The Military Vice Commander
Some question the urgency of the appointment of the Military Vice Commander (Wakil Panglima TNI) following the statement from the Expert Staffer of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin. Ali, who is also a politician from the Golkar Party, said that we might see a new Military Vice Commander this week.
The Latest Military Job Rotation: Key Appointments
Apart from the son of former Vice President Try Soetrisno, Brig. Gen. Kunto Arief Wibowo, becoming the new commander of the Army’s Strategic Reserve Command’s 3rd Infantry Division (Pangdivif 3 Kostrad), it’s also important to note the other generals affected by the latest military job rotation. Some have been made new territorial commanders, provincial intelligence chief, and the junior attorney for military crimes (Jampidmil) at the Attorney General Office (AGO).
Military Commander Succession: Scenarios?
The Military Commander (Panglima TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto instituted another round of job rotation. It affected 104 high-ranking officers, including Brig. Gen. Kunto Arief Wibowo, who is the youngest son of former Vice President Try Soetrisno (also a former Military Commander). Kunto, who graduated from the Military Academy (Akmil) in 1992, is the new commander of the Army’s Strategic Reserve Command’s 3rd Infantry Division (Pangdivif 3 Kostrad). Some believe it is a part of the scenario ahead of the upcoming succession of the Military Commander.
Kalla-Paloh Axis & Anies’ 2024 Bid
The Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan recently attended a virtual gathering of the Acehnese people and the Acehnese diaspora along with former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and media mogul Surya Paloh, who is also the chairman of the Nasdem Party. Earlier, the Governor attended the Regional Coordination Meeting (Rakorwil) of the Nasdem Party. There he gave a speech in front of the Party’s leaders in Jakarta. Some believe an axis between Paloh, Kalla, and Anies for the 2024 presidential election is in the making.
There’s Still Hope in Megawati
Unlike the East Java provincial chapter (DPD) of the ruling party PDIP that publicly announced its endorsement for Puan Maharani to run in the 2024 presidential race, the Party’s Yogyakarta chapter chose not to nominate anyone. The PDIP Yogyakarta said that it would leave the decision to Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Andika Perkasa & US Ties
Effendi Simbolon, a lawmaker from the ruling party PDIP and one of the supporters of the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa, mentioned why he believes Andika Perkasa is fit to become the next Military Commander (Panglima TNI). One of Andika’s strong points, according to Effendi, is his experience and knowledge, including his eight-year education in the United States (US).
Puan’s Maneuver (2)
The PDIP’s East Java provincial chapter (DPD) endorses Puan Maharani’s 2024 presidential bid. PDIP’s East Java provincial chapter stated that they would recommend Puan’s nomination in the upcoming PDIP’s National Working Meeting (Rakernas) in August 2021.
JokPro 2024 & Third-Term Speculation
The controversial debate over extending the Presidential term through the amendment of the 1945 Constitution in favor of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo continues. In a related development, the so-called Komunitas Jokowi-Prabowo 2024 or the Jokpro 2024 Community, a volunteer group to support the pairing of Jokowi and Prabowo in the 2024 presidential race, has been established.
KADIN Chairmanship Race Postponed Again?
The Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) will hold its chairmanship congress (Munas) on June 30 in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. But given the rise of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, one wonders whether or not the chairmanship race would be postponed once more.
Military Commander Succession: A Plot Twist?
The speculations on who will become the next Military Commander (Panglima TNI) to replace Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto continue. Some lawmakers in the House of Representatives (DPR) endorse the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa, while others support the Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Yudo Margono. Will there be a plot twist?