Top 3: Cabinet Secretary Teddy's Hot Mic Moment, Prabowo's Directive, and TVRI Chief's Resignation
A series of national events captured public attention on Monday, 23 February 2026. Among the most-read stories was the leaked audio of Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya following a press conference on the reciprocal agreement between Indonesia and the United States.
Another story in the spotlight was President Prabowo Subianto’s directive after the US Supreme Court struck down US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The resignation of Imam Brotoseno as President Director of TVRI also drew significant readership.
The following are the three most popular national news stories as of Tuesday morning, 24 February 2026:
Cabinet Secretary Teddy’s Hot Mic: ‘Was I Invited Just to Be a Prop?’
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya’s voice was inadvertently picked up during a press conference on the reciprocal agreement between Indonesia and the United States. The moment was captured during the press conference broadcast live from Washington D.C. on Thursday, 19 February 2026 local time, via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
During the live broadcast, Teddy could be heard whispering to Minister of Investment and Downstream Industries Rosan Perkasa Roeslani. His remark was clearly audible: “Was I invited here just to be a prop?”
Imam Brotoseno Announces Resignation as TVRI President Director
Imam Brotoseno announced his resignation as President Director of TVRI during the institution’s weekly meeting, held in a hybrid format on Monday, 23 February 2026.
Imam stepped down from his position citing health recovery. “I have decided to resign so that I can focus on my health condition,” Imam said in a written statement on Monday.
The TVRI Board of Supervisors is following up on Imam’s decision by processing his resignation in accordance with Government Regulation Number 4 of 2024 concerning the Public Broadcasting Institution Television of the Republic of Indonesia. Within a maximum of 14 days after receiving Imam’s resignation letter, the TVRI Board of Supervisors will hold a session to approve or reject the request.
Imam stated that his decision was genuinely motivated by medical reasons and that he had not been influenced by any other party in making it.
Prabowo’s Directive Following US Supreme Court’s Annulment of Trump’s Tariffs
President Prabowo Subianto instructed his officials to assess the various possibilities that may arise from the US Supreme Court’s ruling on global tariff policy. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto conveyed Prabowo’s directive in Washington D.C. on Saturday, 21 February 2026 local time.
“Yesterday we reported to the President and he asked us to study all the risks that may emerge,” Airlangga said, as quoted from a video statement on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
Airlangga said the Indonesian government was prepared for various scenarios, as the potential outcomes of the US Supreme Court ruling had already been discussed with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) even before Indonesia signed the trade agreement with the US.