Mount Anak Krakatau, which means Child of Krakatau, belched thick ash over the strait that separates the islands of Java and Sumatra forcing authorities to warn nearby residents to wear masks outside.

Coming amid the multiple impacts of the Russian-Ukraine war, the government's ban on palm oil exports has precipitated a general shortage of cooking oils across the globe and a potential political scandal at home.

Now pushing 40, instead of singing our own praises, The Jakarta Post reached out to a handful of distinguished readers on their views of the role we fill in the national media landscape.

A recent Constitutional Court ruling has added urgency for the government to issue a regulation on guidelines for appointing acting regional leaders, as several regional administration posts are set to be vacated starting in May.

The government has expressed confidence that the tradition of mudik (exodus) in which millions of people throughout the country return to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri, will not cause another wave of COVID-19 cases.

The move comes as the government shifts to preventing rather than treating disease in its public health approach.

The Supreme Court has rejected a petition to revoke provisions on consent in a progressive regulation for on-campus sexual violence, much to the relief of those who have been fighting to end violence against women.

Indonesia’s established Islam-based parties could face a tough challenge to maintain their legislative standing in the upcoming 2024 general elections amid a lack of popular leaders to attract voters in an increasingly crowded political space filled by many ner parties, experts have said.

Police detained the suspect last week after the parents of one child reported him to authorities.

While the government and lawmakers have agreed to endorse a law revision that would benefit the Job Creation Law, critics point to the “chaos” of regulatory governance in the country.

Trade Ministry official is allegedly bribed to issue palm oil export permits, which have caused domestic supply shortages and cooking oil crisis in the country. 

A government survey predicts that 23 million cars and 17 million motorcycles will crowd the motorways on heavily-populated Java this year, leading authorities to suggest earlier holiday travel.

The three-floor building in Banjar district suddenly crumpled on Monday afternoon while it was filled with customers and employees before Muslims broke their daily fast for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

“It is not the time for new administrative regions [to be established], and this is not the only answer to bring prosperity to Papuans," MRP chairperson Timotius Murib said.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named four suspects, including a senior government official, in a case of corruption that led to a lack of of cooking oil and high prices for the commodity on the local market.

Police have arrested a male teacher from an Islamic school in West Java for alleged sexual abuse.

Public activity restriction (PPKM) level 2 is extended in all Greater Jakarta areas until May 9.

A Health Ministry official said the PeduliLindungi app did not violate any human rights, noting that a US government report merely raised civil society concerns on privacy interference.

The rate of COVID-19 testing in Indonesia has dropped significantly in the last two months as the pandemic situation continues to improve across the country after the Omicron-fueled third wave reached its peak in mid-February.

The House of Representatives is pushing to quickly pass a set of bills that will create new provinces in Papua, despite criticism that the government has been neglecting indigenous people’s voices in the bill’s deliberation process.

The March study of 2,100 people, conducted on Java and Bali revealed 99.2 percent of people had COVID antibodies, a 6 percentage point increase from a December survey.

Easter celebrations went smoothly with people returning to church as the coronavirus pandemic recedes, despite the number of church visitors still being limited.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar is set to become the new head of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), sparking a race to find his replacement.

The move marks a step forward in the case that the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said constituted a “gross human rights violation.”

Two female Sumatran elephants were found dead in Langkat regency, North Sumatra, with authorities still investigating the cause of death after they received reports from villagers about the animals’ carcasses last Sunday.

Rights groups are calling on the government to immediately prepare the law's implementing regulations.

The newly inaugurated head of the IKN Authority, Bambang Susantono, told a media gathering on Tuesday that with guaranteed funding from the state budget at least for the next two years and with land clearance problems already settled, construction in zone 1A, where vital government buildings will be built, could commence immediately.