Week in politics: Prabowo's US visit to Sahroni's return to House of Representatives
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Various political events during the week of 15 to 21 February 2026 drew public attention, ranging from President Prabowo Subianto's working visit to the United States to seek investment opportunities, to Ahmad Sahroni being reappointed as Deputy Chair of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI).
The following is ANTARA's summary of the week's noteworthy political stories:
1. Prabowo invites major US firms to increase medical equipment investment in Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto invited one of the largest American companies to increase their investment in manufacturing medical equipment in Indonesia as a cooperation opportunity.
While attending the Gala Iftar Dinner Business Summit in Washington DC on Wednesday (18/2) local time, President Prabowo explained that multinational company General Electric (GE) had opportunities to explore cooperation following the establishment of ten new STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and medical universities.
"I believe there are also opportunities for the United States. I think General Electric also manufactures medical equipment in Indonesia and we hope they will increase their production," Prabowo said in an audio recording received in Jakarta on Thursday.
2. Defence Minister encourages families of soldiers killed in landslide
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin offered encouragement to the families of Marine soldiers who fell victim to a landslide in Cisarua, West Bandung.
The gesture was made when Sjafrie met with the families of 23 fallen soldiers at the Marine Corps Command Headquarters (Mako Kormar) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2).
In an official press release received on Thursday, it was explained that upon arriving at Mako Kormar, Sjafrie interacted directly with the soldiers' families and conveyed personal condolences.
3. Foreign Minister: Indonesia sends 8,000 troops, not paying 1 billion US dollars
Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that Indonesia has become a permanent member of the Board of Peace (BoP) despite not paying a contribution of 1 billion US dollars.
According to Sugiono, the 1 billion US dollar contribution previously discussed was not a mandatory fee or a requirement for permanent membership. Instead, Indonesia contributes by deploying 8,000 peacekeeping troops.
"From the beginning I said this is not a membership fee. It is not a membership requirement, no. We are now members; there is no need to pay either, and that is fine," Sugiono said during a press briefing in Washington DC on Friday (20/2) local time.
4. Gibran inspects Semarang-Demak toll road Section I construction
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka inspected the construction progress of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road Section I in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday.
According to information received, the toll section connecting Kaligawe in Semarang City to Sayung in Demak Regency is designed not only as connectivity infrastructure but also as a Giant Sea Wall integrated with the Terboyo Retention Basin.
This integration forms part of the tidal flooding and flood control system along Java's northern coast (Pantura), which currently faces considerable environmental pressure.
5. Sahroni returns as Deputy Chair of Commission III after suspension
Member of the House of Representatives Ahmad Sahroni has been reappointed as Deputy Chair of Commission III of the DPR RI, having previously received a suspension sanction from his party and the House Ethics Council (MKD) over earlier controversies.
Sahroni was reinstated as a leader of Commission III by Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who oversees political, legal, and security affairs. Commission III handles law enforcement matters.
"Can Ahmad Sahroni be approved for appointment as Deputy Chair of Commission III of the DPR RI?" Dasco asked, to which members of Commission III present at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday responded with approval.
The following is ANTARA's summary of the week's noteworthy political stories:
1. Prabowo invites major US firms to increase medical equipment investment in Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto invited one of the largest American companies to increase their investment in manufacturing medical equipment in Indonesia as a cooperation opportunity.
While attending the Gala Iftar Dinner Business Summit in Washington DC on Wednesday (18/2) local time, President Prabowo explained that multinational company General Electric (GE) had opportunities to explore cooperation following the establishment of ten new STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and medical universities.
"I believe there are also opportunities for the United States. I think General Electric also manufactures medical equipment in Indonesia and we hope they will increase their production," Prabowo said in an audio recording received in Jakarta on Thursday.
2. Defence Minister encourages families of soldiers killed in landslide
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin offered encouragement to the families of Marine soldiers who fell victim to a landslide in Cisarua, West Bandung.
The gesture was made when Sjafrie met with the families of 23 fallen soldiers at the Marine Corps Command Headquarters (Mako Kormar) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2).
In an official press release received on Thursday, it was explained that upon arriving at Mako Kormar, Sjafrie interacted directly with the soldiers' families and conveyed personal condolences.
3. Foreign Minister: Indonesia sends 8,000 troops, not paying 1 billion US dollars
Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that Indonesia has become a permanent member of the Board of Peace (BoP) despite not paying a contribution of 1 billion US dollars.
According to Sugiono, the 1 billion US dollar contribution previously discussed was not a mandatory fee or a requirement for permanent membership. Instead, Indonesia contributes by deploying 8,000 peacekeeping troops.
"From the beginning I said this is not a membership fee. It is not a membership requirement, no. We are now members; there is no need to pay either, and that is fine," Sugiono said during a press briefing in Washington DC on Friday (20/2) local time.
4. Gibran inspects Semarang-Demak toll road Section I construction
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka inspected the construction progress of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road Section I in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday.
According to information received, the toll section connecting Kaligawe in Semarang City to Sayung in Demak Regency is designed not only as connectivity infrastructure but also as a Giant Sea Wall integrated with the Terboyo Retention Basin.
This integration forms part of the tidal flooding and flood control system along Java's northern coast (Pantura), which currently faces considerable environmental pressure.
5. Sahroni returns as Deputy Chair of Commission III after suspension
Member of the House of Representatives Ahmad Sahroni has been reappointed as Deputy Chair of Commission III of the DPR RI, having previously received a suspension sanction from his party and the House Ethics Council (MKD) over earlier controversies.
Sahroni was reinstated as a leader of Commission III by Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who oversees political, legal, and security affairs. Commission III handles law enforcement matters.
"Can Ahmad Sahroni be approved for appointment as Deputy Chair of Commission III of the DPR RI?" Dasco asked, to which members of Commission III present at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday responded with approval.