Latest Joko Widodo News

Indonesia's stance on Israel overshadows world soccer event

Mar. 28, 2023 23:38 PM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia could lose its chance to host a global youth soccer tournament, and its chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, after refusing to welcome a team from Israel. FIFA canceled an important preparatory step after regional governors and protesters...

Indonesia acquits 2 police, jails 1 for deadly soccer crush

Mar. 16, 2023 08:53 AM EDT

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court on Thursday acquitted two police officials charged with negligence leading to the deaths of 135 people in October when police fired tear gas inside a soccer stadium, setting off a panicked run for the exits. A third official was sentenced to 18...

Indonesia unveils construction site of new capital city

Mar. 09, 2023 17:54 PM EST

PENAJAM PASER UTARA, Indonesia (AP) — Orange-red ground has been broken in the jungle of East Borneo, where the Indonesian government has begun construction of its new capital city. Officials promise a “sustainable forest city” that puts the environment at the heart of...

Indonesia jails organizer, security chief in soccer tragedy

Mar. 09, 2023 05:28 AM EST

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — A soccer club organizer and its chief of security were jailed by an Indonesian court on Thursday on charges of negligence leading to the deaths of 135 people when police fired tear gas inside a stadium last October, setting off a panicked run for the exits. ...

Why is Indonesia moving its capital from Jakarta to Borneo?

Mar. 09, 2023 02:40 AM EST

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Jakarta is congested, polluted, prone to earthquakes and rapidly sinking into the Java Sea. Now the government is in the process of leaving, moving Indonesia’s capital to the island of Borneo. Indonesian officials say the new metropolis will be a...

Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 19; 3 still missing

Mar. 04, 2023 22:55 PM EST

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian rescuers and firefighters on Sunday searched for three people who were still missing after a large fire spread from a fuel storage depot in the capital and killed at least 19 people. The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil...

Indonesian police fire tear gas to disperse soccer fans

Feb. 17, 2023 11:37 AM EST

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian police fired tear gas outside a soccer stadium to disperse fans who were trying to force their way into a match in Central Java province on Friday, months after the use of tear gas in another stadium caused one of the world's worst sporting disasters. ...

Indonesia opens trial for 5 charged over soccer crush deaths

Jan. 16, 2023 21:33 PM EST

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court began trial Monday against five men on charges of negligence leading to the deaths of 135 people after police fired tear gas inside a soccer stadium, setting off a panicked run for the exits in which many were crushed. The deadly...

Indonesian president acknowledges past human rights abuses

Jan. 11, 2023 06:14 AM EST

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday admitted serious human rights violations had occurred across the country in recent decades and vowed to compensate victims and prevent such abuses from happening again in the future. In televised comments,...

Malaysia pledges to invest in Indonesia's new capital

Jan. 09, 2023 03:03 AM EST

BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday his country would invest in the development of Indonesia's new capital on Borneo island, which both nations share. Anwar made his first overseas trip to Jakarta since taking office in November, saying at...