Indonesia’s Parliament votes to ban sex outside of marriage
December 7, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Parliament unanimously voted on Tuesday to ban sex outside of marriage and insulting the president and state institutions.
Once in force, the bans will affect foreign visitors as well as citizens.
Strong quake shakes main Indonesia island, no major damage
December 3, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong earthquake shook parts of Indonesia’s main island of Java on Saturday, causing panic but only minor damage just two weeks after an equally powerful quake killed hundreds.
EXPLAINER: Why was Indonesia’s shallow quake so deadly?
November 23, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A 5.6 magnitude earthquake left more than 260 dead and hundreds injured as buildings crumbled and terrified residents ran for their lives on Indonesia’s main island of Java.
Indonesian rescuers search through rubble of quake; 268 dead
November 22, 2022 GMTCIANJUR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian rescuers used jackhammers, circular saws and sometimes their bare hands Tuesday to shift the rubble of flattened buildings as they searched for the dead and missing from an earthquake that killed at least 268 people.
US pushes defense ties with Indonesia as China strengthens
November 21, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin met his Indonesian counterpart on Monday to push stronger defense ties amid growing Chinese naval activity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Report: Failure to fix throttle led to Indonesia plane crash
November 10, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian aviation investigators concluded Thursday that a nearly decade-long failure to properly repair a malfunctioning automatic throttle, pilots' overreliance on the plane's automation system, and inadequate training contributed to the crash of a Boeing 737-500 last year that killed 62 people.
ASEAN foreign ministers urge more progress in Myanmar crisis
October 27, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian foreign ministers acknowledged Thursday that their efforts to bring peace to Myanmar haven't succeeded and agreed to increase their determination to end violence in the country, where a military takeover last year set off a crisis that threatens to destabilize the region.
Indonesian woman arrested after pointing gun at palace guard
October 25, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police arrested a woman who pointed a gun Tuesday at a guard at the presidential palace in Jakarta in an attempt to force her way inside.
A member of the presidential guards saw the unidentified woman standing near a guard post outside the palace.
FIFA vows to improve Indonesian soccer safety after tragedy
October 19, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The president of soccer's world governing body met with Indonesia's president on Tuesday and pledged to help improve stadium safety to prevent a repeat of a tragedy in which police fired tear gas at a match, causing a crush that killed 132 people as spectators attempted to flee.
Indonesia gears up to start its first high-speed rail line
October 13, 2022 GMTBANDUNG, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is preparing to start Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail service that will cut travel time between two cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.
20 years later, Bali bombing survivors still battling trauma
October 10, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Thiolina Marpaung still panics anytime she smells smoke, immediately recalling the bomb explosion that upended her life 20 years ago.
Marpaung, now 48, was in a car with her colleagues on the Indonesian resort island of Bali in 2002 when the blast shook their vehicle from behind.
EXPLAINER: What’s behind Indonesia’s deadly soccer match?
October 2, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Violence, tear gas and a deadly crush that erupted following a domestic league soccer match Saturday night marked another tragedy in Indonesian football.
Conservative Muslims protest Indonesian fuel price hikes
September 12, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Hundreds of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Monday demanding that the government revoke its decision to raise fuel prices, saying it hurts people already reeling from the economic impact of the pandemic.
Indonesian students protest against fuel price hikes
September 8, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Hundreds of students rallied in Indonesia's capital on Thursday to protest sharp increases in fuel prices by the government.
The protesters, from several student organizations, gathered at Jakarta's National Monument, which commemorates Indonesia's struggle for independence.
Commissioner: EU to unveil new responses to energy crisis
September 6, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The European Union's next steps for addressing the continent's worsening energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine are expected to be unveiled next week, the European commissioner for energy said Tuesday.
Workers, students in Indonesia protest fuel price hike
September 6, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Hundreds of workers and students in Indonesia rallied on Tuesday demanding the government cancel fuel price hikes, a politically sensitive issue that has triggered past unrest.
Philippine, Indonesia talks on pandemic recovery challenges
September 5, 2022 GMTBOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed deepening economic and security ties with Indonesia on Monday during the first overseas trip of his presidency, while expressing concern about the persistent difficulties Southeast Asian nations have faced after pandemic.
First Chinese-made high-speed train cars arrive in Indonesia
September 2, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An initial set of Chinese-made train cars for Indonesia's first high-speed railway arrived in Jakarta's port on Friday.
The 142.3-kilometer (88.4-mile) railway worth $5.5 billion is being constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, a joint venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co.
Truck in Indonesia crashes at school bus stop, killing 10
August 31, 2022 GMTBEKASI, Indonesia (AP) — A truck transporting iron on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital on Wednesday crashed at a bus stop in front of a school and killed at least 10 people, most of them elementary students.
Indonesia considers objection to Bali bomber’s early release
August 23, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s top justice official said Tuesday authorities were considering an early release for the bombmaker in the 2002 Bali attack that killed 202 people, despite upsetting Australia's leader who described him as “abhorrent.”
Indonesia announces its first case of monkeypox
August 21, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A man in Indonesia has tested positive for monkeypox, making him the country’s first confirmed case of the disease, authorities said late Saturday.
The 27-year-old who lives in the capital, Jakarta, had returned from an overseas trip on Aug.
US, Indonesia hold joint military drills amid China concerns
August 3, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The United States and Indonesian militaries began annual joint combat exercises Wednesday on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, joined for the first time by participants from other partner nations, signaling stronger ties amid growing maritime activity by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Milley: China more aggressive, dangerous to US, allies
July 24, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The Chinese military has become significantly more aggressive and dangerous over the past five years, the top U.S. military officer said during a trip to the Indo-Pacific that included a stop Sunday in Indonesia.
Indonesia truck crash kills 11; police say brakes failed
July 18, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An oil tanker truck smashed into cars and motorbikes near Indonesia’s capital on Monday after its brakes apparently malfunctioned, killing at least 11 people and leaving others injured, police said.
Australia, Indonesia commit to fight against FMD outbreak
July 14, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Australia’s top agriculture official met with his Indonesian counterpart on Thursday to discuss ways to stop a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has infected hundreds of thousands of cattle in Indonesia and prevent the outbreak from spreading to Australia.
Indonesian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha amid FMD outbreak
July 10, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has disrupted ritual slaughter of animals to mark Eid al-Adha as millions of Muslims across Indonesia were celebrating one of the biggest holidays in the Islamic calendar Sunday.
Russia’s war in Ukraine to overshadow G-20 talks in Bali
July 7, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations are gathering in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali for talks bound to be dominated by the conflict in Ukraine despite an agenda focused on global cooperation and food and energy security.
Japanese man arrested in Indonesia over COVID relief fraud
June 8, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Authorities on Indonesia’s Sumatra island arrested a Japanese fugitive accused of helping steal $7.3 million intended for small businesses in Japan hurt by the coronavirus, police said Wednesday.
Indonesian army officer gets life sentence for double murder
June 7, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A middle-rank Indonesian army officer is being stripped of his military title after he was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for murder, joint deprivation of the independence of others and removing the bodies with the intention of concealment in a case that drew public outcry.
Australian leader visits Indonesia’s Makassar to deepen ties
June 7, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday visited an eastern Indonesia area with close ties to Indigenous Australians as he continued a trip aiming to strengthen his country's economic ties with its closest major neighbor.
Australian leader’s visit affirms deeper ties to Indonesia
June 6, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday looked to move beyond regional issues that have been key in his trips abroad by promoting the importance of building stronger economic ties with neighboring Indonesia.
Indonesian police arrest 24 suspected militants in raids
May 18, 2022 GMTPALU, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police said Wednesday they arrested 24 suspected militants believed to have links to extremists accused of beheadings in remote mountain jungles and who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Indonesian Muslims fully celebrate Eid al-Fitr after 2 years
May 2, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Millions of Muslims in Indonesia returned to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in full swing Monday after two years of subdued festivities due to pandemic restrictions and travel curbs.
Japan, Indonesia urge immediate halt to war in Ukraine
April 29, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged a rapid halt to fighting in Ukraine on Friday and said they will work together to improve humanitarian conditions there.
Indonesia to ban exports of cooking oil to reduce shortages
April 22, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia will ban exports of cooking oil and its raw materials to reduce domestic shortages and hold down skyrocketing prices, President Joko Widodo announced Friday, a day after hundreds of people protested in the capital against rising food costs.
Hundreds in Jakarta protest talk of 2024 election delay
April 21, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, took to the streets Thursday in Indonesia’s capital, voicing concern over rumors that the government is considering postponing the 2024 presidential election to allow President Joko Widodo to remain in office beyond the two-term legal limit, calling it a threat to the country’s democracy.
Indonesian students protest rumored delay of 2024 election
April 11, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of students marched in cities around Indonesia on Monday to protest against rumors that the government is considering postponing the 2024 presidential election to allow President Joko Widodo to remain in office beyond the two-term legal limit, calling it a threat to the country's democracy.
Indonesian leader denies delay of 2024 polls to extend term
April 10, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Sunday denied that his administration was attempting to delay the 2024 presidential elections after senior politicians including his close ally supported the idea of extending his stay in office beyond the two-term legal mandate.
Indonesia jails activist lawyer over Islamic radicalism
April 6, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A former Indonesian human rights lawyer who joined an Islamic hard-line group was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday on charges of incitement with the aim to establish a caliphate in a secular country.
Indonesia, Malaysia sign accord to protect migrant workers
April 1, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's president and Malaysia's prime minister looked on as officials signed an agreement Friday on the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia during a meeting in Jakarta.
MotoGP race will bring 60,000 fans to Indonesian circuit
March 16, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's first MotoGP race in 25 years will attract the biggest crowd for any sporting event in the country since the start of the coronavirus pandemic when 60,000 fans descend on the tourist island of Lombok.
UN: Climate change to uproot millions, especially in Asia
March 3, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The walls of Saifullah's home in northern Jakarta are lined like tree rings, marking how high the floodwaters have reached each year — some more than 4 feet from the damp dirt floor.
G20 finance leaders urge care in unwinding pandemic support
February 18, 2022 GMTJAKARTA (AP) — Finance leaders of the world’s biggest economies called Friday for a cautious and well coordinated approach to navigating recoveries from the pandemic.
Finance ministers and top central bankers of the Group of 20 industrial nations agreed on a need to carefully calibrate moves by the U.S.
Indonesian cases hit record but less severe, fewer deaths
February 17, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's confirmed coronavirus infections since the pandemic began crossed 5 million on Thursday, the highest in Southeast Asia, but the related deaths and bed occupancy fueled by the highly transmissible omicron variant remained lower than in the previous outbreak.
G-20 finance leaders eye ways to support pandemic recovery
February 17, 2022 GMTJAKARTA (AP) — Countries must avoid tensions and cooperate to support a recovery from the pandemic as it lingers in many parts of the world, Indonesian President Joko Widodo told a gathering of top financial leaders of the world's largest economies Thursday.
Indonesian new virus cases set record as omicron spreads
February 15, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday driven by the highly transmissible omicron variant.
The country confirmed 57,049 new infections, more than the previous record of about 56,700 set last July, when the delta variant overwhelmed hospitals on the main island of Java.
US approves major $14 billion arms sale to Indonesia
February 10, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday approved a nearly $14 billion arms sale to Indonesia, as the U.S. presses ahead with steps it believes will help counter China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
Asian stocks follow Wall St higher with China, Korea closed
February 2, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Stock prices in Tokyo and Sydney followed Wall Street higher Wednesday while China, South Korea and Southeast Asian markets were closed for the Lunar New Year.
Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index gained 0.7% on Tuesday, boosted by gains for energy and tech stocks in a late burst of buying.
Third COVID wave looms in Indonesia as omicron spreads
January 29, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is bracing for a third wave of COVID-19 infections as the highly transmissible omicron variant drives a surge in new cases, health authorities and experts said Saturday.
Indonesia’s sinking, polluted capital is moving to new city
January 27, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Jakarta is congested, polluted, prone to earthquakes and rapidly sinking into the Java Sea. Now the government is leaving, and moving the country's capital to the island of Borneo.
Indonesia, Singapore sign key defense, extradition treaties
January 25, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia and Singapore on Tuesday signed a series of key defense and diplomatic agreements that appeared to mark a turning point in relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors.
Indonesian militant gets 15 years in jail over Bali attacks
January 19, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Islamic militant who eluded capture for 18 years was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday after an Indonesian court found him guilty of hiding information about the 2002 Bali bombings from authorities and harboring other suspects.
Strong quake shakes Indonesia’s capital; no tsunami alert
January 15, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A powerful earthquake shook parts of Indonesia’s main island of Java on Friday, damaging buildings and houses and sending people into the streets, but no casualties were reported.
Indonesian prosecutors seek life for Bali bombing suspect
January 5, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a life sentence for a top terror suspect who eluded capture for 18 years and accused him of masterminding a series of deadly attacks in the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
Indonesian prosecutors delay sentence for top terror suspect
December 29, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian prosecutors postponed their sentencing demand Wednesday for a top terror suspect who eluded capture for 18 years and is accused of masterminding deadly attacks and sectarian conflict in the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
Widodo urges stay home after omicron confirmed in Indonesia
December 16, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged people and government officials to refrain from traveling abroad after the country detected its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus in a cleaning worker at a hospital in Jakarta.
Blinken vows more US military might in Indo-Pacific
December 14, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The United States will expand its military and economic relationships with partners in Asia to push back against China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.
Blinken competes with top Russian official in Indonesia
December 13, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Fresh from delivering a stern new warning to Russia over Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Indonesia on Monday to find a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin already in Jakarta for security talks.
Indonesian militant given life sentence in 2005 attack
December 8, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court sentenced an Islamic militant who eluded capture for 16 years to life in prison on Wednesday after finding him guilty of making bombs used in a 2005 market attack that killed 22 people.
Concerns rise over Indonesia’s sputtering virus vaccinations
November 26, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has recovered significantly from a mid-year spike in coronavirus cases and deaths that was one of the worst in the region, but with its vaccination drive stalling due to logistical challenges and other issues, and with holidays approaching, experts and officials warn it could soon face another surge.