Archive: 27 August 2026
Showing 151-200 of 1,659 articles
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:24 WIB
Tourism Ministry Studies Underground Power for Sade Village and Plans Temporary Museum
Indonesia's Tourism Ministry is considering underground electrical installations in the traditional village of Sade, Central Lombok, to reduce fire risk after a blaze destroyed 75 traditional houses. The ministry has also donated 15 weaving looms and plans to build a temporary museum to help restore local livelihoods. Reconstruction funding will involve state budgets as well as private and other partners.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:20 WIB
Strategic Significance of Saudi Crown Prince MBS's Visit to France
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to France on 23-24 August 2026 marked a significant step in diversifying Riyadh's international partnerships amid regional tensions between the US and Iran. The visit saw the launch of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, covering defence, energy, investment, and artificial intelligence. Both nations sought to coordinate diplomatic positions on Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine while strengthening bilateral ties beyond traditional sectors.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:20 WIB
Kreta Digital CEO Encourages Business Players to Stay Relevant Through AI
Aldo Pasha Permana, CEO of Kreta Digital, spoke at the Sumatera Witel Catch Up-Riau Edition event in Batam about the practical use of digitalisation and artificial intelligence for businesses. He emphasised that AI should serve as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for business owners. The event was a collaboration between Telkom's Sumatera Witel and the Tangan Di Atas community in the Riau Islands.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:19 WIB
BPOM grants marketing authorisation for first gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy patients
Indonesia's Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has approved the first gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder affecting roughly 1 in 10,000 live births globally. Experts highlighted persistent challenges including delayed diagnosis, limited genetic testing access, and the need for stronger referral systems and national rare disease funding policies. The approval was marked at a collaborative forum hosted by Novartis Indonesia involving regulators, clinicians, academics, and patient communities.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:19 WIB
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home? Here's the Calculation
Charging an electric vehicle at home in Indonesia remains highly economical in 2026, with residential electricity tariffs unchanged for the third quarter. PLN's HCS Ultima programme offers a 30% discount for overnight charging, bringing the cost of a full 50 kWh charge to around Rp68,000. Monthly running costs for 1,000 km are estimated at Rp205,000 to Rp293,000, significantly cheaper than petrol.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:17 WIB
Satellite Connectivity Strengthened to Accelerate Maritime Digital Transformation
Telkomsat is enhancing satellite-based connectivity services to support the digital transformation of Indonesia's maritime sector. The initiative aims to meet communication and data exchange needs for vessels operating in waters beyond terrestrial network coverage. The company targets greater contribution to national maritime digitalisation by providing reliable, practical connectivity solutions for shipping, fisheries, energy, mining, and other maritime activities.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:16 WIB
Deputy Social Affairs Minister Urges People's Schools to Break Intergenerational Poverty Chain
Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono has emphasised that the government's People's School programme is designed to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by providing boarding education for children from the poorest families. The programme specifically targets children from decile 1 and 2 households in the National Socio-Economic Single Data system. Regional governments such as West Nias and Grobogan are preparing land to support the initiative, which aims to reach one million students by 2029.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:15 WIB
USGS: Nepal flash flood triggered by glacier collapse
The United States Geological Survey has determined that a seismic event initially reported as an earthquake near the Nepal-China border was actually caused by a glacier collapse. The resulting debris flow triggered a flash flood along the Bhotekoshi River, leaving more than 660 tourists reported missing. The incident highlights the growing risks posed by glacial hazards in the Himalayan region.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:15 WIB
Toll Gates in Jakarta Inner City Closed Amid DPR RI Demonstration
PT Jasa Marga temporarily closed transactions at several toll gates on the Jakarta Inner City Toll Road due to a demonstration in front of the DPR RI building. The closures were carried out at the discretion of the police to maintain security and smooth traffic flow. Motorists were advised to follow officer directions and adjust their routes accordingly.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:14 WIB
Stunting prevention must begin since pregnancy : Deputy Minister
Deputy Minister Veronica Tan has stressed that stunting prevention must start during pregnancy, with maternal health framed as a shared responsibility involving fathers and families rather than women alone. She highlighted government efforts such as the Women's Local Food Garden programme to improve family nutrition and create economic opportunities, supporting the national target of reducing stunting prevalence to 14.2 percent by 2029.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:14 WIB
Indonesia expresses condolences over Nepal-China border flash floods
Indonesia has offered condolences and pledged support for search and rescue efforts following flash floods along the Nepal-China border, while confirming no Indonesian nationals have been reported affected. The foreign ministry is monitoring the situation through its embassies in Beijing and Dhaka and has urged travel agencies to report the whereabouts of Indonesian tourists, particularly those on mountain expeditions.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:14 WIB
Protest Disperses, Jakarta Inner-City Toll Road Reopened
The Jakarta Inner-City Toll Road, which had been closed due to a demonstration in front of the DPR RI building, was reopened on Thursday evening after police conducted a sweep to ensure safety. The toll road is now accessible in both directions, though the exit in front of the parliament building remains closed.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:12 WIB
Building Youth Resilience Against Drugs Deemed Important, BNN Explains Why
Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and state-owned port operator Pelindo have launched a joint programme to strengthen drug prevention among young people, reaching around 900 students across nine schools in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Makassar. The initiative focuses on educating pupils about the dangers of drugs, risk factors and the importance of healthy social environments. Officials described the effort as a vital investment in Indonesia's future and part of Pelindo's broader commitment to the communities surrounding its port operations.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:11 WIB
Dozens of Perda violators undergo Tipiring hearing in West Jakarta
Thirty-four residents faced minor offence hearings at the West Jakarta Mayor's Office for violating regional regulations. The hearings, led by a district court judge, resulted in fines totalling Rp33.85 million. Officials hope the proceedings will deter future violations and encourage compliance with local rules.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:10 WIB
Purbaya Prepares Advanced Technology to Combat Counterfeit Excise Stamps
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has announced plans to deploy new track-and-trace technology in cigarette factories to monitor excise stamp application in real time. The system, expected to be operational within six months, will replace barcode-based stamps and allow verification via mobile phones. The initiative aims to curb counterfeit excise stamps and reduce the circulation of illegal cigarettes.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:10 WIB
North Korea Condemns US Arms Sales to South Korea
North Korea has criticised the United States for approving large-scale weapons sales to South Korea, including advanced air-to-air missiles and helicopters. Pyongyang's foreign ministry said the deals contribute to Seoul's military build-up and pose a threat to regional security. The statement follows Washington's approval of a $125 million sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:10 WIB
House Commission X on Unsoed Rector Case: Campus Is Not a Place for Transactions
Deputy Chairman of House Commission X Lalu Hadrian Irfani has expressed concern over alleged corruption in the student admission process at Jenderal Soedirman University. He stressed that universities must not become venues for buying and selling educational access. The commission plans to summon the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to discuss strengthening governance of state university admissions.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:09 WIB
13-Year-Old Girl in East Sumba Pregnant, Allegedly Raped by Father of DPRD Member
A 13-year-old girl in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, is four months pregnant after allegedly being raped by the father of a local DPRD member. The family reported the case to Lewa Police, but the alleged perpetrator has filed a counter-report accusing the victim of defamation. Police say the investigation is ongoing and the victim has not yet been examined due to trauma.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:07 WIB
Story of Larasati, Daughter of a Cleaner, Realising Her Dream of Studying at ITB
Larasati Aulia Shafira Damayanti, the daughter of a cleaner from Boyolali, has secured a place at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) after receiving the BSI Scholarship Unggulan. The scholarship provides full tuition, a monthly stipend, a laptop, and internship opportunities. Her story highlights how targeted scholarship programmes can help students from low-income families access top-tier higher education in Indonesia.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:06 WIB
Febrie's Pretrial Motion Rejected, Police Affirm Case Handling Followed Procedure
The South Jakarta District Court has rejected a pretrial motion filed by former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah. Police maintain that the search, seizure, naming of a suspect, and transfer of the case to the Attorney General's Office were all conducted in accordance with legal procedure. A second pretrial motion filed by Febrie is scheduled for a ruling on Friday.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:06 WIB
South Korea Seeks Nickel Battery Incentives and Investment Regulatory Certainty in Indonesia
South Korea has urged Indonesia to provide fiscal incentives for nickel-based electric vehicle batteries and to ensure regulatory certainty for investors. The request comes as Korean firms such as Hyundai and EcoPro deepen their involvement in Indonesia's nickel downstream sector. Jakarta has indicated it may offer special treatment, including government-borne VAT, for nickel-battery EVs.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:05 WIB
Iran Mocks US as USS Abraham Lincoln Weighs Anchor
Iran has mocked the United States after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln departed the Middle East, citing exhausted crew and poor conditions aboard. The carrier is being replaced by USS George Washington, with US officials acknowledging the ship had spent more than 200 days at sea without a port call. Tehran said the departure shows Washington failed in its show of force.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:05 WIB
Track Record of Destry Damayanti, from Economist to First Woman to Lead Bank Indonesia
Destry Damayanti has been approved by Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives as Governor of Bank Indonesia for the 2026-2031 period, making her the first woman to definitively hold the post. Her career spans roles at Citibank Indonesia, Mandiri Sekuritas, Bank Mandiri, and the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation before joining the central bank's board. She had been serving as acting governor following Perry Warjiyo's voluntary resignation in July 2026.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:04 WIB
PBNU Rais Aam: Poverty and Ignorance Hinder the Strength of the Ummah
KH Miftachul Akhyar, Rais Aam of Nahdlatul Ulama, has warned that poverty and ignorance are the main obstacles preventing Muslims from effectively carrying out their religious and social duties. Speaking at the opening of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, he stressed that economic weakness and lack of knowledge undermine the community's capacity to promote good and prevent evil. He also cautioned against entrusting religious leadership to those without proper competence, saying such mistakes could mislead society and erode the dignity of religion.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:04 WIB
Yusril Affirms 2026 NRA as Reference for Tackling Financial Crime
Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has stated that Indonesia's 2026 National Risk Assessment will serve as a shared reference for all stakeholders in responding to the evolving financial crime landscape. The assessment covers money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, with corruption, narcotics, and tech-based scams identified as high domestic risks. The results are intended to shift Indonesia from reactive compliance towards proactive, network-based mitigation ahead of the FATF Mutual Evaluation Review in 2029.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:02 WIB
Suddenly Listed in Decile 7, Unesa Student with 4.0 GPA Nearly Fails to Register for Be Smart Scholarship
A Surabaya State University student with a near-perfect academic record nearly lost her chance at a municipal scholarship after welfare data incorrectly placed her family in a higher economic decile. The discrepancy between the city's Be Smart system and the Ministry of Social Affairs' Cek Bansos database highlights ongoing problems with data synchronisation in social assistance programmes. The student was eventually able to proceed with her application after local officials verified her family's actual circumstances.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:00 WIB
Siti Fauziah Highlights Participant Quality and Surprises in MPR Four Pillars Grand Final
The 2026 national grand final of the MPR's Four Pillars quiz competition saw improved reasoning skills among participants and a more diverse regional spread, with two Kalimantan teams reaching the final and DKI Jakarta qualifying for the first time. Central Kalimantan's SMAN 2 Katingan Kuala won the competition with 140 points. The MPR views the wider reach, including online selection at district level, as key to strengthening young Indonesians' understanding of national values.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:00 WIB
At NU Congress, President Reveals Founders' Aspirations for Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the founding ideals of Nahdlatul Ulama during the opening of its 35th Congress in Jombang, East Java. He pointed to the patriotic song Syubbanul Wathan, composed by KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah before independence, as evidence of NU's early commitment to a dignified, just, and prosperous Indonesia. The President also clarified that he had no role in organising the congress.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:00 WIB
Bill Gates Warns of Major Catastrophe, Everyone Must Begin to Prepare
Bill Gates has issued a stark warning about the massive impact of artificial intelligence on the global labour market, cautioning that millions of jobs are at risk while the world lacks a mature plan to protect those affected. He describes the transition to the AI era as one of the most turbulent periods in human history and urges immediate action to mitigate job losses and regulate the technology.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:00 WIB
North Lamba Leda Sub-district Head in NTT Apologises over Earthquake Aid
The sub-district head of Lamba Leda Utara in East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, has apologised following a viral video showing him confronting a BNPB official over discrepancies in earthquake relief supplies. The apology was accepted by BNPB, with both parties emphasising the need to refocus on assisting affected communities. Distribution challenges, including transport access, were cited as the cause of the misunderstanding.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 21:00 WIB
First Day of Danantara Housing Expo Sees 300 Mortgage Contracts Signed
The Danantara Housing Expo opened on 27 August 2026 at NICE PIK 2 in Banten, drawing thousands of visitors on its first day. The state-owned enterprise housing exhibition offers over 360,000 housing units from 130 developers and 13 SOEs, with prices starting from Rp300 million. The event supports President Prabowo's 3 million homes programme, with 300 mortgage contracts signed on the opening day.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:59 WIB
Free Haircuts and Massages: How Lazisnu Enlivens the Muktamar While Serving Beneficiaries
NU Care-LAZISNU has launched the NU Care Hub at the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Muktamar in Jombang, offering free services such as haircuts, massages, food, and educational games alongside zakat consultation and payment facilities. The initiative aims to bring philanthropic services closer to the public while supporting MSMEs and facilitating donations for disaster victims. The hub also promotes digital zakat literacy through interactive activities and the Digital ZIS Corner.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:59 WIB
Preparing Housing KUR for Low-Income Communities, Minister Ara: Danantara Housing Expo 2026 Accelerates the 3 Million Homes Programme
Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait has highlighted the Danantara Housing Expo 2026 as a collaborative effort to accelerate the government's 3 million homes programme. The initiative is supported by Rp130 trillion in housing credit financing at 5 per cent interest and a Bank Indonesia reserve requirement relaxation that adds Rp80 trillion in banking liquidity. A mass subsidised mortgage contract event on 30 July 2026 covered 62,710 units across 36 provinces, alongside Rp880 billion in housing KUR contracts for 7,100 debtors.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:57 WIB
Prabowo optimistic Indonesia to emerge stronger, more self-reliant
President Prabowo Subianto expressed confidence that Indonesia will rise significantly in the coming years, citing food self-sufficiency and progress toward energy independence. He highlighted the Free Nutritious Meals programme reaching 62 million beneficiaries and the expansion of Red and White Village Cooperatives to strengthen the people's economy. Prabowo also stressed that anti-corruption measures and budget efficiency have saved hundreds of trillions of rupiah, which are being redirected to assist the poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:57 WIB
DPR's Commitment to Pass Asset Forfeiture Bill by December 2026 Deserves Appreciation
The House of Representatives (DPR) has confirmed its target to complete the Asset Forfeiture Bill by 15 December 2026, with Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman affirming the deadline as a certainty rather than a mere target. The National Coordinator of the Prabowo-Gibran Volunteer Alliance (ARPG), Syafrudin Budiman, praised the commitment as a significant step towards strengthening corruption eradication in Indonesia. He emphasised that the bill must balance the state's interest in recovering assets with the protection of citizens' rights.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:56 WIB
House Approves Forestry Bill as Initiative Proposal
The House of Representatives has approved the fourth amendment to the 1999 Forestry Law as an initiative proposal. The bill includes provisions on indigenous communities, public participation in forest area designation, and adjustments following a Constitutional Court ruling. The legislation will now proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:55 WIB
Blora Regent Pursues Organic Pilot Project and Scholarship Quota at Brawijaya University
Blora Regent Arief Rohman has opened opportunities for collaboration with Brawijaya University to develop organic farming and forestry in the regency. The partnership would include research locations, community service programmes, and dedicated scholarship quotas for Blora students. The regent highlighted Blora's large cattle population as a source of organic fertiliser and noted that around 60 percent of the regency is forest area suitable for scientific study.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:55 WIB
Wanda Hamidah's Reasons for Attending the 27 August Demonstration at the DPR RI Building
Humanitarian activist Wanda Hamidah joined a public demonstration outside the MPR/DPR/DPD building in Jakarta, voicing support for protesters facing economic hardship and injustice. She criticised members of the DPR for being insensitive and displaying luxurious lifestyles while ordinary citizens struggle with rising living costs and taxes. Wanda also brought 300 packed meals to support the demonstrators.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:54 WIB
Pertamina DEB Festival 2026 pushes renewable energy as village economic driver
PT Pertamina is expanding its Desa Energi Berdikari (DEB) programme, with 269 renewable energy projects running across Indonesia as of August 2026 and a target of 332 by year-end. The programme has benefited over 283,000 people and generated an estimated Rp5.65 billion in annual economic value. The 2026 DEB Festival in Jakarta brought together government, universities, and local champions to accelerate technology deployment and village-level economic development.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:54 WIB
Saudia-Garuda Strengthen Network, Target Indonesia-Europe Connectivity
Saudia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia have signed a Joint Business Framework Agreement to integrate their networks and improve flight connectivity. The partnership aims to give Indonesian passengers wider access to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, while leveraging Indonesia's position as the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Both carriers will align schedules and may co-locate operations at the same terminal once antitrust immunity is secured.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:53 WIB
Pretrial Hearing Reveals Febrie Received Rp40 Billion from Tan Kian
A South Jakarta District Court pretrial hearing has heard allegations that former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah received Rp40 billion from businessman Tan Kian in connection with the PT ASABRI and PT Jiwasraya corruption cases. Judge Richard Edwin Basoeki stated that investigators had obtained witness testimony and supporting documents indicating the handover of funds in Singapore dollars. The judge emphasised that the pretrial only assessed the legality of the search, seizure and suspect designation, not the truth of the alleged payment.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:52 WIB
Yusril: National Risk Assessment strengthens efforts against financial crime
Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has stated that Indonesia's 2026 National Risk Assessment (NRA) will serve as a shared reference for all stakeholders in responding to the changing landscape of financial crime. The assessment covers money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, and is intended to shift Indonesia's approach from reactive identification to proactive mitigation. The results will also help prepare Indonesia for the FATF Mutual Evaluation Review in 2029.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:52 WIB
North Jakarta Transport Agency Trials Traffic Engineering at Plumpang Toll Exit
The North Jakarta Transportation Agency (Sudinhub) is trialling traffic engineering measures on Jalan Yos Sudarso near the Plumpang toll exit in Tanjung Priok to curb traffic violations and illegal levies. The one-week trial, running from 28 August to 5 September 2026, involves installing a 480-metre barrier to create a mixed-use lane for Transjakarta buses and vehicles making U-turns towards Kelapa Gading. Four officers will be deployed daily to manage traffic flow and evaluate the scheme.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:51 WIB
Graduating from SMAU CT ARSA Foundation, Larasati Realises Her Dream of Studying at ITB
Larasati Aulia Shafira Damayanti, the daughter of a cleaner from Boyolali, has secured a place at the Bandung Institute of Technology after receiving the BSI Scholarship Unggulan. The scholarship covers tuition fees, provides a monthly allowance, a laptop, mentoring and internship opportunities in Islamic banking. Her story highlights how targeted scholarship programmes can help students from low-income families access higher education.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:51 WIB
Sandiaga Uno Joins, This Tech Issuer Plans Expansion
PT Data Sinergitama Jaya Tbk (Elitery) is expanding its digital services into the ASEAN region, starting with Malaysia, backed by growth in cloud computing, AI, managed services, and cybersecurity. The company has appointed Sandiaga Uno as commissioner and head of its Strategic Advisory Council to support investment strategy and international business development. Elitery reported improved liquidity and capital structure in the second quarter of 2026, with total assets rising to Rp 303 billion.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:50 WIB
Mortgage Holders Give Up on Payments, Developers Propose This
Indonesian property developers are calling for government intervention to cap floating interest rate increases on mortgages, as many homeowners struggle with sharply rising monthly payments after promotional periods end. The head of ASPRUMNAS, Syawali Pratama, argues that clear upper and lower limits on floating rates are needed to protect the housing ecosystem and prevent borrowers from abandoning their homes.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:48 WIB
KPK Searches Two Locations in Bogor Regency, Documentary Evidence Seized
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has searched two government offices in Bogor Regency as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving deductions from local tax and levy collection incentives. Investigators seized documents and previously secured Rp1.5 billion in cash during the operation. The case has advanced to the investigation stage, though no suspects have yet been named.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:47 WIB
Objection Rejected, Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas Ready to Face Hajj Quota Corruption Trial
Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has stated his readiness to proceed cooperatively with his corruption trial after the Jakarta Corruption Court rejected his preliminary objection. He is accused of causing state losses of Rp622.09 billion through the unauthorised allocation of additional special hajj quotas in 2023 and 2024. The trial will resume with the examination of the case on 1 September.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:45 WIB
Denpasar Immigration deports French adult content creator
Denpasar Immigration Office has deported a 30-year-old French national identified as LR for producing and promoting explicit content through an adult website while staying in Bali on a visit visa. The deportation follows a public report and digital investigation by immigration intelligence officers. This is the third case involving foreign nationals and indecent conduct in Badung Regency within a week.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 20:45 WIB
Unsoed Rector Caught in Sting Operation, House Commission X to Hold Meeting with Ministry of Higher Education
House of Representatives Commission X has expressed concern over the arrest of Jenderal Soedirman University Rector Akhmad Sodiq in a Corruption Eradication Commission sting operation. The commission plans to summon the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology to demand explanations on strengthening governance of state university admissions. Lawmakers stressed that university admissions must be objective, transparent and merit-based, not influenced by money or personal connections.