Politics

Four members of Prabowo’s cabinet have just joined the National Mandate Party (PAN), reducing number of the so-called ‘professionals’. They are not expected to achieve PAN’s target to become fourth largest party after the 2029 legislative election. What a shame. These guys have just worked for two months in Prabowo’s cabinet, but already set their sights on the next election.

It is reported that Papua, one of the richest islands in the country, accounts for 9 out of 21 gubernatorial election dispute applications submitted to the Constitutional Court (MK), seven of which are from provinces resulted from the territory split. They are South Papua (3), Papua (2), Highland Papua (2), Southwest Papua (1), and Central Papua (1), leaving West Papua to be the only province with no gubernatorial election dispute. Interestingly, most of the candidates endorsed by PDIP came out as winners in their respective election. So, let’s take a closer look at it.

The General Elections Commission of Indonesia pointed out that there is a decline in the level of public participation in this year’s simultaneous regional elections, with an average of 68% nationwide. In some places like Jakarta, only around half of the permanent voters (DPT) casted their vote. This phenomenon is also apparent in Bekasi, where the level of public participation is 55.05%, making it significantly lower than the previous election in 2018 that managed to reach 73%. But why does it matter?

West Kalimantan is home to major bauxite-to-alumina investments in the country. A joint venture between Harita Group and China Hongqiao operates 2 million tons per annum smelter grade alumina (SGA) in the province, while state mining company Aneka Tambang (ANTM) will soon operate phase I of the SGA, making West Kalimantan a production center for alumina.

It seems that political battle in the House of Representatives (DPR) next year will be heating up with Gerindra, a political party led by President Prabowo Subianto, wanting the DPR to discuss the idea of reinstating an indirect election of regional heads through the local legislative council (DPRD). The idea itself is not something new as Prabowo’s coalition once made a similar attempt back in 2014.

Ever since the candidacy of Gibran Rakabuming Raka in this year’s presidential election, people have become more aware of blatant political dynasties around them. It seems to be a recurring problem that has long been common practice in many places all across the country, and Riau Islands is no exception. Ansar Ahmad won the gubernatorial election in Riau Islands province, while his son Roby Kurniawan won the race in Bintan Regency. How did it happen?

It looks like the political agenda next year will start with some major political parties holding their respective chairmanship congress. They are Gerindra, the third party as well as the ruling party, and PDIP, the largest party and the only party outside of the current administration.

North Kalimantan is one of fast growing provinces in the country, thanks to incoming investments in energy-intensive sectors like aluminium from Adaro Group and renewable energy projects from a group, where Hashim Djojohadikusumo, brother of president Prabowo Subianto has expressed interest to join. As a result, outcome of the recent gubernatorial election is interesting.

So, Ridwan Kamil and Suswono, a pair candidate endorsed by President Prabowo’s big tent KIM Plus coalition and former president Jokowi, decided not to challenge outcome of Jakarta gubernatorial election to the Constitutional Court (MK). That means Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, a pair candidate supported by PDIP, the only political party outside Prabowo-Jokowi’s coalition, will be officially declared winner of the election.