Society, Environment and Culture
Unravel the intricate threads of justice, societal transformation, and cultural narratives shaping Indonesian society.
Protest calls for release of Maba Sangaji villagers, mining suspension in N. Maluku
Protesters, grouped under the Solidarity Against Criminalization and the Maba Sangaji Coalition, staged a rally in front of mining company PT. Position office in Jakarta on Wednesday, demanding the release of 11 Maba Sangaji villagers from Tidore Prison in North Maluku.
Retno Marsudi named “Champion for Water Investment” at Africa Water Summit
Retno Marsudi, the United Nations Special Envoy for Water Issues, was named Champion for Water Investment by the South African Government and the Global Outlook Council on Water Investment during the Africa Water Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Cape Town.
Civil society groups slam INC 5.2 for lack of transparency, weak treaty talks
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) 5.2, a global plastics treaty that began on August 5, 2025, has been deemed a failure and has failed to meet its stated goal of reaching an agreement to end plastic pollution.
Prabowo's speech on illegal mining criticized as empty rhetoric amid oligarchic grip
The Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) strongly criticizes President Prabowo Subianto's recent speech at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on August 15, 2025, calling it as empty rhetoric that fails to address the root causes of illegal mining.
Indonesia’s Garuda Merah Putih-II Task Force delivers humanitarian aid for Gaza
The Garuda Merah Putih-II Task Force (GMP-II) launched its first airdrop over Gaza on Sunday, August 17, 2025, which coincided with Indonesia’s Independence Day celebration, delivering 17.8 tons of essential humanitarian aid for Palestinians, who are facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity.
AJI Indonesia condemns Israel’s massacre of journalists
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia has strongly condemned the killing of more than 170 journalists by the Israeli military since October 2023.
Gas-fired power plants expansion could “cost Indonesia up to Rp155.8 T yearly”
Indonesia’s plan to increase its gas-fired power plant capacity by up to 10.3 gigawatts (GW) in the 2025-2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) could impose a staggering cost of up to Rp155.8 trillion (US$9.6 billion) per year, while exacerbating the country’s dependence on gas imports and hindering the nation’s energy transition.
Indonesia sees wildfire hotspots surge ahead of Independence Day
Indonesia is grappling with a severe environmental crisis as more than 13,000 hotspots were recorded across the country, marking a dramatic rise in wildfire activity days ahead of the country’s Independence Day celebration.
Indonesia told to seriously develop an integrated solar energy industry
The government’s target of achieving energy independence and renewable energy utilization, in particular solar energy, should be equipped with thorough planning and implementation scheme, a government watchdog has warned.
Indonesian banks disburse US$7.2 B for coal industry amid climate crisis: Report
Amid growing concerns over the escalating climate crisis, Indonesian banks have poured over US$7.2 billion to finance the coal sector between 2021 and 2024, a report has revealed.
Indonesia plans to build Haj Village in Mecca, awaits land ownership reform
The Indonesian government is exploring the purchase of land in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to develop a dedicated residential complex for Indonesian Haj pilgrims, dubbed "Kampung Haji" or the Indonesian Haj Village, aimed at accommodating the large number of Indonesian pilgrims and reducing the cost of Haj and Umrah services.
Indonesia welcomes UK’s plan to recognize the State of Palestine
Indonesia has expressed strong support for the United Kingdom's decision to officially recognize the State of Palestine this September, a move seen as a significant step toward achieving full Palestinian statehood and advancing the two-State solution.