SDN 5 Buahan, a primary school in Gianyar, Bali, which has been in a deteriorating condition since its construction in 1982, is to be relocated to a new site just 500 metres away. The Head of Gianyar Education Office announced that physical construction of the new school will commence between May and June, with a budget allocation of Rp 5 billion, as the existing building's poor structural condition and dangerous location make renovation unfeasible.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, General (Retired) Djamari Chaniago, inspected transport readiness at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) and Yogyakarta's Tugu Station in preparation for the Lebaran holiday exodus. Djamari requested that YIA be prepared to operate 24 hours daily if airlines request additional flights, emphasising the need for seamless coordination between airports and carriers to ensure passenger services and timely information dissemination during the anticipated surge in travel. The minister also stressed the importance of proper staff scheduling at public transport facilities to prevent fatigue-related accidents during the holiday period.

Several significant legal cases dominated Indonesian headlines, with former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas formally detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with a hajj quota scandal, whilst celebrity Muhammad Ammar Akbar (Ammar Zoni) faces a prosecution demand for 9 years imprisonment in a drug distribution case. The roundup captures major developments in corruption investigations and drug-related prosecutions affecting high-profile figures in Indonesian society.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the Iranian military to maintain a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and called on regional states to close US military bases on their territory. Khamenei has also vowed retaliation for his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in a US-Israeli attack in February 2026, pledging to seize or destroy American and Israeli assets if compensation is not provided.

BRI Region 17 Denpasar held a joint iftar dinner and distributed financial aid to 100 orphaned children and Eid gifts as part of its Ramadan corporate social responsibility initiative. The regional office also provided 50 parcel gifts to basic-level workers in recognition of their dedication to the bank's operations. The assistance, sourced from employee zakat managed by YBM BRILiaN, reflects BRI's commitment to supporting social development and community welfare.

The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) is calculating administrative fines against mining companies operating in forest areas in North Maluku that allegedly failed to comply with licensing requirements. The task force has resealed mining operational areas and emphasises that the calculation process will be conducted transparently and accountably, with regular updates provided to the public on achievements in forest area recovery and fine payments.

Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin clarified that forthcoming increases to BPJS health insurance contributions will only affect upper-middle-class self-paying members, not the poor whose premiums are subsidised by the government through the PBI scheme. The contribution structure follows a social insurance principle with cross-subsidisation, whereby higher-income participants support lower-income ones, ranging from Rp 42,000 to Rp 150,000 monthly depending on service class.

Metro Jaya Police has deployed mobile Samsat (One-Stop Administrative System) services across 14 locations in Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi on Friday to facilitate vehicle tax payments. The mobile units will handle annual motor vehicle tax (PKB) payments only, with operating hours varying by location between 08.00–17.30 WIB, whilst renewal of vehicle registration certificates and number plate replacements must be handled at permanent Samsat offices.

Golkar's Youth and Sports Division head Said Aldi Al Idrus has instructed the party's young cadres to identify and propose the best candidates with strong charisma and public sympathy as prospective legislative candidates to boost the party's votes in the 2029 general election. The directive, endorsed by Golkar chairman Bahlil Lahadalia, also calls for youth members to mobilise in communities to promote the Prabowo government's flagship programmes as the party works to recruit two million new cadres from millennial and youth elements.

The Indonesian government has implemented restrictions on freight transport during the 2026 Eid holiday exodus period, effective 13 February to 29 March 2026, covering major toll roads across Java, Sumatra, and the Jakarta metropolitan region. The restrictions apply to heavy vehicles including multi-axle cargo trucks, articulated lorries, and trucks carrying construction materials, minerals, and excavated goods, enforced through a joint ministerial decree involving the Transport, Public Works, and National Police Highway Enforcement units.

The Euphrates and Tigris rivers, which have historically sustained the Middle East's most fertile regions, are drying up rapidly and are projected to run dry by 2040 due to declining water levels and climate change. The phenomenon was reportedly foretold by the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic tradition, and approximately 60 million people across Turkey and Iraq depend on these river systems for survival.

Indonesia's major banks have announced adjusted operational schedules for the Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr holidays from 18-24 March 2026, following Bank Indonesia's decision to suspend most banking services during this period. BRI will operate only 186 branch offices on selected dates with limited services, whilst BCA will close all branches on 19, 21, 22, and 23 March, with both banks maintaining 24-hour digital banking access through mobile and online platforms.

Indonesia's Traffic Police (Korlantas) will utilise advanced technology infrastructure including ETLE cameras, drones, and body cameras during Operation Ketupat 2026, which runs from 13-25 March and involves over 161,000 personnel. The force will monitor traffic conditions in real-time from a command centre in Cikarang, Bekasi, and implement traffic management measures based on actual field conditions rather than predictions, whilst also providing assistance to stranded motorists.

PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (InJourney) is preparing to capitalize on an estimated 144 million travellers during the 2026 Eid holiday exodus by improving services across 37 airports and heritage destinations in Indonesia. The company forecasts a 9 million passenger increase at major airports and a 15 per cent rise in visitors to temple attractions including Prambanan, Borobudur, and Ratu Boko, with comprehensive operational measures to ensure safe and comfortable travel experiences.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the Energy Transition Task Force to accelerate Indonesia's shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, citing potential oil supply disruptions in the Middle East/Western Asia region. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia outlined plans to decommission diesel and coal-powered generators whilst simultaneously constructing renewable energy infrastructure replacements, with the task force aiming to commence operations following the Eid holiday. The government emphasises the need to secure long-term energy security in the current geopolitical climate by leveraging domestic renewable energy potential.

The Indonesian government plans to designate 2.73 million hectares of paddy fields across 12 provinces as Protected Agricultural Land (Lahan Sawah yang Dilindungi), transferring authority over land conversion from local governments to the central Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning. This measure is intended to support food self-sufficiency and aims to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026, with the 12 provinces including major rice-producing regions such as South Sulawesi, Lampung, and North Sumatra.

The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment has expressed hopes that the newly appointed head of the National Zakat Board (Baznas), Sodik Mudjahid, will improve the organisation's management of zakat, alms, and voluntary donations to better assist Indonesia's impoverished populations. The government aims to leverage the substantial potential of Islamic charitable giving through collaborative programmes involving 184 zakat institutions and 234 philanthropic organisations to help the estimated 23 million economically disadvantaged Indonesians, including those in extreme poverty.

PT KAI's Daop 3 Cirebon division has released 102,300 train tickets for the 2026 Eid exodus period, with approximately 60,000 still available after only 40.4 per cent of capacity has been sold. The peak period for homebound travel is predicted to occur on 18 March 2026 (H-3 Eid), whilst the return journey peak is expected on 23 March 2026 (H+2 Eid).

Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has exposed how Fuad Hasan Masyhur, owner of Maktour Travel, lobbied former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to allocate additional hajj quotas to travel agencies, leading to corruption involving acceleration fees. The investigation reveals that Yaqut accepted bribes ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 2,000 per pilgrim across the 2023 and 2024 hajj periods for bypassing normal queuing procedures for special hajj pilgrims.

Chinese automaker Jetour plans to introduce the T2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to the Indonesian market in the second half of 2026, capitalising on shifting consumer demand away from conventional internal combustion engines. The move reflects a broader industry trend of transitioning to electrification whilst maintaining petrol engine capabilities, with the T2 PHEV estimated to deliver over 296 horsepower whilst offering improved fuel efficiency and environmental benefits.

Major ride-hailing and delivery platforms Grab, Gojek, and Shopee have acknowledged widespread customer complaints about extended wait times for drivers during Ramadan, citing a surge in demand combined with driver shortages as many return to their hometowns for the Islamic holiday. The companies attribute the service disruptions to extreme weather conditions, heavy traffic, and operational challenges, with plans to implement special tariffs and operational adjustments to stabilise driver availability.

Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has formally detained former Religion Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and scheduled the summons of his former special staff, Ishfah Abidal Aziz (Gus Alex), as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the 2023-2024 hajj quota scheme. The commission has identified alleged state losses of 622 billion Indonesian rupiah resulting from the suspected corruption, with both officials facing charges under Indonesia's anti-corruption laws.

The Indonesian government has assured that all tourism destinations remain safe and comfortable for visitors despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, including developments in the Middle East. Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana announced adaptive measures to maintain sector stability, whilst early 2026 data shows positive trends with domestic travel reaching 102.04 million journeys and foreign visitor arrivals maintaining strong levels. The government is also preparing tourism destinations for major holidays, including Ramadan 2026, through the "Indonesia ASRI" movement launched by President Prabowo.

A landfill collapse at TPST Bantargebang on 8 March 2026 killed seven people and has sparked intense scrutiny of Indonesia's national waste management system. Environmental groups argue the tragedy underscores the urgent need to overhaul waste management practices, moving away from landfill-dependent approaches towards source reduction, reuse, and recycling. The incident recalls the 2005 Leuwigajah landfill disaster that killed over 150 people and highlights systemic failures in implementing Indonesia's waste management legislation.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandha announced that the government, in collaboration with the Religious Affairs Ministry, is preparing mosques as rest areas for homebound travellers during the Eid holiday period, particularly for motorcycle users on arterial routes. The government is implementing multiple measures for safe travel, including restrictions on heavy vehicle operations, enhanced ferry crossing capacity at Merak–Bakauheni and Ketapang–Gilimanuk routes, and additional healthcare facilities. These coordinated efforts between various government agencies, security forces, and transport stakeholders aim to ensure smooth and secure travel during the peak homebound season.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas attempted to silence the House of Representatives' Hajj Special Committee by offering approximately USD 1 million (around Rp 16.9 billion) in bribes derived from fees generated by allocating an excessive 50 per cent of additional hajj quotas to special hajj operators. The bribery attempt ultimately failed as committee members rejected the offer outright, and the KPK subsequently seized the funds as evidence in its investigation into the misallocation of Saudi Arabia's additional hajj quota allocation.

Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will suspend all flight operations for 24 hours on 19-20 March 2026 to honour the Hindu Nyepi festival (New Year Caka 1948), affecting 440 scheduled commercial flights comprising 231 domestic and 209 international routes. The closure represents an annual commitment to support the observance of this sacred day, with emergency services remaining on standby and coordination completed with all aviation stakeholders including airlines and air navigation authorities.

Foreign investors recorded net purchases of approximately Rp1 trillion in Indonesia's domestic stock market on 12 March 2026, with energy, banking, and telecommunications stocks proving most popular ahead of the Eid holiday break (18-24 March). Alamtri Resources Indonesia (ADRO) led foreign buying activity with net purchases of Rp209.7 billion, whilst the broader Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) declined 0.37% amid mixed sectoral performance.

A landslide at Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility in Bekasi on 8 March 2026 has caused severe congestion with hundreds of Jakarta provincial waste trucks queuing along roadsides for extended periods. The queue extends approximately 8 kilometres along Siliwangi Road due to limited disposal points and restricted daily truck quotas, with drivers reporting waits of up to 7 hours. The situation has persisted since 10 March, exhausting drivers and creating significant traffic disruption for other vehicles on the route.

The Badung Civil Police (Satpol PP) will intensify inspections of migrant arrivals at Mengwi Terminal Type A from 24-26 March 2026 ahead of Eid al-Fitr and Nyepi celebrations, as part of Operation Ketupat Agung security measures. Authorities will verify that all migrants carry valid identity cards (KTP) and have sponsors guaranteeing their residence, with teams also conducting sweeps across six districts in Badung to ensure proper documentation.

PT Jasamarga Jogja Solo (JMJ) is developing the new Yogyakarta-Solo-NYIA Kulonprogo tollway with distinctive features that honour local culture, including leasing land from the Yogyakarta Sultanate for 40 years at a cost of Rp 160 billion and incorporating Hanacaraka Javanese script ornaments at toll gates. These culturally sensitive measures reflect the company's commitment to preserving the region's local heritage whilst developing modern infrastructure across Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

The Indonesian government targets laying the foundation stone for its Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) project by June 2026, with initial construction commencing at four major cities: Denpasar Raya, Bekasi, Bogor Raya, and Yogyakarta. The project will expand to 14 regions in phase two, with Jakarta's facilities designed to process 8,000 tonnes of waste daily across three locations: Bantar Gebang (3,000 tonnes/day), Tanjung (2,000 tonnes/day), and Sunter (2,000 tonnes/day).

Two oil tankers were attacked in waters near Iraq, resulting in at least one crew member's death and 38 rescued personnel, with search operations ongoing for missing crew. The incident underscores escalating tensions in the Middle East and threatens a vital shipping corridor that transports roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supplies, whilst Iran has pledged to halt all oil exports from the Gulf amid its conflict with the United States and Israel.

The Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) has urged the Indonesian government to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP) established by US President Donald Trump, citing the US attack on Iran just ten days after the BoP's formation and controversies surrounding membership fees and evaluation mechanisms. Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that Indonesia would have no problem leaving the BoP, though he cautioned that the government must carefully consider the implications and noted that US Supreme Court decisions have capped reciprocal tariffs at a maximum of 15 per cent. The Foreign Ministry announced it is suspending discussions on the BoP following the escalation of conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel, prioritising the monitoring of the situation and the safety of Indonesian citizens in the Middle East.

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the former Minister of Religious Affairs, has been detained by Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on suspicion of corruption related to the hajj quota allocation scheme. Yaqut was formally named a suspect on 8 January 2026 and his subsequent pretrial challenge was rejected two days ago, affirming his suspect status. His detention drew crowds of supporters from Banser, a mass organisation affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama, at the KPK's Red and White Building headquarters in Jakarta.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa will lead the fifth open debottlenecking session on Friday 13 March 2026 to address business obstacles related to investment, regulation, fiscal, and licensing issues. The session will hear cases from three companies—PT Samator Indo Gas Tbk, PT Kairos Indah Sejahtera, and PT Galang Bumi Industri—with responses from relevant government agencies and ministerial decisions to be issued on each matter.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa will chair the fifth public debottlenecking session today to address business obstacles and investment barriers. The session will take place at the Finance Ministry's Juanda Hall in central Jakarta at 09:00 WIB, though specific cases to be heard have not yet been disclosed. The debottlenecking task force, led by Purbaya, serves as the official channel for businesses to raise regulatory, fiscal, and licensing challenges.

The Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) is preparing two implementation scenarios for its new Insurance Policy Guarantee Scheme (PPP): an accelerated activation with minimum readiness by 2027 and full implementation by 2028 with ideal readiness levels. Between 2011 and 2025, Indonesia witnessed 25 insurance companies losing their operational licences, with approximately 17 classified as outright failures, underscoring the strategic importance of the PPP in strengthening the insurance industry and protecting policyholders whilst maintaining financial stability.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Donald Marles has expressed interest in using Indonesia's international military training facilities being developed in Morotai, North Maluku. Australia plans to send a military survey team to Morotai by the end of 2026 to assess cooperation opportunities in infrastructure development for the training facility, which will primarily serve the Indonesian military but could accommodate Australian forces for training exercises.

Indonesia's Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has issued a weather warning for the Ciayumajakuning region (Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka, Kuningan) in West Java, alerting residents and Eid holiday travellers to expect moderate to heavy rainfall during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period, particularly in early March. The agency attributes the anticipated weather conditions to active atmospheric dynamics including the Asian Monsoon, Madden-Julian Oscillation activity, and the potential formation of tropical cyclone seeds in southern Indonesian waters.

Gold and silver prices have continued to decline amid ongoing Middle East tensions, with gold closing at US$5,078.89 per troy ounce on 12 March 2026 (down 1.9%). The weakness is driven by a confluence of factors including a strengthening US dollar, rising Treasury yields, and panic selling among investors, though several major banks including JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank remain optimistic about longer-term gold prospects, forecasting prices of US$6,300 and US$6,000 per ounce respectively by year-end 2026.

The Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate has arrested Abdul Wahid, alias 'Boy', a wanted drug dealer who transferred Rp1.8 billion in drug proceeds to former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro. Boy was apprehended in a rented house in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, as part of a larger investigation into a narcotics network led by Erwin Iskandar that supplied both money and drugs to the corrupt police officer, who has since been dishonourably discharged and detained.

The Indonesian government has implemented operational restrictions on freight transport across several national non-toll roads during the 2026 Eid holiday period, from 13-29 March, to reduce traffic congestion on major routes. The restrictions, issued by the Ministry of Transportation, Public Works Ministry, and National Police Traffic Corps, apply to arterial roads across Java but exclude essential cargo including fuel, livestock, fertiliser, emergency relief, and basic commodities.

Two US military aircraft were involved in an incident over western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with one KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashing and another landing safely. While US Central Command attributed the loss to causes other than hostile or friendly fire, Iran's military claimed responsibility for shooting down both aircraft via missile strikes, creating a stark contradiction in accounts of the incident.

Users of ride-hailing motorcycle services in Jakarta report difficulty finding available drivers during peak evening hours, leading to prolonged wait times and frequent cancellations. Multiple passengers attribute the shortages to drivers' selectivity during rush hour, preference for distant high-value orders, and reluctance to accept budget-fare bookings, forcing commuters to use alternative transport options.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Taxes reported a 5.1 per cent increase in high-income individual taxpayers paying the nation's highest progressive tax rate of 35 per cent in 2025. The rise reflects improved tax service and compliance monitoring of the highest-earning bracket, which applies to individuals with annual taxable income exceeding Rp 5 billion. Overall tax revenues grew substantially, with value-added tax and luxury goods tax revenues surging 97.4 per cent year-on-year.

Three community service students from 'Aisyiyah University in Yogyakarta have revitalised the struggling Al-Quran education programme at Baiturrahman Mosque in Sleman by introducing craft activities, Quranic storytelling, and interactive learning methods to engage declining enrolment. The initiative has reportedly increased student enthusiasm and creativity whilst addressing concerns about young people's disengagement from mosques due to social media influence.

The Trump administration has estimated that the first six days of military operations against Iran have cost at least 11.3 billion US dollars (approximately 180.8 trillion rupiah), with government officials suggesting a supplementary funding request of up to 50 billion dollars may be forthcoming. The military campaign, which began on 28 February through joint US-Israeli air strikes, has already expended approximately 5.6 billion dollars in ammunition alone during the first two days and has resulted in around 2,000 reported deaths, whilst raising concerns amongst Congress about the depletion of American military supplies.

Nurhadi, the former secretary of Indonesia's Supreme Court, is facing trial today for allegedly receiving gratification worth Rp137.1 billion and committing money laundering offences totalling Rp307.2 billion. The prosecution will present its charges at the Jakarta Central District Court, following his earlier conviction in 2020 for receiving bribes and gratification from various parties involved in legal cases. Nurhadi was previously sentenced to six years imprisonment and was subsequently re-detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission in June 2025 after his conditional release from Sukamiskin Prison.

Mataram Mayor Mohan Roliskana has instructed civil servants under the Mataram City Government not to receive parcels ahead of Eid 2026, deeming such gifts as gratification and potential conflict of interest. The directive aligns with anti-corruption circulars from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and aims to prevent corruption offences, though the mayor acknowledges that gifts from the public during Eid season are often well-intentioned and not always subject to such restrictions.