Military Procurement: Sukhoi
Compared to the purchase of the other military weapons and equipment, the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets is more complex due to geopolitical reasons. The United States (US) has reportedly not allowed Indonesia to complete the purchase of Sukhoi jets from Russia.
Attack on Ahok (2)
The hardliners continue to criticize the former Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a.k.a Ahok, who is now president commissioner of state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero). Recently, a number of hardliners called the Mujahid 212 rejected President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s plan to make Ahok the chief/minister of the new capital city development authority. They also ask for Ahok’s dismissal from his position at Pertamina.
Airlangga’s Latest Meetings
Last night (March 5), the Chairman of Golkar Party Airlangga Hartarto met with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who is now the chairman of the Democratic Party. They discussed Omnibus Laws and the 2020 simultaneous regional elections. A week earlier, Airlangga had met with the Chairman of PKS Sohibul Iman to discuss the same two issues. Both the Democratic Party and PKS are outside of the ruling coalition.
The Military Procurement: Submarine
The continuation of the submarine project with South Korea is still in question. The Ministry of Defense is currently evaluating the project following the disappointment of the performance of the Chang Bogo-Class submarines produced with South Korea. Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, moreover, prefers a partnership with the original source of the submarine technology—Germany or France—rather than with South Korea.
Jakarta Vice Governorship Race
The city legislative council (DPRD) of Jakarta finally decided to hold the election of a new vice governor on March 23, 2020. Nurmansjah Lubis, the nominee from the opposition party PKS, will compete with Ahmad Riza Patria, the nominee from their former ally Gerindra Party, in this election. Let’s talk about the current political constellation in the race.
Coronavirus Outbreak & Cabinet Reshuffle Talks
Two days ago, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced that two Indonesians have tested positive for coronavirus. This happened in the midst of talks of cabinet reshuffle. If an outbreak spreads nationwide, there could be political implications as some vested interests may use it to push the President into changing his cabinet, targeting the ministers whose portfolios are related to the management of the epidemic.
Police Job Rotation & Consolidation of Power
General Idham Azis officiated the fourth round of job rotation ever since his inauguration as the Chief of the National Police (Kapolri). Though the scale of this latest rotation isn’t as large as the three previous ones, we can still say that it’s a part of his consolidation of power. The officers getting promoted are those known for being close to and/or once worked for him.
The New Capital City Development Authority
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo confirmed that the former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a.k.a Ahok, who is now president commissioner of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero), is one of the four potential candidates to become chief of the new capital city development authority. Who are the other three potential candidates?
Testing Gibran’s Loyalty
Today, March 3, the ruling party PDIP is expected to announce its choice of regional head candidates who will compete in the 2020 simultaneous regional elections, including who will become the mayoral candidate for Surakarta.
Ahok to Lead New Capital City Development?
A rumor came to surface recently about President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo possibly making the former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a.k.a Ahok the chief of the new capital city development authority. Some are worried that it would put Ahok at the heart of another political tension considering the opposition’s rejection of the President’s plan to move the capital city to East Kalimantan. Some also fear that the appointment would force Ahok to resign from his position at the state oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero).