Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 September 2026

Showing 1,301-1,350 of 1,696 articles

'China's Nostradamus' Goes Viral Again: This Time Predicting a US Civil War and Chaos in 2027

Jiang Xueqin, a Chinese-Canadian commentator dubbed 'China's Nostradamus', has gone viral after predicting the United States could slide into civil war and economic collapse by 2027. He argues that a prolonged conflict with Iran, driven by the 'Iran Trap', will force conscription, National Guard deployments in major cities, and eventually the 'Balkanisation' of America.

Resuming Operations, Soetta Serves 896 Domestic and International Flights

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has reopened after closing due to volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, following the issuance of a NOTAM by AirNav Indonesia at 00.30 WIB. The airport is projected to serve around 113,001 passengers across 896 flights, with thorough checks carried out on both landside and airside facilities prior to resumption.

Febrie Adriansyah questioned by the Attorney General's Office over corruption and money laundering case

Former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah has been questioned by Team 9 of the Attorney General's Office as a suspect in a corruption and money laundering case linked to the handling of the PT ASABRI and PT Asuransi Jiwasraya affairs. Despite the summons being based on a suspect designation by another agency and a pre-trial ruling, his lawyers say he is cooperating. The case follows the transfer from police of evidence including 74 kilogrammes of gold and foreign currency worth hundreds of billions of rupiah.

China says imports and exports surged in August

China's exports grew 25 per cent year-on-year in August while imports rose 28.2 per cent, driven largely by global demand for AI-linked technology products such as semiconductors and computing hardware. Shipments to the United States climbed 34.4 per cent, ahead of an anticipated summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The figures underscore China's continued trade strength, which has significant implications for regional economies including Indonesia.

Free of Mount Anak Krakatau Volcanic Ash, List of 10 Airports Officially Reopened

Following the reopening of Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma and Husein Sastranegara airports, Radin Inten II and four other airports have resumed operations after closures caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. The reopenings were issued via NOTAM based on safety evaluations and periodic paper tests showing negative results for ash contamination. AirNav Indonesia continues monitoring volcanic activity and reminds pilots to remain cautious, as ash clouds are still detected in flight areas.

Baznas Distributes Food to Workers Affected by Volcanic Ash in Jakarta

The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) has distributed 250 ready-to-eat meal packages to vulnerable workers across East, South and Central Jakarta affected by ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The three-day programme targets online motorcycle taxi drivers, bajaj and angkot drivers and street vendors, whose livelihoods depend heavily on field conditions. Baznas is also distributing masks in Jakarta, West Java and Lampung to minimise health impacts.

Prabowo orders disaster mitigation masterplan as Indonesia grapples with multiple crises

President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a comprehensive disaster mitigation masterplan as Indonesia confronts a deadly earthquake aftermath in Flores, heightened volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau that disrupted thousands of flights, and persistent forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra. He instructed his cabinet to preposition disaster resources, scale up the disaster management budget, procure additional firefighting equipment, and expand weather modification and heavy-lift drone operations.

China's trade booms as focus turns to expected Trump-Xi summit

China's exports surged 25 per cent year-on-year in August whilst imports grew 28.2 per cent, driven largely by global demand for AI-related technology, semiconductors and computing hardware. The country's cumulative trade surplus reached $805.5 billion through August, on pace to surpass last year's record, though weak domestic demand and growing trade imbalances with the US, EU and ASEAN raise tensions ahead of an expected Trump-Xi summit in Washington this month.

Made a Scapegoat in Scandal, Former Banker Wins Lawsuit Worth IDR 3.12 Trillion

Deutsche Bank has confidentially settled a lawsuit brought by former banker Dario Schiraldi, reportedly worth around €152 million (approximately IDR 3.12 trillion), after he accused the bank of unfairly pinning blame on him over the Monte dei Paschi di Siena accounting scandal. Schiraldi was among six former employees convicted in Milan in 2019 before being fully acquitted on appeal in 2022. The bank still faces a further claim exceeding £600 million in London from four other former senior bankers.

Investasi BYD di Subang Resmi Rp16 Triliun, Melampaui Angka Awal Rp11,7 Triliun

BYD menyatakan total investasinya di Indonesia kini mencapai Rp16 triliun, lebih besar dari angka Rp11,7 triliun yang sebelumnya disebut, karena mencakup keseluruhan ekosistem manufaktur seperti parts center, distribution center dan logistik. Nilai tersebut telah didaftarkan resmi melalui sistem Online Single Submission pemerintah. Pabrik kendaraan listrik BYD di Subang, Jawa Barat, diresmikan dan mulai memproduksi model Atto 1 dan M6 secara domestik.

Over a Thousand Red-and-White Cooperatives in Central Java Built on Protected Farmland

More than 1,100 of the 4,808 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (KDKMP) established in Central Java have been built on Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B), which is legally protected from conversion. The provincial Public Works and Spatial Planning Office has reported the matter to the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, but acknowledges it lacks data on the total area affected. Under Law No. 41 of 2009, such conversions are only permitted for public interest, subject to conditions including providing replacement land of triple the size.

Police Disperse Mass Brawl in Cakung, East Jakarta; Man Carrying Machete Arrested

Police broke up a group brawl involving armed individuals in Pisangan, Penggilingan, Cakung, East Jakarta, in the early hours of the morning. One suspect carrying two machetes was detained, and authorities have urged parents to monitor their children more closely.

Two Additional Trains Scheduled from Solo and Yogyakarta to Jakarta Due to Anak Krakatau Eruption

KAI Daop 6 Yogyakarta has added two extra train services from Solo and Yogyakarta to Jakarta after volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted several airports. The additional trains, departing on the evening of 8 September, are intended to provide alternative transport for affected travellers.

Plenary Session Approves Revision of Population Administration Law as DPR Initiative Proposal

The House of Representatives (DPR RI) has approved the bill amending Law No. 23 of 2006 on Population Administration as a DPR initiative proposal during a plenary session attended by 151 members. The bill introduces administrative sanctions for administrators who fail to protect population data and criminal penalties of up to six years for the unauthorised dissemination of such data. It also mandates an integrated digital active registration system to be implemented by central, provincial and municipal governments.

Health Minister: Indonesia's genomic innovation capacity impresses Sweden's Crown Princess

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was impressed by Indonesia's genomic data capacity of 4.5 petabytes, set to expand to 10 petabytes and be analysed with AI. During a visit to the Biomedical and Genome Centre at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, the minister highlighted the country's precision medicine programme and hopes for strategic cooperation with Sweden.

Flights from Juanda Surabaya to Jakarta and Bandung Resume

Flights from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya to Soekarno-Hatta, Husein Sastranegara and Halim Perdanakusuma airports have resumed after the three airports reopened. Airport management urged passengers to check their flight status through official airline channels.

Ragunan Entrance Fee Proposed to Rise to Rp10,000, Pramono Anung to Decide Soon

The DKI Jakarta provincial government is considering raising the entrance fee for Ragunan Zoo to Rp10,000, with the proposal now awaiting a decision from Governor Pramono Anung. The tariff has remained unchanged for two decades, and the council members pushing the increase argue it would help the zoo achieve financial independence as a regional public service agency and reduce its reliance on the provincial budget.

Bandung's Husein Sastranegara Airport Resumes Operations After Mount Anak Krakatau Eruption

Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung has resumed flights after a temporary closure caused by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. Airport operator InJourney Airports said cleaning of ash from the apron, taxiway and runway, along with friction tests, confirmed the facility met operational standards. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses with their airlines, as some earlier had switched to rail travel including the Whoosh high-speed service.

Charlie Chandra Clarifies Land Deed Forgery Case

Charlie Chandra, convicted of falsifying land documents relating to a plot in Lemo Village, Tangerang, has clarified that the disputed document is not the freehold certificate (SHM) but a BPN form recording inheritance transfer. He was initially sentenced to four years, reduced to one year on appeal by the Banten High Court. He cited civil rulings and testimony from a BPN official to argue the land remains validly registered under his father's name.

Drought Warning: New Mexico's Largest Reservoir Falls to Lowest Level in 55 Years

The Elephant Butte Reservoir, the largest in New Mexico, has shrunk to below 5 per cent of its capacity — its lowest level in 55 years — according to NASA and USGS Landsat satellite data. Scientists attribute the decline to prolonged drought, reduced snowpack and rising temperatures along the Rio Grande, threatening agriculture, ecosystems and local tourism.

Thousands of Students at Subang State High School Protest After Deputy Head Allegedly Molests Dozens of Female Students

Around 1,445 students of SMAN 1 Pamanukan in Subang, West Java, staged a demonstration after a deputy head of student affairs, initialled AT, was accused of sexually harassing numerous female students. The protest nearly escalated when the accused teacher allegedly attempted to flee the school grounds before police arrived to secure him. Preliminary records from the school's counselling teacher suggest some 11 to 15 victims, though students believe nearly every girl at the school may have been targeted.

Govt Expects Economy to Stay Stable Amid Disasters

The Indonesian government remains optimistic that economic activity will remain stable despite recent natural disasters affecting several regions. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that while some disruption is expected, the government intends to boost economic activity throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2026.

Superman Is Dead Finally Performs for the First Time in Nusa Lembongan

Legendary Balinese punk rock band Superman Is Dead performed for the first time on Nusa Lembongan, closing the Lembongan Surf Team (LST) Surfing & Music Festival at Mahagiri Resort. Organisers said the festival, which combined a surfing competition, music performances and local SME participation, aims to promote Nusa Lembongan as a sport tourism destination both domestically and internationally.

BPJPH: Halal assurance strengthens national food sovereignty development

The head of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, said halal product certification plays a key role in strengthening national food sovereignty by ensuring circulating food meets safety, quality and halal standards. The agency has issued Regulation No. 4 of 2026 on halal conformity assurance for foreign products entering Indonesia, a crucial step ahead of the mandatory halal certification deadline in October 2026. Haikal added that a robust halal system protects consumers, gives businesses certainty and strengthens the national halal industry.

Baznas provides free health services for Parigi Moutong flood victims

The National Zakat Agency (Baznas), through its Parigi Moutong Healthy House, provided free health checks for 182 residents affected by flash floods in Avolua Village, Central Sulawesi. The services included blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and uric acid tests, medical consultations and free medication, with a focus on the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.

Six Airports Reopen as Three Remain Closed After Anak Krakatau Eruption

AirNav Indonesia has announced that six airports affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau have resumed operations, including Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma and Husein Sastranegara. Three airports in Lampung and Pandeglang remain closed until 10:00 WIB pending further safety evaluations. AirNav continues to monitor ash dispersion and coordinate with aviation regulators, with aeronautical updates issued via NOTAM as conditions evolve.

Chronology of Man Jumping onto Tracks Prompting Sudden KRL Braking at Tanah Abang

A man jumped onto the tracks at Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta just before a Commuter Line train heading to Manggarai arrived, forcing the driver to brake suddenly. The man was unharmed and showed signs of mental health issues, and police handed him over to staff from the Madani Mental Health Care rehabilitation centre.

Edwin Soeryadjaya Buys 2.25 Million SRTG Shares at Rp1,810

Edwin Soeryadjaya, commissioner and controlling shareholder of PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya Tbk (SRTG), purchased 2.25 million shares at an average price of Rp1,810, lifting his stake to 35.9%. The move comes as fellow commissioner Joyce Soeryadjaya Kerr, a long-serving board member and relative of Edwin, tenders her resignation from the company.

PAM JAYA assures Jakarta residents tap water remains safe amid volcanic ash

PAM JAYA President Director Arief Nasrudin has assured customers that Jakarta's piped tap water remains safe despite ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, with quality checks conducted across the entire supply chain in line with Health Ministry standards. Officials also visited the Jatiluhur raw-water source to ensure supply stability, and customers were urged to keep storage tanks and faucets clean while using water wisely.

51 Per Cent of 2026 KUR Disbursements Go to Women-Led MSMEs

Indonesia's Minister of MSMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, revealed that women entrepreneurs received 51 per cent of the Rp201 trillion in People's Business Credit (KUR) disbursed to 3.1 million debtors as of 24 August 2026. Speaking at the 32nd APEC SME Ministerial Meeting in Guangzhou, he outlined the government's broader push for inclusive financing, including lowering Mekaar financing rates and a national entrepreneurship ratio target of 8 per cent by 2045.

Febrie Adriansyah Arrives at the Attorney General's Office for Questioning over Corruption and Money Laundering Allegations

Former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah arrived at the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta to be questioned as a suspect in a corruption and money laundering investigation linked to the PT ASABRI and PT Asuransi Jiwasraya cases. His lawyer said Febrie, who has also been named a suspect in cases involving 74 kg of gold and hundreds of billions of rupiah in cash, would cooperate with investigators. Separate probes into alleged corruption at PT Krakatau Steel and coal procurement for power plants that caused blackouts remain ongoing.

Unej to facilitate Peksiminas participants affected by Mount Anak Krakatau eruption

The University of Jember (Unej) and BPSMI are accommodating participants of the 18th National Student Arts Week (Peksiminas) in 2026 whose travel has been disrupted by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. Of 891 participants, 34 have been affected, with organisers offering delayed appearances or online participation, while liaison officers support contingents arriving in Jember.

Acer Launches ePaper Monitor, Triple Screen, and New Iconia Tablets at IFA 2026

Acer has unveiled its latest product portfolio at its next@acer global press conference at IFA 2026 in Berlin, including an innovative ePaper monitor, a triple-screen extender, an AI-powered projector, and refreshed Iconia tablets. The launches are aimed at supporting consumer flexibility for work, play and mobile connectivity, with Indonesian pricing and release dates to be confirmed.

Finance Minister: Finance Ministry Programmes Aim to Keep the State Budget Sound as a Development Instrument

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the ministry's programmes are designed to keep the State Budget (APBN) healthy, credible and sustainable so it can function as a development instrument and shield for the economy. The 2027 work plan centres on five main programmes supporting eight national priority clusters, including food sovereignty, energy independence, and downstreaming. The strategy also embraces digital transformation, including the Coretax System and Indonesia National Single Window.

Still on Alert! Anak Krakatau Erupts Again – Continuous Tremor Recorded Today

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported renewed activity at Mount Anak Krakatau in Lampung as of 8 September 2026, with two eruption earthquakes and continuous tremor recorded. The alert level remains at Level III (Siaga), with a 3 km exclusion zone around the volcano. The probability of future eruptions remains high, and authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid misinformation.

Infinix Officially Launches XPAD 30 Pro Globally, a Versatile Tablet for Learning and Entertainment for the Younger Generation

Infinix has globally launched the XPAD 30 Pro, a versatile tablet aimed at students and young professionals, priced from US$196. The device features an 11-inch 2.5K display, MediaTek Helio G200 Ultimate chipset, AI-powered learning tools and 8,200mAh battery. It also won a main prize at the 2026 European Product Design Award.

KRL Commuter Line Services Reduced, KAI Cites Intensive Maintenance

KAI Commuter has temporarily adjusted the Jakarta commuter rail timetable, cutting daily journeys on the Jabodetabek network from 1,065 to 1,048. The reduction stems from intensive maintenance of rolling stock, reportedly after problems emerged with train sets produced by PT Inka, which have all had to undergo inspection.

City Gas Tour 2026: PGN Demonstrates Natural Gas Efficiency from Transport to Business

PGN, as Pertamina's Gas Subholding, launched its City Gas Tour 2026 on 4 September, visiting four East Java regions to showcase natural gas benefits in transport and business. Users reported significant savings, with CNG food trucks achieving up to 60 per cent efficiency in cooking fuel and online taxi drivers saving around Rp5 million monthly. PGN and Gagas Energi Indonesia also provided free gas conversion for 75 online taxis as part of efforts to expand the gas vehicle ecosystem.

Bulog Chief Says Rp 1.1 Trillion Needed for Additional SPHP Rice

Perum Bulog estimates it will need around Rp 1.1 trillion to carry out an additional 1 million tonnes of rice under the government's Food Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) programme. The extra allocation, raised from Bulog's initial 400,000-tonne proposal, is intended to mitigate potential production disruptions caused by El Nino, which is expected to persist until the harvest in March 2027. Funding discussions will be handled by the Ministry of Finance and the National Food Agency, with Bulog acting only as the implementing agency.

Commotion Over Inaccurate Social Assistance Deciles: Bakom Chief Explains

The government's communications agency, Bakom, has responded to public controversy over welfare decile categorisations, stressing that the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) is continuously updated. Bakom chief Muhammad Qodari said citizens can challenge their classification through official channels, citing the viral case of becak driver Pak Timbul, whose data was corrected from Decile 9 to Decile 3. He emphasised that decile status is not the sole determinant of social assistance eligibility.

Putri Cempo Landfill Fire Enters Decisive Phase, Block B Targeted for Extinguishing Within Seven Days

Firefighting operations at the Putri Cempo landfill in Surakarta, Central Java, are showing positive progress, with Blocks C and D declared safe. The joint team, backed by firefighters from across the region as well as military, police and volunteers, aims to extinguish remaining hotspots in Block B within seven days, with weather modification operations also being prepared.

Inspecting Stalls and Shops, Meulaboh Customs Seizes 40,000 Illegal Cigarettes

Meulaboh Customs, together with the Satpol PP and Wilayatul Hisbah of South Aceh Regency, seized 40,960 sticks of illegal cigarettes from stalls and shops across South Aceh. The contraband, including brands such as Luffman, Manchester and Oris, is suspected to have originated from Medan, with investigations ongoing. Authorities have urged traders and the public to refuse to buy or sell cigarettes that do not comply with excise rules.

Police Seize Rp 425 Billion in PT DSI Assets, Sahroni: Maximise Recovery of Victims' Losses

The National Police's Criminal Investigation Department, together with PPATK, OJK and BPN, has seized assets worth an estimated Rp 425 billion, mostly land, linked to alleged fraudulent funding by PT Dana Syariah Indonesia. The case involves 5,714 victims with total losses estimated at Rp 1.3 trillion and is currently before the Depok District Court. Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR, Ahmad Sahroni, has urged police to trace further hidden assets and prioritise compensating the victims.

Gavel Falls! Plenary Session Designates Aceh Governance Bill as DPR Initiative Proposal

The DPR plenary session has unanimously approved the Aceh Governance Bill as a House initiative proposal, with all factions in agreement. The bill, prepared by the Legislative Body, includes 27 amendments, notably adjusting the philosophical basis for Aceh's special autonomy as an implementation of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding.

UII Yogyakarta Opens 38 Permanent Lecturer Positions, Here Are the Requirements

Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) in Yogyakarta is recruiting 38 permanent lecturers across five faculties, including Law, Medicine, Cultural Sciences, Psychology and Industrial Technology. Applications are open from 7 to 17 September 2026 via the university's recruitment portal, with selection stages running until mid-October.

Latest iPhone Price Soars Past Rp 50 Million, Here's What We Know About the iPhone 18

Leaked pricing ahead of Apple's launch on 9 September 2026 suggests the iPhone 18 line-up and Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Ultra, will cost significantly more than their predecessors. The iPhone Ultra is reportedly listed at around Rp 53.8 million, whilst the iPhone 18 Pro Max could reach Rp 36.3 million, driven by a sharp rise in bill of materials costs. All prices remain speculative until official Indonesian pricing is announced.

Nusron Confirms Revocation of HGU for Businessmen Found Clearing Land by Burning, Here Are the Rules

Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, has affirmed that land cleared by burning can result in the revocation of a company's Business Use Right (HGU). The rules are set out in Ministerial Regulation No. 15 of 2016, with revocation applying to the burnt area if less than half the concession is affected, or the entire HGU if more than half burns. He also urged businesses to cooperate in preventing and mitigating forest and land fires across Indonesia.

BNPB proposes additional Rp5.67 trillion to support disaster management in 2026

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has proposed an additional Rp5.67 trillion in ready-to-use funds (DSP) to the Ministry of Finance to accelerate disaster response and physical rehabilitation across Indonesia in 2026. BNPB's regular budget for 2026 stands at Rp1.08 trillion, whilst total disaster management spending has ranged between Rp4 trillion and Rp5 trillion annually over recent years.

WEPSEA 2026 Officially Concludes, Driving a Smarter and More Sustainable Southeast Asian Packaging Industry

WEPSEA 2026, a regional packaging and printing trade platform based in Indonesia, has concluded after three days of exhibitions, conferences and business forums. The event highlighted shifting investment priorities in Southeast Asia's packaging sector, with growing emphasis on automation, sustainability, Halal compliance and supply chain resilience. Active participation from major industry associations across Asia reinforced the platform's role in fostering regional collaboration.

AirNav Announces Six Airports Back in Operation, Three Remain Closed

AirNav Indonesia has announced that six airports previously affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau have resumed operations, whilst three others remain closed until an estimated 10.00 Western Indonesian Time. The decision follows safety evaluations and regular volcanic ash paper tests conducted at the affected airports on 7 September 2026.