Indonesia's parliament passed a long-awaited sexual violence bill on Tuesday, a landmark decision that raises hopes of justice for victims after the country recorded a spike in reported cases during the coronavirus pandemic.Indonesian women's rights activists have for years condemned the lack of avenues for victims of gender-based and sexual violence to seek justice in a country where abuse is often considered a private affair and victims are discouraged from filing a report.Cheers

Indonesian police deployed tear gas and water cannon against thousands of students protesting Monday against extending the presidential term limit, after rumours swirled for weeks about a potential change to the country's constitution.The Southeast Asian country's next election is in 2024 and President Joko Widodo would not be eligible to run as Indonesia places a two-term limit on its leader.But senior ministers and several political parties last month suggested the election should

The annual military exercises between Indonesian and United States (US) armies will include more than a dozen countries this year, officials said Sunday, as tensions with China continue to spike in the region.The "Garuda Shield" joint training will see militaries from 14 countries – including Britain, Australia and Japan – participate in ground drills and beach-landing exercises from 1-14 August in Indonesia's South Sumatra archipelago and the East of Borneo Island, the Indones

A Sumatran rhino has successfully given birth in an Indonesian sanctuary, environment officials said, in a boost for conservation efforts targeting the critically endangered animal.The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos remain in the world, mainly on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and Borneo.A rhino named Rosa gave birth to a female calf on Thursday in Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, after suffering eight miscarriages since 2005, when she was broug

Indonesia has suggested crowdfunding the relocation of the country’s capital after a major investor declined to back the US$32 billion project, prompting ridicule from critics and questions about ownership of the planned city.The unorthodox proposal came to light on Monday when the head of the government agency behind the plan told local media the option is being explored after Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp opted not to invest in the project.

Indonesia on Wednesday officially lifted quarantine requirements for overseas travellers and allowed the resumption of traditional practises for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan after two years of tight pandemic restrictions.The easing of restrictions follows a decline in COVID-19 cases in the Southeast Asian archipelago, which battled an Omicron-fuelled surge earlier this year."The COVID-19 situation in our country continues to improve.

At least two people are dead and 26 others are missing after a ferry carrying dozens of migrants sank off the coast of Indonesia, an official said Sunday.The wooden fishing boat was carrying 89 onboard when it departed for neighbouring Malaysia through an unguarded route.But it sprung a leak soon after departing before being hit by strong waves and sinking.A man and a woman were found dead while 61 others were rescued and immediately transported to hospitals for treatment.

Strong and shallow earthquakes shook western Indonesia and the Philippines' main island early Monday, rattling buildings and sending panicked residents fleeing, but causing no casualties or damage.In Indonesia, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit off the west coast of Sumatra Island and in the Philippines, a 6.4-magnitude tremor struck 110 kilometres (68 miles) off Luzon Island, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.Officials in both countries said there were no immediate reports of

A boat carrying more than 100 Rohingya refugees, including dozens of children, landed on the coast of Indonesia's westernmost province Aceh early Sunday, police said.The vessel, which sailed from a Rohingya camp in Bangladesh, arrived shortly after 3:00 am on a beach in Bireun district.It was carrying 114 people, including 58 men, 21 women and 35 children aged under 15 years old, police said."We will conduct a general health check-up and COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for these foreig

Seven people died and dozens more were injured when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia's Sumatra Island on Friday, with residents shuttling loved ones to safety as buildings crumbled around them.The quake came just minutes after a less violent tremor, as terrified residents had begun evacuating their houses."We all fled our home (after the first quake)," Yudi Prama Agustino, 36, told AFP.