The 2019 Race: PDIP’s Alliance with Golkar
The ruling party PDIP had a meeting with Golkar at the latter’s headquarters yesterday (March 20). The two parties discussed, among others, the strategy for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s reelection. This development is a good sign for those keen on seeing PDIP joining hands with Golkar. But will this partnership last?
New DPR/MPR Leadership & Attempt at Amending the 1945 Constitution
Today, March 20, the House of Representatives (DPR) is to inaugurate Utut Adianto as the new deputy speaker of the DPR from the ruling party PDIP. The inauguration follows the passage of the Legislative Institution Law (MD3) into new Law No. 2/2018, in which PDIP’s request for a seat in the DPR leadership is accommodated. Tomorrow, the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) will inaugurate the new MPR deputy speakers from PDIP, Gerindra, PKB, the Regional Representatives Council (DPD)—and perhaps another other one from Golkar. This new composition of the DPR/MPR leadership is worth highlighting, especially in relation to the latest attempt at amending the 1945 Constitution.
Soeharto’s Children on the Move
The Golkar Party decided to nominate Siti Hediati Hariyadi a.k.a Titiek Soeharto, the daughter of the late President Soeharto, as the new deputy speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) to replace Mahyudin. Prior to that, Titiek’s younger brother Hutomo Mandala Putra a.k.a Tommy Soeharto was crowned the new chairman of Berkarya Party.
Gubernatorial Election Update: East and West Java
East Java governor candidate Khofifah Indar Parawansa maintains her lead in the polls. She’s separated from the incumbent Saifullah Yusuf a.k.a Gus Ipul by 6.6 point margin. Meanwhile, in the West Java gubernatorial election, incumbent Deddy Mizwar and the popular Mayor of Bandung Ridwan Kamil are neck and neck in the polls.
Golkar Candidate for North Maluku Named Corruption Suspect
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Ahmad Hidayat Mus (AHM), candidate for governor of North Maluku province from Golkar Party and Islamic party PPP, corruption suspect. KPK ignored suggestion from coordinating minister for politics, security, law, and human rights Wiranto to suspend investigation into candidates of this year’s simultaneous regional elections.
Gatot Nurmantyo & the 2019 Race
Former Military Commander (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo hinted on the possibility of running for office in 2019. Gatot, who will retire from the TNI by March 31, asked the public to wait until he’s no longer in active duty on April 1. Will he declare his presidential bid then?
Mahfud MD & the 2019 Race
Civil Society groups had floated the idea of the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Mohammad Mahfud MD as a running mate candidate for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. This idea was apparently good enough for the United Development Party (PPP) to consider internally as an option to propose to the President.
The 2019 Race: Golkar on the Move
The chairman of Golkar Party’s Experts Council Agung Laksono said that he hoped President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo would choose his party chairman Airlangga Hartarto as the President’s running mate in the 2019 presidential race. Earlier, another Golkar politician Ace Hasan Syadzily also spoke of the same wish. But what would happen if Jokowi were to choose someone else, would Golkar remain or change their alliance?
The 2019 Race: PDIP & Jokowi’s Running Mate Talks
The ruling party PDIP has suggested President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to choose someone from a political party as his running mate in the 2019 presidential race. This is an interesting development. Does this mean that the President is considering a professional as his running mate?
KPK and the Borrowed Investigators (Part II)
Back in late October 2017, the Chief of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that they had returned two investigators from the Police to their institutions because the two officers had tampered with evidence. This week, there were reports that one of the officers mentioned had been promoted to a higher position after the Professional and Security Division (Propam) of the National Police found that the officer did nothing wrong. Not only that, other officer was also given the opportunity to continue his education to improve his career path. Propam’s findings made us recall the two senior prosecutors who were allegedly involved in a case of “attempted” bribery in connection to the PT Brantas Abipraya graft case. The two prosecutors were also found innocent and given a promotion shortly after the trials were over.