Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Search and explore over 299,475 Indonesian news articles from 1994 to 2026

Latest Articles

Face-to-Face Learning Must Be of Quality and Meaningful

The Indonesian government has decided to continue with face-to-face learning, but advocates emphasise that it must be high-quality and engaging to truly benefit students, focusing on teacher competence and welfare rather than just infrastructure improvements. Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has extended remote learning and work-from-home policies until February 2026 to prioritise student safety amid hydrometeorological disaster risks. Education observers note that while remote learning ensures safety, a thorough evaluation of its implementation is needed to maintain educational quality.

Latest Poll: Trump's Approval Rating Plummets to Lowest Level - US Public Disappointed

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals US President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to a record low of 36%, driven by public dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, rising living costs, and the ongoing conflict with Iran. The surge in fuel prices following US and Israeli military strikes has exacerbated economic concerns, with only 25% approving of his cost-of-living management and 35% supporting the Iran attacks. This downturn presents a significant opportunity for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections, despite Republicans still holding a slight edge on economic trust.

OJK's New Leadership Hits the Ground Running, Focusing on Maintaining Stability and Restoring Public Trust

The newly appointed leadership of Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) has immediately prioritised safeguarding the stability of the financial system and rebuilding public confidence amid ongoing global pressures. Chairwoman Friderica Widyasari Dewi emphasised integrated supervision and licensing to address financial conglomerates and hybrid products, while committing to market deepening, consumer protection, and stricter law enforcement. These efforts aim to bolster the financial sector's role in driving national economic growth without compromising societal safeguards.

256,000 Vehicles Cross Toll Roads During Peak Return Flow, Lower Than Predicted

During the peak of the Lebaran 2026 return flow on 24 March, 256,338 vehicles traversed toll roads, falling short of the initial prediction of 285,000 units, indicating effective traffic management by PT Jasa Marga. The company's CEO, Rivan A. Purwantono, highlighted the success of traffic engineering in ensuring smooth travel and urged the public to utilise toll discounts on 26-27 March to avoid congestion on subsequent days. The Ministry of Transportation anticipates another peak on 28-29 March, with overall traffic volume up 4.07% and public transport departures rising 11.11% during the period.

TNI Hands Over Kabais Position: A Form of Accountability

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has conducted a handover of the position of Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) as a demonstration of accountability following the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus, which involved members of the TNI's Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais). This action follows a meeting with the Ministry of Defence, aligned with President Prabowo Subianto's directives, emphasising strict enforcement against any legal or disciplinary violations by TNI personnel. Four suspects, all from the Military Police unit of Bais TNI, have been arrested in connection with the incident, underscoring the military's commitment to upholding discipline.

Returnees Experience Impact of Infrastructure Development in Central Java, Here is Their Assessment

Returnees to Central Java during the Eid holiday have praised the noticeable improvements in infrastructure and tourism facilities, including smoother roads, new toll sections, and cleaner rest areas, which have made travel more comfortable and enjoyable. Local residents and visitors highlighted developments like the City Walk in Pemalang boosting small businesses and emerging tourist spots such as Ketep Pass and Pantai Kembar, reflecting the provincial government's priority on road infrastructure to enhance mobility and economic growth. Central Java's economy grew by 5.37% in Q4 2025, surpassing the national average of 5.11%, underscoring the tangible benefits of these investments.

Efficiency Plan: DPR Hopes Education Budget Will Not Be Cut

The Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission X for Education, Lalu Hadrian, has urged the government not to slash the education budget amid plans for fiscal efficiency across various ministry allocations. He emphasised that education, as a national priority under the 1945 Constitution, should not be sacrificed to control the state budget deficit, advocating for cuts only in non-essential areas like ceremonial activities. Such reductions could harm school operations, scholarships, teacher welfare, and Indonesia's long-term human resource development and global competitiveness, with the 2026 education budget already set at Rp757.8 trillion to Rp769.09 trillion, largely allocated to the free nutritious meal programme.

Jasa Raharja: Fatal accident rate in 2026 Eid transport drops

Jasa Raharja reported a 28 percent decrease in fatal traffic accidents during the 2026 Eid transport period compared to the previous year, with 228 fatalities recorded so far versus 318 in 2025. The majority of incidents involved two-wheeled motor vehicles, primarily caused by driver fatigue from long journeys exceeding six to seven hours and vehicle conditions. The state-owned insurer has provided Rp11.2 billion in compensation to 224 families of the deceased, while police data indicates an overall 3.23 percent drop in accidents and a 24.61 percent reduction in fatalities, highlighting improved road safety measures during the holiday exodus.

PRR Task Force Prioritises River Normalisation in Sumatra Disaster-Affected Areas

The Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra has identified the normalisation of rivers in the affected provinces of Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra as a key long-term priority in the recovery phase, aiming to support irrigation for local rice fields and fish ponds. Chair Muhammad Tito Karnavian highlighted the urgency of addressing sedimentation and other damages in over 140 rivers across these regions, which directly impact agriculture and fisheries-dependent communities. This integrated approach also encompasses emergency responses and permanent reconstructions, ensuring broader sectoral recoveries like roads and logistics to foster safe and productive environments.

Economists optimistic that 5.5 percent economic growth target for first quarter will be achieved

Economist Wijayanto Samirin from Paramadina University expresses optimism that Indonesia's economy will achieve the government's 5.5 percent growth target for the first quarter of 2026, driven by seasonal momentum from holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Eid, alongside accelerated government spending. He highlights potential challenges such as energy crises, high inflation, and subdued consumer purchasing power, recommending sustained fuel subsidies, a one-day work-from-home policy with regulations, and efficient allocation of government budgets to support growth. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa echoes this confidence, affirming Indonesia's resilience against global energy risks and outlining measures to bolster domestic demand and private sector support.

Government Urges Public to Avoid Peak Return Traffic on 28-29 March

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno has urged the public to avoid the peak return traffic period for Eid al-Fitr on 28-29 March 2026 to ensure smoother travel. He highlighted that the outbound journey during this year's Eid holidays proceeded smoothly with a 4.6-5% increase in vehicle volume and a 16% decrease in traffic accidents, thanks to inter-agency coordination and data-based monitoring. The government anticipates a similar 5% rise in return traffic and is pushing for staggered travel times to manage the remaining 2.5 million vehicles departing Jakarta.

Tito Reveals Latest Data on Sumatra Disaster Displaced Persons: 171 People in Aceh

Indonesia's Interior Minister Tito Karnavian has disclosed that only 171 people remain in displacement tents following the Sumatra disaster, primarily in Aceh province, representing a mere 0.008% of the initial 2.1 million displaced as of December 2025. He clarified that the government's claim of nearing 100% relocation does not imply zero cases, attributing the remaining displacements to geographical challenges in remote areas and community reluctance to move to temporary housing in places like Bireuen. The government is addressing this through temporary housing construction and rental subsidies to ensure no one remains in tents.

Following Up on Prabowo Interview, Ministry of Defence and TNI Hold Coordination Meeting on Law Enforcement

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) convened a coordination meeting to strengthen law enforcement and uphold the honour of state institutions, in line with directives from President Prabowo Subianto. Attended by key figures including Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, the meeting reaffirmed TNI's commitment to decisively punishing legal and disciplinary violations by personnel, while also recognising achievements in disaster response and security operations. This initiative aims to enhance internal oversight, leadership quality, and the discipline and integrity of all military personnel.

Ombudsman Finds Unjustified Bus Fare Hikes in NTB, Organda Responds

The Ombudsman for West Nusa Tenggara has uncovered repeated instances of unjustified fare increases for non-economy inter-city buses on the Bima-Mataram route during the Eid al-Fitr return flow, with tickets sold at official counters exceeding the regulated Rp330,000 by up to Rp400,000. This highlights inadequate oversight by the provincial transport department, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and sanctions against violators to protect passengers. Organda's NTB chairman attributes the discrepancies to rogue individuals outside terminals and urges reporting to authorities, insisting that official members adhere to government tariffs.

Purbaya Proposes WFH Every Friday, DPR Member Disagrees: It Would Be Seen as a Long Holiday

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has proposed implementing work from home (WFH) every Friday to enhance energy efficiency by reducing fuel consumption and boosting domestic activities and tourism. However, DPR Commission II member Ahmad Irawan opposes the idea, arguing that it would be perceived as a long weekend, potentially leading to increased travel rather than savings, and suggests Wednesday instead to avoid such misconceptions. This debate highlights the challenge of balancing productivity, energy conservation, and public behaviour in policy design.

OJK Not Yet Opening New P2P Lending Licences This Year

Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) has confirmed that the moratorium on new licences for peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms, or online loans, will remain in place throughout this year to allow for further evaluation and improvement of compliance and governance among existing operators. Executive Head of Supervision Agusman emphasised the need to address dynamic challenges in the field, including fraud risks, while aiming to make these services more accessible with lower interest rates for productive needs. The policy, implemented since early 2020, seeks to ensure better oversight of registered online lending businesses.

Indonesia Needs Substantial Funds for 8% Economic Growth, Prabowo Reveals the Sources!

President Prabowo Subianto has expressed confidence in the government's strengthened fiscal position to fund strategic development programmes aimed at achieving 8% economic growth. He outlined plans to finance these initiatives by plugging budget leakages through digitalisation like govtech, improving tax efficiency, and leveraging recent 30% monthly tax revenue surges to raise the tax ratio from 9% to 12-13%. This approach, supported by projections from the National Economic Council, underscores a focus on enhancing revenue collection amid robust economic activity indicated by soaring VAT and luxury goods tax receipts.

TNI BAIS Chief Removed Over Acid Attack Case on Andrie Yunus

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has confirmed that Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), has stepped down as a result of the acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus. Yunus, known for criticising the TNI Law and the expansion of military roles in civilian spaces, suffered severe burns covering 24% of his body after being targeted by assailants on a motorcycle in central Jakarta. While police identified two suspects, TNI investigations point to four military personnel, who have been detained, highlighting tensions between civilian and military probes into the incident.

Indonesia expects arrival of second A400M aircraft

Indonesia anticipates the arrival of its second A400M military transport aircraft from Seville, Spain, following the first unit's delivery on 3 November 2025, as announced by Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait. The contract for the initial two aircraft was signed by President Prabowo Subianto in 2021 during the Dubai Airshow, with a letter of intent for four more also executed at the event. This acquisition enhances the Indonesian Air Force's capabilities in air territorial defence, cargo transport, aerial refuelling, and humanitarian operations, positioning Indonesia as the 10th global operator of the versatile A400M.

Expert: Public Concerns over Fuel Shortages During Eid Period Successfully Allayed

An expert from the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember has praised Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia for maintaining stable fuel supplies during the 2026 Eid period, dispelling public fears of shortages amid rising geopolitical tensions. While government preparedness and public awareness helped manage demand spikes, Indonesia's national reserves remain limited to 20-28 days, prompting calls to expand storage capacity to 90 days for greater economic resilience. The minister's energy diplomacy in Tokyo further signals Indonesia's strengthening position in global energy dynamics.

Archive Statistics

299,475
Total Articles
1012
News Sources
1994-2026
Coverage Period