Attack on Ahok
Andre Rosiade, a lawmaker of theGerindra Party, asks the President Commissioner of state oil and gas PT Pertamina (Persero) Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a.k.a Ahok to resign should President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo make the former Jakarta governor the new chief of the new capital city development authority body. Andre has been criticizing Ahok, and he’s not the only Gerindra politician to do so. Why is that?
Denny Indrayana and the South Kalimantan Gubernatorial Race
Five months have almost passed since Denny Indrayana, former Vice Minister of Law & Human Rights under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) administration, declared his gubernatorial bid on October 12, 2019. Poor Denny he has not yet secured an endorsement from any political party. Should Denny fail to get a ticket, the incumbent Governor of South Kalimantan Sahbirin Noor could become the sole candidate in the 2020 South Kalimantan gubernatorial election.
People on the Move
The House of Representatives (DPR) has on Thursday (Feb. 27) sworn in three new lawmakers to replace Yasonna H Laoly, Juliari P Batubara, and Johnny G Plate who were made ministers. The DPR also confirmed the appointment of I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi as the new commissioner of the General Election Commission (KPU) to replace Wahyu Setiawan, who has been named a graft suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Jokowi’s Second Term: Notes (6)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision not to push for the reduction of concession area of mining companies and the development of Freeport Indonesia’s smelter in Papua are among the worrying issues in his second term.
MK’s Verdict on 2024 Elections: Implications?
The Constitutional Court (MK) rejected the judicial review petition over the Election Law No. 7/2017 and the Regional Election Law No. 10/2016. So the MK maintains the simultaneous arrangement of the presidential election, the legislative election, and the regional elections. It’s a decision that will influence political dynamics ahead of the 2024 elections.
Early Warning for PDIP
The ruling party PDIP might be set for disappointment. Recent electability surveys found that none of their potential candidates for 2024 could match the electability of Prabowo Subianto. Questions on polling reliability aside, it would be wise for PDIP to take the aforementioned result as an early warning. They should start finding a better and more promising candidate to promote for 2024.
Cabinet Reshuffle Talks
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with social media influencers at the Bogor Presidential Palace. In the said meeting, the President addressed the complaints made on the performance of his cabinet. Some, including those present in the said meeting, believe that it was a signal from the President that changes to his cabinet is coming. The State Palace, however, quickly denied that speculation.
The 2020 Makassar Mayoral Race
The city election in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province, is one of the interesting regional elections to watch this year given the relatives of some big names in Indonesian business and politics are seeking to run in the race. They are Munafri Arifuddin a.k.a Appi, the nephew of former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and the son-in-law of Aksa Mahmud, and Irman Yasin Limpo a.k.a None, the youngest brother of Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo.
Jokowi’s KPK: Anti-Climax
Two months have passed since the new Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leadership began working. Their performance has been very disappointing. One of their notable failures is not being able to catch Harun Masiku, a PDIP lawmaker who suspected of bribery.
Hardliners on the Move (2)
The Islamic Defender Front (FPI), the National Movement to Safeguard Ulema Fatwas (GNPF-Ulama), and the 212 Alumni Brotherhood (PA 212) staged a rally on Friday Feb. 21, 2020, criticizing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration. The said three groups are led by Rizieq Shihab, who is still in a self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia.