The Garuda Party has voiced support for President Prabowo Subianto's agenda to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through expanded financing access, KUR credit, and accelerated digitalisation. The party highlights that around 57 million MSMEs contribute 60.5 percent to GDP and absorb roughly 97 percent of the national workforce. It views the nearly Rp2,000 trillion in MSME financing reached by June 2026 as evidence of the government's commitment to a people-based economy.

Bali's mobile driving licence renewal service is operating today across six regencies, including Denpasar and Jembrana. The service allows holders of active SIM A and SIM C licences to renew without visiting a Satpas office. Renewal fees are set at Rp 80,000 for SIM A and Rp 75,000 for SIM C under Government Regulation No. 60 of 2016.

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has stressed that building integrity among public officials is difficult, particularly for those with stubborn personalities. Speaking after an anti-corruption coordination meeting attended by the KPK and regional leaders, he said integrity ultimately depends on the individual. Luthfi added that officials who cannot be reminded should be removed by the relevant authorities.

Tesla has integrated ByteDance's Doubao large language model into its electric vehicles sold in mainland China, enhancing the in-car voice assistant with features such as casual conversation, singing, and English dialogue practice. The move follows a similar partnership between Mercedes-Benz and ByteDance in September 2025. It reflects the growing influence of Chinese AI models in the global automotive sector.

The Ministry of Forestry is investigating a fire that burned approximately 25 hectares of production forest in Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra. The blaze occurred within a forest utilisation permit area held by PT TCP, with initial findings suggesting it originated from oil palm and areca nut plantations inside the forest zone. Authorities are examining potential negligence or intent and have warned all forestry permit holders to strengthen fire prevention measures during the dry season.

Global start-up Emergent has launched the 'Building Indonesia' campaign to coincide with Indonesia's Independence Day, offering total prizes of Rp800 million to 100 participants with the most innovative works. The campaign aims to encourage small business owners, MSMEs, and business founders to transform their daily operational challenges into ready-to-use digital solutions. Emergent's platform allows users to describe problems in everyday language, with AI automatically building complete software without the need for coding skills.

Volunteers from Bulan Sabit Merah Indonesia (BSMI) East Java have provided medical services and basic food aid to survivors of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Nusa Tenggara Timur. The team treated 127 patients across Sikka and Ende regencies and distributed food packages to 130 families. Their efforts highlight ongoing humanitarian needs in displacement camps following the disaster.

The West Java Education Agency has welcomed the central government's decision to take over management authority of government employees with work agreements (PPPK) teachers. The move affects 20,534 full-time and 8,245 part-time PPPK teachers in the province. Officials hope the change will improve governance, teacher competency, welfare and career progression.

PT Futura Energi Global Tbk (FUTR) is preparing an investment of approximately US$120 million to reactivate the Baturaden geothermal project in Purwokerto, Central Java, with an initial capacity target of 30 MW. The company is also exploring inorganic growth opportunities in solar and mini hydro projects, which remain in the due diligence phase. Indonesia's geothermal potential stands at 23,202.77 MW, yet only about 11.6% has been developed, leaving significant room for expansion.

Pope Leo XIV has conveyed his deep sorrow and spiritual solidarity to the people of East Nusa Tenggara following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on 15 August. The message, sent through the Vatican Secretariat of State, comes as Indonesian authorities report at least 75 deaths and 907 injuries, with over 3,700 aftershocks recorded.

Jakarta police are investigating a viral video showing two men, suspected to be third-party debt collectors, scraping a vehicle chassis number in the Gelora Bung Karno complex. Authorities are analysing the footage to determine whether any criminal offence occurred. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity through the police emergency line.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung has expressed interest in partnering with Indonesia on smart agriculture, proposing a pilot area for integrated solutions to strengthen food security and boost exports. The cooperation would build on existing initiatives such as Indonesia's collaboration with South Korea's KIST on precision nutrient technology. Indonesia also recorded US$5 million in potential transactions at the Food Taipei Mega Show 2026, reflecting growing Taiwanese market confidence in Indonesian food products.

The West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) has called on the provincial government to ensure physical infrastructure development is matched by efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment. Chairman Buky Wibawa Karya Goena stressed that community economic empowerment must run alongside improvements to public services and infrastructure. He also urged bureaucratic reform towards good and clean governance as West Java marks its 81st anniversary.

Central Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Jeremias Rontini has called on local government, indigenous communities, and the private sector to collaborate on developing the Carstensz Peak area as a tourism destination. He stressed the need for professional management to boost regional revenue while preserving the environment and cultural heritage. The appeal was made after he led a flag-raising ceremony at the 4,884-metre summit.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands has officially opened an Honorary Consulate for Sulawesi in Makassar, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations with Indonesia in the eastern region. The consulate will focus on economic cooperation in agriculture, energy, maritime affairs and water, alongside educational and cultural exchanges. It also plans to offer periodic visa-at-your-doorstep services, allowing Sulawesi residents to apply for Dutch visas locally.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan has expressed frustration over traffic congestion caused by the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit system, particularly the installation of lane separators without road widening. He plans to coordinate with the central government and is negotiating engineering design changes to address the problem.

Gajah Mada Plaza in Jakarta has undergone a major repositioning after 44 years, rebranding as Lippo Icon Gajah Mada with over 60% new tenants and a modern lifestyle concept. The transformation is partly driven by the planned MRT Jakarta Corridor 2 development, which is expected to improve connectivity and footfall in the area. Lippo Malls Indonesia sees the revitalisation as a strategy to keep ageing assets relevant and integrate them with future public transport infrastructure.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) Region I Medan has issued an early warning for extreme weather expected to affect several areas of North Sumatra on Thursday. Four regions—Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang, and Langkat—are forecast to experience moderate rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The agency has urged residents to remain alert for potential hydrometeorological impacts such as flooding, waterlogging, and landslides.

Metrodata Solution Day 2026 highlighted the gap between high AI investment and organisational readiness in Indonesia. The forum promoted the 'Build, Run, and Scale' framework to help companies transform AI adoption into measurable business impact. Industry leaders from Red Hat, Salesforce, and Palo Alto Networks emphasised the importance of secure foundations, trusted data, and robust cyber defences.

PT Lippo General Insurance Tbk (LGI) posted record revenue and profit for the first half of 2026, continuing its strong momentum from 2025. The company's equity strengthened to over Rp1 trillion under both IFRS 4 and IFRS 17, supported by majority ownership from Hanwha General Insurance. AM Best reaffirmed LGI's Financial Strength Rating of A– (Excellent), underscoring the company's solid financial position and disciplined risk management.

The Jayapura city government has welcomed the inclusion of Holtekamp Village in the 2026 Pancasila Village assessment, viewing it as a key initiative to deepen public commitment to the Indonesian state ideology. Mayor Abisai Rollo expressed hope that the programme would expand to other villages across the city. Military officials said the assessment covers areas such as agriculture, food security, youth development, and small enterprises.

Indonesian electronics retailer Hartono Elektronik is emphasising the importance of official warranties as a key form of consumer protection, beyond price and features. The company is also offering supplementary warranty services through insurance partnerships to cover risks outside standard manufacturer guarantees. This approach aligns with Indonesia's Consumer Protection Law, underscoring the long-term value and after-sales service expectations in the electronics market.

Police in Merauke have named the biological father of an 11-year-old girl with disabilities as a suspect in her murder. The victim was found dead in bushes on 27 October 2025 after being reported missing, and investigators suspect she was also sexually assaulted. Authorities have pledged to handle the case professionally and transparently while urging the public to remain calm.

McDonald's Indonesia has detailed the extensive quality assurance system behind its Ayam Krispy McD product, which has been available since 1999. The process involves strict controls from local farms and slaughterhouses through cold-chain distribution to restaurant-level preparation, supported by digital food safety systems and specially certified crew members. The company emphasises that consistency across its outlets is achieved through disciplined execution at every stage rather than any single process.

The Attorney General's Office has rejected arguments put forward by former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah in his pre-trial motion, including claims of duplication in naming him a suspect. The prosecution argued that the principle of ne bis in idem does not apply to multiple suspect determinations and that a predicate crime need not be proven first in money laundering cases. It has asked the South Jakarta District Court to dismiss the motion in its entirety.

A Friday sermon reflects on the spiritual and practical significance of water during prolonged dry seasons. It urges worshippers to recognise water as a divine blessing, to repent, and to prepare for the coming rains as a manifestation of Allah's mercy.

PT KAI Daerah Operasi 2 Bandung has prepared 60,717 long-distance train seats to accommodate the expected surge in travellers during the extended holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday from 21 to 25 August 2026. The seats are allocated across 24 regular train services departing from stations in the Daop 2 Bandung area. KAI has conducted thorough inspections of rolling stock, infrastructure, and station facilities, and has placed all service and operational staff on standby to ensure safe and punctual journeys.

A 23-year-old student from Halu Oleo University has died following a collision with a Pajero vehicle carrying a member of the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Parliament. The accident occurred on the Unaaha-Kendari main road in Konawe Regency, with the student's motorcycle reportedly veering into the opposite lane before the impact. Police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.