Trusted aide of Sahbirin Noor, governor of South Kalimantan, one of the resource-rich provinces, was among six persons arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on a bribery case. Speculation continues as to whether it will eventually hit Sahbirin, uncle of Haji Isam (owner of Jhonlin Group).

At the time when the current Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati was rumored to be stepping down from her position earlier this year, Bambang Brodjonegoro’s name came up as one of the candidates suggested by economists for the replacement. It was believed that Bambang would have been an ideal option because of his past experiences as the Head of BAPPENAS (Ministry of National Development Planning), the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Research and Technology during both of President Jokowi’s terms.

The Matahari Pagi Indonesia (MPI), previously a volunteer group supporting Prabowo-Gibran in the 2024 presidential election, has officially transformed into a mass organization, or locally known as ormas. It was the Secretary General of Gerindra Party Ahmad Muzani who led the inauguration event held at Kartika Chandra Hotel in South Jakarta on Saturday (Sept 28).

Joseph Rudolf Bing Prasatya, founder of logistic firm PT Mitrabahtera Segara Sejati Tbk (MBSS), has passed away last Thursday (Sept 26). He leaves behind a wife (Maria Francesca Ong or Maria Francesa Hermawan) and two daughters (Ingrid Prasatya and Patricia Prasatya).

Kompas, the largest newspaper in the country, was full with advertisements from a lot of companies congratulating Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, minster of industry, who is also senior politician from Golkar Party, for an honorary PhD title from Hiroshima University, Japan. 

Tas’an Wartono, son of the late Mochammad Wartono, founder of Sukun, a cigarette producer, has just passed away. Tas’an is one of the heirs of Sukun, which is one of four cigarette producers maintaining the production of klobot (tobacco wrapped by dried corn husk) cigarettes.

Statements from Hashim Djojohadikusumo, brother of president elect Prabowo Subianto, that around four alumni of Taruna Nusantara high school will likely be appointed ministers. One of the names widely speculated is Oki Muraza. He is said candidate for vice minister of energy & mineral resources, a very strategic portfolio.

Saifullah Yusuf, secretary general of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Moslem organisation in the country, has this morning been sworn in new minister of social affairs. Saifullah, popular as Gus Ipul, replaces Tri Risma Harini, senior politician from PDIP, who resigned to compete in East Java gubernatorial race.

Economist Faisal Basri has passed away on Thursday (Sep. 5) morning at 65 years old due to heart attack. Before the passing, Faisal received a medical treatment at the Mayapada Hospital in Kuningan, South Jakarta after he got a heart attack on Monday (Sep. 2). His remains have been buried on the same day at the Menteng Pulo Public Cemetery (TPU) in South Jakarta.