June 30, 2015 edition

BASYIR Ahmad, the Mayor of Pekalongan in Central Java, had two important meetings last week. On Tuesday, he met with Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo. The next morning he flew to Jakarta to meet Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo. To both men he announced his resignation, effective August 9.
He had difficulty denying rumors that the move was to allow his wife, Balqis Diab, now Chairperson of the Golkar Party of Pekalongan, to run for mayor. He even praised his wife for her capability, popularity and financial support three important mayoral requirements. "My wife is an outstanding politician and ready to contest," Basyir said on Tuesday last week.

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More National articles in other editions

June 23, 2015 edition

The House of Representative's (DPR) Legislation Board meeting room was empty last Wednesday at 2pm. According to the schedule, the Working Committee of the Proposed Regional Development Program Selection Team should already have been discussing technical aspects of the program since 1pm.

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June 16, 2015 edition

Chaos erupted on the third floor of a karaoke center in Simpang Lima, Banda Aceh, on Saturday two weeks ago, after 30 Banda Aceh Sharia (Islamic law) Police officers burst into the private rooms. They were looking for single women.
Other sharia officers guarded the exits, making sure no one could escape.

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June 9, 2015 edition

The four Golkar cadres gathered in an inner room. Aburizal had some good news to report: That evening the North Jakarta District Court had granted his camp's lawsuit and declared the executive board of the Riau National Congress (Munas) valid.

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June 2, 2015 edition

Tensions were high on Monday two weeks ago during a meeting between Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders and KPK investigators. When KPK deputy head Adnan Pandu Praja suggested a moratorium on the investigation of corruption, they boiled over. "Investigators immediately protested Adnan's suggestion," a KPK employee told Tempo.
Adnan said a moratorium was needed to put a halt to the incessant attacks of corruption suspects towards the KPK. He pointed to the pre-trial hearings of seven corruption suspects lodged at the South Jakarta District Court in recent months. Of those seven, three won their hearings, and their suspect-statuses were invalidated.

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May 26, 2015 edition

WITH the swipe of a pen, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo eliminated at least 30 candidates for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Leadership Selection Committee at his desk on Tuesday last week. His final list, containing nine names, was handed over to State Secretary Pratikno. The nine will be tasked with picking five new KPK leaders in December.

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May 19, 2015 edition

Two hours ahead of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's arrival at the Abepura Correctional Facility in Jayapura, five prisoners were handed a package. Inside each was a white-collared T-shirt. "The T-shirts were sent by the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres)," said Latifah Anum Siregar, the prisoners' lawyer, last Wednesday. The five men were already wearing pants and black shoes bought by Latifah the day before.
Touching down around 3pm, Jokowi immediately sought out the prisoners. "Jokowi wanted to have an intense face-to-face conversation with them," Latifah said. Jokowi was joined by his wife, Iriana Widodo, Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly and Deputy Governor of Papua, Klemen Tinal. Jokowi sat across from the five men. National Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti and Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Moeldoko waited outside.

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