Political developments: ANTARA apology and postponement of military deployment

Jakarta — Multiple political developments occurred on Tuesday (17 March). The national news agency Perum LKBN ANTARA issued formal apologies for inaccuracies in a story titled “Government halts foreign flights due to Iran conflict.” The article contained errors in quoting and contextual misalignment regarding State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi’s statements.

The News Director of ANTARA, Virgandhi Prayudantoro, and Chief Executive Officer Benny Siga Butarbutar both issued separate apologies to Prasetyo Hadi and the Indonesian public, acknowledging that the article breached journalistic standards and principles.

Meanwhile, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi announced that the government has postponed the deployment of 8,000 troops scheduled to undertake a peacekeeping mission with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza.

In related developments, the government continues to withhold decisions on civil servant recruitment for the current year, pending the establishment of priority sectors that must be addressed first.