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Century-Old Memories: Grandmother Sharifah's Tradition of Observing the Ramadan Crescent with the Naked Eye from Maysan's Peaks

Sharifah binti Atiyah Al-Thaqafi, nearly a century old, recounts how communities in the mountainous Maysan Province east of Mecca once determined the start of Ramadan through naked-eye observation of the crescent moon from mountain peaks, followed by bonfires and takbir calls echoing between hilltops. The article documents the transition from this deeply communal, centuries-old tradition to modern astronomical methods using telescopes, digital imaging, and computational applications.

Yesterday in politics: Prabowo in the US, DPR on Sumatran aid

A roundup of key political developments includes President Prabowo Subianto's working visit to the United States focused on economic cooperation, and parliamentary coordination on disaster relief for Sumatra. The House of Representatives and government agreed to streamline emergency funding exceeding Rp4.3 trillion for hydrometeorological disaster response, whilst displacement figures across three provinces dropped dramatically from over two million to roughly 13,000.

KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto on KPK Law Revision: We Don't Want to Get Caught Up in It, We Just Want to Work

KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto has distanced the anti-corruption agency from the ongoing discourse surrounding a potential revision of the 2019 KPK Law, stating the commission will simply work under existing legislation. The debate was sparked by former KPK chairman Abraham Samad's request to President Prabowo Subianto to restore the original 2002 KPK Law, a proposal endorsed by former president Joko Widodo but explicitly ruled out by the Prabowo government.

Judicial Bribery Case: Former Palm Oil Executive Faces 15-Year Prison Demand

Prosecutors have demanded a 15-year prison sentence for M Syafei, former Head of Social Licence at Wilmar Group, for bribing judges at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court handling a Rp40 billion CPO export corruption case. The demand includes a Rp600 million fine and Rp9.3 billion in restitution, reflecting the severity of a scheme that prosecutors say undermined judicial integrity. Three advocates alleged to have participated in the bribery have also faced sentencing demands.

Viral Prayer Gathering Outside Jokowi's Home: Aide Speaks Out

A video of residents holding a tahlilan (Islamic prayer gathering) outside former President Joko Widodo's Solo residence went viral on social media, prompting his aide to confirm the event took place on 18 January 2026. The gathering by members of a Banyumas Islamic boarding school was intended to pray for Jokowi's wellbeing, though the ex-president was unable to meet them as he had to fly to Jakarta that morning to attend the wedding of President Prabowo Subianto's personal assistant.

Jokowi's Aide Responds to Former President's Solo Home Being Dubbed "Solo's Wailing Wall"

Former President Joko Widodo's private residence in Solo went viral after it appeared on Google Maps under the name "Tembok Ratapan Solo" (Solo's Wailing Wall), prompting visitors to flock to the site for photographs. Jokowi's aide confirmed awareness of the incident but said there would be no additional security measures, urging the public to respect the property as a private residence rather than a landmark.

House Commission I's Conditions on TNI Troop Deployment to Gaza Under Board of Peace

House Commission I has set strict conditions for Indonesia's planned deployment of TNI troops to Gaza, insisting the mission serve purely humanitarian purposes under a UN mandate and not become entangled in Israel's occupation agenda. A composite brigade of 8,000 personnel is being prepared, with an advance team of 1,000 targeted for readiness by April 2026, though deployment remains contingent on political decisions and international mechanisms ahead of the Board of Peace summit in Washington.

Buzzers in Attorney General's Obstruction of Justice Case Face 8-10 Years' Imprisonment

Three defendants — an advocate, a private television director, and a social media buzzer — have been prosecuted for obstructing Attorney General's Office investigations into major corruption cases involving CPO exports, PT Timah tin trading, and sugar imports. Prosecutors demanded sentences of 8 to 10 years' imprisonment and fines of Rp600 million each, alleging the defendants orchestrated a scheme to shape negative public opinion against the handling of the cases.

Sharia, Interpretation, and the Long Road to Justice

An opinion piece examines Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's assertion that Islamic banking in Indonesia has not fully implemented genuine sharia principles, effectively only rebranding conventional banking terminology as "sharia." The article explores the systemic gap between the label and substance of Islamic finance in the country, raising questions about regulatory integrity and the path toward authentic sharia-compliant banking.

PBNU: Sahur Wake-Up Calls Must Observe Proper Etiquette and Reasonable Volume

The chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama's executive board (PBNU), KH Ahmad Fahrur Rozi, has called on Muslims to exercise restraint and courtesy when waking neighbours for the pre-dawn sahur meal during Ramadan, urging reasonable volume levels and consultation with local residents. His remarks highlight the importance of tolerance in Indonesia's pluralistic society, particularly towards non-Muslim neighbours, the elderly, the ill, and infants. The Indonesian government has set 19 February 2026 as the fi

Fake Driving Licence and Illegal Route Exposed in Deadly Krapyak Toll Road Bus Crash

Police have named the director of PT Cahaya Pariwisata Transportasi as a suspect in the Krapyak toll road crash that killed 16 people in December 2025, citing his failure to oversee operations, knowingly permitting an unlicensed route, and employing an untested driver with a counterfeit licence. Three additional suspects have been charged in connection with a fake driving licence syndicate, as authorities urge bus operators to comply with safety regulations ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday travel

Landslide at Morowali Mining Area Kills One Worker

A landslide struck the waste dump area of PT QMB within the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) compound in Central Sulawesi, burying heavy equipment and killing one worker. Authorities suspect soft ground conditions caused the slide, and a comprehensive investigation is under way by the provincial labour inspection authority and the company's Quick Response Centre.

Islamic Boarding School Head in NTB Named Suspect for Sexual Assault Using "Womb Cleansing" Ruse

The head of an Islamic boarding school in East Lombok, NTB, has been named a suspect and arrested at Lombok International Airport whilst attempting to flee to the Middle East after being accused of sexually assaulting female students. The suspect allegedly deceived victims over a period of years by claiming that sexual intercourse was a spiritual "womb cleansing" ritual, with one victim enduring abuse for a decade and now suffering severe depression.

Children affected by Central Aceh disaster receive psychological support

Children displaced by the November 2025 Sumatran floods in Central Aceh have been receiving psychological counselling through a programme run by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in partnership with Teuku Umar University. The three-month disaster school programme has provided trauma healing for 90 children and toddlers in Toweren village, most of whom have now returned to their homes after sheltering at emergency posts.

Transport Minister: Ministry of Transport's 2026 Budget Prioritises Infrastructure and Safety

Indonesia's Ministry of Transport has been allocated Rp28.48 trillion for 2026, with safety, connectivity, and national strategic programmes as key priorities. After Rp1.35 trillion was ring-fenced for President Prabowo Subianto's directives, the effective working budget stands at Rp27.13 trillion, covering maritime, rail, aviation, and road transport as well as post-disaster reconstruction and economic stimulus measures.

Imsak and Subuh Schedule for the First Day of Ramadan, Thursday 19 February 2026

Muslims across Indonesia commenced the Ramadan 1447 Hijriah fast on 19 February 2026, with the Ministry of Religious Affairs publishing official imsak and subuh schedules for cities nationwide. The schedules, spanning all three Indonesian time zones, guide the faithful on when to conclude their pre-dawn meal, with Jakarta's imsak falling at 04:31 WIB and subuh at 04:41 WIB.

Religious Affairs Minister Requests Rp702 Billion for Flood-Damaged Madrasahs and Pesantren in Sumatra

Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has submitted a proposal for Rp702.90 billion in special funding to reconstruct hundreds of madrasahs, pesantren, and houses of worship damaged by floods and landslides in Sumatra in late November 2025. The request, which remains pending approval from the State Secretary Minister, would cover the rehabilitation of facilities still non-operational, with the majority of affected institutions already having resumed activities.

House Commission V Pushes Sea Bus Transport to Tackle Bali's Traffic Congestion

The chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission V has urged the development of sea bus services as a near-term solution to Bali's worsening traffic congestion, driven by booming tourism on the island. Speaking during a working meeting with the Transport Minister, Lasarus argued that optimising existing ports for passenger ferry routes would be faster and more realistic than waiting for major infrastructure projects such as new railways, toll roads, or the proposed northern airport.

Three defendants in corruption obstruction case face 8–10 years' imprisonment demands

Prosecutors have demanded prison sentences of 8 to 10 years for three defendants accused of obstructing law enforcement in three major corruption cases involving tin commodity management, crude palm oil exports, and sugar imports. The defendants — a former TV crew member, a buzzer team leader, and a lawyer — allegedly orchestrated negative public opinion campaigns through social media to influence the handling of the cases being investigated by the Attorney General's Office.

Nightlife Venues in Jakarta Violating Ramadan Operating Hours Face Business Licence Revocation

The Jakarta Provincial Government has warned nightlife establishments that persistent violations of operating hour restrictions during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah could result in the revocation of their business licences. The Civil Service Police Unit will deploy 80 personnel across five administrative areas to enforce compliance, following a circular from the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency mandating closures and restricted hours for clubs, discotheques, bars and similar venues throughout the holy

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250,636
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1004
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1970-2026
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