The Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, who is also a politician from the ruling party PDIP, leads in the poll released by Indikator Politik Indonesia (IPI). Ganjar is surely one to watch ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

On Thursday (Oct. 22), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the sugar factory of PT Prima Alam Gemilang, a subsidiary of Jhonlin Group, in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi province. Jhonlin Group, one of the largest coal miner and traders in Kalimantan, is owned by Haji Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, popularly known as Haji Isam. Haji Isam is a coal businessman from Batu Licin, South Kalimantan province, who is known as one of the key financiers in Indonesian politics.

The Commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto instituted another round of job rotation affecting 47 high-ranking military officers, including the Chief of the TNI’s Intelligence Body (Kabais) and territorial commander (Pangdam). Some believe that the rotation is related to the security concern following the riots that followed the passage of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Cipta Kerja).

Rallies protesting the new Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Cipta Kerja) continue to be held all over Indonesia, mostly in Java. Some groups plan to stage a big rally on Oct. 28, riding on the momentum of the commemoration of the Hari Sumpah Pemuda (Youth Pledge Day). Let’s talk about media coverage on the rallies.

Oct. 20, 2020 marked one year of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term. Some used the momentum to push the President towards changing his cabinet. But we doubt that a reshuffle will happen this year.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) will elect a new chairman to replace Vice President Ma’ruf Amin in its upcoming congress (Munas) to be held on Nov. 25, 2020. VP Ma’ruf Amin could play a significant role in who would be elected as his successor.

The riots that broke in the capital city following the protests against the new Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Cipta Kerja) put the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on high alert. The Government is anticipating a possible riot today (Oct. 20) with some groups planning to stage another rally. Today is special given that it marks one year of Jokowi’s second term. But for those wanting to strengthen their bargaining position vis-à-vis the President, the situation today could serve as a momentum in light of the talks of an upcoming cabinet reshuffle.

Today, Oct. 20, marks one year of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term. The President is facing a rough start because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the riots following the passage of the new Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Cipta Kerja). Even before the pandemic, Jokowi was already facing difficulties with the riots that broke after the general elections, and the riots that broke in Papua. There were also forest fires spreading in Kalimantan and Sumatera, and then there was the controversy surrounding the revision of the KPK Law and the election of its new commissioners.