Mathias Hariyadi

The outgoing president has lifted a ban that had been in place for more than 20 years and was introduced to protect the ecosystem and the land. In justifying the decision, he speaks of a ‘correction’ to the previous rule: it would not be sand, but ‘ocean sediments’. Former fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti expresses her ‘deep concern’.

Indonesians will be able to visit it upon request and with limited access for a maximum of 300 people per day. Only some areas can be visited, smoking is prohibited. Outgoing President Widodo in the new centre where he will spend his last days in office. The completion of the work, which should be completed within the next two decades, is still far off.

A ceremony at Sukarno-Hatta airport, before transfer to the nunciature. The people of Jakarta impressed by Francis' extreme simplicity. During the thirteen-hour flight, the pontiff was also presented with a reproduction of the Xi'an stele, testimony to the ancient roots of Christianity in China.

Originally from Flores Island and the Verbite superior general until a few weeks ago, Mgr Paulus Budi Kleden began his term as archbishop of Ende on 22 August. On the eve of the pope's arrival in the country, he talked to AsiaNews about expectations surrounding the visit, as well as the missionary face of the Indonesian Church, which currently has its own priests and nuns serving evangelisation in dozens of countries around the world.

Presenting the imminent arrival of the pontiff, the Archbishop of Jakarta announced that on 5 September there will be a declaration together with the Grand Imam of the mosque, in the spirit of the Abu Dhabi document. Having reached the maximum capacity of 88,000 faithful for the Mass in the stadium, many more will follow it via streaming in the parishes. To facilitate travel, the Jakarta Authority has decreed a smart-working day for all offices.

Demonstrations in several cities across the country just days before Pope Francis' visit. An attempt to reform regional elections to allow the president's 29-year-old son to run for governor of Central Java State and block the outgoing governor of the capital's reelection is in the crosshairs. Tensions around Parliament, turned into a “battleground” for a few hours.

First celebrations in the new reality strongly desired by outgoing President Widodo to replace Jakarta. Dozens of political, institutional and religious figures in attendance. Archbishop of Samarinda: “Indonesians showed optimism by visiting” the new capital, but much remains to be done before it “is completed.”

Two places of worship in Malang were the targets. Police dismiss claims that the planned attack was linked to Francis’s upcoming apostolic trip to Asia-Pacific. Three people were arrested, including one man known as "Hok" suspected of affiliation with the extremist group Daulah Islamiyah. Explosive materials used to make the "Mother of Satan" bomb were confiscated.

After the Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah accepts President Joko Widodo’s proposal for religious organisations to run mining projects. Indonesia’s Catholic Church rejected the offer outright, but critical voices have also emerged in Indonesia’s Islamic organisations.

Outgoing President Joko Widodo signed a decree to this effect. Yet, despite government efforts, foreign investors are reluctant to get involved in the project. Widodo’s successor Prabowo does not seem keen on prioritising the new capital. The transfer of the first administrative offices, scheduled for this month, has been postponed.

A Sacred Heart missionary of Dutch origin, he died at the age of 88. In Indonesia since 1968, as director of the Ethics Centre at the University of Jakarta he made an important contribution to the country in the reflection on social ethics, also training young scholars.

Head of State Widodo also intervened in the affair, with a public criticism of the actions of members of the moderate Muslim organisation. Leader Nu apologised for ‘the incident’ and called the choice of ‘timing and manner’ ‘inappropriate’. The country's leadership confirmed its support for the Palestinian cause.