PDIP & the Riau Islands Gubernatorial Race
The Riau Islands province—home to the country’s shipyards, offshore support services, electronics and ICT industry—will participate in the 2020 simultaneous regional elections. PDIP is the largest political party in the province. It initially wanted to pair up its two cadres, Soerya Respationo (former Riau Islands vice governor) and Isdianto (now the incumbent governor of Riau Islands), but the two figures decided to part ways because both desire the governor nomination.
The New Normal (4)
The PP Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, questions the Government’s plan to implement a new normal policy considering the continued prevalence of COVID-19. The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), meanwhile, criticized the Government’s plan to deploy Military & Police (TNI/POLRI) personnels to guard the implementation of the new normal.
PAN & Its Internal Conflict
The Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan asked his partymen to end the conflict in the Party. The problem is that Amien Rais, the Party’s founder, and his loyalists are preparing to separate themselves and to establish a new political party.
Military Job Rotation
The Commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto instituted another round of job rotation affecting 78 high-ranking military officers with the issuance of Military Commander Letter No. Kep/447/V/2020 dated May 26, 2020.
The Regional Elections & the New Normal
The Government has decided to hold the simultaneous regional elections on December 9, 2020. But some still oppose the decision. They suggest the regional elections to be postponed until 2021 considering the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
Power Struggle in TVRI (2)
The Supervisory Board of the state television broadcaster TVRI has chosen Iman Brotoseno as the new president director of TVRI to replace Helmy Yahya. Iman, who is known for his relationship with the ruling party PDIP, the Golkar Party, and some political figures in the country, is expected to take the oath today (May 27). Some of the company’s employees—those associated in the so-called Committee for Saving TVRI—oppose Iman’s appointment. The House of Representatives (DPR) also rejected the appointment.
The New Normal (3)
The Government decides to implement a new normal policy starting with 4 provinces and 25 regencies/municipalities. The policy is aimed to prepare the people toward adapting with COVID-19 in favor of gradually reopening the economy. Yesterday (May 26), President Joko “Jokowi’ Widodo inspected the preparation in Bekasi, West Java.
The New Normal (2)
The Government continues to work towards easing the large-scale social restrictions in favor of reopening the economy. The Minister of Health Lt. Gen. (ret) dr. Terawan Agus Putranto recently issued a health minister decision No.HK.01.07/MENKES/328/2020 noting the guidelines for preventing and controlling COVID-19 at the office and industrial places.
The Next Military Commander: Speculations?
Speculation continues over who President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo would make commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI). Some said that the President might appoint Admiral Yudo Margono, who has just been made Navy chief of staff (KSAL), while others believe that the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa would become Commander Hadi Tjahjanto’s successor.
The Next Police Chief: Speculations?
The Chief of the National Police (Kapolri) General Idham Azis will enter mandatory retirement age in January 2021. A succession process will have to begin at the end of this year—perhaps, in October or November 2020, should President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo decide not to extend Idham’s term for another year. Talks and speculations have started.