Pressures on NasDem-Anies
So, Gregorius Alex Plate, younger brother of Johnny Gerald Plate, minister of informatics and communications, who is secretary general of NasDem Party, has been examined by State prosecutors in the corruption case at BAKTI Kominfo, an agency under the supervision of Johnny. Attorney General’s Office (AGO) dismissed allegation about political motive behind examination of Gregorius, but the case is interesting to watch in the light of 2024 presidential race.
The 2024 Race Dynamics (19)
Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan have been invited to attend the National Working Meeting (Rakornas) of Partai Ummat or the Ummah Party, a new political party established by Amien Rais, next week. Over the weekend, Prabowo and Anies also attended the music concert of Dewa 19, a popular band led by Ahmad Dhani.
Luhut-Paloh Meeting (2)
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who is considered the most powerful member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet and the most influential figure in Golkar Party, once again met with media mogul Surya Paloh, the chairman of Nasdem Party. This is their second meeting after their first one in London, UK back in December 2022.
2024 Race: Early Predictions
The Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting (SMRC) predicted that the 2024 race will be two rounds if there are three pairs of presidential candidates competing in the race. The pollster also predicted that Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan will be head-to-head in the second round, and based on its latest electability survey, Ganjar will win the race with a significant margin.
The New Commander of Presidential Guard
The Military Commander (Panglima TNI) Admiral Yudo Margono officiated a second round of job rotation affecting 83 high-ranking officers. One of them is Brig. Gen. Rafael Granada Baay, who has been appointed as the new commander of the Presidential Guard (Danpaspampres).
Gibran’s Relationship with Megawati
National media outlets are highlighting a close relationship between the fifth President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is the chairperson of the ruling party PDIP, and the Mayor of Solo Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The two figures recently met during the inauguration event of the new Semarang Mayor.
No Reshuffle, Waiting Game Continues
The waiting game continues! President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo did not announce cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday (Feb 1). In a related development, media mogul Surya Paloh, who is also the chairman of Nasdem Party, met with the Chairman of Golkar Party Airlangga Hartarto.
Ganjar-Megawati Meeting
The Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo recently met with the fifth President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the chairperson of the ruling party PDIP. The meeting between Megawati and Ganjar, who appears as the frontrunner in various polls, is worth highlighting in light of 2024 race.
Cabinet Reshuffle Update (3)
National media outlets are highlighting the absence of two ministers from Nasdem, a political party led by media mogul Surya Paloh, in a limited cabinet meeting led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace Jakarta on Tuesday (Jan 31). The absence triggers more speculations about cabinet reshuffle. Will Jokowi announce the reshuffle today (Feb 1) and kick Nasdem ministers out of the cabinet?
Sandi vs Anies
Sandiaga Uno, a key leader of Gerindra Party, recently revealed to the press the political agreement between Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan back in 2016. Anies reportedly agreed not to run in the 2024 presidential race in exchange for Prabowo’s support in the Jakarta’s 2017 gubernatorial election. Anies’ side, however, denied there was such agreement. This public spat is worth highlighting as part of the dynamics ahead of 2024 race.