The Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) has further postponed the implementation of short selling transactions by securities companies until 14 September 2026, effective from 17 March 2026. This marks the second postponement, with the first occurring in September 2025, as regulators prioritise maintaining capital market stability amid ongoing global financial volatility and uncertainty.

The Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has called on consumers to carefully select halal-certified products during the Eid al-Fitr celebration, when consumer spending typically increases across food, beverages, fashion, and cosmetics. The agency emphasises that choosing halal products extends beyond religious values to encompass safety, hygiene, and product quality, whilst supporting Indonesia's competitive position in the global halal market.

Deputy National Police Chief Komjen Dedi Prasetyo conducted an aerial inspection of the Merak-Bakauheni ferry crossing on 17 March 2026 and found traffic flows to Jakarta's ports operating relatively smoothly despite increasing passenger numbers. The second wave of holiday traffic is predicted to peak on 18-19 March, whilst the return journey is expected to occur in two waves on 24-25 and 28-29 March, with police conducting heightened security operations and urging the public to plan travel carefully and use emergency hotline 110 if assistance is needed.

A police officer in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, knelt down and wept whilst pleading with two groups of residents to cease their conflict on the Trans Flores road. The officer's emotional intervention, combined with efforts from fellow police officers employing dialogue and humanitarian approaches, succeeded in halting the escalating tension between the Gendang Kaca and Gendang Bung Leko communities. The incident underscores the police's commitment to conflict prevention through persuasive and humane tactics rather than enforcement alone.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has reassured the public that the government will maintain control over fuel subsidies amid concerns about potential price increases due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The minister emphasised that the government will not allow citizens to bear the full burden of rising fuel costs, at least until after the Lebaran holiday, and confirmed that fuel supplies remain adequate whilst the government continues to monitor geopolitical developments to adjust subsidy levels accordingly.

The Indonesian government is elaborating plans to cut salaries for Cabinet ministers and members of parliament as a cost-saving measure amid global economic tensions, particularly following the escalation of Middle East conflicts. President Prabowo Subianto has directed officials to study various austerity measures, including potential salary reductions and other spending cuts, to prevent the national budget deficit from widening further due to rising global oil prices.

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Indonesia's Workers' Social Security institution, is supporting the Ministry of Manpower's free mudik (homecoming) programme ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijra, providing assistance to approximately 1,000 workers. The institution is sponsoring 15 buses and mudik kits including neck pillows, refreshments, and first aid supplies, an increase from 10 buses the previous year, demonstrating the state institution's commitment to worker welfare beyond workplace protection.

Several companies listed on Indonesia's Stock Exchange are now trading at Rp1 per share, a historically low price made possible through the Special Monitoring Board (PPK) regulatory framework and Full Call Auction trading system. The Indonesia Stock Exchange implements a two-stage price decline mechanism with automatic rejection boundaries, allowing shares to fall from the psychological floor of Rp50 to a minimum of Rp1 per share over successive trading days, facilitating price discovery that reflects companies' true financial conditions.

The Indonesian government is targeting the establishment of approximately 30,000 Red and White Village Cooperatives this year and is discussing the recruitment of 30,000 graduate development activists to serve as managers and staff. The State Secretary has indicated that staffing needs are being coordinated across government ministries, with recruitment planned through CASN (civil service recruitment) and scheduled to commence in June 2026, subject to fiscal capacity constraints.

PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (InJourney), a state-owned enterprise, launched 2,418 participants on free homecoming journeys across Indonesian cities as part of the 2026 Free Mudik Programme with SOEs, conducting the national flag-off ceremony at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno area on 17 March. The initiative reflects commitment to supporting Eid al-Fitr travellers whilst promoting safe, comfortable journeys and reducing traffic accident risks during the peak mudik season. The programme targets transporting approximately 100,000 homebound travellers nationally via land, sea, and rail transport, supported by SOE regulatory bodies and BPI Danantara.

As Eid Al-Fitr approaches and consumer spending increases, the Indonesian Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) is urging the public to carefully select halal-certified products across food, beverages, fashion, and cosmetics. BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan emphasised that halal certification ensures not only religious compliance but also product safety, cleanliness, and quality, whilst supporting Indonesia's competitive advantage in the global halal market.

Indonesia's Labour Minister Yassierli has issued an ultimatum to companies failing to pay the Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR) religious holiday allowance, warning of strict penalties and enforcement action. As of 17 March 2026, the ministry's THR reporting centre had received complaints from 1,121 companies, including 975 cases of non-payment, 378 cases of incorrect payment amounts, and 302 cases of late payment, with all cases under investigation by labour inspectors. Companies that fail to pay the allowance within seven days before the religious holiday face a 5% fine on the total amount owed, though this does not exempt employers from their obligation to pay workers.

Banten Regional Police have deployed X-ray scanning equipment at major ports—Merak, Ciwandan, and Pelabuhan BBJ—in collaboration between the Vital Object Security Directorate and Narcotics Directorate to combat smuggling and criminal activities during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period. The scanners, operational since before Operation Ketupat Maung commenced, aim to detect prohibited goods and narcotics whilst protecting travellers from being coerced into transporting illegal items. Police have urged homebound travellers to verify their belongings to ensure they carry only legitimate personal items.

PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) participated in dispatching participants of the Free Mudik Programme with State-Owned Enterprises 2026 from the Gelora Bung Karno area in Jakarta on 17 March 2026, supporting 116,688 homeward-bound travellers across Indonesia through a collaborative initiative involving 96 state-owned enterprises. The programme, coordinated by the State-Owned Enterprise Regulatory Agency and BPI Danantara, utilised multiple transport modes including buses, trains, and ships, with Pelindo contributing 161 bus units serving 13 destinations as part of the company's corporate social responsibility commitment.

Living Lab Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Sinar Mas Land, has launched InnoLab, a co-innovation platform enabling global technology companies to test and commercialise their innovations in Indonesia. The platform integrates with BSD City, a 6,000-hectare mega township with over 500,000 residents, providing a structured ecosystem for proof-of-concept development across sectors including advanced materials, smart infrastructure, sustainability technology, and urban solutions. Companies such as Nitto Denko Asia Technical Centre are already utilising the platform to accelerate market validation and deployment of their technologies.

PDI-Perjuangan chief Andreas Hugo Pareira has responded to President Prabowo Subianto's remarks about disciplining observers and critics whom he views as unpatriotic, stating that the public must accept the consequences of their electoral choices. President Prabowo claimed to possess intelligence data on the funding sources of critics and suggested that such observers would eventually be reined in, whilst characterising their opposition to his administration as narrow-minded rather than patriotic.

A massive share transaction worth Rp3.6 trillion occurred on the negotiated market for PT Sumber Alfaria Tirtajaya Tbk (AMRT), operator of Alfamart and Alfamidi convenience stores, involving 25.6 million share lots at an average price of Rp1,420 per share. The parties involved remain unidentified, though such large transactions typically involve significant investor portfolio restructuring or ownership transfers. AMRT is controlled by Djoko Susanto through PT Sigmantara Alfindo with a 50.19% stake.

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo announced new foreign exchange policy adjustments effective April 2026 to stabilise the rupiah, which has weakened 1.29 per cent since February. The central bank is halving the monthly cash foreign exchange purchase limit to USD 50,000 per participant whilst raising thresholds for derivative transactions to enhance market liquidity and reduce speculation.

PT Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) is facilitating 385 persons with disabilities to travel home for free to various cities across Java and Sumatera ahead of Idul Fitri 1447 Hijriah on 21 March. The bank has arranged equipped buses and trains with special facilities, provision of meals, travel supplies, and health services for all participants, expanding the programme to 2,261 total participants—more than double the previous year's 1,100. The initiative forms part of BSI's corporate social mission as a "financial, social and spiritual partner" to its customers and supports the government's efforts to facilitate smooth homecoming traffic during the holiday season.

Indonesia's Environment Minister Hanif Fasiol Nurofiq has declared that the Bantargebang final waste disposal site (TPST) in Jakarta has exceeded operational capacity with accumulated waste reaching approximately 80 million tons since 1989, and at 37 years old, must be closed immediately. The minister emphasises that Jakarta must transition from relying on conventional landfills to a source-based waste management system, treating organic waste at source, recycling inorganic waste regionally, and directing only residual waste to facilities like Bantargebang. The Environment Ministry is coordinating with Jakarta's governor and the Public Works Ministry to expedite closure procedures and has warned that enforcement actions will be taken against facilities and residential areas unable to manage waste independently.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi has commended citizens for spreading their homebound travel across the holiday period, preventing congestion on any single day, and praised officers from police, transport ministry, and state-owned enterprises for maintaining smooth traffic flow. President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Indonesian military to deploy naval vessels to support the 2026 Eid exodus if necessary, coordinating with the Transport Ministry to aid both outbound and return journeys.

The Indonesian government is still developing its recruitment strategy for the civil service apparatus (ASN) in 2026, with discussions ongoing regarding staffing requirements across various ministries and fiscal constraints. The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform has requested all ministries and regional governments to conduct workforce needs assessments, whilst the government maps existing civil service positions to determine final recruitment numbers. The Defence Ministry is being considered as a potential provider of education and training facilities for the incoming civil servants.

PT Railink, operator of the KAI Bandara (Airport Railway) service, has increased seat capacity to 275,000 for the Yogyakarta region during the 2026 Eid holiday travel period (11 March – 1 April). The expansion aims to accommodate projected increases in passenger movements, with peak outbound travel expected on 18 March and return travel on 28 March, supported by enhanced mobile customer service and extended operating hours.

The East Java branch of E-Sports Indonesia (ESI) has clarified the distinction between digital addiction and structured esports athlete training, following the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs' policy to restrict social media access for under-16s from March 28, 2026. ESI emphasises that supervised, goal-oriented esports training differs fundamentally from unregulated screen time and casual gaming, and advocates for an education-based approach alongside government restrictions to protect young athletes.

PT PLN has signed an operational cooperation agreement with Sumenep Regency to deploy two solar power plants (PLTS) totalling 2 megawatt peak capacity with battery storage, supporting the government's renewable energy transition and dedieselisation programme. The project, a donation from the Torang IWIP Berbakti Foundation, is expected to provide 24-hour electricity to approximately 2,000 households in remote island communities whilst saving 1.1 million litres of diesel fuel annually.

Indonesia faces a complex fiscal challenge, balancing the government's commitment to maintain budget discipline with a maximum deficit of three per cent of GDP whilst simultaneously targeting eight per cent economic growth and funding major national programmes. Fiscal efficiency measures such as budget cuts across ministries present a policy dilemma: whilst necessary for fiscal discipline, excessive cuts risk undermining the government's fiscal stimulus to the economy.

The Mataram City Police Resort in West Nusa Tenggara has deployed approximately 850 personnel to secure the Ogoh-ogoh parade, part of the Nyepi New Year Saka 1948 celebrations scheduled for 18 March. The security deployment includes personnel from the police, military, and other government agencies, with additional assignments for traffic control, route diversions, and intelligence operations.

The Indonesian government is implementing budget efficiency measures to keep the state budget deficit below the 3% threshold, prompted by rising crude oil prices resulting from Middle East geopolitical tensions. The State Secretariat Minister has assured that unproductive expenditures will be targeted for cuts whilst flagship programmes such as free nutritious meals (MBG), red-and-white village cooperatives (Kopdes), and community schools will be protected.

PT Krakatau Steel has strengthened domestic steel industry collaboration by signing a Long Term Supply Agreement (LTSA) with PT Kerismas Witikco Makmur and affiliated companies, committing to supply 36,000 tonnes of cold rolled coil (CRC) and hot rolled pickled oil (HRPO) products over the next year. The partnership, supported by working capital from Danantara, aims to ensure stable material availability and support downstream manufacturers' operational efficiency whilst advancing the government's economic diversification agenda through domestic value addition. This strategic alignment reflects Krakatau Steel's pivotal role in building a competitive and self-sufficient domestic steel ecosystem and reducing import dependency.

Deputy National Police Chief General Dedi Prasetyo visited Bakauheni Port in Lampung to meet returning holiday travellers and ensure their journeys proceed smoothly. During his visit, he inspected various port facilities, interacted with passengers, distributed gifts to children, and reviewed rest area readiness along the port toll road to ensure personnel and infrastructure are prepared for the holiday travel surge.

Indonesia's Environmental Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has emphasised that resolving the national waste crisis requires strengthening upstream infrastructure through Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) at various strategic scales. The government is mandating regional, commercial, and on-site MRF implementations to reduce reliance on open dumping whilst creating economic value through the circular economy. The 2026 target is to ensure all waste undergoes separation before reaching final disposal sites, with funding support through special allocation schemes and public-private partnerships.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has reassured stakeholders that despite escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, Indonesia's economic fundamentals remain robust with strong domestic demand, external sector stability, and coordinated fiscal and monetary policies. Whilst the conflict has transmitted effects into Indonesia primarily through elevated global energy and commodity prices, key economic indicators—including a domestic consumption rate of 54 per cent of GDP, foreign debt ratio of 29.9 per cent, and manufacturing PMI at 53.8—demonstrate continued economic resilience and expansion.

Inter-city bus drivers in Indonesia sacrifice celebrating Eid with their families, instead working throughout the Mudik (homecoming) season for decades. Drivers like Yayat have spent over 26 years missing Eid celebrations at home, facing disciplinary action if they take time off, whilst emotionally managing their work responsibilities and family separation.

Deputy Chair of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Lestari Moerdijat has characterised the Lebaran homecoming tradition as more than simply returning to one's hometown, urging Indonesians to use it as a strategic opportunity to foster national unity and tolerance. The government projects 155 million people will travel during this year's homecoming period, with peak traffic expected on 18 March 2026, whilst Moerdijat emphasised that free homecoming programmes reflect values of tolerance and brotherhood that should strengthen social cohesion amid current economic pressures.

PT Jasamarga Transjawa Tol has officially implemented a one-way traffic scheme on the Trans-Java toll road from Km 70 (Jakarta–Cikampek toll) to Km 263 (Pejagan–Pemalang toll) beginning at 3:00 PM, in coordination with police and the Transport Ministry. The measure is designed to manage increased traffic volumes during the 2026 Lebaran exodus period and facilitate eastbound vehicle distribution along the Trans-Java corridor during peak travel periods. Operational preparations include signage placement, toll gate capacity optimisation, 24-hour emergency services, and strategic rest area management to ensure road user safety and comfort.

Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs will hold an isbat session to formally determine the date of Eid al-Fitr (1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah) in 2026, with the government and BRIN researcher predicting 21 March 2026, whilst Muhammadiyah has set the date as 20 March 2026. The holiday falls near the Balinese Nyepi observance, creating an extended public holiday period from 18–24 March 2026.

Indonesia's Home Minister announces that existing temporary shelters will be sufficient to accommodate flood evacuees across Aceh provinces, with the government accelerating construction efforts to ensure all displaced persons have proper housing by late March. The Public Works Ministry has begun construction of temporary shelters in previously uncovered areas, including Bukit Linteng village in North Aceh, with a target completion date of 11 p.m. on 19 March.

Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has called for a thorough investigation into an acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), arguing that such violence threatens democratic freedoms if left unaddressed. Commission III of the House of Representatives has similarly insisted that the attack be treated as a serious political matter rather than ordinary crime, demanding police uncover not only the perpetrators but also the intellectual architects behind the assault, framing it as an act of resistance against President Prabowo Subianto's human rights commitments.

The Indonesian government is preparing the construction of the Jogjakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR), a circular road designed to ease traffic congestion and strengthen inter-regional connectivity in Special Region of Yogyakarta. The project will traverse strategic areas including Sleman, Bantul, and Kulon Progo regencies, with several northern segments already completed or undergoing widening. The ring road is expected to redirect traffic away from the city centre, promote the development of peripheral activity centres, and improve overall accessibility across the region.

Tech executives including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and SpaceX's Elon Musk have predicted that smartphones will be replaced by new devices such as smart glasses or brain-computer interfaces by around 2030. China is rapidly experimenting with over 70 AI-based device alternatives to smartphones, with companies like Alibaba, Xiaomi, Inmo, and Rokid already selling AI-powered smart glasses and specialised devices globally, positioning the country ahead of US competitors in the emerging AI device market.

Yogyakarta's Sekolah Rakyat Berdaulat (People's Sovereign School) hosted a cross-generational discussion forum gathering over 30 academics, activists and civil society leaders, primarily young people, to debate Indonesia's national sovereignty and governance. Senior academics and intellectuals, including UGM's Chair of Distinguished Professors and the Rector of Harkat Negeri University, declared opposition to Indonesia's bilateral trade agreement with the United States, arguing it threatens national sovereignty and constitutional governance. The forum emphasised the need for strengthened civic participation, epistemic independence, and the revival of political education to ensure genuine democratic balance between state and citizens.

The Indonesian Council of Ulamas (MUI) has strongly condemned the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the prohibition of Islamic worship, characterizing Israel's actions as serious violations of international law and breaches of religious freedom. Professor Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, head of MUI's Foreign Relations and International Cooperation division, argued that these measures violate multiple international instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Fourth Geneva Convention's obligations to protect places of worship in occupied territories.

The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) has reported that 8.125.023 annual tax returns (SPT) were filed by 15 March 2026, with individual employee taxpayers accounting for 7.200.487 submissions and non-employee individuals for 754.990 filings. Taxpayers who fail to file by the 31 March 2026 deadline for individuals or 30 April 2026 for corporate entities face administrative penalties and sanctions, which may include warning letters, fines, and interest charges issued by the Tax Service Office.

Indonesia's Free Mudik Programme 2026, coordinated by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), has successfully transported 116,688 people to their hometowns for Eid celebrations, exceeding the initial target of 104,000 by 10 per cent. The initiative, launched via an official flag-off ceremony at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno stadium, mobilised 1,541 buses, 99 train services, and 46 ships across 96 SOE operators, featuring inclusive services for persons with disabilities and electric buses for environmental sustainability.

Indonesia's government has mobilised rapid relief efforts for victims of the late-2025 Sumatra floods, which killed 1,207 people and displaced over 2.1 million. Task Force Chief Tito Karnavian and Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf visited East Aceh on 16 March 2026 to distribute social assistance, including cash transfers and housing support, as part of the broader rehabilitation and reconstruction programme led by President Prabowo Subianto's newly established task force.

Indonesian seafarers working aboard foreign vessels in the Persian Gulf region find themselves trapped in an active conflict zone, enduring daily missile and drone attacks from warring nations. Multiple Indonesian crew members report deteriorating conditions including disrupted communications, navigation system failures from electromagnetic interference, and fears of supply chain disruption, whilst appealing to the Indonesian government for emergency evacuation.

Bank Indonesia reports that Indonesia's economy grew in the first quarter of 2026 driven by domestic demand, despite ongoing Middle East conflicts threatening global economic prospects. The central bank projects growth of 4.9-5.7 per cent whilst inflation is expected to remain within the 2.5±1 per cent target range, though commodity price pressures and global economic uncertainty require continued policy coordination between the government and Bank Indonesia.

European Union member states have collectively rejected the United States' request to deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, emphasising their reluctance to become militarily involved in the escalating conflict with Iran. EU leadership, including representatives from Germany, Italy, Poland, Belgium and the UK, have made clear that they prioritise diplomatic solutions and regional stability, with several nations citing legal and parliamentary requirements before any military deployment outside NATO territory.

PT Telkom Indonesia, as part of a broader government initiative, has launched a free homecoming programme for 1,924 travellers ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026, deploying 27 environmentally-friendly buses to major destinations across Java and Sumatra. The initiative, overseen by government ministries and state-owned enterprises through Danantara, aims to reduce private vehicle usage, enhance road safety, and provide comprehensive traveller support whilst TelkomGroup simultaneously strengthens telecommunications infrastructure to serve increased mobility during the holiday period.

State-owned electricity company PT PLN has issued guidance to customers on ensuring safe electrical conditions in their homes before departing for mudik (homecoming) during the Idul Fitri holiday period. The utility recommends checking electrical installations and appliances, unplugging devices to prevent short circuits, and ensuring bill payments are current, whilst encouraging customers to utilise the PLN Mobile application for convenient access to electricity services.