Jakarta – The government is ready to adjust budget expenditure to keep its fiscal deficit below 3 percent of GDP as the conflict in the Middle East threatens to drive up oil prices and pile more pressure on the economy, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Tuesday.

Between 21 and 23 February 2026, joint forces of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force conducted a series of arbitrary arrests against at dozens of civilians, including minors and students, in the Kali Biru area, Seradala Road (Kilo 4), and at the old KPU/Bawaslu office on Sohosa Road.

Jakarta – Multiple Indonesian local media reported on Wednesday that Fitch Ratings has downgraded Indonesia's sovereign credit rating outlook to negative from stable.

A representative of Fitch's media team reached by Reuters declined to comment.

Banyumas, Indonesia – The first two months of the year would ordinarily see Ganjar Budi Setiaji hurrying around Plana village's durian orchard, here in the hilly Javanese district of Banyumas. But on the last Tuesday of January, the 53-year-old father instead appeared restless.

M. Syaifullah, Jakarta – Torrential downpour on the Mount Merapi summit on Tuesday afternoon, March 3, 2026, triggered cold lava floods, resulting in the deaths of three sand miners and injuring six others, with two people still missing as of Wednesday afternoon.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – About 4 days have passed since Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei succumbed to Israeli strikes, but questions have arisen over Indonesia's silence on his death.

Natasha Khairunisa Amani, Jakarta – Rupiah weakened against the US dollar on Wednesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised concerns over global oil supply disruptions.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of the Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, claimed that the death of Fatih, a student at State Elementary School (MIN) 2 North Bengkulu, was not related to consuming the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) menu distributed by the Giri Kencana Nutrition Fulfillment Service

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The price of world oil continues to soar on the fifth day of the Iran-Israel conflict in the Middle East. Quoting data from Trading Economics, the futures contract for Brent crude oil on Wednesday, March 4, reached the level of US$82 per barrel. This value increased by 1.26 percent, marking the fourth consecutive session of gains.

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – Oleh Soleh, a member of the Indonesian Commission I of the House of Representatives, condemned the joint Israeli-US attack that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Muawwan Daelami, Jakarta – Fitch Ratings has revised Indonesia's sovereign outlook to negative from stable while affirming its BBB investment-grade rating, citing rising policy uncertainty and concerns over the credibility and consistency of economic policymaking.

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – As the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel rages on, pressure has been growing domestically for Indonesia to withdraw from the US-led Board of Peace, with Islamic communities and lawmakers questioning the body's commitment to peace in the region.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla received a visit from the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, at his private residence in South Jakarta on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Hamid Awaluddin, the former Minister of Law and Human Rights, accompanied Jusuf Kalla during the meeting.

Jakarta – Indonesia has signed a package deal with the United States, anchored by the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and accompanied by what appears to be a series of "sweetener" transactions: large purchases and cooperation pledges designed to rebalance trade and signal political alignment.

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has expressed his condolences over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes.

Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Associated Press, Jakarta – Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) plunged sharply on Wednesday, tumbling 362 points or 4.57% to close at 7,577, as investors reacted to intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a downgrade of Indonesia's sovereign outlook by Fitch Ratings.

Hendro Dahlan Situmorang, Jakarta – Indonesia's dry season could begin earlier than usual this year, with the onset forecast between April and June 2026 and a peak expected in August, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said on Wednesday.

Ervana Trikarinaputri – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri has condemned the sudden military attack launched by Israel and the United States against Iranian territory.

M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Around 500 to 1,000 workers will stage a protest in front of the Ministry of Manpower office tomorrow, March 4, 2026, to demand a tax-free Eid allowance and reject the imports of 105,000 Indian pickups for the Red and White Village Cooperatives.

Alfida Rizki Febrianna, Jakarta – Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has banned poultry and egg imports from 40 countries, including Indonesia, tightening health controls and raising urgency for Jakarta to restore its avian influenza-free status.

The restriction on Indonesian products is stipulated under SFDA Policy No. 6057 and took effect on March 1, 2026.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The joint strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States are unjustifiable under international law, said the chair of Foreign Affairs and International Agreements of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Central Executive Board, Luluk Nur Hamidah.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – A politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Mohamad Guntur Romli, has questioned why President Prabowo Subianto has not publicly expressed condolences over the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – A group of professors, academics, and faculty members from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has stated that the bilateral cooperation agreement between the United States and Indonesia, known as the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), is detrimental and threatens national sovereignty.

Petra Mahy – Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) is currently debating a new labour law. Labour law has been left in a very messy state following the protracted saga of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation during the second period of the Joko Widodo presidency (2019-2024).

Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) has condemned the military aggression carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran, as well as other conflicts in the Middle East.

Anwar Siswadi, Jakarta – As one of the parties likely to be affected by the US-Israel war on Iran, the Indonesian government must take a firm stance, said Dina Yulianti Sulaeman, a Middle East geopolitical expert from Padjadjaran University (Unpad).

Dian Rahma Fika Alnina, Jakarta – President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, announced that this year's International Labor Day rally will be held at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta.

Antara, Jakarta – The government is under mounting pressure to expand energy subsidies as escalating tensions between Iran and the United States threaten to drive up global oil prices and squeeze household purchasing power.

Devy Ernis, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has dismissed rumors of a purchase contract related to the grant of the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy. Information circulating on social media suggests the ship's grant is intended to support the purchase of defense equipment.

Nabila Kusworo, Jakarta – Leo Tolstoy once wrote that "all happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Consumption cycles follow a similar logic. When household balance sheets are healthy, festive seasons move in sync. When buffers thin, divergence follows.

Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – Indonesia is stepping up its push to become a regional poultry exporter after declaring self-sufficiency in chicken meat and eggs, with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman on Tuesday flagging off 75 tons of poultry products to three countries.

Jakarta – A number of student and youth organisations held a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta on Tuesday February 3 condemning the attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran and accusing the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka of siding with imperialist interests.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), urged the Indonesian government to utilize its presence and position on the Board of Peace (BoP) to end the war between Israel and the United States with Iran. Indonesia, Yahya said, must urge the United States, Israel, and all parties involved to pursue a peaceful resolution.

The Indonesian government's stance in approving the trade agreement with the United States brings to mind the old Malay proverb: sepiring bagi dua, sebutir bagi tiga – one plate shared by two, one grain shared by three. It boasted of its success in the negotiations, but the fact is that the agreement is highly favorable to the US.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – A number of parties have called on the Indonesian government to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP) following the United States and Israel's attack on Iran. Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran on Saturday morning, February 28, 2026. This attack on Iran was carried out as a joint military operation between the US and Israel.

Antara, Jakarta – Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla doubts President Prabowo Subianto's "well-intended" plan to fly to Tehran as a "mediator" in the Iran-Israel war.

A US-Israel joint attack on Tehran has been taking the global news cycle. The attack quickly morphed into a regional conflict after Iran targeted Arab nations that host US military bases.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended the operations of 47 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program since the beginning of Ramadan. This decision was made following repeated findings of failure in meeting food quality standards.

Deasy Pane and Dharendra Wardhana – Prabowo's agenda is being driven by flagship programmes focused on nutrition, state-owned enterprises, and cooperatives. These programmes can complement long-term development, but Indonesia should maintain industrial, technological, and green transition priorities.

Maretha Uli, Jakarta – Once widely seen as a rite of passage, marriage is being redefined by Indonesia's Generation Z, who are increasingly choosing to wait or keep celebrations modest as rising living costs and evolving personal values reshape their priorities.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – Global rating agency Standard & Poor's Global Ratings (S&P) reported that Indonesia's manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) in February is still in the expansion zone with a score of 53.8. This marks an improvement from January.

Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – The rapid spread of padel courts across residential neighborhoods in Jakarta has triggered growing public backlash, with residents complaining of constant noise and late night activity, prompting the city's administration to crack down on venues found to be in violation.

Antara, Jakarta – The conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel poses the risk of widening Indonesia's state budget deficit, according to the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef).

Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – Try Sutrisno, who served as vice president from 1993 to 1998 under president Soeharto, died in Jakarta on Monday, his family has said. He was 90 years old.

Silpester Kasipka, Jayapura – The Borme District Government in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province, together with church leaders from 13 villages, have declared their rejection of a plan to establish an Indonesian military (TNI) post in their area.

Defara Dhanya, Jakarta – A screenshot from the Threat Watchdog account circulating on social media claims the "240 Million Population Database" has been leaked, or a database of 240 million Indonesians.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesian palm oil exporters started 2026 strong as shipments soared in January, according to the Central Statistics Agency or BPS, although the growth was not good enough to lift the country's shrinking surplus.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office has searched dozens of locations in connection with a corruption investigation into crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivative product exports between 2022 and 2024, officials said Monday.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia is banking on supplies from the US after the Iran war triggers oil price hikes and unstable waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

Harumbi Prastya Hidayahningrum, Jakarta – A former senior Indonesian diplomat has described President Prabowo Subianto's reported plan to travel to Tehran to mediate between Iran and the United States as highly unrealistic.

Ilona Estherina, Jakarta – The joint aggression of the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, has triggered a surge in global crude oil prices. This price spike poses a risk factor that could impose additional burdens on the State Budget (APBN).