Anti-Omnibus Law Rally & Media Coverage
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has signed the new Omnibus Law No. 11/2020 on Job Creation. The draft of the said law can be accessed on the official website of the State Secretariat (Setneg). The workers confederation KSPI led by Said Iqbal, meanwhile, plans to stage a two-day rally protesting the law starting Nov. 9, 2020, riding on the momentum of the commemoration of the National Heroes Day.
Sandiaga & PPP’s Chairmanship Congress (2)
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, a key leader of Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, is still under the spotlight after being mentioned as a potential candidate to become the next chairman of the United Development Party (PPP). Sandi, however, has not yet commented on the matter.
Luhut’s Retirement Plan
General (ret) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime & Investment Affairs, is widely believed to be the most powerful minister in the cabinet of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. Luhut, who is a former Commander of the Army’s Special Forces Kopassus, is also believed to be the most influential figure in the Golkar Party, the second largest political party in Indonesia. Recently, the General talked about his retirement plan in 2024. But will he really retire from business and politics?
PBSI Chairmanship: Sports & Politics (2)
Two candidates compete in the chairmanship congress of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) this week. The congress is worth highlighting because badminton is one of the most popular sports in the country alongside football, and sporting organizations are not just for sports. They have strategic value in business and politics.
Ganjar Leads the Poll (2)
Pollster Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO) found the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, who is also a politician from the ruling party PDIP, leading the poll of potential 2024 presidential candidates. Earlier, pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia (IPI) also found Ganjar leading its poll. In a stark contrast, the electability of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), the son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), remains insignificant.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Business & Politics (3)
We’ve talked about the Indonesian pharmaceutical giant Kalbe Farma (KLBF) and its political connection. Now, let’s talk about the other private companies that could be cooperating with the state pharmaceutical firm Bio Farma to produce vaccines for COVID-19 in Indonesia.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Business & Politics (2)
The Minister of Research & Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro, who is also the head of the National Team to Accelerate the Development of COVID-19 Vaccine, confirmed the news that the Government was cooperating with three private companies to produce the vaccines.
Prabowo’s Military Procurement Strategy & the 2024 Factor
Some observers have criticized the Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto’s plan to acquire 15 used Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the Austrian Air Force. Rather than acquiring used jets, they suggested Prabowo purchase new fighter jets instead. One wonders whether there’s a political motive behind the acquisition plan.
Sandiaga & PPP’s Chairmanship Congress
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, a key leader of Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, has been mentioned as a potential candidate to become the next chairman of the United Development Party (PPP). The PPP, a member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition, is one of the Islamic parties that are strongly affiliated with the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). PPP is expected to hold its chairmanship congress in Makassar, South Sulawesi this year in December 2020.
Kalla’s Latest Move
The former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also former chairman of Golkar Party, is on an overseas trip to the Vatican and Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, Kalla witnessed the signing of agreement on the development of the Prophet Muhammad SAW museum in Jakarta, Indonesia. The museum, as we all know, is the project of the Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.