Tenggara Backgrounder July 12

How much power will VP-elect Ma’ruf have?

Overview - The presidential inauguration is not due until October, but Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Islamic mass organization, is among the groups that are pressing for their rewards. They may have a natural ally in vice president-elect Ma’ruf Amin, a politician-turned-cleric who grew up in the NU tradition

Sandiaga at a crossroads

Overview - Ever since the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced the victory of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and running mate Ma’ruf Amin in the 2019 presidential election, Sandiaga Uno, the losing vice-presidential candidate, has barely made a sound. It came as a surprise, thus, when reports circulated last week that he planned to join the National Mandate Party (PAN), member of the coalition that nominated the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga pair in the election.

Golkar in search for succession

Overview - Golkar Party is reportedly facing a war within. The party is torn between chairman Airlangga Hartarto and House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, who look set to contest the party’s top post in a congress scheduled for December. Calls for an earlier date are mounting as pressures for succession increase. 

KPK leadership posts pursued

Overview - The current leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will end their term in December. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has formed a seven-member committee to select candidates for the KPK’s leadership seats. Hopes abound that only the best will be elected as new leaders of the KPK, the vanguard of the anticorruption drive in the country.

Bulog struggles under new BNPT program

Overview -  The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) is in trouble. Its 2.4 million tons of rice stocks is at risk of spoilage due to difficulties in distributing rice under the new non-cash food assistance program (BPNT) for the poor.

Politicians dominate BPK leadership selection

Overview - The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) leadership selection process has sparked controversy because the candidates are mostly politicians who failed to secure enough votes in the 2019 legislative election.

SKK Migas takes cautious steps in Masela Project

Overview - The plan of development (PoD) for Abadi field in Masela block was reportedly signed last week following a review by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), although the signing has yet to be publicly announced as it is still waiting for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s blessings.

Gov't worried about food inflation

Overview - Since 2015, Indonesia has had low and stable inflation that fluctuates around the level of 3.5 percent. Core inflation, which excludes volatile components like food prices as well as government-administered energy and transport prices, has also shown a similar trend, fluctuating stably around the level of 3 percent from 2016 onwards.