West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan met with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman in Jakarta to strengthen agricultural development and food security in the region. The provincial government outlined challenges including infrastructure limitations, access to financing for smallholder farmers, and climate change impacts, whilst requesting central government support for agricultural infrastructure, seed provision, and integrated poultry processing programmes. The meeting emphasised the need for synergy between national and local governments to achieve inclusive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural development in West Papua.

Online gambling addiction has been classified as a serious behavioural disorder with significant neurobiological consequences, according to psychiatry specialists at Indonesia's national hospital. The condition involves loss of control triggered by dopamine manipulation in games designed with visual and auditory rewards that exceed natural reward responses, often trapping players in a psychological illusion of skill control known as "jam gacor" and potentially driving them to criminal acts if left untreated.

Rismon Sianipar, a suspect in a defamation and hate speech case involving allegations of forged credentials belonging to former President Joko Widodo, visited Jokowi at his residence in Solo on 12 March 2026. The closed-door meeting comes amid an ongoing legal case in which Jokowi has maintained that whilst he is personally inclined to forgive those involved, the legal process must continue through to trial to allow proper presentation of evidence.

Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was detained by Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on 12 March 2026 following questioning as a suspect in an alleged hajj quota corruption case. After approximately five and a half hours of interrogation, Yaqut was escorted in an orange detainee vest to the KPK detention facility at the Red and White Building in Jakarta, as supporters from the Banser mass organisation gathered outside.

Indonesia's Parliament has appointed five new members to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) board following fit and proper testing by the relevant parliamentary commission. Friderica Widyasari Dewi has been appointed as board chair, with four others assigned to executive leadership positions overseeing capital markets, consumer protection, and financial technology innovation. The appointments now proceed to presidential ratification and formal oath-taking before the Chief Justice.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qaumas on 12 March 2026 following rejection of his pre-trial motion by the South Jakarta District Court. Qaumas is being investigated for alleged corruption involving the determination of hajj quotas and administration at the Religion Ministry during 2023-2024, with preliminary state losses estimated at Rp622 billion.

PT Bumi Resources Tbk has unveiled a new corporate logo and brand identity to reflect its strategic transformation from a coal-focused company into a diversified natural resources enterprise. The company is expanding operations into high-value minerals including gold, copper, and bauxite, whilst maintaining coal as a core business pillar, and seeking to align with international corporate standards.

ASEAN economic and foreign ministers are convening to assess the impact of escalating Middle East conflict on the region's trade, energy security, and supply chains, particularly regarding disruptions to oil and LNG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis has already prompted individual ASEAN member states—including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand—to implement fuel conservation measures and price adjustments, with officials emphasising the need for coordinated regional responses to manage inflation and economic disruption.

A Middle East analyst has warned that de-escalation of the Middle East conflict hinges entirely on Iran and the United States, with Iran holding the key decision. Iran has set three conditions for ending the conflict: a written guarantee against future attacks, lifting of sanctions with unrestricted nuclear programme rights, and reparations—demands the Trump administration is unlikely to meet without appearing to concede defeat. The prolonged conflict threatens global energy security, particularly as Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, potentially exhausting ASEAN nations' fuel reserves within days and driving fuel inflation globally.

The Police Chief of East Nusa Tenggara, Inspector General Rudi Darmoko, inaugurated the "Happy Home" mental health facility at regional police headquarters, acknowledging that some officers still engage in misconduct due to internal psychological issues. The centre, established in collaboration with the Mental Health Family Foundation, will provide counselling, trauma recovery services, and psychological support for police personnel and victims of violence against women and children, as well as human trafficking survivors. The initiative aims to improve officer mental health and reduce misconduct by addressing underlying psychological problems among personnel.

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) testified before the Constitutional Court on 12 March 2026 in a constitutional review of the 1997 Military Court Law, asserting that the military judiciary maintains judicial independence and procedural transparency. The hearing examined petitioner claims that military court provisions could enable impunity for military personnel, with the TNI arguing that military judges operate independently under Supreme Court oversight rather than military command control, and that all verdicts are publicly accessible through the Supreme Court's decision registry.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono has requested pesticide producers to refrain from planned price increases, despite industry complaints of raw material shortages caused by global geopolitical tensions. The Indonesian Pesticide Producers Association (APROPI) has signalled potential price hikes of 20-30 percent due to rising production costs and import-dependent supply chains, but Sudaryono intends to call the association directly to discuss the situation and seek joint solutions that avoid burdening farmers.

Thailand's Navy has requested Oman's help to rescue three crew members from a Thai cargo ship that went missing following an attack in the Strait of Hormuz on 11 March. Of the 23 crew members aboard, 20 have been safely evacuated to Oman, whilst the three missing crew are believed to be trapped in the engine room. Thailand's Navy Commander has urged Oman's Navy to intensify search and rescue efforts to locate and save the missing crew members as quickly as possible.

Chinese automotive brand Wuling is launching exhibitions at three shopping malls in Jakarta and Bekasi from 11-15 March 2026, titled "Peace of Mind with Wuling", to bring its product innovations closer to consumers in the region. The exhibition will showcase Wuling's latest vehicle lineup including the new Eksion SUV, along with test drive opportunities and promotional offers such as down payments from Rp8 million and monthly instalments starting from Rp2 million. The brand will also offer complimentary insurance for the Darion EV for two years and shopping vouchers for select vehicle purchases.

Alfamart's Free Warung (Warteg Gratis) programme has distributed 60,000 food packages for breaking the fast during Ramadan across 34 Indonesian cities through partnerships with 102 small-scale warung operators. The initiative, which has reached over 150,000 beneficiaries since its launch in 2021, has gained recognition from Indonesia's World Record Museum (MURI) and received support from WINGS Group and Bank Aladin Syariah, whilst also introducing food trucks to expand outreach to additional communities.

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar disclosed in parliamentary hearings that President Prabowo Subianto has not yet signed the presidential regulation establishing a Directorate General for Islamic Boarding Schools (Pesantren), despite receiving presidential approval for the proposal on 21 October 2025. The new directorate is intended to strengthen the management of the pesantren ecosystem, encompassing educational, religious, and economic empowerment aspects across Indonesia's 341,565 Islamic boarding schools and 12.7 million students.

Search and rescue operations have been officially suspended after seven days of searching for Putu Wini Lestari, a 17-year-old girl swept away by flash floods in Banjar village, Buleleng Regency, Bali on 6 March. The combined SAR team exhausted all available resources including searching coastal and marine areas, deploying heavy equipment to clear debris, and investigating suspicious locations, but the victim could not be recovered. Whilst the formal search has concluded, the SAR unit remains prepared to reopen operations should any new evidence of the victim's location surface.

Indonesia's Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (KemenPAN-RB) has recorded 160,000 state civil servants (ASN) retiring in 2025, signalling potential recruitment and selection of Civil Service Candidate (CPNS) positions in 2026. The decision to proceed with CPNS selection depends on budgetary availability from the Ministry of Finance, and the ministry is assessing which specific positions require additional staff to optimise public service delivery.

Intensive social media use among children and adolescents raises concerns about cognitive and mental health impacts, prompting the Indonesian government to consider restricting access for those under 16. Research shows that prolonged screen time affects brain development, particularly areas controlling impulse control and decision-making, whilst excessive use is linked to reduced cognitive ability, increased anxiety, and ADHD symptoms.

Indonesia's pesticide manufacturers have signalled price increases of 20-30% due to rising production costs driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and global oil price fluctuations. The industry warns that higher prices will likely trigger an influx of counterfeit and substandard pesticide products, whilst calling on the government to implement mitigation measures to protect farmers from increased agricultural production costs.

PT Pertamina's downstream subsidiary Pertamina Patra Niaga has announced a 10 per cent discount on aviation fuel (avtur) purchases across 37 airports during the 2026 Lebaran period to support the government's efforts in stabilising airline ticket prices and maintaining affordable air transport access. The policy aims to help airlines reduce operational costs during the peak holiday season, potentially enabling them to offer more competitive ticket prices to travellers, whilst Pertamina maintains strategic fuel reserves of over 30 days with full operational teams at all aviation fuel terminals.

Disorder erupted at a new currency exchange operation at Bogor City Library in West Java on 12 March 2026 when citizens who had been queuing since dawn were ordered to leave due to disturbances. The situation deteriorated further when a banking mobile unit abruptly departed, and queue numbers distributed later at 15:00 were allegedly depleted before the scheduled time, leaving early arrivals without documentation and frustrated citizens.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo presented 50 motorcycles each to three regional police commands — West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh — that were affected by major flooding disasters in late 2025. The distribution was conducted symbolically during the 2026 Ketupat Operation parade at the National Monument field in Jakarta, with the motorcycles intended to optimise police services during the upcoming holiday travel period from 13 to 25 March 2026.

President Prabowo Subianto is preparing a presidential instruction to protect Sumatran and Bornean elephant populations and habitats, alongside a presidential decree establishing a task force for innovative financing of national park management. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasised that without serious government intervention, elephant habitat damage is inevitable, and outlined plans including creating wildlife corridors within oil palm concessions and implementing human-wildlife conflict prevention measures in Way Kambas National Park.

PT Pertamina has implemented a 10% discount on aviation fuel (avtur) prices across 37 airports nationwide to support affordable air travel during the Eid al-Fitr 2026 holiday season. The measure aims to help airlines reduce operational costs and enable passengers to benefit from more competitive ticket prices during peak holiday travel periods. The discount is being applied at major airports across Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and eastern Indonesia, with Pertamina maintaining national aviation fuel reserves above 30 days.

Users of Indonesia's online motorcycle taxi (ojol) services are experiencing significant difficulties booking rides during peak hours, with some waiting up to 20 minutes only to have their orders cancelled by drivers. The phenomenon, attributed to poor driver earnings relative to operational costs, has sparked widespread online discussion, with drivers reportedly turning off their applications or selectively rejecting orders during busy traffic periods.

Indonesia's Forest and Land Fire Prevention Agency (Dalkarhut) for the Jabalnusra region has intensified forest and land fire prevention measures across West Java ahead of predicted El Niño conditions expected in mid-2026. The agency is strengthening efforts through increased patrols, community fire awareness programmes, and satellite-based hotspot monitoring, with West Java identified as the highest-risk area, having recorded approximately 35,770 hectares of fire damage between 2018 and 2025. Officials emphasise that nearly 99 per cent of forest fires in Indonesia are human-caused, making early prevention through community engagement and technological monitoring crucial to mitigating wildfire risks during the anticipated extended dry season.

The Ministry of Public Works is accelerating repairs on several national road sections ahead of the Eid holiday travel rush, with road condition now at 93.5% soundness. The Palur-Sragen road in Central Java, a key inter-regional connector to East Java and beyond, is undergoing a three-year preservation project that includes rigid pavement work, drainage improvements, and road raising to address flooding issues. Work has reached 41% completion with positive deviation, and additional projects including asphalt and concrete resurfacing will continue after Eid.

The escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States raises concerns about global oil supply continuity and Indonesia's fiscal position, particularly if disruptions occur in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. Whilst Indonesia's exposure is relatively limited, with only 18.13 per cent of crude oil imports and 14.23 per cent of fuel imports transiting through the strait, the country faces potential budget pressures from higher oil prices, with estimates suggesting a 136 trillion rupiah budget deficit increase if crude prices reach 90 dollars per barrel.

Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Surabaya is preparing legal assistance for activist Muhammad Ainun Komarullah (Komar) who was arrested immediately upon his release from detention in Bandung on 9 March, charged with similar offences involving incitement through social media. LBH Surabaya has raised concerns about potential violations of the ne bis in idem principle, which prohibits double jeopardy, and is considering both litigation and non-litigation approaches including preterm judicial review and complaints to the National Human Rights Commission.

Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, has met with Majene Regent Achmad Syukri to discuss preparations for the People's School (Sekolah Rakyat) programme, a presidential initiative aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty through education for children from poor and extremely poor families. Majene has committed to participating in the programme and has identified a 17-hectare site for construction, with preparations set to begin immediately to meet either the current year's or next year's development timeline.

Ajinomoto Indonesia has launched comprehensive environmental initiatives to reduce plastic waste, including innovative packaging solutions such as paper packaging that reduces plastic use by up to 30%. The company aims to reduce plastic consumption by 1,736 tonnes by 2025 whilst collaborating with waste banks and implementing community-based education programmes to promote waste management awareness.

Ride-hailing users in Jakarta are struggling to find drivers during peak hours before breaking fast during Ramadan, as many drivers choose to stay idle rather than accept distant pickups and drop-offs. Multiple drivers cite inadequate fares—around IDR 10,000 for 4-6 kilometres—that do not increase during peak hours and do not justify fuel costs and time spent in heavy traffic, creating what social media users describe as an "ojol crisis".

Indonesia's Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will deploy 8,000 military personnel in phases to join the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for peacekeeping operations in Gaza. The deployment has been scaled down from an initial preparation of 20,000 troops, and whilst the government awaits clearance from the Board of Peace and a cooling of geopolitical tensions, the exact timing of deployment has not yet been determined.

The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources estimates that 76 million people, representing 50% of total Eid al-Fitr travellers this year, will use private vehicles during the 2026 holiday season. The government has assured adequate fuel supplies across multiple categories, with petrol consumption projected to increase 12% during the travel period, whilst diesel consumption is expected to decline 14.5%.

PT Pupuk Indonesia, led by Chief Executive Officer Rahmad Pribadi, has won four awards at the 2026 BUMN Awards ceremony, including recognition for visionary leadership and corporate strategy. The awards acknowledge the company's commitment to operational efficiency, corporate governance, and support for Indonesia's food self-sufficiency programme through improved fertiliser subsidy management and production optimisation. The company is undertaking significant transformation initiatives, including the revitalisation of seven factories and expansion into new product lines such as clean ammonia and methanol derivatives.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has assured Indonesians that domestic food security will not be affected by escalating conflict in the Middle East, citing that Indonesia does not import food from that region. The minister stated that Indonesia is self-sufficient in staple commodities such as rice, corn, poultry, and fish, with current stocks sufficient for one year, whilst wheat imports come from Europe and Canada rather than conflict zones.

Indonesia's population reached 288.3 million people as of 31 December 2025, representing an increase of approximately 1.6 million in the second half of the year, according to the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration. With approximately 211 million people holding electronic identity cards and the majority concentrated on Java Island (55.80 percent), officials emphasise that the country remains in a demographic dividend phase until the 2030s, presenting a significant opportunity if the productive workforce is developed through improved education and job creation.

Operation Ketupat Musi 2026 has officially commenced in South Sumatra, with Police Chief Irjen Sandi Nugroho deploying 2,361 personnel across 73 strategically positioned posts to ensure safe passage and security for an estimated 143.9 million people travelling nationwide during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah holiday period. The 13-day operation, running from 13–25 March 2026, represents a comprehensive inter-agency effort combining traffic management, vital infrastructure protection, and public services across land, water, and air transportation routes.

Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Jatimbalinus has projected a 11.9% increase in fuel oil consumption across East Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara during the Ramadan to Eid 2026 period (9 March to 1 April). The company has established a special task force to manage the anticipated surge in energy demand, with petrol consumption expected to rise whilst diesel consumption is forecast to decline due to reduced industrial activity during the extended holiday.

The Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) reported total assets of Rp238.99 trillion as of the end of 2025, up from Rp221.05 trillion in 2024, reflecting professional and transparent management of pilgrims' funds. Investment assets and placement of pilgrim funds reached Rp169.31 trillion, and net benefit revenue from the Hajj Implementation Fund increased to Rp11.48 trillion, underscoring the agency's commitment to sustainable and Sharia-compliant financial stewardship.

Indonesia's pesticide manufacturers have announced plans to raise product prices by 20-30% due to surging production costs driven by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. The increases stem from rising prices of imported active ingredients from China, volatile oil prices, higher solvent and plastic packaging costs, and rupiah depreciation, which collectively threaten to inflate farmers' production expenses and create conditions for counterfeit products to proliferate.

Indonesian police's Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) has conducted simultaneous raids on three gold refining and trading companies in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur, as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering (TPPU) linked to illegal gold mining that has caused state losses exceeding one trillion Rupiah. The operation expands on an illegal mining case from Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat (2019-2022), which revealed suspicious transactions worth Rp25.8 trillion. Three suspects have been named so far, with investigations ongoing to identify other network members involved in illegal gold refining and trading practices.

Bank Indonesia has launched the Semarak Rupiah Ramadan and Berkah Idulfitri (SERAMBI) 2026 programme to distribute new rupiah banknotes across the country ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The exchange service operates at 2,883 locations with 8,755 service points nationwide, with individuals limited to exchanging up to Rp 5.3 million per transaction in denominations from Rp 1,000 to Rp 50,000. Bank Indonesia has prepared Rp 185.6 trillion in currency for the Ramadan to Eid al-Fitr 2026 period.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has proposed constructing three Waste-to-Energy Power Plants (PLTSa) at Bantargebang, Rorotan, and Sunter to address the capital's mounting waste management challenges. The facilities would collectively process 6,500 to 7,000 tonnes of waste daily, significantly reducing dependence on the increasingly limited Bantargebang landfill and contributing to Indonesia's sustainable waste management targets.

Uber has entered a multi-year partnership with autonomous vehicle manufacturer Zoox to integrate robotaxi services into its platform, with initial launches planned for Las Vegas in mid-2026 and Los Angeles by mid-2027. Zoox, owned by Amazon since its US$1.3 billion acquisition in 2020, offers a distinctive driverless vehicle design specifically engineered for passengers, marking Uber's strategic pivot towards autonomous transportation as the ride-hailing sector evolves beyond traditional driver-based models.

Indonesia's Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, has stressed the importance of regulating the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in the education sector to ensure children can safely utilise these tools appropriately. The government has established a joint ministerial decree setting guidelines for AI and digital technology use across formal, non-formal, and informal education, with age-appropriate controls and content restrictions tailored to children's developmental stages.

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni announced that President Prabowo Subianto is preparing two new presidential instructions focusing on wildlife conservation and national parks, with particular emphasis on saving Sumatran and Bornean elephant populations and habitats. The government has established a task force to develop innovative financing mechanisms for the nation's 57 national parks, which currently operate at a deficit, whilst elephant habitats in Sumatra have drastically declined from 42 to 21 populations due to mining activities and illegal logging.

Indonesia's Trade Minister Budi Santoso has urged young designers in Kudus Regency, Central Java, to establish their own brands rather than working as freelancers, enabling them to compete in national and international markets. The government is facilitating business matching between local designers and modern retailers whilst emphasizing the importance of product quality and brand ownership to gain greater control over design work and marketing strategies.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Taxation has introduced the new Coretax system for filing 2025 annual tax returns, replacing the previous DJP Online platform. The transition has generated concerns among taxpayers, particularly employees, with several recurring data entry errors identified, including incorrect tax exemption status selection and mismatched withholding tax documentation. Common issues also involve spousal tax filing procedures and confusion over income and tax withholding amounts in the new system.