SBY, Prabowo, and the 2019 Race
Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is still working to find a ticket for his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. After failing to secure Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s endorsement, SBY’s Democratic Party is considering the option of pairing Anies Baswedan with Agus, or Prabowo Subianto with Agus. SBY even sent his closest aide Syarief Hasan, who is also deputy chairman of Democratic Party, to deliver a message to Prabowo.
Kalla & 2019 Race (2)
The Chief Adviser of Vice President Jusuf Kalla Sofjan Wanandi stated that the VP has rejected the offer of the Democratic Party to run as a presidential candidate alongside Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s (SBY) son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. Sofjan, moreover, said that...
Sting Operation in Aceh
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) made moves in Aceh. Yesterday evening, right before midnight, the KPK confirmed that they held a Sting Operation in the province and arrested the Governor of Aceh Irwandi Yusuf and the Regent of Bener Meriah Ahmadi (Golkar). This Sting Operation is the second operation held in Aceh after the KPK arrested Abdulah Puteh (former Governor) back in 2004.
The 2019 Race: Jokowi’s & Prabowo’s Electability
The Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) has just released the result of the exit polls they had conducted simultaneously in 6 province. Said exit polls didn’t only ask questions on the 2018 simultaneous regional elections but also the preference of voters with regards to the upcoming presidential race. According to SMRC’s exit polls, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo leads over Prabowo Subianto in 5 out of 6 provinces.
SBY, Jokowi & 2019 Race (2)
The Head of Democratic Party’s Public Communication Division Imelda Sari recently told the press why Democratic Party hasn’t joined President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s 2019 coalition. What’s interesting from Imelda’s statement is that we get her side of the story on Jokowi’s vice presidential (VP) candidate selection process.
Update on the Trans-Seram Graft Case
On July 2, 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that they’re continuing their investigation into the Trans-Seram graft case, the case that brought down several members of House Commission V of the House of Representatives. The KPK also said that they have a new suspect, i.e., one Hong Arta John Alfred, a businessman who initiated the bribery scheme together with the first convict in the case one Abdul Khoir and several other local businessmen.
Jokowi & Golkar
The Chairman of Golkar Airlangga Hartarto, who is also the minister of industry under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, revealed that he will meet with the Chairman of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar a.k.a Cak Imin tomorrow (July 4) to discuss a coalition for President Jokowi’s reelection in 2019. Airlangga has also said that Golkar was open to forming a coalition with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s (SBY) Democratic Party for Jokowi’s reelection. It looks like Airlangga is very keen to support Jokowi.
Jokowi’s 2019: South Sulawesi
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is in South Sulawesi. On Monday (July 2), he inaugurated the first ever wind-turbine power plants in the country in Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap) and Jeneponto regencies. This is Jokowi’ second visit to the province this year and his eighth as the President of the Republic. South Sulawesi, as we all know, is the most populous province in the eastern part of the country.
Another Attempt to Eliminate Presidential Threshold
Tomorrow (July 3), the Constitutional Court (MK) will hold the first trial on two judicial review (JR)s on the presidential threshold as stipulated in the Article 222 of the Election Law No. 7/2017. Since we’re only a month away from the registration of presidential candidates, the MK may expedite the trial for the sake of clarity.
Said Iqbal’s Maneuvre
The so-called Online Transportation Action Committee (KATO) led by Said Iqbal, who is also the chairman of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Union (KSPI), plans to stage a rally to protest the Constitutional Court (MK)’s rejection of the judicial review (JR) that the KSPI filed for the sake of online motorcycle taxi service (Ojek Online). They also plan to file a citizen lawsuit against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and their ministers. This maneuvre is worth monitoring knowing Said Iqbal’s clear political affiliation with Prabowo Subianto and the opposition group.