Indonesia outlines year-end aid and holiday transport discounts

Indonesia is preparing household assistance and transport discounts to support purchasing power and travel over Christmas and New Year, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in Jakarta on 5 November 2026.

The measures come as the government targets economic growth of 5.4% in the 2026 state budget. Growth has reached 5.45% for the year to date, although Airlangga gave no fourth-quarter forecast.

A programme to open bank accounts with an initial Rp50,000 balance targets 25.16 million Indonesian citizens aged 17 and above in the first four deciles. Airlangga said it would launch in 2026, within two months, while data and regulatory alignment remained under way.

Food assistance will provide 10 kilograms of rice per family each month from October to December 2026, targeting 33.24 million recipient families in the first four deciles. Separately, 13.3 million workers earning no more than Rp3.5 million or below the provincial minimum wage are set to receive a Rp900,000 wage subsidy. That represents Rp300,000 a month for three months, paid together.

For domestic economy tickets, the government will cover 100% of value-added tax, targeting 3.75 million passengers travelling from 22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. The measure applies to tickets purchased from 20 October 2026.

Commercial economy-class rail fares in Java and North Sumatra will be discounted by 30%, targeting 1.04 million passengers travelling from 22 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. PT Pelni (Persero) will offer a 30% reduction on base economy-class fares across all passenger ship routes, targeting 414,000 passengers travelling from 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.

ASDP will also waive port service charges at 14 ports for pedestrians and vehicles in categories II/IVA. The measure targets 1.42 million people from 22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.