In restive Papua, a separatist movement has simmered since the 1960s. While President Joko Widodo has sought to improve outcomes for the region, observers say long-standing racism against Papuans risks undermining his plans.

Indonesian president discussed migrant workers, border issues and palm oil cooperation with Mahathir Mohamad during the two-day visit.

Nahdlatul Ulama has 60 million followers and is a voice for moderate Islam and has thrown its support behind Widodo. But analysts say its growing prominence could disenfranchise conservatives and worsen identity politics.

President Joko Widodo has hinted the Islamic Defenders Front could be outlawed in an effort to tackle a growing wave of conservatism, but opposition leader Prabowo cautions against the move.

Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict says government’s efforts to curb hate speech could further inflame religious and political tensions.

The funds have been used by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, say counterterrorism police. Malaysia has been vocal about getting justice for the persecuted minority but the realisation that some members could be a security threat has caused disquiet

Facial recognition technology has failed to identify the person seen in a leaked clip as the economic affairs minister, but police say the ‘leader of a political party’ paid ‘hundreds of thousands of ringgit’ to produce the video.

Women in Indonesia’s ultraconservative province of Acehare unhappy with efforts to legalise polygamous marriages through a special by-law being debated in the local legislature.

The threat exposes the rising militancy against the Shia Muslim minority in multicultural Malaysia.

Little has been heard of the Southeast Asian offshoot of al-Qaeda for the past five years, but the arrest of JI leader Para Wijayanto reveals it is now self-funded, focusing on recruitment, and posing a renewed threat to the region.

After a bitterly-fought, divisive election, a broad political coalition could bring much-needed stability so President Joko Widodo can focus on economic reforms. But there are downsides too.

Para Wijayanto – known as the “crown prince of Jemaah Islamiah”, the Southeast Asian wing of al-Qaeda – was involved in a spate of bombings across Indonesia, and evaded capture for so long because he often used a burka to disguise himself.

The suspect, a 32-year-old man, belonged to the Muslim Cyber Army, 14 of whose members were arrested on similar charges in March last year.

‘The plaintiff’s case is legally groundless. We reject [his] demand in its entirety,’ chief justice Anwar Usman said.

China has been Indonesia’s largest trading partner since 2017, when it leapfrogged the US, but Jakarta is attempting a balancing act between the two.

The woman is one of three Singaporeans facing travel restrictions over support for the militant group. Her arrest is seen as a sign of Isis’ continued radicalisation efforts and recruitment of ‘influencers’.

Prabowo alleged massive and systematic fraud in the April 17 election and claimed he was in fact the rightful winner. The Indonesian Election Commission disagreed.

Returnees from Syria and Iraq, frustrated with the failure to die as martyrs, could attempt to continue their holy mission back home, says Malaysia’s inspector-general of police.

Footage involving a young politician and an older man resembling a cabinet minister could be the greatest challenge facing the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition since it took office last year.

The losing presidential candidate has alleged the April 17 polls were marked by ‘massive and systematic’ electoral fraud, and claims he won the election by securing 52 per cent of the vote.

The retired general has requested legal protection from Security Minister Wiranto, who is among four of President Widodo’s top officials that Kivlan allegedly ordered hitmen to assassinate in a plot linked to the Jakarta riots.

Two suspects arrested after the May 21-22 Jakarta riots told police they received orders from Kivlan. Police remain on high alert for further violence before Friday, when Prabowo’s election-rigging claims will be heard.

The first hearing on losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto’s claims will take place on June 14, with a decision expected by June 28. The defence minister last week warned of ‘bigger riots’ after the May 21-22 Jakarta clashes.

Initial investigations by the country’s National Commission on Human Rights found religious teachers with links to defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto were involved.

The 22-year-old man was severely injured after trying to blow himself up in Kartasura, Central Java. Police continue to be targets as the country grapples with post-election instability.

Powerful political figure Mualem issued a call for a referendum in the once war-torn region, saying the country is no longer clear on the question of democracy.

The retired two-star general allegedly ordered the assassination bid’s field operator to provoke the Jakarta riots on May 21-22.

The suspects, which include a Malaysian citizen who believes Muslims taking part in democratic elections should be killed, were detained in a swoop operation, police said.

His anti-foreigner rhetoric faced questions when he flew out of Jakarta this week on a private jet with two Russian parliamentary officials. And his rejection of the election results only seems to go so far, analysts say.

Jerry Duane Gray, who served in the US Air Force, converted to Islam and took Indonesian citizenship in 2010. His rant claimed communist forces were taking over as deadly riots rocked the capital of Jakarta.