Bukopin, Hoax Case & A Lesson from 1997-98 Crisis
The Cyber Crime Unit of the National Police (POLRI) arrested two individuals on Thursday (Jul 2) for spreading hoax and provoking the people towards taking their money out from three banks, including Bank Bukopin. The Police said the two suspects didn’t know each other and they intended to pull a prank.
Cabinet Reshuffle: Speculations (2)
Though the Minister of State Secretary Pratikno had told journalists that a cabinet reshuffle would not happen, some of the speculations concerning the possible shake-up are still worth noting. Among them concerns the fate of the National Mandate Party (PAN), the possible change of leadership change in the Indonesian Military (TNI), and the inclusion of the President’s political ally Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a.k.a Ahok.
Cabinet Reshuffle: Speculations (1)
Speculation continues over cabinet reshuffle. The speculation is no longer about whether President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will make changes into, but about who the President will dismiss and appoint. On that note, the Chairman of the Democratic Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), who is also the eldest son of Jokowi’s predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has been mentioned as a minister candidate.
Closing Down OJK?
Some national media outlets reported on the rumor that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was considering a presidential decree to close down the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and to return its authority in monitoring banking and other financial institutions to the central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI). The OJK responded to the said rumor calmly.
Kalla’s Latest Move (2)
Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also former chairman of Golkar Party, remains busy with two organizations—the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI)—seemingly related to the handling of COVID-19 outbreak. His nephew Erwin Aksa, meanwhile, met with the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is also the chairman of Gerindra Party. Erwin, who is also a deputy chairman of Golkar, said he didn’t discuss about politics with Prabowo but about economy and COVID-19. Really?
Gibran & Business Groups
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, is seeking to run for mayor in the election of his hometown Surakarta, Central Java, this year. He’s waiting for a ticket from the ruling party PDIP. But some still wonder why Gibran decided to enter politics. Gibran is known as an entrepreneur, and as an entrepreneur he has relations with some major business groups.
Cabinet Reshuffle Talks & the Opposition’s Maneuver
The opposition party PKS has challenged the President to dismiss underperforming ministers after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made public his disappointment in the performance of his cabinet. A political observer with known affiliation to PKS specifically challenged Jokowi to dismiss Airlangga Hartarto and Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
South Kalimantan Election: Business & Politics
The province of South Kalimantan may not be important in the context of national politics for there are only 2.86 million voters living there (1.52 percent from the 187.78 million voters in Indonesia). Nevertheless, South Kalimantan is a resource-rich province and home to the giant coal and palm oil producers. There are also local coal and palm oil players known for having an influential role in the province with a network in national politics. This is the reason why the South Kalimantan gubernatorial election this year is worth highlighting.
Cabinet Reshuffle Talks
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s anger at his ministers’ subpar performance and his statement about a cabinet reshuffle drew divisive responses from political parties, even those from the ruling coalition. Some support the idea of cabinet shake up, while others believe that it is too soon for the President to make changes.
PDIP v Erick Thohir?
Adian Napitupulu, a politician from the ruling party PDIP, has publicly criticized the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir’s appointment of state company leaders. The question is whether Adian’s criticism reflects PDIP’s disappointment, and whether...