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Hello reader,

If you are in Indonesia, you or somebody you know might have been under the weather recently. It appears we’re in the midst of another flu season, and there may be multiple culprits. One of them is a deadly disease that recently caused a global pandemic, though it’s not so deadly anymore.

More on that, as well as today’s top stories, just below.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics

• Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Deputy Chair Ronald Aristone Sinaga paid a visit to former president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at his residence in Solo, Central Java today, marking their first meeting since Ronald lost the party’s internal election to Jokowi’s youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, who is now PSI chairman. Ronald described the visit as a social one between party cadres and Jokowi, during which he received guidance to fully support Kaesang’s leadership through 2030 and work to strengthen the party. Ronald clarified that the meeting wasn’t an official party directive, but rather a voluntary gesture to pay respects to Jokowi, whom PSI cadres hope will serve as the party’s advisory board chair.

• The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), along with major Islamic organizations, religious bodies, philanthropies, academics, and pro-Palestine groups, issued a nine-point declaration yesterday to mark the second anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Storm — Israel’s massive 2023 assault on Gaza. The statement, delivered at MUI’s Jakarta headquarters, urged Indonesian Muslims and the global Islamic community to reject internal divisions and normalization with Israel, and unite for the liberation of Palestine and protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The declaration also called on the Indonesian government to take a firm stance against pro-Zionist propaganda, open direct communication with Palestinian resistance factions, and strengthen diplomatic efforts to end Israel’s aggression.

• Three international schools in South Tangerang and North Jakarta received bomb threats yesterday and today, all delivered via WhatsApp from a Nigerian number (+234) demanding US$30,000 in cryptocurrency. Jakarta Nanyang School in Pagedangan, Mentari Intercultural School in Bintaro, and North Jakarta Intercultural School (NJIS) in Kelapa Gading were targeted with identical messages claiming bombs had been planted and would detonate within 45 minutes if the ransom wasn’t paid. Police immediately deployed bomb squads to the three schools, conducting full sweeps that confirmed no explosives were found. Investigations revealed the crypto wallet address provided by the perpetrators was invalid and not registered with any Indonesian exchange, suggesting the threats were part of a hoax extortion attempt.

• Public scrutiny of lawmakers’ privileges has intensified as two citizens filed a Constitutional Court challenge seeking to abolish lifetime pensions for House of Representatives (DPR) members. Psychologist Lita Linggayani and lawyer Syamsul Jahidin argue that the pension scheme, based on the 1980 law, is unconstitutional and unfair, since DPR members qualify after just one five-year term while ordinary workers must labor for decades. They estimate that over 45 years, the state has spent at least IDR 226 billion on pensions for 5,175 former legislators, with payouts ranging from IDR 401,894 to over IDR 3.6 million monthly. Critics say the benefits are disproportionate given lawmakers’ poor legislative productivity and various scandals, with a watchdog noting only 4 of 52 priority bills passed this year. Anti-corruption activists doubt the Court will side with the plaintiffs, citing political ties between the judiciary and parliament, while others argue the outdated 1980 law urgently needs revision. Meanwhile, DPR leaders defend the benefits as legal under existing regulations.

Business/Economy

• Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed that Indonesia will acquire an additional 12% stake in Freeport, finalizing divestment negotiations that will raise the state’s ownership in PT Freeport Indonesia from 51% to 63%. While the timeline for when the shares will take effect has yet to be set, the agreement is tied to Freeport’s special mining license (IUPK), which runs until 2041. The government has not clarified whether the shares will be purchased or granted, though Danantara sovereign wealth fund head Rosan Roeslani previously said Freeport had agreed to release them for free. The divestment fulfills regulatory requirements for Freeport to extend its mining permit, including transferring at least 10% of undiluted shares to state-owned enterprises. Bahlil added that a portion of the additional shares will go to Papua’s regional state-owned companies starting in 2041.

• Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung plans to establish the Jakarta Collaboration Fund as part of a creative financing strategy to address a sharp budget decline, with the city’s 2025 regional budget dropping from IDR 95 trillion to IDR 79 trillion. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on traditional revenue sources by exploring instruments like municipal bonds and other innovative funding models, pending approval from the Finance Ministry. Jakarta also intends to tap into IDR 200 trillion in state funds parked in state-owned banks to strengthen local state-owned enterprises (BUMD). Additionally, Pramono sought approval to build the Bank Jakarta headquarters in Jakarta’s SCBD area through cooperation with the central government.

• Top executives from private fuel companies including Shell, Exxon, and BP AKR met with Deputy Investment Minister Todotua Pasaribu to address fuel shortages at private gas stations, following complaints about import quota restrictions for non-subsidized fuel. The meeting, also attended by Energy Ministry officials and Pertamina Patra Niaga representatives, responded to a formal letter from private operators seeking clarity on investment certainty. Todotua explained that shortages stem from a shift in consumer behavior, with many switching from subsidized to non-subsidized fuel, increasing demand at private stations. He stressed the government’s role in ensuring investment stability, given the significant economic impact of existing and future investments, and said his ministry is coordinating with the Energy Ministry to find a solution.

• The government will introduce a mandatory 10% ethanol blend (E10) for all gasoline products nationwide within the next 2–3 years, targeting implementation by 2027 or 2028. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the policy, already approved by President Prabowo Subianto, aims to reduce Indonesia’s heavy reliance on imported fuel—currently around 60% of domestic consumption—by leveraging local resources like sugarcane to produce ethanol. The E10 mandate also supports the country’s Net Zero Emissions 2060 goal by promoting cleaner energy. Diesel will be excluded as it will follow a separate B50 biofuel program starting next year. Pertamina CEO Simon Aloysius Mantiri stated that the company is ready for the transition, noting it already offers Pertamax Green 95 with a 5% ethanol blend.

• The government will rebuild the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school (pesantren) in Sidoarjo, East Java, using the Public Works Ministry’s state budget, following the recent building collapse deemed a national emergency. Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said APBN funds will fully cover the project but welcomed potential private donations. Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar announced the formation of a Task Force for Pesantren Building Management to assess and address the structural safety of religious schools nationwide. He urged the tens of thousands of pesantren without building permits (PBG) to obtain them and temporarily halt construction if needed, with all related permits now free of charge.

Everything Else 

• A wave of cough and cold complaints has been trending on Indonesian social media, with many users reporting persistent nasal congestion, itchy throats, and mild fevers lasting for days. Pulmonology expert Prof. Erlina Burhan from the University of Indonesia said there has been a noticeable increase in both influenza and COVID-19 cases, though many people with symptoms are not getting PCR tests. She advised the public to resume basic health protocols like masking and handwashing. Meanwhile, pulmonologist Agus Susanto confirmed a recent surge in influenza cases. Experts attribute the rise to extreme weather changes during the transitional and rainy seasons, which make viruses spread more easily and weaken immune resistance.

• The government will temporarily relocate residents living near a Cesium-137 radioactive contamination site in the Modern Cikande Industrial Area, Serang, Banten. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the move follows recommendations from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) to localize the affected area while decontamination takes place. Only a limited number of homes identified through zoning assessments will be evacuated, not the entire neighborhood. Authorities will also restrict movement in the affected zone to protect public safety, with health and security teams conducting outreach to nearby residents.

• The Maluku provincial government is strengthening marine conservation efforts through the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (TFCCA), an international debt-for-nature swap program. Under a July 2024 agreement, Indonesia’s US$35 million debt to the US is being converted into conservation funding, supplemented by US$3 million from Conservation International and US$1.5 million from The Nature Conservancy. The program supports sustainable fisheries and aims to help Maluku achieve 8% economic growth by 2029 through spillover effects from coral reef ecosystems to nearby fishing grounds. Implemented across key seascapes including Bird’s Head, Banda, and the Lesser Sunda region, the initiative seeks to protect marine ecosystems while boosting food security, health, and community welfare.

• A 70-year-old farmer in Sukabumi, West Java, died after a dramatic fight with a 4-meter king cobra that also ended up dead. Ocang was found collapsed on a path near his remote home, likely while trying to get help as the snake’s venom spread through his body. Evidence suggests the cobra entered through his kitchen, bit his right leg, and triggered a fierce struggle—furniture was overturned and the snake was found with a wooden stick impaled through its head. Authorities believe Ocang managed to kill the snake before succumbing to the venom. Local officials have urged residents near forests and rubber plantations to be vigilant and not confront large snakes alone.