SBY: What’s Left?
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is to hold a meeting early today with the leaders of his Democratic Party to discuss who the Party should endorse. The options left for SBY and his Democratic Party are to remain in Prabowo Subianto’s coalition or to endorse President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Prabowo-Sandiaga
Three political parties—-Gerindra, PAN, and PKS—-have on Thursday (Aug 9) night nominated Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno as president and vice president candidate for 2019 election. Democratic Party of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) yet to make decision on the race.
Jokowi’s Running Mate: Mar’uf Amin
Pretty much as predicted, Mar’uf Amin has been nominated running mate of incumbent president Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo in next year’s election. It’s a surprise for those expecting Mahfud MD. Some supporters of Jokowi and, especially, Ahok immediately expressed disappointments, but this is probably the most realistic decision by the the president’s coalition.
A Three-Horse Race?
Composite index of Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) ended flat in the morning session Thursday (Aug 9), pending clarity surrounding the 2019 presidential election. Less than 36 hours before registration deadline for president and vice president candidates, we have no idea yet about who will compete in the race.
The Build-Up to the Presidential Election Part III
Pressure is high on Prabowo Subianto’s camp. At the heart of it is the competition for Prabowo’s running mate position. Recently, the Deputy Secretary General of Democratic Party Andi Arief, who is also former special staffer for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), said that the Democratic Party could step out of Prabowo’s coalition due to Prabowo’s running mate selection. But this morning (August 9), Prabowo is scheduled to hold another meeting with SBY to discuss the matter.
Jokowi-Mahfud?
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo might have chosen Mohammad Mahfud MD, the former chief of the Constitutional Court (MK), as his running mate. The problem is that the elites of the Nadhlatul Ulama (NU)—the largest Moslem organization in the country—and the Chairman of PKB Muhaimin “Imin” Iskandar do not seem to like the idea.
Revisiting Corruption in Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur
Convict Dwi Widodo, former Immigration Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was found guilty of taking illegal levies on passport arrangement. He’s been sentenced to jail, but questions remain.
2019 Race Dynamics
Only two days are left before the registration of president and vice president candidates closes. Polling agency Roda Tiga Konsultan (RTK) found Jokowi-Mahfud MD and Prabowo-Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to be the likely competitors.
Corruption Journal
The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court recently listened to the prosecutors’ demands for the former Regent of Hulu Sungai Tengah (HST) Abdul Latif, who was arrested in a Sting Operation back in January 2018. The same court also recently registered a new case with one Made Meregawa as the defendant. Made was convicted in a case related to Nazaruddin’s Permai Group scandal. Apart from the aforementioned trials, we learned that the Regent of Central Lampung one Mustafa was convicted several weeks ago, and yet he remains regent to this day.
The Build-Up to the Presidential Election Part II
Prabowo Subianto’s side and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s side have been seen conducting more meetings, but there is still no decision on who shall be the vice president (VP) candidate for either side. On Tuesday (August 7) noon, Prabowo met with the Chairman of the Democratic Party Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) again at the latter’s private residence. Jokowi, meanwhile, met with the Chairman of PAN Zulkifli Hasan at the State Palace.