Politics: Indonesia-Japan Cooperation to Prabowo's Issuance of BNPT Presidential Regulation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Various political events from yesterday that drew attention included Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin establishing defence cooperation with Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, up to President Prabowo Subianto issuing Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 5 of 2026 on the Financial Rights and Facilities of Ad Hoc Judges.

Here is ANTARA’s summary of yesterday’s noteworthy political news worth revisiting:

Amid global tensions, Japan partners with Indonesia to bolster defence

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi views defence cooperation with Indonesia as a strategic step amid rising global conflict tensions, including in the Middle East region.

“These shared fundamental values will make a significant contribution to peace and stability, not only for both countries but also for the region as a whole,” Koizumi stated in a joint statement following his meeting with Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Ministry of Defence office in Central Jakarta on Monday.

According to Koizumi, Indonesia and Japan share several fundamental similarities, including being archipelagic nations, thus necessitating strengthened cooperation in the maritime defence sector.

Commission X of the DPR commits to the National Education System Bill honouring the teaching profession

Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives is committed to further honouring the teaching profession through the Draft Law on Amendments to Law Number 20 of 2003 on the National Education System (RUU Sisdiknas).

Deputy Chair of Commission X of the DPR RI Kurniasih Mufidayati stated that the teaching profession will be honoured on par with other professions, such as doctors, accountants, or engineers. She said this is a logical consequence of categorising teachers as a profession.

“Certainly, if it is already a profession, their welfare must be improved,” Kurniasih remarked, as per a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.

Legislator: No issue with TNI involvement in LPDP as long as rules are not violated

Member of Commission XI of the DPR RI M. Hasanuddin Wahid does not object to the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in briefing prospective LPDP (Education Fund Management Institution) scholarship recipients, provided no rules are violated.

“If it involves the TNI as long as it does not violate rules and its function and purpose are effective in boosting patriotism among all our students and pupils, in my view, that is perfectly fine,” Hasanuddin Wahid said when met at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday.

According to him, one value that needs to be instilled in LPDP scholarship recipients, especially those pursuing studies abroad, is the spirit of love for the homeland or patriotism.

Labour Party supports formation of Layoff Mitigation Task Force

The Labour Party supports the formation of the Task Force (Satgas) for Layoff Mitigation and Worker Welfare, following its declaration by President Prabowo Subianto on International Labour Day at the National Monument area (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Friday (1/5).

“KSPI (Indonesian Confederation of Trade Unions) agrees. Yes, as a trade union, KSPI agrees and the Labour Party supports it,” said Labour Party President Said Iqbal when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday.

Iqbal revealed that the formation of the task force originated from a proposal by KSPI to President Prabowo along with the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy at a seminar organised by Bank Mandiri in 2025.

Government issues Presidential Regulation Number 9 of 2026 to strengthen BNPT structure

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia, on Monday, officially issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 9 of 2026 to strengthen the organisational structure and coordination functions of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) in facing global terrorism threats.

The Perpres on BNPT, which was enacted and promulgated in Jakarta on 9 February 2026, simultaneously revokes Presidential Regulation Number 46 of 2010 on the National Counter-Terrorism Agency as amended by Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2012.

In the new structure, BNPT now has a more specific division of tasks with the presence of four main deputies. The four consist of the Deputy for National Preparedness and Counter-Radicalisation, Deputy for Deradicalisation, Deputy for Coordination among Law Enforcers and Victim Recovery, and Deputy for International Cooperation.