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Hello reader,

President Prabowo hosted billionaire/philanthropist/the conspiracy theorist’s favorite punching bag Bill Gates today in Jakarta, with the Microsoft founder seemingly keen to help advance healthcare in Indonesia. He’s particularly keen on hitting CTRL+ALT+DEL on Indonesia’s tuberculosis struggles.

Elsewhere, the government wants to *clarify* (as opposed to rewrite) history related to the Dutch occupation of Indonesia, while a mayor is fighting back after he was filmed tipping a female DJ on stage. All of that, and more, right after you make the jump below.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics  

• The Foreign Ministry has urged Indonesian citizens in Pakistan and India to avoid conflict-prone areas amid rising tensions between the two countries. The advisory follows India’s launch of "Operation Sindoor" today, which reportedly killed at least 26 people, including children. The escalation follows an April attack in Kashmir that killed 26 mostly Indian tourists, which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Pakistan has denied involvement and called for an open investigation. Indonesia has called on both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue.

• Former lawmaker Riezky Aprilia broke down in tears during a court testimony as she recounted being asked to step down from her elected 2019–2024 House of Representatives (DPR) seat by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto. Riezky described a tense 2019 meeting where Hasto allegedly told her she’d receive her inauguration invite only if she agreed to resign, allowing Harun—who ranked sixth in votes—to replace her despite her rightful claim as the runner-up after Nazaruddin Kiemas’s death. Hasto is currently on trial for allegedly bribing an election official to help Harun secure his DPR seat. Harun, meanwhile, has been on the run since 2020.

• Tual Mayor Ahmad Yani Renuat has come under public scrutiny after a viral video allegedly showing him "making it rain" money on DJ Una at a Jakarta nightclub sparked controversy. The clip, believed to be recorded on April 29, shows a man resembling Renuat tossing IDR 100,000 bills while dancing near the DJ booth. The video, posted by local activist Ima Kalean, drew backlash given Tual's reputation for upholding traditional and religious values. Renuat responded by denying the man in the video was him, stating he hadn’t seen the footage but planned to report the video’s spreaders for defamation under the ITE Law.

• Musician-turned-lawmaker Ahmad Dhani has apologized after receiving a formal reprimand from the parliament's Ethics Council (MKD) over controversial remarks involving the "Pono" clan and sexist comments made during a discussion on football player naturalization. Dhani admitted to a “slip of the tongue” when he mocked the clan name, sparking backlash, particularly from the Rayen Pono family. He denied intentionally insulting any ethnic group and extended a specific apology to the Pono clan. Regarding the sexist remarks, Dhani downplayed the issue as a difference in values, stating he would adjust his views to align with parliamentary standards. MKD found him guilty of violating the DPR’s code of ethics in both instances and issued a light sanction—a verbal warning and a demand to apologize.

• KPK has appointed Budi Prasetyo as its new spokesperson, replacing Tessa Mahardhika Sugiarto, who now serves as Acting Director of Investigations. Budi is no stranger to the role—he previously served on KPK’s spokesperson team and has a background in the commission’s Public Relations Bureau. KPK Secretary General Cahya Hardianto Harefa explained that the reshuffle is part of ongoing efforts to refresh the organization and fill strategic vacancies caused by retirements or personnel returning to their original institutions.

• A tragic accident on the Purworejo-Magelang road in Kalijambe village, Central Java, claimed 11 lives and injured six others this morning. A sand-loaded truck reportedly lost its brakes while descending a slope and crashed into an angkot minivan carrying teachers and residents from Magelang en route to a funeral. The out-of-control truck then plowed into the vehicle and a roadside house. Police have yet to announce criminal charges related to the incident. 

Business/Economy

• Bill Gates met with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta today. The president jokingly remarked that Gates is “more Pancasila than us,” referring to the Microsoft founder’s philanthropic work, which he said deeply reflects Indonesia’s core values of humanity and mutual cooperation. Prabowo highlighted that Gates, through the Gates Foundation, has donated over US$159 million to Indonesia—mostly for healthcare, including polio vaccines and other strategic programs. He also revealed that Indonesia will be one of the trial sites for a new tuberculosis vaccine currently being developed, noting its importance given the country’s ongoing struggle with the disease.

• The government has announced the formation of a special task force to tackle criminal gangs and disruptive mass organizations that threaten public order and investment climate. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan said the task force aims to ensure safety, social order, and investor confidence by cracking down on extortion, intimidation, and illegal group activities. The task force will also open public complaint channels to report suspicious or threatening behavior.

• Garuda Indonesia has confirmed that 15 of its aircraft, including those operated by its low-cost subsidiary Citilink, are currently grounded due to delays in spare parts and routine heavy maintenance. The flag carrier attributed the issue to global supply chain disruptions affecting the aviation industry, resulting in prolonged maintenance timelines. Of the grounded fleet, one belongs to Garuda and 14 to Citilink, all awaiting parts and scheduling for essential safety checks. The Transportation Ministry assured that commercial flights remain unaffected and operations are continuing as permitted.

• GS Supermarket, a South Korean retail company, announced it will close all of its stores in Indonesia by May 31. The closure comes amid intense competition in the retail sector, high operational costs, and the challenges posed by global trade tensions, particularly the US-China trade war, according to the Indonesian Retailers Association. They also urged the government to ease business permits and tax burdens to help the retail industry expand. 

Everything Else 

• Minister of Culture Fadli Zon announced that the ongoing revision of Indonesia's history will address the commonly held belief that the country was colonized by the Netherlands for 350 years. Fadli argued that this perception should be corrected, as during this period, many regions in Indonesia actively resisted Dutch colonial rule. He emphasized that the focus should be on the resistance rather than the notion of being colonized for over three centuries. The revision is expected to be completed by August 17 this year, marking Indonesia's 80th independence anniversary.

• Concert promoter Mecimapro issued a formal apology for the chaos surrounding DAY6's Jakarta concert on Saturday, including the last-minute venue change from the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) to Indonesia Arena. In a statement, Mecimapro apologized to fans, DAY6 members, and JYP Entertainment for the disruptions and acknowledged falling short of expectations.