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July
Who will serve the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly?
Written by Maryati
After reconciliation efforts between the camp of President Joko Widodo-Maaruf Amin as the winner of the 2019 presidential elections and the camp of Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno as the loser, this could be said to be a success. Now, a new problem comes up among the political parties participating in the elections that have obtained huge votes, especially to determine who or which party has the right to serve the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly -MPR.The Gerindra Party claims to be given the chairman of the MPR. According to Chairman of the Gerindra Party Central Board (DPP) -Sodik Mudjahid, this is not separated from the spirit of the reconciliation that was encouraged by President Joko Widodo and General Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto some time ago. Gerindra believes that the best composition of the 2019-2024 parliament is that its party will serve the chairman of the MPR. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) occupies the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives -DPR. Gerindra's wish certainly does not come up casually. Deputy Secretary General of PDIP, Ahmad Basarah ever said that the possibility could occur in the deliberation process to elect the MPR chairman. PDIP has also opened up the possibility that the Indonesian coalition party -Adil Makmur, a coalition of Prabowo-Sandiaga’s supporters occupies the chairman of the MPR.However, the wish of the Gerindra Party was opposed by coalition parties supporting Joko Widodo-Maaruf Amin: the Golkar Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB). Golkar refused to give the chairman of the MPR to Gerindra. Golkar's refusal is certainly not without reason. Chairman of the Golkar Party Central Board (DPP), Ace Hasan Syadzily confirmed that the position of the MPR chairman should have been given to the Golkar party which is the second winner of the seat of the House of Representatives -DPR. It should be kept in mind that the mechanism to elect the chairman of the MPR is carried out by deliberation to reach consensus. This means that a party is not as easy as claiming that its party has the right to occupy the chairman of the MPR. Truly, the reconciliation is important to maintain national unity, but it should not be misinterpreted as an effort of sharing power.
July
Turkey's decision to buy Russian-made S 400 missile makes the United States and NATO members upset. The United States said it would terminate Turkey from a program to procure F 35 aircraft manufactured by the United States. From Ankara, it was reported that part of the S 400 missile system purchased by Turkey had started arriving in Ankara last week. Turkish President, Recep Erdogan said in Ankara that the S 400 air defense system will start functioning in 2020. The decision of Turkish President Recep Erdogan to buy the Russian S 400 air defense system has made NATO and the United States angry. Turkey is the only member of NATO that will fully utilize the Russian-made land-to-air defense system. Although Turkey's relations with NATO have begun to stiffen since last year's failed coup, President Erdogan's decision to use Russian defense technology could make relations worse. For NATO and the United States, the decision has hurt Turkey's commitment and position as a NATO ally for 65 years. The reason why Turkey finally diverted the procurement of its defense system to Russia was because the United States was slow to offer a missile defense system. While the military leaders of the United States considered that Russian S 400 air defense system is not appropriate or compatible with NATO defense systems. In addition, the United States military is concerned that the system will have an impact on the use of US F 35 aircraft. They worry that Russian technicians who will work in Turkey to accompany the use of the S 400 will steal the secret of the F 35 system. So far, Turkey has not responded to the threat of the United States which will terminate Turkey from the F 35 aircraft procurement program. The termination of Turkey from the F 35 program will certainly bring about an impact on Turkey. Because, in addition to ordering 100 units of F 35, Turkey also invests in the program, because the Turkish company has produced nearly 940 spare parts of F 35. President Erdogan's decision to buy the S400 from Russia certainly has been considered more carefully. The purchase of S 400 land-to-air missile equipment is not only about money and investment but also Turkey's determination to develop a more independent air-to-land defense. President Erdogan has taken an alternative to closer relations with Russia, as Turkish relations with NATO and the United States are strained.
July
Iran uses the nuclear issue in an effort to reduce pressure and sanctions from the United States. Tehran has threatened to reverse its nuclear program as before, before the 2015 nuclear agreement. The Iranian Atomic Energy Agency said it would reverse its nuclear program if the United States and its Allies were unable to find a way out to reduce pressure and sanctions imposed by the United States. A spokesman for the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency Behrouz Kamalvandi, as reported by the official Iranian news agency IRNA, expressed the threat in the hope of encouraging diplomatic efforts. Tehran sees the need for diplomatic measures to overcome tensions, in particular relations with the United States, to avoid economic sanctions. As is known, after last year President Donald Trump declared his exit from the 2015 Nuclear Agreement, Washington has imposed more severe sanctions on Iran. If the threat of the Iranian Atomic Agency is realized, then the country will gradually produce nuclear exceeding the minimum agreed on 4 years ago, which is above 300 kilograms of its uranium reserves. Iran's threat to return to nuclear production as it did before the 4-year agreement came as a Beijing statement condemned Washington's policies. In his diplomatic statement in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang accused the United States of being the cause of the emergence of the Iranian threat. To reporters in Beijing on July 8, Geng Shuang said that Iran's nuclear crisis was caused by pressure by the United States. Although criticizing the United States, on the other hand Beijing also regretted Tehran's decision to return to nuclear production before the 2015 agreement. China is one of the countries that signed the Nuclear agreement carried out during the administration of Barack Obama. Iran's statement to no longer comply with the 2015 agreement was also addressed by European countries. Foreign Ministers of European countries specifically discussed the crisis of Iran's nuclear agreement at their meeting in Brussels on July 15. The statement of the PRC Government and the reaction of European countries, shows that Tehran's move to play a nuclear issue to open diplomatic avenues, has quite an impact. Although the United States itself has not shown any reactions towards this latest development.
July
President Joko Widodo's First Political Speech, ‘Indonesia's Vision’
Written by Maryati
President Joko Widodo delivered his first political speech since being elected President in the 2019 Presidential Elections. This speech was delivered at the Indonesia’s Vision event which took place at Sentul International Convention Center in Bogor, West Java on Sunday night (07/14/2019).In his speech, President Joko Widodo said that nowadays, humans live in a very dynamic global environment. So, he appealed to the Indonesian people to create innovation and abandon old ways, both in managing organizations, institutions, and in managing the government. According to him, Indonesia must become a country that is more productive, competitive and flexible in facing these changes. To this end, he emphasized several major stages, including infrastructure development, human resources, opening widest investment to create employment, reforming the bureaucracy, and guaranteeing the use of the state budget which is focused and targeted.In the first period of President Joko Widodo serving as President, infrastructure development was one of his priorities because it was related to his Nawacita program, namely building Indonesia from the periphery by strengthening regions and villages.By improving the human resources, he pointed out in his political speech that human resource development must be carried out by ensuring the health of pregnant women, infant health, toddler health, and health of school-age children because it is the golden age to produce superior Indonesian people in the future.The investment sector is also an important stage. By attracting a lot of foreign investors and streamlining complicated licenses, hopefully, this can open employment opportunities to a great extent for the people of Indonesia.In the field of bureaucratic reform, President Joko Widodo ensured that there are no more complicated bureaucratic services. Because according to him, the speed of serving, and the speed of giving permit are the keys to bureaucratic reform.The final stage in his speech is a guarantee in using the focused and targeted state budget so as to have benefits and improve welfare for the people.President Joko Widodo’s political speech, ‘Indonesia's vision’ shows his seriousness in resolving problems and tasks that must be completed in the second period of his leadership. Hopefully, all the hopes and visions that have been affirmed in his speech can be realized towards a more advanced and prosperous Indonesia.
July
Tensions between the United States and Iran have not subsided. After imposing sanctions which also led to Iran's supreme leader, the United States is planning to mobilize other countries' support to put the military in waters near Iran. Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, stated Washington took the initiative to mobilize an international military coalition in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El Mandab waters. These two areas are very important for ship traffic, especially tankers transporting oil. The initiative of the US military to place an international coalition there is said to guarantee security and freedom of shipping. The idea of forming an international coalition came after a statement from Tehran that threatened to close the waters of Bab el Mandab. The threat was raised in reaction to US sanctions that prohibit the trading and shipping of Iranian oil. If the Iranian blockade is carried out, the trade traffic of around four million barrels of oil throughout the world through Bal El Mandab will be disrupted. The United States' invitation to secure the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El Mandab to this day, Friday, July 12 has not received any response. However, Iran's threat to block El Bab Mandab can generate a broad and different reaction, especially in countries with an interest in oil trading. Although not related to the Bab El Mandab closing threat or the initiative to mobilize an international military coalition, on Monday, July 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the unilateral intimidation by the United States had caused a violation of Iran's nuclear agreement. The statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman seemed to imply that Beijing's attitude towards Tehran was still soft. The same attitude is also shown by France. Emmanuel Bonne, adviser to the French President at a meeting with Secretary of the Iranian National High Security Council Ali Shamkhani, in Tehran Wednesday July 10 implies France's attitude towards Iran. As the Iranian news agency Irna reported, Emmanuel Bonne stated that Paris wanted dialogue and cooperation with Tehran to manage the crisis in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon. Seeing China and France’s attitudes, the United States might need to work hard to realize the idea of forming an international military coalition to protect the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El Mandab.
July
Finding the Ideal Leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission
Written by Maryati
The selection committee for the leadership of the Corruption Eradication Commission -KPK has closed the registration of candidates’ documents at the State Secretariat Office in Jakarta on Thursday (4/7). There are 348 registrants who are officially accepted by the selection committee. This year’s registration took around two weeks from June 17 to July 4.The prospective leaders of KPK consist of various professions, such as advocates, academicians, police officers, and even some members of the Corruption Eradication Commission. Those who pass the selection will take a competency test a week after July 11.Then, the selection committee will announce the passing of the competency test within one week later. Furthermore, they must take general psychology and public tests. The public test is carried out by prospective leaders so that the public know who the candidates of the KPK are and how their capabilities are. In September, those who pass the public test will enter the interview stage. The final stage is that the selection committee will screen the best top 10 prospective leaders to be submitted to President Joko Widodo.The question is whether the figures of the ideal leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission to be expected are able to carry out their duties well. According to Chairwoman of the selection committee, Yenti Ganarsih, the prospective leaders of the KPK must understand and have various abilities. In addition, they must comprehend the problems of state finance, procurement and matters related to the internal organization of the KPK. Besides, they also have to have a strong psychological condition over pressure and have wisdom and understand the direction of the country's economic development.
July
After attending the G 20 Summit in Osaka Japan. Donald Trump recorded new history as the first President of the United States to set foot on North Korean earth. Even though the last two meetings with Kim Jong-un did not produce significant results ， apparently Donald Trump has a special impression on Kim Jong-un. Trump expressed his wish to go a few steps into North Korean teritorycalled the Demilitarized Zone, in Panmunjom village. No US president had set foot on the Demilitarized Zone, which President Clinton dubbed "the scariest place on Earth".All eyes then turned to the Korean peninsula after some time ago the US and Iranian feud which made the Middle East region quite tense. Although tensions in the Middle East are not yet over, but the third meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un became a hope for reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula.The failure of the first and second meetings between President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un could be foorgotten then. Indeed the relationship between these two leaders is unique. Almost like a love-hate relationship. In his twitter account, June 30, 2019, Trump expressed his wish to meet Leader Kim Jong-un again, just to shake hands and say hello. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un, on this rare occasion, said the meeting in the Demilitarized Zone was a symbol of a "very good" relationship between him and Trump.Although it is not yet clear what the outcome of this meeting is, but at least this meeting does not close all possibilities for negotiations to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.Now the world is looking forward to whether the third meeting between the two will be continued with the fourth more concrete meeting which is more concrete. Or is it still at the ceremonial level only? Hopefully, they are not just being polite, and there will be some results after that.
July
Congratulations on the elect President and Vice President of Indonesia
Written by Maryati
Joko Widodo and Ma'ruf Amin have been officially determined as the elect president and vice president of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period by the General Election Commission -KPU. The determination is based on the results of the plenary meeting held by the KPU three days post-verdict over the dispute of the Presidential Election (Pilpres) at the Constitutional Court -MK. The MK rejected all claims filed by the Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno pair in the trial of the Presidential Election dispute at the Constitutional Court Building in Jakarta on Thursday (06/27/2019). This verdict was agreed by nine MK judges without any dissenting opinion. Thus, Joko Widodo is going to serve as president for the second time and be installed in October 2019.The determination of Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin as the elect President and Vice President was read by Chairperson of the KPU. Arief Budiman at the KPU Office in Central Jakarta on Sunday (06/30/2019). In reading the determination, Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno who lost in the 2019 Presidential Election were not present and both were represented by member of the Legal Directorate of Prabowo-Sandi’s National Winning Body (BPN), Habiburokhman.The KPU's determination at the same time ended the dispute over the results of the general elections for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates at the Constitutional Court which began on May 23, 2019 until the announcement of Constitutional Court’s verdict on June 27, 2019.Indonesian people deserve to be grateful because the process of the dispute over the results of the general elections for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates has been held safely and peacefully. The security forces have anticipated the possible mass dissatisfaction with the results of the Constitutional Court's verdict by deploying around 47,000 joint personnel in Jakarta ahead of the verdict on the results of the 2019 Presidential Election.
Both Prabowo and Sandi who lost in the dispute hearing could also accept the verdict of the Constitutional Court. In his speech after the Constitutional Court announced the verdict on Thursday (27/06), Prabowo called on his supporters to be heartened, strong, calm, full of noble ideals, and always be peaceful, non-violent, and loyal to the Constitution. Furthermore, he also appealed to his supporters to think of greater interests, namely the integrity of the nation and state.Meanwhile, in his speech shortly after the announcement of the Constitutional Court’s verdict, Joko Widodo called on all Indonesians to reunite, jointly develop Indonesia, advance Indonesia, and no more supporters of candidate pairs 01 and 02. At present, it is Indonesian unity. The supporters of Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin also do not need to show excessive euphoria.Prabowo's willingness to accept the verdict of the Constitutional Court, and Joko Widodo's appeal should be appreciated. This attitude also contributes to the security situation after the Constitutional Court's verdict and the reading of the KPU's determination.Congratulations to the elect President and Vice President of Indonesia! Along with all Indonesian people, happy working to jointly build the country and nation for a better Indonesia ahead!
June
Without taking diplomatic steps, the United States imposes new sanctions against Iran. President Donald Trump in Washington has issued an executive order that imposes tougher sanctions. If previously only they were only economic sanctions on the Iranian government, Washington's new sanctions specifically also applied to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei. According to Trump, new sanctions targeting the office of Iran's highest leader were put in place in response to the shooting of US drones, as well as other matters. Donald Trump said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was chosen specifically because he was most responsible for Iran's hostility towards the United States. The US sanctions were imposed after Donald Trump canceled a military attack on a number of targets in Iran. The new sanctions on Iran, however, can be considered as Donald Trump's policy of avoiding a war that might have a wider direct impact, including the Iranian civil society. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that harsher trade economic sanctions will have a long-term impact on Iran's domestic economic conditions and for the Iranian people themselves. With the new sanctions the United States has locked Iranian assets in the US worth billions of dollars. The new Iranian sanctions also prevented the access of Iran's supreme leader to financial resources to foreign financial institutions that assist the Iranian government. Through more stringent new sanctions, Donald Trump also oversees and limits the relationship between parties with an interest in Ali Khamenei. It seems the United States targets in the end is that the Iranian Government will surrender, accept negotiations and stop its nuclear production activities altogether. Iran itself responded to the new US sanctions with a strong attitude. As stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi, the new US sanctions will not affect Tehran's decision or attitude. Strictly speaking in a statement at a press conference in Tehran, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman stressed that the new US sanctions on Iran did not have any impact. Thus it can be said that the tension between US and Iran will continue.
June
Constitutional Court to earlier announce the verdict of disputes over the results of the 2019 Presidential Elections
Written by nuke
Through plenary sessions, the Constitutional Court (MK) will announce the verdict of the dispute over the results of the 2019 Presidential Elections. Previously, the hearing of the verdict would be held on Friday, June 28. However, based on the judges' meeting, the session is accelerated one day to Thursday, June 27.
Head of Public Relations and Domestic Cooperation Section of the MK, Fajar Laksono said that his side has submitted summons for litigants. They are the claimants, presidential candidate number 02 Prabowo-Sandi and then the defendant, the General Election Commission (KPU). Meanwhile, related parties are presidential candidate number 01 Jokowi-Ma'ruf, and Election Supervisory Body -Bawaslu.
The Constitutional Court has finished holding a hearing on the results of the presidential election through a trial. The trial has been held five times, with the agenda of reading the claimants' arguments, reading the arguments of the defendant and related parties, examining witnesses of the claimants, the defendant, and related parties.
At present, all Indonesian people are waiting for the announcement of the results of the trial. As it’s known, the trial process has been carried out openly. The public can also watch the entire trial via television. Based on the open trial, now constitutional judges are holding internal meetings. Therefore, there is no reason for all parties to question the results of the transparent trial process.
Two days ahead is an important waiting period to maintain peace. All parties are expected to maintain the atmosphere. Political elites should not issue provocative statements that may cause friction in the public. In addition, the disputing parties should be able to show maturity in politics.
Besides, all the public should accept, obey, and carry out whatever the verdict of the judges later.
This verdict is very important for the future of the Indonesian nation in the next five years. More importantly, various responses to the verdict will come up. The world community will witness and assess Indonesia as the third largest democratic country in the world, which is able to demonstrate its beautiful democratic life.