Latest news with #Jokowi
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesia's PSI opens doors for former President Jokowi to join their leading ranks
JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia's Solidarity Party (PSI) has declared its readiness to welcome former president Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, into its ranks - should he choose to join the party. The party's deputy chairman, Andy Budiman, stated in a statement that PSI considers itself Jokowi's "political home' and is prepared to receive him with open arms. "PSI was founded to support Jokowi's vision and mission for Indonesia's development,' Andy said, stating that all party members continue to champion those goals. The statement came days after Jokowi indicated he favoured joining PSI rather than accepting an offer to become chairman of the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP). Last Friday, the former president announced at his Surakarta residence that he will not join PPP, saying many candidates are better qualified and possess the capacity and competence to lead the party. Jokowi's connection with PSI is no surprise, as his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, was appointed PSI chairman in September 2023, boosting the party's profile among young urban voters. Though PSI failed to surpass the four per cent parliamentary threshold in the 2024 general election, it won seats in several regional legislatures and remains a key player in Indonesian politics. -- Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Former Indonesian president Jokowi signals interest in leading PSI over PPP
Jakarta motorists drive on Jan 18, 2024, past a campaign banner for legislative candidate Grace Natalie Louisa from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) that also features party chair Kaesang Pangarep (right, top) and his father, then-president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo. - Photo: AFP file JAKARTA: Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has dismissed speculation that he could be in the running to lead the United Development Party (PPP), instead indicating a preference for the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) led by his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep. Speaking to reporters on Friday (June 6) at his residence in Surakarta, Central Java, the former president, who is currently not a card-carrying member of any party, suggested others were better suited to helm the PPP, the nation's oldest Islamic party. 'There are many candidates within the PPP who are far better, have the competence and capacity for the role,' Jokowi said, as quoted by The PPP is currently preparing to hold its national congress, where it plans to elect a new chairman in hopes of staging a comeback after its resounding defeat in the 2024 legislative election that left it with zero seats in the House of Representatives. It was the party's first election loss since it was formed in 1973. Jokowi had been touted as a potential contender in the PPP's upcoming leadership race alongside other party outsiders, such as vocal government critic and losing presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman and former Army chief of staff Dudung Abdurachman. Instead, the ex-president has indicated he is leaning toward the PSI, another small party that also failed to win any seats in the national legislature last year. A self-styled youth party that has been a staunch supporter of Jokowi since his first presidential bid in 2014, the PSI is set to hold its Pemilihan Raya (grand election) on July 19 in Surakarta and has publicly welcomed Jokowi to run for chairman. 'I'll just go with PSI,' Jokowi said on Friday. Jokowi has been cozying up to several political parties amid questions about his continued political relevance after his two-term presidency ended last year and his expulsion from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the political vehicle that had backed him for over two decades. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Focus Malaysia
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Focus Malaysia
Songkok not a Muslim-exclusive headgear but part of the Indonesian national culture
THIS is obviously a cultural shock to many Malays who treat the songkok as a headgear synonymous to Muslim males to complete a customary attire during formal occasions and at social or religious events. Such is probably the reality of life in Indonesia which boasts the largest Muslim population in the world which a rabble-rouser Malaysian netizen overlooked when he demonised songkok-donning former Indonesian president Joko Widodo a.k.a. Jokowi for 'reciting the Al-Fatihah verse' at the late Pope Francis's funeral in Rome recently. Although the post by MALAYSIA PROBLEM (@Malaysia_Problm) has been taken down by virtue of his account been suspended, it has to be pointed out that songkok-donning Indonesian Homan Rights Minister Natalius Pigai was also captured on a video making the 'sign of the cross' after paying his last respect. For the record, Jokowi who during the tail end of his two-term presidency was instrumental in inviting the late Pope Francis to Jakarta was appointed as a special envoy of President Prabowo Subianto to attend Pope Francis funeral at the Vatican. He was accompanied by Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono and former minister Ignasius Jonan – all of whom are Catholics. That songkok is not an exclusive headgear for Indonesian Muslims was shared by X user fred 🤣‼️ (@508mphx) who highlighted in a viral post that 'Betawi Christians even wear it to church'. 'That's why assimilation never really works in Malaysia because stuff like language, words and even outfits all get tied up with the dominant religion,' remarked user fred 🤣‼️ whose post has amassed 2.5 million views at the time of writing. The songkok isn't exclusively Malay Muslim. In Indonesia, Betawi Christians even wear it to church. That's why assimilation never really works in Malaysia, because stuff like language, words and even outfits all get tied up with the dominant religion. — fred 🤣‼️ (@508mphx) April 29, 2025 However, some supposedly 'thick face' Malaysian netizens refused to accept such reality with one asserting that it would be better for Malaysia to retain the songkok wearing cultures for the Malays given 'there has been massive confusion in Indonesia which condones mixed marriages'. Interestingly, an Indonesian commenter seconded fred 🤣‼️ that the songkok which is commonly known as peci in Indonesia 'is a national attire, worn by the male' with no religious connotation. As the debate rattles on, a commenter revealed that non-Muslims do wear the songkok but confined to 'special and official occasions'. – May 2, 2025 Main image credit: Sekar (@bodhi_zen)/X
CNA
27-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Indonesia probes alleged ‘criminal conspiracy' in education ministry's US$616 million procurement of laptops
JAKARTA: Indonesia has launched a probe into alleged corruption involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops worth about 10 trillion rupiah (US$615.8 million) by the Education Ministry. The laptops were procured from 2019 to 2023 as part of a nationwide digitalisation project during former president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's tenure, and aimed to support public schools, said the Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Monday (May 26). 'Roughly 1,000 Chromebooks had earlier been tested and showed poor performance, yet the procurement went ahead,' said Harli Siregar, head of the AGO's Legal Information Centre, at a press conference in Jakarta, as quoted by news portal Jakarta Globe. Kompas reported that investigators under the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes issued a 'formal investigation' warrant on May 20. The AGO is now summoning government officials and private company representatives involved in the project for questioning. Harli, however, declined to name specific individuals or entities, local media reported. Authorities suspect there was collusion or 'criminal conspiracy' among those involved in drafting studies to justify the procurement. 'There may have been manipulation and forced procurement, leading to significant waste of state funds,' Harli was quoted as saying by Jakarta Globe. He said there was a lack of need for Chromebooks in Indonesia as these laptops largely require internet connectivity, while internet access across the country remains uneven, Kompas reported. 'Spending such a massive sum of public money on devices that do not match the actual needs of students raises serious red flags,' Harli said. While the total financial loss from the project is still being calculated, Kompas reported that the estimated budget allocated to the Chromebook procurement was 9.9 trillion rupiah. The procurement took place during the tenure of Nadiem Makarim, who led the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry from 2019 to 2024 under Jokowi's administration. When President Prabowo Subianto took over in October last year, the ministry was restructured into multiple entities overseeing primary and secondary education, higher education, culture, and research and technology. Other high-level probes have been reported in Indonesia in recent months. In January, the Corruption Eradication Commission said trillions of rupiah channelled by Indonesia's central bank to some lawmakers under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme were allegedly misused. In October last year, former trade minister Thomas Lembong was arrested for suspected involvement in a corruption case involving sugar imports that allegedly caused state losses of about 400 billion rupiah. Thomas served as trade minister between August 2015 and July 2016.
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
In Indonesia, Albanese has a chance to reset a relationship held back by anxiety and misperceptions
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wasted little time taking his first overseas trip since Labor won a historic victory in Australia's federal election. He'll head to Indonesia today to meet the country's new president, Prabowo Subianto. With both nations entering new political chapters, the visit carries symbolic weight. But it will also have practical importance. Despite the two nations' proximity and strengths, the relationship has often been held back by outdated perceptions and strategic hesitation. This is a timely opportunity to reset the relationship. Prabowo's emerging foreign policy Prabowo succeeded outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in October after a decade of his infrastructure-driven and globally engaged leadership. Prabowo, a former army general and defence minister, had projected a populist and nationalist image during his 2024 election campaign. He frequently emphasised Indonesia's food self-sufficiency, military strength and national sovereignty. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto greets supporters after being sworn in as the country's eighth president in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 2024. ( AP: Dita Alangkara ) Since taking office, however, he has moderated his tone. While seen by some in the West as assertive, he has signalled a willingness to strengthen bilateral defence ties with Australia. He also has an interest in modernising Indonesia's military and engaging more transparently with partners. Still, questions remain about how he will shape Indonesia's foreign policy. This includes whether he will maintain Jokowi's emphasis on multilateralism and economic diplomacy. Both are key to the tone and outcomes of Albanese's visit. Prabowo's leadership style is nuanced. Despite his polarising image, Indonesia's foreign policy is still shaped by pragmatism and non-alignment. As such, Prabowo will likely focus on balancing relations with China, the United States and Russia, while protecting Indonesia's sovereignty. Indonesia's decision to join BRICS, the economic group that includes both China and Russia, for example, should be seen as a diplomatic hedge, not a new geopolitical alignment. Other recent decisions, such as providing aid to Fiji, suggest an increasingly outward-facing regional posture. Albanese should offer Prabowo credible alternatives to Russian and Chinese engagement through trade, technology and education exchanges, rather than reacting to Jakarta's moves with suspicion. Opportunities for cooperation In his election campaign, Albanese reaffirmed his government's commitment to working closely with Southeast Asia. He also promised a foreign policy grounded in diplomacy, climate cooperation and economic diversification. This provides a strong incentive for both leaders to deepen ties. For Australia, deepening ties with Indonesia supports its Indo-Pacific strategy. The goal: promoting a stable and inclusive regional order, particularly amid concerns over growing strategic competition between the US and China. For Indonesia, Australia offers investment, education partnerships, and critical expertise in clean energy and innovation. A free-trade agreement signed in 2019 provides a platform for deeper integration and less competition in certain industries. Joko Widodo was welcomed by Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia, in March 2024. ( AP: Hamish Blair ) For example, there are huge opportunities to collaborate in clean energy, particularly after the neighbours signed a climate partnership last year. The agreement will secure supplies of lithium for Indonesia's EV battery production, while Australia will gain more export markets for its critical minerals. People-to-people ties are also vital, while education remains a longstanding pillar of the bilateral relationship. Both countries face skills shortages in key sectors. Indonesia needs skilled workers in health care, clean technology and digital literacy. Australia has shortages in critical infrastructure, aged care and engineering. There are good opportunities here for student exchanges, joint employment training programs and other vocational collaborations. New Australian university campuses in Indonesia are a positive step, but they remain commercially focused and concentrated in elite, urban areas. With over 4,000 universities across the archipelago, these partnerships could go much further. Where tensions might arise The relationship is not without friction. Australia's involvement in the AUKUS agreement, and its close alignment with the United States and United Kingdom, has raised concerns for Indonesia, which has long championed non-alignment. Jakarta has voiced unease over the perceived risks of nuclear submarine proliferation in the region. Albanese's visit is a key opportunity to clarify that AUKUS involves nuclear-powered — not nuclear-armed — submarines. He should also reinforce Australia's commitment to transparency over the deal. This is essential to avoiding misunderstandings and building trust. A more recent flashpoint is speculation around a possible Russian military presence in Indonesia — a claim the Indonesian government has firmly denied. Prabowo Subianto, waving to media as he leaves for his inauguration ceremony in Jakarta, October 2024. ( AP: Dita Alangkara ) Indonesia's response exemplifies its longstanding commitment to strategic autonomy. However, the whole ordeal reveals the complexity of Jakarta's foreign relations, which often involve balancing ties with competing powers. For Australia, acknowledging Indonesia's independent foreign policy — rather than interpreting it through a great-power rivalry lens — is critical to sustaining mutual trust. A chance to re-anchor the relationship This moment offers both governments the chance to move beyond symbolic gestures toward a deeper, more inclusive and people-centred partnership. Amid global fragmentation, trust is not just desirable — it's essential. And while differences remain, they are not insurmountable when guided by mutual respect, strategic patience and a commitment to genuine cooperation. For Australia, the challenge is to move past strategic anxiety and invest in a resilient, multidimensional relationship with Indonesia. This visit could be the first step in doing just that. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
