Month: May 2026

Surabaya Zoo (KBS) has entered into a partnership with Japan. Under this collaboration, KBS will loan a pair of Komodo dragons, while Surabaya will receive mammals in return. KBS Director of Operations and General Affairs, Nurika Widyasanti, stated that the Komodo dragons were bred at KBS and have undergone a rigorous process.

“In general, they were bred at KBS and are among the animals successfully produced there. The government is conducting assessments to ensure the breeding process at KBS will not be disrupted when the Komodo dragons are sent to Japan,” Nurika said, as quoted by detikJatim on Thursday (April 30, 2026).

She explained that although Komodo dragons are endangered and protected, the loan has been evaluated by the central government to ensure it does not disrupt breeding. The collaboration is temporary. The Komodo dragons will be loaned for five years and then returned to Indonesia. “They are a pair aged approximately 8 to 12 years,” she added. She also confirmed that any offspring produced in Japan will remain Indonesia’s property. Regarding technical arrangements, Nurika stated that the transfer is still awaiting administrative completion. She ensured that facilities in Japan have been adjusted to meet the Komodo dragons’ needs, including temperature control systems.

“The Director and the Minister have inspected the infrastructure in Japan, including the temperature control systems,” she said.

Some animals from Japan are expected to arrive earlier and will be introduced to the public this year. Meanwhile, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi emphasized that this cooperation is a loan, not an exchange. He noted that Japan’s interest stems from KBS’s success in breeding Komodo dragons.

“Because we have successfully bred Komodo dragons, Japan has requested to borrow them, as they are the largest reptiles in the world,” he said. In return, KBS will receive animals from Japan under a loan and joint monitoring scheme. “Both parties will remain responsible for animal welfare, and monitoring will be conducted jointly,” he added.

This collaboration, which has been prepared for a decade, has now been realized. Eri hopes it will enhance KBS’s attractiveness to tourists. He also revealed that one of the animals to be sent from Japan is a red-colored mammal, although its species remains undisclosed.

Previously, the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia and the Government of Shizuoka Prefecture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on wildlife conservation, focusing on the breeding loan of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). The MoU was signed by Raja Juli Antoni and Yasutomo Suzuki to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The agreement aims to enhance conservation efforts, strengthen bilateral relations, and raise public awareness of biodiversity. Both parties also committed to animal welfare and compliance with international regulations, including CITES. The Minister emphasized that this initiative is part of Indonesia’s green diplomacy and long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation, while also supporting education and global awareness.

The collaboration will be followed by an implementation agreement between conservation institutions, including iZoo and Surabaya Zoo, covering technical aspects such as animal care, transport, and monitoring. The Ministry of Forestry emphasized that implementation would follow national and international standards. This partnership also forms part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia–Japan relations during the state visit of Prabowo Subianto, who met with Emperor Naruhito and Sanae Takaichi to enhance bilateral cooperation.

April 30, 2026, detikTravel and Kementerian Kehutanan Indonesia

(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-8468905/kbs-pinjamkan-sepasang-komodo-ke-jepang) (https://www.kehutanan.go.id/news/indonesia-jepang-perkuat-kerja-sama-konservasi-satwa-liar-melalui-breeding-loan-komodo-1) 

Indonesian Bank Indonesia (BI) officially launched the Indonesian Digital Innovation Center (PIDI) and the cross-border QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) system between Indonesia and China at Grha Bhasvara Icchana on Thursday (April 30, 2026).

The establishment of PIDI aims to build a national digital innovation ecosystem and reflects a commitment to supporting job creation and economic growth through the development of sustainable business value for industry. This effort is supported by talent development, implementation-ready innovations, and strong synergy between public policy and societal needs.

PIDI is positioned as a policy enabler that bridges public policy with industry needs and technological development through an integrated upstream-to-downstream approach. Through PIDI, innovative ideas from Indonesian talent will be supported by technical capability training, business understanding, and structured mentoring until they are ready to be developed into digital products and services that address national priority needs.

PIDI is designed to ensure that innovation does not stop at the idea stage but progresses end-to-end through three main pillars. First, Market Intelligence, which maps innovations emerging in the market and aligns them with public needs. This pillar is expected to produce key outputs in the form of Strategic Intelligent Market Analytics (SIGMA). Second, Innovation Experimentation, which promotes hackathons as platforms for developing technological solutions to address national priority challenges. Third, Digital Talent Development, implemented through the DIGDAYA (Digital Talenta Berdaya dan Berkarya) initiative, aims to enhance the capacity of digital talent through structured training programs and to create new digital employment opportunities.

The event also included the inauguration of the cross-border QRIS system between Indonesia and China, marking the expansion of QRIS payment access globally. According to BI’s Board of Governors Meeting (RDG) press conference on April 22, 2026, trials of QRIS usage in China recorded 1.64 million transactions, with a total value equivalent to IDR 556 billion.

The implementation of QRIS in China will involve 24 providers from Indonesia comprising 16 banks and 8 non-bank institutions—and 19 providers from China. According to Filianingsih Hendarta, both technical and business aspects are fully prepared for implementation, with the official launch held on April 30, 2026.

The expansion of QRIS in China adds to the growing list of countries where Indonesians can conduct seamless cashless transactions. Prior to China, BI officially launched QRIS in South Korea on April 1, 2026. The system was already available in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.

April 30, 2026, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20260430102645-17-731213/sah-bi-luncurkan-qris-antarnegara-ri-china-pusat-inovasi-digital-ri)  

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for 13 downstream projects across Indonesia. These projects are primarily being developed by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and their partners. He explained that this ceremony marks the second phase of the downstreaming program, consisting of 13 projects with a total investment of IDR 116 trillion, including five energy projects, five mineral projects, and three agricultural projects.

“As mentioned earlier, the first phase of downstreaming involved 13 projects in 13 locations, and this year we will add six more projects, and we will continue to expand. There may be a fourth, fifth, or sixth phase, God willing, this year,” he stated at the inauguration in Cilacap on Wednesday (April 29, 2026).

He emphasized that downstreaming natural resources is the key to achieving greater prosperity and affirmed that the government will continue expanding such initiatives nationwide. One of the Phase 2 projects attracting attention is the development of coal into Dimethyl Ether (DME) in Tanjung Enim. The project was initiated by BPI Danantara and implemented by MIND ID in collaboration with PT Bukit Asam Tbk, Pertamina, and other strategic partners. It is expected to substitute imported LPG, given Indonesia’s high dependence on imported energy.

The following is a simplified list of the 13 Phase 2 downstream projects and their respective project owners:

Projects 1–2: Construction of Gasoline Refinery Facilities. State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) Holding: PT Pertamina (Persero). Location: Dumai and Cilacap: 1) expansion of refinery capacity by 62 MBSD, targeted to be operational in Q4 2030; 2) reduces gasoline imports and strengthens national energy security.

Projects 3–4–5: Construction of Operational Fuel Tanks. State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) Holding: PT Pertamina (Persero). Locations: Palaran, Biak, and Maumere: 1) development of fuel terminals with a total additional capacity of 153,000 KL; 2) enhances fuel distribution reliability, especially in Eastern Indonesia.

Project 6: Coal Processing Facility to Become DME. State-Owned Enterprises Holding: PT Pertamina (Persero) and PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero). Location: Tanjung Enim: 1) development of a DME facility with a capacity of 1.4 million tons per year; 2) substitutes LPG imports and strengthens domestic energy security.

Project 7: Stainless Steel Manufacturing Facility from Nickel. State-Owned Enterprise Holding/Partner: PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk. / Tsingshan Group. Location: Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park: 1) production of stainless steel slabs with a capacity of 1.2 million tons per year; 2) increases mineral value-added and supports industrial job creation.

Project 8: Carbon Steel Slab Production Facility. State-Owned Enterprise Holding/Partner: PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk. / Xin Hai Group. Location: Cilegon: 1) production capacity of 1.5 million tons per year through facility modernization; 2) strengthens industrial foundations and infrastructure development.

Project 9: Buton Asphalt Ecosystem and Production Facility. State-Owned Enterprises Holding: PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk. and PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk. Location: Karawang: 1) increases Buton asphalt utilization significantly by 2030; 2) supports local resource optimization and job creation.

Project 10: Copper and Gold Downstream Processing. State-Owned Enterprises Holding: PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero) and PT Len Industri (Persero). Location: Gresik: 1) development of metal processing facilities with higher value-added products; 2) strengthens strategic industries and creates skilled employment.

Project 11: Palm Oil Processing into Oleofood and Biodiesel. State-Owned Enterprise Holding: PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero). Location: Sei Mangkei: 1) development of downstream palm oil products including biodiesel; 2) improves farmer welfare and supports energy security.

Project 12: Nutmeg Oleoresin Processing Facility. State-Owned Enterprise Holding: PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero). Location: Central Maluku: 1) establishment of a nutmeg processing facility; 2) enhances regional economic value and farmer income.

Project 13: Integrated Coconut Facility. State-Owned Enterprise Holding: PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero). Location: Central Maluku: 1) development of integrated coconut-based products such as MCT and coconut flour; 2) expands export opportunities and increases farmer income.

April 29, 2026, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20260429123019-4-730879/13-proyek-hilirisasi-rp116-t-mulai-dibangun-ini-pemiliknya)  

Deputy Minister of Tourism (Wamenpar) Ni Luh Puspa has expressed her commitment to developing Indonesia’s marine tourism sector. She invited the Ministry of Transmigration and the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development (Kemenkoinfra) to collaborate in this effort. Ni Luh conveyed this initiative in her remarks at the opening of Deep and Extreme Indonesia 2026 at the Jakarta Convention Center, Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (April 23, 2026).

“Of the tourists visiting Indonesia, 75% choose nature-based tourism, while 65% are interested in marine tourism. Empirically, I can report that marine tourism makes a highly significant contribution to the national tourism sector,” said Ni Luh.

She added that marine tourism contributes approximately 32%–42% to total national tourism economic activity and around 1.5%–2% to national GDP within the tourism sector. This is further supported by more than 2,000 coastal villages that have developed or are currently developing marine tourism as a driver of local economic growth.

“Many of our tourist villages are also located in transmigration areas. Therefore, we need to strengthen collaboration to stimulate and further develop this nature-based tourism,” she added. She also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted travel preferences. Previously, tourists came to Indonesia primarily for leisure; now, they seek meaningful experiences.

“Tourists now prioritize spiritual and experiential value that they can take home. We observe that many visitors, especially international tourists, are increasingly choosing nature-based activities such as diving, surfing, sailing, trekking, and other adventure tourism experiences,” she said.

The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), who was also present at the event, responded positively to Ni Luh’s proposal and pledged support for marine tourism development.

“We fully support stronger synergy and collaboration among ministries and institutions. This includes the Ministry of Transmigration, as many transmigration areas indeed have strong potential in the marine tourism sector, along with opportunities for developing the creative economy,” said AHY.

“If these efforts are integrated and strengthened through improved infrastructure and connectivity both physical and digital we will be able to develop more marine tourism destinations that we can take pride in, with significant economic impact, as highlighted by the Deputy Minister,” he added.

AHY also addressed the development of the “10 New Bali” destinations, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in advancing Indonesia’s tourism sector.

“There are 10 ‘New Bali’ destinations being developed. Bali has long been a cornerstone of Indonesian tourism, but we must also develop other destinations with equally strong potential that have not yet been fully optimized,” he stated.

“Achieving this requires robust infrastructure and interregional connectivity from Bunaken in North Sulawesi, Wakatobi, Labuan Bajo, to Raja Ampat, and many other destinations,” he concluded.

April 23, 2026, detikTravel

(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-8458242/wamenpar-ajak-kementerian-transmigrasi-dan-ahy-kembangkan-wisata-bahari)  

Amid Amid persistent energy security challenges, Indonesia continues to reinforce the foundations of national energy independence through the optimal utilization of domestic resources. A key strategic initiative in this regard is the accelerated implementation of the B50 biodiesel program a blend comprising 50 percent palm oil–based biodiesel and 50 percent conventional diesel. This policy reduces reliance on imported fuels and reflects the government’s commitment to a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

The Government of Indonesia has mandated the nationwide implementation of B50 beginning July 1, 2026. In preparation, comprehensive road tests have been conducted across various vehicle categories, including heavy-duty trucks and buses manufactured by Mercedes-Benz and UD Trucks.

According to Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the results have met established performance targets. The findings indicate that tested vehicles can operate effectively on B50 fuel, with no significant technical issues. The fuel has also demonstrated reliability, safety, and compatibility with existing engine technologies.

The government continues refining distribution infrastructure and securing raw material supply to ensure readiness. The policy will be implemented simultaneously across all sectors to avoid logistical complications. The B50 testing program began with laboratory evaluations in early 2025, followed by simultaneous field testing across six sectors automotive, mining, agriculture, maritime transportation, railways, and power generation starting December 9, 2025. These trials were conducted systematically under varied conditions to ensure compliance with technical standards and safety.

After road testing, vehicles undergo detailed inspections to assess engine performance and the impact of B50 usage. As of April 2026, results confirm that B50 is safe for diesel engines, with no significant degradation observed. Heavy vehicles have reached 40,000 km testing milestones, while lighter vehicles are nearing 50,000 km, with engines and fuel systems remaining within manufacturer standards.

The testing program includes nine automotive units and also involves European manufacturers, reflecting broader participation compared to earlier programs. Trials extend to agricultural machinery, maritime vessels, mining operations, and railway systems, including interprovincial routes such as Yogyakarta to Jakarta.

The government projects that B50 implementation will generate significant economic and environmental benefits, including foreign exchange savings of up to IDR 157.28 trillion, the creation of over 2.2 million jobs, and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 46.72 million tons of CO₂ by 2026. Biodiesel distribution has reached 3.90 million kiloliters, or 24.9 percent of the annual allocation.

Technically, B50 specifications have been enhanced to maintain engine performance, including stricter limits on water content and monoglycerides, as well as improved oxidation stability to ensure fuel quality during storage and distribution. With automotive trials expected to conclude by June 2026 and other sectors progressing in phases, the B50 program is positioned to strengthen Indonesia’s energy independence and sustainability.

April 23, 2026, CNBC Indonesia(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20260423114849-4-729175/biodiesel-b50-sudah-uji-jalan-ke-truk-bus-mercy-ini-hasilnya)