Government Launches Child Protection Movement, BPKH Distributes Hajj Benefits, and Soputan Fire Spreads

The government, through six ministries, has united to combat violence against children by launching the National Movement for Safe and Comfortable Spaces for Children (Gernas RANA). The initiative aims to create a protective environment for the nation’s youth.

In education, the University of Sumatera Utara (USU) now has 232 active professors across various disciplines. The rector expressed hope that their presence will help the university make a significant impact at both national and international levels.

The Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) has distributed over Rp2.06 trillion in value benefits for the first phase of 2026 to approximately 5.7 million regular and special Hajj candidates who are still on the waiting list.

A forest fire in the protected area of Mount Soputan in Southeast Minahasa, North Sulawesi, has spread to 300 hectares, according to the local disaster mitigation agency.

BPJS Kesehatan has launched a savings programme called NADI JKN, allowing online motorcycle taxi drivers to set aside as little as Rp7,000 per day to secure national health insurance coverage for themselves and their families.