Stories from Jakarta · Indonesia

The Jakarta Metropolitan Police Directorate suspended mobile driver's license (SIM) services on Friday, May 1, 2026, in observance of Labor Day. Yakun Resmi of the RTMC Polda Metro stated that officers will work in two shifts starting at 8:00 AM.

The Confederation of Congress of the Indonesian Labor Union Alliance (Kasbi) stated that May Day serves as a moment to reflect on welfare uncertainty for workers. Kasbi Chairman Sunarno highlighted that online transportation workers remain particularly threatened.

President Prabowo Subianto announced the formation of a layoff task force during the May Day Fiesta at Monas in Jakarta. KSP President Said Iqbal stated the task force aims to mitigate economic impacts caused by current global uncertainty. The initiative was presented as a gift to workers during the May Day celebrations. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the Minister of Manpower and the Minister of Law to immediately finalize the draft labor law. The President aims for the completion of this legislation by 2026. The directive was issued as Indonesia observes Labor Day. Rising prices for various products are contributing to economic unrest in the country. While fuel remains subsidized, the cost of numerous other goods continues to increase. This move follows social unrest seen in previous years.

Economic turnover in Jakarta during the 2026 Lunar New Year reached 9 trillion Indonesian Rupiah.

The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) reported that the financial services sector grew by 7.92 percent. OJK Purwokerto is conducting financial education initiatives during Ramadan to increase financial literacy in the Banyumas Raya region. The sector has reached its highest performance level since 2021.

Vendors at the Ornamental Fish Promotion Center (TPHP) in West Jakarta report a 90 percent decrease in both visitor numbers and sales turnover. The decline was observed on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The market conditions are described as being far from ideal.

Indonesia has passed a new labor protection law for domestic workers following more than two decades of debate. The legislation extends rights to approximately 4 million domestic workers, the majority of whom are women.

Indonesia and Thailand have agreed to renew their partnership focused on the creative economy sector.

The financial services sector in Indonesia grew by 7.92 percent, marking its highest growth rate since 2021. The sector's growth of 7.92 percent represents its highest performance level since 2021. Kredit Pintar reported loan disbursements reaching Rp 9.5 trillion as part of ongoing financial education efforts. OJK Purwokerto is intensifying financial education efforts during Ramadan to increase financial literacy in the Banyumas Raya region. The expansion is driven by increased economic activity and credit distribution, with Kredit Pintar reporting loan disbursements of 9.5 trillion rupiah.

China Metallurgical Group has completed a large-scale steel production project in Indonesia, which is the first continuous casting and rolling steel production base built by a Chinese enterprise in the country. The facility is described as the largest and most advanced in Indonesia. Additionally, the company has completed a converter steelmaking and solid waste treatment line in Vietnam. In Malaysia, the Donggang Phase II project has been upgraded to a 2.7 million-ton modernized full-process steel plant. A steel production infrastructure project in Vietnam has been completed, according to CRI Huayu Global.