PDIP: Ahok or Anies?
PDIP is now able to provide a ticket for its governor candidate alone in this year’s Jakarta gubernatorial election following the Constitutional Court’s (MK) ruling No. 60/2024. The biggest question is whether PDIP will give its ticket for Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) or Anies Baswedan.
MK’s Ruling 60/2024: Domino Effect?
The Constitutional Court (MK) dropped a ‘bomb’ on Tuesday (Aug. 20) with the issuance of its ruling No. 60/2024 which will likely dramatically change political landscape in this year’s simultaneous regional elections. If anything, the ruling could potentially break apart the so-called KIM Plus coalition, the expanded coalition of Prabowo-Gibran. The ruling will likely also inspire many parties to once again attempt to reduce the presidential threshold.
It is not over yet!
The surprise ruling from the Constitutional Court (MK) today paves the way for a healthier competition for regional leaders, including in Jakarta. The MK basically reduces the threshold to nominate a candidate, which will allow PDIP, the only major party yet to nominate a candidate in Jakarta election, to enter the race.
KIM Plus Scenario (3)
Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the daily chairman of Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, ensured that the so-called KIM Plus (the expanded coalition of Prabowo-Gibran) will pair Ahmad Luthfi with Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of the outgoing President Jokowi, in this year’s gubernatorial election in Central Java. Prior to Dasco’s statement, Nasdem, a member of KIM Plus, already gave its endorsement to Luthfi-Kaesang.
Golkar’s New Chairmanship & Jokowi-Gibran
Pretty much as predicted, Bahlil Lahadalia becomes the sole candidate of the new Golkar Party chairman. Bahlil, who has just been appointed as the new Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources (ESDM), will be crowned as the new chairman of Golkar in the Party’s chairmanship congress today (Aug. 20). So, how about the outgoing President Jokowi and his eldest son, Vice President-elect Gibran?
Bahlil & Conflict of Interests
Five months ago, The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has examined Hasyim Daeng Barang, director for mineral and coal downstream industry at ministry of investment related to the issuance of mining permits in the North Maluku province. This is a follow up of investigation into bribery case implicating the disgraceful North Maluku governor Abdul Gani Kasuba, who mentioned about involvement of Bobby Nasution (son-in-law of Jokowi) in nickel concession there.
Cabinet reshuffle: Why now
Bahlil Lahadalia, who will likely soon be elected chairman of Golkar Party, is scheduled to be appointed new minister of energy & mineral resources, replacing Arifin Tasrif, a professional known close to PDI-P, the largest political party in the country.
Hasto’s Latest Maneuver
Hasto Kristiyanto, the secretary general of PDIP, played an audio recording in front of journalists on Aug. 17, in which he claimed that the outgoing President Jokowi wants to use law enforcement agencies to intimidate people. Later, it is found out that the circulated audio recording played by Hasto was a small part of Jokowi’s speech delivered during the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Central Government and the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) from five years ago in 2019.
PKB Joins Prabowo
Muhaimin Iskandar has confirmed the joining of PKB into Prabowo Subianto’s coalition on Sunday (Aug. 18). PKB, which is the largest Islamic party strongly affiliated to the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), will be present today (Aug. 19) in the declaration event of Ridwan Kamil, a Jakarta governor candidate from Prabowo’s coalition.
Anies Ticket: Gone with the Wind
Three more parties (Nasdem, PPP & Perindo) have just joined Prabowo’s coalition. It looks like PKB and PKS will soon join the coalition as well. With this development, it is almost certain that Anies Baswedan won’t be able to get a ticket to run in this year’s gubernatorial election in Jakarta.