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Hello reader,

In Indonesia, we mostly only have two default weather settings: hot or wet. Right now, after days of scorching heat, we are longing for even a little bit of rain.

What’s behind this heatwave? Scroll down for BMKG’s explanation.

Also in today’s edition: religious boarding schools and scholars are very much the stars of the current news cycle.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics

• Indonesia’s broadcasting regulator has ordered the temporary suspension of Trans7’s “Xpose Uncensored” after its controversial segment on Islamic boarding school (pesantren) life triggered a wave of public complaints. The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) ruled that the episode violated multiple provisions of its Broadcasting Code and Standards, including those requiring respect for religious and cultural diversity and prohibiting the mocking or denigration of educational institutions. KPI said the program distorted the roles of kyai (religious scholars) and santri (students), portraying pesantren in a disrespectful light. Regulators stressed that pesantren are integral to Indonesia’s cultural and historical fabric, and not objects for ridicule.

• Past controversies linked to pesantren life have also resurfaced, including cases of sexual assault. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar came to their defense, accusing the media of sensationalizing sexual abuse cases in pesantren, saying the actual number of incidents is far smaller than coverage suggests. He warned that such reporting risks damaging the reputation of these religious boarding schools. His remarks come amid several high-profile cases, including assaults in Ciamis and Tulungagung, and a study showing male students are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. Nasaruddin urged the public to support and respect pesantren, noting their limited funding and long-standing contributions to society.

• Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, or Cak Imin, highlighted the deep faith and unique values embedded in Indonesia’s pesantren system. Recalling the recent deadly collapse of the Al-Khoziny Islamic boarding school prayer hall in Sidoarjo, East Java, he shared a striking story: when the body of a student killed in the tragedy was brought to his father, a respected kyai in Madura, the cleric expressed gratitude rather than sorrow, saying he was thankful his child had died while praying and studying, and would be grateful if three more of his children experienced the same fate.

• Hundreds of santri staged a protest outside the Bandung home of former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil in response to comments made by his wife, Atalia Praratya, a member of the House oF Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII. Atalia had urged the government to reconsider the use of state funds (APBN) to rebuild the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, which came across to the pesantren community as insensitive. Speakers criticized Atalia’s statement, arguing that pesantren have played a vital role in shaping Indonesia’s moral and historical foundations, and that the state has a duty to support education.

• A student slapping incident at SMAN 1 Cimarga in Lebak, Banten, has escalated into a major controversy, triggering a student strike and the temporary suspension of the school principal. The altercation occurred on October 10, when principal Dini Fitria confronted a student, Indra Lutfiana Putra (17), for smoking near the school. Dini admitted she slapped him out of frustration after he denied smoking, but insisted it wasn’t a hard hit. Indra, however, claimed she kicked and slapped him in front of other teachers while hurling insults, leaving him humiliated. Around 630 students boycotted classes in protest the following day, while Indra’s family filed a police report, demanding legal action. The Banten provincial government has since suspended Dini pending an investigation by the regional civil service body. Lawmakers have urged a thorough probe, noting that while physical violence is unacceptable, the student should also face disciplinary action for smoking on school grounds.

• Police are still investigating the mysterious theft of 40 historical artifacts from the Cakraningrat Museum in Bangkalan, East Java, which went missing in August. The stolen items, including Ming Dynasty porcelain, a gamelan set, and antique bells, are worth billions of rupiah. Investigators have examined the scene but found no signs of forced entry and no CCTV cameras inside or around the museum, which is located just 150 meters from the local police station. Six witnesses from the local culture and tourism office have been questioned so far, with more expected as authorities work to trace the culprits behind the high-value heist.

Business/Economy

• Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa is considering lowering Indonesia’s value-added tax (VAT) rate from its current 11% next year to boost household spending. He said the decision will depend on economic conditions and state revenue at the end of the year. While cautious, he acknowledged that a VAT cut could help stimulate purchasing power. As of September, state revenue has reached IDR 1,863.3 trillion (65% of target), while spending stands at IDR 2,234.8 trillion (63.4%), leaving a budget deficit of IDR 371.5 trillion.

• In the spirit of boosting spending, the government is preparing to wipe off unpaid debts under IDR 1 million to help low-income citizens regain access to subsidized housing loans. The Finance Ministry and Financial Services Authority (OJK) will meet next week to finalize the plan, which targets around 100,000 people whose small bad credit records in the Financial Information Service System (SLIK) have blocked their home ownership credit (KPR) applications. Purbaya noted that developers are willing to cover the amounts, paving the way for faster clearance. Housing Minister Maruarar “Ara” Sirait welcomed the initiative, saying it would help resolve long-standing administrative bottlenecks while the government also prepares to utilize state assets, including seized land, for housing. The plan comes as the government boosts its housing programs: subsidized mortgage rates remain at 5%, the 2026 renovation target will rise to 400,000 homes, and subsidized housing quotas will increase to 350,000 units next year.

• Antam gold prices soared to a new all-time high today, with 1-gram bars selling for IDR 2,383,000, up IDR 23,000 from the previous day. This marks a IDR 890,000 jump over the past four days and the third consecutive day of record-breaking prices. Buyback rates also climbed to IDR 2,232,000 per gram. The rally mirrors global trends, with international gold prices hitting a historic intraday peak of US$4,179.48 per troy ounce yesterday and closing at US$4,141.47, up 0.76%. By early today, spot prices rose further to US$4,160.26, edging closer to the US$4,200 psychological level.

• Sovereign wealth fund manager Danantara has scrapped annual bonuses (tantiem) for commissioners of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), a move expected to save around US$500 million (IDR 8.31 trillion) per year. CEO Rosan Roeslani said the policy followed a review of remuneration standards across ASEAN and globally, concluding that Indonesia needed to align with international governance practices. President Prabowo Subianto backed the decision, which affects around 5,000 commissioners across 1,000 companies, as part of a broader BUMN restructuring that began in February 2025. Under new guidelines issued in July, commissioner bonuses are eliminated, while executive incentives must now be tied strictly to actual operational performance and financial results.

• The government’s new internship program officially kicks off today, offering six-month placements for university graduates (S1 and D3), including those from religious universities. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said over 1,300 companies have signed up, alongside government ministries, agencies, and Bank Indonesia. Interns will receive monthly pay equivalent to the local minimum wage. Targeting more than 20,000 participants across four batches, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and job market demands by giving fresh graduates hands-on work experience.

• President Prabowo has issued a new regulation to accelerate waste-to-energy initiatives as part of efforts to tackle Indonesia’s mounting waste problem. Under Presidential Regulation No. 109/2025, urban waste will be processed using environmentally friendly technology to produce electricity, bioenergy, renewable fuel, and other byproducts. Indonesia generated 56.63 million tons of waste in 2023, but only 39% was processed, leaving 61% unmanaged. The policy mandates that cities with at least 1,000 tons of daily waste can host Waste-to-Energy Power Plants (PSEL), with PLN required to buy the electricity produced at a fixed rate of US$0.20 per kWh.

• Indonesia will receive a US$500 million (IDR 8.29 trillion) policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to boost competitiveness, support green growth, and accelerate trade under the third phase of the Competitiveness, Industrial Modernization, and Trade Acceleration (CITA) program. The initiative backs Indonesia’s 2045 vision and the 2025–2029 national development plan, building on earlier reforms that streamlined business licensing, improved logistics, and simplified trade procedures. The new phase focuses on attracting sustainable investment, cutting trade barriers, and empowering small businesses, including those led by women. Key measures include automated online licensing, tax incentives for the EV industry, new business incubators, and a national census to map MSME potential.

Everything Else

• Indonesia is currently experiencing persistently hot weather due to a combination of seasonal and meteorological factors, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). In October, the sun’s apparent position shifts slightly south of the equator, intensifying solar radiation over central and southern regions. This is compounded by the strengthening of the Australian Monsoon, which brings dry, warm air that suppresses cloud formation, resulting in clear skies and maximum surface heating. Between October 12-14, many areas recorded temperatures above 35°C, with Majalengka (West Java) and Boven Digoel (Papua) hitting 37.6°C on the 14th. The heatwave is expected to persist until late October or early November, depending on when the rainy season begins in each region, though localized evening showers remain possible in parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, and Papua.

• Indonesia’s investigation into radioactive contamination has traced limited amounts of Caesium-137 to a clove farm in Lampung province, marking the first confirmed case outside seafood products. A government task force said the contamination has not spread to other commodities, and cloves from the affected farm will be withheld from sale pending further lab tests. Authorities are still searching for the source of the isotope, which is typically linked to nuclear testing or major accidents abroad, as Indonesia has no nuclear facilities. The probe began after US authorities detected Caesium-137 in a shrimp shipment in August, prompting new certification requirements for Indonesian shrimp and spice exports.