Dems & Student Movement Rumor
The Democratic Party, a political party led by former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), denied the rumor saying that it was behind the student movement criticizing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. The rumor and denial aside, the question is whether or not said student movement will grow bigger into something that seriously threatens Jokowi’s position.
Jokowi’s Generals & Vaccination
The Military Commander (Panglima TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and the Police Chief (Kapolri) General Listyo Sigit Prabowo have been very busy helping President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination across the country. One can understand why Jokowi relies on both generals as the Military and Police (TNI/POLRI) have extensive infrastructure that can reach down to the villages.
Accelerating Vaccination (2)
Polling agency Median found that most of the ex-supporters of Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno in the 2019 presidential election do not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This finding is similar to the findings of the Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting (SMRC) and Indikator Politik Indonesia (IPI) released previously. It is important for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration to seriously take this into account.
Another Challenging Time for Jokowi
Today is no doubt another challenging time for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo given the alarming COVID-19 situation in Indonesia. Taking the situation as momentum, his critics put more pressure on the President through some hashtags that trended on social media platform Twitter on Wednesday (July 7).
The Next Military Commander: Scenarios
The succession of the Military Commander (Panglima TNI) is already on the horizon with Commander Hadi Tjahjanto to enter his retirement age in November 2021. Military observer Andi Widjajanto, who is also a former Cabinet Secretary in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s first term, talked about four interesting approaches that the President may consider in choosing the next Military Commander.
Accelerating Vaccination
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo continues to push for an accelerated vaccination timetable. The new target is 5 million doses of vaccines administered per day. Minister of Health Budi Gunawan Sadikin relayed the President’s directive in a press briefing yesterday. It’s...
Putin’s Upcoming Visit to Indonesia
The President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo administration and the Russian Government continue to discuss the upcoming visit of President Vladimir Putin to Indonesia. Putin’s visit is important given that Indonesia and Russia have agreed to produce COVID-19 vaccine together....
The Generals that might Emerge in the Near Future
The Commander of the Indonesian Military (Panglima TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto will enter his retirement age on Nov. 8, 2021. With the succession of the Military Commander already on the horizon, it’s important to not only look at the four-star generals leading the three military branches but also to monitor the three-star generals that might emerge from the upcoming succession.
Military Procurement: Prabowo’s Lobby to US
The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto reportedly tried to lobby the United States (US) Government by hiring the Ott, Bielitzki & O’Neill PLLC law firm as legal consultant and to help him set up meetings with US officials.
Military Procurement: Prabowo’s Visit to Germany
After visiting France, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto visited Germany to discuss the cooperation between two countries in the defense sector. Based on the official statement of the Defense Ministry released on July 1, Prabowo met Germany’s Vice Minister of Defense Thomas Silberhorn, who is also the State Secretary of Germany’s Parliament. Prabowo was accompanied by his special staffer, the Indonesian Ambassador for Germany Arif Havas Oegroseno, and Indonesia’s Defense Attaché in Berlin Colonel Rio Hendrawan Alin Putra. Sugiono, a lawmaker from Prabowo’s Gerindra Party at the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I, also accompanied Prabowo. Sugiono is one of Prabowo’s trusted aides.