In its latest survey, the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) found most of its respondents rejecting the idea of extending the President’s term of office. The respondents want the President’s term to remain limited to only two periods at maximum. The President himself has made it clear that he does not desire a third term. So why do we still hear speculations surrounding a third term for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo?

The Ministry of Defense has reportedly signed an early contract with Dassault Aviation, an aircraft manufacturer from France, for the purchase of 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets. The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is known for his special ties to France, is planning to strengthen the country’s primary weapons system (Alutsista) by, among others, purchasing fighter jets from France.

Pollster LSI Denny JA has released the result of its latest electability survey, in which Prabowo Subianto is shown leading the poll. LSI, however, found that no potential presidential candidate, including Prabowo, can reach above 25 percent electability. Potential presidential candidates aside, the Pollster believes that three party chairmen from the three largest political parties would become the kingmakers in the 2024 presidential election and determine who will compete in the race.

The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) confirms that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has not yet submitted the Presidential Letter (Surpres) containing the draft of the Omnibus Bill on the New Capital to the House of Representatives (DPR). The President had planned to submit the said Surpres last month after asking the DPR to accelerate the deliberation of the New Capital Bill.

The former Chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Lt. Gen. (ret) Sutiyoso officially joined the Nasdem Party, a political party led by media mogul Surya Paloh. In the regions, meanwhile, Nasdem also continued to aggressively hijack local figures and regional leaders from the other political parties.

The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is also the chairman of Gerindra Party, explained his plan to modernize the country’s primary weapons system (Alutsista). He touched on several key points, including the fantastic defense budget worth Rp1.7 quadrillion. That said, some questions are left unanswered, particularly related to the involvement of his guys in a company named PT Teknologi Militer Indonesia (TMI).

The Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani, who is also the daughter of the PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, has been busy visiting the regions considered home to PDIP supporters. Many believe that Puan is trying to consolidate PDIP’s internal support and increase her electability ahead of the 2024 race. But can she boost her electability?

The former Chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General (ret) AM Hendropriyono denied the report that he had tried to lobby President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo related to the upcoming succession of the Military Commander (Panglima TNI). Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto will enter his mandatory retirement in November 2021. Hendropriyono’s son-in-law General Andika Perkasa, who is now the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa, is one of the strongest candidates to become Hadi’s successor.