Solar Eclipse 2019: World witnesses last celestial wonder of the decade

At least 35 people were killed when a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-bus-crash-death-toll-climbs-to-28-after-bus-plunges-into-ravine-270168">bus plunged</a> into a ravine in Indonesia, officials said in a new toll Thursday, making it one of the most deadly bus accidents in recent years.

A rescue team in Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Thursday continued the search for a third day to find more bodies after seven new victims were found in a river late on Wednesday.

According to a passenger manifest, the regional bus left Bengkulu province for Pagar Alam with 27 onboard but some survivors told police there were around 50 people inside when the accident happened on Monday just before midnight.

A spokesman for a local rescue team in South Sumatra, Taufan, who only goes by one name like many Indonesians, said Thursday that of the 35 people killed, 16 were male and 19 female.

"The rescue team is searching the river 6 kilometres towards the north using rafting," Taufan told sources&nbsp;on Thursday.

The team has evacuated at least 13 survivors and the search is still ongoing to find more bodies over fears that some might have been carried away in the river.

At least eight of the passengers killed were children, local police chief Dolly Gumara said Wednesday.

Traffic accidents are common in the Southeast Asian archipelago, where vehicles are often old and poorly maintained and road rules regularly flouted.&nbsp;

In September, at least 21 people died when a bus plunged into a ravine in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-university-kids-found-dead-in-a-flooded-indonesian-cave-269727">West Java</a>'s Sukabumi region.&nbsp;

Several months earlier, 12 people were killed and dozens more injured when a passenger tried to wrest control of a bus steering wheel following an argument with the driver on the same toll road in West Java as Thursday's accident. The bus smashed into two cars, causing a truck to roll.

At least 35 people were killed when a bus plunged into a ravine in Indonesia, officials said in a new toll Thursday, making it one of the most deadly bus accidents in recent years.

At least 35 people were killed when a bus plunged into a ravine in Indonesia, officials said in a new toll Thursday, making it one of the most deadly bus accidents in recent years. A rescue team in Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Thursday continued the search for a third day to find more bodies after seven new victims were found in a river late on Wednesday. According to a passenger manifest, the regional bus left Bengkulu province for Pagar Alam with 27 onboard but some survivors told police there were around 50 people inside when the accident happened on Monday just before midnight. A spokesman for a local rescue team in South Sumatra, Taufan, who only goes by one name like many Indonesians, said Thursday that of the 35 people killed, 16 were male and 19 female. "The rescue team is searching the river 6 kilometres towards the north using rafting," Taufan told sources on Thursday. The team has evacuated at least 13 survivors and the search is still ongoing to find more bodies over fears that some might have been carried away in the river. At least eight of the passengers killed were children, local police chief Dolly Gumara said Wednesday. Traffic accidents are common in the Southeast Asian archipelago, where vehicles are often old and poorly maintained and road rules regularly flouted. In September, at least 21 people died when a bus plunged into a ravine in West Java's Sukabumi region. Several months earlier, 12 people were killed and dozens more injured when a passenger tried to wrest control of a bus steering wheel following an argument with the driver on the same toll road in West Java as Thursday's accident. The bus smashed into two cars, causing a truck to roll.

Death toll in Indonesia bus plunge rises to 35 as more victims found

At least twenty-four people have died after a bus plunged into a ravine in Indonesia.

Police said the bus fell into a 500-foot ravine and then went into the river in south Sumatra on Monday night.

(Developing)

At least twenty-four people have died after a bus plunged into a ravine in Indonesia. Police said the bus fell into a 500-foot ravine and then went into the river in south Sumatra on Monday night.

At least twenty-four people have died after a bus plunged into a ravine in Indonesia. Police said the bus fell into a 500-foot ravine and then went into the river in south Sumatra on Monday night. (Developing)

At least 24 dead as bus plunges into ravine in Indonesia

Three students were found dead in a cave <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-appeals-to-wto-against-the-european-unions-discriminative-palm-oil-restrictions-268519">in Indonesia</a> on Monday after they got trapped inside by floodwaters.

Heavy rains had smashed the region, effectively flooding it. A search and rescue operation was launched to retrieve five people alive from Lele cave and West Java.

The victims "were trapped inside the cave for quite a while before the team managed to evacuate them," said local search and rescue agency spokeswoman Seni Wulandari.

According to sources, the rescue team took an hour to reach the cave, which is 30 metres below ground level.

Watch:&nbsp;Indonesian cave art is earliest known record of "storytelling"

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indonesian-cave-art-is-earliest-known-record-of-story-telling-researchers-say-268590/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Water entered the cave like a waterfall. Initially, only five students were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-cave-reopens-for-visitors-after-wild-boars-rescue-259377">inside the cave</a>, including the victims," Ari Alfian, a senior member of the club said.

Alfian claimed that the weather was normal when the kids ventured into the cave. However, unexpected heavy downpour crippled the area.

"Another three came in to rescue them as the bad weather arrived. They were all trapped but only five managed to survive''', he added.

The students had gone to the cave to undergo basic caving training and were part of a university nature club.&nbsp;

Storms and bad weather have plagued <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indonesia-foreign-minister-arrives-in-india-to-attend-key-talks-on-indo-pacific-region-267986">the country</a> lately.

(With inputs from agencies)

Three students were found dead in a cave in Indonesia on Monday after they got trapped inside by floodwaters. Heavy rains had smashed the region, effectively flooding it.

Three students were found dead in a cave in Indonesia on Monday after they got trapped inside by floodwaters. Heavy rains had smashed the region, effectively flooding it. A search and rescue operation was launched to retrieve five people alive from Lele cave and West Java. The victims "were trapped inside the cave for quite a while before the team managed to evacuate them," said local search and rescue agency spokeswoman Seni Wulandari. According to sources, the rescue team took an hour to reach the cave, which is 30 metres below ground level. Watch: Indonesian cave art is earliest known record of "storytelling" "Water entered the cave like a waterfall. Initially, only five students were inside the cave, including the victims," Ari Alfian, a senior member of the club said. Alfian claimed that the weather was normal when the kids ventured into the cave. However, unexpected heavy downpour crippled the area. "Another three came in to rescue them as the bad weather arrived. They were all trapped but only five managed to survive''', he added. The students had gone to the cave to undergo basic caving training and were part of a university nature club. Storms and bad weather have plagued the country lately. (With inputs from agencies)

Three university kids found dead in a flooded Indonesian cave

Boeing Co has temporarily halted production of its grounded 737 Max for the first time in more than 20 years. Boeing made the announcement as the planemaker's best-selling MAX involved in two fatal crashes, reports said.

Boeing Co has temporarily halted production of its grounded 737 Max for the first time in more than 20 years. Boeing made the announcement as the planemaker's best-selling MAX involved in two fatal crashes, reports said. Boeing, which builds the 737 south of Seattle, said it will not lay off any employees during the production freeze, though the move could have repercussions across its global supply chain and the US economy. Watch: Boeing halts 737 max production after 20 years × The decision, made by Boeing's board after a two-day meeting in Chicago, follows news last week that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would not approve the plane's return to service before 2020, the report added. The 737 MAX has been grounded since March after two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months, costing the plane manufacturer more than $9 billion so far. Until now Boeing has continued to produce 737 MAX jets at a rate of 42 per month and purchase parts from suppliers at a rate of up to 52 units per month, even though deliveries are frozen until regulators approve the aircraft to fly commercially again. Boeing's shares closed down 4% on Monday and fell 1% after hours.

Boeing suspends production of 737 Max model after two crashes

A cave painting found on Indonesia's island of Sulawesi, depicting human-like figures hunting animals, appears to be the earliest known pictorial record of story-telling, according to a study by a team of Australian and Indonesian researchers.

Indonesian cave art is earliest known record of "story telling," researchers say

Indonesia files lawsuit at World Trade Organization against European Union over it's palm oil claims. EU claimed that palm oil industry is behind the excessive deforestation. Indonesia is the biggest producer of the palm oil.

Indonesia files lawsuit at WTO against EU over it's palm oil claims

Indonesian foreign minister Retno LP&nbsp;Marsudi arrived here Friday morning for a two-day visit to attend key talks on Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;

The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S&nbsp;Jaishankar in the evening and the two ministers will also simultaneously attend the sixth Joint Commission Meeting between India and Indonesia at the Hyderabad House here.&nbsp;

Later, Marsudi will deliver a keynote address at the two combined dialogues in the presence of Jaishankar.

The two Track 1.5 dialogues will be held at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra here consecutively on two days from December 13 aiming to build an inclusive approach for a "cooperative, free, and rules-based Indo-Pacific" region.

Hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs the dialogues, which are key elements of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the India-ASEAN calendars respectively-will be held consecutively and on similar, Indo-Pacific themes.

The 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue on December 13 on the theme "Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an Expanded Geography". It is being organised with the assistance of the Indian Council for World Affairs.

Delhi Dialogue XI will start on the evening of December 13 and will run through to the evening of December 14. The theme for this year's Delhi Dialogue is "Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific", and is being organised with the assistance of the Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries.

The announcement of an ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific at the ASEAN Summit in June 2019 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's enunciation of India's vision of the Indo-Pacific at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018 are important drivers of MEA's current effort to locate the Indian Ocean Dialogue and the Delhi Dialogue within the concept of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific, the MEA said in a statement.

Other distinguished guests include special envoys, deputy ministers and senior officials from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand, as well as the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN at the Delhi Dialogue as well as the Foreign Secretaries of Seychelles and Maldives, the IORA Secretary-General and senior officials from South Africa and UAE, at the Indian Ocean Dialogue.

Through these processes, India intends to emphasise its open and inclusive approach to fostering a cooperative, free, and rules-based Indo-Pacific domain, in which all nations and their aspirations for development have equal space to find expression, the statement said.

&nbsp;

Indonesian foreign minister Retno LP Marsudi arrived here Friday morning for a two-day visit to attend key talks on Indo-Pacific region. The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the evening and the two ministers will also simultaneously attend the sixth Joint Commission Meeting between India and Indonesia at the Hyderabad House here.

Indonesian foreign minister Retno LP Marsudi arrived here Friday morning for a two-day visit to attend key talks on Indo-Pacific region. The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the evening and the two ministers will also simultaneously attend the sixth Joint Commission Meeting between India and Indonesia at the Hyderabad House here. Later, Marsudi will deliver a keynote address at the two combined dialogues in the presence of Jaishankar. The two Track 1.5 dialogues will be held at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra here consecutively on two days from December 13 aiming to build an inclusive approach for a "cooperative, free, and rules-based Indo-Pacific" region. Hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs the dialogues, which are key elements of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the India-ASEAN calendars respectively-will be held consecutively and on similar, Indo-Pacific themes. The 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue on December 13 on the theme "Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an Expanded Geography". It is being organised with the assistance of the Indian Council for World Affairs. Delhi Dialogue XI will start on the evening of December 13 and will run through to the evening of December 14. The theme for this year's Delhi Dialogue is "Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific", and is being organised with the assistance of the Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries. The announcement of an ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific at the ASEAN Summit in June 2019 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's enunciation of India's vision of the Indo-Pacific at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018 are important drivers of MEA's current effort to locate the Indian Ocean Dialogue and the Delhi Dialogue within the concept of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific, the MEA said in a statement. Other distinguished guests include special envoys, deputy ministers and senior officials from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand, as well as the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN at the Delhi Dialogue as well as the Foreign Secretaries of Seychelles and Maldives, the IORA Secretary-General and senior officials from South Africa and UAE, at the Indian Ocean Dialogue. Through these processes, India intends to emphasise its open and inclusive approach to fostering a cooperative, free, and rules-based Indo-Pacific domain, in which all nations and their aspirations for development have equal space to find expression, the statement said.

Indonesia foreign minister arrives in India to attend key talks on Indo-Pacific region

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rising-seawater-levels-threaten-livelihoods-and-homes-in-indonesias-java-265711">Joko Widodo</a> warned on Thursday that there would be no going back on his policy to curb exports of nickel ore and other minerals, and Indonesia would defend itself against a complaint lodged with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fate-of-wto-top-court-threatened-with-trump-administrations-move-to-block-new-appointments-267597">World Trade Organisation</a> by the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-climate-pact-is-eus-man-on-the-moon-moment-chief-executive-267730"> European Union</a>.

In September, resource-rich Indonesia announced it would stop nickel ore exports from January 1, two years earlier than initially indicated, a decision set to disrupt global supply.

"When we're sued, we face it. The most important thing is we don't turn, we don't go back," Widodo said in a statement released by the Cabinet Secretariat.

Widodo repeated his longstanding stance that Southeast Asia's largest economy should be exporting less raw materials and more processed goods to create more added value and jobs at home.

Indonesia - the world's biggest nickel ore producer has become a major exporter of stainless steel since Widodo adopted a stricter export policy on nickel ore. It has also seen a surge in foreign investment in smelting, particularly from China.

The European Union lodged its complaint last month over Indonesia's curbs on exporting nickel and other raw materials to the benefit of its own smelting and stainless steel industries.

"For our national interest, whatever is being protested by other countries we will face. We don't have any doubt," Widodo said.

The president is now pushing for the development of electric vehicles and battery production facilities that would use its nickel ore supply.

President Joko Widodo warned on Thursday that there would be no going back on his policy to curb exports of nickel ore and other minerals, and Indonesia would defend itself against a complaint lodged with the World Trade Organisation by the European Union.

President Joko Widodo warned on Thursday that there would be no going back on his policy to curb exports of nickel ore and other minerals, and Indonesia would defend itself against a complaint lodged with the World Trade Organisation by the European Union. In September, resource-rich Indonesia announced it would stop nickel ore exports from January 1, two years earlier than initially indicated, a decision set to disrupt global supply. "When we're sued, we face it. The most important thing is we don't turn, we don't go back," Widodo said in a statement released by the Cabinet Secretariat. Widodo repeated his longstanding stance that Southeast Asia's largest economy should be exporting less raw materials and more processed goods to create more added value and jobs at home. Indonesia - the world's biggest nickel ore producer has become a major exporter of stainless steel since Widodo adopted a stricter export policy on nickel ore. It has also seen a surge in foreign investment in smelting, particularly from China. The European Union lodged its complaint last month over Indonesia's curbs on exporting nickel and other raw materials to the benefit of its own smelting and stainless steel industries. "For our national interest, whatever is being protested by other countries we will face. We don't have any doubt," Widodo said. The president is now pushing for the development of electric vehicles and battery production facilities that would use its nickel ore supply.

Indonesia president defends nickel export curbs after European Union complaint at World Trade Organisation

The European Union confirmed tariffs on Indonesian biodiesel imports on Monday to counter what it sees as unfair subsidies, the latest blow to producers after the bloc ruled that palm oil should be phased out of renewable transport fuels.

In the conclusion to a case that has lasted seven years, the duties, which normally remain in place for five years, have been set at between 8% and 18%, the same level as the provisional rates proposed by the EU in August.

The EU biodiesel market is worth an estimated 9 billion euros ($10 billion) a year, with imports from Indonesia worth about 400 million euros, the European Commission said.

Indonesian producers sold at unfairly low prices, the Commission, which coordinates trade policy for the EU, said, adding that its investigation found they benefit from grants, tax benefits and access to raw materials below market prices.

This was driving EU producers into losses, it added.

Master Parulian Tumanggor, chairman of Indonesia's biofuel producers association, told Reuters his group would ask the government to file a legal challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The EU and China are Indonesia's biggest markets for its biodiesel exports and the Indonesian government has threatened to impose its own tariffs on EU dairy products amid fraught relations with the bloc.

The EU said in March that Indonesian palm plantations were contributing to deforestation and said palm oil should no longer be used in renewable fuels.

It has also imposed anti-subsidy duties on Argentine biodiesel producers, although they have tariff-free access for about 1.2 million tonnes as long as they sell no lower than a set minimum price.

The EU began looking into biodiesel from both major producers in 2012 and imposed anti-dumping duties on companies in 2013. However, the firms subsequently won challenges at the European Court of Justice and the WTO.

This prompted the EU to remove duties on most biodiesel imports from the two countries, but the Commission also started an investigation into possible unfair subsidies.

The European Union confirmed tariffs on Indonesian biodiesel imports on Monday to counter what it sees as unfair subsidies, the latest blow to producers after the bloc ruled that palm oil should be phased out of renewable transport fuels.

The European Union confirmed tariffs on Indonesian biodiesel imports on Monday to counter what it sees as unfair subsidies, the latest blow to producers after the bloc ruled that palm oil should be phased out of renewable transport fuels. In the conclusion to a case that has lasted seven years, the duties, which normally remain in place for five years, have been set at between 8% and 18%, the same level as the provisional rates proposed by the EU in August. The EU biodiesel market is worth an estimated 9 billion euros ($10 billion) a year, with imports from Indonesia worth about 400 million euros, the European Commission said. Indonesian producers sold at unfairly low prices, the Commission, which coordinates trade policy for the EU, said, adding that its investigation found they benefit from grants, tax benefits and access to raw materials below market prices. This was driving EU producers into losses, it added. Master Parulian Tumanggor, chairman of Indonesia's biofuel producers association, told Reuters his group would ask the government to file a legal challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU and China are Indonesia's biggest markets for its biodiesel exports and the Indonesian government has threatened to impose its own tariffs on EU dairy products amid fraught relations with the bloc. The EU said in March that Indonesian palm plantations were contributing to deforestation and said palm oil should no longer be used in renewable fuels. It has also imposed anti-subsidy duties on Argentine biodiesel producers, although they have tariff-free access for about 1.2 million tonnes as long as they sell no lower than a set minimum price. The EU began looking into biodiesel from both major producers in 2012 and imposed anti-dumping duties on companies in 2013. However, the firms subsequently won challenges at the European Court of Justice and the WTO. This prompted the EU to remove duties on most biodiesel imports from the two countries, but the Commission also started an investigation into possible unfair subsidies.

EU hits Indonesian biodiesel with import duties over subsidies

A suspected smoke grenade explosion on Tuesday at&nbsp;Indonesia's National Monument park, near the presidential palace in central Jakarta, injured at least two military officials, the capital's top police official said.

President Joko Widodo was not at the palace at the time of the blast, a presidential spokesman said.

It was not immediately clear if the blast resulted from a sectarian attack, but&nbsp;Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has suffered a resurgence in homegrown militancy in recent years.

The park explosion was suspected to have been caused by a smoke grenade, and two injured military officials had been taken to hospital, Jakarta's police chief, Gatot Eddy Pramono, told a televised news conference.

The two injured officers were doing exercises in the park at the time, Jakarta military chief Eko Margiyono added.

Asked if the blast was the result of an attack, Pramono responded, "We haven't concluded so, because we're still investigating."

Earlier, Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono told Kompas TV

"There was a blast, but we're still checking what the source was." He added, "Injured victims have been taken to hospital," but did not elaborate.

Last month, six people were wounded after a 24-year-old university student blew himself up outside police headquarters in the&nbsp;Indonesian city of Medan.

The attack was linked to the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), responsible for a series of attacks across the country.

In October, a suspected Islamist stabbed and wounded former security minister Wiranto at a function to open a university building. Wiranto, who uses just one name, like many&nbsp;Indonesians, had to have surgery but has since left the hospital.

A suspected smoke grenade explosion on Tuesday at Indonesia's National Monument park, near the presidential palace in central Jakarta, injured at least two military officials, the capital's top police official said.

A suspected smoke grenade explosion on Tuesday at Indonesia's National Monument park, near the presidential palace in central Jakarta, injured at least two military officials, the capital's top police official said. President Joko Widodo was not at the palace at the time of the blast, a presidential spokesman said. It was not immediately clear if the blast resulted from a sectarian attack, but Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has suffered a resurgence in homegrown militancy in recent years. The park explosion was suspected to have been caused by a smoke grenade, and two injured military officials had been taken to hospital, Jakarta's police chief, Gatot Eddy Pramono, told a televised news conference. The two injured officers were doing exercises in the park at the time, Jakarta military chief Eko Margiyono added. Asked if the blast was the result of an attack, Pramono responded, "We haven't concluded so, because we're still investigating." Earlier, Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono told Kompas TV "There was a blast, but we're still checking what the source was." He added, "Injured victims have been taken to hospital," but did not elaborate. Last month, six people were wounded after a 24-year-old university student blew himself up outside police headquarters in the Indonesian city of Medan. The attack was linked to the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), responsible for a series of attacks across the country. In October, a suspected Islamist stabbed and wounded former security minister Wiranto at a function to open a university building. Wiranto, who uses just one name, like many Indonesians, had to have surgery but has since left the hospital.

Indonesia: Two hurt in suspected grenade blast near presidential palace

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-forest-fires-surge-stoking-global-warming-fears-249212">Fires in Indonesia</a> that spread a smoky haze over Southeast Asia this year burned at least 1.6 million hectares of mostly degraded land and carbon-rich peatlands, data from a respected research group showed on Monday.

Southeast Asia has suffered for years from smoke caused by fires in Indonesia, raising health and environmental concerns, but this year's were the worst since 2015 when 2.6 million hectares were burned.

Slash-and-burn clearing by some palm oil growers is often blamed for the fires, which can then spread rapidly, especially during dry weather.

The Indonesian fires have been blamed for increasing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation that can endanger wildlife such as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mother-and-baby-orangutans-relocated-from-indonesia-forest-fire-255949">orangutans</a>.

Jakarta-based Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) said its analysis of satellite imagery from the first ten months of the year showed much of the fires was in lands cleared years ago.

"We found that 76 per cent&nbsp;of burning occurred on idle lands. Those lands were forests a few years ago, but cycles of repeated burns have converted them to unproductive degraded scrublands," CIFOR scientists led by David Gaveau said in a statement.

About 3 per cent&nbsp;of the fires occurred on oil palm plantations.

Peatlands accounted for 41 per cent&nbsp;of the total land burned, or 670,000 hectares, in Indonesia this year, the CIFOR data showed.

The scientists estimated around 60,000 hectares of rainforests were burnt this year as of October.

The Jambi and West Kalimantan provinces, which are important habitats for tigers and orangutans, saw some of the highest number of fires, they said.

Their 1.6 million hectare estimate of burnt land is based on an analysis across seven provinces.

Indonesia's environment and forestry ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the CIFOR data. But an official had said earlier this year that 857,756 hectares of land burnt as of end-September.

Fires in Indonesia that spread a smoky haze over Southeast Asia this year burned at least 1.6 million hectares of mostly degraded land and carbon-rich peatlands, data from a respected research group showed on Monday.

Fires in Indonesia that spread a smoky haze over Southeast Asia this year burned at least 1.6 million hectares of mostly degraded land and carbon-rich peatlands, data from a respected research group showed on Monday. Southeast Asia has suffered for years from smoke caused by fires in Indonesia, raising health and environmental concerns, but this year's were the worst since 2015 when 2.6 million hectares were burned. Slash-and-burn clearing by some palm oil growers is often blamed for the fires, which can then spread rapidly, especially during dry weather. The Indonesian fires have been blamed for increasing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation that can endanger wildlife such as orangutans. Jakarta-based Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) said its analysis of satellite imagery from the first ten months of the year showed much of the fires was in lands cleared years ago. "We found that 76 per cent of burning occurred on idle lands. Those lands were forests a few years ago, but cycles of repeated burns have converted them to unproductive degraded scrublands," CIFOR scientists led by David Gaveau said in a statement. About 3 per cent of the fires occurred on oil palm plantations. Peatlands accounted for 41 per cent of the total land burned, or 670,000 hectares, in Indonesia this year, the CIFOR data showed. The scientists estimated around 60,000 hectares of rainforests were burnt this year as of October. The Jambi and West Kalimantan provinces, which are important habitats for tigers and orangutans, saw some of the highest number of fires, they said. Their 1.6 million hectare estimate of burnt land is based on an analysis across seven provinces. Indonesia's environment and forestry ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the CIFOR data. But an official had said earlier this year that 857,756 hectares of land burnt as of end-September.

Indonesian fires burnt 1.6 million hectares of land this year: Researchers

Rising seawater levels threaten livelihoods and homes in Indonesia's Java

Dozens of Chinese nationals have been arrested in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../one-dead-six-injured-in-suicide-bombing-at- indonesian-police-station-261872">Indonesia</a> over an online scam that bilked victims out of millions of dollars, authorities said Tuesday.

Acting on a tip-off from their Chinese counterparts, Indonesian police said they conducted a half dozen raids Monday evening in the capital Jakarta and Malang city, arresting 85 Chinese nationals and six Indonesians.

The roundup comes several days after almost 700 Chinese nationals were arrested in neighbouring Malaysia where authorities raided a building and busted a major online investment scam operation.

It was not immediately clear if the busts were related.

On Tuesday, Indonesian police said the suspects targeted victims in mainland <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../china-summons-us-ambassador-over-hong- kong-rights-bill-264512">China</a> and netted some 36 billion rupiah ($2.6 million) over a period of four months. They did not say how many people were scammed.

"They pretended to be police or prosecutors and called their victims, telling them that they had legal problems and demanded money to settle the issue," said Jakarta police chief Gatot Eddy Pramono.

"Some of them also pretended to be bankers offering investments," he added.

Police also seized evidence including laptops and computers, Gatot said.

Some scammers have moved to Indonesia and other regional countries after China cracked down on their networks, according to Gatot.

Dozens of Chinese nationals have been arrested in Indonesia over an online scam that bilked victims out of millions of dollars, authorities said Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off from their Chinese counterparts, Indonesian police said they conducted a half dozen raids Monday evening in the capital Jakarta and Malang city, arresting 85 Chinese nationals and six Indonesians.

Dozens of Chinese nationals have been arrested in Indonesia over an online scam that bilked victims out of millions of dollars, authorities said Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off from their Chinese counterparts, Indonesian police said they conducted a half dozen raids Monday evening in the capital Jakarta and Malang city, arresting 85 Chinese nationals and six Indonesians. The roundup comes several days after almost 700 Chinese nationals were arrested in neighbouring Malaysia where authorities raided a building and busted a major online investment scam operation. It was not immediately clear if the busts were related. On Tuesday, Indonesian police said the suspects targeted victims in mainland China and netted some 36 billion rupiah ($2.6 million) over a period of four months. They did not say how many people were scammed. "They pretended to be police or prosecutors and called their victims, telling them that they had legal problems and demanded money to settle the issue," said Jakarta police chief Gatot Eddy Pramono. "Some of them also pretended to be bankers offering investments," he added. Police also seized evidence including laptops and computers, Gatot said. Some scammers have moved to Indonesia and other regional countries after China cracked down on their networks, according to Gatot.

Indonesia arrests dozens of Chinese over online scam

Indonesia's unique plan to keep kids off mobile phones. The idea is to keep kids hooked with pets rather than gadgets. Watch this complete video to find out more in the details.

Indonesia's unique plan to keep kids off mobile phones

A powerful earthquake struck near <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-six-injured-in-suicide-bombing-at-indonesian-police-station-261872">Indonesia's Moluccas islands</a> on Thursday, prompting panicked residents to flee to higher ground, though a tsunami alert was later lifted and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The quake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicentre in the sea was 139 km northwest of the city of Ternate at a depth of 45 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 20 aftershocks occurred.

Indonesia's geophysics agency lifted the tsunami warning after two hours because it detected only small waves in Ternate, Jailolo and Bitung.

Miftahudin, an official in Jailolo in the Halmahera area of the Moluccas, said residents had fled to the hills.

"After the earthquakes, there was an electricity blackout," he told news portal Tribunnews. There had been no reports of fatalities or damage in the area, he said.

The quake was also felt strongly on the island of Sulawesi, to the west of the epicentre, where authorities urged people to move to higher ground and stay away from the beaches.

Indah Lengkong, a resident of the port city of Bitung in North Sulawesi, said by text message: "The house was visibly shaking."

People in her neighbourhood had initially panicked, she said, adding: "The quake was very strong and lasted for a while. We can still feel tremors but weaker."

Tremors shook buildings in cities across North Sulawesi.

Indonesia is situated on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which frequently has earthquakes and sometimes accompanying tsunamis.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake had struck the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-suicide-attack-in-indonesia-1-dead-261709">Moluccas islands</a> in July, killing at least four people. The most devastating in recent Indonesian history was on December&nbsp;26 2004 when a magnitude 9.5 quake triggered a massive tsunami that killed around 226,000 people along the shorelines of the Indian Ocean, including more than 126,000 in Indonesia.

Last year, a tsunami hit the city of Palu in Sulawesi, killing thousands.

A powerful earthquake struck near Indonesia's Moluccas islands on Thursday, prompting panicked residents to flee to higher ground, though a tsunami alert was later lifted and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

A powerful earthquake struck near Indonesia's Moluccas islands on Thursday, prompting panicked residents to flee to higher ground, though a tsunami alert was later lifted and there were no immediate reports of casualties. The quake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicentre in the sea was 139 km northwest of the city of Ternate at a depth of 45 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 20 aftershocks occurred. Indonesia's geophysics agency lifted the tsunami warning after two hours because it detected only small waves in Ternate, Jailolo and Bitung. Miftahudin, an official in Jailolo in the Halmahera area of the Moluccas, said residents had fled to the hills. "After the earthquakes, there was an electricity blackout," he told news portal Tribunnews. There had been no reports of fatalities or damage in the area, he said. The quake was also felt strongly on the island of Sulawesi, to the west of the epicentre, where authorities urged people to move to higher ground and stay away from the beaches. Indah Lengkong, a resident of the port city of Bitung in North Sulawesi, said by text message: "The house was visibly shaking." People in her neighbourhood had initially panicked, she said, adding: "The quake was very strong and lasted for a while. We can still feel tremors but weaker." Tremors shook buildings in cities across North Sulawesi. Indonesia is situated on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which frequently has earthquakes and sometimes accompanying tsunamis. A magnitude 7.3 earthquake had struck the Moluccas islands in July, killing at least four people. The most devastating in recent Indonesian history was on December 26 2004 when a magnitude 9.5 quake triggered a massive tsunami that killed around 226,000 people along the shorelines of the Indian Ocean, including more than 126,000 in Indonesia. Last year, a tsunami hit the city of Palu in Sulawesi, killing thousands.

Indonesia lifts tsunami alert after powerful earthquake causes panic

A suspected suicide bombing outside a police station in Indonesia has left at least one attacker dead, authorities said Wednesday.

The explosion happened around 8:45 am local time (0145 GMT) at a police compound in Medan on Sumatra island.&nbsp;

"We suspect this is a suicide bombing with one attacker killed," national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta.

An AFP reporter at the scene saw a body lying on the ground outside the station.

A police source who did not want to be named told AFP that the attack was perpetrated by at least two suicide bombers, but that was not officially confirmed.

Unconfirmed local media reports said at least one police officer had been rushed to hospital after the bombing but that their condition was not immediately known.

In August, Indonesian authorities shot and arrested a suspected militant who attacked police officers at a station in the country's second-biggest city Surabaya. 
&nbsp;

A suspected suicide bombing outside a police station in Indonesia has left at least one attacker dead, authorities said Wednesday. The explosion happened around 8:45 am local time (0145 GMT) at a police compound in Medan on Sumatra island.

A suspected suicide bombing outside a police station in Indonesia has left at least one attacker dead, authorities said Wednesday. The explosion happened around 8:45 am local time (0145 GMT) at a police compound in Medan on Sumatra island. "We suspect this is a suicide bombing with one attacker killed," national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta. An AFP reporter at the scene saw a body lying on the ground outside the station. A police source who did not want to be named told AFP that the attack was perpetrated by at least two suicide bombers, but that was not officially confirmed. Unconfirmed local media reports said at least one police officer had been rushed to hospital after the bombing but that their condition was not immediately known. In August, Indonesian authorities shot and arrested a suspected militant who attacked police officers at a station in the country's second-biggest city Surabaya.

Suspected suicide attack in Indonesia; 1 dead

More than 1,000 cholera-stricken pigs have been buried in Indonesia after their decaying carcasses were plucked from local waterways, a government official said Tuesday.

Hundreds of more swines are still floating in rivers and a lake near Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province, as police search for suspects who discarded their bodies.

"They were abandoned about eight days ago so they're decaying and it smelled very bad," local official Muhammad Yunus told AFP.

"We will keep cleaning them up and burying the carcasses until they're gone because people have been complaining about it," he added.

Some 6,000 pigs have died across North Sumatra since September with many dumped into local waterways.

Lab tests found that the animals died of hog cholera but officials said they are also testing to see if any were stricken with African swine fever.&nbsp;Neither are believed to pose a risk to humans.

In 2017, a hog cholera outbreak in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province killed more than 10,000 pigs, causing severe financial losses for local farmers.

More than 1,000 cholera-stricken pigs have been buried in Indonesia after their decaying carcasses were plucked from local waterways, a government official said Tuesday.

More than 1,000 cholera-stricken pigs have been buried in Indonesia after their decaying carcasses were plucked from local waterways, a government official said Tuesday. Hundreds of more swines are still floating in rivers and a lake near Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province, as police search for suspects who discarded their bodies. "They were abandoned about eight days ago so they're decaying and it smelled very bad," local official Muhammad Yunus told AFP. "We will keep cleaning them up and burying the carcasses until they're gone because people have been complaining about it," he added. Some 6,000 pigs have died across North Sumatra since September with many dumped into local waterways. Lab tests found that the animals died of hog cholera but officials said they are also testing to see if any were stricken with African swine fever. Neither are believed to pose a risk to humans. In 2017, a hog cholera outbreak in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province killed more than 10,000 pigs, causing severe financial losses for local farmers.

Indonesia buries over 1,000 cholera-hit pigs

An Indonesian palm oil executive has been arrested for allegedly ordering the killing two activist journalists who were mediating a land dispute between his company and local residents, police said Saturday.

Maraden Sianipar's body was found last week in a ditch near a palm plantation in Labuhan Batu in North Sumatra province.

Police found the remains of his colleague, Maratua Siregar, in the same area a day later. Both had been stabbed multiple times.

On Saturday, North Sumatra authorities said they had arrested businessman Wibharry Padmoasmolo for allegedly masterminding the plot by paying nearing $3,000 to four men to commit the killings.

Padmoasmolo owns a firm that produces palm oil,&nbsp;a widely used vegetable oil found in everything from soap to chocolate,&nbsp;which was in a dispute with locals that the two victims were advocating for, police said.

The killings were aimed at stopping the pair's involvement, according to authorities, who added that Padmoasmolo has denied owning the firm under questioning.

In all, five people have been arrested in connection with the murder plot and police said they're still searching for several more suspects still at large.

"We are looking for the three, while the five other suspects have been detained for further questioning," said North Sumatra police chief Agus Andrianto.

Victims Sianipar and Maratua worked together for a local online news portal before going freelance in 2017.

A friend of Siregar said they had recently become known for their activism in land disputes,&nbsp;a common source of conflict across the resource-rich Southeast Asian archipelago.

The friend said Siregar was active in an organisation that advocated for residents in the dispute.

Many cases of violence against journalists in Indonesia go unsolved, according to the Independent Journalists Alliance, which has reported at least two dozen cases this year alone.

Indonesia is ranked 124th out of 180 countries on the 2019 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

An Indonesian palm oil executive has been arrested for allegedly ordering the killing two activist journalists who were mediating a land dispute between his company and local residents, police said Saturday.

An Indonesian palm oil executive has been arrested for allegedly ordering the killing two activist journalists who were mediating a land dispute between his company and local residents, police said Saturday. Maraden Sianipar's body was found last week in a ditch near a palm plantation in Labuhan Batu in North Sumatra province. Police found the remains of his colleague, Maratua Siregar, in the same area a day later. Both had been stabbed multiple times. On Saturday, North Sumatra authorities said they had arrested businessman Wibharry Padmoasmolo for allegedly masterminding the plot by paying nearing $3,000 to four men to commit the killings. Padmoasmolo owns a firm that produces palm oil, a widely used vegetable oil found in everything from soap to chocolate, which was in a dispute with locals that the two victims were advocating for, police said. The killings were aimed at stopping the pair's involvement, according to authorities, who added that Padmoasmolo has denied owning the firm under questioning. In all, five people have been arrested in connection with the murder plot and police said they're still searching for several more suspects still at large. "We are looking for the three, while the five other suspects have been detained for further questioning," said North Sumatra police chief Agus Andrianto. Victims Sianipar and Maratua worked together for a local online news portal before going freelance in 2017. A friend of Siregar said they had recently become known for their activism in land disputes, a common source of conflict across the resource-rich Southeast Asian archipelago. The friend said Siregar was active in an organisation that advocated for residents in the dispute. Many cases of violence against journalists in Indonesia go unsolved, according to the Independent Journalists Alliance, which has reported at least two dozen cases this year alone. Indonesia is ranked 124th out of 180 countries on the 2019 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

Indonesian palm oil executive arrested over journalist killings

2019 saw the biggest protests ever in history.

2019: A year of global uprising

Pig carcasses were found in rivers and lakes on Wednesday (November 6) in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra, after more than 4,000 pigs died following an outbreak of swine fever.

Indonesia swine fever outbreak kills more than 4,000 pigs

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-jokowi-set-to-announce-new-cabinet-257602">Indonesian President Joko Widodo</a> said on Friday he had no plan to revoke a new law that critics fear could curb the powers of the country's anti-corruption agency and that has triggered nationwide demonstrations.

Passed into law in September, the revised 2002 bill governing the Corruption Eradication Commission, known by its Indonesian initials, KPK, means the agency will be overseen by a committee and no longer able to independently wiretap suspects.

Concerns over the bill that presides over the KPK has sparked nationwide protests for the past two months, during which there have been five deaths and scores injured.

Shortly after the bill was passed, Widodo had said he would consider replacing it by issuing a presidential regulation in lieu of a law.

But on Friday he told reporters he would press on with selecting members for the committee and also let the Constitutional Court decide upon a judicial review which was filed by students in the hope that the bill is dropped.

"Since the judicial review process is ongoing don't let there be a compounding legal decision," he told a meeting of reporters that was broadcast on television.

Widodo said he was currently selecting members for the overseeing committee for the KPK, with their inauguration set in December.

"We will choose those with the best credibility," he told reporters.

Mahfud MD, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-jokowi-kicks-off-fresh-term-after-wave-of-crises-256994">Indonesia's</a> security minister, also said in an interview with the Kompas TV station that he understood Widodo would not issue the regulation "because it has entered the judicial review process".

Critics of the new bill have also raised concerns about the makeup of the KPK’s new board of commissioners. Firli Bahuri, a police inspector general, will be inaugurated in December as the agency's chief. He has been accused of ethical violations during a previous attachment at the KPK, which he denies.

The KPK has prosecuted hundreds of politicians, officials and businessmen since its formation in 2002, becoming one of the country’s most respected agencies.

Adnan Topan Husodo, the coordinator of Indonesia Corruption Watch, accused Widodo of backtracking on pledges to support the fight against corruption.

"It has stopped being all about corruption eradication, and being more about politics," he said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Friday he had no plan to revoke a new law that critics fear could curb the powers of the country's anti-corruption agency and that has triggered nationwide demonstrations.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Friday he had no plan to revoke a new law that critics fear could curb the powers of the country's anti-corruption agency and that has triggered nationwide demonstrations. Passed into law in September, the revised 2002 bill governing the Corruption Eradication Commission, known by its Indonesian initials, KPK, means the agency will be overseen by a committee and no longer able to independently wiretap suspects. Concerns over the bill that presides over the KPK has sparked nationwide protests for the past two months, during which there have been five deaths and scores injured. Shortly after the bill was passed, Widodo had said he would consider replacing it by issuing a presidential regulation in lieu of a law. But on Friday he told reporters he would press on with selecting members for the committee and also let the Constitutional Court decide upon a judicial review which was filed by students in the hope that the bill is dropped. "Since the judicial review process is ongoing don't let there be a compounding legal decision," he told a meeting of reporters that was broadcast on television. Widodo said he was currently selecting members for the overseeing committee for the KPK, with their inauguration set in December. "We will choose those with the best credibility," he told reporters. Mahfud MD, Indonesia's security minister, also said in an interview with the Kompas TV station that he understood Widodo would not issue the regulation "because it has entered the judicial review process". Critics of the new bill have also raised concerns about the makeup of the KPK’s new board of commissioners. Firli Bahuri, a police inspector general, will be inaugurated in December as the agency's chief. He has been accused of ethical violations during a previous attachment at the KPK, which he denies. The KPK has prosecuted hundreds of politicians, officials and businessmen since its formation in 2002, becoming one of the country’s most respected agencies. Adnan Topan Husodo, the coordinator of Indonesia Corruption Watch, accused Widodo of backtracking on pledges to support the fight against corruption. "It has stopped being all about corruption eradication, and being more about politics," he said.

Indonesia president says no plan to drop controversial anti-graft bill

Ten people, including several teenagers, were killed in Indonesia's post-election riots, the human rights commission said Tuesday, as it accused police of beating up protesters.

In its final report on the May riots, the agency Komnas HAM said four victims were underage and most had been shot in the capital Jakarta and demonstrations in Kalimantan, Indonesia's section of Borneo island.

Indonesia's rights commission called on police to find the perpetrators, who it suspected were "actors trained, organised and professional in using guns". It did not elaborate.

"This is a tragedy," commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara told AFP.

"These are unlawful killings -- or killings that took place outside legal mechanisms -- and that violates the criminal code," he added.

The commission said it did not suspect authorities were behind the shootings.

But it accused police of using unnecessary force against protesters, including minors.

"The police used violence against children who joined the rally (in Jakarta) during which they said that they were beaten and kicked when arrested," according to the report.

A Jakarta police spokesman declined to comment, saying that authorities had yet to see the agency's report.

Supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto took to the streets after Indonesia's Joko Widodo won re-election in the world's third-biggest democracy.

Police detained some 465 people during two nights of street battles that paralysed central Jakarta, leaving hundreds injured, the rights agency said.

Also Tuesday, police on the island of Sulawesi said a half dozen officers had been slapped with three-week suspensions for bringing guns to protests last month in Kendari city, where two students died.

"They (the officers) were found guilty of not following orders by bringing firearms" to the rally, said Southeast Sulawesi police spokesman Harry Goldenhardt.

The force did not accuse officers of killing the students.

The pair died amid nationwide protests against a host of divisive legal reforms, including banning pre-marital sex and weakening the anti-graft agency.

Hundreds were injured in the demonstrations with police also accused of brutality against protesters.

Ten people, including several teenagers, were killed in Indonesia's post-election riots, the human rights commission said Tuesday, as it accused police of beating up protesters.

Ten people, including several teenagers, were killed in Indonesia's post-election riots, the human rights commission said Tuesday, as it accused police of beating up protesters. In its final report on the May riots, the agency Komnas HAM said four victims were underage and most had been shot in the capital Jakarta and demonstrations in Kalimantan, Indonesia's section of Borneo island. Indonesia's rights commission called on police to find the perpetrators, who it suspected were "actors trained, organised and professional in using guns". It did not elaborate. "This is a tragedy," commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara told AFP. "These are unlawful killings -- or killings that took place outside legal mechanisms -- and that violates the criminal code," he added. The commission said it did not suspect authorities were behind the shootings. But it accused police of using unnecessary force against protesters, including minors. "The police used violence against children who joined the rally (in Jakarta) during which they said that they were beaten and kicked when arrested," according to the report. A Jakarta police spokesman declined to comment, saying that authorities had yet to see the agency's report. Supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto took to the streets after Indonesia's Joko Widodo won re-election in the world's third-biggest democracy. Police detained some 465 people during two nights of street battles that paralysed central Jakarta, leaving hundreds injured, the rights agency said. Also Tuesday, police on the island of Sulawesi said a half dozen officers had been slapped with three-week suspensions for bringing guns to protests last month in Kendari city, where two students died. "They (the officers) were found guilty of not following orders by bringing firearms" to the rally, said Southeast Sulawesi police spokesman Harry Goldenhardt. The force did not accuse officers of killing the students. The pair died amid nationwide protests against a host of divisive legal reforms, including banning pre-marital sex and weakening the anti-graft agency. Hundreds were injured in the demonstrations with police also accused of brutality against protesters.

Ten 'unlawfully killed' in Indonesia election riots: Rights agency

Indian traders decided to boycott purchasing Malaysian palm oil after it's anti-India stand on Kashmir. Indian buyers are purchasing palm oil from Indonesia now. This put the bad impact on the Malaysian economy. Watch this video to know more.

India boycotts purchase of Malaysian palm oil after it's anti-India stand on Kashmir

Boeing, acting without adequate oversight from US&nbsp;regulators, failed to grasp risks in the design of cockpit software on its 737 MAX airliner, sowing the seeds for a Lion Air crash that also involved errors by airline workers and crew, Indonesian investigators found.

The fatal crash followed less than five months by another at Ethiopian Airlines, led to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/boeing-profit-slumps-53-as-max-grounding-takes-heavy-toll-257743">global grounding</a> of the&nbsp;Boeing&nbsp;737 MAX and a crisis for the world's biggest planemaker, which this week <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-ousts-airliner-chief-as-737-max-crisis-grows-257742">ousted its commercial</a> airplanes chief.

In its final report into the October&nbsp;29, 2018, Lion Air crash that killed all 189 people on board, Indonesia made recommendations to&nbsp;Boeing, the airline, the US&nbsp;Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies.

A copy was seen by Reuters and it is due to be released publicly later on Friday or on Saturday, an investigator said.

Indonesian regulators criticised the design of the anti-stall system known as MCAS, which automatically pushed the plane's nose down, leaving pilots fighting for control.

"The design and certification of the MCAS did not adequately consider the likelihood of loss of control of the aircraft," the report said.

Boeing&nbsp;has been working on a redesign of MCAS although it has yet to certified by the FAA.

The report also said "deficiencies" in the flight crew's communication and manual control of the aircraft contributed to the crash, as did alerts and distractions in the cockpit.

The accident had been caused by a complex chain of events, Indonesian air accident investigator Nurcahyo Utomo told reporters at a news conference, repeatedly declining to be drawn on providing a single dominant cause.

"From what we know, there are nine things that contributed to this accident," he said. "If one of the nine hadn't occurred, maybe the accident wouldn't have occurred."

During the flight, the first officer was unable to quickly identify a checklist in a handbook or perform tasks he should have had memorised, it said, adding that he had also performed poorly in training exercises.

The captain did not properly brief the first officer when handing over control just before the plane entered a fatal dive, it also said.

The report noted that according to the cockpit voice recorder, the first officer told the captain the flight was not in his initial schedule and he had been called at 4 a.m. to be informed of the revision, while the captain said he had the flu.

A critical angle of attack (AOA) sensor providing data to the MCAS anti-stall system had been miscalibrated by a company in Florida and that there were strong indications that it was not tested during installation by Lion Air maintenance staff, the report said.

Lion Air should have grounded the jet following faults on earlier flights, it said, and added that 31 pages were missing from the airline's October maintenance logs.

A Lion Air spokesman said the crash was an "unthinkable tragedy" and it was essential to take immediate corrective actions to ensure a similar accident never occurred again.

Boeing&nbsp;said in a statement that it was addressing Indonesia's safety recommendations and taking actions to enhance the safety of the 737 MAX.

FAA said it welcomed the report's recommendations and would carefully consider them and all others as it continued to review&nbsp;Boeing's proposed changes to the 737 MAX.

Boeing&nbsp;faces a slew of investigations by regulators, US&nbsp;Congress, and the Department of Justice over its development of the 737 MAX, its previously best-selling workhorse for short-haul travel.

Boeing&nbsp;last month settled the first claims stemming from the Lion Air crash, a US&nbsp;plaintiffs' lawyer said.

Three other sources told Reuters that families of those killed would receive at least $1.2 million each.

The manufacturer is facing nearly 100 lawsuits over the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 which killed all 157 people on board the flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi.

Indonesia has offered to aid Ethiopian authorities in their investigation into that crash but to date there has been no response, said Soerjanto, the head of Indonesia's accident investigator.

Boeing&nbsp;CEO Dennis Muilenburg said this week the company was making "daily" progress on testing the final software fix for the 737 MAX and developing related training materials. The FAA has said it would need at least several more weeks for review.

The Indonesia report said that&nbsp;Boeing's safety assessment assumed pilots would respond within three seconds of a system malfunction but on the accident flight and one that experienced the same problem the previous evening, it took both crews about eight seconds to respond.

It called for the systems to be designed not just for highly skilled test pilots but also for regular commercial airline pilots.

The FAA had delegated increasing authority to&nbsp;Boeing&nbsp;to certify the safety of its own aircraft, Indonesian investigators said in the report, recommending that all certification processes received adequate oversight.

A panel of international air safety regulators this month also faulted&nbsp;Boeing&nbsp;for assumptions it made in designing the 737 MAX and found areas where&nbsp;Boeing&nbsp;could improve processes.

Boeing, acting without adequate oversight from US regulators, failed to grasp risks in the design of cockpit software on its 737 MAX airliner, sowing the seeds for a Lion Air crash that also involved errors by airline workers and crew, Indonesian investigators found.

Boeing, acting without adequate oversight from US regulators, failed to grasp risks in the design of cockpit software on its 737 MAX airliner, sowing the seeds for a Lion Air crash that also involved errors by airline workers and crew, Indonesian investigators found. The fatal crash followed less than five months by another at Ethiopian Airlines, led to a global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX and a crisis for the world's biggest planemaker, which this week ousted its commercial airplanes chief. In its final report into the October 29, 2018, Lion Air crash that killed all 189 people on board, Indonesia made recommendations to Boeing, the airline, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies. A copy was seen by Reuters and it is due to be released publicly later on Friday or on Saturday, an investigator said. Indonesian regulators criticised the design of the anti-stall system known as MCAS, which automatically pushed the plane's nose down, leaving pilots fighting for control. "The design and certification of the MCAS did not adequately consider the likelihood of loss of control of the aircraft," the report said. Boeing has been working on a redesign of MCAS although it has yet to certified by the FAA. The report also said "deficiencies" in the flight crew's communication and manual control of the aircraft contributed to the crash, as did alerts and distractions in the cockpit. The accident had been caused by a complex chain of events, Indonesian air accident investigator Nurcahyo Utomo told reporters at a news conference, repeatedly declining to be drawn on providing a single dominant cause. "From what we know, there are nine things that contributed to this accident," he said. "If one of the nine hadn't occurred, maybe the accident wouldn't have occurred." During the flight, the first officer was unable to quickly identify a checklist in a handbook or perform tasks he should have had memorised, it said, adding that he had also performed poorly in training exercises. The captain did not properly brief the first officer when handing over control just before the plane entered a fatal dive, it also said. The report noted that according to the cockpit voice recorder, the first officer told the captain the flight was not in his initial schedule and he had been called at 4 a.m. to be informed of the revision, while the captain said he had the flu. A critical angle of attack (AOA) sensor providing data to the MCAS anti-stall system had been miscalibrated by a company in Florida and that there were strong indications that it was not tested during installation by Lion Air maintenance staff, the report said. Lion Air should have grounded the jet following faults on earlier flights, it said, and added that 31 pages were missing from the airline's October maintenance logs. A Lion Air spokesman said the crash was an "unthinkable tragedy" and it was essential to take immediate corrective actions to ensure a similar accident never occurred again. Boeing said in a statement that it was addressing Indonesia's safety recommendations and taking actions to enhance the safety of the 737 MAX. FAA said it welcomed the report's recommendations and would carefully consider them and all others as it continued to review Boeing's proposed changes to the 737 MAX. Boeing faces a slew of investigations by regulators, US Congress, and the Department of Justice over its development of the 737 MAX, its previously best-selling workhorse for short-haul travel. Boeing last month settled the first claims stemming from the Lion Air crash, a US plaintiffs' lawyer said. Three other sources told Reuters that families of those killed would receive at least $1.2 million each. The manufacturer is facing nearly 100 lawsuits over the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 which killed all 157 people on board the flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. Indonesia has offered to aid Ethiopian authorities in their investigation into that crash but to date there has been no response, said Soerjanto, the head of Indonesia's accident investigator. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said this week the company was making "daily" progress on testing the final software fix for the 737 MAX and developing related training materials. The FAA has said it would need at least several more weeks for review. The Indonesia report said that Boeing's safety assessment assumed pilots would respond within three seconds of a system malfunction but on the accident flight and one that experienced the same problem the previous evening, it took both crews about eight seconds to respond. It called for the systems to be designed not just for highly skilled test pilots but also for regular commercial airline pilots. The FAA had delegated increasing authority to Boeing to certify the safety of its own aircraft, Indonesian investigators said in the report, recommending that all certification processes received adequate oversight. A panel of international air safety regulators this month also faulted Boeing for assumptions it made in designing the 737 MAX and found areas where Boeing could improve processes.

Indonesia report on 737 MAX crash faults Boeing design, says Lion Air made mistakes

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-president-targets-innovative-cabinet-taps-gojek-ceo-257279">Indonesian President Joko Widodo</a> unveiled his cabinet for a second term on Wednesday, retaining former World Bank economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and tapping the leader of the opposition as he seeks to push through reforms.

The CEO and co-founder of ride-sharing and payments firm Gojek as well as a former chairman of Inter Milan soccer club were also named to the cabinet, confirming earlier reports.

The make-up of the cabinet was being closely watched to see how many technocrats - who are more likely to fall in with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-jokowi-kicks-off-fresh-term-after-wave-of-crises-256994">Widodo</a>'s plans for boosting growth and investment - were included. In the end, around half of his cabinet of 34 ministers were technocrats with the others having ties to political parties.

"First don't be corrupt, create a clean system. Second, no separate ministerial vision and mission, only the presidential vision and mission," Widodo said while seated on the steps of the palace flanked by his ministers.

Indonesia last month saw the biggest student demonstrations in decades opposing new bills that critics say undermine the fight against corruption and threaten basic rights.

Widodo picked former industry minister Airlangga Hartarto to head his economic team while confirming the reappointment of Indrawati as finance minister, who has now served in various administrations.

After meeting Widodo at the palace a day earlier, Indrawati said she had agreed to ensure policies supported the president's priorities such as improving human resources, creating jobs and executing government budgets well.

Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general who was opposition leader in Widodo's first term and sole challenger in April's bitterly fought poll, will serve as defence minister, Widodo said.

"I don’t need to tell you about his role. He knows more than me," said Widodo, referring to Prabowo, who used to head the country's special forces and has been accused by human rights activists of abuses against civilians.

His cabinet inclusion is controversial for many supporters of Widodo as well. Prabowo had initially refused to concede defeat in April's vote, going to the constitutional court citing systematic fraud and abuse of power.

He was Widodo's main rival in the 2014 presidential election as well and had also challenged that result.

Political appointees

But after the court ruled against him this year he met Widodo on a number of occasions, including during a well-publicised ride together on Jakarta's new subway system.

With his entry into the cabinet, Widodo should now have the support of about 74% of the seats in parliament, including Prabowo's Gerindra Party.

Yose Rizal Damuri at Jakarta's Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the presence of political party representatives in the cabinet remained significant, and could hinder Widodo's reform campaign.

"Party representatives may have mandates from their own parties," he said noting that in Widodo's first term "everyone had their own agenda" in the cabinet.

Gojek CEO Nadiem Makarim was named education and culture minister.

Among other important economic posts, Arifin Tasrif, a former head of the state fertilizer maker, was named a minister of energy and mineral resources. Erick Thohir, a billionaire businessman who was chairman of Inter Milan and ran Widodo's re-election campaign, was allotted the minister of state-owned enterprises post.

The president's long-term ally Luhut Pandjaitan retained his role as coordinating minister for maritime affairs, which also oversees the natural resources sector and investment.

Pandjaitan, who spearheaded an acceleration of a nickel ore export ban this year, said on Tuesday Widodo had asked him to continue to expand mineral processing, improve investment in petrochemicals and cut "inefficiencies" in the state energy company Pertamina.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo unveiled his cabinet for a second term on Wednesday, retaining former World Bank economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and tapping the leader of the opposition as he seeks to push through reforms.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo unveiled his cabinet for a second term on Wednesday, retaining former World Bank economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and tapping the leader of the opposition as he seeks to push through reforms. The CEO and co-founder of ride-sharing and payments firm Gojek as well as a former chairman of Inter Milan soccer club were also named to the cabinet, confirming earlier reports. The make-up of the cabinet was being closely watched to see how many technocrats - who are more likely to fall in with Widodo's plans for boosting growth and investment - were included. In the end, around half of his cabinet of 34 ministers were technocrats with the others having ties to political parties. "First don't be corrupt, create a clean system. Second, no separate ministerial vision and mission, only the presidential vision and mission," Widodo said while seated on the steps of the palace flanked by his ministers. Indonesia last month saw the biggest student demonstrations in decades opposing new bills that critics say undermine the fight against corruption and threaten basic rights. Widodo picked former industry minister Airlangga Hartarto to head his economic team while confirming the reappointment of Indrawati as finance minister, who has now served in various administrations. After meeting Widodo at the palace a day earlier, Indrawati said she had agreed to ensure policies supported the president's priorities such as improving human resources, creating jobs and executing government budgets well. Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general who was opposition leader in Widodo's first term and sole challenger in April's bitterly fought poll, will serve as defence minister, Widodo said. "I don’t need to tell you about his role. He knows more than me," said Widodo, referring to Prabowo, who used to head the country's special forces and has been accused by human rights activists of abuses against civilians. His cabinet inclusion is controversial for many supporters of Widodo as well. Prabowo had initially refused to concede defeat in April's vote, going to the constitutional court citing systematic fraud and abuse of power. He was Widodo's main rival in the 2014 presidential election as well and had also challenged that result. Political appointees But after the court ruled against him this year he met Widodo on a number of occasions, including during a well-publicised ride together on Jakarta's new subway system. With his entry into the cabinet, Widodo should now have the support of about 74% of the seats in parliament, including Prabowo's Gerindra Party. Yose Rizal Damuri at Jakarta's Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the presence of political party representatives in the cabinet remained significant, and could hinder Widodo's reform campaign. "Party representatives may have mandates from their own parties," he said noting that in Widodo's first term "everyone had their own agenda" in the cabinet. Gojek CEO Nadiem Makarim was named education and culture minister. Among other important economic posts, Arifin Tasrif, a former head of the state fertilizer maker, was named a minister of energy and mineral resources. Erick Thohir, a billionaire businessman who was chairman of Inter Milan and ran Widodo's re-election campaign, was allotted the minister of state-owned enterprises post. The president's long-term ally Luhut Pandjaitan retained his role as coordinating minister for maritime affairs, which also oversees the natural resources sector and investment. Pandjaitan, who spearheaded an acceleration of a nickel ore export ban this year, said on Tuesday Widodo had asked him to continue to expand mineral processing, improve investment in petrochemicals and cut "inefficiencies" in the state energy company Pertamina.

Indonesia cabinet unveiled, includes president's main rival

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/indonesia-president-targets-innovative-cabinet-taps-gojek-ceo-257279">Indonesia's Joko Widodo</a> is set to announce a new cabinet Wednesday in a line-up that could include his election arch-rival, a multi-billion-dollar startup co-founder and the former owner of Inter Milan.

Widodo, popularly known as <a href="http://wionews.com/world/indonesias-jokowi-kicks-off-fresh-term-after-wave-of-crises-256994">Jokowi</a>, beat Prabowo Subianto -- a former military general accused of rights violations -- in April elections to secure another term as president of the world's third-biggest democracy.

The victory followed a bitter campaign plagued by fake news online and claims from Subianto that the government staged a "massive, systematic and fraudulent" election, which sparked deadly post-poll riots.

But the pair have since appeared together in apparently friendly public meetings, including on Monday when Subianto, 68, hinted that he and another member of his Gerindra party were tapped for top government posts.

"We've been asked to strengthen his cabinet and I earlier said that we, Gerindra, were ready to help if asked," Subianto told reporters in Jakarta.

"(Jokowi) allowed me to say that he asked me to help in the defence sector," he added, without elaborating.

Senior Gerindra official Edhy Prabowo told AFP that the potential job for Subianto was defence minister.

Jokowi has yet to confirm any ministerial appointment.

At least nine people were killed in Jakarta's post-election riots, which included Subianto supporters.

A rights group warned against appointing the former general to a top public job.

"It would be a dark day for human rights in this country" if Subianto is appointed, said Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid.

Subianto, a former son-in-law of Indonesia's late dictator Suharto, was accused of rights violations -- including the kidnapping and disappearance of several pro-democracy activists -- in the lead up to massive street demonstrations that brought down the regime in 1998.

Subianto has never been charged in relation to the allegations.

Among dozens of other posts, former World Bank managing director Sri Mulyani Indrawati was widely expected to serve another term as finance minister.

Nadiem Makarim, 35, co-founder of ride-hailing startup Gojek, told reporters Monday that he'd been tipped for an unspecified ministerial post. Makarim has announced his resignation from running a firm valued at some $10 billion.

Media mogul Erick Thohir -- a former owner of Italian football club Inter Milan and the 2018 Asian Games organising committee chief -- is also widely expected to land a cabinet job.

Indonesia's Joko Widodo is set to announce a new cabinet Wednesday in a line-up that could include his election arch-rival, a multi-billion-dollar startup co-founder and the former owner of Inter Milan.

Indonesia's Joko Widodo is set to announce a new cabinet Wednesday in a line-up that could include his election arch-rival, a multi-billion-dollar startup co-founder and the former owner of Inter Milan. Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, beat Prabowo Subianto -- a former military general accused of rights violations -- in April elections to secure another term as president of the world's third-biggest democracy. The victory followed a bitter campaign plagued by fake news online and claims from Subianto that the government staged a "massive, systematic and fraudulent" election, which sparked deadly post-poll riots. But the pair have since appeared together in apparently friendly public meetings, including on Monday when Subianto, 68, hinted that he and another member of his Gerindra party were tapped for top government posts. "We've been asked to strengthen his cabinet and I earlier said that we, Gerindra, were ready to help if asked," Subianto told reporters in Jakarta. "(Jokowi) allowed me to say that he asked me to help in the defence sector," he added, without elaborating. Senior Gerindra official Edhy Prabowo told AFP that the potential job for Subianto was defence minister. Jokowi has yet to confirm any ministerial appointment. At least nine people were killed in Jakarta's post-election riots, which included Subianto supporters. A rights group warned against appointing the former general to a top public job. "It would be a dark day for human rights in this country" if Subianto is appointed, said Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid. Subianto, a former son-in-law of Indonesia's late dictator Suharto, was accused of rights violations -- including the kidnapping and disappearance of several pro-democracy activists -- in the lead up to massive street demonstrations that brought down the regime in 1998. Subianto has never been charged in relation to the allegations. Among dozens of other posts, former World Bank managing director Sri Mulyani Indrawati was widely expected to serve another term as finance minister. Nadiem Makarim, 35, co-founder of ride-hailing startup Gojek, told reporters Monday that he'd been tipped for an unspecified ministerial post. Makarim has announced his resignation from running a firm valued at some $10 billion. Media mogul Erick Thohir -- a former owner of Italian football club Inter Milan and the 2018 Asian Games organising committee chief -- is also widely expected to land a cabinet job.

Indonesia's Jokowi set to announce new cabinet

Indonesian&nbsp;President&nbsp;Joko Widodo said on Monday he wanted "innovative" ministers in his&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-jokowi-kicks-off-fresh-term-after-wave-of-crises-256994">second term,</a> as the co-founder of tech startup&nbsp;Gojek&nbsp;said he would join and a former chairman of Inter Milan soccer club was tipped for a post.

The make-up of the&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;is being closely watched to see how many are technocrats, who are more likely to fall in with Widodo's reform agenda. Party-affiliated candidates are seen more at risk of falling back on traditional loyalties.

There has also been speculation that Widodo's challenger in April's bitterly fought&nbsp;presidential election, Prabowo Subianto, or other members of the opposition could join.

Widodo had been expected to announce his line-up on Monday but this was likely to be delayed until Wednesday, according to Mahfud MD, a former head of the Constitutional Court, who said he was interviewed for a post at the palace on Monday.

"I want appointed ministers to be figures who are innovative, productive, as well as be hard and fast workers. Figures who are not stuck in monotonous routines," Widodo said in a Twitter message.

There has been no official announcement but Mahfud told Kompas TV at the&nbsp;presidential palace: "On Wednesday, we are all invited to be announced to all of you, we were called one by one today." He said a swearing-in was scheduled at 9 A.M. (0200 GMT) Wednesday.

Mahfud, who was at one stage expected to be the vice&nbsp;presidential running mate of Widodo, has been linked in media to the post of law and human rights minister.

All of the candidates said the&nbsp;president&nbsp;had asked them to join the&nbsp;cabinet, but they declined to confirm the positions offered.

Nadiem Makarim, 35, the chief executive of&nbsp;Indonesian ride-hailing and payments firm&nbsp;Gojek, was another visitor at the palace.

"I have received a big honour to be able to join the&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;of the&nbsp;president," Makarim told reporters.

He said his specific role would be announced by the&nbsp;president&nbsp;later, but he has been linked to a possible post in a new digital economy ministry or in education.&nbsp;Gojek&nbsp;said the company's&nbsp;president&nbsp;Andre Soelistyo and its co-founder Kevin Aluwi would take over the leadership of the $10 billion unicorn.

Widodo's election campaign manager Erick Thohir, 49, the chairman of media business Mahaka Media, was also at the palace. Shares of Mahaka Media soared 20 per cent&nbsp;on Monday on expectations that Thohir, a former chairman of Italian soccer club Inter Milan, was joining the&nbsp;cabinet. Thohir said he would resign from his role in his company if appointed to the&nbsp;cabinet.

Widodo has been besieged by "extremely intense" jockeying for posts as he sought to build a&nbsp;cabinet&nbsp;of technocrat ministers, a&nbsp;presidential adviser has said, declining to be named.

Ryan Kiryanto, an economist at Bank Negara&nbsp;Indonesia, said he was not concerned about any impact on the markets or economy of a delay in announcing the&nbsp;cabinet, instead seeing it as "reflecting carefulness" by the&nbsp;president&nbsp;in his selections.

Widodo, 58, has pledged to cut red tape and keep building infrastructure to underpin growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, but also made improving education a top priority to encourage investment and create jobs for a youthful population of 260 million people.

At his swearing in on Sunday, he said: "This will be a big problem if we fail to create enough job opportunities."

Airlangga Hartarto, the current industry minister, was among a string of potential candidates meeting the&nbsp;president&nbsp;at the palace.

He said he had discussed how to narrow&nbsp;Indonesia's trade deficit, with elaborating on any role. He has been linked in media to the job of coordinating minister for economic affairs.

Widodo has previously said respected finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati would retain a position in the&nbsp;cabinet, but gave no further details.

The&nbsp;president&nbsp;has also been meeting with opposition leaders and some media reports have suggested retired general Prabowo could serve as defence minister. Widodo said after meeting Prabowo at the palace earlier this month they had discussed the possibility of Prabowo's party Gerindra joining the government coalition.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he wanted "innovative" ministers in his cabinet for a second term, as the co-founder of tech startup Gojek said he would join and a former chairman of Inter Milan soccer club was tipped for a post.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he wanted "innovative" ministers in his cabinet for a second term, as the co-founder of tech startup Gojek said he would join and a former chairman of Inter Milan soccer club was tipped for a post. The make-up of the cabinet is being closely watched to see how many are technocrats, who are more likely to fall in with Widodo's reform agenda. Party-affiliated candidates are seen more at risk of falling back on traditional loyalties. There has also been speculation that Widodo's challenger in April's bitterly fought presidential election, Prabowo Subianto, or other members of the opposition could join. Widodo had been expected to announce his line-up on Monday but this was likely to be delayed until Wednesday, according to Mahfud MD, a former head of the Constitutional Court, who said he was interviewed for a post at the palace on Monday. "I want appointed ministers to be figures who are innovative, productive, as well as be hard and fast workers. Figures who are not stuck in monotonous routines," Widodo said in a Twitter message. There has been no official announcement but Mahfud told Kompas TV at the presidential palace: "On Wednesday, we are all invited to be announced to all of you, we were called one by one today." He said a swearing-in was scheduled at 9 A.M. (0200 GMT) Wednesday. Mahfud, who was at one stage expected to be the vice presidential running mate of Widodo, has been linked in media to the post of law and human rights minister. All of the candidates said the president had asked them to join the cabinet, but they declined to confirm the positions offered. Nadiem Makarim, 35, the chief executive of Indonesian ride-hailing and payments firm Gojek, was another visitor at the palace. "I have received a big honour to be able to join the cabinet of the president," Makarim told reporters. He said his specific role would be announced by the president later, but he has been linked to a possible post in a new digital economy ministry or in education. Gojek said the company's president Andre Soelistyo and its co-founder Kevin Aluwi would take over the leadership of the $10 billion unicorn. Widodo's election campaign manager Erick Thohir, 49, the chairman of media business Mahaka Media, was also at the palace. Shares of Mahaka Media soared 20 per cent on Monday on expectations that Thohir, a former chairman of Italian soccer club Inter Milan, was joining the cabinet. Thohir said he would resign from his role in his company if appointed to the cabinet. Widodo has been besieged by "extremely intense" jockeying for posts as he sought to build a cabinet of technocrat ministers, a presidential adviser has said, declining to be named. Ryan Kiryanto, an economist at Bank Negara Indonesia, said he was not concerned about any impact on the markets or economy of a delay in announcing the cabinet, instead seeing it as "reflecting carefulness" by the president in his selections. Widodo, 58, has pledged to cut red tape and keep building infrastructure to underpin growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, but also made improving education a top priority to encourage investment and create jobs for a youthful population of 260 million people. At his swearing in on Sunday, he said: "This will be a big problem if we fail to create enough job opportunities." Airlangga Hartarto, the current industry minister, was among a string of potential candidates meeting the president at the palace. He said he had discussed how to narrow Indonesia's trade deficit, with elaborating on any role. He has been linked in media to the job of coordinating minister for economic affairs. Widodo has previously said respected finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati would retain a position in the cabinet, but gave no further details. The president has also been meeting with opposition leaders and some media reports have suggested retired general Prabowo could serve as defence minister. Widodo said after meeting Prabowo at the palace earlier this month they had discussed the possibility of Prabowo's party Gerindra joining the government coalition.

Indonesia president targets 'innovative' cabinet, taps Gojek CEO

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will kick off a fresh term Sunday, facing a wave of crises and with Jakarta under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-president-tightens-security-for-ministers-after-attack-255189">heavy security</a> days after Islamist militants tried to assassinate his top security minister.

More than 30,000 security personnel were deployed in the capital amid fears of another attack during an inauguration ceremony for Widodo, 58, and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, 76, attended by foreign delegations and heads of state, which is scheduled to start at around 2:30 pm (0730 GMT).

Celebrations are expected to be muted after mass demonstrations were banned Sunday over fears the inauguration might be used as a cover for another attack as militancy continues to plague the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, was meeting with several visiting leaders including Singapore's Lee Hsien Loong and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison before the swearing-in.

Jokowi -- a popular, heavy metal-loving former businessman from outside the political and military elite -- was hailed as Indonesia's answer to Barack Obama when he was first elected in 2014 to lead the world's third-biggest democracy.

But his leadership is under mounting criticism after a string of challenges in recent months, from nationwide anti-government demonstrations in which three students died and smog-belching forest fires that sparked diplomatic tensions with Indonesia's neighbours to deadly unrest in Papua and an economic slowdown.

"This is the weakest point in Jokowi's political leadership," said Arya Fernandes, a researcher at the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

"It's a test for the president in critical times."

Protests across the archipelago of 260 million were among the biggest student rallies since mass demonstrations toppled the Suharto dictatorship in 1998.

The headwinds threaten to cast a shadow over Jokowi's second and final term, a stark reversal of fortune just months after he scored a thumping re-election victory against a former military general.

Now, all eyes are on who Indonesia's leader selects for his new cabinet, an announcement that could come as early as Sunday.

Sunday's inauguration also comes a little over a week after his chief security minister was stabbed in an attack by two members of a local extremist outfit allied to the Islamic State group.

The two suspects were arrested at the scene, while dozens of other suspected militants have since been detained in a nationwide dragnet following the assassination attempt on Wiranto, a former general who goes by one name.

The 72-year-old is recovering in hospital.

"Jokowi really listens to the people," Wiranto told reporters on Saturday in his first public appearance since the attack.

"A good government is one that is responsive to the aspirations of its people."

Jokowi's new term comes against the backdrop of fears that Indonesia's two-decades of democratic reforms are being eroded under the watch of a man once lauded by Time magazine as "A New Hope".

He has been accused of creeping authoritarianism and his rights record was criticised over an uptick in discriminatory attacks on religious and other minorities.

Choosing conservative cleric Amin as his vice president has also thrown Indonesia's reputation for tolerant Islam into question as religious hardliners become increasingly vocal.

Jokowi's administration appeared caught off guard when thousands of students hit the streets in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-rally-across-indonesia-in-fresh-legal-reform-protests-252836"> protests last month</a> against a raft of divisive reforms, including banning premarital sex and what critics said would weaken the anti-graft agency.

Several students died in the unrest and hundreds more were injured, sparking police brutality allegations.

The criminal code reforms were delayed after the backlash, while Jokowi has so far held off moving on an earlier pledge to consider revising new changes to Indonesia's corruption buster, known as the KPK.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will kick off a fresh term Sunday, facing a wave of crises and with Jakarta under heavy security days after Islamist militants tried to assassinate his top security minister.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will kick off a fresh term Sunday, facing a wave of crises and with Jakarta under heavy security days after Islamist militants tried to assassinate his top security minister. More than 30,000 security personnel were deployed in the capital amid fears of another attack during an inauguration ceremony for Widodo, 58, and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, 76, attended by foreign delegations and heads of state, which is scheduled to start at around 2:30 pm (0730 GMT). Celebrations are expected to be muted after mass demonstrations were banned Sunday over fears the inauguration might be used as a cover for another attack as militancy continues to plague the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, was meeting with several visiting leaders including Singapore's Lee Hsien Loong and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison before the swearing-in. Jokowi -- a popular, heavy metal-loving former businessman from outside the political and military elite -- was hailed as Indonesia's answer to Barack Obama when he was first elected in 2014 to lead the world's third-biggest democracy. But his leadership is under mounting criticism after a string of challenges in recent months, from nationwide anti-government demonstrations in which three students died and smog-belching forest fires that sparked diplomatic tensions with Indonesia's neighbours to deadly unrest in Papua and an economic slowdown. "This is the weakest point in Jokowi's political leadership," said Arya Fernandes, a researcher at the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies. "It's a test for the president in critical times." Protests across the archipelago of 260 million were among the biggest student rallies since mass demonstrations toppled the Suharto dictatorship in 1998. The headwinds threaten to cast a shadow over Jokowi's second and final term, a stark reversal of fortune just months after he scored a thumping re-election victory against a former military general. Now, all eyes are on who Indonesia's leader selects for his new cabinet, an announcement that could come as early as Sunday. Sunday's inauguration also comes a little over a week after his chief security minister was stabbed in an attack by two members of a local extremist outfit allied to the Islamic State group. The two suspects were arrested at the scene, while dozens of other suspected militants have since been detained in a nationwide dragnet following the assassination attempt on Wiranto, a former general who goes by one name. The 72-year-old is recovering in hospital. "Jokowi really listens to the people," Wiranto told reporters on Saturday in his first public appearance since the attack. "A good government is one that is responsive to the aspirations of its people." Jokowi's new term comes against the backdrop of fears that Indonesia's two-decades of democratic reforms are being eroded under the watch of a man once lauded by Time magazine as "A New Hope". He has been accused of creeping authoritarianism and his rights record was criticised over an uptick in discriminatory attacks on religious and other minorities. Choosing conservative cleric Amin as his vice president has also thrown Indonesia's reputation for tolerant Islam into question as religious hardliners become increasingly vocal. Jokowi's administration appeared caught off guard when thousands of students hit the streets in protests last month against a raft of divisive reforms, including banning premarital sex and what critics said would weaken the anti-graft agency. Several students died in the unrest and hundreds more were injured, sparking police brutality allegations. The criminal code reforms were delayed after the backlash, while Jokowi has so far held off moving on an earlier pledge to consider revising new changes to Indonesia's corruption buster, known as the KPK.

Indonesia's Jokowi kicks off fresh term after wave of crises

Two orangutans, a mother and baby, were rescued by environmentalists after their habitat was destroyed by forest fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan province, and relocated to a healthy patch of forest on the same day.

Mother and baby orangutans relocated from Indonesia forest fire

Dozens of mourners on Saturday commemorated the 17th anniversary of the Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people on the Indonesian resort island, as Islamic militant attacks continue to plague the country.

Grieving families and representatives from several embassies laid flowers and lit incense sticks at a memorial in the popular tourist hub Kuta, where radical Islamists detonated bombs in 2002.

A candlelight vigil was also being held to mark the country's deadliest terror attack and remember the 202 victims -- mostly foreign holidaymakers from more than 21 countries.

Local militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) was blamed for the bombings, which took place at two popular nightspots, which accounted for all the victims, and the US consulate.

Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation, has long struggled with Islamist militancy and on Friday President Joko Widodo ordered beefed-up security measures to help prevent further attacks.

The intervention followed Thursday's&nbsp;assassination attempt on chief security minister Wiranto, a 72-year-old former army chief, by two militants from an IS-linked group.

Last year suicide bombers from the same IS-linked Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) detonated explosives in three churches in the country's second-largest city Surabaya, killing more than a dozen people.&nbsp;

Dozens of mourners on Saturday commemorated the 17th anniversary of the Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people on the Indonesian resort island, as Islamic militant attacks continue to plague the country.

Dozens of mourners on Saturday commemorated the 17th anniversary of the Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people on the Indonesian resort island, as Islamic militant attacks continue to plague the country. Grieving families and representatives from several embassies laid flowers and lit incense sticks at a memorial in the popular tourist hub Kuta, where radical Islamists detonated bombs in 2002. A candlelight vigil was also being held to mark the country's deadliest terror attack and remember the 202 victims -- mostly foreign holidaymakers from more than 21 countries. Local militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) was blamed for the bombings, which took place at two popular nightspots, which accounted for all the victims, and the US consulate. Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation, has long struggled with Islamist militancy and on Friday President Joko Widodo ordered beefed-up security measures to help prevent further attacks. The intervention followed Thursday's assassination attempt on chief security minister Wiranto, a 72-year-old former army chief, by two militants from an IS-linked group. Last year suicide bombers from the same IS-linked Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) detonated explosives in three churches in the country's second-largest city Surabaya, killing more than a dozen people.

Indonesia marks Bali bombings anniversary

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