law have resurfaced after lawmakers and major political parties in the House of Representatives voiced objection to the Court’s recent decision to separate national and local elections, accusing it of overstepping its constitutional authority.

The case review on Wednesday was held by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) following a request from the complainant to re-examine the case pertaining to the authenticity of the former president’s diploma.

President Prabowo Subianto is preparing to assign Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka a special mandate to oversee matters related to Papua, including accelerating development and addressing ongoing human rights issues in Indonesia’s easternmost region, according to a senior government official.

Speculation continues to mount over the health of former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as government officials remain tight-lipped and offer little clarity about the medical care typically extended to former heads of state.

The state’s antigraft body is still studying documents submitted by the minister regarding his wife’s trip to several European cities.

Army general Novi Helmy Prasetya has stepped down as president director of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to end his contentious appointment and brief tenure at the state-owned enterprise, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has confirmed, citing prevailing regulations that limit active-duty officers from holding civilian posts.

An unexpected House of Representatives hearing on a recent Constitutional Court ruling that ordered that national and local elections be held separately starting in 2029 has alarmed activists and experts, who warn that lawmakers may be looking for ways to delegitimize the court decision.

Indonesia has moved closer to filling the long-vacant ambassadorial seat in the United States after the government nominated former senior minister Indroyono Soesilo, who was screened by the House of Representatives on Saturday.

Attorney General’s Office (AGO) prosecutors demanded that the bench declare former trade minister Thomas Lembong guilty in a corruption case pertaining to sugar imports and sentence him to seven years behind bars.

The confirmation hearing for 24 names submitted by President Prabowo Subianto for various Indonesian ambassadorial posts abroad will be carried out behind closed doors over the weekend, according to a member of House Commission I overseeing foreign affairs.

Several lawmakers in the House of Representatives have called the Constitutional Court’s ruling that ordered split local and national elections “unconstitutional” and “not final and binding”.

Prosecutors of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) urged the bench to declare Hasto guilty of bribery and obstruction of justice in a case involving former General Elections Commission (KPU) member.

The National Police have launched several digital initiatives aimed at improving their public image, including a new video-sharing platform called PoliceTube. However, critics argue that these efforts fall short of addressing the deeper issues underlying the erosion of public trust.

Peace negotiations to end the armed conflict in Aceh 20 years ago may provide a lesson to resolve today’s global conflicts, former officials involved in the deal have said.

President Prabowo Subianto has commended the National Police for keeping people safe and supporting the country’s development agenda despite criticism from observers and rights groups over police brutality and human rights violations.

The House of Representatives has grilled Foreign Minister Sugiono about the empty Indonesian ambassador post in Washington DC, with the minister promising to provide potential names for the vacancy this week.

The National Police have emphasized that three-star general Setyo Budiyanto will continue to lead the antigraft agency, attributing his recent rotation within the force to a technicality due to his impending retirement.

Political parties have responded cautiously to the Constitutional Court’s recent decision to split national and regional elections starting in 2029, citing rising campaign costs and potential disruption to governance as major concerns.

North Sumatra Public Works and Housing Agency head Topan Obaja Putra Ginting, who has been named a suspect by the KPK in an alleged corruption case pertaining to road projects in the province, is reportedly close to North Sumatra Governor and former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s son-in-law Bobby Nasution.