Indonesia

The free meal program, launched in January, has faced at least 10 mass food poisoning incidents, affecting hundreds of students; despite government pledges to safety, lapses in preparation and hygiene persist, raising concerns over the program's oversight

Jakarta plans to launch its own film festival; Deputy Governor Rano Karno envisions the event as a platform to celebrate national cinema, strengthen the local film industry and boost Jakarta's cultural identity

Indonesia ended its first quarter as a full member of the BRICS bloc of developing economies; though candidacy was accepted in August 2023, it formally joined the bloc only after the formation of its newly elected government last year

2.000 more judges are needed in the Supreme Court to solve a growing shortage caused by retirements and vacancies; Chief Justice Syarifuddin urges the government to accelerate recruitment to ensure efficiency and timely case resolutions across the country

A proposed revision of TNI Law would expand army presence in civilian sectors: officers could hold government positions and extend retirement age; critics warn it could undermine army professionalism and revive Suharto-era military influence in politics

The Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency reported that around 5.300 Riau Islanders were trafficked to Cambodia, forced to work in online scams and gambling operations; many were lured by fake job offers and now face abuse and exploitation

Authorities in Batam are urging the shutdown of a crocodile farm after 105 reptiles escaped into a nearby river for poor enclosures and heavy rains, raising public safety concerns; officials now demand stronger regulations and proper containment measures

To mitigate the massive Idul Fitri exodus, which last year saw 242 million Indonesians on the move, the Transportation Minister proposed a work-from-anywhere policy to alleviate traffic congestion and the strain on public transportation during peak days

Plans have been proposed to set a minimum age for social media use; experts urge careful study and public input to balance safety and access: concerns include enforcement challenges and impacts on digital rights, education, and information access

The relocation of civil servants to new capital Nusantara has been delayed due to incomplete housing and missing digital infrastructure; plans to move 12.000 workers by 2024 are postponed with no new timeline, but a full transition is set for 2029

A tanker spilled 20 tonnes of sodium hydroxide on an 8-km road in West Java between Cikalongwetan and Padalarang, injuring over 100 motorists and damaging 150 vehicles; the supplier, CV Yasindo Multi Pratama, apologized and pledged responsibility

Plans to build the country’s first nuclear power plant in Bangka Belitung, set to begin operations by 2031, have been officially announced by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources