Politics
Dissecting the pulse of the nation’s politics, where power plays and policies collide in a fight for the future.
Anies Baswedan's political brief whispers ahead of 2024 elections
A political scenario that outgoing Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and former vice president Jusuf Kalla are trying to avoid is having two pairs of presidential/vice presidential candidates in the 2024 general elections. The main reason is because it will be difficult for Anies to claim himself as a national figure due to the presence of lslamic hardline political party and groups - such as PKS (Prosperous Justice Party), HTI (Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia), FPI (Islam Defenders Front), Wahabi and the 212 Alumni Association - in its ranks. The track record of Anies and his bandwagon regarding identity politics will be exploited by competitors. A two-pair-candidates scenario is acceptable if Anies' opponent is deemed a weak candidate such as Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)'s Puan Maharani.
Stunting threat in Indonesia
According to Banggai Islands Regent Ihsan Basir, stunting cases in the Central Sulawesi's regency in 2019 had been recorded at 22.6%. The figure increased to 23% in 2020 but then decreased to 21.54% in 2021. However, until mid year 2022, the stunting rate in the regency slightly increased to 21.87% in 2022.
Government plans to grant Freeport contract extension, export tax reduction
The government has planned to grant contract extension for PT Freeport Indonesia when the current contract expires in 2041. The extension of the contract is granted earlier than scheduled because the government considers the economic feasibility of Freeport underground mining Grasberg project. The government has also planned to provide export tax reduction to the mining company.
Waskita Karya to build infrastructure, partner on oil industry with South Sudan
State-owned construction company PT Waskita Karya has made progress on its deal to build infrastructure in South Sudan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly Session in New York on September 20, 2022, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Dau Deng Malek signed a joint communique with South Sudan to partner in building infrastructure and on the oil industry. Meanwhile, Waskita and South Sudan's Ministry of Infrastructure signed the IDR 25 trillion cooperation contract.
Domestic cosmetic industry survives, even increases, during COVID-19 pandemic
In nearly the past three years, businesses have juggled to survive amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit the world hard, including in Indonesia, governments imposed lockdown, restricted people's movement and consequently limited operational hours of shopping centers.
Political whisper among activists related to 2024 general elections
The big scenario which has been done by trio king maker Jusuf Kalla-Surya Paloh-Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for the Presidential election in 2024. The trio will make an effort so Ganjar Pranowo will not be nominated by any political coalition, and then Jokowi’s sympathizers will be conditioned as floating masses, then be dragged to a particular political group.
Garuda Indonesia’s debt problem
In accordance with the specific nature of the establishment of Flight Navigation Service Organizing Agency (LPPNPI) - where income is only based on revenue from the cost of Aviation Navigation Services/PJNP (single revenue) - the availability of periodic cash inflows is very important for investment financing (rejuvenation and modernization of flight navigation aids), the accuracy of equipment performance navigation (calibration) and reliability of human resources (license and certification).
Fuel price dilemma: Mass strikes to happen in next several months
The government recently raised fuel prices to avoid an overburdening of the state budget from subsidies designed to keep domestic fuel costs low despite increasing global oil prices. Some may question, though, why even supposedly unsubsidized fuel in Indonesia is still priced significantly below global standards. And a lot of it has to do with definitions.
Pindad international deals, from UNIFIL mission to strong collaboration with UAE, French
Indonesia’s Garuda Contingent uses its Pindad SS2 riffle for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) joint shooting exercise with Finnish peacekeepers using its Valmet RK 62/M76. Indonesia has since conducted UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon following the Lebanon War in 2006.
Papua governor graft case not criminalization: Government
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Papua Governor Lukas Enembe as a suspect in a IDR 1 billion bribery case. Enembe's lawyer, Stefanus Roy Rening, questioned the basis for the KPK in naming his client as a suspect.
General Elections Commission (KPU) budget needs for 2022 and 2023
The House of Representatives' Commission II overseeing legislation and budgets approved to provide additional budget of IDR 7.86 trillion to the General Elections Commission (KPU) and IDR 6.06 trillion to the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) for the 2024 elections.
Pertamina restructuring implementation
Some of the benefits that can be achieved with the restructuring of Pertamina are simplification of the investment approval chain so that investment decisions can be accelerated while still paying attention to governance. Implementation of Restructuring simplifies investment decision-making from 9 to 2 steps where Holding, Sub Holding, and Subsidiaries are jointly involved from the beginning of the investment proposal.