🇮🇩Week of October 12

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.123

Singapore's prime minister is preparing legal measures against companies behind the haze originating from Indonesia, while the government weighs formal legal action. The warnings and the legal review target the same seven firms.41

ASEAN declared its highest alert status as the haze intensified, and the smoke continued to hang over Indonesia and neighbouring countries through the week.567

Indonesian environmental group WALHI launched a study titled "Siapa di Balik Api?" and demanded accountability from the actors who benefit most from the forest and land fires.8

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.12

Investigators suspect that Rp30.98 billion of disaster funds was used to buy shares, with the purchases linked to the younger sibling of a former BNPB head. Reports identify specific shares bought with the diverted money.3456

The case also covers the alleged corruption of HT radio communication equipment intended for handling forest and land fires.78

The KPK has not applied the death penalty as a possible threat against the suspect in the BNPB corruption case.9

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.1234

Bali received 20 million liters of Pertalite, with stock targeted to stay secure for two weeks. The measure restricts subsidized fuel purchases as part of the distribution controls.56

Governor Koster asked the regents and mayors across Bali to form task forces to safeguard fuel distribution. The request came as the odd-even system was rolled out.78

Attributed claim: Pertamina said fuel queues in Bali were gradually easing, helped by the odd-even system. Kompas reported that lines at filling stations were still stretching out on the first day of the policy for subsidized fuel.910

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.123

The postponement covers businesses that would have faced the certification deadline, with culinary operators among those told to take note of the new October 2028 limit. Reports on the delay also set out which products are affected and the government's stated reasons for the extension.456

The Ministry of Religious Affairs framed halal certification as beneficial for everyone, while the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs carried the announcement of the extended timetable. In Palembang, Isnaini Madani opened a coordination meeting on halal certification and hygiene and sanitation for business actors in the city.738

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.12

Nusron has now missed the KPK examination twice, and the commission said he sent a letter requesting a postponement. The KPK has not dropped the summons and is evaluating the postponement while it waits to set a new examination date.1234

Nusron's earlier absence was attributed to his ministerial agenda, and outlets reported that the reason for the latest non-appearance was an official trip to Malaysia. MAKI coordinator Boyamin Saiman said Nusron is suspected of having already traveled to Malaysia, and MAKI publicized the route of that trip.567

The KPK's investigation into other parties in the HGB bribery case continues while the commission awaits Nusron's attendance at a rescheduled examination.12