Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

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Strait of Hormuz Closed, GCC Urges UN Security Council to Protect Maritime Routes

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Mohammed Al Budaiwi, has urged the UN Security Council to take full responsibility for protecting maritime routes and ensuring the safety of international navigation amid the suspension of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This blockade, a consequence of recent US-Israel strikes on Iran and Iran's retaliatory actions, has disrupted oil and gas exports from Gulf countries, leading to a surge in global energy prices. Al Budaiwi also called for the inclusion of Gulf states in any discussions or agreements with Iran to bolster regional security and prevent further escalation.

Indonesia and Saudi Arabia strengthen bilateral relations through culture

Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, welcomed the Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Jakarta to discuss enhancing bilateral cultural cooperation, building on their 76-year friendship and Indonesia's diverse cultural assets. Key initiatives include the upcoming renewal of the cultural MoU in 2027, Indonesia's bid for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee with Saudi support, and joint efforts to extend UNESCO listings for elements like Arabic Calligraphy and Majlis. The two nations are also exploring collaborations in the cultural industry, particularly film co-productions and festivals, to foster mutual benefits in cultural preservation and global heritage governance.

Countries and international organisations condemn Israel's death penalty law

Israel's Knesset has passed a law imposing the death penalty on Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis, a measure that does not apply to Israelis who kill Palestinians and has been widely condemned for violating international law and human rights. Indonesia, Palestine, Gulf states, the Arab League, the European Union, several European nations including the UK, Germany, France, and Italy, and UNRWA have all criticised the legislation as discriminatory, a war crime, and contrary to humanitarian norms, urging its immediate repeal. This development escalates tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting global concerns over Israel's policies in occupied territories.

After Reconciliation, Rismon Admits Research Errors in Jokowi’s White Paper! Ready to Rewrite 700 Pages

Digital forensics expert Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar has denied receiving Rp50 billion for his research on Jokowi’s White Paper, insisting it was self-funded amid controversy surrounding President Joko Widodo's diploma. Following a restorative justice agreement, Rismon acknowledged flaws in his previous research methodology, particularly technical variables like resolution and lighting angles, and plans to revise the 700-page document. He suspects political motives behind the accusations, highlighting independent work by contributors without coordination.

Prosecutor's Excuse for Giving Brownies to Amsal Sitepu Purely Humanitarian, Not Intimidation

Prosecutor Wira Arizona from the Karo District Prosecutor's Office has denied intimidating videographer Amsal Cristy Sitepu by giving him brownies containing a threatening note, claiming the gesture was purely out of humanitarian concern and part of local culture in Tanah Karo. Sitepu, accused of inflating budgets for video production services in 20 Karo villages, alleged during a DPR Commission III meeting that the prosecutor directly warned him in prison to stop publicising content on social media and follow the legal process quietly. This incident highlights tensions in the ongoing legal proceedings and raises questions about potential witness intimidation within Indonesia's judicial system.

KPK Announces 96.24 Percent of State Officials Report Assets for 2025

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has reported that 96.24 percent of state officials submitted their periodic State Organiser Wealth Reports (LHKPN) for the 2025 reporting period between 1 January and 31 March 2026. This high compliance rate, particularly 99.99 percent in the judiciary and 96.75 percent in the executive, reflects growing collective adherence to transparency measures aimed at preventing corruption. The KPK views this as evidence of the LHKPN system's effectiveness and will verify the reports before publishing them on elhkpn.kpk.go.id for public access.

West Jakarta Police Ensure Safe Maundy Thursday Masses at 33 Churches

The West Jakarta Metropolitan Police have confirmed that Maundy Thursday masses for Easter were conducted safely and smoothly at 33 churches, attended by 18,570 worshippers. With 147 personnel deployed for security tailored to crowd sizes and risk levels, including pre-service sterilisations by the Brimob unit, the event highlighted Indonesia's commitment to religious tolerance and communal harmony. This peaceful observance serves as a symbol of peace and mutual respect amid diversity in Jakarta's society.

SHGB Withheld by Developer, City Park Residents Send Letter to Mayor

Residents of City Park Apartment in West Jakarta are preparing to send a letter to the Mayor requesting the developer, PT RRAA, be summoned again over the delayed handover of ownership documents, including the Building Use Rights Certificate (SHGB), after the developer failed to attend a scheduled meeting. The residents, represented by PPPSRS, highlight that this inaction violates legal obligations and endangers the extension of the SHGB expiring in 2028, affecting over 3,600 subsidised units for middle to low-income families. While pursuing mediation, they warn of potential legal action if the developer continues to withhold the documents and social facilities.

Amsal Sitepu: Lack of Knowledge Causes Legal Case to Drag On

Creative economy activist Amsal Sitepu attributes the prolongation of his legal troubles to his initial ignorance of available support and protection services, having spent 131 days in detention over a corruption allegation in a village profile video project in North Sumatra's Karo Regency before being acquitted. He urges fellow creative industry practitioners to actively seek information on ecosystem support beyond just production, viewing his experience as a lesson for industry growth in Indonesia. The Minister of Creative Economy affirmed ongoing efforts to enhance outreach on services and mentoring to prevent similar incidents.

BGN Head Reveals Shocking Facts About Viral MBG Milk Sold in Minimarkets

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has clarified that it has no contracts or commitments with any producers for the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) milk, following viral social media discussions about such products being sold in minimarkets despite labels stating they are not for sale. BGN officials emphasised that service units must purchase the milk from local minimarkets or SMEs to empower local farmers, and the agency does not produce any milk itself. They urged the public to report any products falsely claiming affiliation with BGN or MBG to the agency's hotline at 127, highlighting efforts to prevent misuse of the government programme aimed at improving child nutrition.

KPK visits Polri to discuss handling of alleged corruption cases

Officials from Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) met with the National Police (Polri) headquarters to coordinate on handling several alleged corruption cases, emphasising the need for inter-agency collaboration. Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu and Director of Investigations Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto discussed the matters with Polri's Head of the Corruption Crime Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor), Inspector General Totok Suharyanto, though details remain confidential due to the early stage of proceedings. This meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance synergy between KPK, Polri, the Prosecutor's Office, and other stakeholders in combating corruption effectively.

Former Pertamina Director: No Element of Mens Rea in LNG Procurement Case

Hari Karyuliarto, former Director of Gas at PT Pertamina from 2012 to 2014, has claimed that there is no mens rea or malicious intent in the alleged corruption case involving LNG procurement, arguing that practices like back-to-back schemes and price reviews are standard business mechanisms rather than deliberate wrongdoing. He criticised the ongoing focus of law enforcement on state losses while overlooking the absence of criminal intent, a point echoed by experts from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). The case implicates Hari and Yenni Andayani, allegedly causing a state loss of US$113.84 million through actions that enriched former Pertamina President Director Karen Agustiawan and CCL, highlighting tensions in Indonesia's anti-corruption enforcement in the energy sector.

Menekraf: Creativity Cannot Be Locked into a Fixed Price

Indonesia's Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, has emphasised that creative works cannot be valued with a uniform pricing approach due to varying factors in their creation process. The government is developing guidelines for creative economy services to better understand the characteristics and economic value of such works, while avoiding rigid pricing that could stifle industry flexibility. This initiative involves stakeholders like professional associations and academics to foster a healthier creative ecosystem.

Researcher: PP Tunas Becomes Pioneer of Regulatory Firmness in Southeast Asia

Indonesian Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection, known as PP Tunas, is pioneering stringent social media age restrictions in Southeast Asia, according to Australian researcher Albertus Magnus Prestianta. He highlights Indonesia's proactive approach, with the regulation discussed in 2024, enacted in March 2025, and implemented from March 28, 2026, demonstrating the government's commitment to shielding young people from cyberbullying, pornography, and digital addiction. While Malaysia is following suit with its Online Safety Act effective from January 2026 and full enforcement mid-year, Singapore is monitoring outcomes and focusing on app store regulations rather than outright bans.

DPR Member Worries Police Instructors Resort to Ride-Hailing After Teaching

A member of Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission III, Rikwanto from the Golkar faction, expressed concern over the low hourly pay of Rp 100,000 for instructors at the Indonesian National Police (Polri), suggesting they may need to take up side jobs like ride-hailing or market vending to make ends meet. He urged the Police Education and Training Command to propose fairer compensation to ensure quality training for future police leaders. Additionally, Rikwanto advocated for recruiting top-tier candidates from high school or university graduates to maintain high standards in the force, while the command requested an increase to Rp 200,000 per hour, requiring an extra Rp 69.2 billion in funding.

Minister says 2026 Eid homecoming and return travel run more smoothly

Indonesia's Minister of Public Works has reported significant improvements in traffic flow during the 2026 Eid holiday season, particularly on the Trans Java toll road, thanks to advanced technology-based monitoring systems including CCTV and real-time vehicle tracking. Average vehicle speeds exceeded the minimum service standard of 60 km/h, reaching 73.8 km/h outbound and 83.7 km/h return, with trip times from key points reduced compared to previous years, though some congestion persisted at rest areas. The ministry plans ongoing evaluations with stakeholders to enhance road infrastructure services for future holidays, underscoring the government's commitment to managing high-volume seasonal travel.

Yahukimo Regent urges residents to be vigilant against the impacts of high rainfall

The Regent of Yahukimo, Didimus Yahuli, has called on residents, particularly those living on mountain slopes, to remain alert due to high rainfall that could trigger natural disasters such as landslides and floods. The local government in Papua Pegunungan province is monitoring the situation across 51 districts following a recent landslide in Lolat district, where 19 families were safely evacuated with no loss of life. The regent hopes for a return to normal weather conditions to allow communities to resume agricultural activities essential for their livelihoods.

Indonesia maintains energy stability with proportional measures: staff

Indonesia's government is implementing a National Work Culture Transformation policy, effective April 1, 2026, which includes a one-day-a-week work-from-home scheme to adapt to global dynamics while ensuring energy stability and efficiency. Special Staff to the Vice President, Tina Talisa, emphasised that this adjustment maintains productivity and public services, drawing on COVID-19 experiences, with benefits like fuel savings from reduced mobility offsetting any shift in household energy use. The policy underscores a balanced approach to optimising resources and sustaining economic activities amid international challenges.

Dana IndonesiaRaya Focuses on Protection to Utilisation of Culture

Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has emphasised that the Dana IndonesiaRaya fund prioritises the protection, preservation, development, and utilisation of culture, with a strong focus on societal impact rather than specific cultural statuses. The programme, a rebranded continuation of the previous Dana Indonesiana, expands access for cultural practitioners across Indonesia, encompassing traditions, performing arts, and community activities without limitations on proposals. Secretary General Bambang Wibawarta highlighted that selections will prioritise complete administration and programmes delivering tangible benefits to communities, aiming to strengthen cultural ecosystems nationwide.

Middle East Conflict Tests Fiscal Resilience, Government Response Needs Strengthening

The escalation of the Middle East conflict since late February 2026 has disrupted energy distribution in the Strait of Hormuz, driving Brent crude oil prices towards US$120 per barrel and weakening the rupiah to Rp16,900-Rp17,058 per US dollar, thereby pressuring Indonesia's fiscal stability. The government has initiated measures such as work-from-home policies for civil servants, travel efficiency, budget refocusing, and energy conservation, which the GREAT Institute views as appropriate initial steps but insufficient for prolonged pressures that could push the 2026 state budget deficit beyond the 3% of GDP limit. The institute urges structural reforms, including debt management task forces, subsidy adjustments, and energy diversification, to enhance fiscal and energy resilience against global shocks.

Archive Statistics

310,690
Total Articles
1012
News Sources
1994-2026
Coverage Period