Indonesia’s poverty and unemployment rates continued to decline, according to data released by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) earlier this year. This progress is accompanied by a modest reduction in income inequality. However, these gains mask deeper structural issues as urban poverty rises and labor informality becomes more widespread, exposing more Indonesian workers to precarity.

A total of 34 sailboats participated for the Sailboat Race on July 26, 2025, one of the main activities at Lovina Festival 2025 in Buleleng Regency, Bali Province.

Following the successful operational test of its aircraft in Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province on July 17, 2025, Batik Air is scheduled to conduct its first commercial flight to the Douw Aturure Nabire Airport on Aug. 17, 2025.

Through a recent reciprocal trade agreement between the United States and Indonesia, the Indonesian government has officially recognized the US as a jurisdiction with “adequate data protection.” This designation creates a legal pathway for the transfer of personal data from Indonesia to the US, effectively sidestepping existing data localization requirements by treating US-based entities, including data brokers, as equivalent to Indonesian data operators. As the US remains the global center for data brokerage, experts warn that this move could legitimize the large-scale commercialization of Indonesian personal data.

ASEAN has come under heavy criticism for its failure to prevent war from erupting between Thailand and Cambodia, with a part of that blame leveled at Indonesia as the largest member of the regional group. The paralysis of ASEAN reveals the limits of diplomacy when it comes to resolving territorial disputes between members. Not surprisingly, Indonesia has not done much beyond appealing for restraint.

The West Papua Province Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP) recorded realized investments to West Papua reaching nearly Rp13.04 trillion. West Papua DPMPTSP Head Godlief Aponno stated in Manokwari Regency, West Papua on July 8, 2025, that foreign investments significantly contributed to the province's overall investment performance.

In a shocking twist to end the month, President Prabowo Subianto has decided to give legal clemency to both the secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Hasto Kristiyanto, and former trade minister Thomas ‘Tom’ Trikasih Lembong for their respective graft convictions.