CNA

Environmental activists have staged a protest at a major Jakarta landmark, criticising the government over rising cost of living and its handling of disasters. This, as President Prabowo Subianto marks two years in office. The activists climbed the Welcome Statue at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, unfurling banners calling for stronger climate action. Wildfires continue to burn in Kalimantan, causing haze to spread across Southeast Asia. More than 9,000 security personnel were deployed. The presidential palace said the government is doing its best to tackle the fires and other disasters. The Prabowo administration has also touted achievements in areas such as rice self-sufficiency and progress towards greater energy independence. But as Saifulbahri Ismail reports, political manoeuvering is expected to intensify ahead of the 2029 elections.