Stories from 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.

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake occurred 160 km northwest of Nabire, Indonesia.

This development is cited as a primary driver for the local economy's 5.8 percent growth rate. Local government officials inaugurated the Bukit Kecil Bedug Market to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

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.

An Indonesian critic remains in critical condition following a motorcycle-based attack. The victim had been a public critic of expanding military powers and rising authoritarianism under the new administration.