The New Capital City Chief: Risma or Ahok?
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gave some clues about the chief of the new capital city authority. Some wonder whether the said clues point to the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, who is former mayor of Surabaya.
KPK Sting Operation: East Kalimantan
Entering the third week of 2022, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has shocked the public thrice with sting operations. The latest two happened in less than a week’s time. Last week, the KPK arrested a dozen people in two separate locations in Jakarta and East Kalimantan. It later named the Regent of Penajam Paser Utara, Abdul Gafur Mas’ud (Democratic Party), a suspect of corruption. This week, the KPK arrested several people in North Sumatera, and named the Regent of Langkat, Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin (Golkar), a suspect. Let’s talk about East Kalimantan and its “tradition” of corruption.
Ahok’s Future (2)
Former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a.k.a Ahok, responded to the recent speculation saying he could be appointed chief of the new capital city authority or run as governor candidate in Jakarta’s 2024 gubernatorial election. Ahok’s response is worth highlighting because many wonder about his future in Indonesian politics.
A Strong Message from PDIP
The ruling party PDIP has reminded everyone to obey the 1945 Constitution on the matter of presidential term length. The Constitution, PDIP stated, has limited presidential term for only two periods. This is the second time PDIP has made such a statement in response...
The Pangkostrad Race (2)
The Military Commander (Panglima TNI) General Andika Perkasa told the press that the new commander of the Army’s Strategic Reserves Command (Pangkostrad) will be announced this week. The Pangkostrad position, as we all know, has been vacant for two months after General Dudung Abdurachman became the new Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) on Nov. 17, 2021.
New Capital City, Cabinet Reshuffle & 2024 Question
Today, Jan. 18, the House of Representatives is scheduled to pass the Bill on the New Capital City (RUU IKN) into a new law. With the said new law, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will have a legal umbrella to accelerate the development of the new capital city in East Kalimantan. The President will also appoint the new capital city authority chief soon.
Ganjar & West Java Battleground
The supporters of aspiring presidential and vice presidential candidates continue to scramble, trying to promote their respective nominees ahead of the 2024 race. Teman Anies, a volunteer group of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, has set a target of collecting one million signatures to support the Governor’s 2024 bid. Meanwhile, the volunteer groups of Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo intensified their campaign in West Java, the largest province in the country that is also known as home to Prabowo Subianto’s supporters.
Unhealthy Discourse
A group of people called the Sekreariat Bersama (Sekber) Prabowo-Jokowi or the Prabowo-Jokowi Joint Secretariat endorses President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to run as Prabowo Subianto’s running mate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Previously, another group, namely the so-called Komunitas Jokowi-Prabowo 2024 or the Jokpro 2024 Community, campaigned for President Jokowi to run for a third term in 2024 with Prabowo as his running mate. This is unhealthy discourse.
Prabowo-SBY Meeting
The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is also the chairman of Gerindra Party, coincidentally met with the sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who is also the supreme leader of the Democratic Party. The meeting happened in an inauguration ceremony event of former Health Minister Dr. dr. Terawan Agus Putranto SpRad as honorary professor at the Defense University (Unhan) on Wednesday (Jan. 12). But there’s no coincidence in politics.
A Sign from Mandalika
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visited West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province on Thursday (Jan. 13) to inspect the preparation of the Mandalika International Street Circuit to host the 2022 MotoGP. Interestingly, the former Military Commander (Panglima TNI) Air Chief Marshal (ret) Hadi Tjahjanto was accompanying the President on this visit.