The Indonesian House of Representatives has approved the appointment of five commissioners to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) following a rigorous fit and proper test conducted by Commission XI. Friderica Widyasari Dewi has been named Chair of the OJK Board of Commissioners, with four other senior executives appointed to lead key regulatory divisions overseeing capital markets, financial conduct, and financial technology innovation.

The Riau Police conducted the sixth edition of their "Go Sprint Go Green" running race during Ramadan, attracting hundreds of young participants to engage in positive community activities. The initiative, launched to combat illegal street racing and promote road safety awareness ahead of the 2026 Ketupat Lancang Kuning Operation, has become a template for other regional police forces nationwide and simultaneously boosted the local economy through UMKM participation.

Indonesia's Sports Minister has condemned sexual harassment within the country's sports federations, particularly in sport climbing and kickboxing, emphasising the government's commitment to supporting athlete protection systems and ensuring legal proceedings against alleged perpetrators. The minister praised athletes who came forward with allegations and called for all sports federations to strengthen safeguarding measures, noting that such cases have likely been endemic but previously covered up to protect institutional reputations.

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk is ensuring operational readiness during the 2026 Eid holiday period by maintaining 186 branch offices and optimizing digital service channels for customer convenience. The bank is providing comprehensive financial and non-financial services including account opening, cash deposits and withdrawals, card services, e-banking, and complaint handling, alongside specialised services for core customers such as fuel delivery order settlements for Pertamina and insurance claim account opening for Jasa Raharja. The initiative demonstrates BRI's commitment to supporting seamless financial transactions during the extended holiday period through both physical branches and digital platforms including the BRImo super app, 24-hour ATM networks, and over 1.19 million BRILink agents nationwide.

The North Penajam Paser district government in East Kalimantan has prohibited the Nutrition Services Unit (SPPG) from involving third parties in the provision and management of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme to prevent food poisoning. Laboratory tests identified two contaminated food items—pudding and another dish—with harmful bacteria after 25 students suffered digestive issues, likely caused by food exposed to open air without proper covering. The district health office has suspended operations of the Waru District SPPG kitchen pending improvements to hygiene and sanitation standards before authorisation to resume can be granted.

Indonesia's mudik (homecoming) phenomenon during Eid al-Fitr represents a massive seasonal economic mechanism, with approximately 146.48 million people (52% of the population) expected to travel in 2025, generating an estimated Rp137–145 trillion in economic circulation. The annual migration triggers significant activity across transportation, retail, tourism, and SME sectors, functioning as a crucial income redistribution mechanism from urban centres to rural regions and substantially boosting short-term economic growth.

The Indonesian Parliament (DPR) plenary session unanimously approved a revised bill on hajj financial management as a parliamentary initiative proposal on 12 March 2026, with 294 members present. The legislation, originally introduced by Commission VIII, underwent substantial harmonisation by the Parliamentary Legal Body (Baleg), including removing the non-profit principle to enable more professional management and allowing the Hajj Financial Management Body (BPKH) to establish subsidiary businesses beyond the pilgrimage ecosystem.

PT HM Sampoerna Tbk (HMSP), Indonesia's major cigarette manufacturer, reported net profit of Rp6.6 trillion in 2025, a modest 0.60 per cent decline from Rp6.64 trillion in 2024, with net sales decreasing 4.84 per cent to Rp112.17 trillion. Despite the slight revenue contraction, the company's gross profit improved to Rp20.61 trillion, whilst total assets declined to Rp51.56 trillion and liabilities fell to Rp23.21 trillion.

The Jakarta Provincial Government officially launched the Transjabodetabek bus service on the Blok M to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport route on 12 March 2026, with operations running from 05:00 to 22:00 WIB. The service features a fleet of 14 buses with headways of 10–20 minutes, projected to serve approximately 1,900–2,000 passengers daily, with an introductory fare of IDR 3,500 for the first three months and 23 designated bus stops across Jakarta and the airport area.

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has launched the Transjabodetabek service on the Blok M to Soekarno-Hatta Airport route, featuring specially designed buses with dedicated luggage storage space near the middle door. Governor Pramono Anung noted that the bus design differs from standard Transjakarta buses, with a lower deck to accommodate three airport drop-off points, though luggage space has limitations and excess baggage may need to remain with passengers.

The Community Relations Unit of Lahat Police Precinct attended an award presentation ceremony hosted by South Sumatra Police Headquarters on 11 March 2026, where the Forum for Police and Community Partnership (FKPM) and Community Security and Order Development Unit (BKPM) of Pasar Lama Village won first place in the provincial competition. The award recognises the organisations' active contribution to supporting law enforcement operations and maintaining public security and order in Lahat Regency, with hopes that the success will motivate similar community-police partnerships across the jurisdiction.

East Jakarta City Government has identified 27 of 57 padel courts operating in the region as unlicensed and will seal them as part of enforcement efforts. The administration, through its Public Works and Spatial Planning Office, is conducting monitoring and enforcement actions against padel courts that violate regulations, with eight sealing operations completed to date and permanent closure measures being applied to facilities found operating without proper permits or functional certificates.

The Indonesian government has raised Rp185.3 trillion in new debt as of February 2026, representing 22.3 per cent of the year's debt issuance target of Rp832.2 trillion, according to the Finance Ministry. The lower figure compared to February 2025 reflects controlled budget financing, with most debt sourced from domestic State Securities (SBN) and recent global bond issuances in Chinese yuan and euro, demonstrating strong investor confidence in Indonesia's economic fundamentals.

Indonesia's parliament Commission XI approved five new leaders for the Financial Services Authority (OJK), including Friderica Widyasari Dewi as Chair, Hernawan Bekti Sasongko as Vice Chair, and three Executive Heads overseeing capital markets, consumer protection, and financial technology. The appointments follow the resignation of previous OJK leadership in January 2026 after Indonesia's stock market was frozen from the MSCI index.

The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Deputy Regent Hendri of Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu province, on suspicion of having knowledge of government projects within the regency, given his position alongside the regent as a paired local leadership ticket from the 2024 regional elections. After intensive questioning at KPK headquarters in Jakarta, investigators found insufficient evidence to formally establish Hendri's suspect status and released him, though the case centres on five formally named suspects accused of bribery and extortion related to projects in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Commission VIII of Indonesia's House of Representatives has assured that the 2026 hajj preparations will proceed as planned, noting that Saudi Arabia has not issued any prohibition announcements similar to those during the Covid-19 pandemic. The deputy chair called for intensified communication between the Indonesian government and Saudi authorities to ensure clarity for prospective Indonesian pilgrims.

Jakarta has experienced a shortage of ride-hailing services from both Grab and Gojek in recent days, with customers reporting long waiting times and cancelled orders across mobility and food delivery services. Both companies attribute the crisis to surging demand during the Ramadan and Eid period, compounded by extreme weather, flooding, and traffic congestion, whilst noting that some drivers have chosen to return to their hometowns for the holidays. The platforms have announced operational adjustments, special tariff schemes, and driver incentives to address the shortage and maintain service quality during the festive period.

Asuransi Jasindo has committed to strengthening strategic collaborations with various companies and institutions in 2026 to expand public access to insurance protection. The company has established partnerships with Bahana Sekuritas, PT MRT Jakarta, and Jamkrindo to broaden reach and enhance risk management across different sectors, with particular emphasis on public transport safety and customer appreciation programmes.

The Jakarta Provincial Government has launched a new Transjabodetabek route connecting Blok M to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, with an estimated travel time of 121 minutes (approximately two hours) covering 65.1 kilometres. The service, which operates from 05:00 to 22:00 with 14 buses and 23 stops, aims to provide an affordable alternative transport option and reduce private vehicle usage, as currently 70-80 per cent of the airport's 54.9 million annual passengers rely on private cars.

The Indonesian Parliament's plenary session has approved five individuals to fill leadership positions at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), including Chair Friderica Widyasari Dewi, Vice-Chair Hernawan Bekti Sasongko, and three Executive Heads overseeing capital markets, financial technology innovation, and consumer protection. The appointments were ratified following a fit and proper test assessment conducted by Commission XI of the legislature.

PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) has demonstrated that women's empowerment in the ultra-microfinance sector generates wide-reaching social and economic benefits extending beyond individual borrowers to families and communities. The PNM Mekaar programme, reaching over 22.9 million clients organised into approximately 909,000 women's groups across Indonesia, combines microfinance access with training and mentorship, fostering grassroots female leadership and creating a multiplier effect that strengthens household resilience and social solidarity networks.

This opinion piece examines Indonesia's continued reliance on physical cash for Uang Persediaan (UP/petty cash) disbursements by government spending treasurers, arguing that the practice is increasingly outdated given widespread digital payment adoption and recurring audit findings of weak controls. The author contends that transitioning fully to non-cash mechanisms—including the Government Credit Card (KKP) and digital platforms—would strengthen transparency, accountability, and security whilst aligning with modern governance principles.

Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs is mobilising its network of counsellors to educate families about child-rearing in the digital era and promote delaying children's access to social media. The initiative supports Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on digital governance for child protection and regulations restricting social media access for children under 16, targeting 10.4 million madrasah students, 3.3 million pesantren students, and tens of thousands of religious school pupils across various faiths. The Ministry has already trained over 269,000 educators and religious leaders in digital literacy since 2025, whilst integrating digital ethics into religious education curricula and launching programmes such as "Santri Proficient in AI" to prepare children intellectually before accessing social media.

The Central Java and Yogyakarta branch of Indonesia's National Road Implementation Agency has identified 46 congestion hotspots and 23 disaster-risk zones ahead of the 2026 Eid exodus. The agency has suspended construction work from 10 days before Eid onwards and deployed 18 relief posts across the region to facilitate smooth traffic flow on national highways that have achieved 93.5–94.20% road integrity levels.

PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales has established 71 emergency service centres across Indonesia's main exodus routes for Eid 2026 (18–25 March), with 33 operating 24 hours, to support the anticipated 143.91 million travellers of whom approximately 76.24 million will use private cars. The service includes vehicle inspections of 23 components and roadside assistance through the Suzuki Emergency Road Assistance programme, building on over 4,000 service intakes from the previous year's mudik period.

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding that Iran immediately halt its attacks against Gulf nations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, citing violations of international law and threats to global peace and security. The resolution, passed on 11 March with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions, also condemns Iranian threats to international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The escalating conflict follows US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February that killed Iran's supreme leader, prompting Iranian retaliation with drone and missile attacks across the region, including strikes on neighbouring countries and commercial vessels.

The Indonesian rupiah weakened to Rp 16,900 per US dollar in early trading on Wednesday 11 March 2026, declining 0.08 per cent from the previous close. The weakness reflects broader regional currency pressures across Asia and renewed concerns about potential disruptions to global crude oil supplies stemming from Middle Eastern tensions, which typically strengthen the US dollar as investors seek safer assets.

The Indonesian government has launched a roof tile programme as part of President Prabowo Subianto's initiative to promote UMKM (micro, small and medium enterprises) products in public housing development, with an initial commitment of Rp3 billion in purchases from the Jatiwangi tile manufacturing centre in Majalengka Regency. Housing and Settlement Areas Minister Maruarar Sirait released 14 truckloads of tiles and announced a total order of 24 truckloads from various government programmes and housing developers, whilst emphasising the need for SMEs to maintain quality standards and compete in wider markets. The programme is expected to revitalise the local tile industry and create broader market opportunities for Jatiwangi's tile manufacturers across Indonesia.

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) plans to pursue strategic natural gas infrastructure projects, targeting gas distribution of approximately 877 BBTUD in 2026, representing 4% growth driven by demand from industrial zones and new customers in East and Central Java. Key initiatives include accelerating transmission and distribution infrastructure, expanding household gas networks in Sumatra and Java, developing LNG storage and regasification facilities in Eastern Indonesia, and advancing low-emission renewable energy products such as biomethane.

The Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, announced that the parliament has received three presidential letters from President Prabowo Subianto during a plenary session on 12 March 2026. The letters include a bill on cyber security and resilience, and an approval plan for Indonesia's comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Canada. The DPR affirmed it will follow up on these correspondence in accordance with established parliamentary procedures.

Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) has confirmed that two of its four vessels, the PIS Paragon and PIS Rinjani, have successfully exited the Middle East region via the Oman Gulf whilst avoiding the Strait of Hormuz as of 10 March 2026. The company emphasised that crew safety and cargo security remain paramount, whilst two other tankers, the VLCC Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, remain in the Arabian Gulf under intensive monitoring, with no impact expected on Indonesia's domestic energy supply given Pertamina's fleet of 345 vessels.

East Jakarta municipal government has identified 27 of 57 operating padel courts without proper permits and is conducting enforcement actions including sealing non-compliant facilities. The Jakarta government has mandated that all padel courts must obtain building permits (PBG), with at least 185 courts citywide still lacking official licensing as of late February 2025.

Indonesia's Labour Ministry confirms that probationary workers are entitled to receive the religious holiday allowance (THR) provided they have completed at least one month of service. The allowance is calculated proportionally based on the worker's length of service, with full entitlement granted after 12 continuous months of employment.

Global crude oil prices surged past US$100 per barrel on Thursday morning, driven by market concerns over potential supply disruptions from the US-Israel-Iran conflict, particularly through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. Despite the International Energy Agency's coordinated release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves—the largest since 1973—market participants remain unconvinced this intervention will adequately address supply gaps, with analysts noting the reserves can only cover roughly one-quarter of potential daily shortfall if the strait is completely closed.

State-owned fertiliser company PT Pupuk Indonesia has received four awards at the 2026 BUMN Awards ceremony, recognising its commitment to operational efficiency and good corporate governance. Chief Executive Rahmad Pribadi was named The Best CEO for Visionary Leadership, whilst the company won top honours for best growth strategy, best strategic collaboration, and second place for best organisational transformation. The awards acknowledge Pupuk Indonesia's efforts to strengthen supply chain management, support food self-sufficiency programmes, and balance commercial growth with government mandates on subsidised fertiliser distribution to farmers.

The Jakarta provincial government has officially opened a new Transjabodetabek bus route (SH2) connecting Blok M in Jakarta to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, with 23 stops across a 65.1-kilometre route taking approximately 121 minutes. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and Tangerang Mayor Sachrudin launched the route, which is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Jakarta area and serve commuters travelling from Tangerang to the capital.

Indonesian employees are required to pay personal income tax (PPh Pasal 21) on their Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR), or Holiday Allowance, which is classified as additional income under Law PPh 7/2021. The tax calculation uses the monthly effective rate (TER) formula: THR Gross × Monthly TER, with the government providing reference guidelines and online calculators to help taxpayers determine their obligations.

A former overseas domestic worker from Balongan, Indramayu, has successfully launched traditional food products into international markets, including Australia, through Pertamina-supported UMKM networks. Mahani, who spent twelve years working abroad in the Middle East and Brunei before returning to Indonesia, now chairs Teras Balongan, an UMKM community formally established in 2025 that encompasses dozens of local producers of North Coast speciality products.

Indonesia's parliament has approved five new members of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) board for the 2026-2031 term, with Friderica Widyasari Dewi appointed as chairman. The appointments were ratified during a plenary session chaired by House Speaker Puan Maharani following a fit and proper test conducted by Commission XI of the parliament.

The West Papua Regional Office of the Directorate General of Correctional Services has proposed 402 adult inmates and child wards of Muslim faith to receive special sentence remission during Eid Al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. The proposed inmates from six prisons and one detention facility across West Papua and South West Papua provinces meet all administrative and substantive requirements, with remission reductions ranging from 15 days to two months, and two cases resulting in immediate release. The remission process has been digitised and integrated into a system to ensure transparency and prevent corrupt practices.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has inaugurated the Transjabodetabek bus service between Blok M terminal and Soekarno-Hatta Airport, with fares subsidised at IDR 3,500 for the first three months to coincide with the Eid season. The provincial government expects to evaluate and adjust tariffs after the trial period, potentially raising fares to between IDR 10,000 and IDR 15,000, whilst a fleet of 14 buses is projected to serve approximately 1,900 to 2,000 daily passengers as an alternative to private vehicles, which currently account for 70-80 per cent of airport transport.

Myanmar nationals working in Singapore are increasingly falling victim to recruitment scams and labour exploitation, with NGOs reporting a sharp rise in complaints over unpaid wages, wrongful dismissals and coerced sexual services. Driven by Myanmar's ongoing civil war and economic collapse, vulnerable workers are lured with false job promises, charged substantial agency fees, and left with limited recourse due to their inability to return home. The issue has grown significantly, with assistance cases at one NGO rising from 1 in 2022 to 131 in 2025, though the true scale is likely much larger.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and Tangerang Mayor Sachrudin officially launched the new Transjabodetabek SH2 route connecting Blok M terminal to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, spanning 65.1 kilometres with 23 bus stops across Jakarta and Tangerang. The service will operate with 14 buses from 05:00 to 22:00 WIB, with an introductory fare of Rp 3,500 for three months before potential adjustment to Rp 10,000–15,000 based on subsidy evaluation.

Indonesia's House of Representatives is advancing the long-pending Domestic Worker Protection Bill (RUU PPRT), which has remained in the National Legislative Programme for 22 years, to establish 11 key regulatory points. The bill aims to elevate domestic worker protections from the current ministerial regulation level to statutory law, covering recruitment procedures, written employment contracts, vocational training, and provisions for placement agencies. The proposed legislation will establish protections based on principles of familial relations, human rights respect, justice, and legal certainty for Indonesia's domestic worker sector.

A river embankment collapsed in Pabuaran Mekar subdistrict, Cibinong district, Bogor, West Java, during heavy rainfall, causing flooding of nearby residential areas. Approximately 20 homes were affected with water levels ranging from 20 to 50 centimetres, though no casualties or structural damage to buildings were reported.

Indonesia's Labour Minister Yassierli has called on all industries to comply with regulations requiring the payment of festive allowances (THR) to workers and festive bonuses (BHR) to ride-hailing and courier workers. The allowances must be paid at least seven days before the festive season, with the government issuing circulars to ensure compliance and transparency in payment calculations.

The Ministry of Transportation's free mudik (homecoming) programme launched its inaugural journey on the Jangkar-Sapudi fast ferry route on Thursday, transporting 198 passengers from Situbondo, East Java to Sapudi Island in Madura Regency. The service is part of a broader initiative to alleviate congestion at Jangkar Port during the 2026 Eid holiday period, with quotas of 4,500 free passengers allocated for the Jangkar-Raas route and 500 for the Jangkar-Sapudi route through the Express Bahari Mobile application.

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGAS), Pertamina's Gas Subholding, has maintained its investment-grade credit rating at BBB- with a Stable Outlook from Fitch Ratings for both foreign currency and rupiah, reflecting the company's strong operational fundamentals and strategic position as Indonesia's primary gas infrastructure manager. The affirmation is supported by PGAS's 2025 performance, which included revenue of US$3.9 billion and EBITDA of US$971.2 million, alongside strengthened financial ratios including an improved debt-to-equity ratio of 30.5% and an interest coverage ratio of 17.44x. The rating underscores Fitch's confidence in PGAS's ability to maintain operational stability and financial discipline whilst supporting Indonesia's energy security and infrastructure development objectives.

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BRI) has confirmed its readiness to provide comprehensive banking services during the Eid holiday period in 2026, maintaining operations at 186 branch offices and optimising digital service channels available 24/7. The bank will support various financial and non-financial transactions including account opening, cash deposits and withdrawals, card services, e-banking, and customer complaints handling, whilst also offering specialised services for core customers such as fuel voucher processing and insurance claim accounts.

The East Java Provincial Government has allocated Rp46.8 billion to rehabilitate and revitalise facilities across 51 public and private secondary schools, vocational schools, and special needs schools in Jombang, Nganjuk, and Blitar regencies. Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa framed the investment as a civilisational investment to strengthen human resource development and ensure quality education remains relevant to future workplace demands and societal challenges. The programme encompasses not only physical infrastructure improvements but also the creation of safe, comfortable learning environments with adequate sanitation and child-friendly facilities.