Indonesia Roundup: Free meal poisoning, tourism tax relief, East Java funds corruption

No nationwide halt to free meal programme despite poisoning cases

Indonesia’s Health Ministry has clarified that the declaration of a food poisoning emergency linked to the free nutritious meal programme (MBG) will not trigger a nationwide suspension. Inspector General Murti Utami said only nutrition service units (SPPG) found to be the source of contamination will be halted. “The MBG program is not automatically terminated in all schools in regions declaring a food poisoning emergency. Only problematic SPPGs will be temporarily suspended,” she said on Friday. Murti explained that outbreaks are declared based on epidemiological studies identifying the same toxic substance and food source. She stressed that safety measures and system improvements are being prioritised to protect student beneficiaries.

Large share of East Java grant funds lost to corruption

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has found that only 55 to 70% of East Java’s community grant funds (pokir) from 2019-2022 reached the public, with the rest siphoned off through fees and kickbacks. Acting Deputy for Enforcement Asep Guntur Rahayu said former East Java DPRD chairman Kusnadi received Rp398.7 billion in grant allocations over four years, of which significant portions were diverted. Field coordinators and other actors allegedly split the funds, with Kusnadi taking 15-20%. Asep said Kusnadi pocketed at least Rp79 billion, partly transferred to his wife and staff. The KPK has named 21 suspects in the bribery case, linked to earlier operations that exposed widespread graft in the provincial legislature.

Indonesia extends tax relief to tourism workers as part of stimulus push

The Indonesian government began implementing income tax relief for tourism workers on October 1 as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s economic stimulus. The incentive targets hotel, restaurant, and café employees earning up to IDR 10 million (USD $640) monthly, benefiting about 552,000 workers with a 100% tax subsidy. Budgeted at IDR 120 billion for 2025’s last quarter, the program will extend through 2026 with IDR 480 billion. Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said relief may expand to hotel operators as authorities address unregulated villas and structural challenges in Indonesia’s vital tourism industry.

Jakarta vows to shield public programmes amid IDR 15 trillion fund cut

Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has assured Jakarta residents that key social programmes will continue despite the central government’s plan to slash transfer funds by IDR 15 trillion. He said initiatives such as the Jakarta Pinter Card (KJP), the Jakarta Superior Student Card (KJMU) and diploma legalisation support would be protected. “Programs related to the interests of the people [will] not [be] disturbed,” Pramono said on Friday. The governor added that Jakarta must be ready to innovate in financing if revenue-sharing funds (DBH) are reduced. The Jakarta DPRD projects that central transfers will fall to IDR 11 trillion in 2026, a shift that could significantly alter the city’s IDR 95.35 trillion draft budget.

Radioactive drums evacuated, workers get treatment

The government evacuated radioactive waste containing Caesium-137 (Cs-137) from the Cikande Industrial Estate in Serang, Banten. A task force removed 20 drums and other contaminated materials for safe storage, under supervision from the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapeten). Police secured the site to prevent the spread. Health checks were done on 1,562 workers within five kilometres, with exposed individuals given blue Prussian medicine to help remove Cs-137. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the cleanup will continue until the area is declared safe, stressing public safety and transparency.