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Hello reader,

Starting tomorrow, I am going to temporarily stop accepting new paid subscriptions and top-ups.

That’s because, like most humans, I need a break, too. After doing this near-daily non-stop for over a year, I am taking 2 weeks off from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 27. The monthly paid subscription feature will be reactivated once normal service resumes on Monday, June 30.

The reason for the temporary suspension is that I’d hate for paying subscribers to come out feeling shortchanged. Existing paid subscribers will still have full access to Nusantara Notes for as long as their plan is active.

For existing paid subscribers whose subscriptions end before June 16 but would still like to read Nusantara Notes until then, please shoot me an email at anasrie23@gmail.com. I’ll sort you out with a free month. Please note that this offer is valid until Monday, June 2, and I reserve the right to refuse freeloaders, rude people, and anything in between.

And now, please enjoy today’s edition of Nusantara Notes.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics 

• A deadly ammunition explosion in Garut, West Java killed 13 people, including four Indonesian Army (TNI AD) personnel and nine civilians. The blast occurred during the disposal of expired ammunition on May 12, at a site managed by the Army’s Ammunition Depot. TNI AD is investigating the cause, expressing condolences and promising a thorough probe. Amid initial reports that the civilians killed were scavengers, the families of the victims have come forawrd to clarify that they were actually long-term workers assisting the army. The West Java government has pledged to provide IDR 50 million per victim for funeral costs and support for victims’ children.

• Adhel Setiawan, a parent from Bekasi, West Java reported the province’s Governor Dedi Mulyadi to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) over a policy sending misbehaving children to military barracks for character training. Adhel argues the policy violates human rights, lacks transparency in its curriculum and methods, and fails to address behavioral issues through dialogue, as education should humanize children. He insists handling such issues is the responsibility of parents and teachers, not the military, and no law grants the military such authority. The semi-military program, initiated by Dedi, began on May 1 in Purwakarta and Bandung.

• President Prabowo Subianto will host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for an official visit to Indonesia from May 14-16. This marks Albanese’s first overseas trip after his re-election and inauguration yesterday. The leaders will meet at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to discuss key priorities, including strengthening Indonesia-Australia cooperation across various sectors.

• The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) revealed that a mass poisoning incident affecting 223 students in Bogor, West Java was caused by Salmonella and E. coli contamination in the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Lab results confirmed the bacteria in water, eggs, and vegetables. Unlike other regions where symptoms appeared immediately, Bogor’s cases showed delayed reactions, emerging days after consumption. The Bogor Health Agency declared an extraordinary event (KLB) as cases surged.

• Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas stated that former Indonesian Navy member Satria Arta Kumbara automatically lost his citizenship after joining Russian military operations without presidential approval. Indonesian law requires such permission for involvement with foreign militaries, Supratman said today. Satria’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict surfaced on TikTok, showing him in Russian military uniforms. The Navy previously dismissed Satria in absentia on April 6, 2023; and for desertion since June 2022, with a one-year prison sentence. 

Business/Economy

• An IDR 15 trillion chemical plant project by PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical has come under public scrutiny after a viral video showed alleged demands for project shares—without a tender—from groups claiming to represent the Cilegon chapter of the Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) and various local organizations. In the footage, a man insisted that portions of the project budget be allocated directly to Kadin. Chengda Engineering, the project contractor, responded that while local involvement was possible, proof of capability was required. The chlor alkali-ethylene dichloride (CA-EDC) plant is part of Indonesia’s National Strategic Projects and will produce essential chemicals for industries like EV battery processing and PVC production. Kadin Indonesia Chairman Anindya Bakrie condemned the incident, pledging to form a verification team and sanction any members found abusing Kadin’s name, including revoking mandates.

• The Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) reported that 73,992 workers faced layoffs from January 1 to March 10, 2025, based on The Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) data, with 40,683 claiming old-age benefits (JHT). Apindo acknowledged the significant rise in layoffs, noting that while investments create jobs, they cannot keep up with the 3-4 million new workers entering the market annually. Apindo’s March 2025 survey revealed 69.4% of layoffs were due to declining demand, 43.3% due to rising production costs, 33.2% due to minimum wage hikes, 21.4% due to import pressures, and 20.9% due to automation. Additionally, 67.1% of companies plan no new investments in the next year.

• Indonesia’s trade balance is projected to maintain a surplus in April 2025, continuing a 60-month streak, though the surplus is expected to decline. A Bloomberg consensus of 16 economists estimates a median surplus of US$2.73 billion, down from March 2025’s US$4.33 billion. Projections range from US$4.69 billion to US$650 million. Seasonal post-Ramadan factors, fewer working days, and lower commodity prices (e.g., gas, nickel, palm oil) compared to imports (e.g., oil, wheat) drive the monthly decline. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) is set to release April 2025 trade data tomorrow.

Everything Else 

• On Sunday, the tourist boat Tiga Putra sank off Malabero Beach, Bengkulu, en route to Tikus Island, killing eight of 107 passengers. The boat, captained by Edi Susanto, suffered three engine failures, capsizing after high waves hit in the afternoon. Updated data confirmed 101 tourists, one captain, and five crew, with 99 survivors. In light of the tragedy, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana expressed her condolences and urged stricter safety measures on tourism facilities and activities. 

• Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed that free health screenings in Jakarta showed only 20% of the capital’s residents are healthy, with the rest having high blood pressure or abnormal blood sugar levels. He warned that these conditions risk chronic diseases like stroke and heart disease, detectable early through routine checks of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, and waist circumference.

• A BYD Seal electric car—among the darlings in Indonesia’s burgeoning EV scene—emitted thick smoke and caused a reported explosion in a garage in Palmerah, West Jakarta yesterday at around 4am, after being unused for three days. Approximately 30 firefighters were deployed, extinguishing the fire by 7:39am, with no casualties reported. Initial findings suggest a battery short circuit as the cause. BYD Indonesia has apologized and clarified it was a smoke incident—not fire, despite photos suggesting so—and said an investigation is underway to identify the cause, with results to be shared soon.