October 2026

Saudi Arabia shot down a Houthi missile about 23 km from the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and the Saudi-led coalition struck Houthi missile launchers in response. The Houthis said they carried out three military operations targeting Riyadh airport and two military bases, and threatened to continue attacking. Riyadh airport resumed operations after the strikes.

Israel's military rejected a request from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attack Iran before the Israeli election, according to reports on the planned operation. The plan for an operation against Iran drew attention in the run-up to the vote.

Jakarta's Metro Police (Polda Metro Jaya) detained 19 people after demonstrations in the capital, as student actions continued across the city. Police said they prepared what they described as humane services and medical support to accompany the public expressions of opinion.

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has capped operating funds for kitchens in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program at Rp3,000 per portion. The agency also announced a "MBG 2.0" transformation of the program.

Indonesia's Bareskrim police have named 245 individual suspects and 20 corporations in cases linked to forest and land fires (karhutla), the police criminal investigation unit announced at a press conference in Jakarta. Investigators are also examining 22 foreign companies in connection with the fires, with Singapore the most represented country of origin.

The National Police have opened investigations into 98 corporate cases linked to forest and land fires (karhutla), and are gathering evidence before naming suspects. Police chief Suyudi said the probe also examines foreign involvement, including companies from a neighbouring country.

President Prabowo Subianto summoned the heads of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the Finance Ministry to the Presidential Palace after the Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) fell below 5,000. Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto and the finance minister reported together that the Indonesian economy remains stable.

A joint operation by Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police (Polri) and the Customs Office seized the tanker MT Global 168 carrying 1.16 tonnes of ketamine in North Sumatra. Eight crew members were named as suspects, with roles ranging from captain to able seaman. The vessel was detained at Belawan.

Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid appeared at a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace after failing to answer two summonses from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The KPK had called him for examination in a bribery case linked to land rights (HGB) and said his testimony is needed to investigate other parties in the case.

Indonesia's PKH task force revoked PT KEL's permit for a 3,500-hectare gold mine in Nabire, Papua, after finding the company was conducting illegal gold mining in a forest area. The task force also moved against illegal gold mining across 275 hectares in Central Papua.

Singapore has sent warnings to seven Indonesian companies linked to the transboundary haze from forest and land fires. The city-state is also considering legal steps against Indonesian companies blamed for the burning.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) made a hand arrest of a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the use of Dana Siap Pakai (standby funds) at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The funds were meant for disaster response but are alleged to have been diverted.

Bali began enforcing an odd-even license plate system for buying subsidized fuel, limiting Pertalite purchases at filling stations across the province. The policy took effect with many residents reportedly still unaware of the new rule.

The Indonesian government has extended the phased rollout of mandatory halal certification, pushing the obligation to October 2028. The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs announced the delay, which applies to the staging of the certification requirement.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid for examination in a bribery case linked to land rights (HGB). Nusron did not appear for the scheduled examination, and the KPK rescheduled it because his testimony is needed to investigate other parties in the case.

The Constitutional Court (MK) has not found evidence that Gibran Rakabuming Raka holds a high school (SLTA) or equivalent diploma, according to the court's own statement. The case over his education qualification was filed after his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election and has entered the evidentiary stage, with the court examining whether it has the authority to review the validity of a vice-presidential candidate's education qualification. Denny Indrayana has asked the court to summon Gibran to testify, but the court has not been reported to have decided on that request.

Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) has not received a presidential letter (surpres) on replacing the TNI commander, Deputy Speaker Dasco said. The statement came as the army chief of staff, General Maruli Simanjuntak, was widely discussed as a candidate to succeed General Agus.

Prosecutors have indicted Febrie Adriansyah, a former head of the Attorney General's Office's special crimes unit (Jampidsus), on charges of money laundering. The indictment alleges he bought a French restaurant in Cipete and renamed it Cafe De Clan. He is also accused of using corruption proceeds to buy a cafe and of receiving a cake worth Rp20 billion.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid for examination in a bribery case. Nusron did not appear for the scheduled examination, and the KPK has rescheduled the session because his testimony is needed.

Police raided a TNI housing complex in Cijantung, East Jakarta, suspected of being an online gambling headquarters. Officers detained 11 operators and seized 32 computers at the site.

Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) passed the 2027 state budget bill (RUU APBN 2027) into law, with total state spending set at Rp 4,106 trillion. The budget keeps the deficit at 2.4 percent of GDP, and the government says fiscal policy will remain expansive, credible and sustainable. The DPR's budget committee approved the bill in a working meeting with the finance minister.

Indonesian police have named the driver of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train as a suspect in a fatal collision with a commuter line (KRL) at East Bekasi station. The driver faces up to 12 years in prison over the crash.

The Indonesian government will inject Rp20 trillion into BPJS Kesehatan, the national health insurance agency, with the funds to be disbursed in stages from October to November. President Prabowo Subianto has called for the agency's deficit to be resolved.

The dispute over the education requirement for vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka has entered the evidentiary stage at Indonesia's Constitutional Court (MK). The court is examining whether it has the authority to review the validity of the education qualification for a vice-presidential candidate. The case was filed after Gibran's candidacy in the 2024 presidential election, and the court's proceedings are now focused on evidence.

Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) reprimanded the insurance party and pressed for the salvage operation to raise the Virgo's wreck to be carried out immediately. The owner of the KMP Virgo was also urged to raise the sunken hull without delay.