Budi Arie Scandal and the Reshuffle of Jokowi’s Loyalists

In an indictment read at the South Jakarta District Court, Budi Arie’s name was mentioned as one of the individuals allegedly profiting from the protection of online gambling sites by rogue elements within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo). Although Budi Arie has vehemently denied the accusations—calling them slanderous and claiming that his name was exploited without his knowledge—and even one of the defendants supported this defense, the damage has already been done.

Dedi Mulyadi’s Quick-Fix Program (1)

A total of 273 students have ‘successfully’ completed their 2 weeks of character building training at the military barracks on Tuesday (20/05). West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (KDM), as the initiator of this program, therefore stated that he would proceed with his plan to send more ‘unruly students’ to military barracks despite the backlash against it, including from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

Hasan Nasbi’s cancelled resignation

A week after announcing his resignation, Hasan Nasbi returned to his post as the head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) on May 6, 2025. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was seen attending a plenary cabinet session at the Presidential Palace the day prior. Some people therefore speculate that Prabowo Subianto has likely rejected Nasbi’s letter of resignation.

Cabinet reshuffle rumours

Minister of health Budi Gunadi Sadikin has recently been under pressure to leave the cabinet reportedly due to his controversial statements, but these might just issues used to justify demands from some to take over the ministry.

More military figures in key economic portfolios

President Prabowo Subianto has installed Bimo Wijayanto as new director general of taxation at ministry of finance to replace Suryo Utomo. Prabowo also appointed Lt General Djaka Budi Utama as director general of custom and excise at the ministry replacing Askolani.

Jokowi to lead PSI?

Amid an increasingly heated political climate—with growing pressure directed at him and his family—speculation has emerged that Jokowi may take over the leadership of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). A move that can be seen not merely as a strategy to expand influence, but also as an effort to survive the political storm in the post-presidency era.

Unsafe ammo disposal

An explosion at the ammunition disposal site in Garut, West Java last Monday (12/05) killed thirteen people, including nine civilians. This incident sparked concerns about the safety of the ammunition disposal regularly conducted by TNI, as it remains unclear why non-military personnel were allowed to be in close proximity to the disposal site, which ended up costing their lives.

Dedi Mulyadi’s Controversial Policy

The controversial policy of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to send troubled children to military barracks for guidance by TNI cannot be separated from the context of his political trajectory toward 2029.

Confusion in Government Communication

Hasan Nasbi, a flamboyant political consultant and the Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), decided to step down from his position towards the end of April 2025. This decision seemed sudden but not surprising, but now the most important thing is, what will happen to PCO in the future?

Kunto Arief Wibowo: A Power Node Amid Elite Political-Military Rivalries

Lt. Gen. Kunto Arief Wibowo, the youngest son of Gen. (Ret.) Try Sutrisno—former Commander of the Armed Forces (ABRI) and Vice President—has become a prominent figure in the nation’s ongoing military-political dynamics. As the brother-in-law of Gen. (Ret.) Ryamizard Ryacudu and a classmate of Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak, the current Army Chief of Staff (KSAD), Kunto finds himself at the intersection of military lineage and political power.

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