The West Jakarta administration is expanding its Wolbachia mosquito programme to Cengkareng district, which has the highest dengue incidence rate in the municipality. The initiative follows reported success in Kembangan district, where dengue cases have fallen significantly. Officials stress that the programme must be combined with routine mosquito nest eradication efforts to achieve the city's goal of zero dengue deaths by 2030.

A major fire has destroyed an estimated 85 to 90 percent of the Ciniru final waste disposal site in Kuningan Regency, West Java. The cause remains unknown, and local authorities are prioritising improved waste management to reduce future fire risks. The landfill receives around 200 tonnes of waste per day and uses a sanitary landfill system, parts of which were damaged in the blaze.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that the Head of Academic Affairs at Universitas Soedirman (Unsoed) negotiated 'dowry' payments with a teacher acting as a collector of extortion money from parents of prospective students. The negotiations, conducted via WhatsApp, involved bargaining over quotas and per-student prices ranging from Rp50 million to Rp500 million. The case has led to the naming of six suspects, including the university rector and vice rector.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the Rector of Universitas Soedirman (Unsoed), Akhmad Sodiq, and five others as suspects in an extortion scheme involving new student admissions. Investigators allege that 73 of the 245 independent admission slots for the Faculty of Medicine were set aside for candidates whose parents had paid bribes. The case involves demands of up to Rp650 million per student, with funds allegedly used for personal expenses and land purchases.

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized Rp764 million in cash and bank balances linked to alleged corruption in new student admissions at Jenderal Soedirman University. The evidence was recovered from the office of the university's head of academic affairs, who was among six suspects named in the case. The seizure followed a sting operation that also ensnared the university rector and two vice-rectors.

The Maumere Search and Rescue Office has deployed five health workers by helicopter to areas affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The team, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacy staff, and logistics personnel, aims to strengthen medical services in hard-to-reach locations. Coordination with local disaster agencies and the presidential logistics distribution is ongoing as recovery efforts continue.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has alleged that Unsoed Rector Prof. Akhmad Sodiq granted a subordinate access to his user ID to approve new student admissions after receiving Rp1.12 billion from a broker. The scheme involved negotiations over 'dowry' payments for independent pathway admissions, with only paying candidates being approved. Six individuals, including the rector and two vice-rectors, have been named suspects in the case.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has alleged that Unsoed Rector Prof. Akhmad Sodiq purchased three plots of land after receiving gratuities through his nephew, MYN alias Nono. The funds, totalling Rp680 million, were collected during the 2025 and 2026 new student admissions process. Sodiq and several other university officials have been named suspects in the alleged corruption case.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has referred 34 suspected criminal cases involving hajj and umrah organisers to the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim). The cases stem from complaints regarding special hajj, regular hajj, and umrah services, with the ministry emphasising that referral does not imply guilt. The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen oversight and protect pilgrims' rights.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained the Rector of Universitas Soedirman, Akhmad Sodiq, and Vice Rector III for Student Affairs, Norman Arie Prayogo, following a sting operation. They are accused of extortion and gratification in the university's independent admission process, allegedly charging Rp 650 million per prospective medical faculty student. Four other suspects, including university staff and private intermediaries, were also detained.

Indonesia's local intellectual property (IP) sector is moving beyond character and story production into commercial ventures such as products, experiences, and brand collaborations. Provaliant Group has launched the hIPlay Playground at Lippo Mall Puri in Jakarta as a platform to connect IP creators with brands, retailers, and other industry players. The initiative aims to build a sustainable ecosystem that allows local characters and stories to develop into viable business models.

Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Customs and Excise, and Riau Islands Police have intercepted a Tanzanian-flagged vessel suspected of carrying 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine in the waters off Bengkalis, Riau. Deputy Chairman of House Commission III Ahmad Sahroni praised the joint operation but urged authorities to pursue the domestic network, including financiers and major distributors, and to apply money laundering charges. BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto revealed the seizure is linked to a previous case involving 1.3 tonnes of ketamine, with both networks connected through Myanmar.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has formally detained Ahmad Sodiq, Rector of Jenderal Soedirman University, following a sting operation. He is a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving extortion and gratification in the university's new student admission process. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to tackle corruption within Indonesia's higher education sector.

Bali's mobile driving licence extension service will operate in Tabanan and Badung on Saturday, 22 August 2026, offering convenient renewal for SIM A and SIM C holders. The service is available at Pasar Senggol Tabanan in the evening and at Damkar Dalung and the Public Service Mall in Badung from morning. Applicants must bring original and photocopied KTP and SIM, along with health and psychological certificates, and pay fees of Rp 80,000 for SIM A or Rp 75,000 for SIM C.

A criminal law expert has told a South Jakarta court that administrative errors do not nullify a suspect's status, as the determination is based on evidence gathering rather than paperwork. The testimony came during a pretrial hearing for former junior attorney general for special crimes Febrie Adriansyah, who is challenging his naming as a suspect in a money laundering case. Febrie is seeking to have his suspect status and related searches declared unlawful.

Budiman Sudjatmiko, Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency, has urged that village digitalisation go beyond administrative services to become a tool for economic empowerment and poverty reduction. Speaking during a visit to Duda Timur Village in Karangasem, Bali, he stressed the need for accurate data to map community conditions and economic potential. He cited the Free Nutritious Meals programme as an example of how digital ecosystems can connect village producers to national supply chains.

The Palu city government is intensifying direct inspections of traditional and modern markets following complaints that rice prices have exceeded the highest retail price (HET), weakening consumer purchasing power. Deputy Mayor Imelda Liliana Muhidin said strategic monitoring and intervention measures have been prepared to keep rice affordable for residents.

Indonesia's Trade Minister Budi Santoso has announced that the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will deliver the country's highest-ever tariff commitments, liberalising 98 percent of tariff lines and covering 99.5 percent of total import value. Key Indonesian exports such as palm oil, textiles, footwear and rubber products will gain zero-tariff access to the EU's 450 million consumers. Both sides are targeting a signing in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by ratification and implementation.

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named six suspects in an alleged extortion and gratification case involving state officials during new student admissions at Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) in Purwokerto, Central Java. The investigation has identified three corruption clusters, including extortion of parents of prospective medical faculty students and negotiations over dowries for prospective new students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Indonesia's bullion banking ecosystem, launched in February 2025, now manages between 153 and 180 tons of gold valued at approximately Rp360 trillion, according to Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto. State-backed institutions have seen substantial growth, with Pegadaian's bullion customer base swelling from 3.2 million to 5.6 million and BSI's gold assets under management rising from 16.85 to 22.5 tons over the past year. The introduction of gold-backed ETFs has further boosted market participation, positioning gold as a key safe-haven investment within the national banking system.

Indonesia and China have reaffirmed their commitment to expediting a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea during their second 2+2 dialogue in Jakarta. The meeting also saw agreements to deepen military, security, and economic cooperation, including regular defence minister meetings and joint efforts against transnational crime. Both nations stressed the importance of ASEAN-China economic linkages for regional stability and called for a just political resolution for Palestine.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast light rain across 12 areas of Central Java on Saturday, 22 August, alongside warnings of high waves reaching 4 metres in southern waters and tidal flooding along the northern coast. Residents are also urged to remain alert to the risk of forest and land fires amid the ongoing dry season.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Pandeglang, Banten, in the early hours of Saturday morning. The shallow quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres and was caused by subduction activity, according to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). No tsunami warning was issued.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects Unsoed Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Norman Arie Prayogo of extorting Rp650 million from a parent to secure admission to the university's medical faculty. The alleged scheme involved intermediaries and the diversion of payments from three university projects. The case highlights abuse of power in the student admission system.

Ubi Madu Bakar Mba Boled, a family business from Karawang, has expanded to around 20 outlets with monthly turnover of Rp300 million after joining Pertamina's SME development programme in 2018. The business now employs around 30 people, up from just three initially. Pertamina highlights the case as evidence that tailored mentoring, access to capital, and market expansion support can help small enterprises grow into significant local employers.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the Rector of Universitas Soedirman, Akhmad Sodiq, and his deputy as suspects in an extortion and gratification case involving the admission of new medical students. The suspects allegedly charged up to Rp650 million per prospective student for the university's independent entrance route, but failed to guarantee admission. Several parents demanded refunds, which were reportedly returned using funds from university projects, while the KPK also uncovered additional payments of Rp1.12 billion for 'dowry' negotiations.

Polda Metro Jaya is coordinating with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) to investigate YouTuber Bigmo over allegations that he involved minors in promoting vape liquid during a live stream. Investigators are also scheduling an examination of content creator Melvin in connection with the case. Bigmo has previously been questioned and has apologised to the families of the children involved.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Jenderal Soedirman University Rector Prof. Akhmad Sodiq and five others as suspects in a corruption case involving new student admissions for 2025-2026. The alleged scheme included soliciting payments from prospective medical faculty students and granting graduation approval in exchange for money. The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation on 20 August 2026.

Hotel investment in the Asia Pacific region reached US$6.8 billion in the first half of 2026, a 54 percent increase year-on-year and the strongest first-half performance in seven years. Japan, China, and Australia led the growth, with Japan recording US$1.9 billion in transactions and China seeing a 224 percent surge. JLL attributes the robust activity to solid market fundamentals and strong transaction volumes despite global economic pressures.

The North Sumatra provincial government has pledged to fully repair homes damaged by a tornado in Medan, rather than providing only partial building materials. Governor Bobby Nasution argued that partial assistance burdens low-income victims with additional repair costs. The decision follows damage to 167 homes across two sub-districts in Medan Johor.

Foreign visitors to China are increasingly seeking immersive cultural experiences beyond traditional sightseeing, from pottery workshops to local food tours. China's inbound tourism continues to grow, with 22.914 million foreign arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 20.4 percent year on year. Improved visa policies, multilingual services, and mobile payment support are making such experiences more accessible.

The Ministry of Housing and Residential Areas is intensifying collaboration with regional governments and senior developers to expedite the 3 Million Homes Programme, a priority initiative under President Prabowo Subianto. Minister Maruarar Sirait emphasised the need for strong cooperation across government, developers, financing institutions and communities, while also promoting the regeneration of responsible property developers. The government is also integrating sustainable agricultural land protection into regional spatial planning to provide legal certainty for housing development.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named six individuals, including the rector and vice rector of Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (Unsoed), as suspects in an alleged extortion scheme involving the university's independent admission pathway. The anti-graft body seized Rp 665 million in cash and Rp 99 million in bank account balances. All six suspects have been detained for an initial 20-day period.

The Ministry of Public Works has mobilised pumps, water tankers and personnel to address drought and forest and land fires in West Kalimantan. The ministry is coordinating with regional disaster agencies and local governments, particularly in Ketapang and Kubu Raya, where a state of emergency has been declared. Clean water supplies have been distributed to several affected districts, including Kubu Raya, Kayong Utara, Pontianak, Singkawang and Sanggau.

Indonesia's National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) are strengthening their collaboration to implement victim protection and compensation programmes under the second phase of the National Action Plan for Preventing Violent Extremism (RAN PE) 2026-2029. The partnership has delivered compensation totalling Rp10.535 billion to 77 past terrorism victims, with a further Rp98.925 billion previously distributed to 570 victims' families. A Constitutional Court ruling has extended the compensation claim period for past terrorism victims until 2028.

South Sumatra Police have identified 31 hotspots concentrated in Musi Banyuasin and Ogan Komering Ilir regencies. Police Chief Inspector General Sandi Nugroho has instructed all units to verify the findings immediately to mitigate potential forest and land fires. The directive emphasises early prevention, including checking water sources and boreholes, as drought conditions worsen.

Police in West Sumatra have arrested an Indian national suspected of trading gold from illegal mining operations, seizing 1.4 kilograms of gold bars. The suspect is believed to have been acting on instructions from a financier in Malaysia, with the gold sourced from unlicensed mines in Sijunjung and Solok regencies. Authorities are coordinating with immigration officials and the Indian Embassy as the investigation continues.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the Rector of Jenderal Soedirman University and five others as suspects in an alleged extortion and gratification scheme involving new student admissions. The Head of Academic Affairs reportedly negotiated 'dowries' with brokers and received Rp 1.12 billion across 2025 and 2026. The rector allegedly facilitated the scheme by granting access to his user ID for approving candidates who had paid.

East Jakarta authorities have begun clearing street vendors from Jalan Raya Bogor in front of Pasar Kramat Jati, with traffic flow noticeably improving. Officials are mapping relocation sites and socialising plans to move fish sellers into the market and designated trading areas. The city administration is pursuing both emergency enforcement and longer-term restructuring with PD Pasar Jaya.