Luhut vs Watchdog Groups
The Coordinating Minister for Maritime & Investment Affairs General (ret) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan reported two activists from two watchdog groups to the Police on account of defamation. Luhut is the second member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet that have resorted to such a measure after the Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) General (ret) Moeldoko.
Azis Syamsuddin & Case Brokering Scandal: Implications?
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Azis Syamsuddin, who is also the deputy chairman of Golkar Party, has been implicated in a case brokering scandal investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission. The biggest question now is: what kind of political implications would follow if Azis were named a suspect?
Anies’ Wasteful Spending & the Urgency of Budget Reform
The Corruption Eradication Commission questioned Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan for five hours on Tuesday (Sept. 21) in relation to the allegations of corruption in the purchase of land in Munjul, Pondok Ranggon, Cipayung, East Jakarta. The land purchase is reportedly related to the Zero Rupiah Down-Payment housing project, the flagship project of the Governor. The said housing project is not the only controversial project under Anies’ administration, many of the Governor’s projects are considered wasteful.
Another Mission for Luhut
After successfully curbing the Delta variant outbreak, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime & Investment General (ret) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has been given a new assignment. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has made Luhut the leader of the Made in Indonesia Campaign (Tim Gernas BBI), a movement designed to advance local micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) and instill pride in locally made products.
KPK Examines Anies
Today, Sept. 21, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is scheduled to question the Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan in relation to the allegations of corruption in the purchase of land in Munjul, Pondok Ranggon, Cipayung, East Jakarta. The said land acquisition is reportedly related to the Zero Rupiah Down-Payment housing program, the flagship program of the Governor.
PDIP on Third Term Speculation & 2024 Race
The ruling party PDIP said that it would reject any attempt to either change the length of the presidential term to three periods or extend President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s term. PDIP also said that reviving the State Policy Guidelines (PPHN, a new name of the GBHN), was necessary to ensure the continuity of the development started by President Jokowi.
The Next Military Commander: A Hint?
National media outlets have highlighted the moment Vice President (VP) Ma’ruf Amin referred to the Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono as military commander (Panglima TNI). Though the VP’s Spokesperson has since said that it was just a slip of tongue, some believe the incident is a hint on who might be the next Military Commander.
PDIP & the Next Military Commander
Maj. Gen. (ret) Tubagus (TB) Hasanuddin, a lawmaker from the ruling party PDIP at the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I, made an interesting statement regarding the next military commander (Panglima TNI) to replace Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto. Hasanuddin, who is one of PDIP’s key leaders in West Java, said that in light of the 2024 political year, a rising star could be an alternative option as a military commander nominee.
Military Job Rotation
Military Commander (Panglima TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto instituted another major job rotation affecting 150 high-ranking military officials with the issuance of the Military Commander’s Decision Letter No. Kep/816/IX/2021 that signed on Sept. 13, 2021. ...
General Moeldoko vs Major Agus (5)
Today (Sept. 16), the Administrative Court (PTUN) of Jakarta holds another trial of the dispute between the Democratic Party led by Major (ret) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) and the other Democratic Party led by General (ret) Moeldoko. Moeldoko’s faction, as we all know, is asking the Court to cancel the Law & Human Rights Ministry’s decision that recognizes AHY’s leadership in favor of legalizing Moeldoko’s leadership of the Democratic Party.