Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 August 2026

Showing 251-300 of 1,659 articles

BRI CEO Appreciates Danantara Housing Expo 2026

The Danantara Housing Expo 2026 has opened at NICE PIK 2 in Tangerang, offering over 100,000 housing units from more than 100 developers. BRI is participating with mortgage offers featuring down payments from 1% and fixed rates from 2.75%, alongside special promotions under its 131st anniversary programme. The event is positioned as a cross-sector effort to expand housing access and support the government's 3 Million Houses programme.

East Jakarta PMI intensifies 'MDPP' in two urban wards to prevent dengue

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) East Jakarta chapter has stepped up its Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention Program in Balekambang and Pekayon urban wards. The initiative combines community collaboration, health-cadre training, and house-to-house larvae inspections to curb dengue haemorrhagic fever. Officials hope the programme will embed the 3M Plus habit as a sustainable culture of healthy living.

Hidayat Nur Wahid: GIHES a turning point for transforming the world of education

Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Hidayat Nur Wahid has described the Global Islamic Holistic Education Summit (GIHES) 2026 as a turning point for transforming Indonesia's national education system through holistic education. He and Islamic scholar Din Syamsuddin expressed full support for the forum, scheduled for 5–6 September 2026 in Jakarta, emphasising the strategic urgency of grounding holistic education in the long tradition of pesantren. The summit is expected to serve as a foundation for strengthening Indonesia's education system by integrating spiritual and humanistic values.

Pertamina DEB Festival 2026 Promotes Renewable Energy as Engine of Village Economy

PT Pertamina is expanding its Desa Energi Berdikari programme, with 269 renewable energy projects already running across Indonesia and a target of 332 by the end of 2026. The initiative has benefited over 283,000 people and generated an estimated Rp5.65 billion in annual economic value. The 2026 DEB Festival highlighted collaboration between government, universities, and local communities to scale up appropriate technology and village-level economic development.

BI Deputy Governor Candidate Anwar Bashori: Digital Rupiah Not Yet Urgent

Bank Indonesia deputy governor candidate M. Anwar Bashori has stated that the introduction of a digital rupiah through a Central Bank Digital Currency is not yet urgent for Indonesia. He cited the country's vast heterogeneity, uneven financial literacy, and disparities in non-cash payment infrastructure across the archipelago. The central bank's Project Garuda has made limited progress, with only a proof of concept for the wholesale cash ledger completed.

Flash floods on Nepal-China border: Chinese PM visits disaster site

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has travelled to Tibet's Gyirong County to oversee emergency response efforts after flash floods and landslides struck the border region with Nepal. Nearly 100 Chinese nationals were reported missing, while Nepali police said the death toll on their side had risen to 270. Beijing said it was conducting rescue operations without distinguishing between foreign and Chinese citizens.

Public Trust Key to Indonesia's Nuclear Power Plant Readiness

Indonesia's plan to develop nuclear power plants requires more than technological readiness, with public trust, human resources, regulation and industrial capability identified as critical factors. A national roadshow by Global Technology Investment and the Indonesian Engineers Association's nuclear engineering body is engaging universities, government and industry to build public understanding. The initiative will produce a public communication strategy white paper and a 2026-2045 roadmap for nuclear power communication.

Puslitkoka: Cocoa research must connect farmers and markets

Indonesia's Coffee and Cocoa Research Centre (Puslitkoka) has called for a technology hub or Centre of Excellence to link cocoa research directly with farmers and markets. The centre argues that low technology adoption at farm level stems from the absence of such hubs, and that integrated support is needed across productivity, financing, partnerships, standards and market access. The Ministry of Agriculture is targeting 174,260 hectares of cocoa development in 2026 as part of a broader 2025-2027 programme.

Several airlines increase Semarang-Jakarta flight frequency

Citilink and Super Air Jet are increasing their flight frequencies on the Semarang-Jakarta route to offer passengers more travel options. Citilink will operate 21 flights per week starting in August, while Super Air Jet will begin daily services. The move is intended to strengthen air connectivity and support business, tourism, and family travel in Central Java.

Judge Rejects Febrie Adriansyah's Pretrial Motion, Search and Suspect Designation Declared Procedurally Sound

The South Jakarta District Court has rejected the pretrial motion filed by former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah. The judge ruled that the police's search, seizure, and designation of Febrie as a suspect were carried out in accordance with procedure. The decision upholds the actions of Polda Metro Jaya and the National Police's Corruption Eradication Task Force.

Prabowo: Trust Me, in a Few Years Indonesia Will Rise, Nothing Can Stop Us

President Prabowo Subianto expressed strong optimism that Indonesia will emerge as a stronger and more self-reliant nation within a few years. Speaking at the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Jombang, he acknowledged current challenges such as the El Nino climate phenomenon and the country's archipelagic geography. He highlighted achievements including food self-sufficiency within two years and progress towards energy independence to reduce fuel imports.

IBM Introduces Latest Agentic AI Platform at Builders Day 2026 to Boost Digital Economy

IBM has launched IBM Bob, an agentic AI development platform, at Builders Day 2026 in Indonesia, claiming it can cut migration times from months to days and boost productivity by up to 45%. The Indonesian government highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and developer communities to strengthen the digital ecosystem. Indonesia's digital economy is projected to reach nearly US$130 billion, requiring at least 9 million digital talents by 2030.

Seribu Islands Regency brings licensing services directly to Pari Island

The Seribu Islands Regency government has launched a mobile integrated service programme on Pari Island to bring licensing and public services closer to residents. The initiative involves multiple agencies, including immigration, police, land office, and social security bodies, and recorded 66 applications on the day. Officials said the programme aims to spare islanders from having to travel to mainland Jakarta for administrative services.

Bareskrim Arrests Yuwanky, Fugitive Drug Dealer in Batam Nightclub

Yuwanky, a fugitive drug dealer operating in Batam's nightlife venues, has been arrested at Soekarno-Hatta Airport upon returning from Singapore. The suspect, who owns the Planet Batam nightclub, is alleged to have run a narcotics business with accomplice Basri Lewaimang. Police confirmed Yuwanky is a repeat offender in drug cases.

Appeal rejected, Yaqut ready to cooperate in trial proceedings

Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has stated his readiness to cooperate with the trial process after the Jakarta Corruption Court rejected his preliminary objection. He is accused of causing state losses of Rp622.09 billion in connection with the allocation of special hajj quotas for 2023-2024. The court has scheduled the examination hearing for Tuesday, 1 September.

Jambi intensify joint patrols to prevent forest and land fires

Authorities in Jambi have stepped up joint patrols across multiple regencies to prevent forest and land fires, combining field inspections, public outreach, and hotspot extinguishing operations. The coordinated effort involves police, Brimob personnel, and fire task forces working at several command posts to educate residents and respond to active fires. Officials stressed that prevention remains the priority and urged the public to avoid land burning and report any hotspots immediately.

Indonesia Builds Energy 'Fortress' to Face Iran War and Protect Public Finances

Indonesia has deployed a multi-layered strategy to shield its citizens from the global energy shock triggered by the Iran war, including maintaining fuel subsidies, diversifying crude imports, and accelerating domestic energy infrastructure. The country ranks among the most protected globally according to JPMorgan, thanks to its coal dominance, DMO policy, and expanding renewable and gas projects. Key measures include securing 150 million barrels of Russian crude, rolling out B50 biodiesel and E10 ethanol programmes, and advancing major infrastructure such as the Cisem II gas pipeline and the Masela block.

Economist says large domestic market is key draw for petrochemical investment

A researcher from Indef argues that Indonesia's large domestic market remains a major attraction for petrochemical investment, but stresses that upstream investment in oil and gas is equally necessary. He also warns that import dependence leaves downstream manufacturers vulnerable to global price shocks, with cost pressures already affecting product sizes and consumer purchasing power.

Authorities Search for 'Pak Haji Gocap' as Beggars Flood Pavements Across South Jakarta

Jakarta authorities are searching for an unidentified man known as 'Pak Haji Gocap' who regularly distributes Rp 50,000 notes from a white Toyota Innova, drawing crowds of beggars and scavengers to pavements across South Jakarta. The South Jakarta Social Agency and Satpol PP are coordinating outreach operations and enforcement against both recipients and the giver under public order regulations. Officials have already detained eight elderly individuals from the Mampang Prapatan area and taken them to a social home in West Jakarta.

Chinese PM Li Qiang Arrives at Tibet Landslide Site, Says 550 Still Missing

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has arrived in Tibet to inspect the aftermath of a devastating flash flood and mudslide that has left more than 550 people missing. The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse, has also caused significant casualties on the Nepalese side of the border. Beijing has activated a level-one emergency response as search and rescue operations continue.

BRI CEO Praises Danantara Housing Expo, Says Synergy Key to Expanding Mortgage Access

The Danantara Housing Expo 2026 has opened at NICE in PIK 2, Tangerang, offering over 100,000 housing units from more than 100 developers. BRI CEO Hery Gunardi highlighted cross-sector synergy as essential for widening public access to housing finance, with the bank offering mortgages with down payments from 1% and fixed rates from 2.75%. The expo runs until 30 August 2026 and aims to stimulate local economies while supporting UMKM entrepreneurs.

PT Garam and Nindya Karya explore development of Rote Ndao salt centre

State-owned enterprises PT Garam and PT Nindya Karya have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore cooperation on developing the National Salt Industry Centre (K-SIGN) in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara. The partnership covers investment, construction, development, funding and management of the area, aiming to boost domestic salt production and accelerate national salt self-sufficiency. The government targets initial production by September 2026, with productivity of up to 200 tonnes per hectare per year.

Prabowo affirms NU's role in safeguarding national stability and future

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised the crucial role of Nahdlatul Ulama in maintaining Indonesia's stability and future during the opening of the organisation's 35th Congress in Jombang, East Java. He highlighted the need for close ties between the government and Islamic mass organisations such as NU and Muhammadiyah, and pledged to continue empowering both organisations and their affiliated pesantren.

Court Rejects Febrie Adriansyah's Pretrial Motion, Rules Seizure and Suspect Status Lawful

The South Jakarta District Court has rejected a pretrial motion filed by former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah, ruling that the search, seizure, travel ban and his designation as a suspect were lawful. The judge found that investigations and case exposés had taken place well before the search, and that the absence of Attorney General's permission did not invalidate the action following a Constitutional Court ruling. A second pretrial motion filed by Febrie is scheduled for a ruling on Friday.

Gangsters Suddenly Attack Capital, 47 Killed and 50 Kidnapped

At least 47 people have been killed and more than 50 kidnapped in a brutal gang attack on Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The assault, blamed on the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition, has shattered hopes of improving security and poses a major political test for the government and international missions. Gang leaders have threatened to kill all hostages if authorities resist.

Prabowo Promises NU Schools and Pesantren Will Receive Four Interactive Screens at Once

President Prabowo Subianto has pledged that schools and Islamic boarding schools under Nahdlatul Ulama will receive four interactive flat panels each, after acknowledging that many had not yet received the digital teaching aids. State schools will also receive an additional three panels this year, following one panel per classroom last year. The President made the announcement at the opening of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java, while praising NU's role in maintaining interfaith harmony and national independence.

Iwan Bule Entertains Children and Listens to Complaints of NTT Earthquake Refugees

Pertamina's President Commissioner Mochamad Iriawan visited earthquake-affected areas in Reok, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, to assess energy infrastructure and directly engage with displaced residents. During the visit, he listened to refugees' concerns and joined psychosocial support activities for children. The visit underscores Pertamina's dual commitment to maintaining energy distribution and providing humanitarian assistance during disasters.

Serang City Government Reviews Relocation of SMPN 4 Serang, Land to Be Converted into Car Park Building

The Serang City Government is considering relocating SMPN 4 Serang from Jalan Juhdi to Ciruas to make way for a car park facility serving the growing commercial district around Pasar Lama. The project would be developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer scheme with PT Brata Wijaya Banten, as the city's budget cannot independently fund the construction. Officials stress that any relocation would require consultation with parents, school committees, and other stakeholders.

Rosan Reveals 9.29 Million Households Still Without Homes

Danantara Indonesia CEO Rosan Perkasa Roeslani has highlighted a significant housing shortfall, citing BPS data showing 9.29 million households lack a home and 18 million live in substandard conditions. He emphasised that meeting housing needs is a top priority, with Danantara working alongside the Ministry of Housing to accelerate provision. The remarks were made at the opening of the Danantara Housing Expo 2026, which supports the government's three million homes programme.

North Jakarta Transport Agency to trial traffic engineering at Plumpang Toll exit

The North Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency will trial traffic engineering on Jalan Yos Sudarso near the Plumpang Toll exit in Tanjung Priok from 28 August to 5 September 2026. The measure aims to prevent wrong-way driving and illegal levies reported by the public in front of the North Jakarta District Prosecutor's Office. The trial involves shifting barriers to create a mixed-use lane for Transjakarta buses and vehicles making U-turns towards Kelapa Gading.

NU Congress Opens, Gus Yahya Calls for Ta'awun

Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf has urged Indonesians to revive the spirit of ta'awun, or mutual assistance, as a foundation for national unity. Speaking at the opening of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, he said the principle should extend beyond the organisation to all elements of Indonesian society. The congress runs from 27 to 30 August 2026 under the theme of safeguarding dignity and enriching service for the nation's welfare.

Immigration Launches Village-Level 'Bhabinkamtibmas' Programme, One Pimpasa Officer to Oversee Five Villages

Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration is expanding its oversight to the village level through the Petugas Imigrasi Pembina Desa (Pimpasa) programme. Each officer will be responsible for five villages, conducting guidance and early detection of immigration issues. The initiative will rely on collaboration with local youth figures and Karang Taruna due to limited personnel.

Prabowo hails NU's patriotism at its 35th congress

President Prabowo Subianto praised Nahdlatul Ulama's historic contribution to Indonesian independence during the opening of its 35th congress in Jombang, East Java. He highlighted the patriotic song Syubbanul Wathon as evidence of the organisation's nationalist spirit, composed by religious leaders before the country's formal establishment. The speech underscored the government's recognition of NU's enduring influence in shaping national identity and political life.

Tipe-X Band Enlivens Traffic Safety Festival

Indonesian ska band Tipe-X performed at the Traffic Safety Festival organised by the National Police Traffic Corps in South Tangerang, entertaining thousands of online motorcycle taxi drivers. The event was opened by the head of the Traffic Corps, Inspector General Wibowo, who urged participants to strengthen their commitment to road safety. The festival aimed to promote traffic safety awareness through community engagement.

TransJakarta Corridor 9 Routes Diverted Due to Road Closure in Front of DPR Building

TransJakarta has diverted its Corridor 9 and Route 9A services following the closure of Jalan Gatot Subroto in front of the DPR/MPR complex due to a public demonstration. Several bus stops and Mikrotrans routes in the area have been temporarily suspended. Police have since dispersed the crowd, but service adjustments remain in effect.

MPR Deputy Speaker Highlights Low Public Interest in Non-Formal Education

MPR Deputy Speaker Lestari Moerdijat has called for serious stakeholder support to boost public participation in non-formal education, citing cultural stigma, economic barriers, and accessibility issues. Data from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education shows only 361 of 9,693 eligible non-formal education units have registered for the Paket C academic ability test as of 23 August 2026, a sharp drop from 6,128 the previous year. Moerdijat urged collaborative strategies and a shift in mindset to ensure equal recognition for non-formal education graduates.

Nearly 100 citizens missing after flash floods, Chinese PM visits disaster site

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has visited the disaster zone in Tibet following devastating flash floods and mudslides near the China-Nepal border. Nearly 100 Chinese nationals are reported missing on the Nepalese side, with the death toll in Nepal rising to 270. Beijing has pledged equal treatment for all victims in rescue operations and issued consular warnings to its citizens.

35th NU Congress: President Prabowo Optimistic Indonesia Will Rise

President Prabowo Subianto expressed confidence that Indonesia will emerge stronger and more self-reliant, citing abundant natural resources and energy potential. Speaking at the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Jombang, he highlighted government achievements in food and energy sovereignty and pledged to improve the Free Nutritious Meals programme. He also stressed the importance of fighting corruption and budget savings, claiming hundreds of trillions of rupiah have been secured for the poor.

Cara Cerdas Pemkot Cirebon Kenalkan Layanan OSS ke Generasi Z

Pemerintah Kota Cirebon melalui DPMPTSP menggelar lomba video Reels Instagram untuk memperkenalkan layanan perizinan Online Single Submission (OSS) dan Mal Pelayanan Publik kepada generasi muda. Wali Kota Effendi Edo menekankan bahwa promosi digital harus selaras dengan kualitas pelayanan langsung di lapangan. Langkah ini merupakan bagian dari transformasi komunikasi publik untuk mendekatkan birokrasi dengan masyarakat melalui media sosial.

Officers move quickly to control Bromo forest and land fire in Seruni Block

Joint officers have been deployed to tackle a forest and land fire on Mount Bromo, with hotspots located in the Seruni Block near the iconic Glass Bridge. The steep terrain and dry vegetation have made firefighting efforts challenging, but crews are working to prevent the flames from spreading to the bridge and nearby homestays. The fire was reported extinguished by Thursday evening, though damping down operations continue to prevent reignition.

Firm on Forest Fire Enforcement, East OKU Police Arrest 6 Suspects in August 2026

East OKU Police have arrested six suspects in connection with forest and land fires during August 2026, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime. The latest arrests involved three men caught burning scrubland in Martapura, while three others were detained for burning land within a PT Musi Hutan Persada concession. Police emphasised cross-sector collaboration and public cooperation as essential to preventing further fires and haze disasters.

Unemployment Still at 7.24 Million, Gap Between Universities and Industry in Focus

Indonesia's open unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.68 per cent in February 2026, yet 7.24 million people remain out of work. Universitas Pembangunan Jaya is addressing the mismatch between graduates' skills and industry needs through expanded internship programmes. The university reports that 93.4 per cent of its 2022 graduates secured employment before graduation, though only 63.2 per cent work in fields related to their studies.

Rp 37 Billion Scandal: Bank Boss Successfully Gets Prison Sentence Reduced

Former Credit Suisse Vice President Soh Yuan-Yi has had her prison sentence reduced from 13 years to 10 years and 7 months after a successful appeal. The Singaporean national was convicted of forging 112 bank instruction letters over seven years, causing net losses of approximately S$2.7 million. The appellate judge found that the trial judge had made fundamental errors in calculating the bank's losses and in applying the two-stage sentencing process.

AI and Cloud Adoption Rise, Digital Infrastructure Demanded to Be More Secure

PT Synnex Metrodata Indonesia has partnered with global edge-cloud platform provider Fastly to expand access to secure, high-performance digital infrastructure for Indonesian organisations. The collaboration targets sectors including banking, retail, telecommunications, and digital-native businesses as demand grows for application and API security amid accelerating cloud and AI adoption. Indonesia's digital transformation market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.11% between 2026 and 2031.

Family planning assistance as investment in human development: Gov't

The Indonesian government has emphasised that the non-physical special allocation fund for family planning (BOKB) is an investment in human development, aimed at improving maternal and child health, preventing stunting, and enhancing the quality of future generations. The Ministry analysed fund management for the first half of 2026, with a total allocation of around Rp1.99 trillion, and stressed the need for central-regional collaboration and outcome-oriented budgeting. The programme supports expanded access to family planning and reproductive health services, family development, and stunting prevention interventions.

Supporting the Congress, ITMI Hopes NU Will Join Effort to Eradicate Braille Quran Illiteracy

The Indonesian Muslim Visually Impaired Association (ITMI) has congratulated Nahdlatul Ulama on its 35th Congress and called for stronger collaboration on disability inclusion. ITMI chairman Yogi Madsuni specifically urged NU to support a programme aimed at eradicating Braille Quran illiteracy among visually impaired Muslims. He highlighted NU's extensive regional network as a potential platform for expanding access to Quranic education.

Deputy Minister Veronica: Stunting prevention must begin during pregnancy

Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan has stressed that stunting prevention must start during pregnancy through maternal health and nutrition. She emphasised that responsibility for maternal and child health cannot rest solely on women, calling for fathers and families to be involved from pregnancy checks through to childcare. The government is also promoting local food gardens to support family nutrition and economic opportunities.

Prabowo: Indonesia will rise, nothing can stop us

President Prabowo Subianto expressed strong optimism about Indonesia's future during the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Jombang, East Java. He highlighted achievements in food self-sufficiency, the free nutritious meals programme, and budget savings from anti-corruption measures. The President emphasised that these efforts are directed towards helping the poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

South Jakarta District Court Judge Rejects Pretrial Motion of Former Jampidsus Febrie Adriansyah

The South Jakarta District Court has rejected a pretrial motion filed by former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah, upholding the Attorney General's Office's decision to name him a suspect in a money laundering case. The ruling confirms the legality of the forced measures, including searches and asset seizures, carried out by investigators. A second pretrial motion concerning a different legal action is scheduled to be heard the following day.

Farah Savira Sole Candidate for South Jakarta Golkar Chair at 11th Regional Conference

Jakarta DPRD member Farah Savira has been confirmed as the sole candidate for chair of the South Jakarta branch of the Golkar Party for the 2026-2031 period. The announcement came two days before the party's 11th regional conference, following a verification process. She was deemed to have met the minimum support threshold from eligible voters.