Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in India. Subianto is in Delhi primarily to grace the 76th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrives in India on official state visit

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has decided not to travel to Pakistan after attending the Republic Day parade in India on 26 January 2025 as the chief guest. Watch this report for more details!

Breaking: Indonesian president Subianto to leave for Malaysia after India visit

Indonesian President Subianto not to travel to Pak after India visit

India has raised with Jakarta the issue of the upcoming visit of the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Islamabad from Delhi. The Indonesian President has been invited as a chief guest at India's Republic Day Parade on 26 January. Watch this report for more details!

Indonesian president to visit Islamabad after India's R-day parade

Indonesian President Subianto to visit Islamabad after India's R-day parade

Indonesian President Joko Widodo Subianto is set to visit Islamabad following Indonesia's Republic Day celebrations. The visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, with discussions on bilateral relations and cooperation.

Indonesian President Subianto to visit Islamabad after Republic day celebrations: reports

Survivors and families of victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami 20 years ago visited mass graves, lit candles and comforted one another across Southeast and South Asia in ceremonies on Thursday to mark the disaster that killed some 230,000 people. Watch in for more details!

Indonesians Remember Indian Ocean Tsunami Aceh Victims |

The "Bali Nine" drug ring prisoners are finally returning to Australia after serving time in Indonesia. This marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal battle that has spanned over a decade.

Australia: Men Now Free After Spending 19 Years In Indonesian Jail

The "Bali Nine" drug ring prisoners are finally returning to Australia after serving time in Indonesia. This marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal battle that has spanned over a decade.



Flash floods have hit hilly villages in Indonesia's main island of Java. Rescuers recovered 10 bodies that were Swept Away in flash floods are buried under tons of mud and rocks and two people are still missing. Torrential rains since last week have caused rivers to burst their Banks tearing through villages in Sukabumi City of West Java Province. Watch in for more details!

Indonesia Floods: Landslides, Flash Floods Devastate 172 Villages In West Java

Indonesia and Australia have conducted a joint naval exercise off the coast of East Java, aimed at strengthening defense cooperation and improving maritime security. The drills, which involved naval ships, aircraft, and personnel from both countries, focused on enhancing interoperability and response capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Indonesia and Australia Conduct Joint Naval Exercise off East Java

Indonesia and Australia Hold Joint Naval Exercise in East Java

Airlines cancelled flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Wednesday, leaving travellers stranded after a nearby volcano catapulted an ash tower miles into the sky.

At least 16 international routes were affected after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores island spewed a nine-kilometre (5.6-mile) tower a day earlier, the general manager of Bali's international airport said in a statement.

Flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, India, Australia, Malaysia, China's Pudong, and South Korea's Incheon were all either delayed or grounded, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said Wednesday.

Animal clinic worker Samsudin, 52, from Indonesia's main island was transiting from Bali to Malaysia and forced to spend the night at the airport.

"I'm sleeping here rather than going back to Java. It is far," he told AFP.

"I'm waiting here, until tomorrow," he added, saying he bought a new flight after his AirAsia ticket was refunded.

Australia's Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia all grounded flights, while Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, India's IndiGo and Singapore's Scoot also listed flights as cancelled on Wednesday, an AFP journalist at Bali's airport said.

"Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to safe aircraft operations in the vicinity of volcanic clouds," said AirAsia, which announced several cancellations.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific also listed its flights as cancelled, rescheduling routes to and from Bali until Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-mount-lewotobi-erupts-mass-evacuation-underway-as-ash-soars-9-km-into-the-sky-774891">Also read:&nbsp;Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi erupts, mass evacuation underway as ash soars 9 km into the sky</a>

Multiple eruptions from the 1,703-metre (5,587-foot) twin-peaked volcano in recent weeks have killed nine people, with 31 injured and more than 11,000 evacuated, Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said Tuesday.

Eruptions can pose serious risks to flights, disgorging fine ash that can damage jet engines and scour a plane's windscreen to the point of invisibility.

The island's tourism head called for calm after the cancellations, saying the island was "very safe" because the volcano is far away.

"Bali's tourism activity is still running normally," Tjok Bagus Pemayun said in a statement Wednesday.

But airlines said the situation was too dangerous to keep their planes in the sky.

Jetstar said all flights to and from Bali would be halted until noon on Thursday as it was "currently not safe to operate flights".

Malaysia Airlines said it had cancelled six flights Wednesday in a statement on its website, while Scoot said it scrapped two flights and rescheduled four more.

The airlines said they would monitor the volcano's status and provide updates.

Singapore Airlines was still listing its flights as running on Wednesday.

<h2>'Refunds, rescheduling, re-routing'&nbsp;</h2>

Bali airport's Shahab said 26 domestic and 64 international flights had been affected by recent eruptions as of Wednesday afternoon.

"Due to this natural event impacting flight operations, airlines are offering affected passengers the options of refunds, rescheduling, or re-routing," he added in a statement.

But some said they were set to be stranded for days, with little help forthcoming.

"There's nobody helping us, nobody is providing us accommodation or food, we are kind of stranded," said IT consultant Arsh Khurana, 39, from Delhi whose Air India flight was rescheduled to Saturday.

"There is nothing from Air India, there is absolutely no support," he told AFP, adding that he and his wife were set to lose money as the airline's travel insurance did not cover disruptions caused by volcanic eruptions.

Local media reported thousands of passengers were affected but Balinese officials gave no estimate.

Bali's international airport operator PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia said Wednesday it had conducted tests in its airspace and no volcanic ash was detected, saying the airport was "operating as normal".

But the airport in the tourist hotspot of Labuan Bajo on Flores island was shuttered on Wednesday until 8 pm local time (1200 GMT) because of the volcanic ash from Lewotobi, according to the airport's Instagram.

Lewotobi erupted again from midnight Wednesday until early morning, and a large ash column could be seen pouring from its crater, an AFP journalist nearby said.

Laki-Laki, which means "man" in Indonesian, is twinned with a calmer volcano named after the Indonesian word for "woman".

The island's economy is heavily reliant on tourism but Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire where tectonic plates collide.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Airlines cancelled flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Wednesday, leaving travellers stranded after a nearby volcano catapulted an ash tower miles into the sky.

Airlines cancelled flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Wednesday, leaving travellers stranded after a nearby volcano catapulted an ash tower miles into the sky. At least 16 international routes were affected after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores island spewed a nine-kilometre (5.6-mile) tower a day earlier, the general manager of Bali's international airport said in a statement. Flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, India, Australia, Malaysia, China's Pudong, and South Korea's Incheon were all either delayed or grounded, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said Wednesday. Animal clinic worker Samsudin, 52, from Indonesia's main island was transiting from Bali to Malaysia and forced to spend the night at the airport. "I'm sleeping here rather than going back to Java. It is far," he told AFP. "I'm waiting here, until tomorrow," he added, saying he bought a new flight after his AirAsia ticket was refunded. Australia's Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia all grounded flights, while Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, India's IndiGo and Singapore's Scoot also listed flights as cancelled on Wednesday, an AFP journalist at Bali's airport said. "Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to safe aircraft operations in the vicinity of volcanic clouds," said AirAsia, which announced several cancellations. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific also listed its flights as cancelled, rescheduling routes to and from Bali until Thursday. Also read: Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi erupts, mass evacuation underway as ash soars 9 km into the sky Multiple eruptions from the 1,703-metre (5,587-foot) twin-peaked volcano in recent weeks have killed nine people, with 31 injured and more than 11,000 evacuated, Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said Tuesday. Eruptions can pose serious risks to flights, disgorging fine ash that can damage jet engines and scour a plane's windscreen to the point of invisibility. The island's tourism head called for calm after the cancellations, saying the island was "very safe" because the volcano is far away. "Bali's tourism activity is still running normally," Tjok Bagus Pemayun said in a statement Wednesday. But airlines said the situation was too dangerous to keep their planes in the sky. Jetstar said all flights to and from Bali would be halted until noon on Thursday as it was "currently not safe to operate flights". Malaysia Airlines said it had cancelled six flights Wednesday in a statement on its website, while Scoot said it scrapped two flights and rescheduled four more. The airlines said they would monitor the volcano's status and provide updates. Singapore Airlines was still listing its flights as running on Wednesday. 'Refunds, rescheduling, re-routing' Bali airport's Shahab said 26 domestic and 64 international flights had been affected by recent eruptions as of Wednesday afternoon. "Due to this natural event impacting flight operations, airlines are offering affected passengers the options of refunds, rescheduling, or re-routing," he added in a statement. But some said they were set to be stranded for days, with little help forthcoming. "There's nobody helping us, nobody is providing us accommodation or food, we are kind of stranded," said IT consultant Arsh Khurana, 39, from Delhi whose Air India flight was rescheduled to Saturday. "There is nothing from Air India, there is absolutely no support," he told AFP, adding that he and his wife were set to lose money as the airline's travel insurance did not cover disruptions caused by volcanic eruptions. Local media reported thousands of passengers were affected but Balinese officials gave no estimate. Bali's international airport operator PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia said Wednesday it had conducted tests in its airspace and no volcanic ash was detected, saying the airport was "operating as normal". But the airport in the tourist hotspot of Labuan Bajo on Flores island was shuttered on Wednesday until 8 pm local time (1200 GMT) because of the volcanic ash from Lewotobi, according to the airport's Instagram. Lewotobi erupted again from midnight Wednesday until early morning, and a large ash column could be seen pouring from its crater, an AFP journalist nearby said. Laki-Laki, which means "man" in Indonesian, is twinned with a calmer volcano named after the Indonesian word for "woman". The island's economy is heavily reliant on tourism but Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire where tectonic plates collide. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Bali flights cancelled after volcano erupts in Indonesia

China wants Indonesia to join it in leading the global South. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed this desire before his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, who visited China this weekend.

China President Xi Urges Indonesia To Join China In Leading Global South

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Eastern Indonesia erupted near midnight on Sunday, killing at least 10 people. The volcano which is located on Flores island, spewed explosive plumes of lava, leading authorities to evacuate several nearby villages on Monday.

Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia Kills 10

In a significant foreign policy move Indonesia is set to hold its first Naval drill with Russia this week. Watch to know more.

Indonesia-Russia: Joint Drills Signal New Military Partnership

Days after blocking sales of Apple's I Phone 16 in the country Indonesia has now banned sales of Google pixel phones. Watch this report to know more.

Indonesia Bans Sales Of Google Pixel Phones

Indonesia has prohibited the marketing and sale of the iPhone 16 model over Apple's failure to meet local investment regulations, according to its industry ministry.

Southeast Asia's biggest economy has a young, tech-savvy population with more than 100 million people under the age of 30, but Apple still does not have an official store in the country, forcing those who want its products to buy from resale platforms.

Indonesia's industry ministry spokesman said imported phones of the iPhone 16 model&nbsp; launched in September could not be marketed domestically because Apple's local unit had not met a requirement that 40 per cent of phones be made from local parts.

"The iPhone 16 devices imported by registered importers cannot yet be marketed domestically," ministry spokesman Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said in a statement Friday.

"Apple Indonesia has not fulfilled its investment commitment to obtain... certification."

To reach that percentage, Apple must invest in Indonesia and source Indonesian materials to be used for iPhone components, according to local media reports.

Apple did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-hezbollah-names-naim-qassem-as-successor-to-late-hassan-nasrallah-771637">Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah</a>

The ministry said the new Apple phones could be carried into Indonesia as long as they were not being traded commercially.

It estimates just 9,000 units of the new model have entered the country, which has a population of around 280 million.

Indonesia's smartphone market shipment share in the second quarter of the year was dominated by China's Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, as well as South Korea's Samsung, according to Counterpoint Research.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-jeff-bezos-defends-wapos-decision-to-not-endorse-harris-heres-what-he-said-771587">US elections: What Jeff Bezos said on WaPo's decision to not endorse Harris</a>

In April, Apple chief executive Tim Cook visited Indonesia as the tech giant explores ways to invest in Southeast Asia's biggest economy and diversify supply chains away from China.

He met then-president Joko Widodo and his successor, Prabowo Subianto, for talks after the iPhone maker announced it would expand its developer academies in the country.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Indonesia has prohibited the marketing and sale of the iPhone 16 model over Apple's failure to meet local investment regulations, according to its industry ministry.

Indonesia has prohibited the marketing and sale of the iPhone 16 model over Apple's failure to meet local investment regulations, according to its industry ministry. Southeast Asia's biggest economy has a young, tech-savvy population with more than 100 million people under the age of 30, but Apple still does not have an official store in the country, forcing those who want its products to buy from resale platforms. Indonesia's industry ministry spokesman said imported phones of the iPhone 16 model launched in September could not be marketed domestically because Apple's local unit had not met a requirement that 40 per cent of phones be made from local parts. "The iPhone 16 devices imported by registered importers cannot yet be marketed domestically," ministry spokesman Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said in a statement Friday. "Apple Indonesia has not fulfilled its investment commitment to obtain... certification." To reach that percentage, Apple must invest in Indonesia and source Indonesian materials to be used for iPhone components, according to local media reports. Apple did not respond to an AFP request for comment. Also Read | Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah The ministry said the new Apple phones could be carried into Indonesia as long as they were not being traded commercially. It estimates just 9,000 units of the new model have entered the country, which has a population of around 280 million. Indonesia's smartphone market shipment share in the second quarter of the year was dominated by China's Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, as well as South Korea's Samsung, according to Counterpoint Research. Also Read | US elections: What Jeff Bezos said on WaPo's decision to not endorse Harris In April, Apple chief executive Tim Cook visited Indonesia as the tech giant explores ways to invest in Southeast Asia's biggest economy and diversify supply chains away from China. He met then-president Joko Widodo and his successor, Prabowo Subianto, for talks after the iPhone maker announced it would expand its developer academies in the country. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Indonesia stops sales of iPhone 16 over lack of Apple investment in country

Something special happened at a theatre in Jakarta, Indonesia. A group of deaf performers put on a musical show called "Songs of Silence." Instead of singing out loud, they used sign language and facial expressions to tell their story. To help the audience understand, they showed the words and lyrics on screens around the stage. Music played in the background while the performers danced under colourful lights.&nbsp;

The show was about students at a school for kids with disabilities. Two directors, Hasna and Helga, created this musical to help people understand deaf culture better and to encourage more people to learn sign language. This was the first time in Indonesia that a musical was performed mainly by deaf artists.&nbsp;

<h2 aria-level="3" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{354e753d-a6b3-4110-a677-0e8b1810b847}{109}" paraid="1055223272" role="heading" >The crew</h2>

"My hope is, going forward, inclusivity can be strengthened, that between deaf and hearing people, hearing is not superior - we're equal," Mufidah, who is deaf, said through Indonesian sign language,&nbsp;according to Reuters.

Involving more than 60 deaf actors and crew, aged 16 to 40, the musical took three months to prepare. It is inspired by Deaf West Theatre in the United States, Helga said.&nbsp;

In Indonesia, schools often teach deaf students in a way that focuses on speaking and reading lips, rather than using sign language. This musical shows how this affects students.

Many deaf students are told to learn how to speak and read lips, but some deaf people say this isn't the best way. They feel left out and uncomfortable when they're forced to communicate this way. They believe sign language feels more natural and comfortable for them.

Some people think that if deaf students learn to speak and read lips, they'll fit in better with people who can hear. But others argue that using sign language is better because it lets deaf people express themselves in a way that feels right to them, while still being able to connect with others.&nbsp;

<h2 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{354e753d-a6b3-4110-a677-0e8b1810b847}{172}" paraid="777691424" >Use of sign language&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

For deaf actor Hanna Aretha Oktavia, the musical was her introduction to sign language and the wider deaf community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Throughout dialogue rehearsals, we had to use as much expressions as possible and to follow the storyline," Hanna said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ar-rahman-calls-out-bigger-evil-use-of-ai-in-music-industry-771056">AR Rahman calls out ‘bigger evil’, use of AI in music industry</a>&nbsp;

"What's interesting is in rehearsals we have to feel the tempo and vibrations and match them with the choreography. I think that's the most intriguing part because I love to dance."&nbsp;

"And we paid close attention to the beats with the help of hearing aids. We use big speakers to help guide us," she said.

Something special happened at a theatre in Jakarta, Indonesia. A group of deaf performers put on a musical show called "Songs of Silence." Instead of singing out loud, they used sign language and facial expressions to tell their story.

Something special happened at a theatre in Jakarta, Indonesia. A group of deaf performers put on a musical show called "Songs of Silence." Instead of singing out loud, they used sign language and facial expressions to tell their story. To help the audience understand, they showed the words and lyrics on screens around the stage. Music played in the background while the performers danced under colourful lights. The show was about students at a school for kids with disabilities. Two directors, Hasna and Helga, created this musical to help people understand deaf culture better and to encourage more people to learn sign language. This was the first time in Indonesia that a musical was performed mainly by deaf artists. The crew "My hope is, going forward, inclusivity can be strengthened, that between deaf and hearing people, hearing is not superior - we're equal," Mufidah, who is deaf, said through Indonesian sign language, according to Reuters. Involving more than 60 deaf actors and crew, aged 16 to 40, the musical took three months to prepare. It is inspired by Deaf West Theatre in the United States, Helga said. In Indonesia, schools often teach deaf students in a way that focuses on speaking and reading lips, rather than using sign language. This musical shows how this affects students. Many deaf students are told to learn how to speak and read lips, but some deaf people say this isn't the best way. They feel left out and uncomfortable when they're forced to communicate this way. They believe sign language feels more natural and comfortable for them. Some people think that if deaf students learn to speak and read lips, they'll fit in better with people who can hear. But others argue that using sign language is better because it lets deaf people express themselves in a way that feels right to them, while still being able to connect with others. Use of sign language For deaf actor Hanna Aretha Oktavia, the musical was her introduction to sign language and the wider deaf community. "Throughout dialogue rehearsals, we had to use as much expressions as possible and to follow the storyline," Hanna said. Also read: AR Rahman calls out ‘bigger evil’, use of AI in music industry "What's interesting is in rehearsals we have to feel the tempo and vibrations and match them with the choreography. I think that's the most intriguing part because I love to dance." "And we paid close attention to the beats with the help of hearing aids. We use big speakers to help guide us," she said.

Young actors perform Songs of Silence at Indonesia's first deaf musical

Indonesia has agreed to provide temporary shelter to Rohingya refugees that were left stranded off the coast in the country's Northern most Province Aceh. Watch in for more details!

Indonesia Rescues Stranded Rohingyas, To Reach Out To Other Countries In Sharing Burden

Indonesia: Around 140 Refugees Left Stranded Off Indonesia's Northern Coast

Indonesia's newly minted leader, President Prabowo Subianto, officially swore in his cabinet on Monday, a team that analysts said reflected the continuity of his predecessor's main policies.

Prabowo took office on Sunday as the eighth Indonesian president, taking the mantle from Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. In a fiery speech to lawmakers, he promised to eradicate corruption and aim to reach self-sufficiency in food and energy.

Prabowo's so-called "red and white" cabinet has 48 ministries with over 100 ministers and deputies, including re-appointments of Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and Bahlil Lahadalia as energy minister.

Sri Mulyani will preside over Prabowo's main programmes, including giving free meals to about 20 million children which could cost the state budget 71 trillion rupiah ($4.60 billion) in the first year, a number intended to keep the annual fiscal deficit under a legislated ceiling of 3 per cent of gross domestic product.

A former World Bank managing director, Sri Mulyani has earned plaudits for reforming the taxation system while working under two presidents before Prabowo. She did not answer questions on her future fiscal policies on Monday and merely told reporters she was "ready for duty."

Investors fear Prabowo's huge spending plans might derail its track record of fiscal prudence in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Other key re-appointments include chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto and Erick Thohir as the state-owned enterprises minister.

Meutya Hafid, a former reporter who will head up the newly renamed communications and digital ministry, said she would focus on data protection, online safety for children and make sure the internet is accessible to all.

Investment minister Rosan Roeslani said his focus was on expanding Jokowi's policy of increasing domestic resource processing to include fisheries and seaweed.

Prabowo's re-appointments show his intention to continue the policies of Jokowi, especially on the economy, said analyst Burhanuddin Muhtadi.

"Prabowo does not want to take further risks and that's why he chose key figures that served under Jokowi," he said, adding these appointments give Prabowo some political security.

Indonesia's new foreign minister is Sugiono, deputy of the parliamentary commission overseeing foreign policy. Zulkifli Hasan, the minister overseeing food supply, said he would expand farming in Indonesia's easternmost Papua region to reach Prabowo's target of food self-sufficiency.

Luhut Pandjaitan, Jokowi's senior minister who spearheaded Indonesia's mineral processing industry, has been named the head of the country's National Economic Council, which advises the president.

Prabowo's cabinet differs in some aspects from Jokowi's as some ministries have been broken up or renamed. Education and culture ministries are separate, as well as environment and forestry.

Ahead of the swearing in, Prabowo held a meeting with China's visiting Vice President Han Zheng, according to a post on his official social media platform X and China's foreign ministry.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Indonesia's newly minted leader, President Prabowo Subianto, officially swore in his cabinet on Monday, a team that analysts said reflected the continuity of his predecessor's main policies.

Indonesia's newly minted leader, President Prabowo Subianto, officially swore in his cabinet on Monday, a team that analysts said reflected the continuity of his predecessor's main policies. Prabowo took office on Sunday as the eighth Indonesian president, taking the mantle from Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. In a fiery speech to lawmakers, he promised to eradicate corruption and aim to reach self-sufficiency in food and energy. Prabowo's so-called "red and white" cabinet has 48 ministries with over 100 ministers and deputies, including re-appointments of Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and Bahlil Lahadalia as energy minister. Sri Mulyani will preside over Prabowo's main programmes, including giving free meals to about 20 million children which could cost the state budget 71 trillion rupiah ($4.60 billion) in the first year, a number intended to keep the annual fiscal deficit under a legislated ceiling of 3 per cent of gross domestic product. A former World Bank managing director, Sri Mulyani has earned plaudits for reforming the taxation system while working under two presidents before Prabowo. She did not answer questions on her future fiscal policies on Monday and merely told reporters she was "ready for duty." Investors fear Prabowo's huge spending plans might derail its track record of fiscal prudence in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Other key re-appointments include chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto and Erick Thohir as the state-owned enterprises minister. Meutya Hafid, a former reporter who will head up the newly renamed communications and digital ministry, said she would focus on data protection, online safety for children and make sure the internet is accessible to all. Investment minister Rosan Roeslani said his focus was on expanding Jokowi's policy of increasing domestic resource processing to include fisheries and seaweed. Prabowo's re-appointments show his intention to continue the policies of Jokowi, especially on the economy, said analyst Burhanuddin Muhtadi. "Prabowo does not want to take further risks and that's why he chose key figures that served under Jokowi," he said, adding these appointments give Prabowo some political security. Indonesia's new foreign minister is Sugiono, deputy of the parliamentary commission overseeing foreign policy. Zulkifli Hasan, the minister overseeing food supply, said he would expand farming in Indonesia's easternmost Papua region to reach Prabowo's target of food self-sufficiency. Luhut Pandjaitan, Jokowi's senior minister who spearheaded Indonesia's mineral processing industry, has been named the head of the country's National Economic Council, which advises the president. Prabowo's cabinet differs in some aspects from Jokowi's as some ministries have been broken up or renamed. Education and culture ministries are separate, as well as environment and forestry. Ahead of the swearing in, Prabowo held a meeting with China's visiting Vice President Han Zheng, according to a post on his official social media platform X and China's foreign ministry. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto swears in 100+ ministers in 'red and white' cabinet

Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto has been elected as the new president of the world's third-biggest democracy. Prabowo's campaign promises include free meal scheme. Watch to know more.

Prabowo Subianto Has Big Support, Faces Big Challenges

Incoming Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's key campaign promises was providing free meals to all pregnant women and children across the world's fourth most populous country. Pilot programs are being conducted in large cities ahead of Prabowo's taking office on the 20th of October. Watch in for more details!

Indonesia: Prabowo Subianto's Free Meals Project Set To Take Off Officially

An Australian man, Craig Laidley, who was swept out of the sea while saving the life of an unknown swimmer in Bali, has been found dead. The 56-year-old man was walking along the beach&nbsp;in Bali's&nbsp;Tabanan on Wednesday (Oct 16)&nbsp;afternoon when he heard the screaming of a swimmer&nbsp;drowning&nbsp;in the rough sea.&nbsp;

He managed to save the 29-year-old young German swimmer, Micro Stalla. However, Laidley&nbsp;got carried away in the sea. Witnesses said that both men reached the safety of a few rocks, but while Stalla was pulled out, a huge wave carried Laidley back to sea.&nbsp;

Basarnas, the Indonesian search and rescue organisation, has confirmed that his body was found by residents on Friday (Oct 18) morning at Secret Bay Beach, one kilometre to the west of where he was last seen.&nbsp;

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Laidley’s two sons and extended family expressed their heartbreak over his death.&nbsp;

"It is no surprise to us that he put his life on the line to help another in need," said the family. It added, "His bravery and determination are a testament to his character. A man who brought kindness, strength, light and laughter to those around him."&nbsp;

Family also hoped that his act of bravery and kindness would inspire others. "We hope Craig’s spirit inspires others to act with courage, and selflessness and offer a helping hand to those in need,” said Laidley’s family.&nbsp;

They also thanked search and rescue teams, police, and the public who helped search Laidley. Mark Laidely, his cousin, paid tribute to a “hero [who] paid the ultimate price saving someone he didn’t even know”.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/migrant-from-indias-bihar-killed-by-terrorists-in-j-ks-shopian-reports-768669">Migrant from India's Bihar killed by terrorists in J-K's Shopian: Reports</a>

The Indonesian government offered its "deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time", said an official from the country's&nbsp;department of foreign affairs and trade.&nbsp;

Nyoman Sidakarya, the chief of&nbsp;&nbsp;Denpasar Search and Rescue Office said that a team of 10 rescuers was employed to search for Laidely on sea and land since Wednesday night, but the mission got hampered because of dangerous seas.

Sidakarya also said&nbsp;when Laidley went missing, the waves were "extreme" off Bali’s west coast.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Australian man, Craig Laidley, who was swept out of the sea while saving the life of an unknown swimmer in Bali, has been found dead. The 56-year-old man was walking along the beach in Bali's Tabanan on Wednesday (Oct 16) afternoon when he heard the screaming of a swimmer drowning in the rough sea.

An Australian man, Craig Laidley, who was swept out of the sea while saving the life of an unknown swimmer in Bali, has been found dead. The 56-year-old man was walking along the beach in Bali's Tabanan on Wednesday (Oct 16) afternoon when he heard the screaming of a swimmer drowning in the rough sea. He managed to save the 29-year-old young German swimmer, Micro Stalla. However, Laidley got carried away in the sea. Witnesses said that both men reached the safety of a few rocks, but while Stalla was pulled out, a huge wave carried Laidley back to sea. Basarnas, the Indonesian search and rescue organisation, has confirmed that his body was found by residents on Friday (Oct 18) morning at Secret Bay Beach, one kilometre to the west of where he was last seen. Also Read | Kremlin says all okay after Putin’s comments on live TV fuel health rumours Laidley’s two sons and extended family expressed their heartbreak over his death. "It is no surprise to us that he put his life on the line to help another in need," said the family. It added, "His bravery and determination are a testament to his character. A man who brought kindness, strength, light and laughter to those around him." Family also hoped that his act of bravery and kindness would inspire others. "We hope Craig’s spirit inspires others to act with courage, and selflessness and offer a helping hand to those in need,” said Laidley’s family. They also thanked search and rescue teams, police, and the public who helped search Laidley. Mark Laidely, his cousin, paid tribute to a “hero [who] paid the ultimate price saving someone he didn’t even know”. Also Read | Migrant from India's Bihar killed by terrorists in J-K's Shopian: Reports The Indonesian government offered its "deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time", said an official from the country's department of foreign affairs and trade. Nyoman Sidakarya, the chief of Denpasar Search and Rescue Office said that a team of 10 rescuers was employed to search for Laidely on sea and land since Wednesday night, but the mission got hampered because of dangerous seas. Sidakarya also said when Laidley went missing, the waves were "extreme" off Bali’s west coast. (With inputs from agencies)

Dead body of Australian 'hero' found two days after he saved swimmer from drowning in Bali

As Prabowo Subianto prepares to assume office, Indonesia's free meals plan has come under increased scrutiny. The program, aimed at addressing hunger and poverty, has sparked debate over its feasibility and potential impact on the country's economy and welfare system.

Indonesia’s Free Meals Program Under Scrutiny As Prabowo Prepares for Presidency

In a tragic incident, at least 11 people lost their lives when a gold mine in Indonesia's Sumatra province collapsed after a landslide triggered by heavy rains, officials reported. As of Friday, at least seven individuals remain missing, with rescue teams working urgently to locate them.

Indonesia: Dozens Buried In The Pit, Search Ops On

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in western Indonesia has killed at least 15 people and buried dozens of others in the abandoned pit with rescue workers struggling to locate the missing, officials said Friday.&nbsp;

Unlicensed mines are common across the mineral-rich Southeast Asian archipelago, where abandoned sites attract locals who hunt for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment.

The landslide hit a remote site in West Sumatra province on Sumatra island Thursday evening after heavy rains in the area, provincial disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Ilham Wahab told AFP.

"The information we can provide was that a landslide occurred at a gold mine last night, causing several people to be buried. Efforts to search for the victims are ongoing," he said. Ilhan added that 15 people were killed and three injured, with rescuers searching for 25 others.&nbsp;

Footage seen by AFP showed rescuers loading one of the dead into an ambulance near the disaster site in the district of Solok. The Solok district disaster agency said in a statement sent to AFP that the landslide took place at an abandoned "illegal" mine.

"The landslide location is on an old mining pit that had been abandoned by previous miners," it said. 
Ilham said all activities at the site had been halted as search efforts for the missing were ongoing.

<h2>- Arduous search effort -</h2>

Search efforts were being hindered by the remote location, with rescuers including police officers, soldiers and civilians having to walk for hours from the nearest village to reach the area, Ilham said.

"The location is quite far, the terrain is tough. This has hampered evacuation efforts but people are helping so that this evacuation process can be carried out quickly," he said.

The Solok district disaster agency said in its statement that the area had no mobile phone signal, making it hard for rescuers to communicate with each other.

Agency official Irwan Effendy said "the victims include people who conducted manual gold mining activities".

Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April, but some disasters caused by adverse weather have taken place outside that season in recent years.

In July, at least 27 people were killed after a landslide struck near an illegal gold mine on the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

In May, at least 15 people died after landslides and flooding in South Sulawesi province swept away dozens of houses and damaged roads.

A landslide in the same province a month before killed 20 people.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.&nbsp;

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in western Indonesia has killed at least 15 people and buried dozens of others in the abandoned pit with rescue workers struggling to locate the missing, officials said Friday.

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in western Indonesia has killed at least 15 people and buried dozens of others in the abandoned pit with rescue workers struggling to locate the missing, officials said Friday. Unlicensed mines are common across the mineral-rich Southeast Asian archipelago, where abandoned sites attract locals who hunt for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment. The landslide hit a remote site in West Sumatra province on Sumatra island Thursday evening after heavy rains in the area, provincial disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Ilham Wahab told AFP. "The information we can provide was that a landslide occurred at a gold mine last night, causing several people to be buried. Efforts to search for the victims are ongoing," he said. Ilhan added that 15 people were killed and three injured, with rescuers searching for 25 others. Footage seen by AFP showed rescuers loading one of the dead into an ambulance near the disaster site in the district of Solok. The Solok district disaster agency said in a statement sent to AFP that the landslide took place at an abandoned "illegal" mine. "The landslide location is on an old mining pit that had been abandoned by previous miners," it said. Ilham said all activities at the site had been halted as search efforts for the missing were ongoing. - Arduous search effort - Search efforts were being hindered by the remote location, with rescuers including police officers, soldiers and civilians having to walk for hours from the nearest village to reach the area, Ilham said. "The location is quite far, the terrain is tough. This has hampered evacuation efforts but people are helping so that this evacuation process can be carried out quickly," he said. The Solok district disaster agency said in its statement that the area had no mobile phone signal, making it hard for rescuers to communicate with each other. Agency official Irwan Effendy said "the victims include people who conducted manual gold mining activities". Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April, but some disasters caused by adverse weather have taken place outside that season in recent years. In July, at least 27 people were killed after a landslide struck near an illegal gold mine on the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi. In May, at least 15 people died after landslides and flooding in South Sulawesi province swept away dozens of houses and damaged roads. A landslide in the same province a month before killed 20 people. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

At least 15 killed after landslide at Indonesia’s illegal gold mine, dozens missing

Indonesia’s rising economy is the latest of Asia’s success stories. Still, the country’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has cautioned that its yearly 5 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, higher than the global average of 2 per cent, is “not enough for the nation to achieve meaningful progress” needed to become a high-income nation as detailed in a report by CNBC.

Indonesia’s massive plan is a part of what it terms as the “Golden Vision 2045,” a grand plan aimed at transforming the country into a skilled workforce on high wages and a way to reduce poverty rates by the time it celebrates its 100-year anniversary.&nbsp; 

“To continue our journey of high growth based on high productivity, we have to invest more in human capital,” the finance minister told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” in an interview last week.

A country report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)&nbsp;published in August stated that the aspiration for Indonesia is to “increase value-added services by moving through the value chain from raw commodities, build a skilled population ready for the digital age, and accelerate infrastructure development and institutional reform to support balanced, green, and equitable growth.”

Political change has consolidated the ambition of Indonesia

Further, despite a change in political power earlier this year, Indonesia’s ambitions remain. More than 200 million voters in the world’s most populous Muslim country went to the polling booths in February, ending a decade of President Joko Widodo in power with the election of former army general and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The new government will take office in October for a five-year term. The incoming President Subianto has promised to continue focusing on making Indonesia a high-income economy.

Economic reforms passed through by the outgoing president will make achieving Indonesia’s grand vision easier. “Widodo put in place a bunch of economic reforms, the most noticeable being making it easier to hire and fire new workers. And they also reformed land use rights,” Gareth Leather, a senior economist at Capital Economics, stated in a conversation with CNBC.&nbsp; 

“Indonesia still does a few things wrong. The infrastructure is not great. Corruption is still a problem. But they’re heading in the right direction,” he added.&nbsp;

Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, is focused on avoiding&nbsp;“the middle-income trap” i.e., an economic development situation where growing economies stagnate at middle-income levels and are unable to advance to the ranks of high-income countries. Major policy reforms, she believes, will help Indonesia sidestep that. “A lot of government efforts, including our fiscal budget, are allocated significantly for education, health, and [the] social safety net,” she stated.&nbsp;The International Monetary Fund (IMF) agrees with the prominent Finance Minister, stating that broad and sustained structural reforms are required for Indonesia to achieve high-income status.&nbsp;

Indonesia will never be the next China

Taxation and labor reforms, making it easier for firms to hire and fire workers, are also a strategic part of Indonesia’s economic engineering. “They’re useful steps in the right direction,” said Leather.&nbsp; 

“Under the old system, if you wanted to sack a worker in Indonesia, you had to pay them up to 60 weeks of severance pay. Which is way more than anywhere else. If you’re a manufacturing investor looking at where to set up shop in Asia, and you see how inflexible the labor force is, it could put you off.”&nbsp; 

Leather feels “relatively upbeat about Indonesia,” though “it won’t ever be the next China,” he told CNBC. “If it continues growing at 5-6 per cent over the next decade, that’s a decent performance,” he added.

Finance Minister Mulyani Indrawati, meanwhile, remains cautious

“A lot of work still needs to be done,” said the minister, adding that a lot had been achieved “despite Covid and geopolitical fragmentation.” 

The goal of Indonesia, according to the Minister is to stay politically neutral and focus on robust economic growth through making improvements in economic policies. The chip industry and electric vehicle battery production are the areas where the country can look to expand and help in nurturing domestic growth.&nbsp;

Indonesia’s rising economy is the latest of Asia’s success stories. Still, the country’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has cautioned that its yearly 5 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, higher than the global average of 2 per cent, is “not enough for the nation to achieve meaningful progress” needed to become a high-income nation as detailed in a report by CNBC.

Indonesia’s rising economy is the latest of Asia’s success stories. Still, the country’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has cautioned that its yearly 5 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, higher than the global average of 2 per cent, is “not enough for the nation to achieve meaningful progress” needed to become a high-income nation as detailed in a report by CNBC. Indonesia’s massive plan is a part of what it terms as the “Golden Vision 2045,” a grand plan aimed at transforming the country into a skilled workforce on high wages and a way to reduce poverty rates by the time it celebrates its 100-year anniversary. “To continue our journey of high growth based on high productivity, we have to invest more in human capital,” the finance minister told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” in an interview last week. A country report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published in August stated that the aspiration for Indonesia is to “increase value-added services by moving through the value chain from raw commodities, build a skilled population ready for the digital age, and accelerate infrastructure development and institutional reform to support balanced, green, and equitable growth.” Political change has consolidated the ambition of Indonesia Further, despite a change in political power earlier this year, Indonesia’s ambitions remain. More than 200 million voters in the world’s most populous Muslim country went to the polling booths in February, ending a decade of President Joko Widodo in power with the election of former army general and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The new government will take office in October for a five-year term. The incoming President Subianto has promised to continue focusing on making Indonesia a high-income economy. Economic reforms passed through by the outgoing president will make achieving Indonesia’s grand vision easier. “Widodo put in place a bunch of economic reforms, the most noticeable being making it easier to hire and fire new workers. And they also reformed land use rights,” Gareth Leather, a senior economist at Capital Economics, stated in a conversation with CNBC. “Indonesia still does a few things wrong. The infrastructure is not great. Corruption is still a problem. But they’re heading in the right direction,” he added. Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, is focused on avoiding “the middle-income trap” i.e., an economic development situation where growing economies stagnate at middle-income levels and are unable to advance to the ranks of high-income countries. Major policy reforms, she believes, will help Indonesia sidestep that. “A lot of government efforts, including our fiscal budget, are allocated significantly for education, health, and [the] social safety net,” she stated. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) agrees with the prominent Finance Minister, stating that broad and sustained structural reforms are required for Indonesia to achieve high-income status. Indonesia will never be the next China Taxation and labor reforms, making it easier for firms to hire and fire workers, are also a strategic part of Indonesia’s economic engineering. “They’re useful steps in the right direction,” said Leather. “Under the old system, if you wanted to sack a worker in Indonesia, you had to pay them up to 60 weeks of severance pay. Which is way more than anywhere else. If you’re a manufacturing investor looking at where to set up shop in Asia, and you see how inflexible the labor force is, it could put you off.” Leather feels “relatively upbeat about Indonesia,” though “it won’t ever be the next China,” he told CNBC. “If it continues growing at 5-6 per cent over the next decade, that’s a decent performance,” he added. Finance Minister Mulyani Indrawati, meanwhile, remains cautious “A lot of work still needs to be done,” said the minister, adding that a lot had been achieved “despite Covid and geopolitical fragmentation.” The goal of Indonesia, according to the Minister is to stay politically neutral and focus on robust economic growth through making improvements in economic policies. The chip industry and electric vehicle battery production are the areas where the country can look to expand and help in nurturing domestic growth.

Indonesia pushes for major policy reforms to combat the ‘middle-income trap’

As one of the most popular tourist destinations, Bali&nbsp;fears overdevelopment of land, Indonesia has agreed to set a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs&nbsp;in some of its areas, a senior ministry official said.&nbsp;

After the COVID pandemic, tourism has peaked in Bali, however, concern has arisen about the strain visitors are putting on the local infrastructure, the environment, and culture.&nbsp;

Hermin Esti, a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, told Reuters that the government had agreed to set the moratorium, although the exact timeline was still being discussed.

<h2>Moratorium suggested in four Bali's regions&nbsp;</h2>

Bali's interim governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, said on Saturday that he has suggested the moratorium in four of Bali's busy areas to the central government, aiming at overdevelopment for commercial purposes, including hotels, villas and beach clubs.&nbsp;

However, the governor's office and Indonesia's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-tourists-tricked-into-dog-meat-in-bali-authorities-launch-investigation-744836">Also read:&nbsp;Australian tourists tricked into eating dog meat in Bali, authorities launch investigation</a>

Senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that the moratorium could remain in place for up to a decade, reported news website Detik. However, the timeframe for the moratorium is still unclear.&nbsp;

Moreover, there were 541 hotels in Bali last year, which is up from 507 in 2019.

<h2>Bali home to nearly 200,000 foreigners</h2>

Earlier, Luhut said that about 200,000 foreigners now live in Bali, and have&nbsp;also been contributing to crime, overdevelopment, and increased job competition.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Indonesia: Lawmakers give nod for poll body to issue new rules

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According to the government statistics, 2.9 million foreign visitors have arrived through Bali airport in the first half of the year, making up 65 per cent of total foreign arrivals in Indonesia by air.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As one of the most popular tourist destinations, Bali fears overdevelopment of land, Indonesia has agreed to set a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs in some of its areas, a senior ministry official said.

As one of the most popular tourist destinations, Bali fears overdevelopment of land, Indonesia has agreed to set a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs in some of its areas, a senior ministry official said. After the COVID pandemic, tourism has peaked in Bali, however, concern has arisen about the strain visitors are putting on the local infrastructure, the environment, and culture. Hermin Esti, a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, told Reuters that the government had agreed to set the moratorium, although the exact timeline was still being discussed. Moratorium suggested in four Bali's regions Bali's interim governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, said on Saturday that he has suggested the moratorium in four of Bali's busy areas to the central government, aiming at overdevelopment for commercial purposes, including hotels, villas and beach clubs. However, the governor's office and Indonesia's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. Also read: Australian tourists tricked into eating dog meat in Bali, authorities launch investigation Senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that the moratorium could remain in place for up to a decade, reported news website Detik. However, the timeframe for the moratorium is still unclear. Moreover, there were 541 hotels in Bali last year, which is up from 507 in 2019. Bali home to nearly 200,000 foreigners Earlier, Luhut said that about 200,000 foreigners now live in Bali, and have also been contributing to crime, overdevelopment, and increased job competition. Watch | Indonesia: Lawmakers give nod for poll body to issue new rules × According to the government statistics, 2.9 million foreign visitors have arrived through Bali airport in the first half of the year, making up 65 per cent of total foreign arrivals in Indonesia by air. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia to consider ban on new hotels in Bali amid overtourism alarms

The US and Indonesia on Friday concluded two-week-long joint military exercises that included the recapture of remote islands, with Japan, South Korea and other countries taking part to promote stability in the South China Sea.

US and Indonesia wrap up multinational drills

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