The Next Spokesperson for Jokowi (2)
Apart from the upcoming cabinet reshuffle, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will soon be looking for a new spokesperson. The current Presidential Spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman will become the new Indonesian ambassador for Kazakhstan-Tajikistan. He might start his new...
More on Budget Reform
The Coordinating Minister for Human Development & Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the vulnerabilities of Indonesia’s healthcare infrastructure. Muhadjir Effendy delivered the statement in an event held by Sinar Mas Group on Tuesday (Sept. 14). The COVID-19 pandemic, Muhadjir said, had served as a stress test, through which the Government could build the country’s infrastructure based on real case scenarios.
The Ruling Coalition’s Dynamics
The Deputy Chairman of PKB Jazilul Fawaid reminds PAN, the new member of the ruling coalition, not to push President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo toward reshuffling the cabinet. The deputy speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) said that PAN had just rejoined the ruling coalition and so should not be pushy. Jazilul made such a statement in an interview with Kompas on Tuesday (Sept. 14).
Jokowi’s Cabinet Season 2: From Fat to Obese
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo created a new portfolio: vice minister of National Development Planning (Wamen PPN). The move has triggered fresh speculation that he will change his cabinet line up in the very near future following the reinclusion of the National Mandate Party (PAN) into his ruling coalition.
Cabinet Reshuffle & the Importance of Background Check
The Chairman of National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan admitted that he had recommended Soetrisno Bachir to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo for a ministerial position. Zulkifli, who is also the deputy speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), said that...
A Controversy on the New BPK Member
Nyoman Adhi Suryadnyana has been elected as the new member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to replace Bahrullah Akbar, who will soon end his term. Nyoman’s election is controversial as he is still a state official under the Ministry of Finance. Watchdog groups see the election as a violation of the BPK Law No. 15/2006.
Moeldoko & Luhut vs the Watchdog Groups
The Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) General (retired) Moeldoko, through his lawyer, officially reported two researchers of the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (Bareskrim POLRI) on account of defamation. The ICW accused Moeldoko, who is also a former military commander (Panglima TNI), of having an affiliation with the Ivermectin producer PT Harsen Laboratories. Separately, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime & Investment General (retired) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is also in a dispute with another watchdog group.
The Delayed Muktamar of NU & Muhammadiyah
The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed major political events. Two of which are the Muktamar (chairmanship congress) of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the Muktamar of the Muhammadiyah, the first and second-largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, respectively.
More on the Cabinet Reshuffle Speculation
Some still wonder why President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo accepted the National Mandate Party (PAN)’s return to the ruling coalition. Speculations that a cabinet reshuffle would be done to accommodate PAN continue. Some would rather the President make a limited change instead of completely overhauling his cabinet.
Jokowi’s East Java Visit & the Emerging Generals
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was visiting East Java, the second largest province by population in Indonesia. The President was accompanied by, among others, two young generals, i.e., the Territorial Commander of the Brawijaya Regional Military Command (Pangdam...