An Update on Joker’s Case
The trial of cases related to Joko Tjandra will end soon. In the forgery case, all defendants have been found guilty. While in the bribery case, the intermediary in the case one Tommy Sumardi, Joko’s friend and in-law of Malaysia’s ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak, has been found guilty. We are still waiting for the verdict on Joko and the two police generals (Prasetijo Utomo and Napoleon Bonaparte) who are indicted for receiving approximately Rp9 billion in exchange for helping to erase Joko’s name from the fugitive list. Separately, the trial in the case of conspiracy with key defendant prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari continues. After nearly four months of proceedings, the prosecutors had read their demands for Pinangki. But the demands are far from public satisfaction.
Oesman Soedargo passes away
Oesman Soedargo, co-founder of PT Prasidha Aneka Niaga (PSDN) Tbk, has on Monday (Jan 11) passed away in Jakarta. Prasidha is engaged in trading of agricultural commodities (coffee and natural rubber). In the period of Jan-Sep 2020, Prasidha generated Rp631.9 billion of sales revenues, dropped significantly from Rp988.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.
Sukamto Effendy passes away
Sukamto Effendy, co-owner of PT Putra Dermawan Pratama, a company granted nickel concession within the area previously controlled by PT Valle Indonesia Tbk (INCO), has on January 4th, 2021 passed away in Jakarta.
Revisiting CMNP
Toll road developer PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada Tbk (CMNP) started 2021 with the signing of two major contracts to build the Ancol Timur-Pluit (Elevated Toll Road) or otherwise known Harbour Road II (HBR II) in North Jakarta and Section VI of the Cileunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan (Cisumdawu) Toll Road in West Java.
Prohibited Organization FPI, Finally…
By the end of 2016, we saw the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leading a band of religious conservatives to accuse the then Governor of Jakarta Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama of blasphemy. This movement briefly threatened the stability of the nation and emboldened the FPI to broadcast their deranged extremist views. An example of such views would be the accusation that the Central Bank had incorporated the logo of the banned communist party into the newly designed rupiah bills. The public has grown anxious to the point that calls for the disbandment of FPI emerged once more. But we have to wait for over three years of seemingly endless drama before it happens. On Dec. 30, 2020, the Government finally officially disbanded the FPI. The public rejoices, but FPI resist. We wonder what will happen after this decision.
The New Vice Minister of Defense: Muhammad Herindra
The Indonesian Military (TNI) losses its two representatives in the cabinet following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to replace General (ret) Fachrul Razi and Lt. Gen. (ret) dr. Terawan Agus Putranto. But in exchange, the TNI got another strategic portfolio with Jokowi’s decision to appoint Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra as the new Vice Minister of Defense. Herindra, a former commander (Danjen) of the Army’s Special Forces Kopasssus, replaces Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, who has been appointed as the new Minister of Marine & Fisheries. He will assist Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, who is also former commander of Kopassus.
The New Minister of Health: Budi Gunadi Sadikin
Unorthodox! President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has appointed Budi Gunadi Sadikin as the new Minister of Health Affairs replacing the controversial Lt. Gen. (ret) dr. Terawan Agus Putranto. Budi, former CEO of state bank Mandiri (BMRI), previously served as Vice Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
The New Minister of Trade: Muhammad Lutfi
Muhammad Lutfi is the new Minister of Trade, replacing Agus Suparmanto, a politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB). Prior to that, Lutfi served as the Indonesian Ambassador for the United States of America (USA). Lutfi is not a new face in Indonesian business and politics.
The New Minister of Religious Affairs: Yaqut Cholil Qoumas
PKB, an Islamic party that strongly affiliated to the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), lost the Trade Ministry portfolio to Muhammad Lutfi, a professional with extensive networking to Indonesian business and politics. But in exchange, PKB got another strategic portfolio with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to appoint Yaqut Cholil Qoumas a.k.a Gus Yaqut as the new Minister of Religious Affairs replacing General (ret) Fachrul Razi. Yaqut is the chairman of GP Ansor, a youth wing organization of NU, the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia.
The New Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy: Sandiaga Uno
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has appointed Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, who is a key leader of Gerindra Party and Prabowo Subianto’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election, as the new Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy. Sandi replaced Wishnutama, former executive of NET TV (Indika Group). If any, this ministerial position can help Sandi to remain relevant ahead of 2024 elections.