Yesterday's Politics: No Fuel Price Hike Until Two TNI Soldiers Fall

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Various political events from yesterday that drew attention include the government affirming no increase in fuel oil (BBM) prices and the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) confirming that two TNI soldiers fell in Lebanon during a peacekeeping mission.

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

Government Affirms No Increase for Subsidised and Non-Subsidised BBM

State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government ensures that fuel oil (BBM) prices, both subsidised and non-subsidised, will not rise.

In an official statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, Prasetyo said the decision was made after coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT Pertamina, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives.

“The President always prioritises the interests of the people and society in making decisions. That is why Pertamina has stated that it will not adjust prices for either subsidised or non-subsidised BBM,” Prasetyo said.

Cabinet Secretary: President Receives Report on Completion of 280 Pioneer Bridges

Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that President Prabowo Subianto, during his visit to Tokyo, Japan, received a report that 280 pioneer bridges in various regions have been completed and are now in use by the public, particularly schoolchildren.

The 280 pioneer bridges were built over the last three months.

“This morning, the President received a report with data and videos from the Pioneer Bridge Task Force that in these three months, 280 pioneer bridges have been completed and can now be used by schoolchildren and residents to cross in villages and regions across Indonesia,” Seskab Teddy said when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday.

President and Japanese PM Ready to Act as Mediators for Peace

President Prabowo Subianto and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries while actively promoting the maintenance of regional stability and global peace, including serving as mediators if needed.

According to an official statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, President Prabowo and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi emphasised the importance of collaboration in maintaining regional stability, with President Prabowo noting that Indonesia and Japan share aligned views on de-escalation efforts.

“We agree that both Japan and Indonesia will work hard to convince all parties to de-escalate. We are also ready to act as mediators if necessary and to facilitate de-escalation efforts towards peace,” the President said.

MPR Implements WFH, WFA, and Electricity Limits to Save Energy

The General Secretariat of the MPR RI has implemented policies of working from home (WFH), working from anywhere (WFA), and limiting electricity use in the office environment to conserve energy amid the Middle East conflict.

“With this call for savings, we at the MPR are implementing WFH and WFA starting from 1 April. The rules have already begun, and electricity savings are being achieved by limiting working hours,” said MPR RI General Secretary Siti Fauziah during a press conference at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

She explained that the work pattern for MPR RI employees is set to four days per week. Specifically on Fridays, a shift system is applied.

Kemhan: Two Soldiers Fall While Escorting UNIFIL Operation in Lebanon

Head of Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Ministry of Defence General Secretariat, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, said two TNI soldiers fell in southern Lebanon while performing escort duties for UNIFIL forces on Monday (30/3).

“The incident in southern Lebanon affected TNI Task Force personnel who were carrying out escort duties to support UNIFIL operational activities,” Rico said in an official press release received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

However, Rico did not provide detailed explanations on the cause of the two TNI personnel’s deaths. Reports circulated that the two personnel fell while escorting a group intending to retrieve the body of another UNIFIL soldier.