1st April 2002:
President Try Sutrisno chaired a meeting to discuss national security attended by Vice President JB Sumarlin, Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Legal Affairs Marzuki Darusman, Minister of Information, Post, and Telecommunications Oka Mahendra, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Tanto Kuswanto, State Minister of National Security Soerjadi, Commander of ABRI Wiranto, Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, Cabinet Secretary Hayono Isman, Chairman of BP-7 Agus Widjojo, Attorney General Soedjono C. Atmonegoro, Governor of Lemhanas Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Army Chief of Staff TB Hasanuddin, Navy Chief of Staff Djoko Sumaryono, Air Force Chief of Staff Ali Munsiri Rappe, and Chief of Police Ansyaad Mbai.
The meeting was as follows:
Minutes of Cabinet National Security Meeting
Prepared by the Cabinet Secretariat
Opening Remarks:
The President welcomed those present to the cabinet meeting and congratulates the Navy Chief of Staff and the Chief of Police for their appointments. The President said that the purpose of meeting is to discuss his recent trip as well as matters which occurred and arose during said trip which concerns Indonesia’s national security.
Without further ado, the President invites the State Secretary to report to the cabinet about the President’s recent trip.
The President’s Recent Trip to Iran, the Philippines, and Fiji:
The State Secretary made a quick summary of the President’s recent trip to Iran, the Philippines, and Fiji and some of the notable things agreed upon. A full summary has been distributed to cabinet members prior to the meeting.
The President approved of the report and called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to speak about the next item.
Myanmar:
The Minister of Foreign Affairs reported that he had begun taking the temperature of the ASEAN Nations about the possibility of meeting to discuss Myanmar. Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak had suggested an informal meeting on the sidelines of the new Yang Dipertuan Agung’s installation next month. The Minister of Foreign Affairs advised that the government show some goodwill towards Malaysia even if Malaysia has sided with China in backing Myanmar.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs next reported that from Myanmar, itself Chairman of SPDC Khin Nyunt has expressed his disappointment that Indonesia had not recognized his government but that he is keen to explain his position to the other ASEAN Nations at the first possible opportunity.
The Vice President asked why are Malaysia and Myanmar “playing nice”. The State Minister of National Security explained that this was because Malaysia and Myanmar, as well as Cambodia, and by extension China, know that things still hang in the balance in ASEAN. China may have strengthened its position in ASEAN by adding another ally but it knows that by taking sides in internal Southeast Asian affairs, it knows that it has strengthened Indonesia’s case that Southeast Asia nations should unite to counter China’s influence.
The President said that since he is scheduled to attend the Yang Dipertuang Agung’s installation, he will take up Malaysia’s offer for an informal meeting attended by all ASEAN members.
When the meeting was about to move on the next item, the Minister of Defense and Security as well as the Commander of ABRI asked for the opportunity to speak. They reported that Lt. Gen. Shwe Mann, the ousted Joint Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force had eluded capture by Khin Nyunt and gone into hiding. Shwe Mann had contacted the Minister of Defense and Security and the Commander of ABRI prior to the latter two’s departure from Myanmar. Shwe Mann said that he wished to consolidate forces within the Tatmadaw which were loyal to him and then bring these troops to Indonesia. The Commander of ABRI explained that they could not convey this to the President while they were in Myanmar out of fear that their phones were tapped.
The President instructed the Minister of Defense and Security and the Commander of ABRI to keep their contact with Shwe Mann.
Oceania:
The President reported to the meeting about what he’d heard from the Indonesian citizens gathered from all over Oceania at Fiji about OPM’s activities. He expressed his concern that this was the case and invited the Chief of BAKIN for his thoughts.
The Chief of BAKIN began by saying that in the years since the President assumed office but most especially since Irian Jaya gained more autonomy and made a special region, the OPM has become insignificant because the current government has made more effort to gain the support of the general populace than the previous government and created favorable conditions.
Since around 2000, BAKIN has recorded decreasing amounts of OPM fighters and that this was odd because ABRI had not been conducting any operations against them. At the same time, reports from agents in Papua New Guinea, including the military attache at the Embassy indicates there hasn’t been any significant activity by the OPM over there, no one crossing over from Irian Jaya and trying to plan something from there. There are similar reports from Australia and New Zealand, saying that there are no increased OPM presence there.
BAKIN has had a working analysis that the missing OPM fighters are in other Oceania countries outside of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea but that these reports the President brought to the meeting confirms that the OPM are present in other Oceania countries trying to raise funds.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs enquired why the OPM had chosen other Oceania countries instead of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea to raise funds. He also asked what was the OPM’s purpose for raising these funds.
The Chief of BAKIN said that the most likely answer to the first question is secrecy as there are less BAKIN resources anywhere outside of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. As for the second question, he prefers to gather more information first.
The President approved of the Chief of BAKIN’s report. He instructs the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Commander of ABRI, and the Chief of BAKIN to coordinate with each other about how to staff the new Embassy in Fiji and to use that embassy as a base for intelligence gathering in Oceania.
The President said that developments about the OPM being active in Oceania presents a dilemma about where to focus Indonesia’s energy. If the current state of affairs with the OPM continues, uniting Southeast Asia behind Indonesia to counter China’s influence means turning our backs on a region where the OPM has taken refuge to prepare for something that most certainly will not be positive for Indonesia’s interest.
The Army Chief of Staff argued that turning one’s back on China to focus on Oceania is even more dangerous than the other way around because China is the bigger threat.
The Air Force Chief of Staff said that Indonesia could afford to turn its back on China “for a little bit” because geographically speaking, Vietnam and Thailand can keep China busy.
The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that while it is not safe to turn Indonesia’s back on China but said that it was dangerous to have enemies hiding in small nations in the vast Pacific Ocean.
The Navy Chief of Staff echoed this saying that since Bainimarama’s assumption of power in Fiji, the Navy had grown close with the government there on the basis of Bainimarama being a Naval officer and had concluded that Fiji was the only nation in Oceania that is “unambiguously reliable” as far as Indonesia and the OPM were concerned. The others seemed to have sympathies for the OPM whether overt or otherwise.
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Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas observed the exchange of opinions between his fellow officials then saw Minister of Legal Affairs Marzuki Darusman putting his hand up to ask for a chance to speak.
“I believe that Indonesia can achieve its goals of ensuring its security from threats coming from Oceania’s direction and China at the same time provided that it is cautious” said Marzuki “By cautious, I mean we do not begin to focus on Oceania until we have a real grievance.”
“Define ‘real’”, asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
“Real in this case means actual evidence of the OPM’s presence in those Oceania countries”, explained Marzuki calmly “If we go to them based on unsubstantiated reports, we’ll look like 17,000 islands trying to bully little islands spread throughout the Pacific…if we go to them with something based on verified reports and solid evidence and we can say they are aiding and abetting separatist groups if they do not help us.”
There were murmurs of approval from around the room but Harsudiono was most intrigued at Ginandjar looking annoyed that Marzuki was venturing into his turf.
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The President approved of the Minister of Legal Affairs’ advice.
The President orders all present to utilize their departments and/or agencies’ resources and prepare ways to counter the OPM’s presence in Oceania. Under no circumstance must the departments and/or agencies betray the fact that Indonesia has sensed the OPM’s presence in Oceania.
The President closed the meeting
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Harsudiono Hartas walked to State Secretary Edi Sudrajat. Harsudiono smiled as he spoke to Edi about Ginandjar’s reaction.
“He’s not the only one who’s unhappy”, said Edi nodding in the direction of Governor of Lemhanas Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was walking past them “Why’d you keep quiet, all this strategic stuff is right up your alley.”
Yudhoyono shook hands with Edi and Harsudiono with an enigmatic smile.
“I suppose being passed twice for the Army Chief of Staff’s position will do that to you”, said Edi again.
Harsudiono nodded then looked serious.
“You think it’s wise for him to go to Malaysia?” asked Harsudiono “The Election Campaign would have started by then.”
“Tutut will be attending the Yang Dipertuan Agung’s installation”, explained Edi “It’s important that she doesn’t get the international stage all to herself.”
“I see”, said Harsudiono looking unconvinced “I still think he needs to stay in the country for the entirety of the campaign.”
“Just for a few days”, said Edi “Then he’ll be in the country until the official count of the votes are out.”
2nd April 2002:
Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri opened the PNI National Leadership Meeting today. She reminds all PNI candidates and PNI members that only the PNI stands for real change. Megawati said that it was still possible for newspapers and magazines to be closed down, for books to be banned, and for mass arrests to be conducted. The change that the current government stands for is change around the edges not real change.
Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu attended a lunch with Jakarta’s Foreign Correspondents. She made a speech highlighting the fact that domestic investments in the first quarter of the 2002 is still strong despite the fact that they are nearing the election period. She said that this was because domestic investors are taking advantage of the strong currency to make new investments and expand existing investments. Mari ran into trouble when she was asked whether the strong investment figures close to the election was because domestic investors wanted to get their businesses set up in case the PKPI loses the election, President Try is not re-elected, and the investment climate becomes less conducive. She could only answer weakly that investors have their considerations.
Later in the day, Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo said that the best thing domestic investors could do if they are afraid of “going back to the old days” of more red tape and bribes is if they vote for the correct party at the next election.
3rd April 2002:
The President landed in Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi in the morning. After being welcomed by Governor of South Sulawesi Zainal Basri Palaguna, the Presidential entourage first went to Janetaesa Village, Maros near Ujung Pandang where the President, accompanied by Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and State Minister of Rural Development Feisal Tamin, harvested rice in a paddy field and lifted the paddy up above his head for the cameras to see and snap.
Sitting down with the locals and after taking various questions, the President urged villagers to get their land certified so that they have legal certainty about their property and can become more productive, he also told them to participate and monitor the PNPM program which has been launched. One villager asked the President to ensure that electricity will be available in the village for 24 hours but said that he was thankful that electricity was available there.
“That’s good, because the election campaign’s coming soon and people will claim that the government have not done anything for villages”, said the President to laughter.
From Janetaesa, the President and his entourage departed for Ponre-Ponre Village where accompanied by Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, and State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Cacuk Sudarijanto, the President inaugurated the following:
*The Ponre-Ponre Dam
*The Sekka-Sekka Dam
*The 5th Unit of the Tonasa Cement Factory
*3rd and 4th Stretches of the Ujung Pandang Toll Road
*The Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport New Terminal Building
In his speech, the President spoke of giving South Sulawesi the tools to make its contribution to the Indonesian economy.
While the President toured the new dam, he found that Soerjadi Soedirja was walking next to him. When he praised the latter for his work, Soerjadi reported that in the last 6 months, progress at the Kuala Namu Airport at Medan has been minimal. The President asked who’s the contractor and frowned when Soerjadi gave the information.
By late afternoon, the Presidential entourage had returned to Ujung Pandang. He met with Palaguna and other high-ranking provincial officials. During the meeting, he approved of South Sulawesi’s intention to build a railway from Ujung Pandang to Pare-Pare saying that South Sulawesi has done its homework of collecting regional taxes. From there, the President and his entourage took the late flight home to Jakarta.
4th April 2002:
The President, accompanied by Minister of Health Azrul Azwar, inaugurated the Ciptomangunkusumo Inpatient Building, a building for second- and third-class hospital wards containing 900 beds. As the President toured the facilities and shook hands with its staff, Cabinet Secretary Hayono Isman fended off questions about where Edi Sudrajat was saying that today was about health.
The reason for Edi’s absence was having lunch with Chairman of the PKPI National Campaign Hendropriyono. The latter disagreed that the President should go to Malaysia and said that his focus should be domestic during the Election campaign. Edi said that while he personally agrees, he must do what the President has directed him to do and that is to prepare for a trip to Malaysia in a few weeks’ time.
“The PNI’s best weapon is their activism, the PKPB’s are their money and organization, the PPP’s is them wanting to continue being part of the governing coalition”, argued Hendropriyono “Ours is the President, if we can’t deploy him fully…
“It is only for a few days” countered Edi.
“Yet a few days can mean…” argued Hendropriyono before Edi cut him off.
“He has to govern, he doesn’t have the luxury of being on campaign mode all the time”, said Edi.
“It’s okay, we’ll make do”, said Hendropriyono not wishing to argue further.
Edi nodded and then he handed a folder to Hendropriyono.
“This is tomorrow’s announcement”, said Edi “It should give you more material for campaign advertisement.”
5th April 2002:
Mar’ie Muhammad came out of a meeting with the President and Vice President JB Sumarlin. Though he kept a poker face, Mar’ie made the announcement that the Government had just paid back all of the loans it received from the IMF during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. Mar’ie said that this had happened quicker than expected but that it has been made possible by the Indonesian economy’s strong performance and the 10-year moratorium on the payment of debt obtained in late 2001.
At Cendana Street, Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto watched this announcement on the television.
“Don’t worry,
Mbakyu”, said Chairman of the PKPB National Campaign Prabowo Subianto.
“It’s yet another achievement they can claim during the campaign”, said Tutut.
“Nothing changes, they’re on the defensive”, countered Prabowo “They’re on the defensive, other than Harmoko and Hendropriyono, none of the higher-ups want to admit that the votes they should be going after are in the rural areas. If the President realizes it, he has a day job that keeps him from focusing fully on campaign issues.”
Tutut nodded in agreement.
“Four years ago, you and I promised to put our differences aside and since that time we’ve been on a long journey together”, said Prabowo “Now we must focus because our destination is fast approaching. Stick to our game plan. We can win this.”
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The two major events are the national security meeting at the beginning and the government successfully paying off the loans it incurred from the IMF during the Asian Financial Crisis (In OTL, it took until 2006 for the loans to be paid off).
How deep are we into the TL? Deep enough that things that happened ITTL is history. Prabowo and Tutut putting their differences aside is from Update 17
https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...try-sutrisno-1997.425151/page-3#post-16079778
