Through the Grapevine: Military Commander Succession
On Oct. 4, 2021, we were invited by KontraS and the Director of Lokataru, Haris Azhar, to tune in on a presentation regarding the Wabu Block gold mine in Intan Jaya Papua. After Haris claimed that the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan had played a role in the gold mine project, the latter reported the former to the police. At the event, we had the opportunity to speak with two Indonesian Party of Struggle (PDIP) politicians, who refused to be named, on the Indonesian military (TNI) commander succession process. As the incumbent Commander of the TNI Hadi Tjahjanto will retire in November 2021, the President is expected to propose a nominee for the succession at the latest in early November.
Jokowi’s Vision of Military Defense System
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gave a speech at the celebration of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) 76th anniversary held at the State Palace Jakarta on Monday (Oct. 5). The President delivered his vision for transforming the country’s military defense system. Some see it as a hint as to who the President will nominate as Commander Hadi Tjahjanto’s successor.
The Rebirth of the Labor Party
Said Iqbal, the chairman of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Union (KSPI), has been elected as the new chairman of Partai Buruh (Labor Party). The Party was reestablished on Monday (Oct. 5). Can it participate and get significant votes in the 2024 elections? One wonders who are the financier(s) of the Party and who will the Party endorse in the 2024 race.
Andika Perkasa’s Future?
The Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa attended the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) 76th anniversary held at the State Palace Jakarta this morning (Oct. 5). But a day earlier, Andika did not accompany the Military Commander (Panglima TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto when the latter visited the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery (TMP) in South Jakarta as part of the commemoration of the TNI’s anniversary. One wonders why.
Jokowi, the Military Commander & the TNI’s Anniversary
Today, Oct. 5, the Indonesian Military (TNI) celebrates its 76th anniversary. It will be Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto’s last anniversary celebration as military commander.
General Moeldoko vs Major Agus (6)
Tension rose between the Democratic Party led by Major (ret) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) and the other Democratic Party led by General (ret) Moeldoko after the latter challenged the Party’s 2020 rules of association & internal bylaws (AD/ART) at the Supreme Court (MA). Some believe that the legal battle in the MA is crucial for determining the winner of the Democratic Party’s dispute.
Megawati & Ganjar
The Chairperson of the ruling party PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri said that she’s always monitoring the performance of all her cadres. Megawati, who is also the fifth President of the Republic, again reminded his cadres that a disciplinary sanction and dismissal awaits those who underperform and violate the Party’s directive.
A Wild Rumor on Cabinet Reshuffle
The rumor of cabinet reshuffle went wild with some major national media outlets reporting that the chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Police General (retired) Budi Gunawan might replace Mohammad Mahfud MD as the new coordinating minister for politics, law & security affairs. The said report, moreover, said that the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa might take over from Budi Gunawan to become the new chief of BIN.
Mahfud vs Yusril
The Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law & Security Affairs Mohammad Mahfud MD has been involved in a public quarrel with senior lawyer and law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra regarding a leadership dispute in the Democratic Party. Yusril is the lawyer of the Democratic Party led by the Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) General (retired) Moeldoko in the said dispute against the other Democratic Party led by Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).
The New Capital (5)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has finally sent a Presidential Letter (Surpres) together with the Omnibus Bill on the New Capital City of Indonesia to the House of Representatives (DPR). The move was delayed for five months from the initial schedule. The said Bill is important for President Jokowi’s plan to move the capital city from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. Will the DPR accelerate the deliberation of the Bill as per the President’s request? Another important question is, who will Jokowi choose to lead the new capital city development authority?