Top National News: Juwono Passes Away to Soldier Buying Drugs
The Tempo editorial team has compiled several of the most popular national articles published over the weekend or on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
The summarised news includes the passing of former Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono, an explanation from the Indonesian Army headquarters regarding a viral video of one of its members allegedly transacting in narcotics, and Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni accompanying President Prabowo Subianto on a visit to Japan.
Here is a summary of today’s three most popular national news stories.
Former Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono Passes Away
Former Defence Minister during the presidencies of Abdurrahman Wahid and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Juwono Sudarsono, passed away at the age of 84 on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
Head of the Defence Ministry’s Information Bureau, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the Defence Minister of the United Indonesia Cabinet passed away at 13:45 WIB at RSPI Pondok Indah, Jakarta.
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan will lead the lying in state and funeral of Juwono Sudarsono. Rico said the lying in state for Juwono’s body will be held at the Hening Room of the Defence Ministry, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan will lead the procession releasing the body at the Bela Negara Field of the Defence Ministry.
“The funeral procession for the late Mr Juwono Sudarsono at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery will be led by the Defence Minister,” Rico said in a written statement on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
Indonesian Army Addresses Viral Video of Soldier Buying Drugs
Indonesian Army headquarters has responded to a video circulating on social media showing an Indonesian soldier allegedly transacting to buy narcotics.
Head of the Army Information Service, Brigadier General Donny Pramono, stated that the circulating recording is a combination of two separate incident clips that are not related.
Donny confirmed that the initial part of the video shows an Indonesian Army member buying narcotics, depicting the member meeting a man. The soldier in the video is known to hold the rank of Corporal One with initials YP. He is assigned to the Army Equipment Centre or Puspalad.
According to Donny, YP has admitted to buying and consuming narcotics. This admission is supported by a urine test showing positive results. “The individual is currently detained at his unit to be processed in accordance with the applicable legal provisions in the Indonesian Army environment,” Donny said through a written statement on Friday, 27 March 2026.
Meanwhile, Donny said, the latter part of the viral video showing an official vehicle belonging to the Army Strategic Reserve Command or Kostrad along with its driver, Private First Class Laode, is a separate incident. Laode claimed his presence at the location recorded in the video was to visit a friend’s house.
Minister of Forestry Accompanies President Prabowo on Visit to Japan
President Prabowo Subianto will undertake a bilateral visit to Japan today, Sunday, 29 March 2026. Before Prabowo departs, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni first left for Japan on Friday night, 27 March 2026.
“In the coming days, I will accompany President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomatic visit to Japan and South Korea,” Raja Juli said in a video posted on the Instagram account @rajaantoni.
Raja Juli stated that the agenda of this visit will discuss green diplomacy. He mentioned that the Ministry of Forestry continues to engage in green diplomacy through cooperation with friendly countries to address the climate crisis, forest fires, improvements to national parks, and enhancing Indonesia’s biodiversity.
Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to carry out a working visit to Japan from 29-31 March. After that, Prabowo will continue his journey to South Korea from 31 March to 2 April.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website states that Prabowo is scheduled to attend a state luncheon with Japanese Emperor Naruhito. In addition, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will hold a meeting with President Prabowo.