Indonesia Roundup: Doubled emergency fund, poverty target, Pakistan ties

Indonesia targets 400,000 families for poverty ‘graduation’ in 2026

Indonesia’s Social Affairs Ministry plans to help at least 400,000 families achieve economic independence in 2026, a major increase from the 77,000 households that “graduated” from social assistance programmes this year. Minister Saifullah Yusuf said the expansion is supported by a larger 2025 budget and aims to break long-term poverty cycles by combining capital support, training, and business mentoring. Families exiting schemes such as PKH and basic food aid will continue to receive guidance to prevent them from slipping back into poverty, with further empowerment overseen by the new Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment. The initiative targets structural, sustainable poverty reduction.

Prabowo to visit Pakistan to mark 75 years of Indonesia-Pakistan ties

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Pakistan on December 8 to 9 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking his first trip there since taking office in 2024 and coinciding with 75 years of Indonesia-Pakistan diplomatic ties. Prabowo is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and senior military officials, with both sides set to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, defence, investment, health, IT, climate, education, and culture. Several agreements are likely to be signed. Reports say Prabowo departed from Aceh after inspecting disaster-hit areas, though the Presidential Palace has yet to confirm his travel.

Indonesia to extend free meal program to disabled in 2026

Indonesia will deliver free breakfast and lunch to 36,000 people with disabilities starting in 2026, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf announced. Meals will be prepared by community groups and delivered directly to recipients’ homes by village cadres, who will also provide emotional and social support. The program will expand to 100,000 elderly beneficiaries and is guided by Presidential Instruction No. 4, ensuring accurate targeting through detailed national data. Launched in January 2025, the wider meal initiative already serves 49 million Indonesians daily, with a nationwide expansion planned to reach 82.9 million people by March 2026.

Prabowo doubles aid to Rp4 billion as Sumatra disaster toll climbs

President Prabowo Subianto has doubled emergency funding to Rp4 billion ($239,000) for each of the 52 districts and cities hit by floods and landslides in Sumatra, after Home Minister Tito Karnavian requested half that amount. Prabowo also ordered an additional Rp20 billion ($1.19 million) for the worst-affected province and pledged full central government support. Regional contingency funds are reportedly running low, with some areas left with only Rp75 million ($4,493). A separate pooling scheme has gathered Rp34 billion ($2.03 million) for redistribution. According to BNPB, the disasters have killed 929 people, left 274 missing, and affected millions across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Indonesia to repatriate two elderly Dutch drug convicts

Indonesia and the Netherlands have agreed to repatriate two elderly Dutch drug convicts — one on death row — after a humanitarian request from The Hague. Siegfried Mets, 74, sentenced to death in 2008 for smuggling 600,000 ecstasy pills, and Ali Tokman, 65, whose death sentence for MDMA smuggling was later reduced to life imprisonment, will be flown to Amsterdam on December 8. Indonesian minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said President Prabowo approved the request, noting Mets’ deteriorating health. Dutch officials welcomed the move, saying it would allow both men to be closer to their families and reflected strong bilateral ties.