Indonesia faces rising inflation during the Ramadan season every year, but inflationary pressures this year have been compounded by the government’s free nutritious meal program, pushing annual inflation to 4.76 percent. The situation may worsen as the ongoing United States-Israel war on Iran pushes up global commodity prices, particularly oil and gas, which could further fuel inflation in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara) marked its first anniversary in February 2026 with plans to invest US$26 billion in downstream projects, equivalent to 1.7 percent of gross domestic product. While the scale is significant, questions remain about its broader economic impact amid limited state-owned enterprise (SOE) reforms and uncertainty over the implementation of its investment plans.

The progress in the corruption case involving crude oil procurement at state oil and gas company Pertamina for the 2018–2023 period deserves appreciation. Yet this development may represent only the tip of the iceberg in Indonesia’s law enforcement efforts. The sentences handed down to the suspects are considered mild and lack deterrence effect, while the main actor behind the scheme remains elusive amid the recurring scandals surrounding Pertamina.

Indonesia’s official response to the attack on Iran by Israel and the United States is unusual to say the least. The Foreign Ministry in a statement said Indonesia deeply regretted the breakdown of the negotiations between the US and Iran, offered to mediate to break the impasse between the two countries, and added that President Prabowo Subianto Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo, 72, is a retired Army lieutenant general, a businessman and the incumbent Defense Minister (2019-present). Due to his proximity to power throughout his military career, he entered politics in 2004 to pursue his dream of becoming the nation’s president. had “stated his readiness to launch diplomatic visits straight to the heart of the conflict, if necessary”.

The provisions in the Indonesia-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) have once again drawn public scrutiny. This time, the debate extends beyond tariff reductions to a more sensitive issue: the possible easing of halal certification requirements for US products entering the Indonesian market.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that the export value from the Bangka Belitung Islands Province reached US$157.93 million in January 2026, a 109 percent increase compared to US$75.57 million in January 2025.

The Indonesia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) reaches far beyond conventional tariff negotiations. While public debate has focused on potential export gains, the deal also includes provisions on investment, subsidy transparency and alignment with US regulatory standards that, over time, could narrow Indonesia’s room for maneuver in shaping its own industrial policy and development strategy.