Anies & Rizieq Shihab
The Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan met with Rizieq Shihab, who has just returned from his self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia, at the latter’s residence in Petamburan, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta last night (Nov. 10). There, he met with Rizieq and the Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Tengku Zulkarnain.
Bambang Sunarwibowo & the Police Chief Race
One more three-star police general has been mentioned as a potential candidate to become the next Chief of the National Police (Kapolri) to replace General Idham Azis. The said three-star police general is Comr. Gen. Bambang Sunarwibowo, who currently serves as the General Secretary of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
Polling War Comes to Soon
The Populi Center released the result of its electability survey over potential 2024 presidential candidates. Populi found the Chairman of Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto, who is now Minister of Defense, leading the poll. It looks like the polling war has come too soon.
Sandiaga & PPP’s Chairmanship Congress (3)
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno finally responded to the news mentioning him as a potential candidate to become the next chairman of the United Development Party (PPP). Sandi, who is a key leader of Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, indicated that it was a possibility by revealing the connection of his family to the Party.
The Rebirth of Masyumi & Gatot’s KAMI
The leaders of the so-called Coalition to Save Indonesia (KAMI), an opposition group led by former Military (TNI) Commander General (ret) Gatot Nurmantyo, declared the rebirth of the Masyumi Party. One wonders whether this new political party is prepared as a political vehicle for Gatot. or whoever the Group would later nominate for the 2024 presidential race.
Kalla, Anies & Rizieq Shihab
Rizieq Shihab, the supreme leader of the hardline Muslim group FPI and PA212, announced that he’d return to Indonesia on Nov. 10, after three years of self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia. Coincidentally, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla visited Saudi two weeks ago to follow up on the agreement to develop the Prophet Muhammad SAW museum, which is one of Governor Anies Baswedan’s projects in Jakarta. Some wonder whether the two events were connected.
More Pressure Mounted on the Attorney General
The State Administrative Court (PTUN) of Jakarta granted a lawsuit filed by the families of the victims of the Semanggi tragedies against Attorney General (AG) Sanitiar Burhanuddin. The Court concluded that the AG’s statement related to the Semanggi tragedies was against the law. The Court ordered the AG to immediately make a statement related to the Semanggi tragedies explaining the real situation in the next work meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III. The Court’s ruling was published on Wednesday (Nov. 4) on the official website of the Supreme Court (MA).
The Return of Rizieq Shihab
Rizieq Shihab, the supreme leader of the hardline Muslim group FPI and PA212, has announced his return to Indonesia after three years of self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia. Rizieq, in his announcement on FPI Youtube channel Front TV, said he would arrive in Indonesia on Nov. 10.
Jokowi Surprises Gatot Again
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is scheduled to hand out honorary awards to the historical figures and some prominent figures as part of the commemoration of the National Heroes Day next week. Among the figures to be awarded is former Military (TNI) Commander General (ret) Gatot Nurmantyo, who is now the presidium chairman of a new opposition group the so-called Coalition to Save Indonesia (KAMI).
Military Procurement: the US Factor
The Indonesian Ambassador for the United States (US) Muhammad Lutfi gave some insights about the meeting between Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto and top US officials in the Pentagon three weeks ago. All clues point to the Government purchasing the 4.5 generation F-16 Block 72 Viper, the newest and most advanced F-16 fighter jet. Some, however, believe that the move to purchase F-16 Block 72 Viper could become a bargaining chip for the Government to complete the deals with Russia on the purchase of the 4.5 generation Sukhoi Su-35 fighters.