Archive: 13 March 2026
Showing 1,301-1,350 of 2,022 articles
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:24 WIB
Ministry of Population and Family Development Integrates Family Strengthening into AI Learning Joint Decision
Indonesia's Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) has signed a joint decision with six other ministers to integrate family strengthening into guidelines for digital technology and artificial intelligence learning across formal, non-formal, and informal education. The move emphasises parental oversight and family engagement in ensuring ethical, safe, and responsible use of AI among children, with data showing 92.14 per cent of Indonesian youth aged 15-24 own mobile phones whilst over 50 per cent of children have encountered inappropriate online content.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:22 WIB
National Police and Bulog Launch Cheap Food Movement Nationwide Ahead of Eid al-Fitr
Indonesia's National Police (Polri) and state-owned enterprise Perum Bulog have jointly launched a nationwide Cheap Food Movement (Gerakan Pangan Murah) ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026, distributing approximately 1,337 tonnes of rice alongside other staple goods to ensure price stability and food availability. The coordinated initiative spans 36 provincial police headquarters and around 500 district police offices, with Polri receiving a quota of 80,000 tonnes of rice from Bulog to distribute monthly through the end of 2026. With national rice stocks currently at 3.9 million tonnes—the highest level in March since Indonesian independence—authorities are confident that food security can be maintained throughout 2026.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:21 WIB
National Food Agency Confirms Beef Prices in Market Still Align with Government Guidance
Indonesia's National Food Agency (Bapanas) has clarified that beef prices at consumer level remain within government-set price guidance, stating that reports of price surges refer to premium-grade beef without fat layers rather than standard cuts. The agency has set maximum reference prices ranging from Rp105,000 to Rp140,000 per kilogramme for standard beef cuts and is intensifying market surveillance during the current high-demand period to prevent price volatility.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:21 WIB
Indonesia's Population Reaches 288.3 Million as of End of 2025
Indonesia's population reached 288.3 million people as of 31 December 2025, an increase of approximately 1.6 million from mid-2025, according to the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration. The data reveals a male-dominated population with Java remaining the most populous island, whilst the nation maintains a demographic dividend with 69.03 per cent of the population in the productive working age group (15–64 years) until 2030.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:21 WIB
Two Schools in East Jakarta Receive Facility Improvement and Capacity Building Programme
PT Mitra Mitra Siga Global Indonesia (MMSGI) launched its Bigger Dream 2026 programme, which aims to strengthen educational quality and student development across two schools in East Jakarta: Yayasan Pendidikan Citra Dharma in Cipayung and Yayasan Ziyadatul Arqom in Jatinegara, benefiting 355 students and 69 teachers. The initiative focuses on renovating school facilities and providing student capacity-building activities through non-formal learning, building on the success of the previous year's programme in North Jakarta which renovated 10 school facilities and involved 185 company employees as volunteers.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:21 WIB
A Decade in Indonesia: Royal Enfield Goes Beyond Classic Motorcycles
Royal Enfield marks ten years of operations in Indonesia with an expanded product lineup that caters to diverse rider preferences beyond its iconic classic motorcycles. The company has achieved cumulative sales exceeding 6,000 units and reported 5 per cent growth year-on-year, attributing success to product diversification, strong community engagement, and strategic dealership expansion across the archipelago.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:20 WIB
Iranian Sea Mines: Why This Weapon Is So Feared in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's reported placement of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz has heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and sparked grave concerns for global trade, as approximately 20% of global oil supplies transit through this critical waterway. Sea mines are considered economically devastating weapons due to their low production cost but significant destructive potential, with detection and clearance being time-consuming, costly, and dangerous operations that can disrupt shipping lanes for extended periods. This strategy represents part of Iran's economic pressure campaign, echoing tactics used during the 1980s "Tanker War" between Iran and Iraq when similar mine deployments caused significant damage to commercial vessels.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:19 WIB
Green Coding: A New Approach to Writing More Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Code
Green coding, a practice emphasising energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in software development, is emerging as a new industry standard rather than a passing trend. Bambang Kelana Simpony, a lecturer at Bina Sarana Informatika University's Tasikmalaya campus, outlines three foundational principles: selecting appropriate algorithms, minimising data usage through "data diet", and implementing intelligent caching. Indonesian educational institutions are increasingly incorporating green coding into academic curricula, preparing future developers to balance application functionality with real-world environmental impact.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:19 WIB
Australia Orders Diplomatic Staff to Immediately Evacuate from Israel and UAE
Australia has ordered all non-essential diplomatic personnel to evacuate from Israel and the United Arab Emirates immediately, citing deteriorating security situations arising from ongoing US-Israel military operations against Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged approximately 115,000 Australian citizens in the Middle East region to leave if possible, warning this may be their last opportunity to do so safely as Iran responds with missile and drone strikes against Israeli and Gulf targets.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:19 WIB
Bank Jakarta Provides Aid to Orphans and the Needy, Establishes Mudik Rest Stop
Bank Jakarta has distributed Rp1.7 billion in aid to 8,500 orphans and disadvantaged children across five administrative areas of Jakarta during the month of Ramadan, with funds sourced from employee zakat and infaq contributions. The bank has also established a Mudik Rest Stop at a service area in Semarang from 14-20 March 2026 to provide facilities and support to travellers heading home for Lebaran, including rest areas, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, and special banking promotions.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:18 WIB
Pegadaian Gold Price Update: Gallery 24 Falls to Rp 3.04 Million Per Gram
Gold prices at Pegadaian declined on Friday 13 March 2026, with Gallery 24 falling by Rp 27,000 to Rp 3,039,000 per gram and UBS dropping by the same amount to Rp 3,055,000 per gram. Both products remain available in various sizes ranging from 0.5 grams to 1,000 grams through the Sahabat Pegadaian platform.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:16 WIB
National Police Chief and Military Commander conduct aerial patrol to inspect Lebaran exodus readiness at Merak Port
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto conducted an aerial patrol on 13 March 2026 to assess security and service preparations for the Lebaran 2026 exodus at Merak Port. The inspection was part of Operation Ketupat 2026, a 13-day security operation running from 13-25 March involving over 161,000 personnel from the police, military, and various government agencies. The leadership also held a coordination meeting to ensure smooth security operations and visited ferries, integrated security posts, and disaster preparedness centres at the port.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:15 WIB
BPJS Health Establishes Free Mudik Posts at Eight Strategic Locations
BPJS Kesehatan (Indonesia's national health insurance) has established eight free health service posts across major transport hubs from 13–18 March 2026 to provide medical consultations and emergency treatment for homebound travellers during the Lebaran holiday exodus. The posts, located at ports, terminals and highway rest areas, offer basic medications, health checks, and medical referrals, whilst JKN members can continue accessing healthcare through the programme's portability principle at partner facilities nationwide.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:15 WIB
LPS Unveils Two Implementation Schemes for Insurance Policy Guarantee Programme
The Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) has announced two scenarios for implementing the Insurance Policy Guarantee Programme (PPP): accelerated activation by 2027 with minimum readiness levels, or full implementation by 2028 with ideal readiness. The PPP serves as a critical mechanism to protect policyholders and maintain stability in Indonesia's insurance industry, particularly in light of 25 insurance company licence revocations recorded between 2011 and 2025.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:14 WIB
KG Media's Rapid Mudik Team Begins Monitoring Lebaran 2026 Travel Flow
KG Media has deployed a combined reporting team called "Tim Mudik Gesit Lebaran 2026" to cover the Eid al-Fitr holiday travel season on 13 March 2026. The launch event was attended by senior government officials including Infrastructure and Regional Development Coordinating Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, with KG Media's CEO emphasising the importance of accurate journalism in providing travellers with reliable information during this critical annual event.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:14 WIB
Telecommunications traffic predicted to surge by 40 per cent during Eid 2026
Indonesia's Ministry of Communications and Digital predicts a 30-40 per cent increase in telecommunications traffic during the two-week Eid holiday in March 2026, driven partly by government work-from-anywhere policies. The government is mobilising task forces and coordinating with mobile operators to maintain service quality, including deploying 35 radio frequency monitoring units and combining 4G and 5G networks across high-traffic areas.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:13 WIB
Governor Says Staple Food Prices Stable, Surprised by 3 Percent Rise in Curly Chilli
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that staple food prices remain relatively stable ahead of Idul Fitri, despite being surprised by a 3 percent increase in curly chilli prices. The Jakarta provincial government is implementing affordable market bazaars in partnership with state-owned enterprises, distributing around 1,000 subsidised food packages to help residents access essential goods at more affordable prices.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:13 WIB
TNI Deploys 105,365 Personnel for Eid Holiday Travel Security
The Indonesian National Military (TNI) will mobilise 105,365 personnel in collaboration with the National Police to secure travel during the 2026 Eid holiday exodus, with forces deployed at major transportation hubs, routes, and vital infrastructure across the country. The operation, dubbed Operasi Ketupat, runs for 13 days from 13 to 25 March 2026, and will include 3,501 vehicles and equipment from all three military branches, as well as advanced surveillance technology to monitor traffic conditions in anticipation of an estimated 140 million travellers.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:13 WIB
Heavy Mudik Traffic: Logistics Trucks Queue for 5 Kilometres to Hutan Cekik
As Indonesia's Lebaran holiday period approaches, the Gilimanuk Port access road in Bali is experiencing severe congestion with logistics trucks queuing for approximately 5 kilometres, extending to the Bali Barat National Park area. The Jembrana Police Chief confirmed the buildup is caused by a surge in the volume of logistics vehicles leaving Bali, and authorities have implemented containment measures including parking zones and route diversion strategies to prevent private vehicles from being trapped in the gridlock.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:13 WIB
Per Capita Expenditure According to BPS 2025: Men Lead in Almost All Regions
Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics data reveals significant gender consumption disparities across the country in 2025, with men's per capita expenditure consistently outpacing women's. The data highlights stark regional variations, with Jakarta and East Kalimantan recording the highest spending levels whilst mountainous regions like Papua and East Nusa Tenggara show the lowest expenditure figures, reflecting underlying differences in economic activity and infrastructure development.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:12 WIB
As Eid Approaches, National Police and Bulog Launch Affordable Food Campaign: 1,337 Tonnes of Rice Distributed to Public
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) and state-owned logistics company Perum Bulog have jointly launched a nationwide Affordable Food Movement ahead of Eid 2026, distributing 1,337 tonnes of rice and other essential commodities across 36 provincial police headquarters and approximately 500 district police stations. The initiative, coordinated by Deputy National Police Chief Komjen Pol Dedi Prasetyo, aims to ensure food price stability and adequate supply of staple goods to the public whilst reassuring the population that national food stocks are secure and sufficient. Polri has been allocated 80,000 tonnes of rice from Bulog for 2026 distribution through various food assistance programmes.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:12 WIB
UNM Students Create Mobile Application to Train Children's Focus, Available on PlayStore
Two Information Systems students from Nusa Mandiri University (UNM) have developed and released an Android application called "Focus and Attention Trainer" designed to help improve children's concentration through interactive exercises. The app, which features breathing exercises, focus training, and interactive games, is available for download on Google Play Store and represents UNM's commitment to developing educational technology solutions for society.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:12 WIB
Gibran Embraces Rismon Sianipar at Vice Presidential Palace: We Are Brothers
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka received researcher Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta following Rismon's public apology to former President Joko Widodo over disputed claims regarding the authenticity of Widodo's diploma. The reconciliation meeting, which lasted 45 minutes, underscored the importance of forgiveness during Ramadan and reflected positively on Rismon's revised academic findings regarding the diploma's authenticity.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:11 WIB
National Police Chief and Military Commander Inspect Merak Port via Helicopter to Assess Mudik Readiness
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo conducted an aerial patrol of Merak Port in Banten alongside the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and the TNI Commander to assess readiness for the 2026 Eid exodus period. The inspection aims to ensure security and service capacity ahead of peak mudik waves predicted for 14-15 March and 18-19 March, with particular attention to potential hydrometeorological disasters forecast by Indonesia's meteorological agency.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:11 WIB
Gojek reveals factors behind surging demand levels in Jakarta area
Gojek has identified multiple factors contributing to increased ride demand in Jakarta during the final period of Ramadan and approaching Eid al-Fitr, including earlier peak hours (16:00–18:00 WIB), driver exodus to hometown celebrations, and adverse weather causing traffic congestion. To address supply constraints, Gojek is implementing special tariff schemes and performance bonuses for drivers who continue working during the holiday period.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
Pramono Clarifies "Mudik ke Jakarta" Programme Does Not Encourage Rural Migration
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo clarified that the "Mudik ke Jakarta" programme aims to provide entertainment for residents staying in the capital during the Eid holiday period, not to encourage migration from rural areas. The provincial government estimates approximately 4 million residents will remain in Jakarta and is launching discount initiatives and free transport services to support the initiative, whilst implementing traffic management measures to handle congestion at tourist attractions and shopping centres.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
Detained and Assets Worth Rp100 Billion Seized, Gus Yaqut to Spend Eid in KPK Detention
Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, known as Gus Yaqut, has been detained for 20 days from 12 March to 31 March 2026 by Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) following the rejection of his pre-trial motion, and will likely spend the Eid holiday in detention. The KPK has seized over Rp100 billion in assets from Gus Yaqut, including USD 3.7 million, Rp22 billion, four vehicles, and five plots of land and buildings, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving the 2023-2024 hajj quota. The KPK's initial investigation revealed state losses of over Rp1 trillion, later confirmed by the Finance Audit Board at Rp622 billion.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
PAM Jaya Confirms Electricity Disruption at Pejompongan II Water Treatment Plant Resolved
PAM Jaya's Chief Executive Officer Arief Nasrudin confirmed that a technical fault affecting the Pejompongan II Water Treatment Plant (IPA) in central Jakarta has been resolved as of 06:23 on Friday, 13 March 2026, following a 1250 kVA transformer failure that disrupted water supply to multiple areas across Jakarta. Water distribution normalisation is ongoing and the company is providing free water tanker assistance to affected households and emergency facilities whilst service is restored. The incident impacted numerous neighbourhoods across central, west, south and north Jakarta.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
On Proposals to Expand Budget Deficit Above 3 Per Cent, Purbaya: Still Being Considered
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has acknowledged that the government is considering a proposal to increase the 2026 state budget deficit beyond the 3 per cent threshold set by Law No. 17 of 2003 on State Finance, though no final decision has been made. The minister stated that any such decision would require careful assessment of international oil price dynamics, potential impacts on Indonesia's economy, and ratings from international credit agencies, which could downgrade Indonesia if the deficit limit is breached.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
Police Chief: Potential Population Movement during Eid 2026 Expected to Reach 143.9 Million People
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo announced that an estimated 143.9 million people are expected to travel during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri (2026) holiday period, representing a slight 1.75 per cent decrease from 2025's 146.4 million. The Operasi Ketupat 2026 security operation will deploy 161,243 personnel and establish 2,746 posts across the country to manage traffic and ensure public safety, with peak migration waves predicted for mid to late March.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
Stock Price Falls Sharply as Indonesia Stock Exchange Monitors FUTR Closely
The Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) is closely monitoring trading activity in Futura Energi Global Tbk (FUTR) shares following significant and unusual price declines that fall outside normal market behaviour. The BEI's monitoring represents an investor protection measure, though the announcement does not necessarily indicate a breach of capital market regulations. Investors have been advised to carefully review company responses, financial performance, and any pending corporate actions before making investment decisions.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:10 WIB
"When Are You Getting Married?" Why Indonesians Love Asking Sensitive Questions at Eid
A social psychology expert from the University of Indonesia explains why Indonesians frequently ask sensitive personal questions about marriage, employment, and education during Eid celebrations. The phenomenon stems from Indonesia's collectivistic culture, where individual life decisions are viewed as communal matters rather than personal affairs, combined with strong societal expectations about normative life trajectories that are transmitted across generations.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:09 WIB
Vice President Gibran Accepts Rismon's Apology: "There is Nothing, We are Family"
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming received Rismon Sianipar, a suspect in the case involving allegations of forged credentials of former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), at the Vice President's residence in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026. Gibran emphasised that the forged credentials controversy is now resolved and presented Rismon with Eid hampers, whilst Rismon stated he had previously apologised directly to Jokowi in Solo on 12 March 2026 for his research and writings on the matter.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:09 WIB
Finance Minister Reports Plan to Take Over PNM to President
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has informed President Prabowo Subianto of his plan to transfer PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) from BRI's control to the Finance Ministry, with the President indicating a willingness to consider the proposal if calculations show benefits. The move is intended to improve the distribution of People's Business Credit (KUR) to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by centralising management of the annual Rp40 trillion interest subsidy budget under the Finance Ministry.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:08 WIB
Head of Legislative Body States Single Data Bill Formulated for Planned National Development
The Head of the House of Representatives' Legislative Body, Bob Hasan, has stated that the proposed Single Data Indonesia Bill is necessary to activate all of Indonesia's data on potential resources to enable more focused national development. The bill, which is a DPR initiative, aims to address longstanding data inconsistencies across government ministries and agencies that have hampered disaster relief efforts and welfare programme distribution.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:07 WIB
Pramono Urges Jakarta Residents Returning Home for Eid to Report to Local Neighbourhood Chiefs to Prevent Fires
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has called on residents planning to return to their home towns for Eid celebrations to report their departure to local RT and RW neighbourhood officials to prevent fires and other incidents in unoccupied homes. The governor, speaking during a Ramadan outreach visit to the Thousand Islands, also warned of potential risks from heavy rainfall and rising sea levels during the Eid period, particularly for residents in coastal areas. He stressed the importance of neighbourhood monitoring of empty homes and has instructed Jakarta provincial government officials to conduct outreach campaigns encouraging residents to register their temporary absence.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:07 WIB
IDC predicts memory shortage will continue until 2027
Market analysis firm International Data Corporation predicts a global memory supply crisis will persist until at least 2027, with memory prices unlikely to decline until 2028 and not expected to return to 2025 levels. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could further exacerbate the situation, already impacting major technology companies including HP, Samsung, and Valve.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:06 WIB
IHSG Falls to 7,228 in Morning Session as Major Bank Shares Weaken Uniformly
Indonesia's composite share index (IHSG) declined 1.81 per cent to 7,228.95 points in Friday morning trading, driven by heightened selling pressure across most sectors. Major bank stocks fell uniformly, with Bank Mandiri dropping 2.82 per cent and Bank Rakyat Indonesia declining 1.12 per cent, whilst industrial, consumer goods and infrastructure sectors also posted significant losses.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:05 WIB
BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Participation Does Not Automatically Disqualify Beneficiaries from Social Assistance
Indonesia's Ministry of Social Affairs has clarified that participation in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (workplace social security) does not automatically disqualify individuals from receiving social assistance (bansos), provided they remain within the appropriate welfare decile classifications. The clarification addresses public concerns about ongoing government data synchronisation efforts, which aim to improve targeting of social welfare programmes under the new National Unified Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) system integrated with household registries and poverty alleviation databases.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:05 WIB
List of Assets Worth Rp100 Billion Belonging to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas Seized by the Corruption Eradication Commission in Hajj Quota Corruption Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized assets valued at over Rp100 billion belonging to former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as part of an asset recovery operation in an alleged hajj quota corruption case involving the 2023-2024 period. A state audit by Indonesia's Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has determined that the corruption caused total state losses of Rp622 billion through irregularities in the distribution of additional hajj quotas. Yaqut was formally detained on 12 March 2026 after his pre-trial legal challenge failed, with investigations continuing into the involvement of other officials and hajj agency operators.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:05 WIB
Not Yet Complete! Approved Coal Work and Budget Plans Reach Only 300 Million Tonnes
The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has approved Work and Budget Plans (RKAB) for coal production totalling 250 to 300 million tonnes, representing nearly 50 percent of the national coal production quota as of March 12, 2026. The approvals are significant as the government's 30 percent production relaxation period expires on 31 March 2026, though not all companies have yet received approval, with PT Arutmin Indonesia notably still pending.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:04 WIB
BNI Proud to Participate in National Youth Programme Marking One Year of Danantara
Danantara Indonesia, the nation's state asset management institution, marked its first anniversary with a reflection gathering attended by President Prabowo Subianto and cabinet ministers, emphasising the importance of integrity and disciplined governance in strengthening the economic foundation. As part of the celebration, 88,000 school supply packages were distributed across Indonesia by state-owned enterprises, with BNI contributing 6,000 packages to regions including Jakarta, Central Kalimantan, and Central Papua, underscoring the commitment to supporting education and developing the Golden Generation of Indonesia.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:04 WIB
BI Bali Launches Website to Combat Illegal Foreign Exchange Practices
Bank Indonesia's Bali office has launched the moneychangerbali.com website to help tourists locate licensed foreign exchange money changers and curb illegal money exchange operations on the island. The portal provides information on the 601 licensed KUPVA BB (non-bank foreign exchange) networks in Bali—the second largest concentration in Indonesia—and includes a reporting mechanism (BI-PATROL) for illegal currency exchange activities. The initiative, supported by the Bali governor and local associations, aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and protect consumer interests whilst maintaining Bali's tourism reputation.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:04 WIB
Budget Deficit Ceiling Above 3%, Purbaya Awaits Presidential Order
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated he is prepared to raise Indonesia's maximum budget deficit ceiling above the current 3% of GDP threshold if directly ordered by President Prabowo Subianto. Purbaya acknowledged that any such decision would need to consider investor sentiment and potential impacts on international credit rating assessments, noting that comparable economies such as Vietnam and India already operate with fiscal deficits exceeding 3%.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:03 WIB
Sea Dragon Crew Member Spared Death Sentence; Attorney General Calls for Judicial Restraint
The Attorney General of Indonesia has instructed all prosecutors to exercise greater prudence and objectivity following the case of Sea Dragon crew member Fandi Ramadhan, who faced a death sentence recommendation for methamphetamine smuggling. Prosecutor Muhammad Arfian, who had sought the death penalty, formally apologised to Parliament and received a written reprimand, with the Attorney General emphasising that prosecutors must avoid emotional bias when receiving parliamentary oversight and criticism.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:03 WIB
The Pattern of Pharaoh: A Study of Narcissistic Leadership Through History and Scripture
This opinion piece examines the archetype of Pharaonic leadership as portrayed in the Quran, arguing that it represents a psychological pattern of narcissistic governance that persists in contemporary politics. Drawing on historical analysis and modern psychology, the author identifies three core pathologies of Pharaonic rule—narcissism demanding reality conform to the leader's self-image, greed as governing logic, and narcissistic rage when challenged—and explores how such patterns manifest in the political organisation of public life.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:03 WIB
National Police Chief Prepares Security at Ships and High-Risk Points in Lampung for Eid Holiday Travel
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has deployed personnel to ensure public order and safety during the 2026 Eid holiday exodus, with security measures implemented on ferries and at vulnerable locations in Lampung. The police have established service posts at Merak Port and along key mudik routes, offering facilities including field kitchens and rest areas, whilst prioritising safe and smooth travel in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:02 WIB
Rismon Challenges Roy Suryo Over False Diploma Allegations Against Jokowi: Don't Hide, Come On...
Rismon Sianipar, a suspect in the case regarding allegations that President Joko Widodo's diploma is fraudulent, has challenged co-suspect Roy Suryo to publicly debate the authenticity of Jokowi's credentials. Rismon claims to have conducted extensive verification using dozens of methods and has found watermarks and embossing on the diploma, contradicting Roy Suryo's assertions, and has invited him to a public demonstration with journalists present. Rismon, one of eight suspects charged under the Information and Electronic Transactions Law, maintains that his findings are based on scientific methodology and plans to document his evidence in writing.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:02 WIB
Indonesia's Baznas delivers 74,228 iftar meal portions to Palestine
Indonesia's State Zakat Agency (Baznas) has delivered 74,228 iftar meal portions to Palestinians in Gaza as part of its annual Ramadan humanitarian programme, reaching displaced persons in refugee camps across multiple regions including Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. The initiative forms part of Baznas' broader 2024 Gaza relief efforts, which also include health services, clean water, blankets, and temporary shelters for education. The agency emphasised its commitment to supporting communities affected by conflict and disasters, funded through donations from Indonesian citizens.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026, 13:01 WIB
Pani Gold Mine Begins Production; Merdeka Gold Resources (EMAS) Targets Profitability in 2026
PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk has commenced commercial gold production at its Pani Gold Mine in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, in February 2026, marking a significant transition from the development phase to commercial operations. The company has signed a Gold Sales & Purchase Agreement with PT Aneka Tambang and shipped its first consignment on 27 February 2026, with initial sales recorded in Q1 2026. Merdeka Gold Resources targets gold production of 100,000 to 115,000 ounces in 2026 and expects to return to profitability that year, supported by favourable gold prices and competitive production costs.