The New Territorial Commanders
The Commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto officiated another round of job rotation. This time, it affects 49 high-ranking military officers, including three territorial commanders (Pangdams).
PDIP’s Signal for Bobby
The ruling party PDIP sent a signal that it may endorse Bobby Afif Nasution, the son-in-law of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, in the 2020 Medan city election. Its Head of Election Victory Body (Bappilu) Bambang Wuryanto a.k.a Bambang Pacul, as quoted by Tempo, said that he’s not surprised that Bobby could win the Medan city election because he believed that it was time for the youths and the millennial generation to lead.
Reading Prabowo’s Military Procurement Strategy
The Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto met with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I on Thursday (June 18) to discuss the allocation of defense & military budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Prabowo attended the meeting with the Commission I together with the Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto. After the meeting, Prabowo told journalists that all factions in the Commission I had agreed to strengthen the Indonesian military (TNI), but this year, the Government prioritized economic recovery and COVID-19 mitigation. He shared nothing more. Fortunately, Prabowo’s spokesperson Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak had more to say.
COVID-19 Pandemic & A Lesson from 1997-98 Crisis
Chaos is a ladder, and crisis is an opportunity for some. The 1997 financial crisis grew into a security and political crisis. It eventually led to the downfall of Soeharto and his New Order regime in 1998. It taught us many great lessons. We saw the rich becoming...
The Narratives Against Jokowi (2)
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has harshly criticized President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo once more. It accused Jokowi of being an authoritarian. Those who believe in check and balance would appreciate YLBHI’s criticism, but some may question its motive. The...
Amien on the Move
Amien Rais appears to be seriously pursuing his plan to part ways with the National Mandate Party (PAN) by establishing a new political party. He’s trying to collect the support of those in the Islamic political circle. He recently met with the leaders of the so-called Masyumi Reborn in his home in Yogyakarta. Amien also tried to get the support of the hardliners that are associated in the 212 alumni group.
Golkar’s Endorsement of Jokowi’s Sons
The Golkar Party confirmed that its decision to endorse the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Surakarta mayor candidate, and the President’s son-in-law Bobby Afif Nasution as Medan mayor candidate, was final. Golkar made such a statement even though the ruling party PDIP has not yet finalized its endorsement decision. Both Gibran and Bobby are members of PDIP.
The Dems & Its Internal Conflict
An internal conflict in the Democratic Party surfaced when its senior politician Subur Sembiring questioned the legality of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono’s (AHY) leadership in the Party. The Democratic Party dismissed Subur and even reported him to the Police for defamation. But such a conflict isn’t new in the Democratic Party.
Bobby’s Manoeuvre
Bobby Afif Nasution, the son-in-law of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, met with the Chairman of PAN Zulkifli Hasan. The meeting is crucial in the context of the political constellation in the 2020 Medan city election. Securing PAN’s endorsement is key for Bobby to lock his potential competitors out of the race.
The Koopsus Elite Counter-Terrorism Forces
The Commander of the Military (TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto recently inaugurated the headquarters of the TNI’s new elite force Koopsus. The Koopsus, a new name of the Koopsusgab, was established last year to execute President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s counter-terrorism agenda.