Saan Mustopa, Deputy General Chairman of the NasDem Party, has diplomatically addressed rumours of a potential merger with the Gerindra Party, describing such fusions as commonplace in Indonesia's political landscape. He highlighted historical precedents, like the 1973 consolidation of parties, but stressed the need to carefully consider ideological differences, identities, and the parties' founding philosophies before any implementation. Saan noted that no internal discussions have occurred within NasDem, as the party is currently focused on consolidating its own structure.

Police in Indonesia have dismantled an illegal factory producing Zenith Carnophen, a narcotic known as 'jin pills', in Semarang, Jawa Tengah, arresting three suspects including a recidivist. The operation, led by a joint team from Polda Metro Jaya and Polres Metro Jakarta Barat, uncovered a production site where authorities seized 1.855 tonnes of precursor chemicals such as carisoprodol, hisel, talaq, and poviden, along with 186,000 finished pills and manufacturing equipment. This bust highlights ongoing efforts to combat the illegal drug trade, which poses significant public health and security risks in the country.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has apologised if his province's development efforts have offended other regions, in response to a challenge from West Kalimantan's Deputy Governor Krisantus Kurniawan regarding infrastructure repairs on limited budgets. Krisantus highlighted the stark differences in territorial size and APBD between the two provinces, daring Dedi to manage West Kalimantan's vast area with its mere Rp6 trillion budget, even offering to kiss his knee if successful. This exchange underscores regional disparities in fiscal capacity and the challenges of equitable development across Indonesia's diverse provinces.

Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission VII, led by Deputy Chair Chusnunia Chalim, is advocating for stronger regulations on the bottled drinking water (AMDK) industry to ensure environmental sustainability and equitable access to clean water for communities. Key concerns include the industry's contribution to plastic waste pollution, which ranks among the top sources in major cities, and the depletion of groundwater resources that affects local residents' access to water. The commission plans to form a working committee to oversee production processes and push producers to take greater responsibility for managing non-recyclable packaging and microplastic risks, emphasizing the need to protect public rights to water resources.

The Bogor City Government plans to request a moratorium from the West Java Provincial Transportation Agency on new permits for city transport vehicles (angkots) originating from Bogor Regency entering the city limits, aiming to prevent an influx of external vehicles amid ongoing local transport reforms. This measure accompanies efforts to enforce a 20-year age limit for angkots as per local regulation, with discussions scheduled in Bandung involving provincial and regency transport officials to enhance safety and mobility for residents. The initiative addresses public complaints about overcrowding and imbalance in passenger-to-vehicle ratios, while raids on age limits are paused pending the issuance of a mayoral regulation.

A recent global report reveals that nearly 80 percent of enterprise workers are actively avoiding or rejecting company-provided AI tools, opting instead for manual work despite the technology's promise as a workplace revolution. This resistance contrasts sharply with earlier enthusiasm for unofficial AI like ChatGPT, driven by growing fears over its impacts and a significant trust gap between employees and executives. Experts highlight issues like inadequate training and prompting skills, underscoring the need to address human factors for effective AI adoption in the workforce.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has provided assistance to two foreign national directors of state-owned airline PT Garuda Indonesia in completing their mandatory wealth reports as public officials. This support, given in early April 2026, ensures compliance with Indonesia's asset disclosure requirements for executives of state-owned enterprises. The appointments of Balagopal Kunduvara as Director of Finance and Risk Management and Neil Raymond Mills as Director of Transformation were approved in October 2025, highlighting Garuda's efforts to bring in international expertise amid ongoing governance reforms.

Mohammad Faisal, Executive Director of the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE), emphasises the critical need for synergy and coordination among stakeholders and policymakers to safeguard Indonesia's economy amid global uncertainties, including the US-Iran war. He highlights the importance of support from business actors to bolster policymaking confidence and notes that Indonesia's current economic resilience, particularly in the real sector, far surpasses the fragility seen during the 1998 crisis. Strengthening the real sector is essential for sustaining GDP growth and employment, ensuring economic stability despite geopolitical challenges.

Indonesia's Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, has announced that the school revitalisation programme will expand by 60,000 units this year, fulfilling a presidential pledge to enhance educational quality nationwide. In 2025, the programme exceeded its target by revitalising 16,167 units against an initial goal of 10,440, including the inauguration of 45 schools in Semarang Regency with a budget of Rp13.6 billion. Local officials, including Semarang Regent Ngesti Nugraha, highlighted the strict criteria for selection—focusing on severely damaged facilities—and expressed intentions to propose additional units for 2026 to further improve learning environments.

The East Lombok Regency government has urged Pertamina to curb panic buying of subsidised 3-kg LPG cylinders amid false rumours of shortages, which have led to excessive purchases and misuse by ineligible users such as poultry farmers. The regent highlighted economic growth in the region as a factor increasing demand and proposed using decile data for more targeted distribution to the poor, while agents are reminded to adhere to allocations and official prices. Pertamina reported an increase in daily supplies to over 40,000 cylinders in early April to normalise the situation.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo aims to complete the redevelopment of the Rasuna Said area in South Jakarta by 22 June 2026, positioning it as a birthday gift for the capital city. The project, budgeted at Rp100 billion, includes constructing pedestrian walkways, road improvements, drainage systems, and parks, with the goal of making it comparable to the upscale Sudirman-Thamrin corridor. Despite current construction causing traffic disruptions, Pramono is pushing to accelerate the removal of old monorail poles to enhance the Kuningan area's aesthetics ahead of Jakarta's 499th anniversary.

Indonesia's digital transformation hinges not just on advanced technology but on robust human capital to drive productivity and innovation, as highlighted in the World Bank's latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update. Despite stable economic growth driven by physical investments and labour expansion, the country faces structural challenges, including low productivity and a shift of workers from agriculture to low-productivity services rather than high-tech manufacturing. To realise its potential in digital economy sectors like AI, Indonesia must prioritise education, skills development, and basic literacy to compete with neighbours like Malaysia and Vietnam.

The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in Riau Islands province has employed 9,601 local workers across 223 service units, addressing unemployment while providing nutritional support to schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Deputy Governor Nyanyang Haris Pratamura praised the initiative for boosting local agriculture and SMEs, enhancing student health and attendance, and combating stunting as a long-term investment in a competitive generation. She stressed the need for cross-sectoral synergy, strict adherence to SOPs set by the National Nutrition Agency, and rigorous oversight to ensure compliance, with sanctions for violations.

Sixteen students from the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Law have publicly apologised and admitted to sexually harassing a female student through offensive messages in WhatsApp and LINE group chats. The incident came to light when the perpetrators posted apologies in their class group on Saturday, ahead of the issue going viral on social media. The BEM FH UI has confirmed that all 16 members of the groups were involved, highlighting concerns over student conduct and dignity in the faculty.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport recorded a total of 13.49 million passenger movements in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 5.5% increase from the previous year, driven by heightened demand during holiday periods such as Christmas, New Year, and Eid al-Fitr. Aircraft movements also rose by 6.8% to 92,710 flights, with domestic routes like Jakarta-Denpasar and international ones like Jakarta-Singapore dominating traffic, reflecting strong mobility for business, tourism, and religious travel. The airport management is committed to optimising operations and enhancing service quality, particularly for Hajj pilgrims and school holiday periods in the second quarter.

PT PLN (Persero) is set to phase out 2,139 diesel-powered generators at 741 locations across Indonesia, in line with President Prabowo Subianto's mandate to enhance national energy sovereignty by shifting from imported oil-based fuels to cleaner renewable sources. The transition will leverage local renewable potentials such as micro-hydro where available, or solar power plants equipped with battery storage systems (BESS) in other areas, aiming to stabilise electricity supply and reduce production costs. This initiative, part of a broader plan to build 100 GW of solar capacity within two years, could save Indonesia 200,000 barrels of oil per day—20% of current imports—potentially achieving fuel self-sufficiency in the coming years.

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is advancing plans to implement Low Emission Zones (KRE) as a targeted solution to reduce air pollution in the capital, particularly focusing on lowering harmful PM2.5 concentrations. This data-driven policy, integrated with waste management and green building initiatives, aims to shift urban mobility towards public and eco-friendly transport, potentially cutting PM2.5 levels by up to 30% according to a 2025 feasibility study by Breathe Jakarta. Officials express optimism that the gradual, inclusive approach will deliver tangible improvements in air quality for Jakarta's residents.

PT Indo Premier Sekuritas (IPOT) has opened its application for free access to investors from other securities firms, enabling real-time monitoring of stock order queues amid rising market volatility in early 2026. This move addresses the technological limitations in many Indonesian brokerages that leave retail investors reliant on outdated data, hindering informed trading decisions. By providing live order book features without requiring fund transfers, IPOT aims to empower retail traders with the tools used by larger market players, potentially levelling the playing field in the stock market.

Legal representative Todung Mulya Lubis has defended political analyst Saiful Mujani against accusations of inciting treason following his comments on consolidating opposition against President Prabowo Subianto, describing the charges as a gross misinterpretation and a brutal suppression of democratic rights. Speaking at a forum hosted by the Interdisciplinary Intellectual Forum, Lubis challenged critics to counter Mujani's views through debate rather than police reports, emphasising the importance of political expression in democracy. The incident highlights growing concerns over academic freedom and the criminalisation of dissent in Indonesia, as noted by prominent legal anthropologist Sulistyowati Irianto.

A Poltracking Indonesia survey conducted from 2-8 March 2026 reveals that 88 percent of the public is aware of the flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, with 55 percent expressing satisfaction among those informed. The survey highlights MBG as the most on-target government priority programme, though it identifies numerous public inputs and critiques that require attention to enhance implementation and boost satisfaction levels. This underscores the programme's popularity while pointing to areas for improvement in delivering effective social welfare initiatives.

Members of DPR Commission XIII have criticised the role of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) in the Prabowo Subianto administration during a hearing, urging it to go beyond mere public relations and ensure effective communication that enhances public understanding of government programmes. Deputy Chair Dewi Asmara emphasised the need for quality indicators in KSP's publications and improved communication strategies, while member Frederik Kalalembang highlighted the office's crucial monitoring responsibilities across ministries and the importance of emotional closeness with the President to better convey initiatives like MBG and the Red and White Cooperative to the public. The critiques underscore expectations for KSP to actively report issues, resolve governmental tensions, and serve as the President's eyes and ears, reflecting broader concerns about governmental efficiency and transparency in Indonesia's new administration.

Members of Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission XIII criticised the performance of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) during a hearing with its head, Muhammad Qodari, urging it to go beyond mere public relations and enhance communication effectiveness for better public understanding of government programmes. They emphasised the need for KSP to strengthen monitoring of ministerial implementations, foster closer emotional ties with President Prabowo Subianto, and proactively report on initiatives like MBG and Merah Putih Cooperatives to bridge gaps between government and society. This scrutiny highlights concerns over coordination and transparency in the early stages of the Prabowo administration, potentially influencing how presidential policies are executed and perceived.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has detected 30 hotspots in Bengkulu Province, signalling heightened risks of forest and land fires amid hot, dry weather conditions. The agency urges the public, particularly farmers, to avoid open burning for land clearing, as low rainfall has made dry vegetation and peatlands highly flammable. BMKG is coordinating with local disaster agencies to monitor the hotspots in real-time and prevent escalation into major blazes, which could damage ecosystems and public health through haze.

Perum Bulog's Singkawang branch has begun distributing food aid consisting of rice and cooking oil to 25,969 recipients in Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, prioritising Indonesia-Malaysia border areas due to limited access. The initial phase covers 519,380 kilograms of rice and 103,876 litres of Minyakita cooking oil allocated for February-March 2026 across 17 sub-districts, with larger distributions in areas like Monterado and Seluas. This government programme aims to enhance food security and alleviate economic burdens for border communities, receiving positive feedback from residents.

Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani has affirmed that global investors from key partner countries continue to commit to injecting capital into Indonesia despite global geopolitical dynamics. This commitment is evident in direct meetings and rising interest from nations like China, Japan, South Korea, and Middle Eastern countries, alongside a surge in domestic business registrations reaching 1.8 million over the past five months. Recent presidential visits, such as to South Korea, have secured significant MoUs worth $10.2 billion, underscoring investor confidence in Indonesia's economic prospects bolstered by political stability and a favourable investment climate.

Legal expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar from Trisakti University urges police not to stop at arresting TS, alias Ki Bedil, the illegal firearms maker who operated for 20 years, but to investigate all his customers as well. He argues that buyers can be prosecuted because illegal weapons fuel crime outside state control, and under Indonesian law, KTP holders are presumed to know gun ownership regulations, making purchasers liable for illegal acquisition. Police have confirmed Ki Bedil's role as both seller and manufacturer in West Java, highlighting the need to dismantle the entire illegal network.

Bank Indonesia has highlighted the significant indirect effects of the US-Israel conflict with Iran on global financial markets, emphasising the need for anticipation to mitigate impacts on the national economy. Senior Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti noted that while direct contributions from Iran and Israel to global finance are limited, the US's involvement as a financial hub amplifies indirect risks, leading to heightened market uncertainty and risk-averse investor behaviour. This has resulted in capital outflows from emerging markets like Indonesia, with approximately Rp21 trillion exiting, alongside a strengthening US dollar index and rising US Treasury yields.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has addressed viral complaints from residents regarding traffic congestion caused by ongoing pedestrian construction on Jalan HR Rasuna Said in South Jakarta. He acknowledged the temporary disruptions but emphasised that the improvements aim to create a better, more inclusive urban space, including widening traffic lanes after removing monorail poles. The project, conceptualised as a 'complete street', seeks community support to ensure smooth implementation and long-term benefits for the strategic corridor.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has refuted claims that the Integrated Waste Processing Facilities (TPST) in Denpasar are overloaded with organic waste, assuring that the processed organic waste has designated storage and will soon be transported to Klungkung. He stated that the matter falls under the authority of the Denpasar City Government, which has prepared the necessary arrangements. This comes in response to concerns raised by the Bali Self-Managed Waste Forum (SSB), which highlighted overload issues at three TPST sites in the city.

Indonesia's Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, Rosan Roeslani, has revealed that the government is preparing to establish a financial centre modelled on the successful family office system in Abu Dhabi to attract global ultra-high-net-worth investors. In collaboration with the National Economic Council, regulatory aspects are being refined to ensure the scheme operates effectively and boosts the national economy, including considerations for a Common Law framework and tax incentives where taxes apply only to investment profits. This initiative aims to draw significant capital from conglomerates with net worth exceeding $30 million, differentiating it from standard investment management firms.

Firdaus Djaelani, President Commissioner of INARE, predicts positive growth for insurance sectors including property, credit, surety, marine hull, and motor insurance through 2026, supported by improving purchasing power and government policies. However, the ongoing US-Iran war poses challenges, potentially increasing global reinsurance premiums and affecting Indonesian insurers reliant on foreign reinsurers. The article discusses strategies to ensure quality growth in the insurance industry amid global geopolitical risks.

Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, Chair of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, has voiced strong support for extending Aceh's special autonomy funds (Otsus) for an additional 20 years, from 2028 to 2048, without reducing the allocation back to 2% of the national General Allocation Fund (DAU). This proposal aims to revise Law No. 11 of 2006 to restore the funding level, which was halved to 1% starting in 2023, ensuring legal certainty for Aceh's development amid ongoing post-disaster recovery and economic needs. The extension is deemed rational, especially given recent disasters, and aligns with consistent requests from Aceh's local government, drawing parallels to Papua's extended special autonomy arrangements.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration has apprehended 346 foreign nationals from 36 countries during Operation Wirawaspada from 7-11 April 2026, with Chinese citizens comprising the largest group at 183 individuals. The majority of violations involved misuse of residence permits (214 cases), alongside overstays, fictitious investments, and administrative discrepancies that threaten national security and order. Authorities plan to intensify oversight on companies in industry and mining sectors employing foreign workers with improper classifications and permits to uphold the rule of law and protect Indonesian citizens.

During his state visit to the Soviet Union on 5 June 1961, Indonesia's first President Soekarno received an extraordinary welcome in Moscow, where Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev praised him as a champion of world peace and a national hero. The event, marked by grand ceremonies, thousands of cheering citizens chanting 'Merdeka!', and high-level attendance, underscored the strong diplomatic ties between Indonesia and the Soviet Union at the time. This moment highlighted Soekarno's global stature as an anti-colonial leader, particularly following the 1955 Bandung Conference, and his alignment with the Eastern Bloc amid Cold War tensions.

Indonesia's fibre optic infrastructure is pivotal for digital sovereignty and economic growth, yet faces significant challenges from market fragmentation and redundant investments, with over 1,000 licensed ISPs leading to duplicated networks and underserved areas. Consolidation efforts, such as sharing passive infrastructure and separating network assets (NetCo) from service operations (ServCo), could reduce costs by 30-40%, enhance 5G and IoT deployment, and improve asset valuation, as demonstrated by successful models in Singapore and the UK. PT Telkom Indonesia is advancing this through its InfraCo initiative, transforming fibre assets into a neutral revenue-generating entity to foster industry efficiency and nationwide connectivity.

A recent Poltracking Indonesia survey conducted from 2-8 March 2025 reveals Gerindra leading with 26.1% electability among political parties, followed by PDIP at 15.4% and Golkar at 9.0%, based on responses from 1,220 respondents nationwide. Other notable parties include PKB at 8.1%, PKS at 5.9%, and Demokrat at 5.6%, while smaller parties garnered minimal support, with 17.7% of respondents undecided. This poll, using face-to-face interviews and a simulated ballot, underscores Gerindra's dominant position in the current political landscape ahead of potential elections.

US President Donald Trump has announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports effective from Monday, leading to an immediate cessation of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and an 8 percent spike in global oil prices. The move follows failed direct talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan, amid a fragile two-week ceasefire in the ongoing conflict that began on 28 February. CENTCOM has vowed to enforce the blockade comprehensively on all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, while assuring that navigation freedom for non-Iranian routes through the strait will be preserved, highlighting escalating tensions with significant implications for global energy markets.

A citizen lawsuit hearing against the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Police at the South Jakarta District Court was disrupted by the appearance of a third party seeking to intervene as a defendant, prompting objections from the plaintiffs' legal team and leading to a postponement. The lawsuit stems from alleged irregularities in the handling of a case accusing former President Joko Widodo of holding a fake diploma, which implicated Roy Suryo, with retired TNI generals among the 17 plaintiffs demanding improvements in police investigation mechanisms to prevent abuse of authority. This development highlights ongoing concerns over the professionalism and impartiality of law enforcement in politically sensitive cases.

NasDem deputy chairman Saan Mustopa has addressed rumours of a potential merger with Gerindra, describing party fusions as a common occurrence in Indonesia's political landscape, citing historical precedents like the 1973 consolidation. He emphasised that while such ideas are routine, implementing a merger would require careful consideration of each party's ideology, identity, and existence, though no internal discussions have taken place as the party focuses on consolidation. Saan also clarified that a recent meeting between NasDem leader Surya Paloh and President Prabowo Subianto, who heads Gerindra, was likely routine coalition communication rather than merger talks.

The Natuna Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has ramped up patrols and public education efforts to prevent and mitigate forest and land fires (karhutla), following a period of heightened emergency status triggered by El Niño-induced drought. Initially set to alert level in early 2026 for various disasters including floods and extreme weather, the status was elevated to emergency response on 26 March due to worsening dryness and fires affecting hundreds of hectares, before being downgraded back to alert on 2 April as conditions improved. BPBD urges communities to avoid slash-and-burn practices or conduct them safely, while encouraging local governments to participate in patrols to enable swift fire containment.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) reported 8.125.645 transactions for long-distance and local train tickets through its Access by KAI app from January to March 2026, accounting for 76.49% of all sales channels. Overall, KAI served 128.055.072 passengers across various services during this period, marking a 9.97% increase from the same period in 2025, with notable growth in commuter lines, LRT systems, and tourist trains. This surge underscores growing public trust in KAI's digital services and efficient public transportation options in Indonesia.

Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has removed 11,014 individuals from the recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) for the second quarter of 2026, following the latest update to the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN). This action addresses inclusion errors, where beneficiaries no longer qualify due to improved economic status, representing just 0.06% of the total 18.15 million recipient families. The data cleansing ensures that social assistance reaches those truly in need, with the updated figures provided to the Social Minister for accurate distribution.

Producers of tofu and tempeh in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, are facing increased production costs due to a rise in soybean prices, which has jumped from Rp10,200 to Rp11,000 per kilogram at the artisan level, according to local authorities. While the National Food Agency (Bapanas) assures strict monitoring of importers and distributors to maintain prices within the Reference Selling Price (HAP) and prevent unjustified hikes, small-scale producers like Yudi, who uses 450 kilograms of soybeans daily, note that retailers are also hit by rising packaging costs. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in stabilising essential food commodity prices, potentially affecting consumer access to affordable staples in Indonesia.

Medium rice prices have risen by 0.22% in early April 2026 compared to March, averaging Rp14,287 per kg, with premium rice also up by 0.17% to Rp16,047 per kg, prompting the Interior Ministry to urge Bulog to intervene rapidly in affected regions like Cirebon and remote areas where prices exceed the HET by up to 168%. Despite abundant government rice reserves of 4.647 million tons and record domestic procurement of 1.9 million tons equivalent this year, the ministry demands focused action to stabilise prices and prevent inflation impacts on consumers. Bulog has committed to immediate follow-up, including weekly monitoring of BPS data to ensure timely responses.

Four defendants in a suspected incitement case related to the chaotic August 2025 demonstration protests have submitted a counter-memoir of cassation to the Central Jakarta District Court, urging the judges to reject the public prosecutor's cassation appeal against their acquittal. The defendants, including Lokataru Executive Director Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, argue that the case involves freedom of expression and criticise the appeal as creating a chilling effect that suppresses critical youth voices through legal means. This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions over protest rights and the application of the old Criminal Procedure Code in recent cases.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is launching a partnership scheme to foster collaboration among private universities (PTS) in Indonesia, aiming to elevate their quality to global standards through mentorship from leading institutions. This initiative, part of the 2026 PTS Strengthening Programme (PP-PTS), includes two main schemes: one focusing on improving learning quality for smaller to medium-sized PTS via infrastructure support, and another enhancing graduate competitiveness for larger institutions to better align with workforce needs. By promoting cooperation over constant competition, the programme seeks to address capacity gaps left by public universities, ensuring more equitable and inclusive higher education access across Indonesia.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has welcomed public complaints on social media about the Ciliwung River being clogged with mud, weeds, and rubbish, stating that such reports help authorities address overlooked areas more quickly. He noted that recent dredging efforts at the Ciliwung-Krukut confluence are underway, with a long-term project to remove approximately 178,000 cubic metres of sediment expected to be completed within a year to improve water flow to the sea. Progress on land acquisition for river normalisation in the Cawang segment has also been largely finalised, addressing a 1.3-kilometre stretch in Menteng where stagnant water poses environmental challenges.

The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has urged citizens to avoid illegal hajj pilgrimage routes following Saudi Arabia's decision to restrict entry to Mecca starting 13 April 2026, allowing only those with official hajj visas, residency permits, or work authorisations in the holy sites. This routine measure aims to ensure safe, orderly, and capacity-compliant worship during the hajj season, with violators facing rejection at checkpoints and potential legal sanctions. Umrah permits via the Nusuk platform will be suspended from 18 April to 31 May 2026, barring non-hajj visa holders from entering Mecca during this period.

Jembrana Regency is facing a concerning rabies situation with approximately 500 dog bite incidents reported monthly, prompting the local Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Service to launch the 2026 Rabies Vaccination Campaign targeting sub-districts Mendoyo and Melaya. From January to 13 April 2026, 21 confirmed rabies-positive bites have been recorded across five sub-districts, underscoring the urgency for herd immunity through an ambitious 80% vaccination coverage of the estimated 40,400 dogs in the area. Supported by provincial supplies and additional local budget allocations, the initiative ensures sufficient vaccine stocks to protect public health amid declining but still significant animal populations.

Indonesian police have dismantled an international drug trafficking network in Pekanbaru, Riau, seizing nearly 30 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 19,700 ecstasy pills believed to originate from Malaysia. The operation, initiated by public tips, led to the arrest of two couriers, while a third suspect remains at large; the network was coordinated by an inmate, Harry Febrizal Putra, operating from inside Rumbai Narcotics Prison. This bust highlights ongoing challenges in preventing drug syndicates from continuing operations behind bars and underscores the cross-border nature of narcotics smuggling into Indonesia.