A fresh proposal to extend the tenure of village heads and abolish village elections to save money for President Prabowo Subianto’s costly signature programs has drawn flak from critics over the risk of undermining democracy and weakening accountability at the local level.

The decision to place students in a military environment has raised concerns among civil society groups, who described it as part of the growing trend toward the “remilitarization” of civilian space.

The court also sentenced each firm with a Rp 1 billion (US$56,447) fine after finding them guilty of receiving benefits from the corruption case surrounding two venture capital arms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to the agricultural tech start-up.

The next presidential election may still be three years away, but several potential contenders have already begun making early moves as President Prabowo Subianto’s approval ratings slide and criticism of his government mounts.

Recent remarks by Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono highlighting the limits of power have fueled speculation that he is already laying the groundwork for the next general election, potentially testing the cohesion of President Prabowo Subianto’s ruling coalition.

Flying to Vladivostok at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin was part of President Prabowo Subianto’s effort to address domestic issues, according to Government Communications Agency (Bakom) head Muhammad Qodari.

Critics have urged lawmakers not to rush the bill through without “meaningful public participation,” warning that weak safeguards and oversight could allow the expanded asset seizure powers to be turned against political opponents and government critics.

BGN suspended 1,999 kitchens across Indonesia because they did not register with the health ministry to undergo mandatory hygiene and sanitation certifications, agency chief Sudaryono said on Monday.

More than a dozen activist groups have condemned the Jakarta military appeals court for reducing the prison sentences and overturning the dismissals of two soldiers involved in an acid attack targeting human rights defender Andrie Yunus.

Critics say the new commitment to pass the asset forfeiture bill may be driven by the government’s need to finance President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, while also underlining concerns about the lack of transparency around the draft law.

Indonesia’s “independent” university admission system is facing renewed scrutiny following the arrest of senior officials at a state university, with experts warning that weak oversight and broad institutional discretion could allow wealthy applicants to buy their way into coveted academic programs.

The Jakarta Police released face sketches of two men allegedly involved in the murder of a local bystander during the unrest after a protest in Jakarta on Aug. 27, while also declined to tie the rioters to a specific group yet.

New National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Sudaryono, who oversees the free meals program, described the series of food poisoning incidents lately as “deliberate negligence” by kitchens that had failed to follow the agency’s food-safety procedures. 

In separate cases across at least three major islands, more than 2,000 students and teachers fell ill after eating lunch issued by the government as part of a scheme to eradicate malnutrition launched by Prabowo last year.

In separate incidents in three other locations this week, 950 individuals had fallen ill as a result of food poisoning linked to the programme, a member of a House commission overseeing health said. 

Calls are mounting for lawmakers to release their latest draft bill on asset forfeiture to the public, with antigraft activists warning that closed-door deliberations could leave the proposed legislation vulnerable to abuse.

Hercules forged a close relationship with Prabowo when the latter served in the Indonesian Military in East Timor during the 1980s. He later founded GRIB Jaya in 2011 and appointed Prabowo to its advisory board.

At least one person died and 322 others were arrested after a protest in front of the Senayan Legislative Complex in Jakarta on Aug. 27, in which protesters from Pati, Central Java, called for stronger law enforcement against corruption. 

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) celebrated its 55th anniversary on Tuesday, pledging to continue to push into increasingly complex policy debates even as the space for expert voices in policymaking appears to be narrowing.

Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, a former businessman and great-grandson of the organization’s founder Hasyim Asy’ari, has emerged as the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim organization, following an internal rift stemming from conflicts over finances and mining concession.

Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, popularly known as Gus Kikin, has been elected the new NU chairman for 2026-2031, in a historic first that used an indirect voting system with the group's AHWA council of senior clerics making the final pick.

The Constitutional Court’s decision to scrap criminal penalties for insulting the government and state institutions has been applauded by activists, though they caution that the ruling alone remains insufficient to deter rising intimidation and criminalization against critics.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has decided to elect its next chairman indirectly through a council of senior clerics, abandoning the one-member-one-vote system as disagreements persisted ahead of the planned election of chairman of the country’s largest Muslim organization on Sunday night.

By late Thursday afternoon, another wave of people had gathered outside the Senayan Legislative Complex. Some burned trash and attempted to breach the perimeter, with violence continuing in the area through Friday morning. One man reportedly died during the unrest. 

The country's largest Muslim group will hold a leadership contest during its 35th national congress (Muktamar) in Jombang, East Java amid concerns of political interference that will sway the race result for external political interests.

Friday morning saw the remnants of unrest following Thursday’s protest at the Senayan Legislative Complex, which spread into nearby Pejompongan and Slipi, where residents mounted a defense against unidentified groups via makeshift roadblocks.

President Prabowo Subianto thanked on Thursday Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) for their support of his administration, saying the country’s largest Islamic organization played a significant role in maintaining the nation’s unity and stability.