2019 Race: Prabowo & Logistics
We’ve written about one of the possible reasons why Prabowo Subianto has been delaying the declaration of his presidential bid: worries over logistics reason. Prabowo’s younger brother Hashim Djojohadikusumo has confirmed that it is indeed true. Talking to the press on Wednesday (March 28) at the Parliament complex, Hashim also revealed that aside from logistical concerns, there’s also the concern over Prabowo’s health condition.
On the E-KTP Graft Case: Indictment for Anang Sugiana
The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held the first hearing on the trial of Anang Sugiana Sudihardjo, the president director of PT Quadra Solution and the sixth suspect in the case of alleged corruption related to the procurement of the electronic identity card (E-KTP). Anang is deemed responsible for his involvement in the plan bribe members of the House of Representatives.
The End for Nur Alam?
On March 29, 2018, after months of trial, the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court finally read their verdict for the disgraced Governor of Southeast Sulawesi Nur Alam. Nur Alam was deemed guilty of all charges, but he’s given lighter sentence compared to that demanded by the prosecutors. Nur Alam said that he’d file for an appeal.
The Chief Justice Race
The Constitutional Court (MK) is set to elect its new chief justice to replace Arief Hidayat next week. The election is important to monitor because the MK handles post-election dispute and judicial review requests. With the 2019 general election on the horizon, and the plan to amend the 1945 Constitution, the MK chief justice is no doubt the hot seat.
Consolidation in the Military
Military (TNI) Commander Air Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto has instituted another round of of job rotation, affecting 39 generals in all three military branches. Some of the positions affected are positions in the Army’s Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), which is the largest Army unit in the country.
KPK Enforcement Deputy Selection Process Continues
Three weeks have passed since the National Police (POLRI) and the Attorney General Office (AGO) submitted the list of candidates to be considered for the position of deputy of enforcement of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Out of the 10 candidates submitted for consideration, only three were shortlisted.
Update on the E-KTP Graft Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Setya Novanto’s former lawyer Fredrich Yunadi and physician Bimanesh Sutarjo suspects on a case of alleged obstruction of justice in the second week of January 2018. The trials of the two men started not long ago, and the the two men have insisted on their innocence. Meanwhile, as you may know, Setya Novanto recently claimed that Puan Maharani and Pramono Anung also received money from the E-KTP graft as per statements made by Made Oka Masagung. Made, however, officially denied ever making such a statement.
Regional Elections Update: North Sumatera
The most recent survey from Indobarometer found Djarot Saiful Hidayat, a governor candidate from PDIP & PPP, leading the poll in the North Sumatera gubernatorial election. Though Djarot’s electability is only separated by a razor-thin margin from his rival Lt. Gen. (ret) Edy Rahmayadi, it’s still considered a progress given that a month ago Djarot was 14 margin points behind the latter.
The 2019 Race: Muhaimin’s Ambition & PKB’s Future
We all know that the Chairman of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar a.k.a Cak Imin is trying to becoming President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s running mate. But it’s interesting to see that his partymen too are eagerly promoting for him. PKB politician Jazilul Fawaid even said that if Jokowi were to choose someone other than Imin, Imin would challenge the President in the race as a presidential candidate. This comment makes one wonder if PKB is already prepared to leave the ruling coalition for Imin’s sake.
The 2019 Race: Gatot’s Latest Move
Former Military (TNI) Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo, in his capacity as the chairman of the Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (FORKI), attended the national Karate-Do championship (Kejurnas) in Palu, Central Sulawesi over the weekend. Gatot was accompanied by the Governor of Central Sulawesi Longki Djanggola. Also accompanying him were officials of FORKI and Erick Tamalagi (the chairman of the Kejurnas FORKI). Longki Djanggola, is also the chairman of Gerindra’s Central Sulawesi chapter.