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Jakarta Post
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Ministry's new program for vocational school dropouts meets with cautious approval

The schools ministry has launched a new program that aims to arm vocational school dropouts with the skills they need to land a job, though some experts have cautioned that the government must address the root cause for a sustainable solution.

6 hours ago
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State turns blind eye to rising intolerance

Religious intolerance in Indonesia is back in the spotlight after the alleged vandalism of a house hosting a Christian youth retreat in Sukabumi, West Java, with criticism mounting over the government’s perceived leniency following its plan to seek a suspended sentence for the seven suspects involved. ...

2 days ago
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Lawmakers push to halt Fadli Zon’s 'history denialism' textbooks

Following the culture minister's skepticism over the mass rapes that occurred  during the May 1998 riots, lawmakers are pushing back by suggesting that their release next month be either postponed or canceled. ...

3 days ago

The Latest

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Pressure on for businesses to reduce plastic waste

A waste reduction roadmap issued by the then-environment and forestry ministry in 2019 has seen little progress in its implementation as the private sector has not adhered to the plan.

4 days ago
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Haj agency plans to reduce pilgrimage time to 30 days

BP Haji aims to improve haj organizing in 2026 by, among other things, shortening the travel period for Indonesian haj pilgrims from 40 days to 30 days.

5 days ago
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Femicide on rise amid legal, enforcement gaps

Indonesia continues to see a disturbing rise in femicide, the gender-based killing of women, amid a lack of legal recognition and law enforcement inaction. Advocacy group Jakarta Feminist reported at least 204 cases in 2024, up around 11 percent from 184 in 2023.

5 days ago
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New school admissions stumble over old problems

Observers are blaming technical glitches and fraudulent acts marring this year’s school admissions process on a lack of preparation from education authorities.

5 days ago
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Indonesian islanders lose ground as islets put on sale

Once a private firm enters a small island to build its business, local residents often lose access to the island where they usually fish or dock their ships. The issue has become a complaint of local islander communities amid the brouhaha surrounding Indonesian islands being sold online.

1 week ago
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Pilgrim flights delayed by Iran-Israel attacks arrive in Indonesia

Two groups of Indonesian pilgrims from the Surabaya embarkation point in East Java were forced to spend the night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after their return flights were delayed due to the closure of Muscat airport in Oman following an Iranian missile attack of a Qatari base.

1 week ago
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Women’s growing role in drug trade sparks exploitation concerns

The growing number of women involved in drug trafficking has raised alarms among rights groups, who warn that many are being exploited as couriers yet remain criminalized despite their vulnerable social and economic circumstances.

1 week ago
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New teacher-to-principal training program gets cautious welcome

Amid the nationwide shortage of 50,000 principals for state schools, the Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry has introduced a new training program for teachers to fast-track their career advancement into school principals.

1 week ago
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Government to push Sekolah Rakyat expansion despite readiness concerns

The government is set to double the number of Sekolah Rakyat (community schools) to 200 in President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship education program, which aims to provide free boarding schools for underprivileged children, despite mounting concerns about the program’s rushed implementation. 

1 week ago
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Flexible work policy for civil servants sparks backlash

A new ministerial regulation that allows civil servants to work remotely and manage individual work schedules has drawn criticism from public policy experts, who warn the move could compromise the quality and reliability of public services.

1 week ago
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Syphilis cases surge among teens amid risky behavior, lack of education

Syphilis infections in Indonesia have continued to rise over the past few years, with a notable upward trend being recorded among teenagers, a situation attributed by health experts to risky sexual behavior and a lack of comprehensive sex education.

1 week ago
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Indonesia, Germany see new programs for migrant workers training

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Indonesia is working with the German Federal Government and the Goethe Institute cultural center to open two new centers focusing on training Indonesian migrant workers sent to Germany and other countries.

2 weeks ago
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Broadcasting bill sparks alarm over threat to LGBT rights

A controversial broadcasting bill seeking to ban lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) content across conventional and online media has sparked widespread criticism, with activists warning it could fuel further discrimination and endanger the rights and safety of the marginalized community.

2 weeks ago
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Indonesia to push DNA screening for cervical cancer nationwide

The DNA-based testing will be combined with the acetate acid (IVA) screening that is currently widely used across the nation in order to increase the accuracy of cervical cancer screening for women.

2 weeks ago
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More than 8 million take government’s free birthday checkups

Around two-thirds of people participating in the free birthday health screening are women, according to the Health Ministry, with health workers detecting dental problems, hypertension, diabetes and obesity as the top four health issues found during the checkups.

3 weeks ago
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Saudi Arabia walks back plan to cut haj quota, supports Indonesia's haj reforms

The Haj Organizing Agency (BP Haji) says Saudi Arabia has walked back on its plan to halve Indonesia’s haj quota and expressed confidence that BP Haji, which will take over haj management from the Religious Affairs Ministry next year, will be able to address this year’s shortcomings.

3 weeks ago
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Push for AI regulations amid rise in hyperrealistic content

The spread of hyperrealistic images generated with AI has prompted fresh calls for regulation requiring watermarking and source traceability to prevent the spread of misinformation.

3 weeks ago
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West Java’s education maneuvers not binding for all: Ombudsman

The Indonesian Ombudsman has assured that a series of controversial education policies introduced by the West Java administration would only apply to schools under the supervision of the province’s education agency, and do not extend to institutions managed by the Religious Affairs Ministry or local city and regency administrations.

3 weeks ago
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Earlier school start times may hurt children’s brain development

West Java’s recent decision to enforce earlier school start times across all education levels has aroused concern among educators and experts, who warn that the policy could impair students’ brain development due to disrupted sleep patterns and inadequate rest. 

3 weeks ago
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RI children get access to new therapy for neurofibromatosis type 1

Indonesian children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a rare genetic condition where tumors grow on the nerves and skin, now have access to Selumetinib, the world’s first recognized therapy for NF1.

3 weeks ago
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Ministry apologizes for transportation woes facing pilgrims

Hundreds of Indonesian pilgrims were forced to walk the four kilometers from Muzdalifah to Mina due to transport delays, sparking swift criticism from the House of Representatives’ haj supervisory team

4 weeks ago
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Govt may install permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple: Minister

The controversial installment of a temporary stairlift at Borobudur Temple opened the way for a debate about inclusivity for visitors at the World Heritage Site. 

1 month ago
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Peaceful protest at minerals expo urges protection for Raja Ampat

A group of Greenpeace activists and Papuan youth held a peaceful protest on the first day of an ongoing critical minerals expo in Jakarta to demand protection for Papua's biodiverse marine region of Raja Ampat.

1 month ago
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Govt’s plan to downsize subsidized housing faces internal, public opposition

The Public Housing and Settlements Ministry is facing mounting scrutiny after a leaked draft decree revealed plans to significantly reduce the minimum size requirements for subsidized housing units. Critics warn the proposed changes could compromise the basic standards of safety, health and comfort.

1 month ago
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Health Ministry issues warning over COVID-19 surge in Asia

The Health Ministry has urged health facilities to stay alert and increase surveillance of COVID-19 amid a surge in cases caused by a more transmissible but less deadly Omicron subvariant in several countries across Asia.

1 month ago
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Temporary aid falls short without structural reform

As the government rolls out a new stimulus package to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown, concerns are growing over its long-term effects, with experts warning of potential public dependency on temporary welfare assistance and calling for more sustainable economic measures.

1 month ago
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Visa problems, management woes loom over haj handling

Just as this year’s haj season is set to enter its peak, concerns have emerged among Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and people back home of mismanagement following reports of illegal pilgrimage attempts, visa cancellations and lodging issues.

1 month ago

Today's ePost

Mon, July 7, 2025

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