Shifting from fuels to electricity for powering households and transportation is a logical response to Indonesia’s dependence on energy imports amid the Mideast crisis, but experts say the success of electrification hinges on sustained policy support.

Previously, the government revealed plans to cut national production targets from 790 million tonnes last year to around 600 million tonnes this year in an effort to address an oversupply that had weakened coal prices.

World Trade Organization talks ended deadlocked on Monday as Brazil blocked a bid by the United States and other countries to secure an extension to a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions like digital downloads, diplomats said.

The government said that ratifying the ART agreement was not on its near-term agenda and that it would contest allegations of unfair trade practices later raised by the US in its Section 301 probe.

The finance minister says the BGN, which manages the free meals program, has come up with a proposal to save over $2 billion by cutting just one day from the weekly distribution schedule.

Previously, Indonesia announced plans to cut output quotas for several minerals this year to help support prices, including reducing the coal production quota from 790 million tons last year to 600 million metric tons.

Despite opportunities to align its critical mineral supply chains with Western countries, experts urge Jakarta to safeguard its reputation as a reliable partner by upholding agreements with existing investors, many of whom are Chinese firms.

Only 8.8 million tax returns had been filed for the 2025 tax year by March 24, out of a target of 15 million submissions, covering both individual and corporate taxpayers.

Gas utilization in the first quarter stood at 70-72 percent, below its 80 percent target and slightly lower than the 73 percent recorded in 2025, industry players said.

Analysts noted that some of Danantara’s investments over the past 12 months have potential, but others are less promising, with many still at the planning stage.

Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto also recommended that the private sector enforce the rule, which aims to reduce energy consumption amid global market volatility.

As a result of the war between Iran and the US and Israel, global crude oil prices have increased to above US$100 per barrel, far exceeding the $70 per barrel assumption in the 2026 state budget, which may result in higher energy subsidies.

Some online travel agents have stepped in line with the government's calls for clearer information on ticket availability and transit flights, especially those with overseas layovers, to help mudik travelers reach their holiday destinations.

The government is focusing on gathering data and evidence for its rebuttal strategy against the USTR's new Section 301 probes into unfair trade practices, which are racing toward a July deadline, when Washington's latest 10 percent tariff  expires.

Bank Indonesia (BI) has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged as the United States-Israel war on Iran puts pressure on the rupiah, prompting the central bank to respond with forex market intervention and tighter foreign exchange controls.

Analysts warned that many potential beneficiaries of subsidized housing programs work in the informal sector, with little job and income stability.

The government says this year’s fiscal deficit may temporarily exceed the legal limit for the sake of maintaining economic growth should oil prices remain elevated for a prolonged period as the US-Israeli war on Iran rages on.

Prabowo said he has no plan to revise Indonesia's legally mandated deficit cap of 3 percent of GDP "unless there's a very big emergency like COVID." 

To prevent power outages, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said that closures would be carried out gradually.

The president asked Danantara to deliver a 5 percent return of assets in the near term, or around US$50 billion, to the state budget.

Friderica Widyasari Dewi has been formally appointed as OJK chair, alongside several other leaders, in an accelerated selection process to restore market certainty amid the Mideast war, according to the government.

As non-nickel EV batteries gain ground globally, the strategy of developing nickel-based batteries is reaching a critical juncture.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa says the worst-case scenario of domestic crude averaging US$92 per barrel throughout the year could force the government to reduce fuel subsidies or cut spending elsewhere, such as on the free meals program.

First introduced in 2023, the previous conversion scheme offered buyers a Rp 7 million subsidy for new electric motorcycle purchases and a Rp 10 million subsidy to convert conventional two-wheelers into electric ones.    

The Communications and Digital Ministry has issued a stern warning to the owner of Facebook and Instagram after finding the company’s compliance with Indonesian content moderation rules to be low when compared to other major digital platforms operating in the country.

Workers' associations have urged action to address the issue of “disguised employment” faced by some gig workers in Indonesia, while a government official says a dedicated bill to regulate the growing gig economy is underway.

Civil society and industry groups warn that the agreement on reciprocal trade (ART) could weaken local control over Indonesian data, erode publisher rights and tilt the digital economy further toward US tech giants.