Jokoways & His Fat Coalition
Soon after returning from his visit abroad, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gathered all the leaders of the political parties in his ruling coalition in a meeting at the State Palace, on Tuesday (Jan. 14). The President discussed the Omnibus Law, the bill for the new capital city, and the recent political dynamics related to the investigation into Military/Police insurance firm Asabri and fellow state insurance firm Jiwasraya.
Regional Elections to Watch: South Kalimantan
The resource-rich province of South Kalimantan is home to major coal and palm oil producers in Indonesia. The province is also home to Golkar supporters. The incumbent Governor Sahbirin Noor is seeking reelection. Denny Indrayana, who is a former deputy minister of law & human rights under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and a lawyer for Prabowo Subianto in the 2019 presidential race, also seeking to enter the race to challenge the incumbent.
Finding Anies’ Successor (2)
The Chairperson of the ruling party PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her speech at the Party’s national work meeting (Rakernas), highly praised five PDIP cadres who are regional heads, i.e., the Mayor of Surabaya Tri Rismaharini, the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, the Regent of Banyuwangi Abdullah Azwar Anas, the Mayor of Semarang Hendrar Prihadi, and the Regent of Badung I Nyoman Giri Prasta. PDIP could nominate one of them for the 2022 Jakarta gubernatorial election to challenge Anies Baswedan. We’ve talked about Risma and Ganjar. So let’s talk about the Mayor of Semarang Hendrar Prihadi.
PDIP & the 2020 Simultaneous Regional Elections
The ruling party PDIP was expected to announce its 2020 simultaneous regional elections regional head candidates in the Party’s national work meeting (Rakernas). But the Party canceled the announcement, indicating the difficult situation that PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri have to deal with in certain regions before coming up with a final decision.
PDIP & the Amendment of the Election Law
The national working meeting (Rakernas) of the ruling party PDIP was the most important political event held over the weekend. The Rakernas produced nine political recommendations. One of them is the recommendation to amend the Election Law No. 17/2017.
Interesting Regional Elections to Watch: Central Sulawesi
The resource-rich province of Central Sulawesi is home to Vale Indonesia (current name of INCO), the largest nickel producer in the country. Though the gubernatorial election of the Province will be an open race this year, Gerindra Party, a political party led by Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, would likely want to maintain its domination in the province.
Prabowo’s 2024 Strategy
The Chairman of Gerindra Party Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto built his image as a tough guy and a patriot. His campaign rhetoric in the 2009, 2014, and 2019 presidential race always positioned him as a fearless warrior, ready to confront enemies of the State. So much so he was caricatured as an emotional, temperamental, and impatient figure. Now that he’s in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition as Minister of Defense, Prabowo appears like a different person.
Anies’ Attitude Problem
On Wednesday (Jan. 8), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo held a limited cabinet meeting at the State Palace to discuss floods in the capital city Jakarta and Greater Jakarta region (Jabodetabek). The President summoned the Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan and several other regional heads to the said meeting. Jokowi specifically ordered Anies to continue the channelization of rivers in the capital city, but Anies’ response is worrying.
The New KPK: Second Sting Operation
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted their second sting operation yesterday (Jan. 8). The operation was conducted in the office of the General Election Commission (KPU). One KPU commissioner, one politician, and two other individuals were arrested under the suspicion of bribery. Tempo reported that the politician arrested was a member of PDIP—the largest political party in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition.
The New KPK: First Sting Operation
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), under the new leadership, conducted its first sting operation of the year on Jan. 7, 2020. Several people, including the Regent of Sidoarjo Saiful Illah, were arrested under the suspicion of bribery. Saiful Illah is a PKB politician. The Party is a member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition.