More Pressure on Anies
The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) lawmakers in the city legislative council (DPRD) of Jakarta criticized Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan for bizarre budget items in the city’s 2020 budget draft (RAPBD). Other than exposing Anies’ inability to budget, PSI also revealed potential irregularities made by the Governor.
The Next Police Chief & Regeneration Agenda
It is likely that the House of Representatives (DPR) would approve the nomination of Police Comr. Gen. Idham Azis as the new Chief of the Indonesian National Police Force (Polri). Should that be the case, Idham would be sworn in as the new Chief of Polri (Kapolri) very soon. The question is, who will Idham choose to fill the vacant position of chief of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (Kabareskrim)—the position he’d have left behind—, and the position of the Police deputy chief (Wakapolri).
Paloh’s Maneuvers
Media mogul and Chairman of Nasdem Party Surya Paloh is to meet with the Chairman of the opposition party PKS Sohibul Iman today (Oct. 30). The meeting is worth monitoring given Paloh’s wild maneuvers of late. Paloh has also said that Nasdem would be critical even though they’re a member of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition.
Jokowi’s Son & the Surakarta Election
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, is not giving up. He’s still seeking a ticket to run in the Surakarta mayoral election through his party PDIP, even though the PDIP Surakarta Chapter has endorsed a pair. Some would rather see Gibran wait his turn until after his father is done with the presidency in 2024. Others see Gibran’s ambition in negative light.
Ma’ruf Amin on the Move
KH Ma’ruf Amin has been the Vice President of the Republic for a week. While President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visited Papua, Ma’ruf went to Surabaya for opening the so-called Festival Budaya Santri Nusantara 2019 event. Ma’ruf also attended the congress of the Pemuda Pancasila (PP), a mass organization known for historically ties to Golkar Party and the Soeharto family.
The House of Compromise
Today, Oct. 29, the House of Representatives (DPR) will hold a plenary session with the agenda of announcing the new leadership of the DPR’s working commissions and parliamentary bodies (altogether referred to as the AKD or Alat Kelengkapan Dewan). Political parties of the ruling coalition dominates the AKD leadership because they’re the majority in the DPR. But unlike 2014, a political compromise was well achieved as all parties—including parties in the opposition—are fairly represented.
Jokowi’s Papua Visit
West Papua and Papua became the first two provinces visited by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in his second term. It shows the President’s view of the Island of Papua as an important part of Indonesia. Jokowi’s visit also sends the message that Papua is back under control after riots broke in many regions of the Island.
The Ruling Coalition & Idham Azis’ Nomination
Police Comr. Gen. Idham Azis, the Chief of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (Kabareskrim), has been nominated as the sole candidate to become the new Chief of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI). General Idham Aziz will replace General Tito Karnavian, who is now Minister of Home Affairs. Idham is likely to pass the House of Representatives (DPR)’s fit-and-proper test since President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ruling coalition control almost 80 percent of the seats in the DPR.
Influencers of the New Cabinet (1)
The new cabinet has been established. President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo admitted it was hell of a job to select 34 out of more than 300 names proposed by political parties, volunteer groups, and probably other influencers (VP Ma’ruf Amin, VP Jusuf Kalla, financial supporters, etc). Some have openly expressed disappointments, including leaders of two major Islam organizations: Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.
Notes on Vice Ministers (2)
President Joko Widodo appointed two vice ministers for state-owned enterprises: Budi Gunadi Sadikin (CEO of INALUM, former CEO of Bank Mandiri) and Kartiko Wirjoatmojo (CEO of Bank Mandiri). While SOEs minister Erick Thohir ‘jokingly’ (???) asked for five vice ministers, some believe even one is too many.