Indonesia
The latest indonesia news and analysis from JournalArta Global.
AI Uncovers Forgotten Meteorite Reports in Millions of Archive Pages
A software engineer used AI to search millions of digitized historical pages, surfacing a forgotten meteorite report, records of three long-documented-missing rhinos and clues to an unrecorded volcanic eruption. The system narrowed the search, but each promising lead still had to be checked against scans of original documents—a safeguard against transcription errors and confident but incorrect AI answers.
USD to IDR: Yahoo Finance Page Shows No Rupiah Rate
Yahoo Finance’s currency-converter page does not show a USD to IDR exchange rate in available reports. Instead, it lists market headlines, including a Barchart report on support for the dollar from higher Treasury yields. The page gives no rupiah quote, daily change or update time, so it cannot establish how many rupiah a dollar would buy.
Perhutani Cepu Uses Felling Techniques to Protect Timber
Perhutani’s Cepu Forest Management Unit says careful tree felling helps preserve timber quality and reduce risks to workers. The company highlights the role of field supervisors, who monitor work from preparation through the tree’s fall, including checks on the tree and surrounding area. The felling activity took place in the Cepu unit’s area on Thursday, October 8.
Fires Indonesia Burning Months as Smoke Threatens Millions
Fires have burned for months across parts of Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra, sending hazardous smoke into communities and across borders. NASA data describes how drought and fires on peatland can keep flames smoldering underground, while Indonesian monitoring counted 946 hotspots on August 31. The Guardian reported rising respiratory illness cases and hazardous air in parts of Kalimantan.
Bechi Teacher Sexually Abused Student, Returned to Jail
Mochamad Subchi Azal Tsani, known as Bechi, has been returned to prison in Indonesia after a government review found errors in his parole. The BBC investigation into his early release prompted public outcry and calls for scrutiny. The minister responsible said those who approved the parole would face sanctions.
Garuda Indonesia Seeks Financing as Loss Widens
Garuda Indonesia reported a wider net loss as weaker scheduled-service revenue and higher costs strained its finances. Nearly 40% of its fleet was grounded for maintenance, limiting operations, while maintenance and repair costs climbed 23%. The airline ended 2025 with positive equity, but rising fuel bills pose a fresh risk to its turnaround.
Magnitude 5.0 Lombok Earthquake Felt Across Bali, No Tsunami Risk
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck off West Lombok early Wednesday, waking residents in Mataram and sending light shaking as far as Bali. Indonesia’s meteorological agency said the quake posed no tsunami threat. No damage or casualties had been reported in the initial update, while one magnitude 1.3 aftershock was recorded. Officials urged residents to check buildings for major cracks and follow updates from official channels.
Manado Haze Raises Air Quality Concerns Across Indonesia
Manado’s air quality declined from August through late September 2026 as wildfire smoke, dry-season dust and vehicle pollution converged. Indonesia’s weather agency said haze also drifted into North Sulawesi from fire-affected parts of Kalimantan and Papua, while local burning added to the smoke. City officials said first-half measurements remained below air-quality limits, but conditions worsened during the dry season.
Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau, Mount Ibu Erupt Hours Apart
Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau and Mount Ibu erupted within hours of each other on Monday, prompting geological authorities to set 2-kilometer exclusion zones around both active craters. At Mount Ibu, the restricted area also extends 3.5 kilometers toward the crater opening on the volcano’s north side. Reports gave conflicting measurements for Anak Krakatau’s eruption, so the figures here follow the account citing Indonesia’s Geological Agency.
Jakarta Student Wins Gold, Silver in English Contests
Waode Alysha Shanum Tenridio, a student at SMP Muhammadiyah 31 Jakarta, won gold at the International Kangaroo Linguistic Contest and silver at the International Cambridge Factor Olympiad. The competitions took place in September, with results announced in October. Shanum also ranked among the top IKLC participants in Jakarta’s special capital region, according to a report published October 6, 2026.
Indonesia Q4 Economic Outlook: Stability and Industrial Growth
Indonesia enters the fourth quarter of 2026 with a stable 3.28% inflation rate and rebounding manufacturing activity, despite global economic headwinds.
Badui Community Mourns Loss of Renowned Indonesian Photojournalist
The indigenous Badui community in Banten, Indonesia, expresses deep grief over the disappearance of ANTARA news agency photographer M. Bagus Khoirunas.
Palembang Residents Struggle as Wildfire Smoke Blankets the City
A dense blanket of toxic haze from nearby forest and land fires has triggered a public health crisis in Palembang, as residents report respiratory distress.
Air Quality Crisis: Palembang Hits Hazardous AQI of 485
Severe forest and land fires have pushed air quality in Indonesian cities to hazardous levels, with Palembang reaching an AQI of 485.
Prabowo Leads Indonesia’s 81st Military Anniversary at Cilangkap
President Prabowo Subianto presided over the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), marked by the inauguration of six new regional commands.
6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sumba, Indonesia; Damages Reported
A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kodi, Sumba Barat Daya, on Sunday, causing structural damage to homes and a primary school.
Leonardo DiCaprio Raises Alarm Over Indonesia’s Massive Forest Fires
Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio has highlighted the devastating forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, which have scorched 800,000 hectares and threaten endangered wildlife.
6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sumba, Indonesia; Dozens Damaged
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit Sumba Barat Daya, East Nusa Tenggara, damaging residential homes and public facilities, with one person sustaining minor injuries.
New Land Masses Emerge Near Anak Krakatau After Volcanic Eruption
Satellite imagery reveals two new land formations emerging near Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano following a major September 2026 eruption.
6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwest Sumba, Damaging 23 Buildings
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Southwest Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, damaging homes, churches, and public facilities. No fatalities have been reported.
6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia’s Sumba Island, Damages Homes
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Southwest Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday morning, causing structural damage to homes, schools, and churches.
6.1 Magnitude Quake Hits Sumba, Indonesia; Infrastructure Damaged
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Sumba Barat Daya, Indonesia, on Sunday morning, causing significant structural damage to homes and public facilities.
6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sumba, Damaging Schools and Homes
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kodi, Sumba Barat Daya, on Sunday, damaging local schools and residences while leaving one person injured.
Indonesia Accelerates Disaster Aid for Earthquake-Hit Flores Region
Indonesian authorities are fast-tracking financial aid and temporary housing for over 44,000 families displaced by the August earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara.