Archive: 20 February 2026
Showing 751-800 of 862 articles
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:42 WIB
SAR Team Recovers Bodies of Two Teenagers Who Drowned in Grobogan River
A joint search and rescue team recovered the bodies of two 15-year-old boys who drowned in the Dukuh Ngambleg River in Tegowanu, Grobogan Regency, Central Java. The victims, who were swept away by strong currents whilst bathing on 18 February, were found approximately 3.5 kilometres downstream after a two-day search operation coordinated by the Semarang SAR Office.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:38 WIB
Yesterday's Headlines: Post-Disaster Rehabilitation Costs Across Sumatra to First-Quarter Economic Outlook
A roundup of key economic and policy developments covers Bappenas's Rp56.3 trillion costing for post-disaster rehabilitation across three Sumatran provinces, President Prabowo's pitch to US businesses to invest in Indonesia, and Bank Indonesia's projection of continued strong GDP growth in Q1 2026. The package also includes updates on social forestry policy and a fatal charter plane crash in North Kalimantan.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:38 WIB
Prabowo Tells US Business Leaders: We Have Never Defaulted on Our Debt
President Prabowo Subianto assured American business leaders at a Gala Iftar Business Summit in Washington DC that Indonesia has never defaulted on its debt obligations, emphasising the country's strong fiscal discipline and political stability. He highlighted US$53 billion in foreign direct investment received in 2025 as evidence of investor confidence, while underscoring Indonesia's tradition of honouring debt commitments across successive governments regardless of political differences.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:38 WIB
Bareskrim Seizes Three Offices and One Shophouse Belonging to PT DSI in Rp2.4 Trillion Fraud Case
Indonesia's Criminal Investigation Division has seized three offices and a shophouse linked to PT Dana Syariah Indonesia (DSI) as part of a Rp2.4 trillion fraud investigation affecting 15,000 victims over seven years.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:33 WIB
Early Morning Rain Causes 10cm Waterlogging on Daan Mogot Road in West Jakarta
Heavy rain since the early hours of 20 February 2026 caused waterlogging of up to 10 centimetres on Jalan Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, near the Taman Kota pedestrian overpass. The Jakarta Metropolitan Police reported that the road remained passable for all vehicles but urged motorists to exercise caution, highlighting the capital's persistent vulnerability to flooding during the wet season.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:29 WIB
Kadin deems 19 per cent reciprocal tariff for Indonesia competitive
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has assessed the planned 19 per cent reciprocal tariff under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States as competitive, noting that tariffs could be reduced or eliminated entirely for Indonesian exports incorporating US-made components. During President Prabowo's visit to the US, 11 memoranda of understanding worth US$38.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:19 WIB
Missing Hiker Found Safe at Kawah Ijen
A 16-year-old hiker who went missing on the Kawah Ijen trail in Banyuwangi, East Java, was found alive but weakened after a two-day joint search and rescue operation involving military, police, and conservation agencies. The successful operation, which employed thermal drones and jungle rescue equipment, underscores the importance of inter-agency coordination in Indonesia's emergency response efforts.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:13 WIB
Politics Roundup: Sahroni Returns as Commission III Deputy Chair, Prabowo Addresses US Chamber of Commerce
A compilation of the day's key political developments, headlined by Ahmad Sahroni's reinstatement as Deputy Chairman of House Commission III following his earlier suspension, and President Prabowo Subianto's engagements with American business leaders in Washington DC. At the US Chamber of Commerce, Prabowo promoted Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals programme, anti-corruption commitment, and investment opportunities, whilst declaring that Indonesia has never defaulted on its sovereign debt.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:11 WIB
Healthier Fasting! Effective Ways to Quit Smoking Starting from Ramadan and Beyond
Indonesia's Ministry of Health is promoting Ramadan as an opportune period for smokers to quit, leveraging the month-long fasting discipline as a psychological foundation for permanent cessation. The Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health, HM Subuh, outlined three key strategies — cold turkey, delayed smoking, and gradual reduction — as part of the ministry's public health guidance on tobacco control.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:09 WIB
Top National News: Solo's Wailing Wall, Sahroni's Return to Commission III, and Aircraft Crash
Three stories dominated national headlines: former President Jokowi's Solo residence going viral on Google Maps as the "Solo Wailing Wall," NasDem's Ahmad Sahroni being reinstated as Deputy Chairman of House Commission III following a six-month ethics suspension, and the fatal crash of an Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft in East Kalimantan. The stories span public culture, parliamentary reshuffling, and aviation safety — all significant threads in Indonesia's current affairs.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:09 WIB
DPR Member Urges Careful Review of Plan to Build 10 New Universities
A Commission X member of the House of Representatives has called on the government to rigorously assess President Prabowo's plan to construct 10 new universities, warning that Indonesia already has a surplus of higher education institutions — between 4,600 and 6,400 campuses, triple the number in China. The lawmaker suggested acquiring or merging existing campuses as a more realistic alternative, noting that only around 56 institutions currently hold top-tier accreditation.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:08 WIB
MUI Opposes Sweeping Raids on Restaurants During Ramadan, Calls for Mutual Respect
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Deputy Chairman Cholil Nafis has urged the public to stop conducting vigilante-style sweeping raids on food stalls operating during Ramadan, calling instead on local governments to regulate establishments in a manner that respects those who are fasting. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar reinforced the message by urging Muslims to use Ramadan as a vehicle for strengthening social piety and national harmony rather than division.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:05 WIB
Heavy Rain Lashes Jakarta Since Early Hours, 31 Neighbourhood Units Flooded
Heavy rainfall since the early hours of 20 February 2026 caused flooding across 31 neighbourhood units (RT) in South Jakarta, triggered by the overflowing of the Krukut and PHB Nipam rivers. The worst-affected area was Cipete Utara, where floodwaters reached 70 centimetres, whilst 28 neighbourhood units in Petogogan experienced flooding of 20 centimetres.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 07:05 WIB
Martial Law Declaration Sees Former South Korean President Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
A Seoul court has found former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of leading an insurrection over his December 2024 martial law declaration, sentencing him to life imprisonment for deploying military forces to paralyse parliament. Former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo received 23 years and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min seven years for their roles in the crisis, whilst prosecutors had originally sought the death penalty for Yoon.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:59 WIB
Timeline of Events in Alleged Private Jet Gratification Case Involving Religious Affairs Minister
Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar faces gratification allegations after using a private jet belonging to Hanura Party Chairman Oesman Sapta Odang to attend a building inauguration in South Sulawesi, with the flight valued at approximately Rp 566 million. Indonesia Corruption Watch and Trend Asia have urged the KPK to investigate, arguing the acceptance potentially constitutes a corruption offence under Law No.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:50 WIB
Trump: Board of Peace Will One Day Oversee the United Nations
US President Donald Trump declared at the inaugural Board of Peace summit in Washington that the new body would eventually oversee the United Nations, expressing confidence the organisation would fulfil its potential. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the summit at Trump's invitation and was scheduled to deliver a national statement, alongside leaders and representatives from roughly 50 countries including several Middle Eastern and Central Asian states.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:47 WIB
Trump's Praise for Prabowo at Board of Peace Summit
US President Donald Trump publicly praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, calling him "tough" and "smart" whilst singling out Indonesia as a country willing to deploy troops to maintain the Gaza ceasefire. Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy stance and its commitment to pursuing a sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue through active participation in international peace efforts.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:42 WIB
Track Record of Ahmad Sahroni as He Returns to Commission Leadership
NasDem politician Ahmad Sahroni has been reinstated as Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR after serving a six-month ethics suspension for calling critics of parliament "idiots" during the August 2025 anti-parliamentary pay rise protests. Sahroni, whose home was ransacked by demonstrators during the unrest, replaces Rusdi Masse Mappasessu, who has since left both the DPR and NasDem to join the Indonesian Solidarity Party.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:37 WIB
Jakarta Hit by Rainfall Since Early Hours; Katulampa and Krukut at Alert Level 3, Angke at Alert Level 2
Continuous rainfall since the early hours of 20 February has pushed water levels at five Jakarta monitoring posts to Alert Level 3 and one — Angke Hulu — to Alert Level 2, with levels still rising. Flooding has already inundated several roads across West and South Jakarta, forcing the diversion of multiple Transjakarta bus routes and disrupting urban transport.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:36 WIB
Senior Police Officer Dishonourably Discharged over Drug Corruption and Sexual Misconduct
The National Police's ethics commission has dishonourably discharged AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, the former Bima City police chief, after finding him guilty of soliciting money from drug traffickers, narcotics abuse, and sexual misconduct. The case emerged from a narcotics investigation linked to a suitcase containing methamphetamine, ecstasy, and other drugs found at a fellow officer's residence, with Didik also testing positive in hair follicle drug tests.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:33 WIB
Two University Students Challenge Pesantren Funding Law at Constitutional Court
Two Indonesian university students have filed a judicial review at the Constitutional Court challenging articles of the 2019 Pesantren Law that govern state funding for Islamic boarding schools, arguing the current wording creates legal uncertainty and leaves pesantren funding subject to shifting government policy priorities.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:31 WIB
iCar Secures 300 Vehicle Booking Orders During IIMS 2026
Chinese automotive brand iCar, a subsidiary of Chery, collected 300 booking orders for its electric SUV, the iCar V23, during its debut at the Indonesia International Motor Show 2026 in Jakarta. The strong consumer response, with over 15,000 stand visitors and more than 818 test drive sessions, signals growing appetite for Chinese electric vehicles in the Indonesian market.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:27 WIB
Trump Calls Prince Andrew's Arrest Embarrassing: 'Very Bad for the Royal Family'
US President Donald Trump has described the arrest of former British prince Andrew by British police as embarrassing and deeply saddening, warning it would damage the royal family. Andrew was detained at his Norfolk residence on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his tenure as a British trade envoy, with Thames Valley Police conducting further searches in connection with the case.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:24 WIB
Jimly Asshiddiqie Criticises DPR's Summoning of Constitutional Court Ethics Council
Former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie has criticised the Constitutional Court Ethics Council (MKMK) for attending a summons by the House of Representatives regarding an ethics complaint against newly appointed Justice Adies Kadir, arguing the council is not subject to parliamentary oversight.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:21 WIB
Most Read: 801 Athletes Enliven Asian Fencing Championship in Jakarta; Sports Minister and KONI Finalise PON 2028
A roundup of the week's most-read sports stories highlights Jakarta's hosting of the 2026 Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championship, drawing 801 athletes from 26 countries, and serving as a qualifier for the Dakar Youth Olympics. Sports Minister Erick Thohir and KONI chairman Marciano Norman also met to finalise preparations for PON 2028, signalling a policy shift towards quality, international-standard achievement, and socio-economic impact.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:18 WIB
Leveraging Technology: Korlantas Deploys Precision ETLE Drone Patrols to Monitor Bocimi Functional Toll Road
Indonesia's National Traffic Corps (Korlantas) is deploying precision ETLE drone patrols to monitor vehicle traffic along the Bogor-Ciawi-Sukabumi (Bocimi) functional toll road ahead of Operasi Ketupat 2026. The aerial surveillance technology enables real-time mapping of traffic volume, vehicle speeds and congestion at critical points, whilst also assessing infrastructure readiness along the strategic corridor connecting Bogor to Sukabumi.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:17 WIB
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani: Ramadan Is My Favourite Month
Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City, observed his inaugural Ramadan in office, describing the holy month as a time of reflection and solidarity rather than mere abstinence from food and drink. His mayoralty carries deep symbolic weight for the city's more than one million Muslim residents, with community leaders hailing it as a profoundly meaningful milestone.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:16 WIB
Why Sahroni Was Reappointed as Head of DPR Commission III
NasDem Party has reappointed Ahmad Sahroni as Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission III, citing his two terms of experience on the legal affairs committee and the completion of his six-month ethics suspension. Sahroni replaces Rusdi Masse, who defected from NasDem to the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) in January, returning to the post from which he was removed in August 2025 over controversial remarks about parliamentary protesters.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:15 WIB
Pelita Air: Crashed Aircraft Was in Airworthy Condition
State-owned charter operator Pelita Air has confirmed that the Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft which crashed near Long Bawan Airport in North Kalimantan on 19 February 2026, killing its pilot, had been certified airworthy following routine maintenance just four days earlier.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:11 WIB
Olympic Legacy Boosts Tourism and Industry in China's Ski City
China's Chongli district has successfully converted its Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics legacy into a year-round tourism and industrial powerhouse, attracting over 10 million tourists in 2025 and generating billions of yuan in revenue. The country's ice and snow economy has grown from 364.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:10 WIB
Prabowo After Inaugural Board of Peace Meeting: We Must Be Determined for Peace in Palestine
President Prabowo Subianto expressed optimism following the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC, noting significant progress in humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and reaffirming Indonesia's commitment to a two-state solution. Indonesia has been asked to fill the Deputy Commander position in an international peace mission, with an advance team potentially deploying within one to two months, underscoring Jakarta's growing strategic role in Middle East peace efforts.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:09 WIB
Pertamina Patra Niaga Prepares Replacement Aircraft to Secure Fuel Supplies in Nunukan
State fuel distributor Pertamina Patra Niaga is arranging a replacement aircraft to maintain fuel deliveries to the remote border district of Nunukan, North Kalimantan, after a cargo plane crashed in Pa Betung Village on 19 February 2026.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:06 WIB
Indonesia Accepts Role as Deputy Commander of Gaza Stabilisation Force
Indonesia has accepted the United States' offer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, with approximately 8,000 TNI soldiers being prepared for deployment.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:01 WIB
BMKG forecasts light rain across majority of Indonesian regions on Friday
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast light rainfall for most regions across the archipelago on Friday, affecting major cities including Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Makassar. The agency has issued a warning for residents in Banjarbaru, Kupang and Pontianak to remain vigilant against rain accompanied by lightning.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:00 WIB
Three Advocates Petition Constitutional Court to Place National Police Under Home Affairs Ministry
Three Indonesian advocates have filed a constitutional challenge seeking to remove the National Police (Polri) from direct presidential authority and place it under the Ministry of Home Affairs, arguing the current arrangement risks politicisation of law enforcement.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:00 WIB
16 Locations Across North Sumatra and Riau Raided, Alphard and Key Documents Seized in 2022 POME Export Fraud Case
Indonesia's Attorney General's Office raided 16 locations across North Sumatra and Riau following the designation of 11 suspects in a scheme to disguise crude palm oil exports as palm oil mill effluent between 2022 and 2024. The suspects, including senior customs and Ministry of Industry officials, allegedly manipulated Harmonised System codes to evade export levies, with investigators seizing documents, electronic devices, and six vehicles including a Toyota Alphard.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 06:00 WIB
Mobile Driving Licence Service on Friday 20 February 2026 Available in Jakarta, Bekasi, Bogor and Bandung
Indonesia's mobile driving licence (SIM Keliling) service continued regular operations on 20 February 2026 across multiple locations in Greater Jakarta, Bogor and Bandung, offering an alternative to visiting fixed Satpas offices. The service handles renewals for SIM A and SIM C licences only, with fees of Rp80,000 and Rp75,000 respectively under prevailing government regulations on non-tax state revenue.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:59 WIB
National Police Seize Four Boxes of Gold Bars from Surabaya Residence
Indonesia's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) seized tens of kilogrammes of gold bars, documents, cash, and electronic evidence from three locations in Surabaya and Nganjuk as part of an expanded money laundering investigation linked to unlicensed gold mining in West Kalimantan. The probe stems from a Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) report flagging Rp25.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:57 WIB
Playing Tetris Can Help Heal Emotional Trauma, Study Finds
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry has found that playing Tetris as part of a structured therapeutic intervention can dramatically reduce intrusive traumatic memories, cutting episodes from 14 to just one per week.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:45 WIB
Yesterday's Headlines: Education Budget Rises and BPJS Kesehatan Chief Executive Replaced
Indonesia's 2026 education budget will increase and not be cut to fund the Free Nutritious Meal programme, whilst President Prabowo has appointed Prihati Pujowaskito as the new chief executive of national health insurer BPJS Kesehatan for 2026–2031. The news roundup also covers the recovery of a Pelita Air Service pilot's body from a crash site in North Kalimantan and disaster response efforts in East Java.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:16 WIB
President Prabowo attends Board of Peace Gaza summit
President Prabowo Subianto attended the Board of Peace summit on Gaza, held during his visit to Washington where he also met with President Trump and attended a US Business Summit. The diplomatic engagements underscore Indonesia's active role in Middle East peace efforts and its strengthening bilateral ties with the United States.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:10 WIB
Attorney General's Office Raids Homes and Offices in POME Corruption Case
Indonesia's Attorney General's Office has raided 16 properties in Medan and Pekanbaru in connection with an alleged corruption scheme involving the manipulation of export codes from Crude Palm Oil (CPO) to Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) between 2022 and 2024. The investigation, which yielded documents, electronic devices, and six motor vehicles as evidence, signals a significant crackdown on fraudulent commodity export practices in the palm oil sector.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:05 WIB
Trump Praises Indonesia's Plan to Send Military Personnel to Gaza in Front of Prabowo
US President Donald Trump publicly praised Indonesia's commitment to deploying military personnel to help maintain the ceasefire in Gaza during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC. Trump singled out President Prabowo Subianto for his toughness and intelligence, underscoring Indonesia's strategic role in international peace efforts as several nations pledged not only financial support but also personnel for long-term stability in the conflict zone.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:00 WIB
Ambition, bottlenecks and geopolitics shape India's proposed 'Rare Earth Corridor'
India has announced a proposed Rare Earth Corridor spanning four states — Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu — as part of its Union Budget, signalling New Delhi's ambition to leverage its mineral reserves for strategic geopolitical advantage. The move has implications for the global rare earth supply chain, in which Indonesia and other mineral-rich nations are also seeking to secure upstream positions amid intensifying competition with China.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:00 WIB
Commentary: Will a weak domestic Indonesian market impede Southeast Asia's aviation sector?
Indonesia's domestic aviation market remains roughly 19 per cent below 2019 levels, with a shrinking middle class, a weakening rupiah, and reduced fleet capacity combining to suppress air travel demand.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:00 WIB
PKS: A Permanent Coalition Must Unite the Will of the People and Political Elites
PKS president Al Muzammil Yusuf has cautioned that the proposed permanent coalition to bolster President Prabowo Subianto's government must not become a vehicle solely for elite political interests, but should bridge the aspirations of the public and the ruling class.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 05:00 WIB
BPOM Monitors Takjil at Markets and Culinary Centres During Ramadan 1447 H
Indonesia's Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has deployed mobile laboratory units to test takjil (Ramadan break-fast snacks) at markets and culinary centres in Denpasar, Bali. The food safety surveillance operation, conducted during Ramadan 1447 H, aims to ensure that popular seasonal street foods meet safety standards for public consumption.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 04:47 WIB
Community Organisation Leader Arrested After Vandalising and Threatening Sub-District Staff in Makassar
The head of a community organisation in Makassar was arrested after leading approximately 40 members to a sub-district office, where they vandalised government property and brandished a traditional dagger at staff whilst protesting the eviction of street vendors. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between informal traders and local authorities in South Sulawesi's capital, as well as the role of mass organisations in escalating civil disputes into criminal acts.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 04:45 WIB
Indonesia Appointed Deputy Commander of ISF in Gaza
Indonesia has been appointed Deputy Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, as announced at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC. President Prabowo Subianto confirmed Indonesia will deploy 8,000 military personnel for non-combat, humanitarian, medical, and reconstruction missions, underscoring the country's commitment to peace in Palestine.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026, 04:43 WIB
DKI Jakarta Information Commission Reports Goods and Services Disputes Dominate Caseload
The DKI Jakarta Information Commission (KI DKI) reported that goods and services-related disputes constituted the majority of its 2025 caseload, with 70 information disputes resolved during the year. The commission also noted a 59.