Sudden Twists and Turns: The Police, Military, and The Politics
Most initially thought that a meeting between Jokowi and Prabowo would ease political and security tensions. Turned out, however, that that was only a start of series of ‘unfortunate events’ turned into social and security instability. The rise of retired police general Budi Gunawan, who reportedly ‘brokered’ Jokowi-Prabowo’s historic meeting, has shaken up the long rivalry between the police and the military.
The Latest Military Job Rotations & Politics
The Commander of the Military (TNI) Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto made another round of job rotation. This is the fourth job rotation that Hadi has made in the past six weeks. This latest rotation affected 69 high-ranking military officials in order to fill the new positions in the three newly joint forces military commands. The said three new joint forces military commands is part of the restructuring of the organizational structure of the TNI. Why this rotation and the previous rotation so truly worth highlighting?
Another Politically Infested BPK
As predicted, the candidates affiliated with major political parties have been elected as the new members of the 2019-2024 Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). The said five new members would join the four incumbent members of the BPK who are also with clear political connections. We will thus continue to see a politically infested BPK.
KPK, the Opposition & Student Rallies
The rally that Student Executive Boards (BEM) of various universities staged in front of the Parliament complex yesterday (Sep. 24) turned ugly. Clashes with the Police officers were inevitable last night. In the meantime, a video went viral on social media triggering speculation about the role of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the opposition behind the ongoing student rallies against the revision of the KPK Law, the Criminal Code (KUHP), and some other bills.
Upcoming Job Rotation in the Police
We will soon find out whether the Chief of the National Police (Kapolri) General Tito Karnavian will become a minister as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is set to announce the lineup of the new cabinet next month. In the meantime, there will be another round of job rotation affecting generals in strategic positions in the Police. It could show us a hint on Tito’s potential successor.
Jokowi’s Children & Politics
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, is entering politics after officially joining the ruling party PDIP, which is also his father’s political party. Some speculated that Gibran’s move was related to the rumor that he may run for the upcoming Surakarta mayoral election. In the meantime, his brother-in-law Bobby Afif Nasution is reportedly in intensive talks with PDIP and the Golkar Party ahead of the upcoming Medan mayoral election.
Jokowi, Legislation, & Security Issue
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo responded to the rallies of students and civil society groups. He asked the House of Representatives (DPR) to postpone the passing of four bills into new laws. The said four bills are the Land Bill, the revision of the Criminal Code (KUHP), the Minerals & Coal (Minerba) Law 4/2009, and the Correctional Procedures Law 12/1995. President Jokowi, however, refused to cancel the revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law, which has been passed into a new law.
Cabinet Talks (3)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed PKB politician Hanif Dhakiri, who is also Minister of Manpower, as the acting Minister of Youth & Sports to replace Hanif’s party colleague Imam Nahrawi. Imam Nahrawi resigned to focus on the legal process on his status as a graft suspect. President Jokowi will also appoint two more acting ministers to replace Coordinating Minister for Human Development & Culture Puan Maharani and Minister of Law & Human Rights Yasonna Laoly. Puan and Yasonna (both are PDIP politicians) will be sworn in as the lawmakers of the House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2019-2024 period.
BPK Leadership Election
The selection of the new members of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in the House of Representatives (DPR) is worth monitoring. The DPR will elect five new members of the BPK to lead the agency for the 2019-2024 period alongside the four current members.
Cabinet Talks (2)
On Thursday (Sep. 19), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met the former Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah Buya Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif, who is known for being close to the President. The meeting is coincidentally held a day after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Minister of Youth & Sports Imam Nahrawi a graft suspect.