Riau governor sentenced to two years for graft

Riau Governor Abdul Wahid was sentenced to two years in prison on August 1 after being convicted of extorting officials at the local Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, Settlement and Land agency. The presiding judge found that Wahid had abused his authority by ordering his former aide to collect money from PUPR-PKPP officials to cover his personal expenses. (via The Jakarta Post)

Sentence falls far short of prosecution demand. The Corruption Eradication Commission had sought an eight-and-a-half-year term, a Rp 500 million fine and Rp 1.4 billion in state loss restitution. Wahid is the fourth consecutive Riau governor to be imprisoned on graft charges, marking the province's continued struggle with corruption among its leadership.

PT Telkom Indonesia reported first-half 2026 profit of Rp 10.6 trillion ($589 million), buoyed by a turnaround in its cellular business division after months of operational headwinds. (via Katadata)

Cocoa export prices spike on scarcity. Indonesia raised its August cocoa export benchmark prices to US$5,064 per metric ton, jumping 39 percent from July as West African supply constraints tightened the global market. The cocoa bean reference price climbed to US$5,424.96 per ton, up 37 percent. (via Antara News)

Jakarta gradual EV tax adjustment underway. Jakarta province is adjusting electric vehicle tax collection incrementally after losing roughly Rp 2 trillion annually from previous exemptions, signaling a shift toward revenue sustainability while managing EV adoption goals. (via Katadata)

China backs Indonesia's 100 GW solar push. China signaled willingness to participate in Indonesia's 100 gigawatt solar power plant development project, signalling a major collaboration in regional renewable energy infrastructure. (via Katadata)

Extreme weather and rough seas have caused a series of boat accidents across East Java, leaving at least 25 people missing over recent weeks as peak high-wave season intensifies. July and August mark the peak of the high-wave season in East Java waters, driven by the Australian monsoon and swells from the Indian Ocean. (via The Jakarta Post)

Jakarta residents build water reserves against drought. Residents in East Jakarta are proactively constructing deep infiltration wells to prepare for prolonged drought conditions expected through the El Niño-driven dry season, marking grassroots resilience efforts as climate threats intensify. (via Katadata)

Rulita Anggraini, chair of the Indonesian Mixed-Marriage Society, is arguing that if dual citizenship is granted, children with blood ties to Indonesia should come first based on the country's citizenship principles, before skilled adults are prioritized. The government's proposal to grant dual citizenship only to adults with expertise needed by the state has drawn criticism from mixed-marriage advocates, who say it lacks clear eligibility criteria. (via The Jakarta Post)

Under Indonesia's 2006 Citizenship Law, children born to mixed-nationality parents may hold both nationalities until age 18, after which they have three years to choose one citizenship. The advocates are pushing for that advantage to extend when dual citizenship is formally allowed for adults.

Indonesia will send 432 athletes to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, representing the nation across a range of sports disciplines as the archipelago seeks to build on its regional athletic standing. (via Antara News)