In response to the rising MBG food poisoning incidents, the government now requires each SPPG kitchen to hold three certificates; Hygiene and Sanitation (SLHS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), as well as halal certificate. BGN has also touched on the idea of establishing a new independent certification body in order to expedite the certification process, which is expected to be completed within a month. It leaves us wondering whether the certification requirement is a solution or just a delayed prevention.

Shares of PT Fast Food Indonesia (FAST) Tbk, operator of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlets, gained more than 100% in the past three weeks. Nothing compared to Haji Isam’s Pradiksi Gunatama (PGUN), which gained over 300% in the same period.

When the House of Representatives passed the fourth amendment to the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Law, few expected that the most visible outcome would be the dissolution of the Ministry of SOEs. In its place, the government is creating the Badan Pengaturan BUMN (BP BUMN)—a regulatory body directly under the President’s authority.

Sudirman Andi Arsyad AKA Haji Dirman is a businessman to watch in the current political landscape because he is younger brother of Haji Isam (Jhonlin Group), one of businessmen close to President Prabowo Subianto.

Haji Andi Arsyad Syamsuddin, popular as Haji Isam, is undoubtedly among the most powerful non-Chinese businessmen in the country at the moment, thanks to his close relationship with President Prabowo Subianto and some key cabinet members. 

Now, this nexus of politics and business enters a new arena: the 1.4 GHz spectrum auction. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Communication and Digital announced that only three bidders remain—Telkom, Eka Mas Republik (MyRepublic), and WIFI. What is at stake is not merely bandwidth for wireless broadband, but control of a national resource that will shape Indonesia’s digital economy for the next decade.

Bacteria and viruses found in MBG meals, the biggest disruption in this regime, are said to be the culprits behind the mass food poisoning that affected thousands of children over the past nine months. Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, blamed it on SPPG kitchen staff who failed to comply with the standard operating procedure. However, as many experts and observers suggested, kitchen negligence is not the only problem here.

The collapse of a deal between VIVO and APR (BP-AKRA partnership) illustrates the tension in Indonesia’s downstream oil market. Pertamina’s base fuel contained 3.5 percent ethanol—within regulatory limits but below private standards. Accepting it would have meant risking margins and consumer trust; rejecting it triggered accusations of being uncooperative. Either way, Pertamina sets the terms, not the market.

Ministry of defence has on Wednesday (Oct 1) handed over 17.4 million pills to ministry of cooperatives for their nationwide distribution through the so-called KDMP (Red-and-White Village Cooperative). These pills, including multivitamin, were produced by pharmaceutical arms of Indonesian military (Army, Navy, and Air Force).

Indonesia reported trade surplus of US$5.49 billion in August 2025, the highest in more than one year, helping to ease pressure on rupiah. The bigger surplus was attributable to 5.78% growth in export, while import dropped 6.56% year-on-year.