The Indonesian Parliament's legislative body has received numerous proposals for the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (PPRT), including provisions for fair wages, social security coverage, and protection from discrimination and violence. Key proposals from the Labour Ministry, Social Ministry, and women's caucus emphasise mandatory social insurance enrolment, improved work contracts, and safeguards against exploitation, with strict administrative and criminal penalties for violations. The bill was approved as a parliamentary initiative in March 2025, paving the way for comprehensive protection and guarantees for domestic workers.

Multiple government ministers and political party figures have been visiting former President Joko Widodo at his residence in Solo, with Jokowi characterising the visits as courtesy calls. Jokowi acknowledged discussing national and global issues during the meetings, whilst downplaying speculation about Solo becoming a new political epicentre.

An unidentified attacker doused KontraS activist Andrie Yunus with caustic acid on a Jakarta street on 12 March 2026, causing severe burns affecting 24 percent of his body, particularly his face and eyes. Law Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated he had not yet received information about the incident when questioned, though he pledged to coordinate a response. KontraS has called for a thorough police investigation and the severest penalties under Indonesian law, characterising the attack as an attempt to silence critical voices in civil society.

The Serang Police Department has launched an Affordable Food Campaign at their Ciruas substation to help residents secure essential goods at below-market prices ahead of Eid 2026. The initiative, coordinated with state logistics agency Perum Bulog, offers subsidised staples including SPHP rice (5kg for 55,000 rupiah) and cooking oil (1 litre for 15,000 rupiah), with 30 free packages distributed to those in need.

Digital forensics researcher Rismon Sianipar has reversed his earlier accusations that President Joko Widodo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's degrees were fraudulent, declaring them authentic after conducting a three-month investigation. Sianipar has apologised to both officials and announced he will publish a corrective book within six months refuting his previous publications "Jokowi's White Paper" and "Gibran End Game," claiming to have discovered watermarks, embossing, and other security features consistent with authentic documents.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly announced a new strategic objective: creating conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow the Islamic Republic's clerical government. Netanyahu made the statement whilst emphasising Israel's commitment to preventing Iran's nuclear weapons development and destroying its ballistic missile capabilities, as military operations against Iran and Lebanese militia group Hezbollah continue.

Digital forensics expert Rismon Sianipar met with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta to issue a direct apology and clarification regarding allegations that former President Joko Widodo's diploma was fraudulent. After conducting an in-depth review of available data and documents, Rismon concluded that Widodo's diploma is authentic.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has accused former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas of attempting to bribe members of the Hajj Oversight Special Committee (Pansus) in 2024 to manipulate additional hajj quotas from Saudi Arabia. However, several committee members interviewed, including representatives from PPP, PKS, and PAN, have denied knowledge of any bribery attempts, asserting they worked strictly in accordance with constitutional duties to safeguard hajj pilgrims' funds.

Jakarta Metropolitan Police have identified a suspect in connection with the forging of Russian Embassy diplomatic licence plates, with the perpetrator identified as a civilian with no connection to the embassy. A Toyota Avanza Veloz found using a forged CD-37-04 plate on the inner city toll road in February was impounded, with the driver using the false diplomatic designation to evade Jakarta's odd-even traffic regulations. The case is being transferred to the General Criminal Investigation Directorate as it involves potential document forgery rather than a simple traffic violation.

PT Bank Permata Tbk confirmed it is not deliberately restricting growth of its sharia business unit, despite assets standing at approximately 35-36 trillion rupiah as of December 2025, below the 50 trillion rupiah threshold for spin-off mandated by the Financial Services Authority regulation. The bank is pursuing sustainable growth rather than aggressive expansion to accelerate the spin-off timeline, whilst strengthening the sharia unit's balance sheet structure and expanding service quality to reach broader customer segments.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo inaugurated a domestic wastewater management system (SPALD) on Pramuka Island in the Thousand Islands to enhance sanitation and environmental quality for approximately 2,200 residents. The development addresses overcapacity issues in existing treatment facilities that were built in 2012-2013, with zones 2 and 3 operating beyond their intended capacity. The governor expects the upgraded system to reduce marine pollution, improve public health, support sustainable tourism, and serve as a prototype for integrated wastewater management across the Thousand Islands region.

A 47-year-old state civil servant (ASN) from the Jakarta Provincial Government reportedly entered a resident's home without permission in the Ancol area on 11 March 2026, sparking social media outrage. The employee's supervisor claims the individual was suffering from anxiety and mistakenly believed the residence was his office, denying he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The incident highlights concerns about the mental health support available to government employees and the spread of misinformation on social media.

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) and the Ministry of Agriculture have successfully stabilised beef prices at the distributor level in South Tangerang, Banten, bringing them down from Rp110,000 per kilogram to a maximum of Rp107,000 per kilogram until Eid al-Fitr 2026. The government has issued strict directives setting price ceilings across all market levels and warned that food business operators cannot raise prices during Ramadan and Eid festivities, with threatened sanctions including licence revocation for non-compliant producers.

The West Java Provincial Government has officially allocated Rp6.9 billion to compensate approximately 5,812 minibus (angkot) drivers affected by operational restrictions during the Eid 2026 holiday period to reduce traffic congestion on key exodus routes and tourist areas. Each driver will receive Rp200,000 per day, with compensation periods ranging from five to seven days depending on their assigned cluster—either pilgrimage routes or tourist destinations. The government will enforce strict sanctions against drivers who continue operating during the restriction period, aiming to significantly reduce congestion at bottleneck areas whilst ensuring driver welfare.

The head of the parliamentary Commission VIII, Marwan Dasopang, has stated he was unaware of allegations that funds collected from special hajj pilgrims' fees were being used to influence the parliamentary special committee overseeing hajj operations. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has alleged that former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas solicited USD $4,000–5,000 in fees from travel agencies and pilgrims, with some of these funds allegedly being used to condition the special committee's proceedings.

Islamic economics scholars met with Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to scrutinise the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States, which was formalised in February 2026 and reduces tariff rates to between 15-19 percent on most goods and zero percent on strategic commodities. Experts from the Indonesian Association of Islamic Economists raised concerns about protecting domestic SMEs from import pressure, managing geopolitical tariff risks, financial data security, and the asymmetry between Indonesia's state-based halal certification system and America's private institutional framework. The government committed to strengthened dialogue and greater public communication to ensure the agreement is understood as a strategic instrument for bilateral cooperation in minerals, energy, technology, and global halal supply chains.

A human rights activist and Vice Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, was attacked with caustic acid by unknown assailants in Jakarta, prompting urgent guidance on emergency first aid procedures. Immediate flushing with clean running water for 20-60 minutes is critical for chemical burn victims, alongside removal of contaminated clothing and prompt medical evaluation. The incident highlights serious gaps in the protection of human rights defenders in Indonesia, with multiple government bodies and commissions condemning the attack.

Taiwan's parliament unanimously authorised the government to sign agreements for four US arms sales packages worth approximately US$9 billion, including TOW missiles, howitzers, Javelin missiles, and HIMARS systems, after warnings that Taipei would lose its place in the production queue if it missed the Sunday deadline. A second arms package worth around US$14 billion may be approved following US President Donald Trump's planned visit to Beijing later this month, as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its defence capabilities amid escalating Chinese military drills around the island.

Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Human Rights Mugiyanto has strongly condemned an acid attack on Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), in Jakarta on 13 March, calling it a serious threat to freedom of expression and human rights advocacy. Mugiyanto demanded that law enforcement conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, emphasised that violence against human rights defenders cannot be tolerated, and stated that the government will monitor the case to ensure justice for the victim and prevent similar incidents. The minister also highlighted that protections for human rights defenders are being incorporated into pending amendments to Indonesia's Human Rights Law.

Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was allegedly doused with acid by an unknown assailant on 12 March after conducting a podcast on "Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia" at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Salemba, Central Jakarta. He sustained 24 per cent burn injuries and received medical treatment at RSCM hospital, with Jakarta Metro Police launching a full investigation into the incident. KontraS has characterised the attack as an attempt to silence human rights defenders and called for a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrator and motive.

The Centre for Child Study and Protection Foundation (PKPA) has emphasised the importance of multi-stakeholder oversight in implementing Indonesia's new Ministerial Regulation on Digital Communications Number 9 of 2026, which restricts social media access for children under 16 on high-risk platforms. The foundation called for comprehensive socialisation, enhanced digital literacy for parents and children, and importantly, the inclusion of children's voices in policy formulation and evaluation. PKPA also urged authorities and parents to monitor potential side effects of these access restrictions.

Gojek has identified multiple reasons for the difficulty customers face in securing drivers during the final weeks of Ramadhan and the Eid al-Fitr holidays, including a surge in demand peaking between 16:00 and 18:00 WIB, drivers returning to their hometowns for the celebrations, and adverse weather conditions causing traffic congestion. To address the situation, the company has implemented special tariff schemes and performance-based incentives to encourage drivers to remain available during the holiday period.

Borobudur Temple management has set a target of approximately 83,000 visitors during the nine-day Lebaran holiday in 2026, representing a five per cent increase compared to 2025. The projected growth reflects rising public interest in tourism and improvements to visitor facilities, with managers preparing comprehensive contingency measures including parking area management to handle the anticipated surge in visitor numbers.

Omoway has officially unveiled the OMO-ROBOT Architecture, a new technology platform designed as the foundational framework for all Omoway products, ranging from electric motorcycles to intelligent mobility solutions. The architecture combines a "Full-Stack Brain" and "Digital Cerebellum" system, enabling vehicles to perform four core human-like capabilities: 360-degree vision, high-speed logic processing, precise motion execution, and seamless data response. The technology leverages artificial intelligence models developed through millions of simulations in virtual environments and draws on intelligence systems inherited from the previously tested Omo-X electric motorcycle.

PT Electrum, a joint venture between PT TBS Energi Utama (TOBA) and GoTo, is expanding its electric motorcycle operations to address Indonesia's energy security concerns amid global crude oil price volatility caused by geopolitical tensions. With over 7,500 electric motorcycles in operation and 364 battery-swap stations, Electrum offers ride-hailing drivers a cost-effective alternative to petrol vehicles, with daily operational costs potentially reduced by up to 60% compared to traditional combustion engines.

The United States and Israel's military campaign against Iran over the past two weeks has not achieved the swift regime collapse that Washington predicted, with Iran's institutional structures remaining operational despite significant pressure. An analysis by a Russian academic suggests that the Trump administration underestimated Iran's institutional resilience and the strength of its political framework, which has been tested repeatedly throughout Iran's modern history. The shifting and inconsistent rhetoric from the White House, including conflicting statements about objectives ranging from regime change to demilitarisation, indicates internal confusion within the American administration regarding its strategic goals.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has inaugurated a port pier operated by the Jakarta Regional Transportation Agency at Pari Island in the Thousand Islands on Friday. The development aims to strengthen maritime transport infrastructure and connectivity in the archipelago region, expected to improve residents' mobility, goods distribution, and economic activity. The Governor also instructed officials to prioritise the completion of unfinished port infrastructure at Pramuka Island within the current year.

Tanjung Priok Bus Terminal in North Jakarta has conducted safety inspections on intercity buses ahead of the 2026 Lebaran exodus period, discovering multiple vehicles that are unroadworthy. Inspections revealed numerous defects including bald tyres, broken emergency hammers, malfunctioning safety systems, blocked emergency exits, and damaged windscreens across six bus routes, with seven buses declared unfit for operation.

The South Sumatra Regional Police Force (Polda Sumsel), in collaboration with Perum Bulog and local government, distributed 135.5 tonnes of rice to approximately 20,325 residents across 47 distribution points in the region ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H. The initiative, part of the National Police's Affordable Food Movement, aims to stabilise food prices and strengthen national food security whilst ensuring public stability during the religious holiday period.

Digital forensics researcher Rismon Sianipar has invited fellow experts Roy Suryo and Dr. Tifauzia Tyassuma to conduct a public demonstration proving the authenticity of President Joko Widodo's and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's diplomas through reconstruction and analysis of watermarks, emboss marks, and stamps. Rismon has apologised for previous allegations against Jokowi and announced plans to write a book in 2026 detailing his findings from three months of research, with Vice President Gibran accepting the apology in the spirit of Ramadan reconciliation.

The Maritime and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of Riau Islands Police have dismantled an illegal Indonesian migrant worker (PMI) smuggling network operating in Batam, with ringleaders profiting Rp3 million per person trafficked to Malaysia through unofficial channels. The investigation revealed a structured smuggling operation using ship-to-ship transfer techniques at sea, with six prospective migrant workers rescued and multiple suspects arrested, whilst authorities continue pursuit of other network members including a document coordinator. The perpetrators face heavy penalties under the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Law No. 18 of 2017.

Senior government officials, including the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, conducted an inspection of Merak Port in Cilegon, Banten on 13 March 2026 to assess preparedness for the anticipated surge of travellers during the Eid holiday period. The inspection focused on verifying that port facilities and personnel are adequately equipped to handle the expected volume of passengers utilising the ferry services during the annual mudik (homecoming) exodus.

The Central Board of the Islamic Students' Movement Alumni Association (PB IKA PMII) has launched a free homecoming service programme for the public ahead of Eid al-Fitr through its National Independence Movement initiative, which has attracted overwhelming response with registration numbers exceeding expectations. Organisers have been forced to expand bus fleets from the originally planned four to six buses up to eight buses for the Sumatra route alone, whilst facing challenges in sourcing additional vehicles as the Eid travel season creates heightened demand. The programme, which covers routes across Java, Madura, and Sumatra, is open to the general public but prioritises PMII members and the broader Nahdlatul Ulama community, with future plans to streamline charitable fund management through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Bekasi City Transportation Office plans to renovate 14 bus stops along the Trans Beken public transport route, particularly between Harapan Indah and Bekasi Terminal, with a budget allocation of approximately 100 million rupiah. The repairs will address damaged roofs, graffiti-covered pillars and walls, broken passenger seating, and deteriorating floor tiles, with implementation scheduled to begin after the Eid holiday break.

The Iran-US-Israel conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz are driving oil price spikes and global supply chain disruptions, posing threats to inflation and economic slowdown. The article examines the impact of the Middle East conflict on US Federal Reserve and Bank Indonesia policy decisions, including potential effects on Indonesia's stock market and rupiah exchange rates.

Former Supreme Court Secretary Nurhadi has been charged with a 7-year prison sentence and ordered to pay 500 million rupiah in fines plus 137.1 billion rupiah in restitution for allegedly accepting bribes and gratifications totalling 137.1 billion rupiah whilst serving in office. Prosecutors also allege he laundered 308.1 billion rupiah through accounts in other people's names to purchase land, buildings, and vehicles, with charges filed under Indonesia's anti-corruption and money laundering laws. This case follows a 2021 conviction where Nurhadi was sentenced to 6 years for accepting 35.726 billion rupiah in bribes and 13.787 billion rupiah in gratifications from various parties involved in legal proceedings.

Dozens of Indonesian mudik travellers are spending multiple days sleeping at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta whilst waiting for ship departures to remote destinations. Many prefer sea travel over flying despite longer journey times, citing affordability and personal comfort; one passenger from Bangka Belitung spent seven days at the port waiting for a departure to Baubau, Sulawesi Tenggara, after eight months away from family.

An automotive expert from Bandung Institute of Technology provides practical advice for Indonesian drivers undertaking long-distance journeys in electric vehicles during the mudik (mass exodus) period. Key recommendations include adopting smooth acceleration, maintaining stable speeds, monitoring tyre pressure, utilising regenerative braking, and implementing battery preconditioning whilst the vehicle is still connected to a charger. Route planning via dedicated apps and regular driver breaks are also emphasised as important factors for both energy efficiency and safety.

Citra Maja City in Banten is positioning itself as an alternative recreational destination for Jabodetabek residents ahead of the 2026 Eid holiday, featuring Tera Garden, a family-themed entertainment park located just 500 metres from Maja Station. The facility, managed by Ciputra Group, will reopen on 18 March 2026 with promotional ticket prices starting from 25,000 rupiah and special all-attraction packages at 90,000 rupiah during the Eid holiday period through 5 April 2026. The development reflects Ciputra Group's philosophy of creating integrated, sustainable urban ecosystems that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within transit-oriented developments.

Batam's Culture and Tourism Agency has confirmed that foreign tourist arrivals remain unaffected despite a new fuel surcharge on Singapore-Batam ferry routes, which took effect on 12 March 2026. The additional charges, ranging from SGD 6 per journey, reflect rising global oil prices influenced by Middle East tensions, with round-trip fares now reaching approximately SGD 88 (approximately IDR 1.1 million) compared to the previous SGD 76. Scheduled tourism activities, including the Batam Golf Tournament, are proceeding without cancellations, indicating resilience in the tourism sector despite increased travel costs.

The Cianjur Police Traffic Unit has mapped traffic congestion hotspots ahead of the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period, establishing four rapid response teams to manage vehicle flow on key routes to Bandung, Sukabumi, and Bogor. Alternative routes via Jonggol have been prepared for motorists seeking to avoid congestion on the main Puncak route, with coordination ongoing with the Public Works Ministry and West Java provincial government to repair damaged road sections before the holiday rush.

Indonesia's Buleleng Transport Department has launched a vehicle safety inspection programme (ramp check) for public transport ahead of the 2026 Eid holiday period, as mandated by the Ministry of Transportation. The free inspections focus on critical safety components including braking systems, lighting, and vehicle structures, with passing vehicles receiving certification stickers displayed on their doors.

Jakarta's Provincial Government will operate health posts at 12 transport hubs and tourist sites during the 2026 Lebaran exodus period from 13-30 March. The health posts, located at major terminals, stations, ports and tourist attractions including the National Monument and Ancol Dream Park, will provide health screening services for homebound travellers, drivers and other members of the public.

The Indonesian rupiah weakened by 65 basis points to Rp 16,958 per US dollar on Friday as global oil prices surged following Iran's new leader's statement that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, a critical waterway through which one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass. Currency observers warn that elevated crude prices could trigger global inflation, potentially forcing central banks to reconsider interest rate cuts, which would strengthen the dollar and further pressure the rupiah. Meanwhile, market attention remains focused on US inflation data and concerns about Indonesia's widening government debt servicing burden, which reached Rp 99.8 trillion in February 2026.

Hapsoro disposed of 17 million shares in Bukit Ulluwatu Villa (BUVA) on 11 March 2026, reducing his stake from 60.85 million (0.25%) to 43.85 million shares (0.18%) and generating an estimated Rp 27.2 billion. The share sale occurred amid broader market volatility, with the Jakarta Composite Index declining 3% as investors worried about oil supply disruptions stemming from escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which have pushed Brent crude above US$100 per barrel.

A residential house collapsed in South Bogor District on 13 March 2026, injuring two occupants who were inside at the time. Local disaster management authorities attributed the collapse to structural deterioration, with the wooden framework and walls having become severely compromised, and both victims have since received medical treatment.

PT Jasamarga Semarang Batang is offering toll tariff discounts of approximately 23 per cent for travellers using the Batang–Semarang toll road section during the 2026 Eid holiday period from 12 to 31 March, with potential savings reaching up to 46 per cent on specific routes. The discount programme aims to support the anticipated increase in population mobility during the holiday break, contingent upon sufficient electronic payment balance and proper vehicle data registration in the system.

The Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) has emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring smooth public services at airports during a monitoring visit to Soekarno-Hatta Airport ahead of the 2026 Idul Fitri exodus period. The airport operates as an ecosystem with multiple institutions serving different functions but united by a common goal of delivering quality public services, with 15,400 staff across 25 airports prepared to handle the passenger surge during the 2026 Lebaran transport period.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia's Regional Division I in North Sumatra has mobilised 176 additional safety personnel and 368 security personnel to oversee the 2026 Eid holiday exodus operation running from 13 to 30 March. The division has expanded train capacity to 231,448 seats across additional train services and is offering 12,876 discounted tickets with up to 30 per cent savings as part of government stimulus and Ramadan festive programmes.

Digital forensics expert Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar has challenged those questioning the authenticity of former President Joko Widodo's diploma to produce evidence, claiming he has verified the document's legitimacy through dozens of analytical methods. Rismon has offered to publicly demonstrate his methodology and analysis to journalists, scholars, and critics including telematic expert Roy Suryo, emphasizing transparency and scientific rigour in the examination of the disputed credential.