Mathias Hariyadi

The proposed law would impose up to two years in prison or a fine of 50 million rupiahs (US$ 3,500) on offenders. The bill will not respect the ritual customs of some tribal groups and will certainly have a serious impact on the hospitality and entertainment industries.

The story of an Augustinian midwife nun, a native of Central Java, who has been carrying her work in the diocese of Ketapang for 8 years. "With all my limitations and personal knowledge, I always have the desire to keep the spiritual flame as an Augustinian nun burning in my heart. Doing what is best for God and for the good of others"

A large crowd greeted Rizieq Shihab at Jakarta International Airport. He had fled in 2017 over pornography charges related to an alleged extra-marital affair. Before placing himself in quarantine because of COVID-19 rules, he announced un unspecified “moral revolution”.

Archbishop Anicetus Bongsu Sinaga OFMCap, 79, is the first Indonesian prelate to die in the pandemic. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Sibolga, ordained in Rome by John Paul II on 6 January 1981.

MUI leaders want to send a "strong message" to Macron, whom they describe as "arrogant". Street protests break out in Jakarta and Yogyakarta. However, the campaign does not seem to have great effects. French imports are already small, and the boycott penalises more local merchants. The Nahdlatul Ulama calls for dialogue to overcome opposing extremisms.

The Indonesian government opens to Washington to protect its territorial interests, threatened by Beijing. US financial support in the island nation is growing. However, Jakarta does not want to break with the Chinese giant.

Yohanes Bayu Samodro, director-general of the Catholic Community Guidance unit in the Ministry for Religious Affairs, urges fellow Indonesian Catholics to defend the nation’s values, strengthen morals, and get young people involved. His priority is to redesign “the conventional model of catechesis".

The third phase of testing of the drug bought from China’s Sinovac is not yet completed. Like Brazil, Indonesia should test the same product on 15,000 volunteers. Jakarta is in a hurry to start immunisation, but so far, the vaccine has been tested on just over 9,000 volunteers. Indonesia is the Southeast Asian country most affected by the pandemic.

Archbishop Anicetus Bongsu Sinaga, 79, tested positive after showing symptoms. Local Catholics are concerned about his evolving case. A diaconal ordination with many participants, few of them masked, is the possible cause. Now everyone is being tested.

Protesters argue that the new jobs law paralyzes workers' rights and harms the environment. Public concern because protesters ignored health safety protocols for Covid-19. On Thursday 8 October the number of confirmed cases rose to 320,564. In Jakarta alone, there were 83,372 cases with 1,834 deaths.

Critics say the "Omnibus Law" passed by the government and approved yesterday by Parliament favors exploitation and risks having repercussions on the environment, especially tropical forests. The promoters demand laws that regulate the market and favours foreign investment. The hypothesis of a general strike.

The prime minister of the Melanesian nation accuses Jakarta of violating the human rights of indigenous Papuans. Indonesia replies by accusing Vanuatu of causing hatred among local Papuans and discrediting Indonesia's reputation in the international community by raising human rights issues to support separatist movements.