The wRap Indonesia: Feb. 16, 2015

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The court decision in favor of the controversial National Police chief nominee and Indonesia’s latest response for pleas for it to halt the death penalty lead our wrap of latest stories from Indonesia. 

1. All eyes on Jokowi as court rules in favor of police chief nominee

A Jakarta court on Monday declared as invalid the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) decision to name police chief nominee, Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, a graft suspect. The suspect tag had forced President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to delay inaugurating Budi, who is supported by members of the political elite but rejected by the public. The KPK can still appeal the decision, which legal experts say set a dangerous precedent, but in the meantime it technically paves the way for Jokowi to inaugurate Budi. Read the background to this political crisis on Rappler.    

2. Indonesia shows no sign of budging on death penalty

Australia has tried both pleading for Indonesia to show mercy on the two Bali Nine drug smugglers on death row, and threatening repercussions in case the pair is indeed executed by firing squad. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon even appealed to Indonesia on Friday not to execute prisoners on death row for drug crimes, which also includes a Philippine citizen. But on Monday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi again said the same thing she has always said: Indonesia is consistent on its policy. “We understand, but they should also understand. This is Indonesia’s policy,” she told reporters on Monday. Read the full story on Rappler.

3. Jokowi wants to stop sending Indonesian women to work as maids abroad

It’s about dignity, Jokowi says. “I have given the Manpower Minister a target to come up with a clear roadmap on when we can stop sending female domestic workers. We should have pride and dignity,” the president said late on Friday night. Indonesia and the Philippines are the two biggest sources of migrant workers in the region, and Jokowi said he felt ashamed and upset when discussing the issue with Malaysia during his recent state visit. But Migrant Care’s executive director Anis Hidayah said Jokowi’s plan violated the right of Indonesians to get a decent job. “This is a knee-jerk reaction discriminating women, fuelled by a misguided patriarchal view,” she said. Read the full story from the Straits Times. 

4. Yudhoyono said to get high-level position in Trans Corp

Former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is understood to be getting a new position – a high-level post at Trans Corp, the diversified conglomerate owned by tycoon Chairul Tanjung, who briefly served as economics minister under the former president. A Democratic Party official, Imelda Sari, tweeted that Yudhoyono will be an advisor for international business interests. Sources from Trans Corp told Rappler they’ve already heard the same as well, though no formal announcement has been made. Trans Corp is the parent company of several major media companies, including Detik.com and CNN Indonesia. Read the full story in Bahasa Indonesia from Rappler.

5. Jakarta governor threatened with impeachment by city council

A row over the regional budget has led to impeachment threats against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama from the Jakarta legislative council (DPRD). DPRD deputy chairman Mohamad Taufik accused Ahok of violating the law when he submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs a version of the budget different from what was agreed with the council, according to Tempo.co. However, Ahok denied the claims, and said he only submitted a version without the speaker’s signature to prevent any last-minute attempts to revise it, according to the Jakarta Globe. – Rappler.com