Author: yosefardi.com

The House of Representatives (DPR) and government have finally approved the establishment of seven new regencies in seven provinces. Few weeks back, they also approved the established of new province, North Kalimantan. That means we will have eight more elections per annum and at least 400 new legislators.

Looks like that energy and mineral resources minister Jero Wacik can’t enjoy for too long his ‘near absolute’ power over Indonesian oil and gas industry. Other political parties do not want to see the Demokrat politician to keep authorities taken over from BPMigas until 2014 elections.

Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam launched serious allegations to some ministries, including replacing high-ranking officers opposing the minister’s ‘policy’ in budget mark-up and fixing mechanism. Gita Wirjawan, minister of trade, has expressed his readiness to cooperate with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the issue.

The Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Body (BPMigas) is now a history. The Constitutional Court declared the institution unconstitutional, but considers all contracts signed by BPMigas with other parties valid. It is like declaring someone criminal, but his actions are deemed valid. That’s why some believe this is a political decision.

Other than governor election in the most populous provinces in Java, which might define 2014 elections, we will see interesting races in resource-rich provinces like Papua (January 2013), North Sumatra (March 2013), South Sumatra (June), and Riau (September). Business-political deals might affect dynamics in the years to come.

Next year will be a busy year for regional elections. We will start with election of South Sulawesi governor in January, West Java in February, North Sumatra in March, Central Java in May, South Sumatra in June, and East Java in August. These are the most populous provinces in the country.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was appointed mayor of Tehran, capital city of Iran in 2003. He was extremely popular. Two years later, he was sworn in as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, meanwhile, won 90% votes for a second term as Mayor of Solo two years ago. Jokowi, based on quick counts, wins Jakarta gubernatorial race.

Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo wins the second round of Jakarta gubernatorial election held Thursday (Sept 20) by a substantial margin of around 7-8% over incumbent governor Fauzi Bowo. Jokowi entered the race with support from two ‘opposition parties’ PDI-P and Gerindra, while Fauzi gets overwhelming support from President SBY’s Demokrat Party, Aburizal’s Golkar Party, and five other parties.

When it comes to media industry rules, Indonesia is clearly lot more liberal than any country in the world, even compared to the United States. Media ownership is not an issue here. Individuals like Aburizal Bakrie, Harry Tanoesoedibjo, Chairul Tanjung, Sariaatmadja, Surya Paloh, or James Riady control public airwave not necessarily for public good.

National politics heating up ahead of the second round election of Jakarta governor scheduled next month. Incumbent governor Fauzi Bowo, supported by a coalition of political parties led by President SBY’s Demokrat Party, has been trying almost everything to win the race after shamefully defeated in the first round by Solo mayor Joko Widodo.