The Indonesian House of Representatives passed a revised version of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) Law during a plenary session on June 9. Facing no objection in the parliament, the law was unanimously adopted, amending the previous regulation, Undang-Undang Nomor 2 Tahun 2002. This law aims to strengthen professionalism in policing and reinforce the principle of a civilian police force.
Author: Jonathan Kay
Defence and Politics Correspondent
Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister visits Vietnam to advance trade and cooperation
Timor Leste’s Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão conducted a formal visit to Hanoi from June 7 to 10, meeting his counterpart Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng. The visit aimed to explore new strategic sectors and advance bilateral relations, marking a significant step forward in a relationship that stretches back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2002.
Singaporean President’s Tanzania trip underscores a new phase in bilateral ties
Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam conducted a formal visit to Tanzania from June 8 to 10, intending to explore new strategic sectors aiming and advance bilateral relations between Singapore and Dar Es Salaam. President Tharman’s visit, which marks the first official SIngaporean visit to Dar Es Salaam, coincided with the 45th anniversary of bilateral ties, underscoring the symbolic and strategic importance of the move.
Indonesian president receives eight envoys as Jakarta faces scrutiny over credential delays
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received Letters of Credentials from eight foreign ambassadors in Indonesia at the State Palace on June 8, officially marking the formal start of their diplomatic duties.
UNHCR highlights 1.2 million Myanmar Rohingya refugees, calls for urgent support
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for greater international attention and solidarity for 1,2 million displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, who are mainly living in overcrowded shelters in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh.
Laos and China mark 65 years of relations, deepen strategic partnership
Lao President and Lao People Revolutionary Party Secretary General Thongloun Sisoulith commenced his state visit to China, from June 2 to 6, to discuss the advancement of a comprehensive strategic partnership. During that occasion, President Sisoulith met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping. This visit coincided with the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations between Laos and China, giving added weight to the discussions.
Cambodia turns to UNCLOS conciliation after Thailand scraps maritime boundary pact
On June 3, Cambodia formally decided to invoke “compulsory conciliation”, an international arbitration mechanism within the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to resolve the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) in the Gulf of Thailand.
Corruption scandal tests Indonesia’s free meal scheme
Dadan Hindayana, the former head of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s national free meal flagship programme, was arrested and detained by the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on Wednesday, June 3, alongside his two deputies, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung.
Arrest of key Philippine senator shakes pro‑Duterte Senate bloc
The Philippine Senate has experienced an internal hurdle, as one of the majority bloc’s key members has been removed, raising serious questions about whether the camp supportive of former President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to dominate.
Malaysia reaffirms support for Palestine, denounces Israel’s aggression
Malaysia has issued a pair of forceful condemnations within two days, reflecting Kuala Lumpur’s increasingly vocal opposition to Israel’s unilateral actions in the Middle East, which it regards as gross violations of international law and the desecration of Islamic symbols.