December 22, 2015 edition

Sarifuddin Sudding, a People's Conscience (Hanura) Party politician, cracked a joke last Tuesday during the fit-and-proper test of one of the candidates to head the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Basaria Panjaitan. "Actually, I would like to ask more questions, but I see Trimedya keeps looking at me. He's not even blinking," he said to the laughter of those present at the meeting. Trimedya Panjaitan, an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician, only smiled weakly when his colleague cracked a joke at his expense.
The suitability test of the retired police officer with the rank of inspector-general was the only one Trimedya fully attended. The deputy chair of the House of Representatives' (DPR) law commission stayed seated throughout the session from the start. That was understandable as Basaria was one of PDI-P's favorite KPK leadership candidates. Trimedya said her track record is clean because she was never made a regional police chief. "She's unblemished," he said.

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More National articles in other editions

December 8, 2015 edition

THE rain that began to fall in Mojokerto regency, East Java, forced Dwi Heru Kendoyo to rack his brain. The Mojokerto General Elections Commission (KPU) secretary had think up a way to keep the election materials set to be distributed throughout the regency dry. The vote was just a few days away.
Mojokerto is one of the 269 regions set to hold regional head elections on December 9. The vote will be the first-ever simultaneous regional election in Indonesia.

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December 1, 2015 edition

Debate raged on last Monday in an important meeting of the House of Representatives' (DPR) ethics committee. At hand was the question of whether Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said had the requisite legal standing to report an ethical violation by DPR Speaker Setya Novanto. Members of the panel were divided in their views.
Golkar Party and Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party lawmakers were the loudest voices opposing Sudirman's standing. Their argument referred to DPR Regulation No. 2/2015 on committee procedures. Sudirman's position as a minister, they argued, meant he could not be classified as an 'informant'.

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November 24, 2015 edition

Debate among members on the House of Representatives' (DPR) Law Commission spread over a record-breaking three days last week as lawmakers struggled to come to consensus on the status of four of eight candidates for Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioner. "The selection committee did not work systematically," complained Taufiqulhadi, a commission member from the National Democratic (NasDem) faction.
From eight candidatesSaut Situmorang, Surya Tjandra, Alexander Marwata, Basaria Panjaitan, Agus Rahardjo, Sujanarko, Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo, and Laode Muhamad Syariffive will be chosen on November 30. They will join Busyro Muqoddas and Robby Arya Brata, who were selected last year.

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November 17, 2015 edition

SR. Comr. Daniel Bolly Tifaona recently invited five members of the Bekasi Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) as well as Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi to his office. The Bekasi city police chief wanted to brainstorm solutions for solving Jakarta's growing trash problem.
Before opening the meeting, Daniel introduced two other officers from Jakarta's metropolitan police command. They were there to deliver a message from Jakarta police command chief, Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian.

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November 10, 2015 edition

BAMBANG Brodjonegoro slipped out of the budget meeting held at the budget division office at the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, around midnight two weeks ago. The meeting between the government and the House of Representatives became stuck in stalemate as the Gerindra Party refused to endorse the government's budget proposal. Accompanied by his special staffer Arif Budimanta, the finance minister then headed toward Hotel Dharmawangsa in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, where Gerindra's Chairman Prabowo Subianto and Secretary-General Ahmad Muzani were already waiting.
Their talks began with the minister's explanation regarding issues surrounding the state budget (APBN). Tension began to flare when the discussions turned to the state's capital participation in state companies (BUMNs). Prabowo did not share the same view when Bambang explained the reason behind the fund injection. Both holding own grounds, they became embroiled in a heated argument. "BUMNs are important but not priorities at this time," Prabowo declared in a high tone, as quoted by a Senayan politician.

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November 3, 2015 edition

After landing at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport following an umroh (minor pilgrimage) trip to Mecca, Patrice Rio Capella's phone lit up. On the other end was National Democrat (NasDem) Party chief Surya Paloh. Patrice needed to come to NasDem Party headquarters in Gondangdia, Central Jakartaand fast
At the party headquarters, Surya greeted him with a volley of questions.

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