Hello reader,

First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who clicked on the first-ever ad on yesterday’s Nusantara Notes newsletter. The campaign’s success was beyond my wildest dreams. I am truly humbled by the amazing reception for Nusantara Notes so far.

Now let’s get back to our regular programming: delivering you the day’s essential stories out of Indonesia. What do we know, Nusantara’s in the spotlight again…

Happy reading!

Cheers,

Andra

Law/Politics

A Split Ceremony

Nusantara won’t be fully ready to accommodate the entirety of the government’s Independence Day pomp after all. With August 17 fast approaching, the government has announced an unprecedented split of the merdeka ceremony between Jakarta and Nusantara.

President Joko Widodo, who will lead the ceremony in Nusantara, cited a “transitional period” as the reason for the split. He will be joined by President-elect Prabowo Subianto. Back in Jakarta, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin is set to lead proceedings, joined by Vice President-elect and Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The government previously seemed confident that Nusantara would be ready this year to host a singular Independence Day ceremony, marking the move from Jakarta. Were the government’s own timelines and deadlines too ambitious to begin with? And do these setbacks portend more hurdles ahead before Nusantara can operate as a fully-functioning administrative center of Indonesia?

So much time and money have been invested in the new capital, and one can only hope they don’t go to waste.

In Other News

• Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto has arrived in Jordan as Indonesia’s representative for a high-level conference calling for a humanitarian response in Gaza. This move underscores Indonesia's commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocating for a comprehensive ceasefire.

• Grace Natalie, former chairwoman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), has been appointed as a commissioner of state-owned mining holding company PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (MIND ID). Grace reiterated that she has dissociated herself from the young and ostensibly idealistic party, as is required for the role and her previous role as a special staff to President Joko Widodo.

• The Jakarta Metro Police arrested a 29-year-old man from Jakarta over an alleged extortion attempt of popular YouTuber Ria Ricis. The suspect reportedly claimed that he was in possession of some private photos of Ria, and demanded IDR 300 million from the internet star to not leak them.

• What are the five principles of the Pancasila state ideology? Perhaps these influencers can tell you. The Indonesian Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education (BPIP) has requested an additional budget of IDR 100 billion for 2025, with a notable portion of IDR 45 billion earmarked for influencer engagement. The agency emphasized that this increased funding is necessary to enhance public understanding of Pancasila values through effective social media campaigns and outreach programs.

Business/Economy

• The rupiah has plunged to around IDR 16,300 against the US dollar this morning, marking its weakest level since April 2020. This depreciation is attributed to several factors, including global economic uncertainties and stronger-than-expected economic data from the US, which have bolstered the US dollar.

• Indonesia's textile industry is reeling from a severe crisis, leading to the closure of six factories and the layoff of 13,000 workers in 2024. This downturn is attributed to declining demand, rising production costs, and increased competition from cheaper imports.

• Several Indonesian state-owned enterprises (BUMN) have begun trialing a four-day work week this month. One important caveat is that the work week is compressed rather than shortened, as employees are still required to work 40 hours a week. The trial is part of a broader effort to explore innovative work arrangements and improve the work-life balance for BUMN employees.  

Everything Else

• A 12th grader in Cimahi, West Java tragically passed away after she reportedly suffered through three years of bullying at school. Her family said the relentless harassment led to a deep depression, culminating in a deteriorating physical health and eventually her death. This incident highlights the severe impact of bullying and the critical need for effective interventions in schools to prevent such tragedies.

• Researchers have captured the first-ever footage of a Bornean clouded leopard family in the wild. Recorded in Tanjung Puting National Park, the video shows a mother leopard and her two cubs. Conservationists are hopeful this indicates a stable and breeding population, essential for the survival of this endangered species.

• Why wait when you’re deeply in love? A couple from Mojokerto, East Java, who originally planned to hold an engagement ceremony, unexpectedly decided to get married on the same day. The impromptu wedding took place at the engagement venue, surprising both families and guests. A video of the spontaneous matrimony has been doing the rounds online lately, capturing the hearts of many netizens who praised their romantic and bold move.

@zamuer0

Masyaallah niatnya hanya lamaran saja, tapi allah berkehendak lain🥰🥰🥰 #lamaran #engagement #lamaranlangsungakad