President Jokowi actively supported the Prabowo-Gibran presidential nomination ahead of the Constitutional Court’s decision. A state institution was utilized to support the effort.

Megawati finally pairs Ganjar with Mahfud. She purposely abandons Jokowi in the declaration.

The government needs to respond favorably to the request from exiles for an apology, setting straight the historical record and a continuation of the judicial process.

The exiles, victims of gross human rights violations in the past, are demanding historical rectification and an apology. Many are reluctant to return to Indonesia.

Minister Mahfud Md’s statement regarding a loan claim by Jusuf Hamka could be considered influence peddling. This is treading on very thin ice.

Policymakers love the power of social media. Sometime, they prioritize improving their images over tackling the roots of problems.

Three government institutions have different versions regarding the suspicious transactions of Rp349 trillion at the finance ministry.

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

The idea of delaying the elections appears again. In the brutal horse trading of politics, it is not impossible that this will happen.

The migration of analog to digital television in Jakarta and its surrounding areas is marked by rejection from some media groups, including MNC. The distribution of free set-top boxes by digital broadcasters remains low.

The government resumes efforts to resolve gross human rights violations outside of court. The formation of a Non-Judicial Resolution Team for Past Gross Human Rights Violations is seen as having the potential to whitewash the sins of the perpetrators.

The formation of a team for settlement of past gross human rights abuses.

A BPKP audit becomes the basis for the government to look into suspected corruption in the procurement of a satellite for the 123 degree East Longitude orbital slot. There is an option to not meet an arbitrage outcome in which the government lost.

The government must take firmer action against BLBI debtors who continue to avoid their obligations, such as Tommy Suharto.

The Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) Task Force is going after the assets of Hutomo Mandala Putra alias Tommy Suharto at home and abroad. He could be charged with corruption offenses.

The Bill on the Asset Forfeiture Connected to Crimes failed to be put on the 2021 Priority National Legislation Program. The House of Representatives blocked it.

The BLBI task force has a strategy for collecting debts from major obligors. A criminal investigation is still not out of the question if there is indication of money laundering.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mohammad Mahfud Md said he has communicated with Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Tjahjo Kumolo regarding the status of Corruption Eradication Commission employees. The salaries of those who will become civil servants will stay intact. 

The plan to name armed groups in Papua as terrorist organizations is spurred with the death of the Papua State Intelligence Agency Chief. The government is taking steps to prevent Papuan independence.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mohammad Mahfud Md. is threatening debtors of the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) funds, including Sjamsul Nursalim, with sequestering (gijzeling) if they fail to pay what they owe to BLBI. They can also face criminal charges.