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Ticket Prices Double, Revita Still Travels Home for Eid to Introduce Baby to Family

Despite intercity bus ticket prices doubling during the 2026 Eid holiday season, 28-year-old Revita is proceeding with her journey from Jakarta to Palembang, South Sumatra, to introduce her eight-month-old baby to her extended family for the first time. The journey requires meticulous planning due to the 16-hour overland route and the need to manage an infant's comfort and necessities throughout the trip, but Revita considers the milestone worth the additional expense and effort.

BPJS Employment Facilitates 15 Buses to Support Ministry of Labour's Free Mudik Programme

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Employment Social Security Agency) is providing 15 buses for the Ministry of Labour's free mudik (homecoming) programme in 2026, an increase from 10 buses the previous year. The agency will also distribute mudik kits containing travel essentials and support around 1,000 workers through collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and regional governments, demonstrating its commitment to worker welfare during the Eid holiday period.

Peak Exodus Approaches: 1.1 Million Vehicles Pass Through Nusantara Regional Tollways

PT Jasa Marga recorded a total of 1.1 million vehicles traversing five Nusantara regional tollway sections during the period of 10 to 5 days before Eid al-Fitr 2026 (11-16 March). Traffic volumes across various toll routes showed increases ranging from 0.76 to 9.81 per cent compared to normal conditions, reflecting the seasonal surge in holiday travel as the peak exodus period approaches.

Bitcoin Surges Past $75,600 Amid Middle East Tensions as Crypto Seeks Safe-Haven Status

Bitcoin has broken through $75,600 USD, reaching its highest level in a month, whilst Ethereum has surged above $2,350 as the cryptocurrency market strengthens amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Analyst Reku Fahmi Almuttaqin attributes the rally to cryptocurrencies being perceived as crisis hedges and alternative stores of value, with institutional investors significantly increasing their holdings across both Bitcoin and Ethereum. The situation presents a complex policy dilemma for the Federal Reserve as US economic growth weakens whilst Middle East tensions threaten to drive up global oil prices and inflation.

Iran and China 'Unite' to Attack European Nations, Severe Consequences Ensue

Following escalating conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, the European Union has announced that member states have been subjected to cyber attacks attributed to China and Iran. The EU has imposed sanctions on three companies—two Chinese firms (Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology) and one Iranian firm (Emennet Pasargad)—for their involvement in hacking over 65,000 devices, targeting critical infrastructure, and spreading disinformation.

Acid Attack on KontraS Activist Deemed More Than Ordinary Violence

The caustic liquid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus of KontraS is being characterised as a serious crime threatening civil society advocacy rather than a typical assault, according to legal experts. Professor Henry Indraguna of Sultan Agung Islamic University argues the incident constitutes aggravated assault under Indonesian criminal law with potential charges ranging from eight to 12 years imprisonment, depending on whether premeditation or lethal intent can be proven. Authorities are urged to investigate whether other parties were involved in orchestrating the attack, as violence against human rights defenders poses a fundamental threat to democratic freedoms and the rule of law.

Shadowed by Iran-US Conflict and Oil Price Surge, Rupiah Stalls at Rp 16,997 Per US Dollar

The Indonesian rupiah remained flat at Rp 16,997 per US dollar on Tuesday, stalled by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and surging crude oil prices. Market analyst Ibrahim Assuaibi attributed the stagnation to disruptions in energy distribution through the Strait of Hormuz following escalating Iran-US-Israel conflict, with Brent crude rising 33 per cent and crude oil up 37 per cent since tensions intensified. The weakness underscores risks to Indonesia's current account deficit and inflation pressures, whilst investors await the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and monitor the government's efforts to keep the national budget deficit below 3 per cent of GDP.

BRI holds welfare distribution programme for 8,500 Indonesian children and reaffirms national commitment

State-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) distributed welfare assistance to 8,500 orphaned children across Indonesia during Ramadan, with 500 recipients receiving symbolic aid in Jakarta attended by the Minister of Religious Affairs. The programme, themed "Sharing Meaning for Indonesia", forms part of BRI's broader corporate social responsibility initiatives during the holy month, including distribution of 279,541 food parcels, 5,500 school packages, and sponsorship of 238 buses for 12,325 migrant workers returning home.

Education Minister Reminds Students Not to Spend Eid Holiday on Devices

Indonesia's Education Minister has urged students to use their Eid holiday break productively rather than spending it on electronic devices, emphasising the importance of limiting screen time during the festive period. The minister also highlighted that the traditional mudik (homecoming) migration can serve as a valuable learning opportunity for students to strengthen family relationships and internalise national values and culture.

BNN destroys 34.21 kilograms of drug evidence seized from nine cases

The Indonesian National Narcotics Bureau (BNN) destroyed over 34 kilograms of drug evidence from nine cases involving 13 suspects, including methamphetamine, ecstasy, and synthetic drugs seized from airport operations and a clandestine laboratory in Bali. The enforcement actions, which included arrests of drug smugglers and the discovery of a laboratory operated by Russian nationals, demonstrate the government's commitment to combating increasingly complex international drug trafficking networks operating through air routes and border areas.

Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security emphasises optimal aviation services during Eid travel period

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, General Djamari Chaniago, has stressed that all aviation transportation services at airports nationwide must operate optimally during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr exodus period, with particular attention to aircraft fleet readiness and supporting facilities. The minister, during an inspection at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, emphasised the importance of minimising flight delays and ensuring transparent communication with passengers when delays occur. The immigration office at Soekarno-Hatta has prepared 98 automated gates and 22 immigration inspection counters across Terminals 2 and 3, with 504 immigration personnel deployed to ensure smooth processing during the anticipated surge in international passenger traffic.

Bahlil Opens Opportunity for Indonesia to Import Oil from Russia

Indonesia's Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has signalled the government's openness to importing crude oil from Russia as an alternative to Middle Eastern supplies disrupted by regional instability. The move comes as the United States has temporarily permitted purchases of Russian oil stranded at sea, raising the question of whether Indonesia might similarly pursue this option to stabilise global energy markets amid rising volatility.

AMS Foundation Meets Palestinian Ambassador to Discuss Aid Distribution amid Difficult Conditions

The Ayo Masuk Surga (AMS) Foundation met with Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdalfatah A.K. Alsattari to strengthen humanitarian collaboration and discuss aid distribution mechanisms for Palestine. Both parties emphasised the importance of effective and targeted aid delivery to Palestinian communities, particularly in Gaza, whilst reinforcing institutional cooperation between the foundation and the Palestinian embassy.

With Chinese Support, Rupiah's Fate Not as Poor as Other Currencies

Amid Middle Eastern tensions and global market uncertainty, the Indonesian rupiah has depreciated less severely than regional peers, with the currency declining 1.29% month-to-date compared to India's 1.52%, the Philippines' 3.71%, and the Thai baht's 4.47%. Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti attributes this relative resilience to the central bank's promotion of local currency transactions, particularly with China, which accounted for $3.02 billion of the $4.1 billion in local currency transactions as of February 2026, reducing domestic dollar demand.

Check Civil Service Leave Schedule and Work-From-Anywhere During Eid 2026

Indonesia's civil service (ASN) will be permitted to work from anywhere (WFA) on five designated days surrounding Eid al-Fitr 2026 under a Ministry of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform directive. The flexible work arrangement applies on 16–17 March before Eid and 25–27 March after, whilst the government emphasises that flexibility must not compromise public service quality or governance standards.

BRI Care Distributes 279,000 Food Packages and Provides Allowances for Thousands of Indonesian Children

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has distributed 279,000 food packages to communities across Indonesia and provided financial assistance to 8,500 orphans in care facilities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme during Ramadan. The initiative, implemented through BRI's 18 regional offices nationwide, aims to alleviate economic hardship and strengthen social solidarity whilst supporting the government's development agenda for a just and prosperous society.

Indonesian Economy Grows in Q1 2026 as Rupiah Faces Pressure from Global Volatility

Indonesia's economy strengthened in the first quarter of 2026, driven by robust domestic demand including household consumption and government investment programmes, according to Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo. However, the rupiah weakened by 1.29 per cent to Rp 16,985 per US dollar in mid-March due to Middle East tensions and capital outflows from emerging markets, prompting Bank Indonesia to intensify intervention across multiple foreign exchange markets.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Decides Electricity Tariffs Will Not Increase

Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has decided to maintain electricity tariffs for the second quarter (April-June) 2026 without increases, citing the need to protect consumer purchasing power ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The decision was made based on macroeconomic parameters including the rupiah exchange rate, crude oil prices, inflation, and coal benchmarks, though tariffs could have changed under the standard formula. The government has prioritised industrial competitiveness and economic stability despite global conditions.

Perumda Dharma Jaya Participates in Renovation of 26 Houses in Support of Adequate Housing

Perumda Dharma Jaya, a Jakarta regional state-owned enterprise, participated in a house renovation programme initiated by Baznas DKI Jakarta, with the culmination marked by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung officially handing over keys to residents in the Serdang area, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. The renovation programme covered 26 houses across Jakarta's five municipalities, with Perumda Dharma Jaya supporting the renovation of two units as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives. The programme aims to improve residents' quality of life by providing healthy, safe, and adequate housing, with the company emphasising that suitable housing is fundamental to family health and productivity.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Inspects Holiday Travel Flow at Senen Station, Greets Travellers and Checks People's Train

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya visited Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta to inspect passenger flows and inaugurate PT KAI's new People's Economy Train service launched on 1 March 2026. The affordable train service, operating on the Pasar Senen-Lempuyangan route with fares below commercial economy trains, is being deployed as part of Eid holiday transport capacity. Wijaya personally greeted travellers and toured the train carriages to assess conditions and gather public feedback.

Archive Statistics

291,633
Total Articles
1012
News Sources
1994-2026
Coverage Period