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Top 5 at 5: Protests Catching Fire All Over Indonesia

Andreas Harsono, researcher, Human Rights Watch

02-Sep-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Protests Catching Fire All Over Indonesia

The protests that started as pushback to a monthly housing allowance for Indonesian lawmakers have caught fire across all of Jakarta, particularly after the death of a delivery rider caused by authorities. With the situation drawing the attention of the UN, we speak to Andreas Harsono, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, about the situation.

Other stories we covered:

• Historic badminton win for Malaysia: Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei became the first Malaysian mixed doubles pair to win gold at the 2025 Badminton World Federal Championships. We talk to Fabian Mark Peter, sports journalist from Scoop.com, about the significance of this win, the influence of their coach, and what comes next for this duo.

• Perak Sultan caught in parade kerfuffle: During a Merdeka parade in Perak, a 41-year-old woman made a beeline to the Sultan in an attempt to hug him. Perak police have identified the local woman, and she is currently being investigated under several sections under the Penal Code. For more on the investigations, we reached out to criminal lawyer Purshotaman Puvanendran.

• 15 Malaysians set sail on Gaza-bound flotilla: 24 flotillas part of the Global Sumud Flotilla mission set sail from the Port of Barcelona yesterday in their second attempt to deliver essential aid to Gaza. With the full mission encompassing 50 ships to carry over 1,000 international participants, we speak to Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan who is on the steering committee of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

• SARA aid for Merdeka: On Merdeka Sunday, 22 million Malaysians got their one-off RM100 aid, resulting in long queues in grocery stores around the nation. There were a few technical hiccups, but with the aid being available until the end of the year, we discuss the options available to you on how to spend it.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Sneha Harikannan, Tee Shiao Eek, Susan Tam

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Susan Tam


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Categories:  economy,  financial wellness,  Law/Activism,  politics,  international,  controversies,  sports,  History/Heritage,  government

Tags:  SARA,  Global Sumud Flotilla mission,  Sultan of perak,  badminton world federal championships,  financial aid,  Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC),  barcelona,  merdeka parade,  badminton,  Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, 


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