The sole judge of the South Jakarta District Court has rejected the pretrial motion filed by former trade minister Thomas Lembong, which challenged his arrest by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) late last month as a graft suspect in a sugar import project he authorized years ago.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah and two other officials from the provincial administration in a raid on Saturday as part of an extortion and illegal gratuities case related to funds for Rohidin’s reelection campaign.

Just days before the Nov. 27 regional elections, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named incumbent Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah and several other officials from the provincial administration suspects in a case of extortion and illegal gratuities allegedly used to fund Rohidin’s reelection campaign.

Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas told Reuters on Saturday that Indonesia had agreed “in principle” to hand the five prisoners over to Australia, although the details of the transfer were still being hashed out, as Indonesia also wanted some of its prisoners held in Australia to be repatriated in return.

As the nation enters the blackout period before the Nov. 27 voting day, officials have reassured that all the regions are ready to hold the largest-ever simultaneous regional polls, as final preparations are underway.

With little time left before the cooling-off period starts on Sunday, observers are calling on candidates and election organizers to push for peaceful elections to prevent politically fueled clashes that could cause even further democratic backsliding.

Vote-buying, political interference and a disregard for ethics in February’s general election exposed the need for reform in the country’s electoral system, which experts say would help ensure better quality and integrity for future polls.

The Elections Supervisory Agency’s (Bawaslu) decision to let President Prabowo Subianto go scot-free following his explicit endorsement of a Central Java gubernatorial candidate pair has stoked concerns that state partisanship might once again rear its head in the November regional head elections.

The newly chosen leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the next five years have not inspired public confidence in the institution or its efforts to restore its independence in fighting graft.

The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has ruled that President Prabowo Subianto’s explicit endorsement of Central Java gubernatorial candidate pair Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Maimoen did not constitute an election violation, allowing the Gerindra party patron to go scot-free.   

Among the bills and law revisions in the 2025 priority list are regulations on new and renewable energy, cybersecurity, manpower, industry, narcotics, food and nuclear power.

The House of Representatives Commission III overseeing law enforcement will decide on the selected candidates for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioners by Thursday or Monday, its deputy chair says.

With ruling coalition-backed candidates facing tough competition in the key battlegrounds of Jakarta and Central Java, former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has officially stepped out onto the campaign trail in a final push to boost his preferred candidates’ chances of winning the Nov. 27 regional head elections.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) revealed after the arrest of Hendry Lie that the state's financial losses in the tin corruption case had risen from Rp 300 trillion (US$18.97 billion) to Rp 332.6 trillion.

Former Central Java Police chief Ahmad Luthfi and former military chief Andika Perkasa remain locked in tight competition for Central Java governor, as shown in two surveys released a week before voting day on Nov. 27.

Golkar Party chairman Bahlil Lahadalia is facing his first serious leadership test, as a party member is now challenging at court his controversial election three months ago.

The head of the relatively new cabinet-level agency has sworn in six new spokespersons from a variety of backgrounds, including academia, the media and politics.

The House is set to launch confirmation hearings on Monday to whittle down 20 final candidates, 10 each for the KPK leadership and the KPK supervisory council from a short list compiled by ex-president Jokowi, to five each to lead the Prabowo administration's fight against corruption.

The newly installed communications minister has called on top digital platforms to contribute to the government's efforts to clamp down on the growing scourge of online gambling, while at least one observer has suggested fighting fire with fire: employing advanced technology.

Instead of seeing the famed candidates initially projected to run, the West Java regional election this year features less popular figures vying to lead the country’s most populous province, with parties backing each candidate competing to secure a significant voter base for future elections.

The Constitutional Court has ordered the General Elections Commission (KPU) to hold reruns of the upcoming simultaneous regional elections within a year from the election day on Nov. 27 should a sole candidate fail to garner enough votes to win an uncontested election.

The policy follows allegations that regional leaders and officials have been deploying state resources in support of certain candidates in the upcoming simultaneous regional elections.

Anies said that not only would the meetings have productive outcomes for Indonesia, on a personal level President Prabowo was presenting himself as a figure of dignity on the international stage.

The judge argued that the KPK was not serious in its investigation of the South Kalimantan governor because investigators did not summon him for interrogation following the suspect naming.

Listyo also ordered members of the police force to step up their work in cracking down on online gambling, which has created serious social economic problems in the country.

Members of the public can voice their complaints to the team of the Vice Presidential Secretariat by coming to the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta or through online channels.

Modernization of Kompolnas' organization will enhance its role as the National Police external oversight body by strengthening complaint management and ensuring a quick response to public concerns

Former trade minister Thomas Lembong, currently detained as a suspect in an alleged sugar import corruption case, affirmed that he would cooperate with the authorities investigating the case in a handwritten note made available on his social media account. 

In its first day of operation, the complaint desk received 55 complaints from people who visited the Vice Presidential Office in Central Jakarta.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chair Megawati Soekarnoputri looks determined to help defend her party’s electoral stronghold of Central Java as she prepares to visit the province once again ahead of local elections later this month.