Senior Sergeant Ipda Dongan Marulitua Manalu, a police officer serving in Meranti Islands District, Riau Province, has dedicated himself to teaching English to local children whilst maintaining law and order duties. Beyond his policing responsibilities, he has introduced informal English instruction across multiple villages, earning recognition from local communities and nomination for the 2026 Hoegeng Awards. His grassroots educational approach, combined with his community engagement, resulted in promotion to Deputy Police Chief of Rangsang Sub-district.

The East Jakarta municipal government has sealed an eighth padel court facility in Kebon Pala village after discovering it operated under an illegal building permit issued in 2018 for a dormitory, not a sports facility. The Mayor Munjirin emphasised strict compliance with building regulations and warned developers to obtain proper permits before constructing sports facilities, whilst Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo mandated operating hour restrictions until 8pm for padel courts in residential areas and noted 185 padel courts in Jakarta remain unlicensed as of 23 February 2025.

Two regional heads were arrested by Indonesia's anti-corruption commission (KPK) in separate operations within one week, prompting DPR deputy leadership to call for stronger oversight mechanisms. DPR Vice Chair Saan Mustopa stressed the need for regional leaders to maintain integrity and serve the public interest rather than seek personal gain. The KPK arrested Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq on 3 March and Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari on 9 March, with the latter facing graft charges related to project bribery.

A 49-year-old employee of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) was fatally shot in the Grasberg mining area in Tembagapura, Mimika, Central Papua, with an armed criminal group (KKB) suspected as the perpetrator. The victim, an exploration department worker, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, whilst a second employee was injured whilst attempting to flee the incident. The victim's body is scheduled to be repatriated to Bandung on 12 March via commercial aircraft.

Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme has reached 61.62 million beneficiaries with Rp 44 trillion in budget realisation as of 9 March 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance. The programme is delivered through over 25,000 nutrition service units across multiple regions, primarily serving approximately 50 million students alongside pregnant women, nursing mothers, and elderly groups.

Banten Police have deployed 3,972 personnel across 57 posts for Operation Ketupat Maung 2026, scheduled to run from 13-25 March 2026, to ensure the safety and smooth passage of homebound travellers during the holiday period. The operation involves combined forces from the police, military, local government, and various ministries, with four ports designated to serve returning migrants. Additionally, the police destroyed 7,471 bottles of illicit alcohol seized during Ramadan operations.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto addressed the Asian Leaders Roundtable at Tokyo Conference 2026, warning that the global economic order is experiencing significant shifts marked by power-based politics, protectionism, and declining faith in multilateralism. He called for Asia to strengthen regional cooperation through frameworks like ASEAN and maintain commitment to rules-based multilateralism to serve as a stabilising force in the global economy, whilst Indonesia pursues independent non-bloc diplomacy and demonstrates solid economic growth of 5.4% projected for 2026.

PT Pelni expects the peak of Lebaran exodus traffic at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta to occur on 18-19 March (H-3 Idul Fitri), with passenger activity anticipated to increase significantly as people use sea transport to return home. The company projects a 6-7% increase in passengers to approximately 49,100 travellers, driven by government subsidies on ship ticket prices, whilst return traffic is forecasted for 25 March.

The Trump administration has initiated a trade investigation into Indonesia and other countries under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, citing structural excess capacity and overproduction that allegedly displaces US domestic manufacturing. The probe targets Indonesia's $56.15 billion goods trade surplus with the United States, with particular scrutiny on its cement, metals, agricultural, and textile industries, whilst the US government has called for consultations with Jakarta and opened a public comment period ahead of hearings scheduled for May 5.

The Indonesian parliament (DPR) held its 16th plenary session of the 2025-2026 legislative term with 294 members in attendance, chaired by Speaker Puan Maharani at the Nusantara II building in Jakarta. The session addressed multiple legislative matters including approval of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) commissioner candidate, the 2027 parliamentary budget plan, and critically, bills on domestic worker protection (PPRT) and copyright law amendments, with decisions expected on all proposed bills.

Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has called for citizens to vote more wisely following the arrest of nine regional heads elected in the 2024 regional elections through sting operations. The KPK deputy enforcement official urged voters to select candidates based on quality rather than money politics. The nine regional leaders were arrested between 2025 and March 2026 on various corruption charges.

Chinese automotive brand Maxus is strengthening its position in the Indonesian market through premium electric vehicles, launching the Mifa 7 and Mifa 9 electric MPVs as its initial market penetration strategy. CEO Jerry Huang indicated the company remains optimistic about expanding its product portfolio across other segments in Indonesia, whilst currently focusing on delivering quality service for its two flagship electric MPV models. The company is also exploring opportunities in electric commercial vehicles, including double-cabin pickup trucks, a segment where Maxus operates in other markets but remains largely untapped in Indonesia.

East Jakarta authorities have sealed a padel court in Kebon Pala that was operating without proper authorization, as the building permit issued in 2018 was for a boarding house, not a sports facility. Although the facility will not be demolished due to budget constraints, officials plan to restore the premises to its originally permitted use as a residential building in compliance with Governor Pramono Anung's regulations restricting sports facilities near residential areas. This marks the eighth padel court sealed by East Jakarta's public works office, with 27 of the district's 57 padel courts currently operating without proper permits.

Indonesia's InJourney Airports is preparing temporary parking facilities at Lombok and Kertajati airports to accommodate aircraft from Middle Eastern carriers including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar, driven by geopolitical tensions in the region. The airport operator views this as an opportunity to position Indonesia as a safe and strategically important location for Middle Eastern carriers seeking alternative bases during global uncertainty.

Chinese actor Zhang Linghe faced widespread backlash after making comments perceived as racist towards Southeast Asians during a televised drawing challenge on "Hello Saturday (Hi6)". The remarks, which went viral on social media platforms, were interpreted as referencing negative stereotypes about skin tone and facial features, sparking significant criticism from Southeast Asian communities and fans who noted the region's substantial contribution to Chinese drama popularity globally.

The Indonesian government has adopted a flexible working arrangement (FWA) policy for civil servants on 16–17 and 25–27 March 2026 to distribute the mass exodus of Eid travellers and prevent traffic congestion. With projected mobility reaching approximately 143.9 million people during the 2026 Eid season, the government is implementing coordinated measures including school holiday adjustments, traffic management, weather modification operations, and health services at over 2,700 medical posts along travel routes.

This article examines deepfake technology's capacity to resurrect deceased individuals by fulfilling fundamental human characteristics—communication and creativity—and explores its proliferation across both personal and public spheres in China. It argues that sophisticated AI-driven deepfakes can now replicate complex real-time responses indistinguishable from the living, raising concerns about their misuse in financial fraud and potential deployment to preserve the appearance of deceased leaders for political and economic stability. The piece contends that deepfake resurrection technology is no longer novel or technically difficult, presenting profound implications for how societies might conceal or extend the perceived life of charismatic figures in government, military, and corporate contexts.

PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk (TOBA) reported a US$162 million net loss in 2025, primarily due to non-cash accounting charges from the divestment of coal-fired power assets as part of its strategic pivot to sustainable business segments. Despite the accounting loss, the company maintained a positive adjusted EBITDA of US$47.2 million and strengthened its cash position to US$102.3 million, with waste management now contributing 41% of consolidated revenue. TOBA is accelerating development of three growth pillars—waste management, renewable energy, and electric vehicles—with projects including a 6 MW mini hydroelectric plant now operational and a 46 MWp floating solar project under construction in Batam.

Indonesia's three largest state-owned banks demonstrated solid performance in January 2026, with Bank Mandiri leading in absolute net profit at Rp4.65 trillion (up 16.18% year-on-year), while BRI showed the strongest growth rate at 85.40%, and BNI recorded the most aggressive credit expansion at 19.27% year-on-year. All three banks expanded their lending and third-party fund collection, indicating robust business growth and improved liquidity positions.

The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has been included in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) and the government work report for ten consecutive years, underscoring its significance in national economic development. The GBA's economy has grown more than 60% between 2016 and 2025, with the region now accounting for approximately one-ninth of China's total GDP despite comprising less than 0.6% of the country's land area.

A 12-kilometre toll road connecting Yogyakarta and Solo is set to begin functional operations on 16 March 2026, initially operating between 6 am and 6 pm. The new highway is expected to reduce travel time by approximately 10 minutes compared to conventional arterial routes that typically take around one hour.

Authorities have identified several congestion-prone areas along the Pantura (North Coast) highway in West Java during the Eid travel season, including Simpang Jomin, Simpang Mutiara, Cikopo, and markets in Cirebon. The Head of the National Road Implementation Authority has noted that factors such as travel time, road capacity, traffic density, facility availability, and safety influence commuters' route choices. To mitigate congestion, authorities have implemented traffic management measures including closing certain U-turn points and establishing rest stops for fatigued travellers along the route.

A member of Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission VIII has called on the government, particularly the Ministry of Religion, to prepare for the coincidence of the 2026 Eid exodus (mudik Lebaran) and the Hindu observance of Nyepi. The legislator emphasises the need for inter-ministerial coordination and clear public communication to ensure both Muslim travellers and Hindu practitioners can observe their respective celebrations peacefully without congestion or disruption.

Indonesia's Composite Stock Index (IHSG) is expected to face continued pressure on 12 March 2026 amid rising crude oil price volatility and uncertainty ahead of the Ramadan break, with analysts predicting sideways movement whilst maintaining critical support levels at 7,335-7,120. Global crude oil prices have surged following geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and despite the International Energy Agency's release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, the largest in history, with WTI and Brent crude rising over 8 per cent. Domestically, the February budget deficit was recorded at Rp135.7 trillion (0.53 per cent of GDP) in line with government plans, whilst Parliament's Commission XI has approved Friderica Widyasari Dewi as the new chairman of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) for 2026-2031.

The Indonesian National Military (TNI) has officially downgraded its alert status from Level 1 to Level 3 following an order from TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, allowing TNI and Defence Ministry personnel to take leave during Eid celebrations. The downgrade comes after the TNI had implemented heightened alert measures since 1 March 2026 in response to Middle East regional conflicts and domestic considerations.

Armed Kurdish groups based in northern Iraq, particularly the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), are reported to be preparing for potential military action against Iran amid escalating tensions with US and Israeli airstrikes. The groups have established secret military bases in underground caves and tunnels, with around 60 fighters—predominantly women—undergoing intensive training in anticipation of a possible conflict. US President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals, initially expressing openness to Kurdish involvement before stating he does not want to complicate the conflict further.

President Prabowo Subianto held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabian Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the escalating military conflict in the Middle East. During the call, Prabowo emphasised the need for an immediate cessation of military operations in the region, warning of serious threats to regional and international security and stability.

East Jakarta authorities have identified 27 of 57 padel courts operating without proper permits in the region. The municipality is implementing enforcement measures, including sealing unlicensed facilities and issuing warnings, with eight courts already sealed for breaching building permits and spatial planning regulations. The latest action targeted a court that was permitted as a boarding house in 2018 but was illegally converted to a padel facility.

A computer science lecturer at Bina Sarana Informatika University argues that successful application development need not rely solely on technical sophistication, but can instead draw fundamental principles from traditional Indonesian games like congklak. The speaker identifies key lessons including simple and predictable user flows, transparent resource management, and instant feedback mechanisms that create user satisfaction and retention.

A preliminary military investigation reported by The New York Times suggests that a US Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian primary school on 28 February, which killed over 160 people mostly students, resulted from targeting errors caused by outdated Defence Intelligence Agency information. The incident has become one of the most destructive military mistakes in recent decades, though US President Donald Trump has disputed the findings and suggested Iran may have been responsible.

Indonesian police's Special Economic Crime Directorate (Dittipideksus) has seized approximately Rp300 billion (USD 19 million) in assets related to a fraud case against PT Dana Syariah Indonesia (DSI), including three office units in South Jakarta, one shophouse in Buncit, and multiple parcels of land spanning over 5 hectares across Jakarta, Bekasi, Bandung, and North Sumatra. The seized assets also include Rp2.1 billion in cash, blocked bank accounts worth Rp4 billion, and blocked deposit accounts totalling Rp18.8 billion. Police have stated that asset tracing will continue as part of the investigation to recover losses for victims and to identify additional suspects.

Iran has warned that global oil prices could spike to 200 US dollars per barrel amid escalating military tensions involving the United States and Israel in the Middle East. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to block oil transit through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies daily, whilst attacks on regional energy infrastructure threaten further supply disruptions and elevated shipping costs.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has declared that Iraq will not allow any party to use its territory as a staging ground for attacks against Iran, whilst simultaneously condemning military strikes targeting Iraqi sovereignty and reaffirming Iraq's commitment to regional peace. The statement comes amid escalating tensions following the 28 February United States-Israel joint assault on Iran, which killed over 1,300 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Tehran's subsequent retaliatory drone and missile strikes across the region.

The East Jakarta municipal government sealed a padel court in Kebon Pala village for operating without proper building permits, as the existing authorisation issued in 2018 was for a boarding house rather than a sports facility. This is the eighth seal enforcement action by East Jakarta's Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency, which is urging all business owners and developers to obtain correct permits before constructing sports facilities.

A 25-year-old man died after being electrocuted whilst bathing in his uncle's bathroom in Kempo Village, Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara on 11 March 2026. Police investigation revealed that a severed but live electrical cable on the corrugated iron roof of the bathroom was connected to a clothesline where the victim had hung a towel, channelling current through the wire and fatally electrocuting him.

A Thai-flagged cargo vessel, the Mayuree Naree, was struck and set ablaze whilst passing through the Strait of Hormuz on 11 March 2026, marking the fourteenth reported attack on shipping in the critical waterway since US–Israel military operations against Iran commenced on 28 February. The escalating incidents have severely disrupted maritime traffic and threatened global energy supplies, with approximately one-fifth of the world's oil exports normally transiting this strategic chokepoint.

Pertamina Patra Niaga has confirmed readiness to serve fuel and additional facilities at Rest Area KM 57 on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, with senior management conducting a direct inspection ahead of the Ramadan and Eid holidays. The company has deployed modular fuel units with 3,000-litre capacity and mobile fuel services to manage expected demand surges, whilst offering free amenities including the MyPertamina Lounge with manicure, pedicure, barber, and children's play areas.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa visited SMKN 1 Jombang to commend its edOTEL facility, regarded as one of the province's finest hotel training centres, and encouraged the school to pursue status as a Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD). The governor also distributed educational assistance to 30 high-achieving students from disadvantaged families across three districts, providing Rp 1 million per student.

A controversy surrounding raw marinated catfish served under Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in Pamekasan Regency, East Java, has resulted in the temporary closure of the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen in Pademawu. The National Nutrition Board cited the incident as hampering the programme's food distribution process and announced that operations will resume only after evaluation, coaching, and system improvements are completed by authorities.

Indonesia's Banten Police will implement an odd-even vehicle registration plate system on the Tangerang–Merak toll road during the Eid 2026 holiday period to manage traffic congestion. The restriction, applied from kilometre 31 to 98 during the exodus period and reversed during the return period (23–29 March 2026), permits vehicles with even-numbered plates to travel only on even dates and odd-numbered plates on odd dates, with non-compliant vehicles directed to alternative arterial roads.

The Indonesian Ministry of Creative Economy is supporting the development of the national visual arts ecosystem, particularly through initiatives to expand opportunities for female artists. The ministry is backing the MARWAH Biennale, a landmark exhibition scheduled for August-September 2026 featuring approximately 50 women artists and focusing on themes of repositioning and humanistic values alongside cultural identity.

A member of the parliamentary Energy Commission has called on the government to bolster Indonesia's fuel oil reserves, which currently stand at only around 21 days compared to the international standard of approximately 90 days. The legislator has urged state-owned oil company Pertamina to implement strategic policies that prioritise domestic crude oil production for domestic consumption, whilst noting that Indonesia's domestic refineries are capable of processing domestically produced crude oil to meet national energy security needs.

Kainnesia, an Indonesian fashion brand, held its inaugural fashion show in Yogyakarta during Ramadhan, showcasing the "Bumi Segara" collection with support from Bank Indonesia. The collection features six women's designs blending modest fashion with contemporary urban style, incorporating traditional Baduy weaving and Lurik patterns as a tribute to Indonesian natural heritage. The show demonstrates the competitive strength of local creative economy products in the rapidly growing modest wear market.

A truck lost control and overturned on Jalan Gatot Subroto in front of Indonesia's Parliament building (DPR/MPR) on Thursday morning, causing significant traffic congestion. The truck was successfully evacuated by 08:00 WIB, but diesel fuel spilled onto the road, prompting authorities to warn motorists to drive carefully due to slippery conditions.

The Trump administration has launched two new trade investigations into excess industrial capacity and forced labour affecting 16 major trading partners, including Indonesia, to rebuild tariff pressure after the Supreme Court struck down much of Trump's existing tariff programme. The Section 301 probes could result in new tariffs by summer and offer a legal avenue to maintain trade negotiating leverage against key economic partners including China, the EU, and several Asian economies.

Indonesia's decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP), a Trump-initiated international body tasked with post-war stabilisation and reconstruction in Gaza, raises significant questions about governance, accountability, and potential conflicts of interest. The article examines concerns regarding the US$1 billion membership fee, Trump's indefinite leadership role without term limits, the appointment of Trump-aligned figures to executive positions, and Palestine's exclusion from full membership despite being the primary focus of the initiative.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States, and Israel have disrupted global energy supply chains, pushing crude oil prices to USD 113 per barrel, according to the chief executive of PT Kawasan Industri Wijayakusuma. The executive warns that elevated oil prices and concerns about global economic slowdown could make international investors more cautious, necessitating government mitigation measures to maintain investor confidence in Indonesian industrial estates.

President Donald Trump delivered contradictory messages about US military operations in Iran, describing them as both a short-term "excursion" and a full war during remarks on Wednesday. Trump previously claimed the US-Israel conflict with Iran would end "soon" because "there is almost nothing left to target," though US and Israeli officials indicate operations have been in preparation for at least two weeks with no internal orders for cessation.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a critical technology driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with McKinsey projecting a potential global economic impact of $11 trillion annually by 2025. Indonesian higher education institutions, exemplified by UBSI Pontianak's Informatics programme, are adapting curricula to include IoT as a flagship course, enabling students to develop practical smart device systems relevant to industry needs and regional applications such as sensor-based agriculture and environmental monitoring in West Kalimantan.

The United States exercised its veto power against a Russian-proposed UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East on 11 March. The draft resolution, which condemned attacks on civilians and urged all parties to cease hostilities and return to diplomatic channels, failed to pass after the US veto, whilst Latvia also opposed it, nine countries abstained, and four supported it. The same day, the Security Council passed a separate Bahrain-sponsored resolution demanding Iran halt its attacks on Gulf states, which received 13 votes in favour with Russia and China abstaining.