October 20, 2025 | 06:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Monday, October 20, 2025. Here are the highlights: B50 Biodiesel Implementation in Indonesia Could Erode Palm Oil Competitiveness, Says Professor; Jakarta Responds to Microplastics Found in Rainwater; and One Year of Prabowo-Gibran: Red and White Cabinet Bloats with New Deputy Ministers and Agencies.
The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:
1. B50 Biodiesel Implementation in Indonesia Could Erode Palm Oil Competitiveness, Says Professor
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Professor Bayu Krisnamurthi from IPB University (An agricultural university in Bogor, Indonesia) emphasizes the importance of careful calculations by the Indonesian government before implementing the B50 biodiesel policy in 2026. He believes this is crucial so that the national palm oil industry can continue to be competitive and its activities can be sustainable.
According to him, the plan to increase biodiesel from B40 to B50 could increase the subsidy burden, suppress exports, raise the price of cooking oil, and ultimately erode the competitiveness of palm oil. "For several years now, Indonesia has not only had stagnant palm oil production but also stagnant investment due to uncertain policies," said Bayu citing Antara on Monday, October 20, 2025.
2. Jakarta Responds to Microplastics Found in Rainwater
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The discovery of microplastics in Jakarta's rainwater by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) serves as an environmental alarm that needs immediate action, according to Head of the Jakarta Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto.
"Plastic pollution is now not only a matter of the sea or rivers; it has also reached the skies of Jakarta," Asep said in a written statement on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Asep stressed that the BRIN finding is a critical reminder that plastic pollution has spread into the air and must be addressed across all sectors. The Jakarta Provincial Government has already implemented several policies to reduce single-use plastic waste, notably Governor Regulation Number 142 of 2019, which mandates the use of eco-friendly shopping bags.
3. One Year of Prabowo-Gibran: Red and White Cabinet Bloats with New Deputy Ministers and Agencies
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto continues to augment the roster of his Red and White Cabinet as the administration approaches its one-year anniversary, despite the Cabinet having already been significantly expanded since its inauguration last year.
The cabinet size increased after Prabowo inaugurated two new Deputy Ministers at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, October 8, 2025:
- Akhmad Wiyagus was appointed as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. This appointment raises the total number of Deputy Ministers of Home Affairs to three, joining Bima Arya Sugiarto and Ribka Haluk.
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One Year of Government: Prabowo Summons Cabinet Members for Plenary Meeting
20 menit lalu
Several ministers, vice ministers, and heads of agencies have gathered at the Presidential Palace to attend Prabowo's cabinet meeting.
TNI Reform Agenda Wanes, Militarism on the Rise as Prabowo-Gibran Marks First Year
1 jam lalu
Imparsial says Prabowo-Gibran's government shows strong military consolidation tendencies during its first year.
One Year Under Prabowo: Government Decisions Seen as Not Pro-Teachers
1 jam lalu
Kobar Guru Indonesia said that many of Prabowo's education-related decisions have been "exclusive" and not pro-teachers.
JPPI: One Year Under Prabowo-Gibran, Millions of Children Still Out of School
3 jam lalu
Programs such as the Free Nutritious Meals initiative, JPPI said, have diverted funds that should have been used to expand education access.
One Year of Prabowo-Gibran: Celios Releases Ministerial Performance Rankings
3 jam lalu
In addition to Prabowo-Gibran's performance, Celios surveyed the performance of the ministers in the Red and White Cabinets.
Over 1,700 Police Officers Deployed for Prabowo-Gibran's First-Year Rally
4 jam lalu
Central Jakarta Police deployed 1,700 officers to secure a student rally marking Prabowo-Gibran's first year in office.
Prabowo Warns Law Enforcers Not to Be Unjust Toward the Weak
4 jam lalu
Prabowo revealed that he still receives reports of regional prosecutors fabricating cases against ordinary citizens.
One Year of Prabowo-Gibran: BEM SI Says 'Enough' and Lays Out Its Demands
5 jam lalu
BEM SI staged a protest on October 20, 2025, marking one year of the Prabowo-Gibran administration.
B50 Biodiesel Implementation in Indonesia Could Erode Palm Oil Competitiveness, Says Professor
6 jam lalu
IPB University Professor and UI Research Center emphasize the importance of careful calculations before implementing the B50 biodiesel policy in 2026, fearing adverse impacts on the national palm oil industry.
BEM SI to Hold Protest Today, Demand Cancellation of Anti-People Policies
10 jam lalu
Student Executive Board of Indonesia (BEM SI) and the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia are set to hold a protest.
