Indonesia to crack down on illegal exploitation of resources, president says
He added that a total of 5 million hectares of palm plantations have been under scrutiny.
He made the comments in his first state of the nation speech, delivered as the country - the world's largest producer and exporter of palm oil - celebrates 80 years of independence this weekend. Prabowo won the election last year, and took power in October.
Prabowo, speaking in parliament, said the government had already seized 3.1 million hectares of illegal plantations with the help of the military.
"We have used the military to accompany the teams that took over the plantations because there often is resistance," he said.
He said his government is also planning a crackdown on mining, adding that they had received reports of as many as 1,063 illegal operations throughout the vast, mineral-rich archipelago. He did not specify what type of mines or the commodities they were extracting.
Prabowo added that the government would take action against businesses found to be hoarding and exploiting key commodities in Indonesia.
Large-scale rice mills would also be forced to obtain government permits to ensure rice quality and affordability, he said.
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Leader Live
12 minutes ago
- Leader Live
British personnel ready to arrive in Ukraine once fighting on hold
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, where they discussed the conflict after more than three years of fighting in eastern Europe but failed to strike a deal. After talking for nearly three hours, they refused to answer questions from reporters, but both made statements, with Mr Trump saying 'some great progress' was made with 'many points' agreed to, and 'very few' remaining. The UK Government earlier this summer backed international efforts to set up a 'Multinational Force Ukraine', a military plan to bolster Ukraine's defences once the conflict eases, in a bid to ward off future Russian aggression. 'Planning has continued on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities,' an MoD spokesperson said. According to the Government, 'along with securing Ukraine's skies and supporting safer seas, the force is expected to regenerate land forces by providing logistics, armaments, and training expertise'. It 'will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces', the spokesperson added. Early designs for the Multinational Force Ukraine were originally drafted last month, after military chiefs met in Paris to agree a strategy and co-ordinate plans with the EU, Nato, the US and more than 200 planners. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 Moments before Mr Trump touched down in Anchorage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that Saturday 'will start early for everyone in Europe' as leaders react to the Alaska summit. 'We continue co-ordinating with our partners in Europe,' Mr Zelensky said, and added: 'Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. 'The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed – at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side – and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible.' When he addressed the press, Mr Putin said he greeted Mr Trump on the tarmac as 'dear neighbour' and added: 'Our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours.' According to a translation carried by broadcasters, he claimed the 'situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security'. Stood next to Mr Putin in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace', Mr Trump said: 'We haven't quite got there but we've made some headway.' He stressed 'there's no deal until there's a deal' and added: 'I will call up Nato in a little while. 'I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.' Concluding their exchange, the US president said: 'We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. 'Thank you very much, Vladimir.' Mr Putin replied: 'Next time, in Moscow.' Mr Trump said: 'That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat for that one. 'I could see it possibly happening.'
Glasgow Times
12 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
British personnel ready to arrive in Ukraine once fighting on hold
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, where they discussed the conflict after more than three years of fighting in eastern Europe but failed to strike a deal. After talking for nearly three hours, they refused to answer questions from reporters, but both made statements, with Mr Trump saying 'some great progress' was made with 'many points' agreed to, and 'very few' remaining. The UK Government earlier this summer backed international efforts to set up a 'Multinational Force Ukraine', a military plan to bolster Ukraine's defences once the conflict eases, in a bid to ward off future Russian aggression. 'Planning has continued on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities,' an MoD spokesperson said. According to the Government, 'along with securing Ukraine's skies and supporting safer seas, the force is expected to regenerate land forces by providing logistics, armaments, and training expertise'. It 'will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces', the spokesperson added. Early designs for the Multinational Force Ukraine were originally drafted last month, after military chiefs met in Paris to agree a strategy and co-ordinate plans with the EU, Nato, the US and more than 200 planners. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 Moments before Mr Trump touched down in Anchorage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that Saturday 'will start early for everyone in Europe' as leaders react to the Alaska summit. 'We continue co-ordinating with our partners in Europe,' Mr Zelensky said, and added: 'Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. 'The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed – at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side – and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible.' When he addressed the press, Mr Putin said he greeted Mr Trump on the tarmac as 'dear neighbour' and added: 'Our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours.' According to a translation carried by broadcasters, he claimed the 'situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security'. President Donald Trump at a news conference with President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Stood next to Mr Putin in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace', Mr Trump said: 'We haven't quite got there but we've made some headway.' He stressed 'there's no deal until there's a deal' and added: 'I will call up Nato in a little while. 'I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.' Concluding their exchange, the US president said: 'We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. 'Thank you very much, Vladimir.' Mr Putin replied: 'Next time, in Moscow.' Mr Trump said: 'That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat for that one. 'I could see it possibly happening.'
Reuters
13 minutes ago
- Reuters
Highlights of Putin statement after summit with Trump
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Following are key quotes from Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday. Translation by Reuters. As is known, Russian-American summits have not been held for more than four years. This is a long time. The past period was very difficult for bilateral relations. And, let's be honest, they have slid to the lowest point since the Cold War. And this is not good for our countries, or the world as a whole. Obviously, sooner or later, it was necessary to correct the situation, to move from confrontation to dialogue. And in this regard, a personal meeting of the heads of the two states was really overdue... As you well know and understand, one of the central issues has become the situation around Ukraine. We see the desire of the U.S. administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins. I have said more than once that for Russia the events in Ukraine are associated with fundamental threats to our national security. Moreover, we have always considered and consider the Ukrainian people, I have said this many times, brotherly, no matter how strange that may sound in today's conditions. We have the same roots and everything that is happening for us is a tragedy and a great pain. Therefore, our country is sincerely interested in putting an end to this. But at the same time, we are convinced that in order for the Ukrainian settlement to be sustainable and long-term, all the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated... All of Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored. I agree with President Trump — he spoke about this today — that Ukraine's security must, without a doubt, be ensured. We are ready to work on this. I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue. It is obvious that Russian-American business and investment partnership has enormous potential. Russia and the United States have something to offer each other in trade, energy, the digital sphere, high tech and space exploration. Cooperation in the Arctic, resumption of interregional contacts, including between our Far East and the American West Coast, also seem relevant... I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States. Overall we have established very good business-like and trusting contact with President Trump. And I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can - the quicker the better - reach an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
