UI GreenMetric World University Rankings is collaborating with Indonesia's Ministry of Environment to develop a comprehensive corporate sustainability rating system. The initiative draws on experience from the government's PROPER programme, which has monitored corporate environmental performance since 1995, with the aim of encouraging Indonesian companies to adopt advanced sustainability practices and enhance global competitiveness.

Jakarta's provincial government is launching a free homecoming programme for Eid 2026, providing transport for 30,774 residents returning to their hometowns—an increase from the original estimate of 26,000 due to high demand. The departure will commence on 17 March 2026 from the National Monument area, with 709 buses deployed to accommodate all verified participants, and the government has stressed that only registered participants will be transported to maintain order.

Scientists have created Antscan, the most extensive three-dimensional digital anatomical archive of ants, scanning nearly 2,200 specimens representing approximately 800 species using advanced synchrotron technology. The project utilises German synchrotron beamline X-ray scanning capable of processing 25 specimens per hour—a feat that would take conventional laboratory scanners over six years—and has made the resulting data freely available to the scientific community. The archive covers 212 genera representing over 90% of identified ant species worldwide and has already yielded insights into the relationship between exoskeleton thickness and colony size.

PT Securindo Packatama Indonesia (Secure Parking) is preparing to launch eNOS, a ticketless parking system for shopping malls and office buildings that allows drivers to enter and exit using a mobile application without opening their windows or collecting tickets. The company has already installed and tested the system at four locations in Jakarta, including Mangga Dua, Secure Park PIK 2, Mal PIK Avenue, and Plaza Indonesia, with a target official launch this year.

The article discusses Iran's allegations that Israel orchestrated recent attacks on facilities in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan using a false flag operation strategy to provoke conflict between Western and Arab nations. The report draws parallels to the 1954 Lavon Affair, wherein Israel's secret Operation Susannah involved bombing campaigns in Egypt designed to damage Cairo's relations with the United States and destabilise Nasser's government, ultimately contributing to the 1956 Suez Crisis.

The Jakarta Provincial Government will implement a car-free night (car free night) on the evening of Takbiran, the night before Idul Fitri, commencing at 22:00 WIB, with public transport remaining operational. Governor Pramono Anung announced this decision on 10 March 2026, alongside other Eid celebrations including a Hijab Fashion Show in Tanah Abang and a bedug festival with torch procession scheduled for mid-March.

United Nations humanitarian officials have expressed alarm that attacks targeting oil refineries in the Middle East pose serious environmental consequences, including threats to safe water access and public health. Oil prices have surged above USD 100 per barrel following the 28 February US-Israel strikes on Iran, impacting UN operations and humanitarian assistance globally. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon and Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with over 115,000 displaced persons in Lebanon and critical disruptions to medical evacuations and supply access across the region.

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has conducted a hand-over operation (OTT) arresting the Regent and Vice Regent of Rejang Lebong Regency in Bengkulu Province on suspicion of project bribery involving the local government. The operation, conducted on 9 March 2026, resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals, with nine being transferred to Jakarta for further investigation, whilst the KPK also secured evidence including cash, documents, and electronic materials.

Speaker of the House Puan Maharani has committed to ensuring that Indonesia's 2026 state budget (APBN) maintains public welfare and prevents citizens' living standards from declining amid global geopolitical challenges. She highlighted concerns that international conflicts could impact oil prices, transportation costs, currency fluctuations, and fiscal capacity, whilst citizens expect the government to create jobs, increase incomes, and improve access to education and healthcare services.

Indonesia's Minister of Trade Budi Santoso has called for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled for March 2026 in Cameroon to revive stalled agricultural negotiations and advance development-oriented reforms. As coordinator of the G-33 group of developing nations, Indonesia is prioritising food security, smallholder farmer welfare, and key mechanisms such as Public Stockholding for Food Security, Special Safeguard Mechanism, and Special and Differential Treatment in ongoing multilateral trade discussions.

Indonesia's International Investment Position (PII) recorded increasing net liabilities of $272.6 billion at the end of Q4 2025, up from $261.8 billion in Q3 2025, primarily driven by a steeper rise in foreign financial liabilities than foreign financial assets. Bank Indonesia views the development as manageable, with the PII-to-GDP ratio remaining stable at 18.8 per cent and long-term instruments comprising 93.2 per cent of the liability structure.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has expressed readiness to hold talks with Israeli leadership to achieve de-escalation following recent military tensions. The announcement comes as Israel launched limited ground operations targeting Hizbullah in southern Lebanon in response to rocket attacks, prompting hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians to flee their homes.

House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani stated that Parliament will ensure Indonesia's 2026 budget maintains fiscal capacity to preserve public welfare and service quality, citing concerns over Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions affecting global economic stability and commodity prices. She warned that escalating military conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran pose risks to Indonesia's economy through impacts on oil prices, transportation costs, the rupiah exchange rate, and trade chains, whilst emphasising the government must simultaneously create jobs and improve access to education and healthcare.

The Constitutional Court has criticised the government's proposal in the revised Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) for allowing the President to convert death sentences to life imprisonment after a probationary period, arguing this risks conflating judicial and political domains. Chief Justice Suhartoyo warned that the ten-year probationary period is an integral part of the court's sentence and thus control over sentence commutation should remain with the judiciary rather than the executive. Constitutional Judge Saldi Isra further questioned the philosophical and theoretical foundations of the government's approach, emphasising that criminal law norms must be grounded in established legal theory rather than merely responding to sociological conditions.

Indonesia has implemented ministerial regulations requiring deactivation of social media accounts for children under 16 years old on major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X starting 28 March 2026. Following Australia's lead, numerous countries including Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom are either implementing or planning similar restrictions to protect children from excessive screen time and associated harms.

Muhamad Mardiono, the Presidential Special Envoy for Food Security, distributed thousands of basic food packages to residents during Nuzulul Quran commemorations at a mosque in South Jakarta, emphasising community unity during Ramadan. Mardiono highlighted the distribution as part of government efforts to strengthen social cohesion and also referenced the Free Nutritious Meal programme, which aims to improve children's nutrition whilst supporting farmers and livestock producers through government procurement.

Police have released the chronology of how a 56-year-old woman (DH) was murdered by her unregistered husband in Meruyung, Limo, Depok, West Java, after a domestic quarrel in mid-October 2025. The suspect allegedly suffocated the victim by covering her mouth, then strangled her with his hands and a rope before wrapping her body in a carpet and covering it with coffee powder to mask decomposition. The pair had a history of domestic disputes since marrying in December 2024.

The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, has called for a comprehensive evaluation following the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) arrest of two regents through sting operations within a single week in early March 2026. The evaluation should address political financing, regional leadership education, and oversight mechanisms to prevent similar cases from recurring.

A stray dog that attacked and bit 15 people at Buleleng Market in Bali has tested positive for rabies, according to laboratory results confirmed by the Buleleng Regency Agriculture, Food Security and Fisheries Department. All fifteen victims have been directed to receive anti-rabies vaccinations at health centres, with a full vaccination course comprising three injections to be administered on days one, seven, and fourteen following the initial vaccine dose.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung is considering implementing a special fare structure for the Transjabodetabek service running from Blok M to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which may differ from standard Transjakarta fares. The route will be officially opened on 12 March 2026, with temporary fares set at Rp3,500 until Eid al-Fitr, after which a new tariff structure is expected to be decided based on the operational costs of multiple stops along the airport route.

Indonesia's food and beverage industry is operating at 70–80 per cent capacity utilisation ahead of Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah, up from an average of 60 per cent, according to the Ministry of Industry. The ministry is implementing measures to maintain raw material supply chains, whilst the agro-food sector contributed 52.09 per cent to non-oil industrial GDP in 2025 and maintained a positive trade balance of 57.58 billion US dollars.

President Donald Trump has signalled that US military operations against Iran will soon conclude, though he warned of intensified action if Iran fails to comply with Washington's demands. However, the conflict has expanded following Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei's missile attacks on regional nations and threats to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which carries approximately 20 per cent of global crude oil supplies. Trump's statement has provided some relief to financial markets, with stock exchanges recovering and oil prices falling roughly five per cent after breaching $100 per barrel.

Indonesia's House Speaker Puan Maharani has voiced support for the Communications and Digital Ministry's plan to restrict social media access for children under 16 years old, citing excessive and inappropriate content exposure. The policy, implemented through implementing regulations of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025, aims to protect children by delaying account access on high-risk digital platforms, bringing Indonesia in line with similar measures adopted by other nations.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has confirmed that the Transjabodetabek rapid transit route connecting Blok M to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport will be officially inaugurated on 12 March 2026, with a temporary fare of Rp 3,500 until Eid al-Fitr. The provincial government is still finalising the official fare structure, taking into account various operational cost components including three stops en route to the airport, though the governor assures the service will remain significantly cheaper than alternative transport options.

Indonesia's parliament has called upon the United Nations to urgently intervene in the escalating Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, emphasising the need to uphold international law and protect civilians. The DPR (Indonesian House of Representatives) has reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to an independent and active foreign policy, advocating for de-escalation through diplomacy and dialogue rather than military force. The parliament plans to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through the forthcoming AIPA Caucus 2026 in Indonesia to promote regional solidarity and stability.

Global arms trade has surged 9.2 per cent between 2021-2025 compared to the previous five-year period, driven by the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle Eastern tensions. The United States dominates as the world's largest arms exporter with 42 per cent market share, selling to 99 nations, whilst Europe has become the largest importing region for the first time in decades, displacing the Middle East as international security concerns intensify.

Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament Puan Maharani expressed deep condolences over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in military attacks by Israel and the United States on 28 February 2026. Indonesia reiterated its commitment to principles of independence, lasting peace, and social justice whilst expressing sympathy for the Iranian people during this difficult period. The Iranian government has declared a 40-day national mourning period, whilst the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a sixth wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel and US military bases in the Middle East.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has warned that the country has "many surprises prepared" for the United States in response to ongoing military operations. The statement follows a joint Israel-US attack on 28 February that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders, prompting Iranian retaliatory missile and drone strikes. The escalating conflict has disrupted global oil markets and raised concerns about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia is accelerating the mandatory bioethanol blending policy for fuel in response to global crude oil prices surging above US$118 per barrel. The government plans to expedite the implementation of E20 (20 percent ethanol blending) previously scheduled for 2028, and also accelerate the rollout of B50 biodiesel (50 percent biodiesel blend) as alternatives to reduce fuel imports and ensure national energy security amid volatile geopolitical conditions in the Middle East.

The Speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives has announced that parliamentary defence commissions will request clarification from the TNI regarding the implementation of Alert Status One following circulation of a military telegram instructing heightened readiness to anticipate Middle East conflict escalation. The TNI defended the alert status as a routine professional measure to protect the nation and maintain operational readiness against international and regional developments.

PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk recorded net profit of Rp 8.9 trillion through February 2026, representing a 16.7 per cent increase year-on-year, driven by growth in digital transactions via its Livin' by Mandiri application and increased credit disbursement. The bank's commission-based income from digital platforms reached Rp 625 billion, up 45.3 per cent annually, whilst credit disbursement rose 15.7 per cent to Rp 1.513 trillion and third-party fund collection increased 16.3 per cent to Rp 1.644 trillion.

The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation on 9 March 2026 to arrest Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari and thirteen others in connection with alleged bribery relating to projects within the Rejang Lebong Regional Government. Nine individuals, including the regent, deputy regent, three government officials, and four private sector figures, were brought to Jakarta for further investigation, marking the second major KPK operation of Ramadan 2026.

House Speaker Puan Maharani has requested Commission I to summon TNI Commander Agus Subianto to explain the military's elevation to alert level 1 status, implemented in response to escalating Middle Eastern tensions. The alert status, in effect since 1 March 2026, involves heightened personnel readiness, increased security patrols at strategic infrastructure, continuous air surveillance, and preparations for potential Indonesian citizen evacuations from conflict-affected regions.

Cilacap Refinery, Indonesia's largest, has implemented Block Mode — an operational innovation since May 2024 that enables flexible and efficient processing of mixed crude oil to boost high-value product yields and strengthen refinery performance. The initiative allows the facility to process crude from diverse sources rather than solely Middle Eastern crude, helping secure the nation's fuel supply during peak consumption periods such as the Eid homecoming season, whilst maintaining stockpiles above minimum targets across its 348,000 barrel-per-day capacity that supplies 34% of national fuel demand.

Indonesia's Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly has called the waste landslide at the Bantargebang landfill in Bekasi, which killed four workers, a serious warning of the country's waste management crisis. With Indonesia producing approximately 56 million tonnes of waste annually but managing only 40 per cent effectively, the official emphasised the need for comprehensive waste handling from source to disposal, including a temporary measure to accommodate waste whilst new waste-to-energy facilities are constructed over the coming 18 to 24 months.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD confirmed that its premium Denza Z9 GT flagship model will launch in Indonesia during the second half of 2026, featuring nearly 1,000 horsepower and a range of 1,036 km per charge. The high-performance sedan-hatchback hybrid will intensify competition in Indonesia's emerging premium electric vehicle market, with potential additional Denza models like the B5 plug-in hybrid SUV also under consideration.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) is accelerating the construction of emergency housing for residents of Aceh Tamiang displaced by November 2025 landslides and floods, with completion projected for mid-March 2026. In collaboration with government ministries and humanitarian organisations, the agency aims to house affected residents before Eid al-Fitr, with 129 of 142 units already occupied in Karang Baru Sub-district and temporary shelters being dismantled as families transition to permanent accommodation.

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that regime change in Iran cannot be achieved solely through military bombardment by the United States and Israel, warning that Middle Eastern conflict could persist for several weeks. France is preparing a defensive mission to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which has seen near-total halting of maritime traffic since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February triggered regional warfare.

Scientists at The University of Manchester have projected that climate change will significantly expand the range of dangerous Aspergillus fungi across Europe, potentially exposing millions of additional people to serious infections that are increasingly resistant to antifungal drugs. The research highlights growing concerns over pathogenic fungi spreading due to rising temperatures, with consequences for both human health and agricultural economies, prompting calls for integrated monitoring systems and reduced agricultural fungicide use.

Indonesia's government has officially prohibited children under 16 from creating social media accounts and accessing certain online games through new regulations, making it the first non-Western nation to implement such age-based digital access restrictions. However, experts question whether this ban will harm children's digital literacy development, noting that social media has provided educational opportunities and enabled new career paths for young people. Proponents argue that digital literacy education should continue through age-appropriate, staged approaches rather than complete restriction of access.

Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has seized cash and secured evidence in a sting operation targeting Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari and Deputy Regent Hendri in Bengkulu on 9 March 2026. The operation resulted in 13 arrests, with nine suspects including the regent, deputy regent, three civil servants, and four private individuals transported to Jakarta for intensive questioning on suspicion of bribery linked to project contracts. The KPK has 24 hours to determine the legal status of those apprehended.

PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI), a state-owned enterprise, is targeting IDR 24 trillion in funding for infrastructure projects in 2026, with the majority sourced in Indonesian rupiah and only around 25% in foreign currency. The funded projects will span renewable energy including mini hydro plants, solar power plants, geothermal facilities, as well as telecommunications and data centre infrastructure across multiple regions including Sumatra, Sulawesi, Batam, and East Java.

Police in Malang have named Benny Sanjir (46), a resident of Brebes District in Central Java, as a suspect in the illegal distribution of imported red onions that failed to meet size standards. Investigators discovered approximately 700 bags of red onions with diameters below the minimum 5 centimetre requirement set by Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture regulations, which were being sold at around 8,000 rupiah per kilogram. The suspect faces charges under the Horticulture Law and Consumer Protection Law, with penalties of up to two years imprisonment or a maximum fine of 2 billion rupiah.

Pasar Tasik in Jakarta's Gambir district has emerged as a thriving informal market operating from vehicle boot spaces, offering Eid-season Islamic garments and clothing as an alternative to the established Tanah Abang textile district. Hundreds of traders, primarily from Tasikmalaya in West Java, operate this mobile wholesale market using vehicles ranging from small vans to larger MPVs, with sales of gamis dresses generating tens of millions in revenue during the pre-Ramadan period.

The Central Jakarta City Government launched a coordinated enforcement operation to address rampant illegal parking and street vending in the Kebon Kacang area near Grand Indonesia after footage of the chaotic conditions went viral on social media. Mayor Arifin stated that the action was undertaken to restore proper urban function and road safety, with teams removing unauthorised parking, informal traders, and overgrown tree branches. The operation successfully cleared the roadway, allowing unobstructed traffic flow and prompting a public appeal to maintain civic responsibility in preserving Jakarta's orderliness and comfort.

An economist from Sebelas Maret University has recommended that Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme be refocused on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children at risk of stunting, as the current broad implementation consuming Rp355 trillion is straining government fiscal space. The 2026 budget allocation of Rp335 trillion targets 82.9 million recipients, representing a significant increase from 2025, raising concerns about the programme's cost-effectiveness and implementation capacity.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has confirmed that the national road from Medan to Sibolga in North Sumatra will be ready to handle Eid holiday traffic starting seven days before the festival. The minister conducted a direct inspection of the mudik (homecoming) route in early March 2026, reviewing repairs to 39 landslide sites and two damaged bridges that were affected by flooding and landslides in November 2025. Various technical works including slope stabilisation, embankment reinforcement, and bridge reconstruction have been completed to ensure safe transportation access ahead of the anticipated surge in travel during Eid.

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has clarified that a viral video showing raw catfish in a free school meal programme (MBG) in East Java presented an incomplete picture of the full menu, which actually includes milk and dragon fruit. The agency stated that the complete meal packages meet nutritional standards and food safety requirements, though a school rejected 1,022 portions over concerns about food quality and preparation.

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) recorded 3,264 agrarian conflict complaints between 2020 and 2025, with disputes concentrated in North Sumatra, West Java, and Central Kalimantan. The conflicts stem from overlapping land concessions, property title fraud, and significant land ownership imbalances, whilst law enforcement struggles to address structural policy issues underlying the disputes.

The Indonesian Army's Kodam XXIII/Palaka Wira has constructed the Garuda Bridge in Bonda Village, Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi, to improve transportation access and support economic and educational activities in the region. The bridge, which spans the Paniki River, replaces a deteriorated crossing that had been unusable for approximately ten years, severely hampering community activities and children's access to schools. The military command emphasises this infrastructure project demonstrates the Indonesian Army's commitment to serving communities and supporting development beyond national defence.