The wRap Indonesia: Sept. 10, 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The increasing rejection of the controversial bill that would do away with direct elections for regional leaders and outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s new job lead our wrap of stories from Indonesia the past day. 

1. Rejection of controversial Regional Elections Bill increases

The Indonesian Survey Circle announced Tuesday, September 9, that a new survey shows 81.25% of Indonesians don’t want to give up their right to directly elect for their district heads, mayors and governors – a massive public rejection of the controversial Regional Head Elections Bill being pushed by Prabowo Subianto’s majority coalition in the legislature. Amid the public rejection, confusing signals are coming out of the Home Affairs Ministry. The Jakarta Globe reported that the ministry’s director general of regional autonomy, Djohermansyah Johan, said they now wish to continue direct elections in the regions, but hopes to hold polls simultaneously for budgetary reasons. Separately, Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who has pointed out that he and Jokowi would not have won in Jakarta if not for direct elections, reportedly said he would consider quitting Prabowo’s Gerindra party if the bill is passed with its support. 

2. From taking care of Indonesia, Yudhoyono says his new job is to ‘take care of the earth’

Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has accepted an offer to be nominated as president of the assembly of Seoul-based Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). “I have a new task… taking care of the earth,” he said on Tuesday, which incidentally was also his 65th birthday. Indonesia is one of the 18 founding member countries of GGGI, an intergovernmental organization founded in South Korea in 2010 to support and promote a new model of economic growth known as “green growth.” Read the full story on Rappler.

3. Like it or not, Jokowi’s ministers might have to use brand new Mercedes-Benz cars

President-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been looking for ways to save money, and in fact plans to get rid of most deputy minister posts and streamline the cabinet, this Rappler story says. However, it looks like he can’t do anything about the brand new Mercedez-Benz cars that have been purchased for ministers and other ministerial-level officials. Outgoing State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said the decision to order the cars – worth a total of IDR91 billion ($7.9 million) – was made in June. Jokowi said Sudi had asked him about the cars back then, and he told the latter he preferred to keep using the current Toyota Crown Royal Saloon units ministers had. But the state secretary stood by his decision. 

4. Graft suspect and former religious minister ousted as party chairman

Former Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali was ousted as charman of his party, the United Development Party (PPP), due to his alleged involvement in the hajj fund graft scandal, which resulted in state losses amounting to IDR1 trillion ($85 million), Detik.com reported. Suryadharma, who resigned in May after being named a suspect by KPK in the case, is accused of using the hajj fund – deposits of would-be pilgrims – to fly dozens of people, including his relatives, ministry colleagues and lawmakers, to Mecca.  

5. Popular Surabaya mayor doesn’t want to be in Jokowi’s cabinet

The popular mayor of Surabaya, Tri “Risma” Rismaharini, may be one of the few leaders – especially co-party members – who does not want to be in Jokowi’s cabinet. Risma, a finalist for the 2014 World Mayor Prize and a popular choice in online polls for possible ministers, has been quoted in various local media as saying she wanted to stay and complete her 5-year term as mayor of Surabaya.