The Young Reporter

Thousands of protesters swarmed the streets of Jakarta on Aug. 25, outraged by Parliament’s approval of a new monthly housing allowance that is ten times the minimum monthly wage in Indonesia. Within a week, what began as questions over economic imbalances turned into violent protests in 20 major cities against police brutality, demands for the protection of vulnerable communities, and worries about the future of Indonesia’s democracy. From Aug. 25 to 31, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation reported more than 3,000 people were arrested and 10 were killed. Despite a government response, people are still unsatisfied and fighting for democracy. The Underlying Cause Tito Ambyo, an Indonesian journalist and journalism lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, said the political and economic frustrations have been growing since people expected reformation after the violent protests in 1998. In May 1998, a riot broke out due to economic inequality, corruption, and the authoritarian rule of President Suharto. It escalated to the targeting and attacks of Chinese Indonesians and the destruction of public property.  “After the 1998 riots and our president stepped down, we won. But the next leaders were disappointment after disappointment,” he said.  In 2012, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s cabinet faced corruption allegations, with his ministers, including the Chairman of the House of Representatives, indicted by the Corruption Eradication Commission.  Ex-President Joko Widodo’s government passed a job creation law aimed at easing work regulations and encouraging investment in 2020. However, it sparked public protests because the bill was seen as weakening workers’ rights and opportunities. He described the Indonesian elites in the government as “careless” and “callous” with their actions. Protesters took to the streets on Aug. 25 after the House of Representatives announced the members of parliament would receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (HK$23,676).  …

As the Chief Executive prepares to unveil the 2025 Policy Address, poverty reduction is in the spotlight, especially regarding Hong Kong’s subdivided flats. Concern for Grassroots' Livelihood Alliance emphasizes that the government has given little attention to the specific needs and wants of subdivided flat users. Our reporter Gigi Ho explores how proposed initiatives aim to support vulnerable communities. This address could be crucial in the fight against poverty, emphasizing the urgent need for effective policies to uplift marginalized citizens and improve their quality of life. (Sept 17, 2025) Reported By: Gigi Ho Wing-chi, Anson Luk Chun-hei Edited By: Yoyo Chan Wing-yiu

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered his fourth Policy Address on Wednesday morning, pledging to deepen reform and prioritise public livelihood.  The following are the key takeaways. New action plan for the low-altitude economy More legislation to promote the low-altitude economy, mostly about drone activities. Including the improvement of civil aviation legislation and regulatory framework, promotion of infrastructure facilities, organisation of more talent training, enhancement of the application system and development of low-altitude economy insurance products  Potential activities in airspace under 1,000 metres include drone rescues, surveys and deliveries Satellite positioning, three-dimensional spatial data systems and a smart traffic-management system for low-altitude passenger aircraft will be established Patriotic Education Collaboration with Shenzhen to promote a red education route and patriotic education venues in the mainland  A series of activities called "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" by the Education Bureau will be organised and the Constitution and Basic Law Student Ambassadors Training Scheme will be strengthened Arts and Culture A premium arts trading hub will be built An arts ecosystem in the Airport City with studios, galleries, and trading facilities will be established Large-scale art storage and arts plaza buildings will be constructed to attract galleries and family offices West Kowloon Quay will be opened and a cultural district academy will be set up The Hong Kong Fashion Fest will be launched, and the government will further support the local cultural and creative industries  Education  Cap on self-financing non-local students' enrolment will be increased from 40% of available spots to 50% The over-enrolment ceiling of self-financing places of funded research postgraduate programs will be increased from 100% to 120% Task Force on Study in Hong Kong to be established to step up promotion of higher education in Hong Kong Eight supported universities will be given HK$40 million to improve their …

The Greater Bay area takes the heat of super Typhoon Ragasa, the most intense storm in 2025, as it sweeps across all the regions on Wednesday, prompting a No. 10 hurricane signal in Hong Kong. The ferocious wind and sudden rainfall bring an unprecedented experience for cities’ newcomers.    After Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, Ragasa is expected to be the strongest typhoon in Hong Kong’s history, according to the former observatory director Shun Chi-ming on Tuesday. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Typhoon Ragasa sustained a maximum wind speed of 195 kilometres per hour, which makes it more intense than Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which recorded a maximum wind speed of 185 kilometres per hour. Chen Guowei, a 24-year-old physiotherapist born and raised in Yunnan Dehong, came to Shenzhen Dapeng New Area after graduating last year. “I have never seen a real typhoon before. It’s really crazy,” said Chen, living in the hotel next to the beach provided by his company. Prompted by the weather forecast and messages from families and corporations, he decided to move into the hotel inside Taikang Home Penguyaun, the elderly community he works in.  “I don’t really have to work during the typhoon and can live in this expensive hotel, which costs about 500 yuan a night,” Chen said in the video interview. Dubsy Eli, a Nigerian international student at City University of Hong Kong, is also experiencing his first T10 typhoon.  “It’s not my first typhoon, but it’s the biggest one. I bought so many fruits to survive,” Dubsy said in a video interview, waking up several times at night to check the weather outside his apartment in Prince Edward.  “Back in my hometown, we only experienced heavy winds. But raining with big winds is so exciting for me,” said Dubsy. He is …

Residents in Hong Kong rushed to markets to purchase food and supplies on Monday and Tuesday, before the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa.  The Hong Kong Observatory issued the T8 signal at 2:20pm on Tuesday, after a pre-T8 announcement on Monday when the T1 and T3 signals were hoisted. Markets were packed with people wanting to stock up food and supplies in advance before stores close. Products including bread, vegetables and fresh meat ran out of stock in many stores.  As of 8:45pm on Tuesday, the Observatory estimated that Ragasa will be closest to Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. Higher signals will be considered for issuance from 11pm on Tuesday to 3am the following day. Our reporters visited markets and supermarkets in Kowloon, Sha Tin and Tai Po to capture how locals prepare for the storm.

John Lee Ka-chiu said in this year’s Policy Address that the government will support elite sports and leverage Kai Tak Sports Park to further develop the “sports + mega events” model in Hong Kong. “We will continue to promote sports development by supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism in sports, developing sports as an industry and promoting sports in the community,” said Lee. The Policy Address also focused on enhancing professionalism in sports, improving the functionality and positioning of sports venues, reviewing the governance of sports and boosting the publicity of sports by the media. “Elite sports and popularisation are mutually supportive. Elite sports can promote public participation and ‘sports for all’ through the celebrity effect. Expanding the proportion of the grassroots in sports will in turn promote the selection of elites and further promote the popularisation of sports events,” said Patrick Lau, Professor and Associate Academy Director (Research) of the Academy of Wellness and Human Development of Hong Kong Baptist University.  Hong Kong already plans to co-host part of this year’s National Games, the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games in November and December.  The city’s portion of the National Games include bowling, track cycling, fencing, golf, Rugby Sevens, a triathlon, beach volleyball, men's handball and men's U22 basketball. The golf will be played in Fanling, and the Hong Kong Golf Association has announced that Xu Longyi, individual gold medalist of the Hangzhou Asian Games, will represent Hong Kong. “To attract more world-class players to compete in Hong Kong, we have agreed on a multi-year partnership arrangement with LIV Golf, one of the most important golf tours in the world,” said Lee. "Kai Tak Sports Park is an important vehicle for the eventisation …

The Greater Bay area takes the heat of super Typhoon Ragasa, the most intense storm in 2025, as it sweeps across all the regions on Wednesday, prompting a No. 10 hurricane signal in Hong Kong. The ferocious wind and sudden rainfall bring an unprecedented experience for cities’ newcomers.    After Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, Ragasa is expected to be the strongest typhoon in Hong Kong’s history, according to the former observatory director Shun Chi-ming on Tuesday. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Typhoon Ragasa sustained a maximum wind speed of 195 kilometres per hour, which makes it more intense than Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which recorded a maximum wind speed of 185 kilometres per hour. Chen Guowei, a 24-year-old physiotherapist born and raised in Yunnan Dehong, came to Shenzhen Dapeng New Area after graduating last year. “I have never seen a real typhoon before. It’s really crazy,” said Chen, living in the hotel next to the beach provided by his company. Prompted by the weather forecast and messages from families and corporations, he decided to move into the hotel inside Taikang Home Penguyaun, the elderly community he works in.  “I don’t really have to work during the typhoon and can live in this expensive hotel, which costs about 500 yuan a night,” Chen said in the video interview. Dubsy Eli, a Nigerian international student at City University of Hong Kong, is also experiencing his first T10 typhoon.  “It’s not my first typhoon, but it’s the biggest one. I bought so many fruits to survive,” Dubsy said in a video interview, waking up several times at night to check the weather outside his apartment in Prince Edward.  “Back in my hometown, we only experienced heavy winds. But raining with big winds is so exciting for me,” said Dubsy. He is …

As the Chief Executive prepares to unveil the 2025 Policy Address, poverty reduction is in the spotlight, especially regarding Hong Kong’s subdivided flats. Concern for Grassroots' Livelihood Alliance emphasizes that the government has given little attention to the specific needs and wants of subdivided flat users. Our reporter Gigi Ho explores how proposed initiatives aim to support vulnerable communities. This address could be crucial in the fight against poverty, emphasizing the urgent need for effective policies to uplift marginalized citizens and improve their quality of life. (Sept 17, 2025) Reported By: Gigi Ho Wing-chi, Anson Luk Chun-hei Edited By: Yoyo Chan Wing-yiu

BRISBANE, Australia — The 2025 Kurilpa Derby took place on 14 September, continuing an 18-year tradition in the West End suburb in Brisbane, Australia. The word “Kurilpa” means “home of the water rat”, showing the West End suburb’s history as a natural habitat for water rats and a place where First Nations people once lived. The West End Community Association organises the parade annually in recognition of Indigenous heritage and celebrates the community’s spirit. Participants decorated their wheels in various creative styles and dressed up for the parade. A series of activities following the Kurilpa Derby parade, including a doggy fashion parade, Samba performance and live music. Follow the link below to watch the full reel: https://youtube.com/shorts/vOYWsjYb81Q?si=i10rLg1kZpImBD-d