Latest news with #JudhaNugraha
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Straits Times
Indonesian influencer given 7-year Myanmar prison sentence
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Indonesian man is currently being held at Insein Prison (above). JAKARTA - An Indonesian influencer has been sentenced to seven years in prison for meeting rebels in junta-ruled Myanmar, a foreign ministry official in Jakarta said on July 2. Myanmar has been consumed by a many-sided civil war since the military snatched power in a 2021 coup , with millions of people displaced, according to United Nations figures. The Indonesian social media influencer, identified by officials as a 33-year-old with the initials A.P., was arrested by the Myanmar authorities in December. 'After going through the court process, A.P. was sentenced to seven years in prison,' said Mr Judha Nugraha, director for citizen protection at the Indonesian foreign ministry. The Indonesian national was accused of 'entering Myanmar illegally and then meeting an armed group categorised as a banned organisation', said Mr Judha. A Myanmar court charged him with violating laws on terrorism, immigration and unlawful association, as the junta battles rebels in a grinding war. The Indonesian man is currently being held at Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar's economic capital. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home The ministry official said Jakarta was 'facilitating a request for clemency from the family'. On a social media account reported by local media to belong to the jailed influencer, posts show a man jaunting through conflict zones – including war-torn Ukraine and Afghanistan – as well as enjoying glitzy stays in Bali and Paris. In Instagram posts dated November 2024, he shared images captioned from various locations in Myanmar and with various groups belonging to the anti-coup resistance. He posted several pictures of himself with alleged rebels in uniform, including some armed with weapons. Myanmar's military has suffered stinging territorial losses to the myriad anti-coup fighters and ethnic armed organisations opposing its rule. The junta has been forced to turn to conscription to bolster the ranks after four years of war. AFP
The Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesia still on alert despite Iran-Israel ceasefire
JAKARTA: Fears of an escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel persist despite claims of a ceasefire between the two countries, with the Indonesian government expediting contingency planning as it finishes its first round of the evacuation of Indonesian nationals from the affected region. Hours before Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid air force base in Doha, Qatar on June 23 as a retaliation against the United States' bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. The attack did not result in any casualties, as Iran had warned Qatar prior to the attack, as reported by Reuters. Despite no casualties from Iran's attack, airspace in the region was closed for a few hours on June 24, including that over Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with a slew of airlines cancelling their flights to the region, AFP reported. Among the flights affected was the one by Qatar Airways booked for at least 29 Indonesian nationals, the first batch of evacuees from Iran who fled the country through a 16-hour land trip to neighbouring Azerbaijan. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry told reporters on June 24 that the evacuees would instead return to Jakarta on a Turkish Airlines flight, arriving more than two hours later than the initial schedule at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten. The ministry went on to say that it continued to 'monitor from a close range the escalation in the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran'. 'The ministry appeals to its citizens currently in the Middle East to increase their vigilance [and] avoid locations hosting assets of conflicting nations,' said the Indonesian ministry's citizen protection director Judha Nugraha in a statement. The renewed appeal for heightened alertness came despite US President Donald Trump's announcement that he had successfully negotiated a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. But less than 12 hours after the announcement, both countries threw accusations at each other that they had violated the deal and continued attacking each other beyond the agreed time the ceasefire was meant to start. All Indonesian representatives and embassies in Middle Eastern countries continue to be on high alert and on standby despite the ceasefire announcement in anticipation of any possible further escalation in the region, said Indonesia's Foreign Ministry director for Middle Eastern affairs Ahrul Tsani. 'Our representatives continue to monitor and remain responsive to any developments occurring, especially those in countries with US military bases,' Ahrul told The Jakarta Post on June 24, listing countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq. Several Indonesian embassies in the listed high-alert countries have also begun circulating alert notices to citizens outlining responses to possible escalations, including calls to start packing important documents such as passports and employment contracts. As officials call for calm amid the rising tensions, the Indonesian diaspora in the Middle East has been unnerved by the recent attacks. Achmad, 42, was working in a restaurant in Doha when he suddenly felt the reverberation from an explosion at the Al Udeid base, located only about 30 minutes' drive from the Qatari capital. Panicking restaurant guests fled the restaurant after the explosion was felt. Qatari officials tried to calm down people by telling them not to panic or escalate things, said Achmad. 'But I'm honestly worried. I saw with my own two eyes a missile being intercepted. I can't even describe the sound it created,' Achmad told the Post on June 24. 'I'm just letting things be for now. I'm still breathing and standing. I just hope that there won't be any second wave of attacks. I won't know what to do in that case,' he said, explaining that he would lose his job in Doha if he were to be evacuated back to Indonesia. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry previously said that all evacuations of Indonesians from Iran and Israel would be voluntary rather than mandatory. The government has not issued any official diplomatic statement on the Iran-Israel conflict following Washington's decision to intervene on June 22, although its senior security ministry has called for all parties to return to the negotiating table. On June 22, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto held a meeting with several ministers, including Jndonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono, in his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java. The discussions revolved primarily around 'the dynamics of current global conditions and its effects on Indonesia's national interests', the State Secretariat wrote in a statement. The officials also discussed preparations for 'strategic steps' to protect national interests during the closed-door talks. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Indonesia still on alert despite Iran-Israel ceasefire
Despite no casualties from Iran's attack, airspace in the region was closed for a few hours on June 24 PHOTO: ARASH KHAMOOSHI/NYTIMES Follow our live coverage here. JAKARTA - Fears of an escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel persist despite claims of a ceasefire between the two countries, with the Indonesian government expediting contingency planning as it finishes its first round of the evacuation of Indonesian nationals from the affected region. Hours before Iran and Israel agreed a ceasefire, Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid air force base in Doha, Qatar on June 23 as a retaliation against the United States' bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. The attack did not result in any casualties, as Iran had warned Qatar prior to the attack, as reported by Reuters. Despite no casualties from Iran's attack, airspace in the region was closed for a few hours on June 24, including that over Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with a slew of airlines canceling their flights to the region, AFP reported. Among the flights affected was the one by Qatar Airways booked for at least 29 Indonesian nationals, the first batch of evacuees from Iran who fled the country through a 16-hour land trip to neighboring Azerbaijan. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry told reporters on June 24 that the evacuees would instead return to Jakarta on a Turkish Airlines flight, arriving more than two hours later than the initial schedule at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten. The ministry went on to say that it continued to 'monitor from a close range the escalation in the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran'. 'The ministry appeals to its citizens currently in the Middle East to increase their vigilance [and] avoid locations hosting assets of conflicting nations,' said the Indonesian ministry's citizen protection director Judha Nugraha in a statement. Prepare for the worst The renewed appeal for heightened alertness came despite US President Donald Trump's announcement that he had successfully negotiated a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. But less than 12 hours after the announcement, both countries threw accusations at each other that they had violated the deal and continued attacking each other beyond the agreed time the ceasefire was meant to start. All Indonesian representatives and embassies in Middle Eastern countries continue to be on high alert and on standby despite the ceasefire announcement in anticipation of any possible further escalation in the region, said Indonesia's Foreign Ministry director for Middle Eastern affairs Ahrul Tsani. 'Our representatives continue to monitor and remain responsive to any developments occurring, especially those in countries with US military bases,' Mr Ahrul told The Jakarta Post on June 24, listing countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq. Several Indonesian embassies in the listed high-alert countries have also begun circulating alert notices to citizens outlining responses to possible escalations, including calls to start packing important documents such as passports and employment contracts. Close call As officials call for calm amid the rising tensions, the Indonesian diaspora in the Middle East has been unnerved by the recent attacks. Mr Achmad, 42, was working in a restaurant in Doha when he suddenly felt the reverberation from an explosion at the Al Udeid base, located only about 30 minutes' drive from the Qatari capital. Panicking restaurant guests fled the restaurant after the explosion was felt. Qatari officials tried to calm down people by telling them not to panic or escalate things, said Mr Achmad. 'But I'm honestly worried. I saw with my own two eyes a missile being intercepted. I can't even describe the sound it created,' Mr Achmad told the Post on June 24. 'I'm just letting things be for now. I'm still breathing and standing. I just hope that there won't be any second wave of attacks. I won't know what to do in that case,' he said, explaining that he would lose his job in Doha if he were to be evacuated back to Indonesia. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry previously said that all evacuations of Indonesians from Iran and Israel would be voluntary rather than mandatory. The government has not issued any official diplomatic statement on the Iran-Israel conflict following Washington's decision to intervene on June 22, although its senior security ministry has called for all parties to return to the negotiating table. On June 22, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto held a meeting with several ministers, including Jndonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono, in his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java. The discussions revolved primarily around 'the dynamics of current global conditions and its effects on Indonesia's national interests', the State Secretariat wrote in a statement. The officials also discussed preparations for 'strategic steps' to protect national interests during the closed-door talks. THE JAKARTA POST/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Barnama
19-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: June 19, 2025
The Indonesian government has confirmed that 580 of its citizens remain in Iran and Israel amid intensifying conflict in the region, with no evacuation conducted as of yet. According to Judha Nugraha, Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Foreign Ministry, 386 Indonesians -- mostly students -- are still in Iran, primarily in the city of Qom. The government's proposal to develop compact, subsidised housing for urban youth is facing growing criticism from both experts and potential occupants, who say the poor design and cramped living conditions of these 'mini houses' could jeopardise their inhabitants' physical and psychological well-being. The Bank of the Lao discovered 21 corruption cases involving bank staff last year. Two cases were exposed at the central bank, 10 at commercial banks, five at savings banks and one at the Agricultural Promotion Bank. 2. LAO WORKERS REMITTANCE FUELLING ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES Lao nationals working abroad continue to send home a sizeable amount of remittances, estimated at RM19 million (US$4.5 million) a month. Remittance is vital to drive the Lao economy as the money is spent on goods and services. MYANMAR 1. NEW HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES IN THE PIPELINE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The government announced it will build 187 kilometres of highways and 305 bridges in the 2025-2026 financial year that will cut across 115 villages. Repairs of highways, village roads and six bridges damaged by the Mandalay earthquake will also be completed soon. 2. MYANMAR-VIETNAM BUILDERS EXPLORE MARKETS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar-Vietnam Construction Business meeting will be held at the on 23 June to promote networking among builders from the two countries. Twenty-two companies from Vietnam Business Club and Myanmar's construction companies, engineers, producers and importers will participate in the event. SINGAPORE 1. NUS RETAINS 8TH SPOT, NTU CLIMBS TO 12TH IN LATEST GLOBAL UNIVERSITY RANKINGS -- THE STRAITS TIMES The National University of Singapore (NUS) has retained its spot in the top 10 in a global ranking of institutions, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) hot on its heels. 2. TRUMP WEIGHS IRAN STRIKE PLANS AS CONFLICT ESCALATES: WSJ -- CNA/AGENCIES US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jun 18) declined to answer reporters' questions on whether the US was planning to join Israel to strike Iran or its nuclear facilities, shortly before a Wall Street Journal report emerged saying he had told senior aides that he had approved plans for such an attack. VIETNAM 1. TRANSFORMING HO CHI MINH INTO MEGACITY -- VIETNAMPLUS The merger of Ho Chi Minh City with Ba Ria, Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces will create a megacity of finance, industry and seaports. These areas will focus on developing an eco-city, improving living standards and promoting social equity. 1. CONSUMER REWARD MODEL TO PROMOTE RECYCLING -- VIETNAMPLUS The proposed Deposit Return System, if implemented effectively, could prevent 77,000 metric tonnes of packaging waste from reaching landfills and reduce CO2 emissions by 265,000 tonnes. Additionally, this model could create approximately 16,000 jobs in the informal waste sector. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Gulf Insider
21-03-2025
- Gulf Insider
Six Indonesian Pilgrims Killed In Bus Crash In Saudi Arabia
Six Indonesian citizens were killed and 14 others injured in a tragic bus accident during an Umrah pilgrimage on the highway between Medina and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday. The accident occurred on Thursday, March 20, in Wadi Al Aqeeq, approximately 150 km north of Jeddah, according to Judha Nugraha, Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities (PWNI & BHI) at the ministry. The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah (KJRI) received the report at 1:30 p.m. local time. 'The total number of Indonesian nationals involved in the accident is 20, with six fatalities and the remainder sustaining injuries,' Nugraha said in a statement. Preliminary reports indicate the bus overturned and caught fire after a collision, though further investigation is ongoing. The vehicle was carrying Umrah pilgrims and their entourage at the time of the incident. In response, the Indonesian Consulate General immediately dispatched a citizen protection team to the site and coordinated with Saudi authorities and other relevant parties to identify the victims and facilitate necessary assistance. Officials have reached out to local hospitals, Umrah tour guides, the Ministry of Hajj, Umrah service staff, and the bus company to verify the condition of the victims and offer support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also coordinating with Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Umrah travel agency involved to obtain comprehensive data on the victims and contact their families. 'We have notified the families of the victims in Indonesia and will continue to assist those injured in Saudi Arabia throughout their recovery,' Nugraha added.
