Jokowi’s Second Term: Notes (4)
Another worrying issue to note from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term is the performance of his cabinet. We expected Jokowi to speed up the completion of his projects and the implementation of his programs/policies in his second term, but things have gone slow instead. Jokowi’s decision to allow his ministers to retain party positions is among the factors that have slowed the administration down.
Jiwasraya-Asabri Robbing Cases: A Blame Game
Former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who is also the chairman of Democratic Party, responded to the corruption case involving the state-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero). He reacted to those who blamed his administration for the said corruption case. SBY also responded to the case involving the Military/Police insurance firm Asabri.
Joke of the Year
The Mayor of Bengkulu Helmi Hasan, who is also the younger brother of the PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan, gave the Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan a few tips on how to manage traffic jams in the capital city. Helmi, who is also the chairman of PAN’s Bengkulu provincial chapter, told Anies to build more mosques in strategic places and to provide some facilities (such as free food, drinks, resting room, showers, and laundry) to the visitors to stay longer in the said mosques. That way, Helmi said, the traffic jams in Jakarta could be ended. Anies reportedly responded positively to Helmi’s idea.
Anies’ Attitude Problem (2)
The State Palace asks the Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan to work together between the Central Government in handling floods in the capital city. The remarks came from the Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono in response to Anies’ worrying statement.
PDIP’s Case & the Ruling Coalition’s Dynamics
In politics, a misery for some is an opportunity for the others. The recent bribery case implicating the General Election Commission (KPU) Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan and PDIP lawmaker candidate Harun Masiku is case in point.
Jokowi-Prabowo’s Plan to Modernize Alutsista
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stood up for Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is also the chairman of Gerindra Party, after the latter was criticized for traveling abroad frequently. Prabowo visited several foreign countries to look into military equipment for purchase in an effort to modernize Indonesia’s primary weapons system (Alutsista). The President, however, reminded Prabowo to crack down on mark-ups. The President also said there’d be a limited cabinet meeting next week to discuss the matter.
Jokowi-Prabowo on Developing the Defense Industry
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reminded the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto of the importance of developing the country’s defense industry. The President wanted the focus on making Indonesia a capable defense equipment exporter, and thus reliant on imported weapons system (alutsista).
People on the Move
On Wednesday (Jan. 22) the House of Representatives (DPR) sworn in two new lawmakers, one from the Golkar Party and another from the Gerindra Party. The said two new lawmakers replace Zainuddin Amali and Edhy Prabowo who was made ministers. In the meantime, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) appointed new leaders at some state companies, including the appointment of Yenny Wahid, the daughter of the late President Abdurrahman Wahid a.k.a Gus Dur as independent commissioner of state flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk (GIAA).
Anies & Five Years of Wasted Opportunity (2)
The Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan has been continuously criticized over his priorities. Rather than pushing for infrastructure development to address flood and traffic jams issues, the governor has focused on building sidewalks, renovating pedestrian bridges (JPOs), and renovating his official residence. Recently, Anies chose to revitalize the area of the National Monument (Monas), which many do not believe is urgent and necessary.
Finding Anies’s Successor (3)
The popular Mayor of Surabaya Tri Rismaharini, who is also a PDIP politician, is one of the figures that the ruling party PDIP might consider to nominate as a challenger of Governor Anies Baswedan in the Jakarta’s 2022 gubernatorial election. Risma’s success in addressing flooding in Surabaya, which is the capital of East Java province, could be one of the things that PDIP can sell.