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Hello reader,

Who would’ve thought that Indonesia would remain unbeaten after two matches at the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup?

Not I. Not with Saudi Arabia and Australia as opponents in the opening fixtures. Yet Indonesia has defied the odds by holding both Asian powerhouses to draws.

There’s reason to be euphoric with how far this Indonesian team has gone, but repeat after me: we must not get carried away. The road to ‘26 is still very long.

More on last night’s match way below. In between, please keep yourself up to date with the most important stories out of Indonesia in this free edition of Nusantara Notes.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics

• Minister of Communication and Information, Budi Arie Setiadi, defended Kaesang Pangarep and his wife Erina Gudono’s recent controversial private jet use and lavish trip to the US. Budi claims the jet was arranged by a friend of the couple, as Erina was eight months pregnant and therefore advised against flying commercial.

• President Joko Widodo appointed Nahdlatul Ulama Secretary General Saifullah “Gus Ipul” Yusuf as the new Social Minister, replacing Tri “Risma” Rismaharini, who stepped down today as she prepares to take a shot at becoming East Java governor in November’s election. Jokowi also appointed former National Police Densus 88 counter-terrorism unit chief Eddy Hartono as the head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT).

• Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla did not mince his words when he voiced his dissatisfaction with Education Minister Nadiem Makarim, pointing out that the GoJek founder had no experience in the education sector and was rarely in office. Nadiem remained quiet when pressed for a response today.

• An 18-year-old girl in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra was found dead, buried and in a state of undress after she left home to sell fritters on September 6. Police said today that they have yet to determine an official cause of death, while noting that her autopsy may provide clues as to whether or not she was raped.

• Public calls for leniency are growing towards Balinese man I Nyoman Sukaena, who is facing five years in prison for keeping a protected Javenese porcupine as a pet. Locals are especially miffed at the double standards on display, considering that a Balinese politician did not receive any criminal charges for keeping an endangered animal in 2021.

Business/Economy

• Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has finally approved the export of kratom, a controversial herbal product that some claim has medicinal benefits, while others fear its potential for abuse. That said, there is still no legislation allowing the trade and consumption of the plant in Indonesia.

• The Ministry of Finance has recommended a minimum 2.5% excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to combat rising health concerns related to obesity and diabetes. The incoming Prabowo Subianto administration will ultimately have the final say on the figure when the tax is imposed in 2025.

• Vice President Ma'ruf Amin highlighted that the sharia business sector contributed 47% to Indonesia’s GDP in December 2023 after five years of significant growth. He underlined the growing influence of Islamic finance and businesses amid global economic instability.

• Indonesia is officially reversing its two-decade ban on sea sand exports, with the government setting regulations to ensure sustainability. The policy, which kicks off on September 29, rules that sea sand may only be exported if domestic supplies are met. Critics say the activity harms the environment and threatens the future of Indonesian fishing and coastal communities.

• President Jokowi today launched the construction of the 24.5 km east-west MRT line connecting Medan Satria and Tomang in Jakarta. The line will consist of 21 stations and intersect with the current north-south line at Thamrin Station. The project is targeted for completion in 2031.

Everything Else

Stale, Mate

The mini fairy tale continues in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Indonesia holding Australia to a stalemate in Jakarta yesterday evening.

This new-look Indonesian side, which comprises mostly of naturalized players, defied the odds yet again by not buckling against a side that has substantially more pedigree. Before the 0-0 draw with the Socceroos, Indonesia last week held Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw away from home.

Just like in that match, newly-naturalized goalkeeper Maarten Paes was once again the hero yesterday, as he kept a clean sheet despite unrelenting Australian pressure on the Indonesian defense. Australia, which enjoyed 63% of ball possession, had 19 shots to Indonesia’s five.

After two games, Indonesia is now in fourth place in the six-team qualifying group, above Australia and China. Tougher tests lie ahead for Indonesia, particularly against Japan, who demolished China and Bahrain in their first two matches. The two best teams at the end of the round-robin directly advance to the 2026 World Cup, while the third and fourth-ranked teams will go into another playoff round.

With that in mind, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is hoping to strengthen the squad by fast-tracking granting citizenships to Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders, both of whom play in the Dutch top flight, before Indonesia’s next matches against Bahrain and China in October.