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Hello reader,

As Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) holds a massive sway in the country’s politics and society in general.

Right now, NU is going through a turbulent period amid a leadership shake-up. Its council of leaders want the chairman gone over an allegedly unforgivable offense, but he isn’t giving up without a struggle.

In other news: dog and cat meat are officially banned in Jakarta, there’s a controversial airport in Morowali, and IHSG breaks another all-time record.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics

• Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, was rocked by major internal upheaval after Rais Aam (supreme leader) Miftachul Akhyar officially removed Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya) from his post as chairman effective today. The decision followed a meeting that cited three key issues: the invitation of a speaker allegedly linked to international Zionist networks to NU’s top-tier leadership academy amid global outrage over Israel’s actions; concerns that this violated NU’s core principles; and indications of financial mismanagement within NU’s executive board (PBNU). The meeting gave Gus Yahya three days to resign before issuing dismissal, and also led to the sacking of his international adviser, Holland Taylor. As tensions rise, NU leaders are urging calm while the Rais Aam prepares to convene a plenary session to determine the next leadership steps.

• Calm, there is not. Gus Yahya firmly rejected his alleged dismissal, calling the circulating letter invalid and beyond the authority of the leadership. He emphasized that the document was only an unsanctioned draft spread via WhatsApp rather than NU’s official system, and stressed that only a Muktamar (national congress) can legally remove him from his mandate. Gus Yahya also criticized the leadership’s internal meeting process for issuing accusations while denying him the opportunity to clarify.

• Indonesia’s aviation oversight is under scrutiny after revelations that the IMIP Airport in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, which was built and run inside the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, has been operating without on-site Customs or Immigration officers, despite handling over 50,000 passengers last year. Officially classified as a “special” private airport under Directorate General of Air Transportation (DJPU) supervision, the facility has nonetheless functioned with no state presence, prompting fierce criticism from lawmakers who warn it undermines national sovereignty and opens the door to unchecked movement of goods and people. Parliament members are now urging the government to intervene, investigate, and reassert full authority over what they call a “state within a state.”

• President Prabowo Subianto has granted official rehabilitation to former state ferry operator ASDP CEO Ira Puspadewi, who was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison over a controversial ferry acquisition case, after weeks of public debate and a dissenting opinion from one of the judges who argued the deal was merely a business decision, not corruption. The decision, pushed by inputs from both the public and House of Representatives (DPR), also applies to two other ASDP executives convicted in the same case. While the government says the move follows legal reviews and public aspirations, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) insists the acquisition showed clear irregularities and financial risks, leaving the case politically sensitive and raising new questions about how far Prabowo may go in using presidential rehabilitation powers.

Business/Economy

• The Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) broke another all-time high today, closing at 8,602 after a 0.94% jump, even as foreign investors logged a net outflow of nearly IDR 395 billion. Trading was intense, with IDR 26.5 trillion in turnover and more than 53 billion shares exchanged, pushing market capitalization to IDR 15,711 trillion. Foreign investors were heavy sellers of big-cap banks like BBRI and BBCA, while hunting for commodity-linked names such as BUMI and RAJA, highlighting a market that’s rallying on strong domestic sentiment despite cautious offshore flows.

• State asset management agency Danantara addressed the buzz around a potential GoTo–Grab merger, with CEO Rosan Roeslani saying the companies should be allowed to run their process without intervention. His comments follow State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi’s earlier hint that Danantara is involved in the corporate talks, given Telkom Group’s multitrillion-rupiah stake in GoTo. While Grab’s bid to acquire GoTo has been in play since early this year, the plan reportedly hit regulatory roadblocks in Indonesia, creating uncertainty over whether Southeast Asia’s two biggest ride-hailing and delivery players can move ahead with the blockbuster consolidation.

• Manpower Minister Yassierli confirmed that the 2026 provincial minimum wage (UMP) will be announced before December 31, as the new rates must take effect in January. The ministry is drafting a fresh wage-setting regulation after the Constitutional Court scrapped PP 51/2023, meaning the government is no longer bound to the old November 21 announcement deadline. Yassierli said the new formula aims to strike a balance between workers and employers, but the cross-ministerial coordination needed to finalize it will take time.

• The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) announced that 106 out of 201 tax delinquents have finally settled their outstanding liabilities, contributing IDR 11.9 trillion to the state treasury as of November 24. The progress follows intensified collection measures, including active enforcement, asset tracing, cooperation with law-enforcement agencies, and the establishment of a tax crime task force. While 91 taxpayers have started paying or settling their dues, others remain in various stages of financial difficulty, legal proceedings, or asset investigation. DJP said it’s continuing to pursue the remaining major taxpayers to meet the year-end recovery target.

Everything Else

• Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has officially banned the consumption and trade of dog, cat, and other rabies-carrier meat under a new gubernatorial regulation, fulfilling a promise made to animal-welfare activists last month. The rule prohibits individuals and businesses from selling, slaughtering, or processing these animals for food, with penalties ranging from written warnings and product seizures to business closures and license revocations. The move follows years of monitoring by Dog Meat Free Indonesia, which estimates around 9,000 dogs are supplied monthly to slaughterhouses in areas like Cawang and Cibubur, posing both ethical concerns and public-health risks, particularly rabies.

• Deadly floods and landslides in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra have now claimed 11 lives and injured 38 people, according to updated local government data. The disasters, triggered by heavy rain, hit multiple districts, cutting off national roads, inundating schools, damaging homes, and sweeping residents away in fast currents. Batangtoru was the worst affected with nine deaths, while Sipirok reported one fatality and severe road blockages. Authorities are still working to reopen access, evacuate survivors, set up shelters, and distribute logistics as the scale of damage across the region continues to unfold.

• The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an urgent warning about potentially extreme weather in the next 24 hours as Tropical Cyclone Seed 95B intensifies in the waters east of Aceh, triggering the risk of heavy to extreme rain, strong winds, and high waves across Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Riau. Authorities urge residents, especially coastal communities, fishermen, and sea transport operators, to stay alert for flooding, coastal inundation, fallen trees, and dangerous sea conditions, as the system could develop into a full tropical cyclone with winds exceeding 65 km/h. BMKG says monitoring is ongoing 24/7 and stresses the importance of relying only on official updates.

• The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has issued a written warning to Ipar Adalah Maut The Series, which airs on MDTV and Netflix, for broadcasting scenes containing sexual content despite being rated R13+. According to KPI’s official statement, violations occurred on November 3, 4, and 6, where the series breached nine provisions of the Broadcasting Code. KPI emphasized that any portrayal of sexuality is prohibited in programs accessible to teenagers and urged broadcasters to respect ethical norms, noting that such depictions could mislead young viewers into normalizing inappropriate behavior. KPI expects MDTV and other broadcasters to be more careful to ensure programs remain safe and age-appropriate.