Mathias Hariyadi

Former member of the Movement for the Liberation of Aceh (GAM), he continued the separatist struggle against Jakarta for years. After two months of negotiations, with 120 militiamen he abandons his weapons and ammunition. The government will grant him amnesty for past crimes.

Decision taken by city mayor and provincial governor. Holidays not part of Islamic calendar and thus "morally wrong to celebrate them." Non-Muslims will be able to ring in the new year, but not in public.

The head of government has chosen Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara, for the State celebrations. In the speech he quoted Pope Francis and Msgr. Albertus Soegijapranata SJ, the first native bishop of the country and national hero. Christmas is not only a "soap opera" but "a time of radical change, to make us more altruistic and make the nation richer and more peaceful."

Professional cooks and homemakers cooked for hundreds of children from Jakarta’s St Vincent orphanage. The bishop ordered a moment of meditation for the birth of Christ to precede the meal. In Kalimantan, Christians organised a Christmas trees competition with discarded material.

The president of the Bishops' Conference and the leaders of the Protestant community have met with the head of state on the eve of Christmas. The meeting focused on a potential visit by Jokowi to "center" of Christianity during a future trip to Europe. Appreciation for the strengthening of security measures during Christian celebrations.

Authorities say the threats are "imminent" and concrete. Fears lone wolf attacks (targeting weddings) and mass attacks (concerts), modeled on Paris. Various terrorist groups linked to the Islamic State. Indonesian President Widodo expected in Papua, where he will celebrate the holiday with Christian communities in the area.

​Regional elections were held in the province on 9 December. In the diocese of Sintang, which is without a bishop, Catholics went to the polls divided. The vicar general opened the Holy Door on 13 December in front of 3,000, urging the faithful to "Let the spirit of reconciliation be our spiritual repentance during the year of Mercy".

Setya Novanto, member of the opposition, was in office since October 2014. He took bribes from US mining giant Freeport, which extracts gold and copper, in exchange for contracts. Criticized by the public and charged by the Ministry of Energy and Justice, Novarto featured in Donald Trump’s election campaign.

For Prof M. Qasim Mathar, who teaches at the Islamic University of Makassar, Pope Francis’ words reinforce Muhammad’s message. For him, ‘Misericordiae Vultus’ has a universal message, valid for all political and religious leaders in the world. The Archbishop of Jakarta issues a pastoral letter to the faithful. Priests and faithful prepare hymns dedicated to the Holy Year.

For the first time, millions of voters went to the polls on the same day in 32 provinces, 264 regencies and 224 districts. Many feared that terror attacks might cause problems to the election process, but for Catholic source, the successful vote “is a sign that democracy in Indonesia is catching on quickly, wherever participation is practiced, recommended and encouraged."

The Pukat Kaj initiative focused on theme of love (in action), peace and harmony. It was attended by hundreds of professionals, artists and faithful. The proceeds go to charity projects for the diocese of Agats-Asmat (Papua), focused on the education sector.

The chairman of the Sharia Economic Society has proposed the creation of specific services in accordance with Muslim law in the most visited Indonesian island. The idea, he says, works from an economic standpoint because it attracts visitors requiring "halal services". Numerous criticisms have been raised in the archipelago: "Do not ruin Bali, a place of tolerance and encounter".