PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk held the second phase of its Rejeki Wondr draw at Senayan City on 8 March 2026, awarding attractive prizes including a Mercedes-Benz E300, seven Chery J6 vehicles, ten Honda HR-V units, eighty-five Honda Beat motorcycles, and hundreds of electronic devices to loyal customers. BNI Chief Executive Officer Putrama Wahju Setyawan stated the programme represents the bank's appreciation for customers' continued trust and active transactions across various banking channels, particularly the wondr by BNI digital application, whilst cautioning the public against fraudulent schemes falsely claiming to represent the programme.

Chery Indonesia is establishing 22 authorised service centres nationwide to support customers during the 2026 Eid holiday travel period (18-24 March), offering discounts of up to 30 per cent on spare parts and 10 per cent on service labour. The Chery Family Care programme aims to ensure safer and more comfortable journeys, whilst also highlighting the company's expanding portfolio of hybrid, electric, and conventional engine vehicles.

Escalating tensions in the Middle East between Iran, the United States, Israel and their coalitions, coupled with trade route closures at the Strait of Hormuz, have driven crude oil prices to USD 100 per barrel. The ongoing uncertainty about the conflict raises concerns about sustained oil price increases and their potential impact on Indonesia's energy supply and state budget.

An Indonesian anti-corruption court has convicted five officials and businesspeople in connection with a corruption scheme involving the Temporary National Data Centre (PDNS) project under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The sentences range from five to nine years imprisonment, with defendants including a former director-general of IT applications, corporate executives, and a government commitment maker, each facing Rp500 million fines with alternative imprisonment of 140 days.

With millions of Indonesians preparing to travel during the Mudik Lebaran 2026 period, the BMKG warns of ongoing heavy rainfall and earthquake risks in multiple regions. Historical records show at least 13 destructive earthquake and tsunami events have occurred during religious holidays, including six during the Eid al-Fitr period, emphasising the critical importance of disaster awareness and preparedness during mass travel periods.

Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has urged Indonesians not to engage in panic buying of fuel amid escalating US-Israel tensions with Iran, assuring that domestic fuel stocks are sufficient. The government is monitoring international oil price fluctuations and preparing mitigation strategies, including exploring alternative energy sources, whilst subsidy increases remain on hold pending further assessment of Middle East developments.

PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) has approved a cash dividend distribution of 13.03 trillion rupiah, representing a 65 per cent payout ratio from consolidated net profit, which economists view as a signal of strong bank performance and stability. The decision balances shareholder returns with retained earnings of 7.01 trillion rupiah allocated for capital strengthening and business expansion, whilst consistent dividend payments in the banking sector typically indicate sound governance and investor confidence during global uncertainty.

PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya and subsidiary Mulia Boga Raya, through the Prochiz brand, conducted a social programme involving 100 pesantren students and disabled orphans from institutions across the Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi region, providing shopping vouchers worth Rp500,000 each and educational donations totalling Rp30 million to support inclusive education infrastructure. The initiative, carried out during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah, reflects corporate commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and promoting inclusive social ecosystems through private-sector engagement.

Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has assured that subsidised fuel prices will remain unchanged through Eid al-Fitr despite global crude oil prices fluctuating above $100 per barrel. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed the government maintains sufficient budget reserves for fuel subsidies throughout Ramadan and the Eid period, pledging to monitor global oil price trends before making any policy adjustments.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana expressed optimism that domestic tourists will flock to various destinations, including Cirebon, West Java, during the 2026 Eid holidays, with an estimated 144 million people travelling during the period. The Ministry anticipates tourism activities will generate more than 100 trillion rupiahs in economic circulation across destination regions, and has issued guidance to relevant stakeholders to ensure safe and comfortable travel experiences for holidaymakers.

Jakarta residents flocked to the Prime Ramadan Bazaar at City Hall, organised by Perumda Pasar Jaya, where they purchased groceries, creative products, and Ramadan necessities at more affordable prices. Shoppers reported savings on Islamic apparel, particularly headscarves and mukenas, whilst vendors offered bundled deals on festival staples like dates and takjil (fast-breaking snacks), though visitors expressed a desire for longer operating hours to accommodate more thorough shopping before Eid al-Fitr.

Indonesia's National Nutrition Board conducted technical training for food handlers in the Free Nutritious Food Programme (MBG) across eight regions from 7–8 March 2026, with around 500 participants daily, aiming to strengthen food safety and hygiene standards in nutrition service units. The initiative also accelerates the issuance of Hygiene Sanitation Certificates (SLHS) to ensure that meals provided through the programme are not only nutritious but also safe and hygienic. Officials emphasised that comprehensive food safety standards must be applied at every stage of kitchen operations and that continuous monitoring and certification processes are essential to maintaining quality standards.

The Jogja-Solo toll road section between Purwomartani and Prambanan in Sleman Regency will operate toll-free during the Lebaran 2026 exodus period (16-29 March), but vehicles entering at Purwomartani can only exit at Klaten toll gate or beyond. Yogyakarta Regional Police have announced traffic engineering measures including one-way systems and U-turn closures to manage the expected high volume of travellers.

A fatal landslide at Jakarta's Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility that killed four workers has exposed systemic failures in Indonesia's waste management, with Vice Chair of MPR Eddy Soeparno warning that the nation produces 56 million tonnes of waste annually but effectively manages only 40 per cent. The government has responded with Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025 promoting waste-to-energy facilities, though authorities acknowledge a need for interim landfill solutions whilst such plants take 18–24 months to construct, coupled with strengthened public education and enforcement against illegal dumping.

Indonesian clove farmers have expressed concern that proposed restrictions on nicotine and tar content in cigarettes could trigger a collapse in prices for their commodity, as the kretek (clove cigarette) industry absorbs nearly all of Indonesia's annual clove production of 120,000 to 140,000 tonnes. The General Secretary of the Indonesian Clove Farmers Association warns that stricter tobacco regulations could devastate the livelihoods of clove growers and calls on the government to carefully consider farmers' interests when implementing new tobacco sector policies.

The Narcotics Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Police arrested seven youths during a drug party at a residence in Bekasi, West Java on 4 March. All seven suspects tested positive for drug use, and police seized 18.35 grams of methamphetamine and six ecstasy pills, with one suspect being a wanted fugitive in a case involving 2,000 ecstasy tablets.

A member of Indonesia's Parliament Commission VIII has urged the government to prepare emergency contingency plans for hajj financing and logistics amid escalating Middle East conflict. The concern centres on protecting Indonesia's approximately 210,000 annual hajj pilgrims from extended stays in Saudi Arabia due to disruptions, whilst ensuring sustainable fund management and exploring alternative flight routes. The parliamentary commission stressed that hajj management is a cross-border public service matter requiring constitutional responsibility to safeguard Indonesian pilgrims.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the rupiah, currently trading around Rp16,800 per US dollar, remains manageable given Indonesia's strong economic fundamentals and effective government-Bank Indonesia coordination. He emphasised that steady economic growth, adequate liquidity, and close monitoring of exchange rate movements are essential to maintaining rupiah stability amid global market volatility.

The Jakarta Regional Parliament (DPRD) held a plenary session to discuss two regional ordinances: one on family development and another on environmental protection and management. Various factions emphasised the need for measurable family development indicators, digital information systems, institutional strengthening, and protection for vulnerable families, whilst the Deputy Governor assured that these measures would be implemented with annual reporting and data protection safeguards.

Two PT Pertamina International Shipping vessels, the Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, remain trapped in the Arabian Gulf following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with both ships requiring passage through the strait to exit the gulf. Pertamina has confirmed that both vessels and their crews are currently safe and secure, with the company monitoring conditions in real time and coordinating closely with maritime authorities and local officials to ensure continued safety and security of personnel and cargo.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan visited PT Garam's production facility in Sampang, Madura, East Java, reaffirming the government's commitment to achieving national salt self-sufficiency by 2027 through infrastructure development and production capacity expansion. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is strategically identifying over 10,000 hectares of potential salt farming land whilst collaborating with relevant agencies to implement land management, financing, and regulatory frameworks to support this ambitious target.

The State Audit Board (BPK) is conducting an examination of the Ministry of Transmigration's financial report for the 2025 fiscal year, a constitutional duty to provide an opinion on the fairness of the ministry's financial statements. The audit will assess compliance with Government Accounting Standards, adequacy of disclosures, adherence to regulations, and the effectiveness of the internal control system, whilst also evaluating the effectiveness of transmigration programme planning in supporting national food security.

Indonesia's Ministry of Finance has distributed 11 trillion rupiah in Holiday Allowances (THR) to civil servants as of 10 March 2026, out of a total 55 trillion rupiah budget allocated for 2026. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa attributed delays in full distribution to some agencies failing to submit disbursement requests to the Ministry, rather than insufficient funding.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) clarified that milkfish distributed under the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) in Bantul, Yogyakarta has been properly processed through high-pressure steaming and is safe to consume, contrary to viral social media claims. The misunderstanding arose because pressure-cooked milkfish visually resembles raw fish despite being fully cooked, and the agency plans to strengthen communication efforts to better educate recipients about the dish's characteristics.

The 39-kilometre Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) elevated toll road was deliberately designed without rest areas as part of a traffic separation strategy from the underlying Jakarta-Cikampek toll road below. Jasa Marga's Chief Executive Officer explained that restricting the route to small vehicles (Class I) and eliminating rest areas enhances safety and efficiency, as drivers typically use the route at the beginning of their journey and facilities remain available on the lower toll road.

Jakarta's Provincial Government is racing to restore normal waste management operations following a landslide at the Bantargebang Sanitary Landfill in Bekasi that killed four workers, with authorities targeting normalisation within one week. The Environmental Affairs Department is focusing on clearing landslide material from surrounding waterways and strengthening riverbank infrastructure, whilst maintaining waste disposal through three active zones with a capacity of approximately 4,000 tonnes per day. The incident has sparked broader questions about Jakarta's waste management crisis and the adequacy of large budget allocations in addressing systemic failures.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration arrested a Portuguese national (MG, 30) who was a fugitive wanted for premeditated murder in Portugal. MG was apprehended at the South Jakarta Immigration Office on 5 March 2026 following an Interpol Red Notice, based on intelligence that he would visit the office to handle immigration documents. He was deported on 9 March 2026 after being found responsible for a brutal 2020 murder in Algoz, Portugal, wherein he and an accomplice allegedly killed a man to obtain €70,000 in compensation.

Maxim Indonesia has officially distributed Eid holiday bonuses (BHR) to more than 50,000 driver partners across over 100 cities nationwide, as a gesture of appreciation for their contributions to the ride-hailing platform. The company has simultaneously expanded its operations with over 350 branches throughout Indonesia and increased its active driver base. Bonus distributions are determined based on driver productivity, service quality, and compliance with company regulations.

The Pasaman Barat Regency Government in West Sumatra has distributed social assistance to victims of hydrometeorological disasters that occurred in late November 2025, providing livelihood support, housing assistance, and economic stimulus to affected households. The assistance package includes 90 days of living allowances at 15,000 rupiah per person per day, 3 million rupiah per household for permanent housing, and 5 million rupiah per household in socio-economic stimulus. The regency has submitted a post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction plan requiring 846.61 billion rupiah to the central government, with the November flooding and landslides having claimed five lives, displaced hundreds of families, and damaged extensive infrastructure and agricultural land.

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto has announced promotions and mutations, including Major General Lucky Avianto's elevation from Commander of Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora to Commander of Pangkogabwilhan III, where he will assume the rank of three-star general. Avianto, a 1996 Military Academy honour graduate, was the first Mandala Trikora commander to oversee South Papua Province.

Bank BJB, a regional development bank, has signed a cooperation agreement with Perumda BPR Kuningan to provide pension fund services to employees and managers. The partnership, formalised on 4 March 2026, aims to help workers plan for retirement through a structured long-term savings and investment mechanism that offers competitive returns and financial protection for beneficiaries.

Following a landslide at Jakarta's Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) on 8 March 2026, provincial authorities aim to restore normal operations within one week. Authorities are relocating landslide material from waterways and repairing riverbank structures whilst maintaining waste collection through alternative facilities, with current capacity reaching approximately 6,700–7,150 tonnes per day.

Jakarta's provincial government has begun phased operations of the RDF Rorotan refuse processing facility following a devastating landslide at the Bantargebang landfill that killed four workers. The facility will initially process 300 tonnes per day, scaling up to 1,000 tonnes per day within the week, as Jakarta scrambles to maintain waste management services whilst Bantargebang undergoes repairs.

Indonesian police have announced temporary closure of driving licence (SIM) issuance and renewal services across all outlets during the Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr holiday periods. Services will resume on 25 March 2026, with an extended grace period through 31 March for licences that expire between 18-24 March, allowing renewals without reapplication procedures.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating Japto Soerjosoemarno, the leader of Pemuda Pancasila (PP), regarding alleged receipt of mining proceeds from PT Alamjaya Barapratama (ABP) in Kutai Kartanegara. Soerjosoemarno was questioned as a witness in a case involving alleged gratuities per metric tonne of coal production, with the KPK having established three corporations—PT SKN, PT ABP, and PT BKS—as suspects in February 2026.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has pledged bonuses for all employees of the Directorate General of Taxes and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise if Indonesia's tax ratio reaches 11 per cent in the coming year. The minister emphasised that expanding the tax base through digitalisation, particularly the Coretax system which has already delivered a 30 per cent increase in tax revenues, is critical for expanding fiscal space to fund government spending and economic growth.

With the Strait of Hormuz closed due to Iran-Israel tensions, Indonesia has maintained stable fuel supplies through President Prabowo's strategic energy diversification deal with the United States, bypassing Middle Eastern dependency. Under the Reciprocal Trade Agreement signed in February 2026, Indonesia committed to purchasing US$15 billion annually in crude oil and LPG from America whilst gaining zero-tariff access for its key exports including palm oil, textiles, and processed nickel, creating a "modern barter" that bolsters trade surpluses and stabilises domestic energy prices.

The DKI Jakarta provincial government has exceeded its initial projections for its free mudik (homecoming) programme, with verified participants reaching 30,774 individuals compared to the original estimate of 26,000. To accommodate the surge in demand, the provincial government has increased its bus fleet from 670 to 709 vehicles, with departures scheduled to commence on 17 March from the National Monument (Monas) gathering point.

Indonesia's Director General of Taxes Bimo Wijayanto has signalled the possibility of extending the deadline for individual taxpayers to file their annual tax returns (SPT), citing the clash with the Eid al-Fitr public holiday period. The decision on whether to extend the deadline will be made approximately one week before Eid, based on the filing trend; if submission rates show positive growth, the original deadline may remain unchanged. As of 9 March 2026, nearly 6.7 million taxpayers had already filed their annual returns.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has conducted health examinations for Jabodebek LRT operational staff in preparation for the 2026 Lebaran transport season, aiming to ensure safe and reliable public transport operations. The medical screenings included blood tests and urine tests for 40 personnel, including train attendants and station officers, alongside nutrition education sessions to maintain staff fitness during shift-based work.

South Sumatra Regional Police Chief Irjen Sandi Nugroho led a multisectoral inspection of the Kayu Agung–Palembang–Betung toll road corridor on 10 March 2026 to ensure the Eid homecoming season proceeds safely and smoothly. The inspection covered critical checkpoints including toll gates, rest areas, bridges, and security vulnerabilities, involving coordination between police, the military, public works, transport authorities, and utility providers to ensure comprehensive protection and services for travellers.

A graphologist has analysed the handwritten letter found with an abandoned newborn girl left in South Jakarta's Pasar Minggu market, concluding it was written by one person despite minor variations in writing pressure and style. The letter, apparently written by the 12-year-old brother identified as Zidan, displays characteristics typical of a young adolescent or untrained adult writer, though such features cannot definitively determine age. The newborn has since been placed in state care at a child welfare facility in East Jakarta.

Lampung Provincial Government is expediting the completion of administrative requirements for the construction of a permanent Sekolah Rakyat (Community School) in Kota Baru, South Lampung District. The provincial administration must fulfil three key documents required by the Ministry of Public Works: environmental impact assessment, traffic analysis, and spatial utilisation conformity approval. The province aims to complete all administrative requirements before the Eid holiday to enable construction to proceed to the next phase.

Global geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran are driving crude oil price volatility and weakening the Indonesian rupiah, with WTI crude briefly approaching $120 per barrel before retreating to $85–90 following de-escalation signals. The turmoil has triggered broader market pressures, including weakness in the rupiah towards Rp 16,935–16,970 per dollar and declines in major investment firms, though some analysts view the current extreme market fear as a potential accumulation opportunity for long-term investors in assets like Bitcoin.

BPJS Kesehatan has announced comprehensive measures to ensure continuous access to the National Health Insurance Programme (JKN) services during the 2026 Eid holiday period, including extended branch office hours, mobile service posts at strategic locations, and digital access options. The initiative aims to support millions of Indonesians undertaking the annual mudik (homecoming) journey, with support from healthcare facilities, hospitals, and traffic authorities to ensure health protection and safety during travel.

The Indonesian Audit Board (BPK) has concluded that the agency system management of the Employment Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) meets established criteria, with the exception of areas requiring further refinement. The audit assessed the effectiveness of membership management and compliance with the agency system operations from 2024 through the first semester of 2025, finding that governance foundations are in place but require continued improvement.

Jakarta's provincial government has halted open dumping operations in zone 4A of the Bantargebang Landfill following a devastating landslide on 8 March that killed five people, whilst zones 2 and 3 continue operating. The city is accelerating its shift to alternative waste management systems, including the Rorotan Refuse-Derived Fuel plant and a planned waste-to-energy facility, to reduce pressure on the overstressed landfill which receives 7,400–8,000 tons of waste daily. The incident underscores systemic failures in Jakarta's waste management and follows previous collapses in 2003, 2006, and 2026.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated that the Indonesian government and Bank Indonesia are effectively managing the rupiah's exchange rate against the US dollar through close coordination. Although the rupiah briefly touched Rp17,000 per dollar on 9 March, it has since strengthened to around Rp16,800, supported by a solid foundation of the national economy.

Deputy Chair of Commission III Ahmad Sahroni has called on the Health Ministry to classify Tramadol, a powerful painkiller, as a psychotropic substance following viral videos of residents raiding illegal drug shops in East Jakarta that were allegedly selling the drug freely to teenagers. Sahroni argues that reclassifying Tramadol would strengthen oversight and legal penalties against its distribution, whilst emphasizing the need for police to pursue major traffickers and dismantle the entire supply chain. The move reflects growing public concern over Tramadol abuse among youth, with the Drug and Food Authority already suspending 47 pharmaceutical distribution facilities for violations.

Google Labs and Google DeepMind have expanded their AI-powered marketing tool Pomelli to over 170 countries and territories worldwide, including Indonesia, to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create promotional content quickly and affordably. The tool addresses common SME challenges such as limited time, budget, and design expertise by analysing a business website to build a "Business DNA" profile and then generating ready-to-use marketing materials including social media content, promotional images, and digital advertisements.