President Prabowo Subianto has directed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to phase out diesel-powered power plants (PLTD) and transition to renewable energy sources including solar (PLTS) and geothermal (PLTP) power to reduce fuel imports and energy costs amid geopolitical uncertainty. Minister Bahlil, heading the Energy Transition Task Force (EBTKE), has already convened meetings with eight ministers and PT PLN to implement the directive, with plans to replace diesel plants with solar installations across Indonesia whilst ensuring grid stability through parallel infrastructure deployment. The government is expected to revise PT PLN's electricity provision plan (RUPTL) 2025-2034 to accelerate the renewable energy transition.

Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology has prepared an Early Warning System (EWS) and 112 emergency call centre to support disaster mitigation efforts during the 2026 Eid holiday period. The EWS will deliver disaster notifications via SMS, digital TV broadcasts, and through the integrated 112 emergency response service, which is now available across DKI Jakarta and 190 regencies/cities, coordinating with police, fire, and ambulance services at no cost.

Rismon Sianipar, suspect in allegations of forged credentials against former President Joko Widodo, stated that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka received him openly at the Vice Presidential Palace on 13 March 2026. Sianipar emphasised that the Jokowi family demonstrated democratic values by accepting his research on the diploma controversy and expressed that he would correct his incomplete research in his book "Jokowi's White Paper and Gibran's End Game" with no political motives.

Indonesia's Interior Ministry has released population data for the second half of 2025 showing that Muslims comprise 87.15 per cent of the nation's 288.9 million residents, whilst Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and other communities make up the remainder. The government emphasises that accurate population data serves as the foundation for inclusive public policy and highlights Indonesia's significant demographic dividend, with 69.03 per cent of the population aged 15–64, presenting opportunities for economic advancement if properly integrated with sectoral development policies.

ShopeePay has introduced the "Sebar ShopeePay" feature to enable users to send digital Eid allowances (THR) to family and friends ahead of the Eid celebrations in a secure and convenient manner. The feature allows users to distribute funds through a share link or QR code, with recipients having 24 hours to claim the money, whilst ShopeePay is offering promotional bonuses including up to 100,000 coins and chances to win 1 gram of gold during peak promo periods. The service aligns with ShopeePay's "Free Admin Champion" commitment, offering numerous free transaction services including unlimited transfers between ShopeePay users and discounted rates for bill payments and cash withdrawals.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has yet to implement an export duty on coal, citing ongoing protests against the policy decision. Although the policy has received approval from the Parliamentary Commission XI since late 2025 and a similar export duty on gold has already been implemented via ministerial regulation, the coal duty implementation remains stalled pending resolution of objections.

The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) has launched the "Kita Jaga Usaha" (We Protect Business) programme to support economic recovery for 1,500 micro business operators affected by disasters across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, distributing Rp1.5 billion in grants (Rp1 million per recipient). The initiative aims to reach 5,000 beneficiaries across Sumatra with a total budget of Rp5 billion, targeting self-employed entrepreneurs with daily turnover below Rp500,000 and providing both capital assistance and business monitoring to ensure sustainable economic development.

Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) has allocated IDR 23.18 trillion in cash from 13 to 25 March 2026 to meet the heightened financial needs of customers and the public during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr period. The funds will be distributed across BTN outlets and ATM networks nationwide, with 63 per cent allocated to branch operations and 37 per cent for ATM and CRM machine replenishment. BTN is simultaneously promoting digital banking services through its super app Bale by BTN to facilitate safer and more convenient transactions during the holiday period.

Xiaomi is launching an updated version of its SU7 electric sedan featuring enhanced LiDAR and 4D millimetre-wave radar technology integrated with 700 TOPS computing platform across all variants. The new model increases safety features to nine airbags, introduces a new 897V platform for the Max variant, and claims driving ranges up to 902 km for the Pro version, with accelerated production targeting 16,000 units by March.

US stock indices fell sharply on 12 March, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite declining by 1.56%, 1.52%, and 1.78% respectively, driven by a spike in crude oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude surged 9.72% to $95.73 per barrel following comments from Iran's new leader about maintaining the Strait of Hormuz blockade as a pressure tactic. The US government announced the release of 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to mitigate energy cost increases.

President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to lead a Full Cabinet Meeting (SKP) at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday 13 March, with the primary agenda being discussion of government preparedness for the Eid 2026 celebrations. Prior to the cabinet meeting, the President and cabinet members will fulfil their religious obligation of paying zakat through the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) at the State Palace around 15:00 WIB, followed by the cabinet session at 16:00 WIB. The meeting forms part of the government's coordination efforts to ensure all aspects of public services, logistics, and community needs are adequately met ahead of the holiday exodus and Eid celebrations.

Researcher and author Rismon Sianipar received a large parcel containing snacks and household items from Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka following an audience at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta regarding his research into allegations concerning former President Joko Widodo's academic credentials. Sianipar reported being received warmly and noted that the Widodo family was open to his research and corrections. He plans to return to his hometown in North Sumatra to complete a book documenting his findings within approximately one year.

The Indonesian National Police (Polri) launched a comprehensive community health service initiative combined with an affordable food programme in Jakarta's Kelapa Gading district on 13 March 2026, targeting approximately 3,000 beneficiaries ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The programme, supported by 10 general practitioners, one internal medicine specialist, 30 healthcare workers, and seven ambulances, provided free medical consultations, laboratory tests, eye examinations and 400 reading glasses to various groups including ride-hailing drivers, labourers and local residents. The initiative represents Polri's effort to support lower-income Indonesians in accessing affordable healthcare and staple foods during the festive season, with backing from Perum Bulog to ensure food security.

Device usage among children has become a major concern in Indonesia, prompting government to implement restrictive policies, yet experts emphasise that parental involvement remains crucial. Professor Rose Mini Agoes Salim from the University of Indonesia's psychology faculty argues that whilst government regulation is necessary, families must actively manage children's screen time through alternative activities rather than restrictions alone. Parents can help reduce device dependency by engaging children in practical projects such as creative crafts, storytelling, and nature observation.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry confirmed that ferry operations at Ketapang Port remained normal following a fire incident aboard KMP Portlink VII on 11 March 2026, which was quickly extinguished without casualties. The company rapidly evacuated all passengers and cargo, redirected 12 lorries to alternative vessels, and is conducting comprehensive safety inspections before the vessel returns to service.

Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announced that the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) is projected to reach 5 million tonnes in April 2026, with current stocks at 3.9 million tonnes—the highest in Indonesian history. The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has issued new regulations to strengthen rice procurement and distribution processes, with plans to potentially expand rice exports to neighbouring countries.

Cut Meutia Mosque in Central Jakarta is a historically significant building constructed in 1912 during Dutch colonial rule, which served multiple functions throughout Indonesia's history including as an office for the temporary People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) under General AH Nasution. After the MPRS relocated to Senayan, Nasution proposed converting the building into a mosque for the local community, a process that culminated in its official conversion on 18 August 1987 through a gubernatorial decree.

A 28-year-old minibus (angkot) driver identified as RM was fatally stabbed by a 35-year-old man identified as AF in Sukapura, Cilincing, North Jakarta on Thursday evening. Police have apprehended the suspect and are conducting an investigation to establish the relationship between the victim and perpetrator, with initial indications suggesting the altercation occurred suddenly before the attack.

PT Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) is committed to strengthening its bullion bank business as a key driver of sustainable performance growth in 2026, with over 640,000 gold customers and 530,000 dedicated bullion bank customers. The bank reported an 8 per cent year-on-year profit growth, with gold-related products including instalments and pawning reaching Rp22.90 trillion in volume, representing a 78.60 per cent increase. BSI is positioning itself as Indonesia's first Islamic gold bank and has launched the EMAS (Empathy, Service, Enthusiasm, Whole-heartedness) initiative, whilst preparing new derivative products including e-gold pawning and wholesale gold savings accounts for regulatory approval.

Bank Mega Syariah distributed over 2,800 food packages to impoverished communities and provided assistance to more than 200 orphaned children during its annual Ramadan charity programme in March 2026. The initiative reflects the bank's commitment to social responsibility and the promotion of Islamic philanthropic instruments (ZISWAF), whilst also strengthening customer trust as evidenced by the bank's third-party funds reaching over Rp12 trillion.

The Indonesian National Police conducted a free health service programme for 3,000 residents, including ride-hailing drivers and labourers in Jakarta, in conjunction with a government cheap food movement ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026. The comprehensive initiative featured ten doctors, specialist consultations, eye examinations with 400 free reading glasses, laboratory tests, and pharmacy services, alongside affordable staple goods distribution. Deputy Police Chief Komjen Dedi Prasetyo emphasised that the programme demonstrates Polri's commitment to supporting economically vulnerable communities whilst assuring the public of adequate national food security.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated he is unaware of any government plans to raise Indonesia's APBN (state budget) deficit ceiling above 3 per cent of GDP, though he acknowledged the ministry continuously monitors the impact of fluctuating global oil prices. The Chair of Parliament's Budget Committee affirmed that the deficit would be maintained below the 3 per cent threshold in compliance with existing fiscal regulations.

PT Hutama Karya and South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru have confirmed the Palembang–Betung toll road segment will commence functional operation from 13 to 29 March 2026 to ease traffic congestion during the Eid al-Fitr homecoming period. The toll road will operate with strict limitations, including restricted hours (07:00–17:00 WIB) and a maximum speed of 50 km/h, accommodating only small vehicles (Class I) until permanent supporting facilities are completed.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa chaired a debottlenecking session addressing three key business barriers: import permit extensions for pharmaceutical materials, the lengthy process for issuing Indonesian National Standards (SNI), and jurisdictional clarity over Batam's free trade zone management. The minister committed to resolving the import issue within days and sought clarity on economic policy regarding Batam's development, with BP Batam potentially taking over land management responsibilities.

The Indonesian Agriculture Ministry has warned that traders selling frozen buffalo meat above the government's reference price of Rp80,000 per kilogramme will face enforcement action from food price monitoring task forces. Despite government claims that buffalo meat is available at the set price through designated retailers, market surveys found prices significantly higher, reaching Rp114,385 per kilogramme on 12 March 2026—approximately 43 per cent above the reference price.

Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of KontraS (Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence), was attacked with caustic liquid by unknown assailants on 12 March 2026 following a podcast recording session in Jakarta. The attack resulted in severe burns covering 24 per cent of his body, affecting his hands, face, chest and eyes. KontraS leadership characterises the incident as an attempt to silence human rights activists and has called for law enforcement authorities to investigate and identify the perpetrators.

Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, a suspect in a case alleging former President Joko Widodo's university diploma is forged, has invited fellow researchers Roy Suryo and Dr Tifa to an open forum to prove that Jokowi's degree from Universitas Gadjah Mada is authentic. After meeting Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Rismon announced that new research demonstrates the diploma's legitimacy and contradicts his earlier claims in the book Jokowi's White Paper, for which he has applied for restorative justice at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

Israeli military forces have escalated air strikes on Lebanon, including attacks on central Beirut near government buildings, as Defence Minister Israel Katz announced an expansion of military operations northward. Lebanese authorities report at least 687 deaths from the recent campaign, including 98 children, 62 women, and 18 medical personnel, following strikes that have targeted southern Beirut, southern Lebanon, and eastern regions historically associated with Hezbollah.

PT Pegadaian and eleven major gold industry companies have collectively initiated the formation of the Indonesia Bullion Market Association (IBMA), to be officially launched in June 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen Indonesia's position as a key player in the global gold market whilst supporting the government's Asta Cita programme through more integrated, transparent, and competitive domestic gold market governance. IBMA is expected to reduce transaction and logistics costs whilst ensuring domestically mined gold circulates within Indonesia, enhancing both competitiveness for retail customers and national gold reserves as a macroeconomic stability instrument.

The Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence at Indonesia's Attorney General's Office, Reda Manthovani, attended a consolidation meeting of the National Village Deliberative Body Association (Abpednas) in Tangerang Regency to strengthen coordination between law enforcement and village officials in improving village governance. Manthovani stressed that the Village Protection programme (Jaga Desa) is designed to provide legal support and prevent violations rather than criminalise village administrators, with the Tangerang Regent and Banten High Prosecutor's Office expressing strong support for the initiative.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has clarified that the city's 'Return to Jakarta' (Mudik ke Jakarta) programme is not intended to encourage residents from other regions to relocate to the capital, but rather to provide activities and services for those remaining in the city during the Eid holiday period. The provincial government plans to offer discounts at tourist attractions, entertainment programmes, and free public transportation for two consecutive days during the Eid break to create alternative activities for non-migrating residents and tourists.

Dimas Bagus Arya, coordinator of KontraS (Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence), has called on police to investigate an acid attack on Andrie Yunus, the organisation's deputy coordinator, which occurred in Salemba, Central Jakarta on 12 March. The attack, which inflicted 24 per cent burns across Yunus's body including his face, hands, chest and eyes, is viewed by KontraS as an attempt to silence human rights defenders and suppress critical civil society voices in Indonesia.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and Indonesia's Transport Ministry are coordinating operational efforts to ensure safe and efficient rail services during the 2026 Eid holiday season, which runs for 22 days from 11 March to 1 April. The railway operator will handle approximately 61.8 million passengers with a 5.4 per cent capacity increase, supported by government stimulus packages offering up to 30 per cent tariff discounts on over 1.28 million economy class seats. KAI has implemented comprehensive safety measures including infrastructure inspections, digital system upgrades, and deployment of 3,028 additional personnel across stations and service points.

PT MMS Group Indonesia (MMSGI) and the Life After Mine Foundation (LINE) have launched the Bigger Dream 2026 programme to enhance educational quality for 355 students across two schools in East Jakarta, with improvements to school facilities and capacity-building initiatives for students and teachers. The initiative, supported by 185 MMSGI employees as volunteers, builds on the success of the 2025 programme which achieved renovations of 10 school facilities and benefited 232 direct recipients, whilst expanding the commitment to sustainable social impact in education.

Despite President Trump's anger and blacklisting of AI company Anthropic from government institutions, the Pentagon has issued a memo allowing continued use of Anthropic's AI tools for national security purposes on a phased discontinuation basis over six months with special exemptions. The situation illustrates the difficulty the US government faces in completely severing ties with Anthropic, which holds a $200 billion contract for military AI defence systems despite Trump's accusations that the company is a left-wing "woke" enterprise threatening US security.

German automotive giant Volkswagen has announced plans to eliminate approximately 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030, significantly exceeding a previously agreed target of 35,000 redundancies, as the company pursues aggressive cost-cutting measures to combat declining profitability. The group's net profit fell 44 per cent in 2025 to €6.9 billion, prompting CEO Oliver Blume to expand efficiency programmes aimed at achieving €6 billion in annual net cost savings by 2030. The restructuring will extend to key subsidiaries including Audi, Porsche, and software developer CARIAD, reflecting the broader industry shift towards electric vehicles and digitalisation.

Rismon Sianipar, the suspect in the case alleging former President Joko Widodo's diploma was forged, has praised the Jokowi family for embodying democratic values and their willingness to forgive him despite his harsh criticism. After discovering new evidence confirming the authenticity of Jokowi's credentials, Rismon apologised directly to Jokowi at his Jakarta residence and subsequently met with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, promising to atone by publishing a book documenting Jokowi's legitimate qualifications.

Indonesia's anti-corruption commission (KPK) revealed that Rp84 million (USD 5,000) per quota was collected from pilgrim operators to accelerate the 2023 special hajj quota scheme, allegedly orchestrated by a Ministry of Religion official. The investigation has resulted in state losses estimated at Rp622 billion, with two suspects—including former Religion Minister Yaqut—facing corruption charges and travel bans.

President Joko Widodo has accepted an apology from Rismon Sianipar over allegations of a fraudulent diploma, with his legal counsel confirming the acceptance and a restorative justice petition to Metro Jaya Police. Sianipar has admitted his research in his book "Jokowi's White Paper" was incorrect and acknowledged that Jokowi's diploma is genuine, pledging to account for his error by publishing a corrective book.

Indonesia's Culture Minister Fadli Zon has emphasised the need to strengthen museums as vital public spaces and cultural-educational hubs, inaugurating environmental improvements at the Adityawarman Museum in Padang, West Sumatra. The ministry is providing special allocation funds to support non-physical activities such as exhibitions, cultural performances, and museum activation programmes, whilst promoting professional management standards including enhanced storytelling, curation, lighting, and digital technology integration to improve visitor experience.

The March 2024 waste collapse at Bantargebang landfill that killed seven people has exposed critical failures in Indonesia's waste management system. Professor Wiratni from Gadjah Mada University argues the root problem lies in treating waste management as mere disposal rather than integrated processing, compounded by inadequate landfill engineering standards and insufficient community engagement. She advocates for a comprehensive approach combining technological innovation with social engineering and community participation to prevent future disasters and create sustainable waste management systems.

Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has identified opportunities for the nation to participate in an international collaboration for an astronomical observatory mission on the Moon. The project, which includes developing observation instruments for future lunar missions, represents a significant opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen its space research capacity and contribute to advancing global space exploration and scientific knowledge.

Indonesia faces recurring inflationary pressures ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, with year-on-year inflation reaching 4.76 per cent in February 2026, exceeding government targets. The article argues that structural weaknesses in the food distribution system, coupled with global geopolitical tensions affecting energy prices, require comprehensive agricultural reform and stronger state intervention rather than temporary market operations. Food security is framed as a matter of national sovereignty requiring domestic production capacity strengthening and efficient supply chain management.

Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta has prepared 27 additional parking spaces to cope with anticipated visitor surges during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijra holiday period. The expanded parking facilities can accommodate up to 5,500 vehicles and approximately 20,000 motorcycles, based on historical data showing average daily visitation of around 43,000 visitors during the two-week Eid break.

Rismon Hismon Hasiholan Sianipar, the suspect in the case alleging forged credentials of Indonesia's seventh president Jokowi, met with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the Vice President's office in Central Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026. Rismon stated the visit was to pay respects to Gibran. The meeting follows Gibran's previous acknowledgement of Rismon's apology regarding the alleged diploma forgery case and his appreciation of Rismon's stance.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued warnings of extreme weather conditions including heavy rainfall, strong winds and lightning strikes across several districts in Central Java on 14-15 March 2026, coinciding with the peak of the first wave of homecoming traffic during Eid celebrations. Multiple districts across the province are on extreme weather alert status, with authorities urging travellers to exercise caution, particularly in mountainous areas and river basins, whilst police have deployed nearly 29,000 personnel and 219 security posts to manage the anticipated holiday migration.

Jurnal Reputasi, managed by the Software Engineering (RPL) Programme at Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika (UBSI), has successfully upgraded its national accreditation rating from SINTA 5 to SINTA 4 as of February 2025. The upgraded status, which covers volumes 5 through 9 (until 2029), reflects the journal's improved scientific quality, governance, and publishing consistency. The achievement resulted from enhanced editorial management, rigorous peer-review processes, improved article quality, and adherence to national scientific publication ethics standards.

Thirty-two Indonesian nationals have been evacuated from Iran in two flight contingents on 10 and 11 March due to escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, with 13 of the returnees hailing from West Java Province. The West Java Labour and Transmigration Office is gathering detailed information about the repatriated nationals to determine whether their return is permanent or temporary and their employment or student status. The evacuation was undertaken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens amid the widening military conflict in the Middle East.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa announced that government spending by ministries and agencies (K/L) reached Rp155 trillion by the end of February 2026, up 85.5% compared to the same period last year. The acceleration reflects a deliberate strategy to front-load spending distribution throughout the year and ensure more even budget execution compared to 2025. Purbaya confirmed that no budget cuts have been implemented in response to geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

Buleleng District Government in Bali has commenced disbursement of Holiday Allowance (THR) to State Civil Apparatus (ASN) employees today, with a total budget allocation of Rp62 billion. The allocation comprises Rp25 billion for ASN salaries, Rp5 billion for contract workers, and Rp32 billion for additional employee income, following completion of all administrative and regulatory procedures with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.