Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
Indonesia has defended its arrest and deportation of Palestinian national Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad, confirming he was the subject of a valid Interpol Red Notice issued by Cypriot authorities. The government dismissed claims he was a cleric or activist.
An Indonesian court has convicted all 19 members of a baby-smuggling syndicate, sentencing its 70-year-old mastermind to seven years in prison. At least 12 infants were trafficked to Singapore between 2023 and 2025.
Indonesian police arrested a 34-year-old Singaporean man in Jakarta on July 17 after raiding a house in the upscale Pantai Indah Kapuk area allegedly used to manufacture etomidate vapes, known as Kpods.
A nine-vehicle pile-up in Indonesia's North Sumatra province has claimed four lives and left eight people wounded. Police are investigating the incident involving trucks, minibuses and a motorcycle.
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has ordered sweeping reviews of his signature free meals and cooperative programmes, signalling potential redesigns to address mounting public criticism, corruption allegations, and implementation challenges.
Indonesia has blocked 3.7 million websites and closed around 32,500 bank accounts suspected of facilitating online gambling since late 2024, signalling a comprehensive shift in how Southeast Asia's largest economy tackles digital crime.
Indonesian police discovered 74kg of gold bars and millions in multi-currency cash during raids on properties linked to Febrie Adriansyah, a deputy attorney general who resigned following the operation. The haul valued at US$26.3 million has triggered questions about Indonesia's anti-corruption mechanisms.
Indonesia's state logistics agency Bulog is actively negotiating rice export agreements with Malaysia and Singapore. Discussions centre on a proposed 200,000-tonne shipment to Malaysia and 10,000 tonnes to Singapore, with pricing remaining a key sticking point.
Indonesia has deported 92 Chinese nationals accused of operating online scam networks, banning them from the country for life. The mass deportation reflects growing concerns about transnational cybercrime syndicates using Southeast Asia as an operational base.
Indonesian police raids targeting corruption have seized tens of millions in assets, including from Deputy Attorney General Febrie Adriansyah's residence, triggering concerns about tensions between security agencies and potential threats to civilian governance.
Indonesia has inaugurated its first waste-to-energy plant in Bali, converting municipal waste into electricity. The facility aims to reduce emissions by 80 per cent and create green jobs while addressing the nation's daily waste of 140,000 tonnes.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will travel to Jakarta on July 6 for the second Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat with President Prabowo Subianto, focusing on deepening cooperation across emerging sectors including green economy and digital connectivity.
Indonesian prosecutors have sought sentences of up to 10 years for 19 members of a baby trafficking network accused of selling at least 34 infants, with dozens trafficked to Singapore between 2023 and 2025.
An Indonesian court has convicted Nadiem Makarim, a former education minister and co-founder of Southeast Asia's ride-hailing giant Gojek, of corruption. He has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Indonesia's Jakarta Corruption Court has sentenced Nadiem Makarim, founder of ride-hailing unicorn Gojek and former education minister, to a decade in prison for his role in a contentious school laptop procurement programme during the pandemic.
Indonesian police have detained numerous demonstrators following a major anti-government rally in Surabaya, marking renewed friction between the administration and civil society groups.
Southeast Asian nations are advancing regional priorities this week, from Indonesia strengthening defence ties with France to Myanmar boosting agricultural exports and the Philippines pushing infrastructure and transparency measures.
TikTok and YouTube have deactivated approximately 4.7 million accounts of Indonesian children under 16 as the government's social media restrictions begin taking effect, the communications minister announced.
Indonesia's energy ministry has charged 24 foreign nationals as criminal suspects in an illegal gold mining operation discovered in Maluku's Gunung Botak area, with half still evading authorities.
Indonesia's recent parliamentary law granting broad protections to buyers of Danantara sovereign wealth fund bonds has triggered warnings from legal and economic experts about vulnerability to money laundering and tax evasion.
Indonesia is preparing to integrate artificial intelligence into major government initiatives, notably its $15 billion free-meal scheme, as part of an ambitious strategy to boost GDP by 12% by 2030. The move reflects efforts to compete regionally with Singapore and Malaysia.
AirAsia has launched a direct service between Jakarta and Kota Bharu, carrying 117 passengers on its inaugural flight. The route is expected to strengthen Kelantan's tourism sector and support the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative.
Indonesian authorities have arrested a fifth suspect in an expanding corruption investigation into the national free meals programme. The probe has already ensnared three former leaders of the National Nutrition Agency.