Jokowi & the Pangdam Siliwangi
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently visited Rumpin, a small village in Bogor, West Java. The President inspected a modern nursery along with some foreign ambassadors. The visit is worth highlighting because Maj. Gen. Agus Subiyanto, a territorial commander of the Siliwangi Regional Military Command (Pangdam Siliwangi), was among those who accompanied the President.
MUI: Islam & Politics
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is under the spotlight after one of its executives was arrested by the National Police’s Densus 88 Counter-Terrorism Squad for an alleged involvement in a transnational terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). JI is responsible for a number of bombings and terrorist attacks in the country. The Jakarta provincial chapter of the MUI (MUI DKI), meanwhile, caused a controversy with its plan to establish a cyber team to, among others, protect the Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.
Andika’s First Job Rotation
The new Military Commander (Panglima TNI) General Andika Perkasa has instituted his first ever job rotation. The rotation affects 23 high-ranking military officers, including two territorial commanders (Pangdam) and the general commander (Danjen) of the Army’s Special Forces Kopassus.
Update on Cabinet Reshuffle
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has created a new position: Vice Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources (Wamen ESDM). Some believe that it’s a sign that the President will announce changes to his cabinet line-up soon.
Notes on Modernization of Weaponry System (7)
The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart United States (US) Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III on Saturday (Nov. 20) on the sideline of the 17th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit in Bahrain. Indonesia is still negotiating with the US for the purchase of the F-15EX multirole fighter jets.
MUI & Terrorism Issue
The hashtag #BubarkanMUI went viral on social media platform Twitter. Associated with the tags are twitter posts demanding the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) be dissolved following the arrest of its executive for an alleged involvement in financing a terrorist group. Some high-profile officials have responded to the said demand.
Amran Sulaiman, KPK’s Investigation & 2024 Race
The former Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman was questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday (Nov. 18) in relation to a nickel mining permit (IUP) graft case implicating the former Regent of North Konawe Aswad Sulaiman.00
Notes on Modernization of Weaponry System (6)
Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto has signed a contract on the purchase of two Airbus A400M multi-role military transport aircrafts. The contract reportedly stipulates a commitment to purchase four more A400M aircrafts in the future.
Kalla & the NU Chairmanship Race
The former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also a former chairman of the Golkar Party, has been mentioned as a potential candidate to run in the upcoming Muktamar (chairmanship congress) of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia....
Anies & the Terror Suspects
The National Police’s Densus 88 Counter-Terrorism Squad recently arrested three more key leaders of the terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).The said figures share a connection with the Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and the 212 movement, the anti-Ahok movement that...