Indonesia aims to set up command for anti-terrorism special force
Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a meeting in Jakarta on May 22 to discuss the establishment of the Joint Command of the anti-terrorism Special Operations (Koopssusgab).
Indonesian officers at an exercise in Jakarta (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a meeting in Jakarta on May 22to discuss the establishment of the Joint Command of the anti-terrorism SpecialOperations (Koopssusgab).
Indonesia’s police chief Tito Karnavian said the move aims to cope with terror attackswhich have become more complicated after a series of suicide bombings thatkilled more than 30 people in East Java and Riau provinces recently.
The nationalpolice will support the armed forces in anti-terrorism activities, he added.
According to Karnavian, the cooperationmechanism between the police and armed forces as well as the support of local peopleplays a significant role in the country’s terrorism prevention efforts.
The joint command is made up of the country’selite special operations units from all three service branches.
Koopssusgabwas first initiated in 2015 as Indonesia was stepping up its efforts againstthe rising threat of the self-styled Islamic State.-VNA
Indonesian prosecutors have demanded a death penalty for radical Islamic cleric Aman Abdurrahman who was accused of ordering attacks including a January 2016 suicide bombing and gun attack in the capital city of Jakarta that killed four civilians and four attackers.
Ideological education is the key to counter-terrorism, said Beni Sukadis, Programme Coordinator of the Indonesia Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), following a series of recent deadly terrorist attacks in Surabaya city, Indonesia.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi called on G20 member states to strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism while addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 22.
Mount Merapi, the most active volcano in Indonesia, sent out a column of ash of 3,500 meters to the air in the morning of May 22, forcing people living in the radius of 3 km to leave to safer grounds.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.