Indonesia
Human rights activists grouped under the Solidarity Network of Victims for Justice scatter flower petals on May 21, 2026, during the 908th Kamisan (Thursdays) protest across from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. The rally called for the resolution of unresolved human rights abuse cases while commemorating the 28th anniversary of the May 1998 Reform Era movement that toppled the New Order regime. (Antara/Fauzan)
President Prabowo Subianto’s unprecedented speech before lawmakers underscored mounting pressure on his administration to restore market confidence amid growing concerns over economic instability and signs of democratic backsliding reminiscent of the late New Order era.Prabowo made a rare appearance at the House of Representative plenary session on Wednesday to outline the government’s macroeconomic framework and fiscal policy direction, saying national leaders must directly explain the country’s economic course amid mounting geopolitical and geo-economic uncertainty.
The move broke with convention, as the presentation is typically delivered by the finance minister and serves as the basis for drafting the following year’s state budget. It also marked the first time a sitting president attended a regular House plenary session outside the annual state address every August.
