Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 November 2026

Showing 651-700 of 1,515 articles

Medco (MEDC) to Pay Rp544 Billion in Interim Dividends: Key Dates

PT Medco Energi Internasional will distribute US$30 million (about Rp544.77 billion) in interim dividends before the end of its 2026 financial year. Shareholders recorded by 12 November will be eligible, with payment due by 2 December 2026.

Public Works Ministry Delivers 16,000 Litres of Clean Water to Gayo Lues Residents

The Public Works Ministry has delivered 16,000 litres of clean water to residents of Badak village in Gayo Lues, Aceh, following flash floods. The emergency support is intended to meet essential household and hygiene needs while the ministry assesses and addresses damage to infrastructure.

Nuclear Power in Halmahera: Seven Decades of Waiting, and Still No Plant

Indonesia’s long-standing nuclear research capability has yet to produce a commercial nuclear power plant, despite a new agreement for two floating reactors in North Halmahera and a government target for a first plant by 2032. The opinion piece argues that delayed regulation, weak institutions and an ailing state-owned nuclear company threaten to keep these plans from becoming reality, while urging clear legal deadlines and stronger links between research and industry.

Tukad Badung Filled with Rubbish After Heavy Rain

Heavy rain in Bali left the Tukad Badung river strewn with rubbish, much of it discarded mineral-water packaging, raising concerns about blocked water flow and flooding. Bali’s disaster management agency urged residents to keep drains and waterways clear, monitor river levels and follow official weather and disaster warnings.

Environment Minister: Intelligence Report Says Some Parties Deliberately Set Forest Fires to Damage Government’s Image

Environment Minister Moh Jumhur Hidayat says his ministry is investigating intelligence information alleging that some parties deliberately started forest and land fires to undermine the government’s image. He stressed that the claim remains unverified and that further investigation is needed to establish whether it is true and identify those involved.

Kemdiktisaintek to Hold KSTI 2026 to Strengthen the National Science Ecosystem

Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology will hold the second Indonesian Science, Technology and Industry Convention (KSTI) at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology in Surabaya on 10–13 November 2026. The event will showcase about 500 research products and bring researchers, industry and the public together, with the aim of turning scientific knowledge into practical impact and informing future policy and research priorities.

Vice-President Gibran calls for better facilities and staffing at regional hospitals

Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called for regional hospitals to be equipped with adequate facilities, medical staff and equipment, stressing that construction must not compromise patient safety or care. Kondosapata Regional General Hospital in West Sulawesi has several specialists but says it needs another obstetrician-gynecologist to meet local demand.

Undana and Jiangxi Strengthen the Sustainability of Mandarin Classes

Nusa Cendana University (Undana) and China’s Jiangxi provincial government are exploring ways to extend Mandarin-language classes beyond students to the wider public in East Nusa Tenggara. The programme, launched in 2024 and actively running since 2025, is part of broader educational cooperation intended to strengthen graduates’ skills, academic ties and cultural exchange.

Public Works Ministry Mobilises Heavy Equipment to Deal with Semeru Lahar Flooding

The Public Works Ministry is assessing damage from cold-lahar flooding on Mount Semeru and has placed heavy equipment and emergency-response resources on standby. Although water levels in the Regoyo River have receded, officials say further flooding remains possible and physical emergency work cannot begin until the area is safe; residents have been urged to follow volcanic-hazard restrictions.

Baznas Kulon Progo Distributes Education Aid to School and University Students

Baznas Kulon Progo has distributed education grants to 375 school and university students, with awards ranging from Rp1 million to Rp2 million according to study level. The programme aims to ease education costs and ensure financial hardship does not prevent young people from continuing their studies.

Disaster Strikes India Again, 30,000 Residents to Be Evacuated

India has begun evacuating residents from its eastern coast ahead of Cyclone Murasu, expected to make landfall early on Tuesday. The planned evacuation of about 30,000 people comes as communities recover from Cyclone Arnab, which killed six people and damaged homes and farmland.

Commission calls for VAT exemption on menstrual products in Indonesia

Komnas Perempuan has urged the government to reconsider the 11 per cent VAT on menstrual hygiene products, saying the tax overlooks women’s reproductive health needs and adds an avoidable financial burden. The commission links the issue to gender justice, human rights and period poverty, arguing that these essential products should be accessible and affordable.

More Than 1,000 Streetlights Installed in East Priangan as West Java Government Prioritises Comfort for Residents and Tourists

West Java has installed 1,185 public streetlights in Garut, Tasikmalaya and Ciamis during 2026, at a cost of Rp48.3 billion. The programme follows the installation of 3,926 lights across East Priangan in 2025 and aims to improve road safety and comfort for residents and visitors.

Jakarta Waives Vehicle Tax Fines and Transfer Fees

Jakarta will waive administrative penalties for Motor Vehicle Tax (PKB) and Motor Vehicle Title Transfer Fees (BBNKB) from 2 November to 31 December 2026. The relief applies automatically to all vehicle types and gives taxpayers with arrears another opportunity to settle their obligations without fines; it is the provincial government’s second vehicle-tax amnesty programme this year.

Expert: DPR Impeachment Process Against Gibran Remains an Uphill Battle

An expert says efforts in the House of Representatives (DPR) to investigate Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s eligibility, following court rulings concerning his education documents, face significant political obstacles. Most parliamentary factions are expected to await a signal from the presidential palace, while parties remain divided over whether the rulings warrant an inquiry or impeachment proceedings.

JCI Closes Up 0.79% at 5,096.83

The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) rose 0.79% to 5,096.83 on Monday after a volatile session, with utilities and basic materials among the strongest sectors. The market’s first session under the Indonesia Stock Exchange’s new policy excluding 81 highly concentrated-shareholding stocks from the index coincided with investor focus on key Indonesian and global economic data due this week.

Only Indonesian and Indian Stock Exchanges Disclose Shareholders with Stakes Above 1%

The Indonesia Stock Exchange says Indonesia and India are the only markets to disclose shareholders holding more than 1%, while Indonesia and Hong Kong publish lists of stocks with highly concentrated ownership. From 2 November 2026, shares on the high-shareholding-concentration list will be excluded from the IDX Composite (IHSG), a move the exchange says will not cause a sharp index swing and should improve its representativeness.

BMKG: West Java Hit by 129 Earthquakes in October 2026

BMKG’s Bandung Geophysics Station recorded 129 earthquakes in and around West Java during October 2026, ranging from magnitude 1.1 to 5.7. Eight were felt by residents; the agency said most were shallow and urged the public to stay calm, follow local disaster-management guidance and rely on official information.

Man Impaled on Iron Fence While Allegedly Stealing Mangoes in Pontianak; Mother Faints

A 20-year-old man was impaled on a spear-shaped iron fence after falling while allegedly trying to steal mangoes from a house in South Pontianak. His mother fainted when she arrived at the scene after his rescue and was also taken to hospital.

BNPB: Estimate of 3,560 Deaths from Haze Caused by Forest and Land Fires Requires Further Examination

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air estimated that poor air quality linked to Indonesian forest and land fires caused 3,560 deaths in September 2026, mainly in Kalimantan and Sumatra. BNPB says the estimate’s methodology, data sources and attribution to fire-related haze need closer scrutiny, while stressing that the figure should not diminish efforts to protect public health.

Eight Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens in Mataram Suspended: Here’s Why

Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency has suspended eight Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchens in Mataram for failing to submit their accountability reports (LPDH) properly and on time. The suspensions form part of a wider measure affecting 6,097 nutrition service units nationwide, with their operating status dependent on verification by the agency’s central team.

Detachable Googlebook with a detachable design set for imminent release

Google has confirmed that its next flagship Googlebook will support a detachable design, allowing it to function as a tablet when separated from its keyboard. Lenovo is tipped to make the first model, raising questions about whether Googlebook OS could offer a more desktop-like alternative for premium Android tablets.

Jumhur: There Is Information That Forests Were Deliberately Set Alight to Damage the Government’s Image

Environment Minister Moh Jumhur Hidayat says his ministry is examining intelligence suggesting that some parties may have deliberately started forest and land fires to undermine the government’s image. The ministry is also investigating fires across concessions held by 335 companies, with findings and field evidence to determine who is responsible.

Bandung to Offer Rp1 Property Tax Incentive to Owners of Heritage Buildings

Bandung City Government is preparing a symbolic Rp1 land and building tax (PBB) rate for owners of officially designated heritage buildings. The proposed incentive would also cover new buyers who preserve a building’s historical value and original character, helping offset maintenance costs while safeguarding the city’s identity.

Daily Earnings for Ride-Hailing Drivers Keep Shrinking

A 2025 IDEAS survey found that ride-hailing drivers’ average daily gross earnings have fallen from nearly Rp187,628 to Rp126,313, leaving only Rp60,619 after operating costs. A separate survey found that nearly three-quarters take home less than Rp100,000 a day, while a newly introduced 8% app commission cap has yet to bring earnings up to minimum-wage levels in Greater Jakarta.

PKB Considers Parliamentary Inquiry over Supreme Court Ruling on Gibran’s High School Certificate

The National Awakening Party (PKB) is seriously considering whether to seek a parliamentary inquiry following Supreme Court and Constitutional Court decisions concerning the high school certificate used in Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s candidacy. PKB lawmaker Muhammad Khozin says the inquiry would examine the government’s administrative responsibility for issuing the certificate, rather than revisit Gibran’s eligibility or the courts’ rulings; interpellation and a motion of opinion are also possible options.

Depok Neighbours Describe Grandmother’s Demeanour After She Burned Granddaughter: Asked Them to Find a Car

A neighbour said a 64-year-old woman showed little apparent panic after allegedly setting fire to her 17-year-old granddaughter in Depok, asking instead for a car to take the teenager to hospital. The victim suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body and remained in a coma; the suspect faces charges under Indonesia’s domestic violence and child protection laws, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years.

OPEC+ to Keep Oil Output Unchanged for Third Consecutive Month in December 2026

OPEC+ will hold its oil production levels steady in December for the third month in a row, with seven participating countries maintaining combined output of about 31.01 million barrels per day. The group is due to meet again on 29 November to review market conditions.

Former Mossad Chief Admits Israel Sacrificed Iranian Civilians to Protect Agents

Former Mossad chief David Barnea said Israel released footage of its covert operations in Iran during the June 2025 conflict partly to trigger mass arrests and make it harder for Iranian counter-intelligence to identify its agents. He said Iranian authorities detained 21,000 people, many of whom had no connection to Mossad; the remarks drew criticism from Quincy Institute executive vice-president Trita Parsi.

Bahlil and Prabowo Hold Limited Meeting on Energy and Downstreaming

Energy and Downstreaming Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace discussed the energy sector and downstreaming. Several senior economic, investment and finance officials also attended, but further details were not disclosed.

Police praise residents for helping uncover alleged abuse of toddler in South Jakarta

Police have praised residents whose reports and intervention helped uncover the alleged abuse of a toddler who later died in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. Two suspects, including the child’s mother, have been arrested, while investigators await further forensic findings and examine whether there was repeated violence or any other person involved.

Health Ministry: Free Health Checks One Way to Screen for Mental Health Conditions

Indonesia’s Health Ministry hopes its Free Health Check programme will help identify people experiencing mental health conditions and guide them towards appropriate care. It is expanding primary-care capacity, home visits and community and hospital partnerships, while advising people to seek professional help and noting that the 24-hour emergency helpline 119 is available.

Bandung City Investment Reaches Rp9.4 Trillion by the Third Quarter of 2026

Bandung City recorded Rp9.4 trillion in investment through the third quarter of 2026, against its full-year target of Rp12 trillion. Domestic investment accounted for Rp8.1 trillion, while the city says licensing assistance and a series of investor-focused initiatives are helping support the upward trend.

Police Detail How 20-Month-Old Girl Was Killed by Her Mother and Stepfather in South Jakarta

Police say a 20-month-old girl was killed by her mother and stepfather in the Kebayoran Lama market area, and that the pair later buried her body in an empty plot in Central Jakarta. Both suspects have been arrested, while the victim’s three-year-old sibling is receiving assistance from the Social Affairs Agency.

Bahlil Appoints 11 Senior Officials to Energy Ministry: The Full List

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has appointed 11 senior officials, including Arsyadany Ghana Akmalaputri as Director-General of Electricity. The appointments span the ministry’s oil and gas, electricity, renewables and internal oversight divisions.

GoTo Posts Rp441 Billion Net Profit in Q3 2026: What Powered the Result

PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia posted a net profit of Rp441 billion in the third quarter of 2026, reversing a loss a year earlier and marking its third consecutive profitable quarter. GoPay’s fintech growth helped offset pressure on Gojek’s ride-hailing business following the introduction of an 8% commission cap, prompting the group to raise its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance.

Police Internal Affairs Examines Officers Involved in Sukoharjo Islamic Boarding School Raid

The National Police’s internal affairs division and the Central Java Police are examining officers involved in a raid on the Hamalatul Qur’an Islamic boarding school in Sukoharjo. The investigation follows complaints that the search caused distress among students and their families, with police saying the operation is being reviewed through internal oversight procedures.

Bahlil Coordinates with DSI on Natural Resource Exports from 2027

Coordinating Minister Bahlil Lahadalia says Indonesia’s natural resource exports will be channelled through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI), with the mechanism due to be fully implemented by 1 January 2027. The policy is intended to strengthen oversight of exports and export proceeds, improve economic and currency stability, and enhance Indonesia’s negotiating position with buyers.

Kratom Can Cause Dependence and Hallucinations; Police and BPOM Prepare Regulations

Indonesia’s National Police and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) plan to develop rules governing kratom use and strengthen oversight to prevent misuse. Officials say the plant may have medicinal potential but can also pose health risks, including dependence, delusions and hallucinations.

Prosecutor Questions Ferry ‘Boboho’ Hongkiriwang’s Nickname; Here Is His Response

Ferry Hongkiriwang told a Jakarta anti-corruption court that he usually goes by Ferry and does not know where the nickname “Boboho” came from. He appeared as a witness in the alleged extortion and money-laundering case involving former deputy attorney general for special crimes Febrie Adriansyah, who is charged with extortion of Rp55 billion and laundering up to Rp350 billion.

Bima Police Criminal Investigation Chief Suddenly Transferred to NTB Regional Police Headquarters

Bima Police Criminal Investigation Chief AKP Dediansyah has been transferred to the General Affairs Service (Yanma) at the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTB), leaving his post vacant. Police officials confirmed the move but said they could not explain its reason, which they said was known to Polda NTB’s internal affairs unit.

Samsung Smart Glasses to Launch in South Korea and the US in December

Samsung is reportedly preparing to launch its Intelligent Eyewear smart glasses in South Korea and the United States in mid-December, with a wider rollout to other markets possible after the company assesses consumer response. The screen-free device will offer real-time translation, voice navigation and document-scanning features, and is expected to provide up to nine hours of use on a charge.

Andrea Bocelli to Perform in Jakarta as Pramono Defers to Central Government

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung says Andrea Bocelli’s concert at JIExpo has received permits from central government agencies and that the city administration had no role in organising it. The statement comes amid objections from the Jakarta DPRD’s PKS faction, which has urged a review of the concert over concerns raised about Bocelli’s alleged links to fundraising activities supporting Israel’s military, citing solidarity with Palestinians.

Nature-Damaging Nickel Operations Face Financing and Business Risks

A report by Earth & Life Symbio warns that environmental damage from nickel mining and processing in Morowali and Halmahera could expose companies to operational, investment and market risks. The findings highlight extensive forest loss and biodiversity overlap, while arguing that weak nature-related safeguards could undermine access to finance and compliance with increasingly demanding global supply-chain rules.

Two Years of Government: Health Ministry Reports Progress in Free Check-ups and TB Treatment

Indonesia’s Health Ministry says its free health-check programme reached more than 109 million people in 2026, while 21 hospitals in disadvantaged areas have begun serving patients. It also reported a first decline in estimated tuberculosis incidence, alongside expanded screening and shorter treatment regimens, though specialist staffing remains a challenge at regional hospitals.

OJK Targets Three or Four Banks the Size of BSI by 2027

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) is aiming for Indonesia to have three or four additional large Islamic banks comparable in scale to Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) by 2027. OJK says larger institutions can strengthen the sector’s capacity and support growth in assets, financing and market share; Islamic finance assets reached Rp3,307.73 trillion in September 2026.

On Proposal for Free University Education, UI Says In-Depth Discussions Are Under Way

Universitas Indonesia says it is conducting an internal review of the government’s proposal to make tuition free at state universities. The university has not disclosed whether it has calculated the required budget or involved the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, and says it will provide an update once discussions on implementation are complete.

Japan Establishes Disaster Management Agency to Strengthen Preparedness for Major Earthquakes

Japan has established a Cabinet-level National Disaster Management Agency to improve emergency response and reduce the impact of natural disasters, including major earthquakes and extreme rainfall. Led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, it will coordinate with local governments, establish regional command centres and address evacuation, shelter and recovery needs.

Indonesia urges MABIMS to deepen engagement and sustain cooperation

Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Umar has urged MABIMS member countries to maintain regular communication and follow through on cooperation between annual meetings. He proposed developing criteria for a civilised Muslim society and considering a regional hub, alongside joint research, knowledge exchange and academic forums to strengthen religious diplomacy and regional ties.

The Best of People, According to the Prophet, Help Islam Endure

The article discusses a hadith describing those who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others as the best among people. It says that preserving and spreading the Qur’an through learning and teaching is essential to the continuity of Islam.