Indonesia's Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) has introduced a bulk process feature in its Coretax application to streamline the issuance of tax withholding certificates for taxpayers. The new feature allows users to process hundreds or thousands of withholding certificates simultaneously rather than individually, significantly reducing administrative burden for company tax staff, consultants, and finance teams. The bulk process includes two main functions: issuing certificates by tax period automatically, and downloading certificate data in CSV format for easier verification and reconciliation.

The Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) has achieved 80 per cent completion in preparing its new Policy Guarantee Programme, including infrastructure and policy development, though final implementation awaits amendments to the Financial Sector Development Law. The insurance industry faces multiple concurrent pressures, including adoption of IFRS 17 financial reporting standards, compliance with minimum capitalisation requirements of Rp 250 billion, and mandatory separation of Sharia business units by December 2026.

President Prabowo Subianto's plan to develop a building for the Indonesian Council of Islamic Scholars (MUI) and Islamic institutions at the strategically significant Bundaran HI site represents an opportunity to centralise and professionalise Indonesia's Islamic economic ecosystem. The initiative must move beyond symbolic value to create an integrated institutional architecture that coordinates religious leaders, regulators, academics, entrepreneurs, and fintech operators to harness Indonesia's potential Islamic financial resources and position the nation as a global halal hub.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) reports that 2.7 million Lebaran 2026 train tickets have been sold as of 12 March, representing 60.1 per cent of the 4.49 million total seats available for the 11 March to 1 April travel period. Approximately 1.79 million seats remain available across both long-distance and local services, with peak exodus predicted on 22 March and peak return journey on 24 March. The national rail operator has assured full operational readiness to handle the anticipated surge in passenger demand during the festive season.

The Indonesian National Police's Traffic Director has announced that Operation Ketupat 2026 will deploy electronic traffic law enforcement (ETLE) systems, drones, and bodycams to monitor Lebaran holiday traffic flows and ensure public safety. Beyond traffic management, the operation aims to provide comprehensive security across religious sites, toll roads, and tourist areas during the Ramadan to Eid al-Fitr period through coordinated deployment of personnel and resources.

The Gianyar Police District held a troop parade on 12 March 2026 to prepare personnel and infrastructure for Operation Ketupat Agung 2026, aimed at securing Eid al-Fitr celebrations and managing Lebaran holiday traffic in 2026. Led by Deputy Police Commander Kompol Willa Jully Nendissa, the operation will run for 13 days from 13 to 25 March and involves coordinated efforts across police, military, and related agencies to ensure safe and orderly celebrations.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) to investigate alleged corruption in the health sector driving up medicine prices, which the minister claims are 3-5 times higher than in Malaysia. Commission IX Deputy Chair Yahya Zaini supports the initiative whilst highlighting that Indonesia's dependence on imported pharmaceutical raw materials—90% sourced from China and India—contributes to price volatility and calls for developing a domestic pharmaceutical industry through research and development.

A student demonstration organised by the Network of Activists of the Islamic Student Movement of Indonesia (Jaringan Aktivis Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia) is scheduled for Friday, 13 March 2026, at noon in Jakarta's Central District, specifically along Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat and around the Horse Statue in Gambir. The Central Jakarta Metro Police has deployed 915 combined personnel to secure the demonstration, with traffic engineering measures to be implemented situationally based on the crowd size.

Indonesia's Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced that a new presidential task force on innovative financing and management of national parks will support sustainable ecotourism development without promoting mass tourism. The government seeks to balance conservation efforts with economic benefits for local communities, with pilot projects planned including Way Kambas National Park, which will address human-elephant conflict through infrastructure and community empowerment initiatives.

The Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) under the Ministry of Home Affairs released Net Population Data for the second semester of 2025, showing Indonesia's population at 288.3 million with a slight male majority. The data, compiled from various civil administration services including biometric ID recordings, reveals that 97.47 per cent of citizens have registered their electronic ID cards (KTP-el), underscoring the government's commitment to accurate demographic information for national development planning and public service delivery.

Indonesia's Composite Index (IHSG) closed 0.37% lower at 7,362.12 on 12 March amid global market weakness, with concerns over a potential energy crisis following Iranian threats to oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz driving Brent crude up 10.4% to US$101.60 per barrel. Bank Jago reported 115% net profit growth to Rp276 billion in 2025 with 38% credit expansion, whilst Bank Central Asia approved Rp41.3 trillion in dividends for the year.

PT Indobuildco's legal team has filed a complaint with the Judicial Commission (Komisi Yudisial) against the heads of Jakarta Central District Court and Jakarta High Court, alleging discriminatory treatment in the execution of a court decision regarding Hotel Sultan. The complaint argues that the courts are improperly enforcing an immediately executable decision whilst the case remains under appeal and cassation proceedings, contrary to Supreme Court guidelines.

Global crude oil prices surged approximately 9 per cent to reach their highest levels in nearly four years, with Brent crude climbing to 100.46 dollars per barrel and WTI rising to 95.70 dollars per barrel, driven by escalating Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern energy facilities and threats to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The International Energy Agency has characterised the current disruption as the largest supply shock in global market history and has authorised the release of 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves. Whilst market analysts expect continued volatility, the prospect of oil reaching 200 dollars per barrel is considered unlikely despite the intensifying regional conflict.

Astra, through its Nurani Astra foundation, has delivered 156 units of medical equipment and 20 ambulances to Indonesia's Ministry of Health to support disaster recovery efforts in flood and landslide-affected regions across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The donation aims to strengthen healthcare services and improve medical assistance access for affected communities, with ambulances distributed to primary health centres and regional hospitals across the three provinces.

The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in connection with alleged corruption in the 2023-2024 hajj quota case, with a suspected loss to the state of IDR 622 billion. The KPK delayed the arrest to ensure sufficient evidence was compiled, nearly two months after initially designating him as a suspect in January 2026. Qoumas faces charges under the 1999 Corruption Eradication Law and will be detained for 20 days at the KPK's detention facility.

Transport observer Deddy Herlambang attributes difficulties in obtaining ride-hailing services at certain times to drivers' selective order acceptance, partly due to unattractive tariffs and the application's 20 per cent commission. He proposes implementing quota limits on ride-hailing drivers to balance driver income with fares and suggests that ride-hailing is fundamentally a social phenomenon rather than an essential component of urban transport systems that depend on multimodal integration.

Iran's Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism announced plans to convert a girls' school in Minab that was bombed during the US-Israel Operation Epic Fury into a "Martyred Students Memorial Museum" to preserve the memory of at least 171 students killed in the attack. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions following the February 28 strikes on Iranian targets, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

Ahead of the expected mass exodus of 143.9 million Indonesians during the Eid holidays, the government has been preparing infrastructure and transportation networks, including the Trans-Sumatran Toll Road. CNBC Indonesia conducted an on-site inspection from Jakarta through the Merak ferry port to Sumatra, finding generally adequate conditions on the Trans-Java toll but noting serious road deterioration on the Kayu Agung-Palembang section, where inadequate lighting and poor surface conditions require vigilant driving, with major repairs underway.

PT Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi (PIEP) has successfully relocated 11 executives from Basra, Iraq and 8 personnel from Dubai, United Arab Emirates in response to regional geopolitical tensions and escalating conflict. The evacuation process, coordinated with Indonesia's Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions, took approximately 14 days due to international airport closures, with personnel returning safely to Jakarta via overland and air routes through Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Indonesia's Defence Ministry is planning to convert sections of toll roads and national highways across various regions into emergency landing strips for fighter jets to strengthen operational readiness. The initiative follows a successful test flight in February 2026 where TNI Air Force F-16 and EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft successfully landed and took off from a section of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, demonstrating the feasibility of using civil infrastructure for defence purposes during emergencies.

Gold prices at major retailers including Galeri 24, UBS, Antam, and Antam Retro fell across the board on Friday, 13 March 2026. Galeri 24 1-gram gold dropped to IDR3,066,000 from IDR3,098,000, whilst Antam declined to IDR3,179,000 from IDR3,226,000, with UBS and Antam Retro also experiencing declines of approximately IDR30,000-31,000 per gram.

Illegal parking continues to block half of Matraman Raya Road in front of the East Jakarta Metropolitan Police Station, with vehicles lined up despite visible no-parking signs. The East Jakarta Transportation Office has confirmed the problem is recurring and pledges continued enforcement, having deployed 75 transport personnel assisted by 25 military and police personnel on Thursday to tow four vehicles. Officials have urged the public to use designated parking facilities in nearby locations.

The position of Head of Territorial Staff (Kaster) within the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) has been reactivated after being abolished in 2001 during President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration. General Panglima Agus Subiyanto has appointed Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi to the position, with the reinstatement leading to organisational restructuring at TNI headquarters. The Kaster role, previously held by future vice-chairman Agus Widjojo, is tasked with supporting the Panglima in territorial defence and regional empowerment functions.

The Indonesian government has launched an e-learning platform and updated financial reporting application (SPPG version 04) to strengthen governance and accountability of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme, which currently serves approximately 60 million beneficiaries through 23,000 nutrition service units. With the 2025 budget allocation increasing from Rp71 trillion to Rp85 trillion, the enhanced systems aim to ensure transparent financial management and maintain public trust in the programme's implementation through mandatory daily, weekly, and monthly reporting requirements.

The Indonesia International Motor Show 2026, held in February, achieved IDR 9.5 trillion in transaction value, a notable increase from the previous year's IDR 8 trillion. The automotive industry witnessed particularly strong growth in electric vehicle sales, with electric motorcycles surging 96.54 percent, whilst electric cars and conventional vehicles also posted double-digit gains.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that 32 member nations have agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil—the largest strategic reserve release in the agency's history—to compensate for supply losses from Iran's threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid US-Israel tensions. The United States separately announced it would release 172 million barrels from its emergency reserves, with global oil prices fluctuating above US$100 per barrel as Iran continues attacking tankers attempting to transit the critical waterway.

Smart mobility technology company OMOWAY has unveiled its OMO-ROBOT Architecture at a global launch event in Singapore, with the company's flagship product, OMO X — the world's first mass-produced electric motorcycle with automatic balancing technology — entering full production. Indonesia has been selected as OMOWAY's primary market, with pre-orders scheduled to begin in late April 2026 and market launch in Jakarta in late May 2026, capitalizing on Indonesia's position as one of the world's largest two-wheeled vehicle ecosystems.

Indonesia faces a unique challenge in 2026 when Balinese Hindu's Nyepi (day of silence) falls on 19 March, just two days before Idul Fitri on 21 March, requiring careful management to ensure both religious observances proceed respectfully. Government and religious leaders have implemented measures such as restricting takbir (Islamic celebration calls) to mosque premises and limiting their timing to maintain harmony, demonstrating that religious tolerance must be a living social practice rather than mere rhetoric. The convergence of these two major spiritual traditions serves as a testament to Indonesia's capacity for coexistence and a valuable lesson in preserving diversity through mutual restraint and respect.

Indonesia's strong domestic investor base is increasingly acting as a buffer against global market volatility, according to Indonesian Stock Exchange economist Anita Kesia Zonebia. Data shows the domestic investor composition has grown significantly, with retail and local institutional ownership rising to 58 percent by January 2026, whilst foreign ownership declined from 49.1 percent in 2020 to 41.9 percent, reflecting a healthier and more resilient market structure.

The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Ishfah Abidal Aziz, known as Gus Alex and a former special staff member to ex-Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 hajj quota scheme. According to the KPK, Gus Alex allegedly ordered Ministry of Religion officials to collect acceleration fees ranging from USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 per pilgrim in exchange for granting special hajj quotas that circumvented the standard allocation system between February and June 2024.

Activists have called on the Indonesian government to expedite the preparation of a Domestic Inventory of Issues (DIM) and presidential decree for the Protection of Domestic Workers (PPRT) bill, which was approved by parliament as a legislative initiative, with a one-month deadline for submission. The bill proposes providing domestic workers with social health insurance and employment protection, whilst prohibiting labour placement agencies from deducting wages or imposing fees and from placing workers with non-individual employers. Activists are keen to prevent further delays, referencing the bill's stalled progress in 2023.

The Indonesian Islamic Party (PKS) has called for a comprehensive government evaluation of the free nutritious meals (MBG) programme following the temporary suspension of over 1,500 nutrition service units across Java. The party argues the programme requires more decentralised governance, greater involvement of local businesses and micro-enterprises, and stronger transparency, rather than relying heavily on state institutions like the military and police.

With Eid bonus payments (THR) incoming, CNBC Indonesia Research recommends investors consider low-cost, quality shares within the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII), Indonesia's sharia-compliant equity benchmark comprising 30 highly liquid large-cap stocks. The analysis identifies undervalued sharia stocks meeting valuation criteria of Price-to-Book Value below 2x and Price-to-Earnings Ratio below 20x, screening from an investment universe vetted for compliance with Islamic financial principles including debt-to-asset ratios below 45% and halal business sources.

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), which manages over 95% of Indonesia's natural gas infrastructure, added more than 230 kilometres of distribution pipeline in 2025 and delivered 836 billion British thermal units of gas to over 830,300 customers. The company is pursuing integrated pipeline and non-pipeline infrastructure to strengthen energy resilience, expand service coverage to new regions, and support Indonesia's transition to cleaner and more efficient energy.

The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has declared that Gus Alex, a former special staff member to Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, acted as Yaqut's representative in an alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 hajj quota. According to investigators, Gus Alex played a dominant role in collecting acceleration fees for special hajj services, with the collected funds allegedly destined for Yaqut's personal use. Yaqut has been detained for 20 days (12-31 March 2026) pending investigation into charges of corruption and instructing officials to alter hajj quota allocations from 92-8 per cent to 50-50 per cent between regular and special hajj quotas.

Pertamina Patra Niaga's executive board conducted operational inspections in Semarang ahead of the 2026 Eid exodus, reviewing the energy distribution chain from maritime transport to petrol stations. The company operates over 345 fleet units and supplies approximately 60% of Central Java's LPG distribution through specialised ships such as the Gas Walio, an LPG carrier with a 13,000-tonne capacity. These operational readiness measures ensure uninterrupted energy supply across Indonesia's archipelago during the peak holiday travel period.

Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz caused by US-Israel-Iran conflict threaten global food security by restricting fertiliser exports, particularly from Gulf countries that supply approximately 20% of global nutrient trade. Rising oil prices and constrained fertiliser availability could significantly reduce crop yields and increase food prices, disproportionately affecting low-income and import-dependent nations including India, Brazil, and parts of South Asia and Europe.

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla has reiterated that Indonesia's foreign policy must adhere to the principles of independent and active politics (bebas aktif) and non-alignment, grounded in the outcomes of the 1955 Bandung Asian-African Conference. During a meeting with former Indonesian ambassadors organised by the Indonesian Council on World Affairs, Kalla discussed global developments whilst the ICWA highlighted Indonesia's diplomatic potential in mediating Middle Eastern conflicts and facilitating an emergency Non-Aligned Movement summit.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa held the 58th "Cheap Market" event in Madiun to provide affordable staple goods to residents ahead of Eid al-Fitr, with significantly discounted prices on essential commodities such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, and chicken. The initiative aims to stabilise prices and control inflation whilst ensuring food security and accessibility for the public. The governor also distributed food aid to elderly residents, pregnant women, and children, and supported local micro, small, and medium enterprises by purchasing their products for distribution to attendees.

Asian stock markets experienced significant losses following escalating tensions in Iran, with the Nikkei 225 falling 2% and South Korea's Kospi dropping nearly 3%. Global investors are concerned about potential supply disruptions to crude oil, with Brent crude surging 9.22% to close above US$100 per barrel for the first time since August 2022, whilst US recession probability bets increased to 32%.

The Bali Police Traffic Directorate is implementing a traffic management strategy for Jembrana Regency ahead of the 2026 Lebaran exodus, separating vehicles into three categories—motorcycles, cars, and trucks—for routing to Gilimanuk Port. The scheme includes multiple traffic control indicators, five designated parking areas along the Denpasar-Gilimanuk route, and specific exit routes through different lanes at a cargo terminal to manage congestion. Police have also identified 27 accident blackspots across Bali and are encouraging residents to depart earlier through a work-from-anywhere scheme to avoid peak congestion around Nyepi.

Three suspects in the electronic document manipulation case involving allegations of forged credentials for President Joko Widodo have diverged in their approach, with Rismon Sianipar seeking restorative justice through mediation whilst co-suspects Roy Suryo and Tifauzia Tyassuma maintain their original stance. Rismon has claimed that his ongoing independent research, based on digital image processing variables including translation, rotation, and lighting, has led him to different conclusions from those presented in their jointly authored Jokowi's White Paper, where all three initially asserted the diploma was 99.9 per cent fraudulent.

PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (InJourney), which operates 37 airports across Indonesia, has projected that passenger traffic will reach 9 million during the 2026 Lebaran holiday period, representing a 2 per cent increase compared to 2025. The state-owned enterprise is preparing operational readiness across all airports, with particular focus on five major hubs operating 24-hour services, whilst also expecting significant increases in hotel occupancy and tourist visits to heritage sites under its management.

Yogyakarta City Government has implemented a ban on tour buses transiting through the Zero Kilometre Point area and parking at Senopati parking facility, effective from 14 March 2026. The policy aims to reduce chronic traffic congestion in the city centre, particularly during long holidays, whilst improving area management and sanitation by limiting large vehicle activity in the pedestrian zone.

Users in Indonesia are increasingly complaining about the difficulty of obtaining ride-hailing (ojek online) services, particularly during peak hours, with the phenomenon gaining traction on social media and being dubbed an "ojol crisis" by some. Transport observer Deddy Herlambang attributes the scarcity to multiple factors including unfavourable weather, fasting months, drivers rejecting low-fare orders, and a perceived imbalance between driver earnings and operational costs, compounded by approximately 20 per cent commission cuts taken by ride-hailing platforms. Herlambang recommends implementing quota limitations on ride-hailing drivers to maintain fare sustainability and suggests that the broader issue reflects Indonesia's need for an integrated multi-modal urban transport system rather than relying on ride-hailing as a core transport solution.

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina is actively seeking alternative energy import sources in response to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affecting the Hormuz Strait. The company has already moved two of four vessels out of the region whilst prioritising crew safety and cargo security, whilst the government implements various economic recovery programmes including KUR credit relief for disaster-affected businesses in Sumatra and toll discounts on nine highways.

Functional tolls, which are temporarily opened ahead of the Lebaran holiday rush, differ significantly from fully operational toll roads in their construction phase and safety specifications. According to PT Jasamarga Jogja Solo's Finance Director, functional tolls still feature incomplete concrete surfaces in some sections, lower speed limits of 40 km/h maximum, and lack comprehensive street lighting and traffic signage, though they operate toll-free to help ease congestion during peak travel periods.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Taxes has exempted certain categories of taxpayers from filing annual tax returns (SPT) under the new Coretax system, replacing the previous "Non-Effective" (NE) classification with "Inactive Taxpayer" status. Eligible groups include individuals whose income falls below the tax-free threshold, business owners who have ceased operations, unemployed workers, and retirees without income, who can apply for exemption through the Coretax portal without fear of penalty notices.

Pertamina Patra Niaga's executive leadership conducted operational inspections at Semarang to ensure energy distribution readiness ahead of the Eidulfitri 2026 mass migration period. The inspections covered maritime transport, fuel tanker distribution, and fuel station services, with particular focus on LPG carrier operations and fuel quality assurance systems. Approximately 60% of Central Java's LPG distribution is supported by Pertamina's fleet of over 345 vessels.

Jakarta's Provincial Government officially launched the new Transjabodetabek SH2 route connecting Blok M to Soekarno-Hatta Airport whilst implementing restrictions on freight transport during the Lebaran exodus period from 13-29 March 2026. Authorities have prepared nine ships through Pelni and are restricting cargo vehicles on Jakarta's toll roads to manage the expected 6.65 million residents travelling for Lebaran, whilst implementing waste-to-energy solutions across three locations to address the city's waste management challenges.