The New PBNU Chairman: Implications?
Yahya Cholil Staquf, a.k.a Gus Yahya, has been elected as the new chairman of the central board of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia. Yahya, known close to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, will lead the PBNU in the 2024 political year.
Another Sign from Jokowi on Cabinet Reshuffle
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has just created another cabinet position: Vice Minister of Social Affairs (Wamensos) through the issuance of a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 110/2021. The public sees it as another sign from the President that a cabinet reshuffle is only a matter of time.
The Russian Lobby Continues
The Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo told the press that the Air Force has had to abandon the plan to purchase the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighters. Nevertheless, some believe that the game isn’t over as Russia continues to lobby.
Erick Thohir, the Dismissal of BUMN Directors, and Conflict of Interest
Minister of State-owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir made Nico Kanter director of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) to replace Dana Amin. Nico is the best choice because he has a lot of experience in mining companies, such as BP Tangguh. Nico was also the President Director of PT Vale Indonesia, the second-largest nickel mining company in the country, after PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park. Nico is a director who has a good portfolio in the mining sector.
Goodbye Sukhoi?
The Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo told the press on Wednesday (Dec. 22) that even though it was not yet official, he believes the Government will procure the Dassault Rafale jets from France and the F-15EX from the United States (US) to modernize the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI AU) primary weapons system (Alutsista ). Does this mean farewell to Russia’s Sukhoi Su-35 fighters?
Airlangga’s Affair & the Power Struggle in Golkar
The hashtag #AHselingkuh and #AHHarusJawab trended on the social media platform Twitter a few days ago. A woman by the name Rifa Handayani claimed that she had an affair with Airlangga Hartarto, the Coordinating Minister for Economy and the chairman of the Golkar Party.
Year-End Security Hunt
The Special Detachment (Densus) 88, the National Police’s counter-terrorism unit, caught two suspected members of terror group Jamaah Ansharud Daulah (JAD) in South Kalimantan yesterday (Dec. 22). It’s the latest of a series of arrests made in the past week.
2022 Political Outlook: Major Events to Watch (2)
The Muhammadiyah, the second largest Islamic organization in the country, will hold its Muktamar next year on Nov. 18, 2022. The said Muktamar will be held in Solo (Central Java), the hometown of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. But the location of the event may not be meaningful enough to guarantee that the next chairman Muhammadiyah will be supportive of Jokowi.
2022 Political Outlook: Major Events to Watch (1)
The year 2022 will have many big events, particularly those related to the 2024 simultaneous presidential, legislative, and regional elections. The first major business is a cabinet reshuffle.
Ganjar Continues Leading the Poll
A new survey from Charta Politika has found the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo leading the poll of the 2024 potential presidential candidates. Charta, moreover, found that Ganjar, who is also a politician from the ruling party PDIP, had also won in all simulations of presidential pairings.