Ahok vs Erick Thohir and Pertamina Directors
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) is back on the limelight. The President Commissioner of PT Pertamina has openly spoken of the problems inside the state-owned Oil & Gas giant. He particularly noted problematic directorial job appointments and matters concerning salary. Ahok also talked about foreign oil & gas blocks acquisition.
Luhut & His Critics
The Coordinating Minister for Maritime & Investment Affairs General (ret) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has begun to closely supervise the mitigation work in eight provinces, including in the capital city Jakarta. Luhut’s critics have also immediately criticized him.
Political Lies & the Makassar Election
The political dynamics is heating up in the 2020 city election of Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province. Recently, the campaign team of Munafri Arifuddin (Appi)-Abdul Rahman Bando led by Erwin Aksa, the eldest son of businessman Aksa Mahmud and the nephew of former VP Jusuf Kalla, ran into conflict with political consultant Polmark Indonesia led by Eep Saefulloh Fatah. At the heart of the dispute is the result of Polmark’s electability survey pointing to Appi-Rahman on the lead. Eep and his Polmark, however, denied that the said electability survey was theirs.
Political Dynasty & the Surakarta Election
The city election of Surakarta, Central Java, is important to watch because one of its participants is the President’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Gibran is still waiting for the official announcement of the local election commission (KPUD) on whether he would compete against an independent candidate or an undesignated blank ballot box. The independent candidate Bagyo Wahyono and his running mate FX Supardjo still have to complete the dossier required by the KPUD, and the deadline is today (Sep. 16).
Jokowi & Terawan (3)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has specifically asked the Minister of Health Lt. Gen. (ret) Dr. dr. Terawan Agus Putranto to address security protocol issues in hospitals. This is the second time Jokowi has given Terawan a specific task in the last two cabinet meetings. Some wonder whether it is another sign that Jokowi is losing faith in Terawan.
Jokowi on Jakarta’s Restrictions
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo sent a strong message to regional heads after the unilateral decision of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to reinstate the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the capital city. Jokowi’s disappointment is apparent. It also highlights the challenge of mitigating a pandemic in a democratic country that implements regional autonomy like Indonesia.
A New Mission for Luhut
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the Coordinating Minister for Maritime & Investment Affairs General (ret) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, in his capacity as the deputy head of the Committee for COVID-19 Mitigation and Economic Recovery, to closely supervise the mitigation work in 8 provinces, including in the capital city Jakarta.
A Discipline Problem
Jakarta is back with its large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) imposed. It’s a decision Governor Anies Baswedan has made instead of addressing the lack of discipline in following health protocols. Indeed, regional administrations lacking supervision in controlling the pandemic has not been discussed enough.
Amien’s New Political Party (3)
The key leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN) are questioning Amien Rais’ motive for reportedly planning to name his new party PAN Reformasi. They accuse Amien of trying to gain electoral benefit from the said name.
Jakarta’s Restrictions & Politics
The former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also former chairman of Golkar Party, supports Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s decision to reinstate the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the capital city starting today (Sep. 14). Kalla’s support is hardly surprising. He’s been a supporter of Anies since Jakarta’s 2017 gubernatorial election. Kalla is widely believed to be Anies’ political mentor and patron. It’s also not a secret that Kalla is grooming Anies for the 2024 race.