The Plantation Murders

Con-Air

State Owned Enterprise Minister Erick Thohir has had a big start to his tenure. Garuda’s woes are only worsening after CEO Ari Askhara is busted after smuggling Harley Davidson parts into the country on a brand-new plane. Now he’s set to be pushed out while the board of directors are next. Elsewhere, little to celebrate during this week’s World Anti-Corruption Day where President Jokowi snubbed the KPK. But it’s not all bad news — Southeast Asia Games, ending in the Philippines this week, has plenty of heart-warming moments.

Burned Promises

Hayat and Erin begin this week with an update to last week’s suicide bombing attack in Medan. With news of dozens of suspects rounded up, the pair look at what this says about the state of terrorism today. Meanwhile, the haze has cleared but the impact of this year’s fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra will impact the planet for years to come. Indonesia isn’t ready to let go of the palm oil industry just yet as the Trade Ministry gears up for a fight against European Union regulation. And Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is in strife again, this time walking back on a key election promise. But it’s not all bad. This week’s hero is an example to us all.

The Plantation Murders

Not much good news this week, with Hayat and Erin taking a look at recent violent deaths of environmental defender in Sumatra. Police investigations are continuing into the murders of local community advocates Maraden Sianipar and Martua Siregar while there is a sliver of hope that the legacy of slain lawyer Golfrid Siregar will be pursued. Meanwhile, a suicide bombing in Medan is still developing. Still! There’s some promising news on saving the rhinos and the return of Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama — not to mention a bit of Rizieq Shihab schadenfreude.

Game of Cronies

Hayat and Erin are back this week with a quick news round-up before jumping into the final cabinet. One year on from the JT610 Lion Air crash, investigators have given us a clearer idea of what went so wrong. It isn’t the only major report this week after Komnas HAM slammed the Jakarta Police for brutality during May’s anti-President Jokowi protests. Meanwhile, over in South Sulawesi a handful of police are placed on administrative leave after the deaths of two university students in last month’s protests. Hayat and Erin check in with their predictions for the new cabinet and Hayat flags a few faces to keep an eye on.

Wanted: New Ministers. Failed Candidates Preferred.

Hayat and Erin are back right as cabinet speculation reaches fever pitch. President Joko Widodo’s second term formally began Sunday with his inauguration — all reviews say it paled compared to the festival of 2014 — but it’s all about the new cabinet to be named Wednesday. Who’s in, who’s out and what does it mean for the years ahead? Also, a look back at the student-led demonstrations in recent weeks and the terror-linked stabbing of Minister Wiranto.