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BPS Records Papua's Exports Still Reliant on Timber Commodities

In March 2026, Papua's exports totaled US$3.55 million, with non-oil and gas commodities, particularly timber and wood products, accounting for 99.98% of the value, highlighting the province's heavy dependence on forestry for global competitiveness. Exports declined 47.38% from February, with Australia as the top destination at 69.23%, followed by New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Cumulatively from January to March, exports fell 7.78% year-on-year, underscoring logistical challenges as much of the shipments are loaded via external ports like Tanjung Perak in Surabaya.

ASEAN: Safeguarding Global Supply Chains Amid Hormuz Crisis

ASEAN economic ministers have emphasised the need to maintain stable, secure, and sustainable global supply chains and maritime trade routes in response to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the US-Israel conflict with Iran. In a video conference on 30 April, they expressed deep concerns over the energy crisis and its broader impacts on trade, food, and finance, underscoring the importance of safe navigation under international law like UNCLOS. The ministers committed to avoiding unnecessary non-tariff measures, monitoring Middle East developments, and developing regional strategies to enhance resilience through cooperation with external partners.

House of Representatives Questions Plan for International Financial Centre in Bali's Kura Kura SEZ

Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission VII has raised concerns over the proposed establishment of an international financial centre in the Kura Kura Special Economic Zone in Bali, calling for a thorough study to ensure it does not disrupt the island's tourism ecosystem. Deputy Chairwoman Evita Nursanty emphasised the need for careful evaluation, particularly regarding social and environmental impacts in the development of the area. This scrutiny highlights the balancing act between economic ambitions and preserving Bali's vital tourism industry.

Sidoarjo Police Arrest Two Suspects for Mixing Non-Subsidised LPG

Sidoarjo Police have arrested two individuals, MNH and MR, for illegally injecting subsidised 3kg LPG cylinders into 12kg non-subsidised ones to sell at inflated prices, yielding monthly profits of Rp19-20 million. The operation, ongoing since 2022, was uncovered at a disguised location in Jati Village, with authorities seizing hundreds of cylinders and equipment. The suspects face up to six years in prison and fines of Rp60 billion under the updated Oil and Gas Law, as police vow to crack down on such practices harming the public and state.

Pelindo and Southwest Papua DPRD Accelerate Development of Sorong Port as Logistics Hub in Eastern Indonesia

PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 4 and the Southwest Papua Provincial DPRD are collaborating to expedite the development of Sorong Port into a primary logistics hub in Eastern Indonesia, aiming to bolster economic growth in the region. During a working visit to Pelindo's office in Makassar, DPRD representatives emphasised the port's strategic importance for enhancing connectivity and addressing rising economic activities through infrastructure upgrades and service improvements. Pelindo has committed to phased developments, including capacity expansions, optimised loading facilities, and digital operational systems to boost efficiency and competitiveness.

Three Medan Police Personnel Allegedly Harass Female Detainee

Three personnel from the Medan Metropolitan Police are under investigation for allegedly harassing a female detainee during an interrogation following her arrest for suspected phone theft at a spa. One officer, Brigadir SDS, has been placed on special assignment for 30 days due to procedural violations, while the other two remain witnesses, with no confirmed evidence of sexual misconduct yet. The case is being handled by the North Sumatra Provincial Police's Professional and Security Division to probe potential breaches of police ethics and standard operating procedures.

OCBC NISP Acquires HSBC Indonesia's Retail Banking Business

PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk has signed an agreement to acquire the retail banking and wealth management operations of PT Bank HSBC Indonesia, including approximately 336,000 customer accounts and assets under management worth Rp89.8 trillion. The strategic move, which involves transferring deposits, investments, credit cards, and retail loans, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. This acquisition is anticipated to strengthen OCBC NISP's wealth management business and contribute positively to its revenues from the second quarter of 2027.

Government strengthens interventions to maintain food prices from producers to consumers

The Indonesian government, through the National Food Agency (Bapanas), is intensifying interventions to stabilise food prices across the supply chain, protecting farmers, ensuring supply availability, and maintaining affordability for consumers amid declining inflation. Following Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, prices of key commodities like live broiler chickens, eggs, and chillies have fallen, contributing to a monthly food deflation of 0.88% in April 2026, while annual food inflation remains within the target range of 3-5%. These efforts include stabilising maize feed supplies for over 5,000 farmers and facilitating chilli distribution from surplus to deficit regions to prevent excessive price drops at the producer level.

BNN States Sports Trend Drives Shift Towards Positive Lifestyle

Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has highlighted how the growing popularity of sports, particularly padel, is encouraging a positive lifestyle shift away from narcotics, as evidenced by the successful Padel Tournament Piala Bersinar 2026 in Jakarta. BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto emphasised the event's role in promoting a more humane, educational, and preventive approach to anti-drug campaigns, aiming to inspire the youth towards a drug-free life in support of the Golden Generation 2045 vision. Presidential Special Envoy Raffi Ahmad endorsed these initiatives, stressing the effectiveness of sports in fostering healthy habits and the need for rehabilitation services for addicts.

Gapki Emphasises Palm Oil's Role in Employment and Economic Growth

The Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki) has highlighted the strategic importance of palm oil in absorbing labour, driving regional economies, and supporting sustainable development during an educational event in West Sulawesi. The 'Sobat Sawit Goes to School' programme, organised with the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), engaged over 280 students and teachers, aiming to foster a comprehensive understanding of the sector's potential and dispel environmental myths. Local officials and industry leaders stressed the need for youth to critically evaluate information on palm oil, aligning with national initiatives to boost productivity and sustainability.

BPS: NTT Experiences 2.62% Inflation in April 2026

Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province experienced an annual inflation rate of 2.62% in April 2026, up from 2.40% in March, driven primarily by rising prices in personal care services and food items. Key commodities contributing to the inflation include jewellery gold, air transport, chicken meat, and household fuels, while education costs provided some deflationary pressure. Monthly inflation stood at 0.43%, with the highest rate in Waingapu at 3.49% and the lowest in Ngada Regency at 2.03%, highlighting regional variations in economic pressures.

Kaops: Two KKB Members from Yamue Battalion Arrested in Yahukimo's Dekai

Two members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (KKB) affiliated with the Yamue Battalion in Yahukimo were arrested by a joint team from the Damai Cartenz task force and Yahukimo Police Resort on 1 May. YH (25) admitted to occasionally assisting with logistics but denied active membership, while MS (23) confessed to joining in late 2024 and participating in the murder of a miner on 7 April 2025. MS has been named a suspect under serious Indonesian criminal code provisions, facing potential penalties including the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Former Pertamina Director to Sue BPK Audit Report in LNG Corruption Case to Administrative Court

Hari Karyuliarto, former Director of Gas at Pertamina from 2012-2014, plans to challenge the Financial Audit Board's (BPK) report on the alleged LNG procurement corruption case in the State Administrative Court (PTUN), claiming it is illegal and substandard due to unauthorized signing and violations of auditing guidelines. Convicted of corruption alongside Yenni Andayani, resulting in a combined state loss of Rp1.77 trillion, Hari has opted against appealing the criminal verdict for now, expressing distrust in the district court. This legal move highlights ongoing disputes over the validity of investigative audits in high-profile corruption trials involving state-owned enterprises.

Police Arrest Six Protesters During JKA Demonstration at Aceh Governor's Office

Police in Banda Aceh arrested six students from the Aceh People's Alliance (ARA) during a protest against the implementation of Aceh Governor's Regulation No. 2 of 2026 on Aceh Health Insurance (JKA) outside the Governor's office. The arrests followed incidents where protesters attempted to lower the Indonesian flag and provoked the crowd, leading to dispersal by security forces. Four of the detainees were released to protest organisers, while two received medical treatment for minor head injuries, highlighting tensions over the health policy in the region.

Village Head in Sidoarjo Found Dead, Entangled in Hose

The head of Buncitan Village in Sidoarjo, East Java, was discovered deceased in his office on Sunday, with his neck entangled in a water hose, in what police suspect to be a suicide driven by severe financial pressures. An autopsy revealed strangulation marks and internal injuries consistent with self-inflicted death, with no signs of external violence. Investigations uncovered debts exceeding Rp370 million from land transactions and loans to locals, alongside digital traces of the victim researching suicide methods and religious rulings on debts after death, highlighting the personal economic burdens faced by local officials.

Danantara CEO Projects PSEL Jakarta Investment Value to Reach US$1 Billion

The CEO of Danantara Indonesia, Rosan Roeslani, has projected that the investment required for developing a waste-to-energy processing facility (PSEL) in Jakarta will amount to approximately US$1 billion, targeting a capacity of 8,000 tonnes per day, with potential expansion to 10,000-12,000 tonnes to address legacy waste at Bantargebang. The project, supported by a recent MoU between the Jakarta Provincial Government and Danantara, aims to commence operations in early 2028 and utilises advanced technology that processes mixed waste without prior sorting, emphasising environmental considerations. This initiative, coordinated under Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025, underscores the government's commitment to tackling Jakarta's waste emergency, where daily accumulation reaches 9,000 tonnes, mostly managed through unsustainable open dumping.

US Begins Production of F-35 Fighter Jets Ordered by Switzerland

The United States has commenced production of F-35 fighter jets purchased by Switzerland, despite opposition from activists who argue the aircraft are too expensive and unsuitable for Swiss needs. Swiss defence procurement chief Urs Loher confirmed that the first eight planes are scheduled for delivery next year, with the full contract for 36 jets set between 2027 and 2030. Loher suggested retaining existing F/A-18 jets in service temporarily to build an effective air force, as Switzerland requires 55 to 70 aircraft in total.

Investigate Ade Armando, Abu Janda, and Grace Natalie: Dozens of Islamic Mass Organisations Convinced the Trio Will Go to Prison

Dozens of Islamic mass organisations, united under the Alliance of Islamic Mass Organisations for Religious Harmony, have filed a police report with the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency against political figures Ade Armando, Permadi Arya, and Grace Natalie over their alleged misleading framing of a partial video clip from a sermon by former Vice President Jusuf Kalla. The complainants argue that the trio's selective presentation distorts Kalla's message of peace delivered during past conflicts in Maluku and Poso, potentially inciting division rather than promoting harmony. They are confident that the strong evidence in the report, registered on 4 May 2026, will lead to legal consequences, including imprisonment for the accused.

Macron affirms France rejects participation in US military operation in Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that France will not join the US-led military operation to free ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, citing a lack of clarity in the armed initiative. Despite this, he urged a coordinated agreement between Iran and the United States to reopen the vital shipping route and ensure sustainable maritime traffic. This comes amid escalating tensions in the region, including recent US-Israel strikes on Iran, a temporary ceasefire, failed negotiations, and an ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.

Jasamarga to Conduct Maintenance on Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road for One Week

PT Jasamarga Transjawa Tol (JTT) is undertaking a week-long preventive maintenance project on the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, involving reconstruction of the road surface from KM 57+945 to KM 57+845 on lane 1 towards Jakarta, starting on 4 May and ending on 10 May. This initiative aims to ensure the toll road's reliability, safety, and optimal condition, aligning with the company's commitment to maintaining minimum service standards. Traffic will be managed situationally to minimise disruptions, with advance notifications via banners and dynamic message signs, and users are urged to follow signs and instructions for safety.

Archive Statistics

351,011
Total Articles
1012
News Sources
1994-2026
Coverage Period