Nasdem’s 2024 Ambition
The Nasdem Party, the fourth largest political party in the House of Representatives (DPR) led by media mogul Surya Paloh, is expected to determine its presidential nominee for the 2024 presidential race during the upcoming Party’s National Working Meeting (Rakernas). The Rakernas of Nasdem Party will be held on June 15-17, 2022, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan, Central Jakarta. Is it not too early?
Eid Political Tours
After visiting East Java, the Chairman of Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto (also a defense minister) visited Central Java Java, another home of the supporters of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Islamic organization. It’s worth noting that Central Java is also the ruling party PDIP’s stronghold. But Prabowo isn’t the only aspiring presidential candidate using the momentum of Eid-al-Fitr as an opportunity to make a courtesy visit in light of the 2024 race.
The Latest Case in Directorate General of Customs and Excise
Last year, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that it was investigating allegations of corruption related to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). The KPK was also investigating allegations of corruption related to the arrangement of excisable goods managed by the Concession Agency (BP) in the Bintan Free Trade and Free Port Zone (FTZ) (BP Bintan). The defendants in the case, including the disgraced Regent of Bintan, Apri Sujadi, have been found guilty. But that’s not the only case related to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
Accelerating the Development of New Capital
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has just signed four presidential regulations (Perpres) and one government regulation (PP) related to the new capital city Nusantara to accelerate the preparation and the development of the new capital. What’s left now is issuing a presidential decree (Keppres) that makes the transfer of the capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara official.
Prabowo-Khofifah?
The Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto (also the defense minister), visited East Java. There, Prabowo met with the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who has been mentioned as a potential running mate for the former. Will Prabowo pair up with Khofifah in the 2024 race?
Jokowi: The Yogyakarta Connection
Some have questioned President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr in Yogyakarta instead of the capital city. One of them is Fadel Muhammad, a senior politician of the Golkar Party who currently serves as the deputy speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Prabowo’s Latest Move
The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, the chairman of the Gerindra Party, visited the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace to meet with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on the first day of Eid-al-Fitr (April 2). After meeting with the President, Prabowo returned to Jakarta to meet with the fifth President, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the chairperson of the ruling party PDIP, at her residence.
Corruption in Bintan: Court Decision
Over a year ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced the investigation into the allegations of corruption in the arrangement of excisable goods managed by the Concession Agency (BP) in the Bintan Free Trade and Free Port Zone (FTZ) (BP Bintan). It took the KPK four more months to arrest and announce the suspects, one of whom is the Regent of Bintan Apri Sujadi (Democratic Party). Last week, the suspects were found guilty.
Prabowo’s Effort at Finding Running Mate
Ahmad Muzani, the secretary general of the Gerindra Party, is still busy visiting the regions, including approaching potential running mates for his party chairman Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 race. Muzani recently visited West Java to meet with Governor Ridwan Kamil.
Eid Exodus & Presidential Campaign
The Eid-al-Fitr exodus (locally called mudik) has started. With over 70 million people expected to travel back to their respective hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families, it will be the largest migration since COVID-19 began to affect the country in early 2020. Interestingly, yet unsurprisingly, some aspiring candidates for the 2024 presidential race are using the momentum to campaign.