JAKARTA INDONESIA

Jun 09 2026POLITICS

Police Officers Can Join Civil Roles in Indonesia

Indonesia’s parliament has approved new rules that let police officers take jobs in government ministries. The change follows a similar update to the military law that last year opened more civilian posts for soldiers. The move is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to use security force

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Jun 07 2026FINANCE

Keep the Money Close: Indonesia’s Push to Steady Its Currency

Indonesia’s leaders are scrambling after the rupiah hit record lows and local stocks tanked faster than anywhere else last week. The finance team and central bank aren’t just watching—they’re rolling out a plan to stop the slide. On Saturday, officials laid out two big moves: make sure there’s enoug

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Jun 05 2026FINANCE

Indonesia’s Bond Market Beats the Rupiah Drop

Indonesia’s finance chief says investors are still confident, even as the currency and shares fall. He highlighted that government bonds attracted money in the first half of the year, showing steady demand for debt. The minister noted that during June’s early weeks, buyers poured funds into the n

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May 26 2026CRYPTO

Indonesia cracks down on crypto prediction platforms like Polymarket

Indonesia has taken a firm stand against online prediction markets, specifically targeting Polymarket, which lets users bet on events like elections and sports using cryptocurrency. The government argues that these platforms operate like online gambling, which is illegal in the country. Instead of f

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May 18 2026SCIENCE

Turning farming scraps into useful products in Indonesia

Indonesia throws away huge amounts of plant waste from farms every year. Instead of burning this waste or letting it rot, experts think it could be turned into something useful. Most research in the country focuses on burning the waste for fuel, which is low down on the recycling ladder. Very little

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Apr 27 2026POLITICS

Labor Leader Becomes Indonesia’s New Environment Minister

Indonesia has chosen a former labour union head to lead its environment ministry. The new minister, Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, once fought against the former president in the 1990s and served a prison term for stirring protests. He also opposed the current president during the last election. Before h

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Mar 31 2026BUSINESS

Fuel Swaps and Energy Scrambles in Asia

Indonesia’s president flew to Tokyo amid a regional rush to find new fuel sources. The Middle East conflict has cut many supplies, and now countries are trading energy to keep their economies running. Jakarta is planning a deal that would bring more liquefied natural gas into Japan while sending liq

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Mar 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

Forest Loss in Indonesia Rises Sharp as Self‑Sufficiency Drives Push Land Clearing

Indonesia’s forests shrank by a striking 66% in 2025, the fastest rate in eight years, according to data from satellite imagery and field checks across 16 provinces. The country’s huge forest area, once one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is being cleared at an alarming pace as it pursues am

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Jan 29 2026RELIGION

Indonesia's Changing Faith: A Quiet Shift in Belief

Indonesia is known for its strong religious roots. Islam is the dominant faith, but there are five other recognized religions. These religions shape the country's culture and laws. However, things are changing. Over the past 20 years, the role of religion in people's lives has been shifting. The co

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Jan 28 2026POLITICS

Indonesia's Rescue Agency Faces Budget Cuts Amid Rising Disasters

Indonesia's government has decided to reduce the budget for its main rescue agency, Basarnas. This decision comes even though the country faces more and more disasters. The cuts were approved by a parliamentary panel. They reduced the budget by 69. 38 billion rupiah, or about 4. 5%. This money will

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