Putu Ayu Palupi, Galih Priatmojo – Hundreds of workers from the Yogyakarta and Central Java United Workers Communication Forum (FKBB) held a demonstration at the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on February 26. The action was held to oppose the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation.

Banda Aceh – Banda Aceh Mayor Aminullah Usman has banned residents from celebrating Valentine’s Day or the day of love on February 14.

Aceh Besar – The Greater Aceh regency government in Aceh province has again banned people from celebrating Valentine’s Day because it is deemed to conflict with Syariat Islam (Islamic law).

Agus Setyadi, Banda Aceh – Aceh’s religious leaders (ulama) believe that there is no need to build cinemas in Tanah Rencong – as Aceh is known – and that cinemas are not something which have any benefit.

Rahel Narda Chaterine, Jakarta – Indonesia Madani Circle (LIMA) founder and director Ray Rangkuti has said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo doesn’t deserve to receive the “Son of Reformasi” award. The issue went viral on social media after news circulated that the Trisakti University will give the award to Widodo.

Achmad Ali – A thanksgiving celebrating the 23rd anniversary (HUT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PRD) at the secretariat offices in the Bratang Gede area of the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya was closed down by Islamic and nationalist ormas (social or mass organisations) who oppose any and all activities by the PRD.

A number of Islamic and youth organisations in the Acehnese city of Lhokseumawe have objected to the national-level U-17 Women’s Soccer Tournament being held in Lhokseumawe because they believe the event is contrary to syariat Islam (Islamic law) in Aceh.

Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – The political parties in Prabowo Subianto’s electoral coalition will determine whether or not they will stay in opposition or join incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s camp after the Constitutional Court (MK) hands down its decision on the presidential election dispute next Thursday.

Jakarta – The Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno election ticket rejects the results of the 2019 presidential election (pilpres), but accepts the results of the legislative elections (pileg). They claim however that this does not conflict with the election law and proving allegations of fraud will be done separately.

Jakarta – Some time ago President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gave his blessing to six ministers in his “Working Cabinet” to run as candidates in the 2019 legislative elections. But the majority of them failed to obtain enough votes to become representatives of the people in Senayan, as the parliament is known.

Farih Maulana S, Jakarta – The Trisakti University has commemorated 21 years since the tragedy which took place on May 12, 1998. The commemoration was held by retracing the footsteps of those killed in the incident and scattering flowers on the Trisakti campus grounds.

Agus Setyadi, Banda Aceh – The Brunei Darussalam sultanate has enacted laws ranging from canning to stoning to death for the crime of homosexuality. Prior to enacting the laws, Brunei conducted comparative studies in Aceh to learn about Islamic law.

Jakarta – The planned release of Abu Bakar Bashir has turned into a polemic with the government still vacillating about whether or not to release the leader of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI).

Fadiyah Alaidrus – The mayor of Padang, Mahyeldi Ansharullah, has led a declaration attended by thousands of people rejecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) in the West Sumatran city.

Andhika Prasetia, Jakarta – Presidential Staff deputy head Ali Mochtar Ngabalin has rebuked Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) deputy chairperson Fadli Zon over the posting of a video insinuating that the government is actually the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

In the lead up to the deadline for the registration of presidential and vice-presidential candidates on August 10, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s name is increasingly being cited by a number of political parties.

Rofi Ali Majid – The education system has failed to realise the ideals of reformasi – the reform movement that began with the overthrow of former president Suharto in 1998.

This view was put forward by Max Lane, the author of the book Unfinished Nation: Indonesia Before and After Soeharto.

Imam Saputro, Solo – Workers in the Central Java city of Solo (Surakarta) chose to commemorate International Labour Day on Tuesday morning with a health walk instead of a demonstration.

Usman Hadi, Yogyakarta – Hundreds of home workers from the Yogyakarta Employees People’s Alliance (ARPY) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta held a commemoration of Labour Day or May Day at which they demanded welfare improvements for home workers.

Wijaya Kusuma, Yogyakarta – A demonstration by hundreds of protesters calling themselves the May 1 Movement (Gerakan 1 Mei) at the Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University (UIN) intersection in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta has ended in chaos.