Several central government officials are reportedly meddling in regional heads appointments. Political parties are also said to be reserving positions for their own candidates to be submitted to the home affairs ministry.

Construction of 4,200 4G BTS towers in remote areas is falling behind schedule. It is suspected some project funds are being misused.

Talking about 100 days of Russian invation, Ukrainian Ambassador to Indonesia, Vasyl Hamianin, is certain Ukraine will eventually reclaim all of its territory. Ukraine demands Russia pay compensation.

The weekly News Capsule ranges from the poor management of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance assets to the postponement of the Borobudur Temple ticket price hike.

National Commission on Human Rights Chief Ahmad Taufan says that the fulfillment of human rights in the past five years has not been encouraging.

The World Bank projects the Indonesian economy to grow by 5.1 percent this year, only 0.1 percent lower than its calculations in January. It is shadowed by inflation and budget swelling due to subsidies.

An Indonesian migrant worker is in a court dispute to the level of cassation. He sends an open letter to the Chairman of the Supreme Court.

Cartoon: Tony Malakian

A phytoplankton explosion in the Bima Bay, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, is caused by waste and rising seawater temperatures. It destroys fisherman’s income.

The police were wrong to arrest Khilafatul Muslimin leader Abdul Qadir Hasan Baraja. This would only increase sympathy for the ‘caliph’.

Serat Centhini tells a story of a woman from a forest, Retna Ginubah.

The world needs more financing to ensure the SDGs targets are met by 2030. UNDP facilitates regional webinar to promote financing for inclusive growth and sustainable recovery. #Infotempo

THE Panama-flagged Nord Joy fuel tanker, which is detained by Indonesian Navy, is in Batam Waters, Riau Islands, Friday, June 10. Indonesia Military Commander Gen. Andika Perkasa said on Friday that he is investigating a Reuters report that navy officers asked for a payment of US$375,000 to release the vessel last week on suspicion of anchoring illegally in Indonesian waters. The Navy confirmed that it had detained the Nord Joy on May 30 on suspicion of anchoring in Indonesian waters without a permit but denied that any payment had been requested. ANTARA FOTO/Teguh Prihatna

SOUTHEAST Asia has faced numerous human rights violations and abuses, ranging from the worst crimes against the Rohingya and other religious and ethnic minorities in Myanmar to extra-judicial killings in the Philippines under President Duterte’s administration. Many enforced disappearances have also occurred across the region, along with violence against human rights and democracy defenders, attacks on freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression, and some other incidents. 

It does not mean the region has no institution that addresses human rights issues. Since 2009, member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have had the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights or AICHR. But critics said this body has been ineffective and ‌incapable of protecting human rights in the region. 

To commemorate the International Human Rights Day on December 10, TEMPO TALKS presents Yuyun Wahyuningrum, the representative of Indonesia to AICHR who will explain about human rights problems in the region and how her organization addresses the issue on TEMPO TALKS