The death toll from the earthquake that struck Nusa Tenggara Timur has risen to 87, with more than 150,000 people now displaced. Aftershocks continue to hamper relief efforts, while the government has dispatched hundreds of tonnes of aid via air sorties. Emergency operations involve thousands of military, police and volunteer personnel.

Fahira Idris, chairwoman of the Kebangkitan Jawara dan Pengacara organisation, has reaffirmed the group's commitment to 'Jaga Jakarta' (Safeguard Jakarta), framing it as a long-term effort to protect the city's social fabric, public facilities, and residents' welfare. The organisation plans to collaborate with the Aliansi Masyarakat Jakarta in a 'Apel Siaga Jaga Jakarta' rally on 27 August 2026, which she stressed is not aimed at confrontation. Fahira also urged the public to avoid provocation and maintain peaceful democratic discourse.

Chinese technology company Bambu Lab has opened a creative hub in Bandung to introduce 3D printing to the public, students, and small business owners. The facility aims to showcase the technology's potential for creative industries, children's education, and UMKM product development. The company also plans workshops and training programmes, including a curriculum for vocational school students.

The Indonesian word 'garong', commonly used to describe thieves or robbers, is actually an acronym for 'gabungan romusha ngamuk' (rampaging forced labourers' union). The term emerged during the 1945 independence struggle when criminal gangs exploited the power vacuum. Writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer first encountered the term while serving as a soldier in Cikampek and documented its origins.

Residents of Palembang, South Sumatra, took part in a community clean-up along the banks of the Musi River on Saturday. The initiative, organised by several local communities, aimed to raise public awareness about environmental cleanliness and the importance of preserving the river. Participants collected and sorted rubbish in a collective effort to discourage littering and encourage shared responsibility for the river's upkeep.

Istiqlal Global Fund, a body under the Istiqlal Mosque Management Board, has launched a Strategic Business Incubator to help micro, small and medium enterprises scale up. The programme offers structured mentoring covering business management, product quality, digital adaptation, halal certification and wider market access. Officials from the Ministry of MSMEs and the National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance welcomed the initiative as a concrete step to help small businesses grow.

Four companies are under investigation in connection with forest and land fires in West Kalimantan, according to State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered strict action, including permit revocation, against any corporation or individual found responsible for illegal burning. The government is also boosting firefighting equipment and public education efforts.

Researchers have uncovered a vast underground network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi stretching approximately 11,000 light-years in total length. The network plays a crucial role in carbon storage and plant nutrition but faces threats from intensive agricultural practices.

The Forum Ulama Nahdliyyin has called on Nahdlatul Ulama members to reject money politics and uphold the moral authority of the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi system ahead of the organisation's 35th Congress. Senior clerics criticised the current leadership, alleging procedural violations in candidate selection and external interference. They urged a return to the organisation's foundational principles of service rather than financial gain.

The death toll from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, has risen to 83, with nearly a thousand injured and over 110,000 still displaced a week after the disaster. A member of the House of Representatives has urged the government to accelerate the delivery of basic necessities, particularly to areas cut off by infrastructure damage. The BNPB also reported more than 4,000 aftershocks since the main quake.

Indonesia's fashion e-commerce market is projected to surge by 2026, driven by rising middle-class purchasing power and the ease of online transactions. This growth is shifting consumer preferences towards fabric quality, comfort, and durability, placing new demands on the textile supply chain. Small and medium garment producers are increasingly reliant on consistent fabric suppliers to meet these heightened standards.

President Prabowo Subianto has pledged firm legal action against any corporation proven to have caused forest and land fires in Indonesia. Four companies in West Kalimantan are currently under investigation, according to State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. The government has indicated it may revoke permits of companies found to have violated regulations.

The National Border Management Agency (BNPP) has reported strong public interest in the newly reactivated Temajuk Cross-Border Post in Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, with around 100 residents visiting on the first day. The reopening of the Temajuk–Telok Melano route follows the Indonesia–Malaysia Border Crossing Agreement and is intended to strengthen economic, social, and tourism ties between the two countries. Officials emphasised that the move responds to long-standing aspirations of border communities while respecting national sovereignty.

Director Yosep Anggi Noen has adopted a popular approach in adapting Leila S Chudori's novel Laut Bercerita to the big screen, aiming to bridge the story set around the 1998 events with contemporary audiences. The film blends political narrative with themes of love and family, and incorporates well-known music to build emotional connection. Noen views the film as a window to introduce historical events to viewers, while acknowledging it as a commercial pop culture product.

PT Kimia Farma (Persero) Tbk has stated that the international arbitration award in the investment dispute between Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and Silk Road Fund (SRF) cannot yet be executed in Indonesia. The company is conducting a comprehensive review and coordinating with stakeholders while ensuring operations continue normally. The dispute stems from a 2022 investment of Rp1.86 trillion in subsidiary Kimia Farma Apotek, with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre ruling in favour of INA and SRF in June 2026.

A forest and land fire continues to burn in Way Kambas National Park in East Lampung, with an estimated 673.4 hectares already affected. Firefighters are struggling to control the blaze due to strong winds and difficult access, with manual firefighting methods currently in use. The incident highlights the heightened fire risk in conservation areas during the dry season.

The Golo Mori Sunset Run 2026 in Labuan Bajo has been postponed following the earthquake that struck Flores Island. Nearly 500 participants had registered for the fun run, which was originally scheduled for 22 August 2026. Organisers will announce a new date after the emergency response period ends on 28 August.

The Association of Regional Development Banks (Asbanda) is calling for a level playing field for Regional Development Banks (BPD) in government programmes and transactions, rather than protection from competition. Asbanda Chairman Agus Haryoto Widodo emphasised that BPDs are fundamentally healthy, with total assets of Rp1,043 trillion as of June 2026, but their liquidity is closely tied to regional fiscal cycles and government fund placement policies. The association is urging that government fund placements be directed towards strengthening productive sector intermediation and that national policies consider regional development impact.

Geographical challenges and limited transport options are hindering the distribution of aid to earthquake-affected areas in East Nusa Tenggara. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is using helicopters to deliver supplies directly to village field posts in hard-to-reach locations. Medical response efforts have also been reinforced with the deployment of naval hospital ships and field hospitals.

The Indonesian government will provide heavy machinery such as excavators to help communities clear land without resorting to slash-and-burn methods that can trigger forest and land fires. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said President Prabowo Subianto has approved the reinforcement and addition of heavy equipment for this purpose. The government is also urging regional administrations, particularly in West and Central Kalimantan, to revise local regulations that currently permit limited burning as part of local tradition.

Pertamina Patra Niaga has delivered logistical and basic-needs assistance to 534 earthquake survivors in Palue District, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The aid, distributed on 20–21 August 2026, includes staple foods, bedding, emergency lighting and hygiene products. The company is coordinating with local government to support post-disaster recovery in the affected area.

Banyumas Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono is championing the Agricultural Showcase (Etalase Pertanian) initiative at traditional markets to shorten agricultural supply chains and improve market access for farmers and traders. The pilot project at Ajibarang Market has already recorded monthly turnover of around Rp500 million by supplying three nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG) with local produce. The regent hopes the model can be replicated across Banyumas and other regions in Indonesia.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has confirmed that four corporations in West Kalimantan are under investigation for alleged violations linked to forest and land fires. The government has signalled it will not hesitate to impose sanctions, including revoking permits, if violations are proven. President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised strict law enforcement against parties found to have deliberately set fires in Kalimantan.

Ahmad Zaki bin Ali, founder of the Gerak Bareng Foundation and a humanitarian volunteer, died while assisting communities affected by the earthquake in Nusa Tenggara Timur. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) expressed its deepest condolences and praised his dedication to disaster relief efforts. His death adds to the toll of the ongoing emergency response following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the region on 15 August 2026.

The Rector of Universitas Islam Indonesia warns that private universities face a serious threat from the expansion of state universities with autonomous legal entity status (PTN-BH). The autonomy allows state universities to significantly increase student intake and open new programmes, drawing prospective students away from private institutions. He calls for innovation and quality improvement among private universities to survive the increasingly unequal competition.

The Indonesian government is investigating four corporations in West Kalimantan over alleged violations linked to forest and land fires. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the government will not hesitate to revoke operating permits if the companies are found guilty. President Prabowo Subianto has called for firm law enforcement without exception for individuals or corporations that deliberately burn land.

Four Indonesian crew members aboard the LPG tanker MT Gas Aura survived a drone attack in the Black Sea near Kavkaz, Russia, on 15 July 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara is providing consular assistance, including replacement travel documents, to facilitate their repatriation. The incident highlights the growing risks to civilian shipping and Indonesian seafarers operating in conflict-affected waters.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded that more than 150,000 people have been displaced following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 15 August 2026. The figure continues to rise as aftershocks persist, with over 5,000 tremors recorded in the region. Manggarai Regency has the highest number of displaced residents, while more than 1,200 people have been injured.

China is making significant inroads into Central Asia's arms market, traditionally dominated by Russia, with Uzbekistan reportedly receiving J-10CE fighter jets. Russia's global arms exports have plummeted by 64% between 2021-2025, while China's have grown by 11%, narrowing the gap between the two exporters. Central Asian states are also developing domestic defence industries and diversifying suppliers to reduce dependence on Moscow.

PT Pertamina has donated 39 desks and 70 chairs to SDN Batu Cermin in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, through its corporate social responsibility programme. The school's headmaster said the previous furniture was worn out, with holes and unstable legs, making learning uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. The new facilities are expected to improve the learning environment and boost morale among pupils and teachers.

Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho personally assisted TNI-Polri personnel in extinguishing a forest and land fire that burned approximately five hectares in Tenayan Raya District. The fire was successfully brought under control by 9 p.m. local time. The mayor urged residents not to clear land by burning, citing the current fire-prone weather conditions.

Police from the Brimob Batalyon B Pelopor and East Jakarta Metro Police's Perintis Presisi unit thwarted a suspected brawl in Ciracas, East Jakarta, in the early hours of Saturday. Three youths were detained and nine sickle-type sharp weapons were confiscated. The police have increased routine patrols to prevent public order disturbances and urged residents to avoid brawls and carrying dangerous weapons.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is prioritising forest and land fire handling in South Kalimantan as smoke has appeared near the airport area. Approximately 9,800 joint personnel have been deployed to extinguish and cool the affected land, with 8,900 hectares already burned. The fires near the airport's Ring 1 area are of particular concern due to their impact on visibility and air transport operations.

President Prabowo Subianto visited a forest and land fire hotspot in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, on Saturday. He was accompanied by several ministers and had earlier chaired a limited meeting on fire handling at the Supadio Air Base task force post. Satellite data indicated 198 high-intensity hotspots in the region within the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Public Works is expediting the restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure across Indonesia, from Sumatra to East Nusa Tenggara. Works include roads, bridges, clean water systems, irrigation, and mitigation infrastructure. Minister Dody Hanggodo has urged regional governments to promptly report damage points so that response teams can be deployed immediately.

PT Asuransi Ciputra Indonesia (Ciputra Life) reported a 95% increase in net profit to IDR 99.3 billion for 2025, alongside significant growth in assets, investments, and equity. The company's premium income surged 53% in the first half of 2026, driven by credit life insurance and corporate solutions, while it maintained a solvency ratio well above regulatory requirements.

The Aceh Oil and Gas Management Agency (BPMA) has commenced factual verification of community oil wells in East Aceh to accelerate their legalisation. The process, conducted with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and other stakeholders, covers four sub-districts and follows Ministerial Regulation No. 14 of 2025. BPMA aims to integrate community production into the national system to boost oil and gas lifting and regional economic growth.

Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat has reported that approximately 85,000 hectares of corporate concession land in Indonesia have been affected by forest and land fires, with around 335 companies identified as having fire hotspots within their concessions. The government plans to conduct field verification of these companies while continuing mitigation efforts, including canal blocking and water retention basins. In Riau, fire conditions have shown improvement, though peatland areas like Kerumutan require intensive aerial operations and ongoing health support for affected communities.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has confirmed that all 812 base transceiver station sites disrupted by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara have been fully restored. Recovery reached 100 percent within a week of the disaster, with 20 Starlink satellite units deployed to reinforce connectivity. The ministry also distributed 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid as part of the central government's emergency response under President Prabowo Subianto's directive.

National Police Operations Chief Commissioner General Muhammad Fadil Imran has stated that the naming of three suspects in forest and land fire cases in South Kalimantan demonstrates the firmness of law enforcement. He urged the public to learn from these cases and not to clear land by burning. Fadil also stressed the importance of collaboration among all government elements and the community in preventing and tackling forest fires.

The Indonesian E-commerce Logistics Entrepreneurs Association (APLE) has filed a complaint with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) over alleged monopolistic practices and unfair business competition in the digital trade ecosystem. The association claims a digital platform is engaging in vertical integration to control market distribution from upstream to downstream. APLE is also urging the government to harmonise overlapping regulations currently spread across multiple ministries and agencies.

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has dispatched a humanitarian ship carrying 258 tonnes of aid for earthquake victims in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Chairman Jusuf Kalla stated that PMI has transferred Rp2 billion for the third time and deployed medical teams from several regions. He emphasised that aid distribution must be well managed to ensure it reaches those affected appropriately.

Patimban Port has marked a strategic milestone with the successful berthing trial of the massive MV Blanco Ace, a Pure Car Carrier arriving from Sri Lanka to load and unload thousands of vehicles. ALFI's Board of Trustees Chairman Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi said the achievement reflects international recognition of Patimban's capacity to serve large vessels safely, efficiently and competitively. He emphasised that Patimban's proximity to West Java's automotive industrial centres should be leveraged to strengthen Indonesia's position in the global automotive supply chain, while cautioning that physical infrastructure alone is insufficient without a supporting ecosystem of timely certainty, cost efficiency, connectivity and digitalisation.

The death toll from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara has risen to 87, with over 150,000 people now displaced across seven regencies. The government is prioritising basic needs for survivors amid ongoing aftershocks, with logistics distribution reaching 954 tonnes and a naval hospital ship deployed to support medical treatment.

Police have discovered two lower leg parts of mutilation victim Saepul in Kali Grogol, Depok, and are now matching them with previously found remains. The parts were found within a 2-3 kilometre radius of the initial crime scene. The case came to light after a sack containing the victim's body was found on 24 July 2026, leading to the arrest of the suspect in Pandeglang, Banten.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo is accelerating infrastructure recovery in disaster-affected areas of East Nusa Tenggara and Sumatra. The ministry is prioritising road connectivity, clean water supply, and public facility restoration in parallel. Progress includes reopening all 107 affected national roads in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, while longer-term mitigation works such as sabo dams are being built around Mount Marapi.

Around 100 survivors of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara, remain in makeshift shelters without adequate lighting, toilets, or bedding. Government aid has been limited to a single delivery of basic foodstuffs, leaving displaced families reliant on private donations. Residents continue to face harsh conditions, including sleeping on tarpaulins and using bushes for sanitation, while fearing further damage to their temporary tents.

The Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) has welcomed the Rp1,010.6 trillion investment realisation in the first half of 2026 as a sign of investor confidence in the national economy. HIPMI chairman Ade Jona Prasetyo urged the government to ensure that investment, particularly in downstreaming, generates greater domestic value added and involves local entrepreneurs. The association also called for stronger financing access, regulatory certainty, and broader partnerships between investors, large companies, MSMEs, and regional businesses.

Indonesia's economy expanded by 5.29% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, remaining above 5% despite global pressures. Domestic demand, particularly household consumption and government spending, has been the primary buffer supporting growth. An ITB academic notes that financial market volatility has not yet fully translated into weaker real economic activity.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has confirmed President Prabowo Subianto's directive for strict law enforcement against those responsible for forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan. The government will pursue legal action against both individuals and corporations found to have deliberately set fires, without exception. The directive emerged from coordination meetings held in West and Central Kalimantan.