Political Event to Watch: PKB’s Chairmanship Congress
PKB, the largest Islamic party in the country with strong affiliation to the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), will hold its Muktamar (chairmanship congress) this weekend on Aug. 24-25 in Bali. Some speculate that Muhaimin Iskandar, the current PKB chairman, might step down like what Airlangga Hartarto of Golkar Party did. Others, however, believe that Muhaimin might be re-elected in Bali and then there would be another PKB chairman to be elected in the Party’s extraordinary congress (Munaslub) that will possibly be held later in a different location.
The Endgame
The House of Representatives (DPR) and the Central Government have revised the Regional Election Law (UU Pilkada) No. 10/2016, but they ignored the recent ruling No. 60/2024 issued by the Constitutional Court (MK). If this revised Law 10/2016 is deliberated and the General Election Commission (KPU) opts to implement the law instead of following the MK’s ruling, PDIP will not be able to nominate either Anies Baswedan or Basuki Tjahaja Purnama AKA Ahok to enter this year’s Jakarta gubernatorial election.
Golkar taken, PKB next in line
Golkar, the second largest party in the country, has been taken over by Java King through Bahlil Lahadalia as new chairman. That’s not enough to secure the Prince’s position in the next administration. In the coming days, the National Awakening Party (PKB) might also be acquired.
Chaotic election rules, Bahlil indirectly confirms Java King’s intervention
In just a matter of hours, the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government torpedoed the ruling from the Constitutional Court (MK) related to regional election law. DPR revised the existing laws (2016), which will maintain threshold of 20% seats in the regional...
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.