AGP Executive Report

Wildfire Crisis & Haze: Indonesia is using 4.6 million liters of water in aerial firefighting across six provinces, but terrain, shrinking water supplies and weather are slowing efforts as hotspots persist and smoke threatens health and cross-border air quality. Digital Trade Push: Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto says digital payments are reshaping national trade, pointing to QRIS reaching 65.77 million users and 44.86 million merchants by June 2026. Water Security Plan: President Prabowo orders BRIN and universities to develop domestic desalination tech for remote post-disaster clean-water needs, starting with areas hit by the Flores-area earthquake. Forest Fire Accountability: BRIN is also urging wider satellite and geoinformatics use to detect and map burned areas, while officials continue patrols to protect wildlife habitats like orangutans. Oil Output Shortfall: Indonesia’s crude oil production is running about 5% below the 2026 target, with pipeline and power issues cited. Payments & Protests: Bank Mandiri lifted a temporary transaction suspension on an account tied to Pati protest donations after police completed their review. Vape Crackdown: Indonesia’s trade ministry says 93% of vape brands found in the market are unregistered.

Indo-Pacific Security: Japan, Australia and Indonesia held their first-ever trilateral defense talks, with ministers agreeing to deepen cooperation for regional peace and stability. Haze & Health: Thick wildfire haze continues to choke parts of Indonesia, with Riau reporting visibility around 500m and PM2.5 soaring far above WHO limits, pushing respiratory cases up and disrupting daily life. Energy Transition: President Prabowo inaugurated 14 solar power projects totaling 5.3GW under the 100GW solar push, aiming to cut diesel generation and lower electricity costs. Labor & Skills: Indonesia’s manpower minister highlighted skill development and worker protection at the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting, focusing on AI, digitalization and protections for migrant workers. Regional Cooperation on Fires: Malaysia offered to help Indonesia fight transboundary haze, including cloud-seeding in Indonesian airspace if Jakarta requests it. Tech & Business: FORTE announced it has acquired Vega Global, expanding its workplace technology and AV footprint including offices in Indonesia. Public Safety & Law: Bali police arrested an Australian man over an alleged outdoor sex act captured on CCTV, with the investigation now led by resort police.

Wildfire Crisis in Indonesia: Indonesia is battling severe forest and peatland fires as haze spreads, with BNPB urging people to wear masks and avoid activities that can spark more blazes. Public Safety Push: The National Police has readied 403 personnel to educate communities on wildfire prevention across fire-prone provinces. Regional Response: Indonesia has intensified ground and aerial firefighting, including cloud seeding, and authorized 35 foreign aircraft for water-bombing missions as smoke reaches Malaysia and Brunei. Accountability Measures: President Prabowo ordered license withdrawals for firms linked to forest fires and said companies could lose permits if involvement is found. Disaster Update (NTT Earthquake): The NTT earthquake death toll rose to 103 and injuries reached 1,666, as BNPB continues updating victim data. Energy & Economy: Prabowo launched Indonesia’s 100 GWp solar push, targeting off-grid villages and aiming to end oil and LPG imports within three years.

Forest Fires & Haze: Indonesia’s South Sumatra held a rain-prayer (salat istisqa) as smoke worsened visibility, while BMKG reported hazardous air in Pekanbaru (PM2.5 peaking at 508.8). Enforcement: The Forestry Ministry sanctioned six firms after 1,511 hectares burned in Kalimantan, ordering fire-control upgrades and restoration; Prabowo also vowed to revoke permits for companies behind blazes. Regional Cooperation: ASEAN pushed to keep the blue economy inclusive, with communities benefiting from ocean-based growth. Weather Outlook: BMKG forecast partly cloudy to overcast skies across major cities, with haze and light rain in several areas. Trade & Diplomacy: Indonesia and China agreed to deepen digital/AI and broader cooperation during Wang Yi’s visit. Business & Economy: Indonesia’s labor market shows a mismatch: unemployment fell, but over 1 million university graduates remain jobless. Culture & Media: Kim Soo-hyun returned to Indonesian TV in Jakarta after a year-plus hiatus tied to a 2025 controversy. Tech/Global: Taiwan indicted a senior Nvidia manager in an alleged AI chip smuggling case involving shipments routed via Japan and Indonesia.

Wildfire Crisis & Haze Diplomacy: Indonesia is stepping up both ground and aerial firefighting across Kalimantan and Sumatra as El Niño-driven dry conditions worsen smoke that’s already reached Malaysia and Brunei; President Prabowo visited fire-hit areas and vowed tougher action, while Malaysia agreed to ramp up preventive measures and is preparing cloud seeding with Indonesia’s clearance for use of Indonesian airspace. Accountability Crackdown: Indonesia targets about 30 companies over forest and land fires, seeking nearly Rp15 trillion in state-loss claims and restoration fines, alongside permit revocations and police investigations naming dozens of suspects. Aviation Safety Check: TNI AU confirmed a Sukhoi Su-30MK2 overran the runway by about 30 meters during a simulated take-off at Makassar (no injuries), with the jet towed for inspection. Public Health & Nutrition: A fishpond project in Sumba is supplying free catfish to families to help tackle stunting and malnutrition. Major Drug Bust: Indonesia seized 2.6 tonnes of liquid meth on a Tanzanian-flagged vessel near Riau, arresting 10 Myanmar nationals. Transport Update: Jakarta’s Kelapa Gading–Manggarai LRT track is 100% complete, with trial runs underway.

Wildfire Response: Indonesia is stepping up the fight against Kalimantan fires with a special South Kalimantan team targeting hotspots in Banjarbaru, plus mask distribution and renewed calls for residents to protect their health as smoke spreads. Disaster Relief: After the 7.7 quake in East Nusa Tenggara, BNPB continued airlifting supplies and evacuating a 75-year-old injured man from a remote island, while police held trauma-relief sessions for children in evacuation centers. Energy Policy: Indonesia’s nuclear power plan is back on the table, with officials aiming for an earliest 2032 start and facing public safety concerns in a quake-prone archipelago. International Ties: China and Indonesia held high-level talks on deepening cooperation across the Global South, including defense and economic coordination. Business & Investment: UGM-linked Swayasa Prakasa launched an IPO plan targeting Rp45.22 billion, while Garuda Indonesia offered free domestic add-on seats to international travelers. Culture & Pop Life: A teen “Superman” in Borneo has gone viral for helping volunteers battle wildfires, and some Indonesians are naming kids after Japanese manga characters.

Forest-Fire Crackdown & Haze Fallout: Indonesia arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires across Borneo and Sumatra, with investigators now tracing who “benefited” behind the burning; authorities say haze has spread into Malaysia, where air quality hit “very unhealthy” levels and hundreds of schools were closed. Health Emergency Response: The Health Ministry says about 3 million people have been exposed to wildfire smoke and deployed 314 medical personnel to seven provinces, as acute respiratory infection cases surge. Cross-Border Messaging: Indonesia urged Malaysia and Singapore to avoid blame and instead coordinate on reducing transboundary haze, saying it is deploying ground crews, aircraft, water-bombing, and cloud-seeding. Wildfire Operations Scale-Up: Indonesia also plans to send 1,000 forest rangers to support firefighting in Kalimantan, where peatlands can smolder underground and reignite. Bali Tourism Reassurance: Bali officials told travelers to stay calm after a Zika advisory, saying no Zika cases have been detected in Bali and urging mosquito-bite prevention. Sports (Indonesia-linked): Indonesia’s badminton and hockey coverage continues in regional events, while Indonesia’s wildfire fight remains the dominant national story.

Wildfire Crackdown in Kalimantan: President Prabowo ordered more troops, helicopters and firefighting gear as Borneo haze worsened, with 1,500 additional soldiers and six helicopters deployed and four companies under investigation in West Kalimantan. Illegal Logging Probe: Indonesia arrested six suspects after illegal logging was found inside Riau’s Kerumutan Wildlife Reserve, a key Sumatran tiger habitat. Nuclear Power Debate: Indonesia’s plan for its first nuclear power plant is back on the table, raising fresh safety fears in a quake-prone country. Markets Rule Change: Indonesia will scrap the IDR50 minimum trading price for listed shares after MSCI pressure, aiming to unfreeze stocks that have been stuck. Commodities Policy: Indonesia will run a Strategic Mineral and Commodities Exchange from Jan 1, 2027, to set an “Indonesia Reference Price” and reduce reliance on overseas pricing. Palm Oil Revenue: Indonesia expects palm oil export levy collections to rise about 31% in 2026. Sports: Indonesia advanced in the AVC Women’s Championship opener with a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan. Qurultay Voting Abroad: Voting for 2026 Qurultay elections began at Kazakhstan’s missions, including polling stations in Indonesia and other countries.

Wildfires & Haze Response: President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a major escalation against Borneo’s forest and land fires, sending an extra 1,500 troops and six helicopters, while warning companies over land clearing by fire; authorities are investigating four firms in West Kalimantan and say licenses could be revoked if wrongdoing is proven. Regional Fallout: Malaysia is urging ASEAN to act together on transboundary haze as smoke from Kalimantan worsens air quality, with schools affected in Sarawak. Hotspot Monitoring: BMKG reports 11,869 hotspots in East Kalimantan (Aug 1–21), warning the dry-season peak could push numbers higher in September–October. Earthquake Update: The Flores quake death toll has climbed to 87, with about 13,000 displaced and thousands sheltering in camps. Indonesia–China Ties: Prabowo met China’s Wang Yi and Dong Jun, calling for deeper strategic cooperation, while Indonesia and China also agreed to a working group on communications, digital affairs, tech transfer and AI. Sports: Indonesia opened the AVC Women’s Championship with a 3–0 win over Kazakhstan.

Earthquake Watch: A 5.2-magnitude quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region at 9:31am, about 210 km east of Bima, at 45 km depth, with no tsunami threat reported. Disaster Response: Indonesia is pushing to speed up recovery after the NTT earthquake while wildfires continue to worsen in Kalimantan, as authorities warn haze risks spreading further. Wildfires & Haze: AP reports hot spots across Borneo and limited local firefighting capacity, with Indonesia warning people not to start open fires as smoke disrupts travel and daily life. China-Indonesia Security: China and Indonesia held a new “2+2” foreign and defense dialogue in Jakarta, pledging deeper defense, maritime security, law enforcement cooperation, and faster progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct. Middle East Diplomacy: Indonesia joined a joint statement condemning Israel’s E1 settlement plan, calling it a dangerous escalation and backing a Palestinian state on 1967 lines. Bali Cultural Rules: A Swiss tourist was sentenced to one year in prison after an Instagram post insulting Bali’s sacred Nyepi holiday. Trade & Investment: Indonesia’s EU trade deal (IEU-CEPA) is set for major tariff cuts, while the government also expands its gold “bullion bank” ecosystem to bring idle gold into finance.

China-Indonesia Diplomacy: Chinese FM Wang Yi urged both countries to “pool strength” for Global South cooperation during Jakarta talks, while also criticizing “unilateralism” and “power politics.” Defense Ties: China’s defense chief Dong Jun called for deeper military cooperation with Indonesia, including joint exercises, officer exchanges, and defense-industry links. Foreign Policy Signals: Indonesia and China agreed to expand a new strategic dialogue covering politics, economy, security, maritime affairs, and people-to-people ties, with food and energy security also on the agenda. Earthquake Aftermath (Flores): The Flores quake death toll rose to 83 as displacement topped 110,000; BNPB says 1,378 schools were damaged, with emergency learning set up for affected students. Wildfires & Haze (Kalimantan): Indonesia is stepping up cloud seeding and weather modification to fight Kalimantan fires, while warning against open burning as smoke spreads into Malaysia. Digital Payments: Bank Indonesia reported QRIS now has 65.77 million users and 44.86 million merchants. Justice in Bali: A Swiss tourist was sentenced to one year in prison for insulting Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence.

Earthquake Relief in NTT: Indonesia’s BNPB says the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) quake death toll has climbed to 75, with aid deliveries continuing as aftershocks disrupt recovery. Airlifted Jakarta Supplies: The Indonesian Air Force and Jakarta’s provincial government handed BNPB tens of tons of relief goods, including staple foods, rice, tarpaulins, garments, and buffer stock. Papua Security Update: TNI is coordinating efforts to secure residents of Jila in Central Papua after reports of hostage-taking by an armed group, while military and police pursue the perpetrators and plan food drops. Wildfire Haze Crosses Borders: Smoke from peatland and forest fires in West Kalimantan has crossed into Malaysia’s Sarawak, worsening air quality and forcing school closures. Indonesia–China Talks: Foreign and defense ministers from Indonesia and China meet in Jakarta for a Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue and a 2+2 session focused on security, politics, and economic partnership. Markets: The Indonesia Stock Exchange plans to scrap the 50 rupiah minimum share price to boost liquidity and better reflect valuations. Drug Crackdown (Batam): Police, with Interpol and Malaysian partners, arrested a Batam club drug lord in Johor Baru, seizing multiple currencies and suspected narcotics-linked notes. Aviation Safety: Finland is funding aviation weather and safety upgrades for Indonesia, targeting extreme weather and volcanic ash risks in eastern airports. Bali Court Case: A Swiss tourist was sentenced to one year in prison for insulting Bali’s Nyepi Day of Silence religious holiday.

NTT Earthquake Response: Indonesia’s Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian urged local governments to keep updating detailed damage data (homes, schools, worship sites, healthcare) to speed rehabilitation, warning aftershocks could last weeks and residents shouldn’t be forced back into unsafe homes. Disaster Toll & Displacement: BNPB says the M7.7 quake death toll rose to 75, with 907 injured and nearly 93,000 displaced as 3,752 aftershocks were recorded. Aid on the Ground: The Navy deployed warships, helicopters and a hospital ship for evacuation and relief logistics, while the Agriculture Ministry sped food aid by sending trucks before paperwork is finished. Free Health Checks: Health officials said the Free Health Check (CKG) program has reached about 82 million people, with diabetes and hypertension the top findings, and TB screening targets are being pushed higher. Energy & Transport: Jakarta targets 10,047 electric buses by 2030, and Indonesia is set to launch tenders for 30 GW of solar as part of a 100 GW push. Bali Court Case: A Swiss tourist was sentenced to one year in prison for insulting Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence. Sports: India’s Ayush Shetty exited the BWF Worlds after losing to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, with Alwi citing home pressure.

Flores Earthquake Response: A new 5.9 quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region, with BMKG warning aftershocks could continue for 21–30 days; in the wider Flores/NTT disaster, BNPB says housing support is being rolled out by damage level and the government has disbursed Rp44 billion (about US$2.5m) for relief and recovery. Earthquake Relief on the Ground: The Defense Ministry and TNI are also pushing logistics—tents, beds, water, and even Starlink—while a hospital ship carrying 70 tons of supplies is headed to NTT. Food Price Shield: Indonesia’s food agency (Bapanas) is proposing an extra 150,000 tons of subsidized feed corn to help micro poultry farmers manage rising feed costs and stabilize egg and chicken prices. Energy Push: The central bank launched Vastra, a new FX hedging tool for global investors, and the government is mapping state land and reservoirs for a 30-GW solar rollout. Maritime Safety Review: After recent ferry fires and manifest discrepancies, the transport ministry will review how safety systems are actually enforced in daily operations. Environment & Industry: Pertamina Trans Kontinental planted 512 coral fragments in North Sulawesi, while Indonesia intensifies cloud seeding to fight worsening wildfires under El Niño.

Flores Earthquake Response: BMKG says Flores aftershocks will keep going for 21–30 days, though frequency should gradually drop, as BNPB reports the toll rising to 71 and nearly 60,000 displaced; relief shipments have reached 398 tons, with medicine supplies assured for the next five days. Drug Bust at Sea: Indonesia seized about 2.6 tons of liquid meth from a Tanzania-flagged ship off Sumatra and detained 10 Myanmar crew members, calling it one of the biggest busts this year. Energy Push: Germany reaffirmed support for Indonesia’s energy transition, while the government mapped 9,000 hectares and reservoir sites for a 30 GW solar push and targets geothermal PNBP of Rp2.6T in 2026; ESDM also says the renewables mix is at 17% as gas rises. Digital Payments: QRIS transactions jumped 82.4% year-on-year in July, with Bank Indonesia citing more users and merchants. Hajj Costs: Indonesia proposes raising 2027 Hajj organizing costs to Rp107.34 million per pilgrim due to fuel prices and a weaker rupiah. Culture & Tourism: Tourism officials are banking on Andrea Bocelli’s concerts at Borobudur and JIEXPO to boost global exposure.

Disaster Response: Indonesia is ramping up help for the NTT Flores quake as the Air Force deploys six aircraft to move logistics and humanitarian aid, with C-130J and A400M flights already carrying tons of supplies; the death toll has climbed to 70 and injuries to about 1,100, while more than 40,000 people are now displaced and aftershocks keep residents wary. Government Recovery: The government says it’s fast-tracking recovery by focusing on basic needs, reopening roads and bridges blocked by landslides, and restoring power and communications, including helicopter and ferry support for remote areas. Volcano Watch: Three volcanoes erupted in quick succession—Mount Ibu, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, and Mount Semeru—prompting exclusion zones and higher alert levels. Foreign Policy: China’s Wang Yi is set to visit South Korea and Indonesia, including chairing the first China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue and a 2+2 foreign-defense meeting in Jakarta. Protests & Rights: Students in Jakarta rallied against “decaying freedom,” while a separate controversy over LGBTQ culture as a security threat continues to spark debate. Environment: Wildfires and El Niño-linked heat are worsening haze, with smoke drifting into Malaysia and pushing air quality to very unhealthy levels.