https://www.scmp.com/rss/522778/feed The latest news and top stories on Sufmi Dasco Ahmad. He is a founding member and chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party. Having served as a Member of Parliament since 2014, he has been a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives since 2019, re-elected for the 2024-2029 term. He is known for his role in legislative initiatives, bridging the legislature and executive, and is a trusted confidant of President Prabowo Subianto. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Indonesia nearly doubled a key allowance for its lawmakers, an official said on Monday, one month after cancelling some of the benefits given to parliamentarians in an effort to assuage public anger following a series of violent demonstrations. In August, thousands of students, rights groups and other civilians joined protests against the government’s spending priorities, including pay rises for lawmakers. The demonstrations later spiralled into riots after a motorcycle taxi driver was killed... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3328784/indonesia-nearly-doubles-key-allowance-lawmakers-despite-public-anger-protests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3328784/indonesia-nearly-doubles-key-allowance-lawmakers-despite-public-anger-protests?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:18:45 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk As Indonesia prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day, a new symbol of resistance has emerged – not from the pages of history, but from the world of Japanese anime. Traditionally, the nation’s red-and-white flag adorns homes, vehicles and public spaces in the lead-up to the national holiday. But this year, many Indonesians have chosen to raise The Jolly Roger pirate flag from the Japanese anime series One Piece in an act of defiance. The fictional skull-and-crossbones, topped with main... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3320683/indonesians-fly-anime-pirate-flag-independence-day-protest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3320683/indonesians-fly-anime-pirate-flag-independence-day-protest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:05:06 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Indonesia is set to begin releasing hundreds of convicts from its notoriously overcrowded prisons after parliament approved the first stage of President Prabowo Subianto’s wide-ranging clemency plan. The first group of 1,116 will begin leaving prisons next week, and include prominent rivals of former president Joko Widodo who were jailed during his term, as well as Papuan independence activists. The announcement was made late on Thursday by the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3320401/widodos-rivals-walk-free-indonesias-prabowo-pardons-thousands-prisoners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3320401/widodos-rivals-walk-free-indonesias-prabowo-pardons-thousands-prisoners?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 06:45:08 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Indonesia has ruled out any military operation to secure the release of controversial social media personality and fashion designer Arnold Putra, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Myanmar, and is instead turning to defence diplomacy and quiet negotiations to resolve a case that has become a political headache in Jakarta. Arnold, 33, known for his provocative online persona and content, was convicted in March by Myanmar’s military junta of entering the country illegally and engaging... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3318171/indonesias-spine-bag-designer-jailed-myanmar-no-military-rescue-cards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3318171/indonesias-spine-bag-designer-jailed-myanmar-no-military-rescue-cards?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:59:15 +0000