Arlina Arshad

Indonesia Bureau Chief

Arlina is The Straits Times’ Indonesia bureau chief. A journalist since 2000, she has covered various issues, from politics and the economy to culture and religion, across South-east Asia. Previously, she was ST’s regional correspondent and Agence-France Presse’s correspondent for Indonesia and Timor-Leste. She considers Indonesia her second home, and the warm people there her family.

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Cyclone Senyar leaves mother-of-four widowed in West Sumatra

wysumatra// Widowed by the recent flash flood in Sumatra, full-time housewife Ms Ratnawati told The Straits Times that she now faces the difficult task of finding work so she can continue caring for her four children. Her late husband had worked as a waiter at a local restaurant.

Decades of forest loss hit home: Future cyclones could batter Indonesia harder, analysts warn

An aerial view shows a damaged area hit by deadly flash floods in Palembayan, West Sumatra province, on Nov 30.

Storm in a tumbler: A missing cup sparks debates about empathy in Indonesia

PT Kereta Api Indonesia/INSTAGRAM

Train commuters Anita Dewi Lestari (in blue) and her husband Alvin Harris Setiadi (in brown), with passenger officer Argi Budiansyah (in grey) during a mediation session on Nov 28, 2025.

Recruiting in Roblox: Extremists exploit gaming platforms as radicalisation channels in S-E Asia

In 2023, Singapore authorities disclosed that they had placed a 16-year-old who used footage from the online platform Roblox to produce ISIS propaganda videos under a restriction order.

Prabowo names late strongman Suharto an Indonesian national hero in move that rubs old wounds

Former Indonesian president Suharto ruled by controlling the military and economy, as well as by instilling fear.

‘Epok-epok’ storm: When Indonesian politics turns into live streaming

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi (in brown pants) monitoring floods in the city after heavy rain.

While Trump dances, Asean trips

U.S. President Donald Trump joins the performers in a dance during a welcoming ceremony after arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, to attend the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 26, 2025. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/Pool

Political and populist moves make for an assertive, ambitious first year under President Prabowo

Analysts say Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s first year has been defined by strong control, populist ambition and diminishing accountability.

‘Tough man’ Prabowo shines at Gaza peace summit, refutes Israel visit rumours

U.S. President Donald Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shake hands as they pose for a photo, at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a U.S.-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool

Indonesia to bar Israeli gymnasts amid rising tensions over Palestine

People react during a "Stop Starving Gaza Now" protest amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.