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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From FIFA suspension to prized partner: Has Indonesia turned its football around?

Indonesian supporters -- including President Prabowo Subianto -- cheer on the national team at the FIFA ASEAN Cup final on Oct 5.

Prabowo’s direct oversight of peatlands could bolster battle against haze, analysts say

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a wildfire in Sungai Putri, a fire-affected peatland area in Ketapang regency, West Kalimantan province, Indonesia, on Aug 29.

‘Luxury villas’ demolished at Indonesian prison as probe finds ‘abuse of authority’

A well-appointed restroom is seen in one of the “villas” in the Cibinong men’s prison, where inmates allegedly paid rent for the luxury accommodation.

Indonesia suspends five prison officials over inmates’ ‘villa homes’

Indonesia’s Ombudsman found during its surprise inspection on Cibinong prison in Bogor, more than 10 residential units, some resembling homestays, terraced houses and villas, among other things on Sept 23.

A decade after Indonesia’s worst fires, the haze is back. Why does the problem still persist?

Firefighters putting out a fire in Banjarbaru, in Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province, where ST found that clearing land without fire can still cost considerably more than burning it.

Indonesia’s wildfires and haze in Kalimantan cost billions: Families pay the price

Adi Siswoyo, 43, with his wife, Asmarawati, 39, and their son, Rahmat Rafis Saputra, 5, at their home in Banjarbaru. The farmer’s household income has fallen substantially after wildfires scorched his farm.

Jakarta airports reopen after Anak Krakatau ash disruption

Several airports including Jakarta's main international airport, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, reopened on Sept 8.

Will Anak Krakatau keep disrupting Singapore-Jakarta flights? Analysts explain

Affected passengers at Garuda Airlines check in counter trying to get refunds or reschedule their flights on Sept 7.

Prabowo offers Indonesia as Russia’s gateway to ASEAN

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto spoke at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in Russia on Sept 3.

Jakarta police probe ‘intellectual actors’ behind Aug 27 unrest that left one dead

A protester during a demonstration urging lawmakers to immediately pass an asset forfeiture law for corrupt officials outside the Parliament building in Jakarta on Aug 27.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.