The wRap Indonesia: Oct. 28, 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s first instructions to his new cabinet and new revelations from American journalist Allan Nairn on retired Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono lead our wrap of stories from Indonesia the past day.

1. Jokowi issues cabinet marching orders, quashes egotistic plans

Hit the ground running. That was essentially the message President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gave his new cabinet during their first meeting on Monday, October 27, just a few hours after they were inaugurated. “We should start working from the very first day,” Jokowi said, emphasizing that organizational problems – such as the fact that some of the ministries are new and don’t have offices or staff yet – should not be a hindrance. He also made clear they were appointed to implement his vision and mission and programs, not theirs. “There is no such thing as the vision and mission of the minister,” he said, telling them to forget about sectoral egos and learn to cooperate with each other.    

2.  US journalist Allan Nairn says Hendropriyono admits ‘command responsibility’ for Munir’s murder  

The American investigative journalist who ruffled Prabowo Subianto’s feathers during the presidential election campaign is now taking aim at a general from Jokowi’s camp – A.M. Hendropriyono, the former intelligence chief implicated in cases such as the 2004 assasination of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib and the 1989 Talangsari tragedy that earned him the nickname “The Butcher of Lampung”. In his blog, Allan Nairn wrote that Hendropriyono agreed to stand trial for the Talangsari tragedy, where the former general claimed the victims committed suicide. Nairn also wrote that Hendropriyono admitted “command responsibility” for Munir’s murder, but has yet to publish that part of the interview. Jokowi named Hendropriyono an advisor to his transition team in August, drawing criticisms from human rights activists.  

3. Non-performing Jakarta officials could lose jobs this week

Now that he’s acting Jakarta governor, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama can deliver on his threat to replace non-performing officials. And it seems first on the chopping block is Public Works Agency head Manggas Rudy Siahaan. Ahok pointed to delayed projects, continued use of an inefficient tender process, and the slow progress in repairing broken and potholed roads among the reasons Manggas could lose his job this week. “Many incidents happen on these broken roads and I won’t tolerate any agency employees saying that it is not their responsibility. I do not want any public complaints relating to broken roads by next year,” he said, according to Tempo.co. Another agency with red marks is the Housing Department, as it isn’t meeting its targets, Ahok said.

4. Dangdut star Julia Perez reveals she has cervical cancer 

Controversial dangdut singer and starlet Julia Perez was in tears on Monday as she told reporters she had been diagnosed with stage 2a cervical cancer. “I thought I was just exhausted. But when I did a biopsy in Singapore, I found out I had cancer,” the starlet known as Jupe said. The revelation was one of many from the press conference held to launch her memoir, “Jupe: My Uncut Story”. She also said she often received indecent proposals, including from politicians, and with offers of up to IDR2 billion ($165,000).

5. Jakarta fashion week kicks off on Nov. 1

Some of Indonesia’s top designers like Tex Saverio and Sapto Djojokartiko will showcase their new collections on Saturday, November 1, to kick off this year’s annual Jakarta fashion week at Senayan City. The weeklong event will feature 230 models in 70 different shows that are expected to attract more than 20,000 fashionistas. The event will also feature limited collections from 8 celebrated designers: Ardistia New York, Barli Asmara, Deden Siswanto, ISIS, Major Minor Signature, Mel Ahyar, Priyo Oktaviano, and Sapto Djojokartiko. Read the story here. – with a report from ATA/Rappler.com