Illustrative image. (Photo: The Hashtag Collective)
Hanoi (VNA) – The government of Indonesia has shut down thousandsဣ of websites containing content related to extremism and terrorism.
The move came after the country was hit by a series of suicide bombings and terrorist attacks over the last two weeks that claimed more than 32 lives in East Java and Riau provinces.
Almost 3,000 websites have been blocked and about 9,500 others are being inspected, said Indonesian Communication and Information Minister Rudi Antara in Yogyakarta province on May 21.
Blocking the sites aims to encourage people to protest acts of radicalism, extremism and terrorism as there is a lot of radical and terrorist content circulated on social media such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Facebook said it has taken down nearly 2 million posts containing Islamic State, al-Qaeda and related terrorism propaganda in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, Twitter has blocked more than 1 million accounts for promotion of terrorism since 2015.
On March 13, a series of bombings hit three Christian churches in Surabaya, East Java province, killing 14 and injuring dozens of others. Indonesian police said that the bombings were conducted by a family of six, including four children aged 9 to 18.
Just a day later, another blast took place at the police headquarters in Surabaya city in the morning, which killed four people and injured at least 16 others. A family of five, including an 8-year-old girl, was the perpetrators of the attack, the police declared.
The self-styled Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Indonesia raised its security alert status to the highest level at major cities and regions in Indonesia, including Jakarta capital, Riau islands, East Java and Bali island, after the attacks on May 13.-VNA
Indonesian police shot dead three men who attacked the headquarters of the Riau province police on Sumatra island on May 16. A policeman was also killed in the attack.
Indonesia’s national police chief Tito Karnavian on May 17 affirmed that national security has been strengthened to deal with terrorism threats after a series of suicide bombings rocked the country days ago.
Indonesian prosecutors have demanded a death penalty for radical Islamic cleric Aman Abdurrahman who was accused of ordering attacks including a January 2016 suicide bombing and gun attack in the capital city of Jakarta that killed four civilians and four attackers.
Ideological education is the key to counter-terrorism, said Beni Sukadis, Programme Coordinator of the Indonesia Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), following a series of recent deadly terrorist attacks in Surabaya city, Indonesia.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi called on G20 member states to strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism while addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 22.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Illustrative image. (Photo: The Hashtag Collective)
