Riau Police chief Insp. Gen. Herry Heryawan (third right) listens to an explanation from Special Crimes Investigation (Reskrimsus) Directorate chief Sr. Comr. Ade Kuncoro (second right) on Wednesday at a mangrove charcoal production center on Rupat Island in Bengkalis regency, Riau. Detectives from the Reskrimsus Directorate thwarted on Sept. 14 an effort to smuggle mangrove charcoal from Rupat Island to Batu Pahat in Johor, Malaysia. `

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.

2 hours ago

Jakarta premium

Extending Jakarta’s CFD may raise awareness but not dent pollution

While the city administration has cited emissions reduction as a potential benefit of extending CFD to Saturdays, Walhi says it would do little to help improve air quality, though it could provide a foundational base for a wide-ranging public awareness campaign.

4 hours ago

Archipelago premium

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.

5 hours ago

The Latest

Sjamsul Kahar, veteran Aceh journalist, founder and former editor-in-chief of Serambi Indonesia, gestures in this undated photo. Kahar died on Sept. 24, 2026, at the age of 80.

Archipelago premium

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.

18 hours ago

Archipelago premium

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 day ago

Two children play with a kite at the dried-up Sumberkepuh Reservoir in Nganjuk, East Java, on Sept. 6, 2026. The 20.9-hectare reservoir, which provides irrigation for about 400 hectares of farmland, has been dry for the past two months amid the prolonged dry season.

Archipelago premium

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 day ago

Police officers conduct a security check at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral Church, known locally as the “Hati Kudus Yesus“ church, on Christmas Eve in Surabaya, East Java, on Dec. 24, 2025.

Society premium

Tangerang church disruption rekindles fears among minorities

Kinari, a Protestant from South Tangerang, feared that allowing intimidation to end with an apology could encourage more serious acts in the future. She also pointed to what she saw as a double standard in the treatment of religious minorities.

1 day ago