The National Anti-Zionist Alliance (ANAZ) called on the international community on International Al-Quds Day 2026 to immediately halt ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza, demanding an end to the total blockade which it characterises as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians. The coalition blamed the United States for enabling military escalation across the Middle East and called for economic pressure through boycotts of entities affiliated with the occupying regime, whilst rejecting international normalisation efforts such as the Board of Peace.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to announce Tokyo's formal participation in the United States' "Golden Dome" missile defence system during meetings with President Donald Trump next week, marking a significant shift in the bilateral defence alliance. The initiative aims to jointly develop interceptors and satellite networks to counter hypersonic weapons being developed by China and Russia, whilst reflecting Japan's gradual departure from strict post-World War II pacifist principles. Japan has approved a record defence budget of 9 trillion yen for the coming fiscal year as part of its commitment to double military spending to two per cent of GDP.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, accompanied by several ministers, inspected the readiness of the Merak Port in Cilegon, Banten to handle the 2026 Lebaran exodus (mudik), where over 143 million people are expected to travel. The inspection highlighted innovations including online ticketing systems, expanded buffer zones, alternative ports, and real-time traffic monitoring to manage vehicle queues and ensure security during the holiday period.

The home and dormitory of Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), were visited by unidentified individuals in the weeks preceding his acid attack on 12 March 2026. Civil rights activists suspect the surveillance may be connected to Yunus's human rights work, following an incident on 16 January when strangers visited his family home in Sukabumi, West Java, and three days of suspicious monitoring at the KontraS dormitory in Jakarta prior to the acid attack.

Indonesia's Minister of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform, Rini, conducted an inspection of transportation services at Gambir Station in Jakarta to ensure readiness for the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the 2026 Nyepi and Eid holidays. The ministry is collaborating with PT Kereta Api Indonesia to conduct public satisfaction surveys and implement citizen-centric service improvements, including enhanced facilities and a free motorcycle transport programme.

A combined team of firefighters, military, police, and disaster management officials continue efforts to extinguish a forest and peatland fire spanning 15 hectares in Rimbo Panjang Village, Kampar Regency, which has been burning for four days. Despite intensive daily operations, only about one hectare has been controlled so far, with efforts hampered by peatland conditions, water scarcity, fire spreading beneath the soil surface, and favourable weather conditions for fire spread. The team is employing multiple water pumps and hoses whilst maintaining vigilance to prevent the fire from reigniting and ensure complete extinguishment of subsurface embers.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa reported to President Prabowo Subianto that Indonesia's real inflation in February 2026 stands at 2.59 per cent when electricity subsidies are excluded, contrary to the headline figure of 4.64 per cent. Purbaya argued that excluding subsidy-related factors demonstrates the economy is not overheating and has room for stronger growth without warranting contractionary policy measures.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed all government ministries and agencies to enhance public service quality at transportation hubs ahead of the 2026 Eid holiday travel season. He specifically called for improved services at rest areas, ports, airports, and railway stations, whilst ensuring timely distribution of holiday allowances (THR) to civil servants and bonuses for online transport workers ranging from 400,000 to 1.6 million rupiah.

Badung Regency Government has arranged 15 buses (10 from the local government and 5 from corporate social responsibility) to provide free mudik transport for residents returning to East Java during the Eid holidays, accommodating 625 passengers in total. The convoy is scheduled to depart from Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall on 14 March 2026 at 15:00 local time, with all vehicles having undergone mandatory roadworthiness inspection by the Transportation Department to ensure passenger safety. Routes will cover destinations from Surabaya to Probolinggo.

Eighty-five volunteers from the Companion Mentor programme conducted simultaneous social outreach activities across Indonesia, with the Bandung event centred at YPLAB Special Needs School to promote inclusive education and support for children with special needs. The initiative, organised by Punya Skill Akademi, Minds United Community, and Creative Center, demonstrates how meaningful social impact can begin with simple acts of presence and empathy. The programme aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing quality, inclusive education without discrimination.

Indonesia's Religion Minister Nasaruddin Umar has criticised calls to boycott products deemed pro-Israel, arguing that such boycotts are not an effective solution to Middle Eastern issues and instead harm Indonesia's business sector and workers. The minister cited approximately 3,000 Indonesian employees who lost their jobs from a fast-food restaurant chain as a result of boycott campaigns, stating that boycotts create double harm for Muslims.

Citibank Indonesia held an interactive talk show on women's leadership to mark International Women's Day, featuring female leaders from banking, energy, and data analytics sectors. The discussion highlighted that only 8 out of 200 largest listed companies on the Indonesian Stock Exchange have female CEOs, with only 15 per cent of companies having women representation at executive level, whilst research shows companies with high gender diversity in boards are 28 per cent more likely to achieve superior financial performance.

The head of parliament's budget committee has indicated that the government retains sufficient fiscal room to maintain a budget deficit below 3% of GDP, despite the Finance Minister's earlier signals of potentially expanding the deficit ceiling for the 2026 budget. The committee chief outlined several strategies to preserve fiscal discipline, including improving tax collection through a coretax system, boosting non-tax revenues from commodity exports, and implementing targeted spending efficiency measures whilst maintaining careful management of government financing and debt obligations.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has directed the Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam) to accelerate development of the Batam region as a competitive economic growth centre. The government has appointed new deputies at BP Batam and strengthened regulatory frameworks through four amended government regulations to improve business licensing efficiency and attract major investments, including a semiconductor industry project.

Indonesia's free nutritious meal programme (MBG) requires rigorous oversight of nutrition service units, with the national nutrition body temporarily halting 1,512 operations across Java to enforce operational standards. Beyond enforcement, the programme must address public perception gaps and serve as a mass nutrition education initiative, as Indonesian dietary patterns remain critical with only 6 per cent of the population consuming adequate vegetables and fruits.

Surabaya's Pancasila Villages have successfully converted community solidarity into organised community-based economic systems through waste banks, independent social fund management, and mutual aid programmes. Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi visited two such villages—RW 9 Lemah Putro and RW IV Ngagel Rejo—where residents have collected over Rp90 million in donations and implemented sustainable welfare programmes, setting examples for other neighbourhoods across the city.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia's Tanjungkarang Regional Division IV is mobilising 2,499 personnel to manage the anticipated surge in rail travel during the 2026 Eid holiday season. The deployment spans multiple operational divisions including train crews, station staff, track and bridge maintenance teams, and enhanced security personnel. Additional support from military, police, and community volunteers will supplement internal resources to ensure reliable service delivery throughout the holiday period.

The West Java Transportation Office predicts that the peak exodus for Eid al-Fitr 2026 will occur three days before the holiday, with 8.9 million West Javanese residents expected to travel. The peak outbound flow is anticipated between 04:00 and 10:00, whilst the return journey is forecast for two separate periods: H+2 Eid (24 March 2026) and H+6 Eid (28 March 2026), with the majority of travellers expected to use the Trans Java toll road.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the government to respond cautiously to the current global uncertainty whilst maintaining economic activity, emphasising that the wheels of society must continue turning to preserve public stability. During a full Cabinet meeting on Eid al-Fitr 2026 preparations, he stated that the national situation remains under government control, and he urged all government officials to work cohesively to ensure public confidence amidst global economic dynamics.

Iran is reportedly conducting electromagnetic warfare in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting GPS and satellite navigation systems that could endanger maritime safety and shipping. The jamming of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) poses significant collision risks for vessels transiting the vital waterway, with military analysts suggesting Iran is responsible for the attacks following tensions with Israel.

Honda Motor has announced a significant shift in its global electrification strategy, cancelling the development and launch of three electric vehicle models originally planned for North American production. The decision reflects mounting pressures on the company's automotive business from shifting US tariff policies, intense competition from new EV manufacturers with superior software-defined vehicle technology, and slowing EV demand, which together have eroded Honda's profitability and competitiveness, particularly in Asian markets where consumer preferences have shifted towards software-based features.

Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has strongly condemned the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of Kontras (Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence), and has demanded that police conduct a thorough investigation. The Minister emphasised that acts of violence cannot be tolerated in a democracy and pledged that the Human Rights Ministry will provide support and monitoring for the victim.

CT ARSA Foundation concluded its Ramadan Community Sharing Movement (Gebrag Kalcer) campaign with a grand event in Jakarta on 13 March 2026, marking the culmination of a 10-day roadshow across seven cities. The foundation distributed 500 food aid packages and Ramadan provisions to 500 beneficiaries including orphans, vulnerable families, and the elderly, whilst also delivering comprehensive relief including 7,300 food portions, 2,650 food packages, 4,200 breaking-fast meals, and 404 Qur'ans during the entire Ramadan programme.

A member of the Indonesian Parliament's Commission V has urged PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry to strengthen security and surveillance measures on ferries operating the Merak-Bakauheni route in preparation for the Eid holiday exodus. The push comes after theft incidents during previous peak travel periods and encompasses broader safety concerns including lighting, emergency medical services, and passenger capacity compliance.

President Prabowo Subianto has called for enhanced coordination between the National Zakat Board (Baznas) and financial and economic institutions from various religious organisations in Indonesia to optimise the nation's economic potential. He emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to consolidate and improve the management of zakat bodies and religious economic institutions, enabling more efficient and effective resource mobilisation for national development.

Aksesmu has partnered with WE+, a digital insurance e-commerce platform, to introduce a Business Protection Programme for street vendors enrolled in Aksesmu's outlet network. The scheme offers insurance coverage of up to 100 million rupiah integrated directly into the Aksesmu application, with premiums at 0.15% of transaction value, addressing low insurance penetration amongst small traders in Indonesia.

Commission XIII of the House of Representatives is pressing all correctional facilities in Indonesia to adapt their systems to comply with the National Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, which came into effect on 2 January 2026. The new legislation represents a significant shift in sentencing paradigm from incarceration-focused approaches to more corrective, rehabilitative, and restorative measures, requiring comprehensive readiness across security, staffing, infrastructure, and inter-agency collaboration.

A 10-metre-tall billboard collapsed in Bekasi on Friday 13 March 2026, damaging a nearby shop and causing traffic congestion spanning 1 kilometre in both directions. The incident occurred in an area where drainage system excavation work using U-Ditch technology has been underway for approximately one month, with the project contractor suspecting the collapse resulted from excavation activities combined with substandard billboard pole construction.

Indonesia's National Economic Council has assessed that escalating Middle East tensions do not require immediate concern from the government, with economic conditions remaining sufficiently robust to withstand potential impacts. Council chairman Luhut Binsar Panjaitan reported to President Prabowo Subianto that the government has prepared multiple policy scenarios and is closely monitoring global developments, whilst noting that Indonesian export commodities such as crude palm oil may benefit from global energy price dynamics. Although the government retains the option to increase the budget deficit if needed, no decision to do so will be made in the near term.

PT KAI's Bandung Regional Office will provide a total of 345,840 seats across 28 daily train services during the 22-day 2026 Lebaran travel period (11 March to 1 April), including 24 regular and 4 additional services. As of 12 March 2026, ticket sales had reached 233,872 tickets (67.6% of capacity), with a 30% discount promotion generating strong demand. The company has implemented comprehensive safety measures including additional personnel, health facilities, security deployment, and monitoring of 55 high-risk locations to ensure safe and comfortable travel for passengers.

Indonesia's Metro Police Command (Polda Metro Jaya) has issued stern warnings to motorcyclists planning to participate in the 2026 Lebaran exodus, urging them to avoid overloading their vehicles and excessive passengers to prevent accidents and road safety hazards. The police emphasise a preventive approach, offering education and advice first rather than immediate enforcement, whilst encouraging citizens to utilise free travel programmes provided by government and private institutions during the 13-day Ketupat Operation running from 13-25 March.

Indonesia's Ministry of Health has reported that measles cases are beginning to decline, with weekly cases dropping from 511 in week 9 to 231 in the most recent week, attributed to strengthened immunisation campaigns in affected districts and cities. The government has implemented both rapid response immunisation in areas experiencing outbreaks and catch-up campaigns in regions showing increased cases. The ministry emphasised that the highly contagious disease requires comprehensive immunisation coverage, with two doses providing up to 97 per cent protection, alongside healthy hygiene practices and public awareness.

President Prabowo Subianto has drawn comparisons between Pakistan's approach to the escalating US-Iran conflict and Indonesia's response, highlighting Pakistan's designation of the situation as requiring "critical measures". Pakistan has implemented severe austerity measures including 50 per cent work-from-home for government and private offices, reduced working weeks to four days, salary cuts of 25 per cent for parliamentarians, and no salaries for cabinet members, with all savings directed to vulnerable populations. Prabowo used Pakistan's example during a cabinet meeting to advocate for similar fiscal restraint in Indonesia to maintain economic stability and reduce budget deficits.

PT TASPEN (Persero), the pension and insurance provider for Indonesian civil servants, distributed 9,500 staple food packages to low-income civil servants in grades I-II and the general public across Indonesia. The initiative, formalised on 11 March 2026 with a symbolic handover to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Interior, reflects TASPEN's corporate social responsibility commitment and aligns with the distribution efforts conducted in previous years (9,000 packages in 2024 and 7,661 in 2025).

An Indonesian parliament member from Commission VI has warned the government to ensure fuel availability amid rising global oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. With crude oil exceeding $100 per barrel due to reduced supply and sustained demand, the legislator emphasised that adequate fuel stockpiles and distribution are critical to maintain public mobility during the annual holiday exodus season.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has informed President Prabowo Subianto of his plan to bring PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM), a BRI subsidiary, under the Ministry of Finance's direct oversight. The ministry is calculating the financial implications in coordination with Danantara Indonesia's Investment Management Agency, with the goal of improving the efficiency of People's Business Credit (KUR) distribution and optimising interest subsidies for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Indonesia's Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that Indonesian exports to the Middle East remain stable despite increased shipping costs, with demand from the region unchanged. The minister noted that whilst logistics challenges persist, exporters continue their activities to the region, which accounts for approximately 3.5 per cent of Indonesia's total exports, primarily comprising palm oil derivatives, vehicles, precious metals and chemicals.

Indonesia's alumni military organisation warns that Middle East geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran could significantly threaten global stability and Indonesia's national sovereignty through economic pressure, energy security risks and potential social instability. The group emphasises that strengthening national resilience is essential as conflicts now extend beyond military dimensions to include diplomatic, digital security and narrative warfare threats. Young Indonesians must be equipped with geopolitical awareness to prevent foreign narratives from causing domestic polarisation.

The Indonesian government has implemented a ban on three-axle and heavier trucks on toll and non-toll roads from 13 to 29 March 2026 during the Eid holiday exodus. Trucking industry operators warn that the economic impact extends beyond the stated ban period, as the delivery distribution cycle means businesses could lose nearly a month's income when accounting for in-transit cargo at the time the ban takes effect.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso has claimed that cooking oil prices are not experiencing an upward trend, with subsidised Minyakita brand oil standing at Rp 15,872 per litre nationally as of 13 March 2026, down from Rp 16,051 in February. However, other cooking oil variants including premium packaged palm oil and bulk palm oil have shown fluctuating prices with upward pressure, raising questions about the minister's assertion.

Ambon Port experienced its peak Eid holiday traffic on Friday (13 March 2026) when two Indonesian state-owned shipping company vessels, KM Ciremai and KM Labobar, arrived nearly simultaneously, disembarking 1,600 and 800 passengers respectively. To manage increased demand, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry increased crossings on the Hunimua–Waipirit inter-provincial route from 13 to 17 trips daily, anticipating a 4–5 per cent surge in passenger and vehicle traffic during the holiday period.

State-owned enterprise Bulog's West Nusa Tenggara regional office is distributing food aid comprising 17,000 tonnes of rice and 3.4 million litres of cooking oil to 851,131 residents ahead of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Each beneficiary will receive approximately 20 kilograms of rice and one package of cooking oil, with distribution expected to be completed by early April across six districts in Mataram and the wider region.

A government-supported free maritime transport programme has begun at Celukan Bawang Port in Buleleng, Bali, with 280 passengers departing for Raas Island, Sumenep, East Java. Two ships operated by PT Pelindo are conducting the three-day service during the 2026 Eid exodus period, with port facilities including a 400-capacity passenger shelter equipped with comprehensive amenities and safety standards strictly enforced.

The Yogyakarta Palace has announced that elephants will no longer participate in the Grebeg Syawal (Grebeg Sawal) procession beginning with the 2026 celebration, aligning with a 2025 circular from Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry prohibiting the use of elephants in conservation institution parades. The decision reflects the palace's commitment to cultural observance whilst adhering to animal welfare and environmental conservation regulations.

Parliamentary Commission VIII has called for accelerated institutional reorganisation of Indonesia's newly established Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to enable optimal implementation of hajj and umrah services. The restructuring encompasses strengthened inter-ministerial coordination, organisational management, human resources development, and transfer of hajj-related assets, with emphasis on effective transition and SDM preparedness across central and regional levels.

Indonesia's Trade Ministry has stated that rising global crude palm oil (CPO) prices, projected to remain elevated at US$1,050–US$1,125 per tonne through the first quarter of 2026, have not yet impacted domestic cooking oil prices, including the government's subsidised Minyakita programme. Trade Minister Budi Santoso reported that prices have remained stable or even declined slightly, with Minyakita currently priced at Rp15,800 per litre, and dismissed prospects of a repeat of the 2021–2022 price spike to Rp20,000 per litre. The palm oil industry remains one of Indonesia's largest foreign exchange earners, contributing between US$27.7 billion and US$39 billion annually and helping maintain a trade surplus despite facing challenges including domestic market obligations and export duties.

A member of Indonesia's House Commission VI, Budi Sulistyono, has urged state-owned Pupuk Indonesia to transform its farmer support strategy beyond chemical fertiliser distribution to promote organic fertilisers for improving national agricultural land quality. Sulistyono emphasised that the company should maintain inclusive distribution chains that strengthen village cooperatives and local economic institutions, ensuring digital modernisation through applications such as i-Pubers does not undermine the traditional role of village cooperatives in fertiliser distribution at the grassroots level.

Two alleged perpetrators were captured on CCTV circling back before attacking Andrie Yunus, Vice-Coordinator of KontraS (Commission for Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence), with acid in central Jakarta on 12 March 2026. The footage, presented at a press conference, shows the assailants approached and turned around before attacking Yunus at 23:37 on Jalan Salemba I, with human rights activists noting the suspicious coordination and suspicious timing of the street becoming empty after the attack, suggesting premeditation. The incident has been reported to police as part of growing concerns about threats to human rights defenders in Indonesia.

Following a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) sting operation in Cilacap, Central Java, Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman and multiple district officials were transported to Banyumas Police headquarters for questioning. The operation, involving 27 individuals and seizure of cash, centres on allegations of bribery related to projects and is estimated to have caused state losses of 622 billion rupiah.

Lee Kah Hin, director of nickel mining company Wana Kencana Mineral, awaits the judge's verdict in his judicial review hearing regarding his designation as a suspect in a false testimony case before Jakarta South District Court. The hearing, which took place from 9-13 March, concluded with Judge Zaenal Arifin scheduled to deliver the ruling on the following Tuesday, with the legal arguments focusing on whether presenting witnesses should expose them to suspect designation.