Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

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Indonesian government urges students to boost entrepreneurship ratio

The Indonesian government is calling on students to increase the country's entrepreneurship ratio, currently at 3.29 percent of the workforce, which lags behind regional peers like Malaysia and Singapore as well as the United States. The Trade Ministry is prioritising domestic market protection, export expansion, and support for small businesses through initiatives such as business-matching programmes linking MSMEs with major retailers and the Campus Preneur programme offering export training and international coaching. These efforts, alongside ongoing trade agreements like the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership, aim to foster business growth and enhance Indonesia's global competitiveness.

Susi Pudjiastuti Appointed as Chair of the Board of Commissioners, bjb Prepares to Distribute Rp 900 Billion Dividend

PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat dan Banten Tbk (bjb) has approved a Rp 900 billion dividend for the 2025 fiscal year, equivalent to Rp 85.54 per share, during its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in Bandung. The appointment of Susi Pudjiastuti as Independent Chair of the Board of Commissioners, pending regulatory approval, aims to enhance governance and market confidence, while the bank's assets reached Rp 221.3 trillion, the largest among regional development banks. This move signals financial health amid economic fluctuations but raises questions about balancing shareholder returns with future expansion for SMEs and digital services.

Prabowo says many countries are learning from Indonesia's MBG programme

President Prabowo Subianto has highlighted the international interest in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which serves over 60 million beneficiaries routinely, prompting other nations to study its implementation. The initiative acts as a new economic engine by absorbing produce from local farmers and fishermen through village-level nutrition service units, breaking middlemen dependency, stabilising prices, and creating mass employment via 30,000 MBG kitchens and 81,000 cooperatives. Funded through anti-corruption efficiencies, the programme is positioned as a foundation for Indonesia's economic take-off by enhancing public nutrition and grassroots economy, gaining global recognition.

PLN completes electrical infrastructure for Microsoft's Data Center

PT PLN (Persero) has successfully completed the electrical infrastructure for Microsoft's Data Center in the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) in Cikarang and the Karawang International Industrial City (KIIC) in West Java, marking a key step in supporting Indonesia's digital economy transformation. This project, involving the construction of 150 kV substations, underscores PLN's commitment to providing reliable power supply to high-tech industries and positioning Indonesia as a hub for digital economic growth in Southeast Asia. The initiative highlights growing investor confidence in Indonesia's infrastructure capabilities, fostering national investment and economic development.

BCA Commences Share Buyback

PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) has begun implementing its share buyback programme on 28 April 2026, following approval at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in March. President Director Hendra Lembong described the move as a signal of optimism in the Indonesian capital market and confidence in the bank's business fundamentals, with the programme set to run for 12 months unless terminated earlier. BCA emphasised that the buyback will not materially impact its financial performance or operations, while committing to good corporate governance principles.

KUR Distribution in NTT Reaches Rp 898 Billion, UMKM Encouraged to Expand Businesses

The Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM), Maman Abdurrahman, has urged UMKM operators in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to optimally utilise the People's Business Credit (KUR) programme to boost business development, highlighting the need for disciplined fund usage, sound business management, and innovation to expand markets. KUR disbursements in NTT have reached Rp 898 billion for over 19,000 UMKM participants, aligning with national targets for 25% banking financing to UMKM and emphasising production sector focus at 63.12%. This initiative, including a mass KUR socialisation and agreement event in Labuan Bajo and a new financing cooperation with Bank Pembangunan Daerah NTT for Rp 350 billion, underscores government efforts to enhance financial access and synergies with financial institutions amid NTT's strong economic potential in tourism.

United Arab Emirates Officially Exits OPEC: Reasons and Impacts on the Oil Market

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its withdrawal from OPEC and the OPEC+ framework, effective 1 May, to prioritise its national interests amid escalating regional tensions from the US-Israel conflict with Iran. This move by a key producer with a capacity of 4.8 million barrels per day removes a major pillar from the influential energy group, potentially destabilising global oil markets. Founded in 1960 to counter Western oil dominance and ensure stable prices, OPEC and its expanded OPEC+ alliance control around 41 per cent of global supply through coordinated production quotas.

New Benchmark Price and Global Nickel Market Stability

The Indonesian government has introduced a new benchmark mineral price formula for nickel ore through Ministerial Decree No. 144.K/MB.01/MEM.B/2026, replacing the previous regulation and shifting from passive exporting to active market influence. Key changes include raising corrective factors for lower nickel content, incorporating by-product minerals like iron, cobalt, and chromium for fuller value capture, and switching to wet metric tons to eliminate moisture-based arbitrage. Amid rising global nickel prices and record LME stocks driven by Indonesian and Chinese surpluses, this reform aims to stabilise the market, boost revenues from low-grade deposits, and pressure smelters to internalise full input costs, enhancing Indonesia's pivotal role in the global upstream nickel supply chain.

Video: Government and Business Discussion Pushes Mining to Adopt EVs

At the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026 event hosted by CNBC Indonesia, government officials and mining industry leaders discussed the opportunities and challenges of adopting electric vehicles (EVs) in Indonesia's mining sector, emphasising benefits like fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions. Key challenges include high import taxes on EVs, inadequate infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and human resource capabilities, particularly in coal and nickel mining. The Ministry of Industry and environmental authorities are committed to facilitating the transition to support economic growth and environmental sustainability while enhancing the competitiveness of the EV ecosystem.

Ministry of Social Affairs to Assist Families of Victims in KA Argo Bromo-KRL Collision in Bekasi

The Ministry of Social Affairs has pledged to provide psychosocial support and comprehensive assessments to the families affected by the tragic train collision at Bekasi Timur Station involving KA Argo Bromo Anggrek and a KRL commuter train, which resulted in 15 deaths and 88 injuries. Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf emphasised that aid will be tailored to individual needs, including potential economic empowerment programmes, while compensation for fatalities is primarily handled through insurance with additional support from the ministry. This response underscores the government's commitment to aiding victims' families in the aftermath of the incident that occurred on 27 April.

Government Urged to Audit KAI Management Following Train Accident in East Bekasi

Transportation expert Azas Tigor Nainggolan has called for a comprehensive government audit of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) management after a fatal train collision in East Bekasi on 27 April 2026, which killed 16 female passengers and injured dozens more. He highlighted the incident as indicative of systemic safety and operational failures, urging strict evaluations to ensure compliance with the 2007 Railway Law, which prioritises safety, security, and comfort. Nainggolan also advocated for replacing key personnel with professional and integrity-driven figures to overhaul the organisation's structure and human resources.

Ministry of Transmigration Prepares Patriot Expedition for 1,400 Participants This Year

The Ministry of Transmigration, in collaboration with 10 top Indonesian universities, is set to open registrations for the 2026 Patriot Expedition Programme, targeting 1,400 participants who must be S1 graduates, unlike last year's inclusion of active undergraduates. Participants will be assigned to 52 transmigration areas for up to a year, down from 154 areas in 2025, aiming to bolster development in these regions. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to engaging educated youth in national transmigration efforts to support rural and frontier community growth.

Attorney General Affirms No Promotions for Prosecutors Previously Subjected to Disciplinary Action

Attorney General ST Burhanuddin has firmly stated that no promotions will be granted to prosecutors who have faced disciplinary sanctions, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy during the swearing-in of new high-level officials at the Attorney General's Office. He expressed concern over ongoing integrity issues among active staff and urged leaders to maintain strict supervision, while highlighting the need for the prosecution service to adapt to digital challenges in the Industrial Revolution 5.0 era by mastering digital spaces to combat disinformation. Key appointments include Abd Qohar AF as Head of the High Prosecutor's Office in East Java, Sutikno in West Java, and Teguh Subroto in Central Java.

Judge Rebukes TNI Sergeant Who Threw Acid on Andrie Yunus: Don't Daydream

In a military court hearing in Jakarta, the judge reprimanded Sergeant Two Edi Sunarko, one of four TNI defendants accused of throwing acid on activist Andrie Yunus, for appearing distracted during questioning about his own exposure to the chemical. The prosecutor outlined that the attack was motivated by the defendants' perception that Yunus had insulted the TNI institution during an interruption at a meeting on revising the TNI Law in March 2025. The case highlights tensions between military personnel and civil activists, with charges under various articles of the Criminal Code carrying potential severe penalties.

Pupuk Kaltim: Soda Ash Project to Substitute Imports and Accelerate Downstreaming

PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) is developing a soda ash factory to reduce Indonesia's reliance on imports, which currently stand at around 1 million tonnes annually until 2025, while enhancing the value added of ammonia-based industries. The project, located in the Kaltim Industrial Estate in Bontang, East Kalimantan, will produce 300,000 tonnes of soda ash and ammonium chloride per year, absorbing 174,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually to support decarbonisation efforts and creating jobs for up to 800 workers during construction. This initiative is expected to boost state revenues, promote economic growth through increased domestic content, save foreign exchange, and expand the company's product portfolio.

7 Out of 10 Indonesians Feel More Positive After Taking a JEDA Break

Blibli, in collaboration with Indonesian government ministries and other stakeholders, launched the JEDA initiative—a social experiment promoting a 10-second pause before reacting to information—to enhance digital literacy and consumer protection amid rising online scams. The experiment, involving over 158,000 participants from 19 February to 31 March 2026, revealed that seven in ten felt calmer and more positive after the pause, highlighting its potential to reduce impulsive responses in a fast-paced digital environment. Key insights include higher engagement from older generations and urban areas, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts to foster more thoughtful decision-making online and offline.

Turning Waste into Blessings: A Heartwarming Look at Amaliyah's Journey in Reducing Waste in Kampung Masigit with PNM

Amaliyah, a PNM Mekaar client in Bojonegara, Serang, has transformed household waste from her home baking business into economic opportunities by processing it into products like aromatherapy and ecobrick sofas, while also establishing the MATA Waste Bank to engage 86 community members in recycling efforts. This initiative not only reduces environmental waste but also generates income for participants and allows Amaliyah to donate profits to the needy and orphans, exemplifying grassroots social and economic empowerment. PNM highlights her story as a model of how simple home-based activities can foster broader community benefits in environmental care and social responsibility.

Groundbreaking of Downstreaming Phase II, Bambang Patijaya: Strengthen Indonesia's Competitiveness on the Global Stage

Bambang Patijaya, Chairman of DPR RI Commission XII from the Golkar Party faction, has expressed appreciation for the groundbreaking of 13 Phase II downstreaming projects organised by BPI Danantara Indonesia, viewing it as a concrete step towards accelerating the national economy's transformation based on added value. He emphasised that downstreaming is a key strategy to enhance the value of natural resources, reduce reliance on raw material exports, and boost Indonesia's industrial competitiveness globally, while also promising benefits such as increased investment, job creation, and strengthened state revenues. Patijaya urged timely implementation through synergies between government, SOEs, and the private sector, with a focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency to ensure long-term economic resilience.

Three Sister University Students Caught in Bali Online Gambling Syndicate, Working 12 Hours to Recruit Victims

Three sisters, former university students, have been arrested in Bali for their roles as telemarketers in an online gambling syndicate, luring Indonesian citizens with promises of high salaries and bonuses. They contacted 300 to 400 numbers daily for 12 hours, promoting the 'ketua.co' site under the direction of a suspected Chinese leader based in Cambodia. This case underscores the economic vulnerabilities driving young people into illegal operations and highlights ongoing police efforts to dismantle cross-border gambling networks in Indonesia.

From Maxus to Hongqi: Indomobil Boosts Indonesia's Automotive Market

Indomobil Group is aggressively expanding its automotive brand portfolio in Indonesia by introducing more Chinese marques such as Leapmotor and Hongqi, complementing its existing Japanese brands like Suzuki and Nissan, as well as premium European ones including Mercedes-Benz and Audi. This strategy aims to provide diverse options catering to varied consumer preferences and needs, ensuring that every potential buyer finds a suitable vehicle from the company. The move underscores the growing competitiveness of Chinese products in design, technology, and pricing, positioning Indomobil to capture a broader market share in Indonesia's increasingly diverse automotive sector.

Archive Statistics

345,168
Total Articles
1012
News Sources
1994-2026
Coverage Period