Yasonna & Cabinet Reshuffle
The Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly is another minister who has been sitting in the hot seat. Yasonna, however, has been criticized for years. He has a list of controversies beyond his handling of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indonesian correction facilities. And yet, despite the continuous pressure, the PDIP politician remains in his position. He seems untouchable, but why?
The Ruling Coalition & Cabinet Reshuffle
The members of the ruling coalition also responded to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second show of disappointment in the performance of his cabinet. This time, they respond in a defensive manner. PKB, for example, argued that the restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic had made it difficult for the ministers to meet the President’s budget spending target. It’s perhaps a sign that PKB knows its ministers are among those believed to be underperformers.
The Opposition & Cabinet Reshuffle
The opposition parties appear a lot more eager to push President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo toward changing his cabinet than the ruling coalition. Mardani Ali Sera, a politician from the opposition party PKS, responded to Jokowi’s show of disappointment in the performance of the cabinet. As quoted by Kompas on Tuesday (Aug. 4), Mardani reminded Jokowi that the President has the prerogative to change the cabinet. So, he wondered why Jokowi complained instead of changing his team. “Is the President afraid?” He asked.
Gibran & Bobby
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, and his brother-in-law Bobby Afif Nasution remain under the spotlight with the 2020 simultaneous regional elections already on the horizon. In Surakarta (Central Java), Gibran may compete with an independent candidate, or an undesignated blank ballot box. Bobby, on the other hand, will face a tougher election against the incumbent candidate in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatera. It’s inevitable that both Gibran and Bobby would have to deal with negative issues such as political dynasty. The question is whether this issue will hurt them and cost them the election.
Jokowi & Cabinet Reshuffle
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has once again expressed his disappointment in the performance of his cabinet members. Jokowi particularly noted his ministers’ poor planning and spending of budget for the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the State Palace and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin dismissed the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle, the President’s disappointment says it is still possible.
The Job Creation Omnibus Bill: A Political Battle
The KSPI, a confederation of workers unions led by Said Iqbal, continues to protest the Omnibus Bill on Job Creation (Cipta Kerja). But despite the protest of workers unions and pleas from civil society for suspension, the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Government continue with the deliberation of the said bill.
Denny Indrayana & South Kalimantan Election (3)
Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party has endorsed Denny Indrayana in South Kalimantan’s 2020 gubernatorial election. The former Vice Minister of Law & Human Rights under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)’s administration will challenge the incumbent Governor Sahbirin Noor, who has been backed by the largest political party in the province the Golkar Party.
Kalla’s Latest Move (4)
Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also a former chairman of Golkar Party, remains busy with activities related to the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is, after all, the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI). He has given speeches in several virtual discussions in the last few weeks. Meanwhile, Kalla’s nephew Erwin Aksa stated that the Bosowa Group would sue the Financial Services Authority (OJK) over the acquisition of Bank Bukopin (BBKP) by Kookmin Bank (South Korea).
Nadiem & Cabinet Reshuffle
Minister of Education Nadiem Makarim has been sitting on a hot seat for months. Many desire his position, while others seek his dismissal. The two largest Muslim organizations in the country, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the Muhammadiyah, lately criticized Nadiem’s teacher training grant program known as the Program Organisasi Penggerak (POP). PAN, a political party affiliated to the Muhammadiyah, even called for Nadiem’s dismissal.
The Democratic Party-PKS Axis (2)
The Chairman of Democratic Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), who is also the eldest son of the sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), continues his political tour. This week he visited two former members of his father’s ruling coalition: PKS and PAN. One of PKS’ leaders expressed his wish to maintain the Party’s alliance with the Democratic Party as the opposition group and for the 2024 presidential race.