The Indonesian government has deployed 161,243 combined personnel for Operation Ketupat 2026, a major security initiative running from 13-25 March to ensure safety during Eid al-Fitr celebrations. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Military Commander Agus Subiyanto presided over a troop inspection ceremony at the National Monument in Jakarta to mobilise this combined force of police and military personnel.

Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung announced that the National Energy and Mineral Resources Sector Command Post will serve as a central information hub during Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr 2026, providing the public with reliable updates on fuel, LPG, electricity availability and geological disaster warnings. The government has ensured adequate supplies of petrol, diesel and electricity across the country, with all power generation facilities maintained and backup energy reserves prepared to prevent disruptions during the holiday period. The command post will operate for 20 days from 12–31 March 2026, coordinating inter-agency efforts and deploying 125 fuel terminals, 7,885 petrol stations and various LPG facilities nationwide.

With an estimated 143 million people expected to travel during Indonesia's 2026 Lebaran holiday season, real-time monitoring technology and intelligent analytics are becoming critical tools for traffic management and transportation safety. Axis Communications and transportation authorities are deploying advanced camera systems with embedded analytics to detect traffic incidents, optimise traffic light timing, and provide comprehensive situational awareness across roads, terminals, and public transport networks. These data-driven approaches enable faster emergency response and more effective mobility management during peak travel periods.

The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has detained former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas for 20 days on suspicion of corruption related to the Hajj quota scheme. Qoumas, who was transferred to KPK's detention facility at the Merah Putih Building on 12 March 2026, has denied accepting any bribes and claims his policies were solely intended for the safety of pilgrims.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo addressed the importance of national unity in confronting global challenges, particularly the Middle East conflict, and called on students to support government policies. Speaking at the SEMMI National Consolidation event in Jakarta, Sigit emphasised the police's role in maintaining security and rule of law whilst highlighting the government's focus on self-reliance, food security, and energy independence as responses to the global crisis. He urged the younger generation to prepare for Indonesia's demographic bonus period (2030-2035) and position themselves as future leaders for achieving "Golden Indonesia 2045".

Indonesia's government has established joint guidelines involving seven ministries to regulate the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in education, from early childhood through higher education, ensuring technology supports learning whilst protecting children from digital risks. The policy emphasises that technology adoption must align with children's cognitive development and readiness, with younger children requiring stricter controls on duration and content to balance educational benefits with safeguarding concerns.

The West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police has announced a free vehicle storage service for residents travelling home during the Eid holiday period, with facilities available at all police offices across the region. The initiative requires vehicle owners to register their vehicles and provide full documentation to prevent loss or confusion during collection. The police are deploying 3,650 personnel across the region from 13-25 March 2026 as part of Operation Ketupat Rinjani 2026 to manage security during the peak travel periods and Eid celebrations.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka responded to researcher Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar's apology regarding allegations that former President Joko Widodo's degree from Universitas Gadjah Mada was fraudulent. Rismon, one of three suspects in the defamation case, retracted his previous claims after conducting further research, stating there was no evidence of digital manipulation or irregularities in Jokowi's diploma, and proposed a restorative justice settlement mechanism.

The Bali Regional Police has deployed 2,169 personnel to secure thousands of strategic locations during Operation Ketupat Agung-2026, spanning 13 days from 13 to 25 March 2026 to coincide with the Nyepi New Year (Caka 1948) and Eid al-Fitr (1447 Hijriah) celebrations. Security measures focus on vital infrastructure, religious sites, transport hubs, and tourist destinations, with coordinated support from the military and related agencies. The police have established 31 posts and issued public advisories for safe homecoming travel during the festive period.

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on charges related to alleged irregularities in hajj quota allocations for 2023-2024, specifically for ordering a controversial 50:50 division of additional quotas and allegedly facilitating irregular distributions. The arrest comes after investigations revealed that Yaqut issued ministerial decrees redistributing the additional 20,000 hajj quotas beyond the statutory 8 per cent allocation for special hajj, contrary to Indonesian law.

Bekasi Mayor Tri Adhianto has called on the city's Public Works and Water Resources Office to expedite road repairs ahead of the Lebaran holiday exodus on 1447 Hijriah. Material procurement for hotmix asphalt is expected to be completed by early next week, with the city preparing temporary solutions using cold asphalt to ensure roads remain safe for travellers.

Indonesia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) attributes increased commercial vehicle sales in February 2026 to seasonal factors including the Eid holiday period, fleet renewal by businesses, government projects, and automotive exhibitions with promotional programmes. Commercial vehicle demand surged across logistics, retail, and SME sectors seeking to strengthen their operational fleets ahead of major holidays and economic activities.

Bakti Tunas Husada University (BTH) in Tasikmalaya has achieved excellent accreditation status for both its Bachelor of Pharmacy and Pharmacist Profession programmes, following a plenary decision by the Health Higher Education Accreditation Board on 28 February 2026. This achievement makes BTH the only private university in the East Priangan region to hold excellent accreditation for both pharmacy-related programmes, reflecting its commitment to educational quality through enhanced facilities, faculty competence, and industrial partnerships. The university is currently accepting new student applications for its second wave of admissions, offering 10 programmes across diploma and bachelor level, along with scholarship opportunities for high-achieving candidates.

Operation Ketupat Lancang Kuning 2026 commenced on 13 March 2026 in Riau Province, involving coordinated security personnel from the National Police, Armed Forces, and related agencies to ensure safe and orderly travel during the Eid al-Fitr celebration period. The operation, running through 25 March, focuses on securing transportation routes, crowded areas, places of worship, and critical infrastructure whilst providing public services to travellers. Nationally, Operation Ketupat 2026 will secure over 185,000 objects across Indonesia, with road infrastructure improvements including the opening of South Japek Toll II on 15 March 2026 to ease congestion.

SMA Labschool Jakarta held a STEAM Exhibition as the School Final Assessment (AAS) for Year 12 students, featuring student-designed innovative projects addressing real societal problems under the theme "Eco Future". The STEAM-based assessment represents a significant pedagogical innovation that evaluates critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity rather than rote memorisation, with projects addressing waste management, water drainage, water sanitation, and green space limitations.

IBM's General Manager for ASEAN, Catherine Lian, has identified three critical obstacles to Indonesia's AI development: insufficient talent and technical skills, inconsistent government policy, and inadequate digital infrastructure. Despite these challenges, Lian forecasts that Indonesia will experience the fastest AI-driven growth in Southeast Asia, supported by its large population and high concentration of unicorn startups that drive technological innovation.

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga's Central Java regional division has deployed its Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr (RAFI) 2026 task force to ensure fuel supply during the Eid holiday return journey. The initiative includes modular fuel stations, Pertamina motorists providing roadside refuelling, and mobile storage tanks stationed at rest areas along the Trans Java Toll Road, airports, and tourist destinations.

PT Agrinas Jaladri Nusantara (Persero), a state-owned enterprise, has outlined its strategy to develop an integrated national fisheries ecosystem spanning capture fisheries, aquaculture, fish processing, and logistics. The company emphasises that optimising Indonesia's fisheries resources requires collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders, with the initiative part of the state enterprise's broader mission to strengthen national food security and human resource quality. The initiative, marked during the company's first anniversary celebrations, underscores the importance of transparent communication with media and the public regarding strategic sector development.

The Indonesian Army (TNI AD) has downgraded its security alert status from level one to level three following orders from the TNI Commander, while maintaining deployment of personnel to safeguard vital state installations and public gathering points during the Eid al-Fitr holiday period. The alert level adjustment does not reflect any conflict situation but rather represents standard operational readiness protocol, with personnel now focused on ensuring a safe and peaceful homecoming and Eid celebrations for the public in 2026.

Danantara Indonesia, the nation's sovereign wealth fund, commemorated its first year of institutional operations with President Prabowo Subianto emphasising the importance of integrity, disciplined governance, and long-term orientation in managing state assets to strengthen the national economy. As part of the milestone celebrations, state-owned enterprises including PT Pegadaian distributed 88,000 school supply packages nationwide, with Pegadaian alone providing 2,000 packages across eight regions in South Sulawesi as part of its commitment to financial inclusion and education access.

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla held a meeting with numerous retired Indonesian ambassadors and senior diplomats at his residence in South Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026, to seek their counsel on global affairs. The gathering, which included ambassadors previously posted to the United Nations, Cambodia, China, Australia, Britain, Bulgaria, Albania, Egypt, Djibouti, Spain, Ethiopia, and Kenya, represents part of Kalla's recent consultations with economic and diplomatic experts regarding international developments including the United States-Iran conflict.

Indonesia's population reached 288.315 million people as of 31 December 2025, representing an increase of 1.621 million from the first semester of 2025, with males outnumbering females according to official data released by the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration. The working-age population (15-64 years) comprises 69.03 per cent of the total, representing a significant demographic dividend opportunity, with Java accounting for over half the nation's population at 55.81 per cent.

OT Group and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry have entered a strategic partnership to strengthen service availability at four major ferry ports ahead of the anticipated 143.9 million passenger movements during the 2026 Eid holiday period. The collaboration ensures the availability of affordable consumer goods—including beverages, snacks, and hygiene products from brands like Tango, Teh Gelas, Crystalin, and Formula—at controlled prices across major terminals and onboard vessels to support the nation's largest annual mobility event.

Japanese restaurant chain Marugame Udon celebrated its 13th anniversary by launching a Ramadan social programme focused on supporting orphaned children across Indonesia. The company distributed 800 Ramadan aid packages to orphans in 15 cities and held community activities at orphanages, with customer contributions from Kids Menu purchases donating Rp1,300 per sale to the cause.

The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has explained its decision to detain former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on suspicion of corruption related to the distribution of hajj quotas in 2023-2024, citing the need for thorough evidence gathering and legal accuracy before arrest. The South Jakarta District Court rejected Yaqut's pre-trial motion, validating the KPK's investigator determination, and the state loss has been officially assessed at Rp622 billion following an audit by the Financial Audit Board.

The Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Centre (MDMC) West Sumatra partnered with the Tzu Chi Foundation to distribute 97 Eid assistance packages to teachers and staff at Kauman Muhammadiyah Islamic Boarding School in Padang Panjang, demonstrating interfaith collaboration in humanitarian work ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The distribution, attended by Deputy Mayor Allex Saputra, underscores the importance of mutual support and social responsibility across diverse community elements.

The Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjenpas) held a Ramadan bazaar at its Jakarta headquarters on 12 March to commemorate the 62nd Anniversary of Corrections Day and promote products made by incarcerated persons. The event, which featured handcrafted goods and processed food items, sold out completely and served as a platform to showcase the economic potential of rehabilitation programmes whilst providing affordable goods to the public during Ramadan.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that the alleged bribery case involving hajj quota distribution at the Ministry of Religious Affairs originated from a letter sent by a private party to former Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, proposing to maximise absorption of an additional 8,000 hajj quotas. The scheme allegedly involved illegally distributing quotas and charging pilgrims USD 5,000 each to bypass the standard queue through a "T0" visa code, resulting in an estimated state loss of IDR 622 billion and leading to Yaqut's arrest and suspect status.

PT PLN has confirmed the readiness of electric vehicle charging infrastructure along the Java to Bali corridor ahead of the Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr holiday season in 2026, with 1,681 charging units deployed across 994 locations along the return route. The national state-owned electricity company has positioned over 5,000 personnel across 24-hour operations and developed mobile charging units and digital support through its PLN Mobile application to ensure seamless long-distance EV travel during the peak holiday period.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has raised concerns that pharmaceutical prices in Indonesia are three to five times higher than in Malaysia, suspecting systemic corruption within the healthcare sector. The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Health Ministry to investigate and combat corrupt practices across the healthcare industry, which involves regulators, hospitals, insurers, medical professionals, and pharmaceutical companies.

West Sumatra Police launched a security operation on 12 March 2026 to manage the anticipated Eid al-Fitr exodus, with 161,243 combined personnel deployed across 13 days (13-25 March). National authorities expect 146.4 million people to travel during the period, with security covering 185,607 facilities including mosques, terminals, ports and airports, with peak travel anticipated on 14-15 March and 18-19 March for the outbound journey and 24-25 March and 28-29 March for returns.

Indonesia's 25 Special Economic Zones (KEK) have cumulatively absorbed Rp336 trillion in investment and employed 249,000 people across 407 businesses since their inception in 2012. In 2025 alone, the zones achieved Rp82.6 trillion in investment realisation (98% of target) and absorbed 88,540 workers, demonstrating their role as key drivers of national economic growth and employment creation.

The Bali Regional Police are implementing heightened security measures during the Nyepi New Year (Caka 1948) celebrations scheduled for 19 March 2026, which coincide with anticipated Islamic takbir evening activities. Authorities have coordinated with religious leaders and local communities to ensure interfaith harmony, restricting takbir celebrations to mosques and prayer halls between 18:00-21:00 local time, with no vehicle parades, fireworks, or loudspeakers, whilst managing traffic flow at key transport hubs.

PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk held an iftar gathering and distributed aid packages to orphans during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah as part of its Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme. The bank distributed over 4,000 aid packages in various forms including school supplies, health kits, and social packages to communities in its operational areas, whilst also providing free circumcision services and planning free travel to 80 cities during the Eid season.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has explained that it has extended the detention of former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in the hajj quota corruption investigation to allow time for gathering additional evidence. A court rejected Yaqut's pretrial challenge on 11 March 2026, confirming that the KPK's suspect designation met proper procedural requirements. Yaqut was formally arrested on 12 March 2026 after initially being named a suspect in January 2026.

Indonesia's food and drug authority (BBPOM) has launched an intensified food product surveillance programme in Semarang during Ramadan and leading up to Eid al-Fitr celebrations in 2026. The initiative, conducted by combined teams from BBPOM, Central Java Trade Office, Semarang Health Office, and Civil Police, aims to protect consumers from substandard and non-compliant processed food products circulating in the market.

The chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan, officially launched PANdai 2026, a national Islamic quiz competition for students from across Indonesia, marking the beginning of a three-stage competition involving representatives from 32 provinces. The party framed the initiative as part of its commitment to strengthening character and Islamic values among young people through education and moral development programmes. Prize money totalling hundreds of millions rupiah has been allocated, with the first prize winner receiving 40 million rupiah.

Indonesian police have arrested A. Hamid, alias Boy, a fugitive drug trafficker linked to the Koko Erwin organised crime network, in Pontianak, West Kalimantan on 10 March 2026. The suspect, who was on a wanted persons list, allegedly distributed funds to a police officer in a drug-related scheme and received protection from Koko Erwin whilst evading authorities. The arrest follows a multi-location investigation and marks a significant development in dismantling the criminal network.

Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate has revealed that suspected drug trafficker Boy, part of Koko Erwin's network, transferred 1.6 billion rupiah to former Narcotics Head of Bima City Police AKP Malaungi between May and September 2025 as payment for protection of methamphetamine distribution operations in West Nusa Tenggara. Boy was arrested in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on 10 March and has been transferred to the National Police Criminal Investigation headquarters for interrogation before being handed over to West Nusa Tenggara Police.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry's Ketapang branch is deploying 55 ferry vessels to manage increased traffic during the 2026 Lebaran holiday exodus on the Ketapang (Banyuwangi)–Gilimanuk (Bali) route. The operation will flexibly deploy between 28 vessels during normal conditions and up to 32 vessels during peak periods, supported by 17 docks across the two ports and designated buffer zones to ensure smooth traffic flow.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas over alleged corruption involving the distribution of hajj quotas. Commission III of the DPR supports the investigation and demands full transparency and recovery of state losses, emphasising that enforcement must extend beyond imprisonment to recovering embezzled funds.

Bogor Regency has allocated approximately 10.6 billion rupiah for Hari Raya (Lebaran) allowances for 9,867 part-time government contract workers (PPPK) in 2026, following the Regent's instruction to the regional budget team. The allowance will be calculated based on each employee's length of service through February 2026 using a specified formula, with fund disbursement processes commencing from 13 March 2026.

Jakarta police have confirmed that the driver of a Toyota Avanza bearing Russian embassy diplomatic plates who was ticketed on an inner city expressway is a private citizen with no embassy affiliation. The driver admitted to deliberately using the CD (Corps Diplomatique) plates to evade Jakarta's alternating odd-even licence plate traffic rule, leading to charges under Article 280 of the Road Traffic and Transport Law for misuse of registration plates.

Indonesia's Tourism Ministry is shifting its tourism marketing strategy to prioritise Asian and Oceanian markets in response to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted travel patterns. Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa emphasised the substantial tourism potential within the Asia-Pacific region, which is already a dominant source of visitors, whilst the ministry simultaneously invests in digital technology and human resource development to enhance Indonesia's tourism competitiveness and professional standards.

The Banda Aceh city government has facilitated and provided assistance to 1,265 orphaned children from nine sub-districts in a joint shopping programme ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. The initiative, overseen by Mayor Illiza Saaduddin Djamal, aims to honour the children and ensure they have necessary clothing and provisions for the religious celebration at a traditional Aceh market.

Yogyakarta City will ban tour buses from passing through the Kilometre Zero area and parking at the Senopati car park facility starting 14 February, though standard vehicles will still be permitted there. The buses will be redirected to Ngabean and former Menara Kopi car parks, with traffic management measures splitting eastern and western routes through designated intersections to reduce congestion at the city centre. The policy also includes restricting access to Malioboro during Eid holidays to only Mataram Road to prevent overcrowding.

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has documented a consistent surge in online lending (pinjol) distribution during Ramadan in 2024 and 2025, with funds predominantly used for consumer spending rather than productive investments. Dr Ranti Wiliasih from IPB University attributes this trend to psychological and social factors, particularly fear of missing out (FOMO) and social pressure, warning that consumption-based loans create significant future financial problems and potential mental health issues.

Semarang City Government has unveiled an Info Mudik 2026 digital portal to help Lebaran homecoming travellers monitor traffic conditions and access real-time information about roads across the city. The platform provides comprehensive travel information including live CCTV feeds, route maps, emergency services, facilities, and local tourism recommendations, with the aim of ensuring safer and smoother holiday travel through Central Java's capital.

Danantara Indonesia, the state investment management agency, marked its first anniversary with President Prabowo Subianto emphasising the importance of integrity, disciplined governance, and long-term orientation in managing state assets to strengthen national economic development. Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani highlighted that the first year focused on building strong institutional foundations and ensuring state asset management creates tangible, long-term benefits for society and future generations.

Thirty-two member nations of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of crude oil from emergency reserves in response to escalating Middle East tensions and disruptions to global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Major European nations including Germany, France, and the UK are releasing substantial quantities from their strategic reserves, with Brent crude temporarily spiking to $119 per barrel before moderating to $87.57 following the coordinated intervention announcement.