Ahok for Pertamina?
Questions on the future of former Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP) a.k.a Ahok has been answered. After his meeting with the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir on Wednesday (Nov. 13), Ahok revealed to journalists that had been asked to serve in one of the SOEs. Neither Ahok nor the Ministry spoke of specifics, but rumor has it that Ahok would lead PT Pertamina (Persero).
Vice Governorship Battle & the 2022 Jakarta Election
The inclusion of Prabowo Subianto and his Gerindra Party into President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition has changed the dynamics in the capital city, Jakarta. Gerindra and PKS are now in an open fight to secure the Jakarta vice governor position that Sandiaga Uno had left vacant.
KPK’s Failure to Catch Big Fishes
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) responded to the story that the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD shared to public figures recently. According to Mahfud President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was disappointed by the KPK’s inability to catch the big fishes. The KPK Commissioner Laode M Syarif said that the KPK was still investigating two big cases that the President were particularly disturbed by. He admitted that the KPK is facing difficulties to collect evidence and to complete their investigation due to the complexity of the cases.
Jokowi’s KPK (2)
The Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law & Security Affairs Mahfud MD confirmed that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo would not issue a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to replace the revised Law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The President, Mahfud said, wanted to respect the ongoing legal process in the Constitutional Court (MK). Mahfud made the statement in a recent meeting with a number of civil society figures.
2024 Race Comes to Soon (2)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the Chairperson of the ruling party PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri attended the closure of Nasdem Party’s congress last night (Nov. 11). President Jokowi and Megawati smiled and laughed along with the Chairman of Nasdem Surya Paloh at the event. The President, in his speech, also cleared the air and gave the assurance that the ruling coalition remained united. So it looks like the drama had ended well.
The Opposition’s Future (2)
The opposition party PKS lost its ally Prabowo Subianto and the Gerindra Party, but they have a new friend in Nasdem, a political party led by media mogul Surya Paloh. The Party, however, has lost a number of its key leaders, who’ve decided to establish a new political party named Partai Gelora (Gelora Party).
People on the Move
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently told the press that he’d appoint another vice minister and assign a vice commander for the Military (TNI). Meanwhile, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir has just appointed four special staffers. One of them is known for being close to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla. The new Chief of the National Police (Kapolri) General Idham Azis, meanwhile, instituted his first job rotation directive.
Political News Roundup
This weekend is mainly about NasDem Party, which started its second national congress Friday (Nov 8). It is not about chairmanship race, because it is almost certain that party founder Surya Paloh will be reelected. It is about relationship between political leaders in the country, which will affect political dynamics in the next five years.
A Sign of Airlangga’s Reelection: Jokowi’s Blessing?
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo spoke highly of Golkar Chairman Airlangga Hartarto at Golkar’s 55th anniversary. Many believe that it was the President’s way of expressing his endorsement of Airlangga’s re-election, the process for which will take place in Golkar’s chairmanship congress (Munas) next month.
Revisiting the Vice Military Commander Position
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has decided to reinstate the position of the vice commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) as part of the restructuring of the military. Jokowi can now accommodate one more figure in the leadership of the TNI and evade a potential conflict between the three military branches.