Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia History Rewrite: The Long, Debated Journey

2 hours ago 4

December 19, 2025 | 04:49 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Friday, December 19, 2025. Here are the highlights: Indonesia History Rewrite: The Long, Debated Journey; Culture Minister Launches Indonesian History Book Amid Controversy; and Violence Erupts in Bangladesh After Death of Youth Leader.

The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:

1. Indonesia History Rewrite: The Long, Debated Journey

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon officially launched the government’s comprehensive new edition of Indonesian history, titled ‘Sejarah Indonesia: Dinamika Kebangsaan dalam Arus Global’ (Indonesian History: National Dynamics in the Global Flow). This book is part of the state-led project to rewrite the nation’s history.

Fadli acknowledged that the writing of this history book has been controversial. A number of people asked for the project to be stopped. However, Fadli saw this feedback as a normal part of the democratic process.

"There was a controversy to stop the historical writers. But that's normal," Fadli said during a speech on Sunday, December 14, 2025, as seen on the Ministry of Culture's YouTube channel.

Click here to read more

2. Culture Minister Launches Indonesian History Book Amid Controversy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, launched the book series Sejarah Indonesia: Dinamika Kebangsaan dalam Arus Global (History of Indonesia: National Dynamics in the Global Flow) at Plaza Insan Berprestasi in Jakarta, on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Fadli mentioned that there had been a polemic regarding the plan to write a history book. Some people requested the termination of this historical writing project. However, Fadli justified the input as part of the democratic process.

"There was a polemic to stop the writing of history. But that's natural," Fadli said in his speech as observed by the Ministry of Culture's YouTube channel on Sunday.

Click here to read more

3. Violence Erupts in Bangladesh After Death of Youth Leader

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Violent protests erupted across Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh after the death of prominent activist Sharif Osman Hadi was announced on Thursday evening.

Protesters are demanding the arrest of Hadi's killers.

Hadi died in a Singapore hospital on Thursday. The 32-year-old had been receiving advanced treatment there after being shot in the head on December 12 by masked men.

He was a key figure in the 2024 uprising that ended the autocratic rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and sent her fleeing to India.

Click here to read more

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Today's Top 3 News: Statue of Liberty Replica in Brazil Collapses After Massive Storm

1 hari lalu