JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Wednesday he would be the first person in the country to be vaccinated for Covid-19 as he unveiled a campaign promising free inoculations for everyone in world’s fourth most-populous nation. Widodo’s announcement comes as Indonesia battles misinformation over the virus in order to stave off a fresh wave of infections, with some 630,000 recorded by Wednesday and more than 19,000 deaths. “The Covid-19 vaccine for all […]
Tag: Widodo
Indonesia’s Widodo declares state of emergency as virus toll jumps, but resists calls for lockdown
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesian leader Joko Widodo declared a state of emergency Tuesday as coronavirus deaths in the world’s fourth most populous country jumped again, but he resisted calls for a nationwide lockdown. Widodo’s administration has been heavily criticized for not imposing lockdowns in major cities, including the capital Jakarta, a vast megalopolis home to about 30 million people where most of the country’s virus deaths have been reported. Indonesia’s leader offered few details of […]
Duterte, Widodo hold bilateral talks on ASEAN Summit sidelines, agree on landmark accord on maritime boundaries
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting Saturday night, June 22, on the sidelines of the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit where they agreed on a landmark accord on maritime boundaries between the two countries “This landmark accord concluded between the two biggest archipelagic states stands as a valuable example of the peaceful and rules-based settlement of maritime borders in accordance with 1982 United […]
Indonesia warns against unrest as Widodo rival rejects results
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesian authorities warned Thursday against unrest as a firebrand ex-general rejected unofficial election results that appeared to hand President Joko Widodo another term as leader of the world’s third-biggest democracy. National Police Chief Tito Karnavian said Wednesday’s “smooth and safe” polls would not be disrupted by demonstrations, and warned of arrests. “If there are any illegal or unconstitutional actions that threaten public stability and security, (authorities) will take firm action,” […]
Indonesia’s Joko Widodo on track to beat firebrand ex-general
by Kiki Siregar Agence France Presse JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia’s Joko Widodo was on track to be re-elected leader of the world’s third-biggest democracy with pollsters giving him a wide lead over rival Prabowo Subianto, a firebrand ex-general, hours after voting closed Wednesday across the 17,000-island archipelago. While official results are not due until next month, a series of so-called “quick counts” by pollsters showed Widodo holding a strong lead with around 55 […]
Jakarta opens first MRT to battle traffic
by Kiki Siregar Agence France Presse JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Jakarta commuter Irnawati can spend up to four hours daily in her car, but now she and millions of others may get some relief as the traffic-clogged Southeast Asian city opens its first mass rapid-transit system. On Sunday, Jakarta will inaugurate the $1.1 billion project seen as crucial to tackling some of the world’s worst congestion, which can turn commutes into hours-long endurance tests. For […]
President Duterte now in Indonesia for ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte is now in Indonesia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Gathering today, October 11. The President arrived at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday night, October 10, for the ASEAN meeting set on the following day. Duterte was invited to participate in the event by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering is a High-Level Assembly that is a […]
Indonesia president chooses cleric as VP pick in 2019 election race
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia’s 2019 presidential race took shape Friday with incumbent Joko Widodo choosing to run alongside a conservative Islamic cleric against controversial ex-general Prabowo Subianto. Widodo, whose down-to-earth style and ambitious infrastructure drive has made him popular with many Indonesians, picked cleric Ma’ruf Amin as his vice presidential nominee. The decision will bolster the president’s Islamic credentials but could be polarizing among more progressive voters. Amin, 75, is the current chairman the […]
Indonesia passes tougher terror law after suicide attacks
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia passed a new law Friday that will give police more power to take pre-emptive action against terror suspects in the wake of the country’s deadliest Islamist attacks in years. The bill had been stalled for almost two years as parliament wrangled over details, including how to define terrorism, but a wave of deadly suicide bombings this month hiked pressure on lawmakers to pass the legislation. Police will now be […]
Indonesia makes criticizing politicians a crime
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesians could be jailed for criticizing national politicians under a new law which came into force Thursday, in what critics slammed as a major step back for the world’s third-biggest democracy. The vaguely worded bill passed the 560-member house last month but has just become official, over the objections of President Joko Widodo who refused to sign off on the controversial legislation. Widodo does not have veto power over the […]
Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit India
(Eagle News) — Indonesian president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will once again visit India this year. The Indonesian leader’s visit is slated before the end of January, in time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-India Commemorative Summit on the 25th of this month, and India’s Republic Day Parade the following day. The visit aims to strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership. Once in New Delhi, President Widodo is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra […]
Shoot drug traffickers if they resist arrest, says Indonesia’s President Widodo
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) –Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has ordered the police to shoot drug traffickers who resist arrest in the latest effort to eradicate drug use in the country. In a speech to one of Indonesia’s political parties late Friday, Widodo urged law enforcers to crackdown on drug dealers in Indonesia. “Be firm. Especially to foreign drug dealers who enter the country. If they resist even the slightest, just shoot them,” Widodo said. The Indonesian […]





