The 2019 Race: Jokowi-Mahfud?
The former chief justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Mohammad Mahfud MD has been mentioned as a potential running mate for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. This idea is apparently rather well-received by many. The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) is the most recent one to join the supportive chorus. PSI’s Chairwoman Grace Natalie said she supported the idea when visiting Mahfud’s office yesterday (April 5). Also present in the visit were PSI’s Secretary General Raja Juli Antoni and Deputy Secretary General Daniek Eka Rahmaningtyas.
The 2019 Race: Gatot
Former military (TNI) commander General (ret) Gatot Nurmantyo continues to be mentioned as a potential contestant in the 2019 presidential race. So far, Gatot has been seen closing in on Prabowo Subianto’s group (PKS and Gerindra). Will he get their endorsement, or are there alternatives?
East Java Election & Jokowi’s 2019
Four pollsters have released their polling results on the state of gubernatorial race in East Java. Two pollsters found incumbent Saifullah Yusuf a.k.a Gus Ipul leading, while the two others show his rival Khofifah Indar Parawansa at the top. Indobarometer, the latest to release their polling result, interestingly also show the electability of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo far ahead of his strongest potential rival Prabowo Subianto in East Java.
Update on the Tegal Graft Case
The Mayor of Tegal Siti Masitha “Sitha” Soeparno (Golkar) was caught in a Sting Operation back in August 2017. Sitha was named a graft suspect soon after with two other individuals. The briber was sentenced at the end of January 2018, while the trial of the bribee are still ongoing. The prosecutor’s demands for Sitha was read on April 2, 2018.
The New Chief Justice
Anwar Usman has been elected chief justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) for 2018-2020. Aswanto was named the deputy chief justice. Anwar and Aswanto will lead the MK for the next two years, which is a crucial period with the 2018 simultaneous regional elections and the 2019 simultaneous legislative & presidential elections.
The 2019 Race: Jokowi & PPP
The Chairman of PPP Romahurmuziy a.k.a Romy has been seen accompanying President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the latter’s regional work trips. Recently Romy was seen accompanying Jokowi in East Java. Some wonder if this is a sign that the President is considering Romy as a running mate. Others believe that Jokowi is only helping Romy get the PPP more votes in the 2019 legislative election.
The 2019 Race: Muhaimin’s Game of Ambition
We all know that the Chairman of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar a.k.a Cak Imin is eager to become President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s running mate. His partymen have also been promoting for the cause. Recently, PKB politician Lukman Edy reminded the President of the possibility of a new axis forming; a new axis that can nominate a third pair of candidates (outside of Jokowi’s and Prabowo’s pair).
Corruption Journal: Prosecutor’s Demand for Setya Novanto and Emirsyah Satar
The trail of Setya Novanto will end soon. Last week, the prosecutors read their demands in front of the Panel of Judges and at the same time rejected Setya Novanto’s proposal to be a Justice Collaborator. Also last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) decided to seized a house in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, registered on behalf of Emirsyah Satar. Emirsyah, as we all know, is now a suspect in the case of alleged corruption back when he was still the president director of Garuda Indonesia.
On Gatot Pujo Nugroho’s Case: A New Chapter
Back in January 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) told the press that they’re developing an investigation related to bribery in North Sumatera implicating the disgraced governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho. At the time, news spread that the KPK were aiming at dozens of members of the province’s DPRD. Last week, the press got a hold of a copy of a letter of notice on commencement of inquisition sent to the current Head of the North Sumatera DPRD. In the letter, the KPK listed 38 names of new suspects in the case.
The 2019 Race: Security Concern
The 2019 presidential race, unlike past elections, will be held in conjunction with legislative election. That alone should make things a little louder. Add the fact that the general election will have a longer campaign period and we have added security concern.