Facial recognition technology popular, Indonesia's poor population declines

The National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas) has implemented facial recognition technology in the Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE) system to identify traffic violators, even if they use fake number plates or the vehicle lacks a registration plate. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that the number of poor people in Indonesia decreased by 430,000 to 22.93 million in March 2026, compared to 23.36 million in September 2025. Southeast Asia is expected to face hotter and drier conditions in the coming months, accompanied by an increased risk of fires and transboundary haze, as strengthening El Niño conditions reduce rainfall. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that this year his ministry will revitalise nearly 200 museums and cultural heritage sites across Indonesia. The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has deployed a team to handle the appearance of a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) in a residential area in East Aceh Regency.