Latest Speculations on Cabinet Reshuffle
Erick Thohir, the new chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) brought with him the new management lineup of PSSI to meet with President Joko “Jokowi” at the State Palace Jakarta on Monday (Feb 20). What’s worth highlighting from the meeting is the possibility that the Minister of Youth & Sports Zainuddin Amali, who is now a deputy chairman of PSSI, will resign from the cabinet in order to focus on his new duty at PSSI. Some speculate that the President will soon announce cabinet reshuffle, including the replacement for Zainuddin Amali.
Political Breakups & 2024 Race (3)
There has been a rumor that General (ret) Wiranto might jump ship from Hanura Party to the National Mandate Party (PAN), a political party led by the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. PAN will reportedly make the announcement next weekend.
Anies & US Connection
The United States (US) Ambassador for Indonesia, Sung Yong Kim, recently visited the headquarters of PKS, an Islamic and opposition party. Many speculate that the visit was a sign of support from the US for Anies Baswedan’s 2024 presidential bid. Let’s talk a bit about the matter.
Jokowi-Prabowo Meeting
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is also the chairman of Gerindra Party, on Thursday (Feb 16) at the State Palace Jakarta. The meeting was a regular meeting, according to the State Palace, but it is worth highlighting in the light of 2024 race.
The New Leadership of PSSI: Business & Politics
Pretty much as predicted, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir has been elected as the new chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) for 2023-2027 period. There’s not much change in the new PSSI management lineup. We can see that most of them are business people and those linked to political parties, especially Golkar, that have been serving since the previous period.
Prabowo: Loss and Gain (3)
Prabowo Subianto is losing the support from his long-time political ally Amien Rais because Amien and his political party have decided to endorse Anies Baswedan in the 2024 presidential race. On the other hand, Prabowo is gaining another support from the Jokowi Mania (Joman), one of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s volunteer groups in the last two presidential elections.
Anies’ Rhetorics
Anies Baswedan, who has just secured another support from Amien Rais’ new political party, addressed some issues related to identity politics and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s development agenda. The former Jakarta governor asked people to check his track record when leading the capital city.
Jokowi-Nasdem (Anies)
So, minister of informatics and communication Johnny G Plate, who is secretary general of NasDem Party, has been examined nearly 10 hours by prosecutors at the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on Tuesday (Feb 14) in the corruption case at BAKTI, an agency under the ministry handling some major ICT infrastructure projects. Rumors were swirling around midday that Plate would be named suspect and arrested.
The 2024 Race Dynamics (21)
Populi Center released the results of its electability survey in which the pollster found that Ganjar Pranowo was leading the poll. In the meantime, Erick Thohir has been recommended by the National Mandate Party (PAN) as one of three potential candidates for the 2024 presidential race alongside Ganjar and Zulkifli Hasan.
The Brokenhearted
Amien Rais, the supreme leader of the Partai Umat (Ummah Party), has once again criticized President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the Ummah Party. Din Syamsuddin, who was present in the same event, revealed that Amien once asked him to push President Jokowi to resign. Meanwhile, Immanuel Ebenezer, former supporter of Jokowi and Ganjar Pranowo, visited Nasdem Tower on Tuesday (Feb 14) to express his support for Anies Baswedan’s presidential bid.