January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
JAKARTA, July 24 — Indonesia’s military is set to begin producing medicines for public distribution under a newly signed agreement, officials announced yesterday, marking the latest step in expanding the armed forces' involvement in civilian sectors under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership.
President Prabowo, a former defence minister and elite military commander, has significantly broadened the military’s civic role since taking office last year — including overseeing key initiatives like his flagship free school meals programme.
In March, the Prabowo-led parliamentary majority approved changes to military law, allowing more civilian roles to be filled by active-duty personnel. The move drew backlash from student and civil society groups, who viewed it as a rollback of reforms established after the fall of authoritarian ruler General Suharto in 1998.
The new agreement, signed by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Indonesia’s food and drug agency, enables military-operated laboratories — previously used for internal medical supply — to produce medicines for public use.
“We’re looking at ways to reduce the cost even further so that free medicines can be provided,” Sjafrie said.
Mass production is scheduled to start in October, with the medicines to be distributed at half the regular price to rural areas nationwide.
Taruna Ikrar, head of the food and drug agency, said military involvement is intended to combat the illegal drug trade and disrupt profiteering networks in the pharmaceutical industry.
However, human rights groups criticised the move, arguing it violates military law by involving active-duty personnel in civilian business operations.
“This reflects a broader authoritarian shift in the government,” said Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia.
The military and President Prabowo’s office have yet to comment on the criticisms.
According to Sjafrie, distribution will be handled by 80,000 state-sponsored cooperatives launched by Prabowo on Monday. These cooperatives aim to stimulate economic growth by cutting out intermediaries and providing direct services such as loans, medicines, and basic goods.
Additionally, the defence ministry has signed a separate agreement with the health ministry to build military-run hospitals in conflict zones like Papua, where separatist tensions remain active. — Reuters
