Indonesia ATL: The Presidency of Try Sutrisno (1997-)
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196: The Garuda And The Bear
11th September 2002:
The first thing President Try Sutrisno did when he arrived at Sheremetyevo Airport and having been welcomed by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov on the tarmac was visit the US Embassy in Moscow and lay flowers there to mark the 1st Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks the previous year. Despite the insistence that no room was found on the schedule for Try to pay his respects in Berlin, rumor spread throughout the Indonesian press corps that this was done on purpose; for the President to openly send a signal to Washington that he was in Moscow.
Try had dinner with the Indonesian community living in Russia at the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow. Giving his talk, Try said that it was important in the current international environment that Indonesia knows what the “poles” of the multipolar world were thinking and that this was the purpose of the trip he is on.
12th September 2002:
At the Kremlin today, Try was officially welcomed by President of Russia Yevgeny Primakov. With the ceremonies out of the way, Primakov invited Try for talks. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat went in with Try. Primakov asked Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin and Ivanov to accompany him.
The opening exchange was about the consequences of 9/11 for Islam. Primakov said that though he sympathized with what happened in New York, Chicago and Washington, he was disconcerted at the Islamophobia in the United States and Europe. Try said that the best way to counter this is for Muslims to be seen to be at the center of the struggle against radicalism. He politely told Primakov that telling Islamic nations that they do not have to prove anything is just encouraging those who tended to want to do nothing.
Feigning hurt feelings, Primakov jokingly asked whether Try did not think Primakov’s attitude was genuine. Try said he acknowledged that Primakov was an expert on Arab countries and acknowledged Primakov’s stance in Chechnya which had given the opportunity for President of the Chechen Republic Aslan Maskhadov to attempt to clamp down on the hardliners. At the same time, Try asked Primakov to acknowledge that Try’s stance against radicalism was also genuine and that whatever benefits Indonesia got for its stance was a happy bonus.
“There are limits to that happy bonus does it not, President Try?” prodded Putin with a knowing smile “Moratorium on the repayment of debt, Kidd-Class Destroyers, and pressuring Freeport to divest its shares to you but no F-16s?”
“We’re still exploring the possibility of whether or not it’s no F-16s with a full stop or no F-16s yet”, joked Ginandjar.
Primakov asked Try what was Indonesia’s relationship like with the Islamic world which “does not share your attitude”. Try said that it was “cordial and proper”. Primakov laughed and asked whether that was why Try was bringing Indonesia closer to Iran. Try only smiled.
The topic moved from Islam to economics. Putin brought up BRICI and said that Brazil is keen to hold a BRICI Summit in the event Roseanna Sarney wins the Brazilian Presidential Election. Primakov said that he was all for BRICI, saying that as the largest emerging economies, the five nations must act as a bloc to stand up to pressure from the western economies. Try said that he agrees in principle with what is being proposed saying that the idea should be advanced that one can be responsible economic managers and not be a part of the Washington Consensus. At the same time, Try said that he can advance this argument better alongside Brazil and India at the G-15 and alongside Russia on bilateral meetings such as these.
“So the problem is being seen to be on the same side as the People’s Republic of China?”, asked Primakov.
Try asked whether Primakov was seeking to place BRICI above the G-8 in importance. Primakov replied it would not hurt Russia to be in both before turning back the scrutiny on Try, warning him that the West’s reaction to his effort to put AFTA back on the agenda is to pressure Indonesia to also get moving on APEC tariff reductions. At that point, Primakov argued, Indonesia should seek “safety in numbers” with the other major emerging economies in the world rather than developing economies in Asia, Africa, and South America.
China was the next topic. Try said that he cannot accept China, whilst not being a Southeast Asian nation and not being a member of ASEAN, in effect having 3 votes whenever ASEAN meets. He also cited China’s failed political intervention in Vietnam and the backing it gave to the Khin Nyunt regime in Myanmar. Primakov said that he and Try will have to agree to disagree on China saying that China shares his views on the world being multipolar and that China is a large importer of Russian oil and gas.
Primakov asked how Indonesia and China’s relationship will progress in the future. Try replied that he is not seeking military conflict with China and that all he wanted to do was check China’s influence.
Ivanov spoke out saying that Russia’s interest in Southeast Asia is its lease on Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam which runs out in 2004 which Russia is interested in renewing but which Vietnam is not interested in renewing. Rather bluntly, Primakov said that financial incentives have been offered. Ginandjar said that if the Vietnamese do not want to extend the lease then there is nothing that Indonesia can do to help. Try half-jokingly said that he and Primakov will have to agree to disagree on Vietnam.
Try then brought back matters to within Russia’s vicinity and asked Primakov about the United States and the United Kingdom’s intentions towards Yugoslavia. Primakov laughed it off and said that the White House and Downing Street are not happy that President of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic went ahead, held snap elections, and won while their attention was occupied by Afghanistan. More seriously, Primakov said that “McCain and Blair are fishing around for a trigger” but that NATO as a collective will not fall in line.
“What would Russia do, Mr. President?” asked Try.
“Whatever happens, we will not be the aggressors”, replied Primakov.
When the meeting broke up, Try and his delegation was given a tour of the Kremlin. After marvelling at the architecture and a lunch back at the hotel, Try and the Indonesian delegation travelled to Kubinka Air Base. There, Try was welcomed by Russian Minister of Defense Yuri Maslyukov and together with Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, and Commander of ABRI Wiranto they walked around the air base inspecting the aircrafts parked there; various Sukhois including the Sukhoi 30, flown there so that Try could get a look at it.
With cameras from both the TVRI and RTR close by, Try took off his suit and jumped into the cockpit of the Sukhoi, asking questions to the Air Force officers there.
13th September 2002:
The Indonesian delegation got a kick when they were told that they were going to the White House, though the White House in question was the offices of the Prime Minister of Russia. Try accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Trade Anthony Salim, Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu, and Edi Sudrajat sat across the conference table from Putin, Igor Ivanov, Yuri Maslyukov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Herman Gref, and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Yuri Zubakov.
The final set of agreements for the trip were inked which included:
-Dorodjatun and Gref signed an agreement which commits both the Indonesian and Russian governments to facilitate a joint venture between Indonesia’s state-owned resources company Antam and Russia’s Rusal. Antam and Rusal will jointly construct a smelter to process bauxite into alumina in West Kalimantan.
-Anthony and Gref signed an agreement which would see Indonesian fast-moving consumer goods gain access to the Russian market starting with Mayora biscuits.
-Wismoyo and Maslyukov signed an agreement. 40 BMP-3 IFVs will be heading the Marine Corps’ way while 12 export versions of the Mi-24 assault helicopters will be heading to the Air Force (joining 14 Mi-17s transport helicopters procured and delivered with the 12 Sukhoi Jets in 2001).
After Friday Prayer and lunch, Try and the Indonesian delegation visited the GUM Shopping Center. Hearing his guide explaining the history Try was reminded of the Sarinah Shopping Center in Jakarta and how the government was constructing a New Sarinah shopping center next to the Hotel Indonesia.
The day ended at Kremlin with a State Dinner hosted by Primakov. In their addresses Try and Primakov were full of praise for each other with Try saying that Russia, under Primakov’s leadership, is at the forefront of a significant shift in international politics from a unipolar to a multipolar moment.
14th September 2002:
The morning saw Try call on Primakov at Novo Ogaryov, the official residence of the President of Russia. He found Primakov eager for a photo-op as a lot of cameras were allowed in. After some words of farewell, Try and the Indonesian delegation went to Sheremetyevo Airport where the Presidential Airplane awaited.
“Can’t wait to get back home”, Try said to the flight attendants as he boarded.
---
It will be a bit of a complicated relationship this one. Russia is China’s ally but Indonesia wants to strengthen its military and Russia thinks it has a long history of selling weapons to Indonesia and might be well-placed to take advantage even though Indonesia and China’s relationship are not so good.
I’ve always written Try’s ABRI as still being Army-led (or Army-dominated) but being more friendly towards the other branches. In OTL, both the Mi-24s and the Mi-17s became part of Army Aviation instead of the Air Force.
And we’re back in Indonesia again next.
The first thing President Try Sutrisno did when he arrived at Sheremetyevo Airport and having been welcomed by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov on the tarmac was visit the US Embassy in Moscow and lay flowers there to mark the 1st Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks the previous year. Despite the insistence that no room was found on the schedule for Try to pay his respects in Berlin, rumor spread throughout the Indonesian press corps that this was done on purpose; for the President to openly send a signal to Washington that he was in Moscow.
Try had dinner with the Indonesian community living in Russia at the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow. Giving his talk, Try said that it was important in the current international environment that Indonesia knows what the “poles” of the multipolar world were thinking and that this was the purpose of the trip he is on.
12th September 2002:
At the Kremlin today, Try was officially welcomed by President of Russia Yevgeny Primakov. With the ceremonies out of the way, Primakov invited Try for talks. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat went in with Try. Primakov asked Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin and Ivanov to accompany him.
The opening exchange was about the consequences of 9/11 for Islam. Primakov said that though he sympathized with what happened in New York, Chicago and Washington, he was disconcerted at the Islamophobia in the United States and Europe. Try said that the best way to counter this is for Muslims to be seen to be at the center of the struggle against radicalism. He politely told Primakov that telling Islamic nations that they do not have to prove anything is just encouraging those who tended to want to do nothing.
Feigning hurt feelings, Primakov jokingly asked whether Try did not think Primakov’s attitude was genuine. Try said he acknowledged that Primakov was an expert on Arab countries and acknowledged Primakov’s stance in Chechnya which had given the opportunity for President of the Chechen Republic Aslan Maskhadov to attempt to clamp down on the hardliners. At the same time, Try asked Primakov to acknowledge that Try’s stance against radicalism was also genuine and that whatever benefits Indonesia got for its stance was a happy bonus.
“There are limits to that happy bonus does it not, President Try?” prodded Putin with a knowing smile “Moratorium on the repayment of debt, Kidd-Class Destroyers, and pressuring Freeport to divest its shares to you but no F-16s?”
“We’re still exploring the possibility of whether or not it’s no F-16s with a full stop or no F-16s yet”, joked Ginandjar.
Primakov asked Try what was Indonesia’s relationship like with the Islamic world which “does not share your attitude”. Try said that it was “cordial and proper”. Primakov laughed and asked whether that was why Try was bringing Indonesia closer to Iran. Try only smiled.
The topic moved from Islam to economics. Putin brought up BRICI and said that Brazil is keen to hold a BRICI Summit in the event Roseanna Sarney wins the Brazilian Presidential Election. Primakov said that he was all for BRICI, saying that as the largest emerging economies, the five nations must act as a bloc to stand up to pressure from the western economies. Try said that he agrees in principle with what is being proposed saying that the idea should be advanced that one can be responsible economic managers and not be a part of the Washington Consensus. At the same time, Try said that he can advance this argument better alongside Brazil and India at the G-15 and alongside Russia on bilateral meetings such as these.
“So the problem is being seen to be on the same side as the People’s Republic of China?”, asked Primakov.
Try asked whether Primakov was seeking to place BRICI above the G-8 in importance. Primakov replied it would not hurt Russia to be in both before turning back the scrutiny on Try, warning him that the West’s reaction to his effort to put AFTA back on the agenda is to pressure Indonesia to also get moving on APEC tariff reductions. At that point, Primakov argued, Indonesia should seek “safety in numbers” with the other major emerging economies in the world rather than developing economies in Asia, Africa, and South America.
China was the next topic. Try said that he cannot accept China, whilst not being a Southeast Asian nation and not being a member of ASEAN, in effect having 3 votes whenever ASEAN meets. He also cited China’s failed political intervention in Vietnam and the backing it gave to the Khin Nyunt regime in Myanmar. Primakov said that he and Try will have to agree to disagree on China saying that China shares his views on the world being multipolar and that China is a large importer of Russian oil and gas.
Primakov asked how Indonesia and China’s relationship will progress in the future. Try replied that he is not seeking military conflict with China and that all he wanted to do was check China’s influence.
Ivanov spoke out saying that Russia’s interest in Southeast Asia is its lease on Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam which runs out in 2004 which Russia is interested in renewing but which Vietnam is not interested in renewing. Rather bluntly, Primakov said that financial incentives have been offered. Ginandjar said that if the Vietnamese do not want to extend the lease then there is nothing that Indonesia can do to help. Try half-jokingly said that he and Primakov will have to agree to disagree on Vietnam.
Try then brought back matters to within Russia’s vicinity and asked Primakov about the United States and the United Kingdom’s intentions towards Yugoslavia. Primakov laughed it off and said that the White House and Downing Street are not happy that President of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic went ahead, held snap elections, and won while their attention was occupied by Afghanistan. More seriously, Primakov said that “McCain and Blair are fishing around for a trigger” but that NATO as a collective will not fall in line.
“What would Russia do, Mr. President?” asked Try.
“Whatever happens, we will not be the aggressors”, replied Primakov.
When the meeting broke up, Try and his delegation was given a tour of the Kremlin. After marvelling at the architecture and a lunch back at the hotel, Try and the Indonesian delegation travelled to Kubinka Air Base. There, Try was welcomed by Russian Minister of Defense Yuri Maslyukov and together with Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, and Commander of ABRI Wiranto they walked around the air base inspecting the aircrafts parked there; various Sukhois including the Sukhoi 30, flown there so that Try could get a look at it.
With cameras from both the TVRI and RTR close by, Try took off his suit and jumped into the cockpit of the Sukhoi, asking questions to the Air Force officers there.
13th September 2002:
The Indonesian delegation got a kick when they were told that they were going to the White House, though the White House in question was the offices of the Prime Minister of Russia. Try accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Trade Anthony Salim, Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu, and Edi Sudrajat sat across the conference table from Putin, Igor Ivanov, Yuri Maslyukov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Herman Gref, and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Yuri Zubakov.
The final set of agreements for the trip were inked which included:
-Dorodjatun and Gref signed an agreement which commits both the Indonesian and Russian governments to facilitate a joint venture between Indonesia’s state-owned resources company Antam and Russia’s Rusal. Antam and Rusal will jointly construct a smelter to process bauxite into alumina in West Kalimantan.
-Anthony and Gref signed an agreement which would see Indonesian fast-moving consumer goods gain access to the Russian market starting with Mayora biscuits.
-Wismoyo and Maslyukov signed an agreement. 40 BMP-3 IFVs will be heading the Marine Corps’ way while 12 export versions of the Mi-24 assault helicopters will be heading to the Air Force (joining 14 Mi-17s transport helicopters procured and delivered with the 12 Sukhoi Jets in 2001).
After Friday Prayer and lunch, Try and the Indonesian delegation visited the GUM Shopping Center. Hearing his guide explaining the history Try was reminded of the Sarinah Shopping Center in Jakarta and how the government was constructing a New Sarinah shopping center next to the Hotel Indonesia.
The day ended at Kremlin with a State Dinner hosted by Primakov. In their addresses Try and Primakov were full of praise for each other with Try saying that Russia, under Primakov’s leadership, is at the forefront of a significant shift in international politics from a unipolar to a multipolar moment.
14th September 2002:
The morning saw Try call on Primakov at Novo Ogaryov, the official residence of the President of Russia. He found Primakov eager for a photo-op as a lot of cameras were allowed in. After some words of farewell, Try and the Indonesian delegation went to Sheremetyevo Airport where the Presidential Airplane awaited.
“Can’t wait to get back home”, Try said to the flight attendants as he boarded.
---
It will be a bit of a complicated relationship this one. Russia is China’s ally but Indonesia wants to strengthen its military and Russia thinks it has a long history of selling weapons to Indonesia and might be well-placed to take advantage even though Indonesia and China’s relationship are not so good.
I’ve always written Try’s ABRI as still being Army-led (or Army-dominated) but being more friendly towards the other branches. In OTL, both the Mi-24s and the Mi-17s became part of Army Aviation instead of the Air Force.
And we’re back in Indonesia again next.
As always here we have a really interesting update;
I'm a bit confused now; assuming that Primakov accepted Maskhadov's 11th October 1999 proposal what is the current status of Chechnya? Was the OTL planned free economic zone opened or not in TTL? (https://reliefweb.int/report/russian-federation/primakov-claims-breakthrough-relations-chechnya). If yes, I can perfectly see Chechnya being reintegrated inside Russia with a great degree of autonomy like OTL Tatarstan or OTL modern Chechnya.
I wonder if it will be expanded to either South Africa or Turkey ; BRICIS or BRICIT maybe?
So if I understand correctly TTL bigger 9/11 distracts the USA enough to allow Milosevich to survive, right?
Nice
Fully agree with this statement
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Maybe BRICSMIST
Brazil, Rusia, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey
All of them emerging market and have potential of great GDP
Brazil, Rusia, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey
All of them emerging market and have potential of great GDP
Maybe medium to heavy types and attack helicopters given to Air Force while lighter types like Bell-412 and light attack helicopter (H145M or little bird) given to the Army for Air Assault and Attack/Escort. And maybe if we buy Su-30 we should get the one similar toMKI derivative. Lets just say in the story the ABRI-AU has seen how much Su-30 MKIs India going to buy. And from that thinking of the economic of scale and long term upgrades by Indian Air Force. Indonesia should buy them so in the long run we could either purchase or jointly develop our Su-30s to Super Sukhoi upgrade that the Indians are working on. Our relationship with Russia probably going to be same if not a bit different to India and Russia since Russia is the primary weapons provider to India but India has some issues with China while Russia also have a good relationship with China. So it would be interesting to see how Russia would balance us between China.
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Maybe Primakov asked Try about the East Timor experience, with Chechen characteristics ofc. And i liked the economic prospects, could be in the near-mid future a revitalization of Indonesia-Vladivostok sea lanes (Not only Jakarta but other ports)? The trade exchange wouldnt be the same as the Chinese, but could bring interesting numbers.
Yes but actually all of them belong to G-20. As i see, the most closer to BRICSI is Turkey. South Korea could go to G-8.
An interesting view, it would be on the Indian interests to strengthen its main partner against China.
197: Being Constructive
15th September 2002:
Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri held a press conference at the PNI Headquarters at Sunday afternoon. Megawati said that she was making a personal appeal to the PKPB to delay the impending passing of the Manpower Bill into law so that the new DPR can further scrutinize it. She also said that as a party which will have seats in the new DPR, the PNI has the right to be involved in the legislative process and that as a party of the small people, the PNI has an interest in ensuring that the rights of the working people are secured.
16th September 2002:
At the ABRI Headquarters, ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Djamari Chaniago announced a command shuffle. The command shuffle saw officers from across the four branches of ABRI get new assignments, including Commander of the Navy Staff and Command College R. Adm. Djoko Agoes Hanoeng who received a promotion to vice admiral and appointed Commander of the ABRI Academy.
Another important appointment was that of Brig. Gen. Suroyo Gino’s who was promoted to major general and appointed as the inaugural commander of Kostrad’s 3rd Division.
The most notable shuffle was a collective one, the 75 officers from across ABRI’s four branches named to the DPR as members who will take their oaths on 1st October 2002.
At the Presidential Palace, President Try Sutrisno had lunch with Chairman of the DPR Harmoko. The latter came to inform the President that the DPR had ratified the list of the Group Delegates who will sit in the next MPR. Harmoko said that combined with the ABRI officers named today, all 1000 members of the next MPR are ready to be sworn in.
The President asked about the Manpower Bill’s progress. Harmoko says that it will pass before the term of the current DPR is over because all of the PKPI, the PPP, and ABRI support the bill and all it will take is a vote. The question is whether the PKPB will make it unanimous.
“It is important legislation”, the President said “I hope it would be unanimous”.
17th September 2002:
At the DPR Building, Megawati Soekarnoputri is seen visiting the PKPB’s offices where she met with Leader of the PKPB in the DPR Hartono. At the press conference after the meeting, Megawati said that she came to ask Hartono and the PKPB to block the passing of the Manpower Bill into law until the new DPR takes office. Hartono said that he neither accepts or reject Megawati’s suggestion but said that he will discuss the matter with Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto.
Elsewhere in the DPR, the DPR passed amendments to the Police Law abolishing articles which assigned responsibility for the registration of motor vehicles and the issuing of driver’s licenses for motor vehicles to the Police.
At the Presidential Palace, the President signed decrees transferring responsibility over the registration of motor vehicles from the Police to the Department of Transportation with a two-year transition period. Speaking to the press after their meeting with the President, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja said that the enforcement of traffic laws will still belong to the Police but said that this was a significant development in transportation policy in Indonesia which had occurred on National Transportation Day; while Chief of Police Ansyaad Mbai said that the Police needed to become more professional and more focused on security and that issuing drivers licenses and motor vehicle regirstration was beyond this scope.
18th September 2002:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, in a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs, the President has welcomed Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen’s decision to put talks about the resumption of AFTA on the agenda at the ASEAN Summit. When asked about Hun Sen’s decision to also hold an ASEAN+3 Summit, which means the presence of President of China Jiang Zemin, Ginandjar said that the President has acknowledged that that is the prerogative of the host.
Ginandjar was also asked about his appointment as an MPR Delegate representing the Group Delegates. Ginandjar said that there was nothing extraordinary about this saying that ministers, ABRI officers, and governors have also been appointed as MPR Delegates throughout the years. When it was pointed out that Ginandjar would not be part of the PKPI’s MPR Delegation, Ginandjar said that his schedule does not permit him time to engage in partisanship or party politics.
19th September 2002:
In a television interview Chairman of the PPP Matori Abdul Djalil has urged the PKPB to support the passing of the Manpower Bill into law and make it anonymous. Matori said that the PKPB’s “a priori obstructionism” is not helping and sarcastically asked whether the PKPB would start undoing the government’s foreign and defense policies if they could vote against it.
The President, accompanied by State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari and Chairman of the KONI IGK Manila, hosted and had a meet and greet session at the Presidential Palace with the Indonesian Contingent due to depart for the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.
20th September 2002:
Tutut Soeharto conducted a meeting attended by Vice Chairman of the DPR Theo Sambuaga, Leader of the PKPB in the DPR Hartono, the Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani, Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung, and Prabowo Subianto. The discussion was about the Manpower Bill and whether or not the PKPB should support its passing to make it unanimous or wait until the next DPR has been inaugurated as the PNI had requested.
Hartono spoke in favor of delaying passage of the law saying that the government should struggle a little bit more and to see how the PNI’s members would fare trying to pass legislation instead of “demonstrating on the streets”. Tutut murmured in agreement at this. Akbar however spoke out in favor of passing the bill. He pointed to Hartono’s candidacy as chairman of the DPR/MPR and that it would do damage to his candidacy’s credibility if he did not support the passing of this bill when Matori has declared his support and called for a unanimous passing of the bill.
“More importantly”, continued Akbar “We are 10 days away from becoming the party with the most seats in the DPR/MPR and we’re probably less than 6 months away from the Chairwoman becoming president, we need to start becoming more constructive.”
First Theo Sambuaga and then Prabowo fell in support at Akbar’s statement. Hartono resisted at first but the prospects of jeopardizing his chairmanship of the DPR/MPR candidacy call him to fall in line. More importantly Tutut also gave her approval.
Akbar breathed a sigh of relief when ZA Maulani said that one of the laws “the members” want to look at is the Banking Law and making amendments to it so that it acknowledges Sharia Banking, he made another mental note.
21st September 2002:
The Saturday morning saw the President and Vice President JB Sumarlin meet for morning tea. The President told Sumarlin about his trip to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia. Sumarlin listened intently and then gave his opinion from a more economic perspective.
“Right now, Mr. President you’re after the 28 F-16s”, began Sumarlin “From where I sit, what you should be after is making certain that the 10-year moratorium on debt repayment remain secure.”
“Go on”, replied the President munching a lemper.
“Canada’s Martin, Australia’s Costello talked about us further liberalizing the economy at Chirac’s funeral, then Britain’s Blair brought it up with you…odds are McCain will also bring it up with you when you’re at the White House next month”, explained Sumarlin “And the President of Russia is right, there’s bound to be pressure from APEC for us to start lowering tariffs as part of our commitments there as a reaction to us moving for AFTA to be resumed again.”
“And this is related to that 10-year moratorium on debt repayment?” asked the President “They, meaning the Consultative Group on Indonesia pushed by the United States, gave that to us because we showed them that we were more serious than the other Islamic nations about fighting terrorism.”
“Yes, but they feel that they, meaning Australia, and Canada are not getting the benefits of it while the United States and the United Kingdom think we’re getting too strong”, explained Sumarlin “Germany and France and even the Netherlands aren’t complaining because we’re buying their weapons.”
There was quiet as Sumarlin also went to eat a lemper.
“A moratorium on the payment of debt allows us to do more things, build more things, buy more things, Mr. President”, continued Sumarlin “We can afford to miss out on 28 F-16s but we can less afford it if we don’t have this moratorium.”
“Point made, point taken, Mr. Vice President”, said the President.
“The moratorium is not without pitfalls of course”, continued Sumarlin “We don’t have to pay debt for 10 years but we can still incur it and we have to prepare for the day when we have to start paying debt again so we still have to manage things and make sure things don’t get out of control and make sure that the other side doesn’t get their hands on it.”
“Another reason to want to stick around where we are for another 5 years, right?” prodded the President.
Sumarlin chuckled then looked like he was guilty about something.
“I just want to tell you something, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “If you’ve heard about the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Agriculture going around campaigning on my behalf…”
“The news has reached me, Mr. Vice President”, replied the President who noted that Sumarlin told him about this and was not keeping it a secret “I know that their agreement to go along with AFTA is in part, their expression of support for your re-election.”
“I gathered that, Mr. President”, said Sumarln “I just want to know that I haven’t authorized them to go and do that.”
“But you haven’t disapproved of them either…” countered the President mischievously.
23rd September 2002:
After years of delay and effort, the DPR today passed the Manpower Law unanimously by consensus. Hartono announced that as per the instruction of Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto, the PKPB will throw its support behind the government saying that it wants to play a constructive role as the winner of the elections though of course all laws are subject to amendments if they are proven to be faulty.
At the Presidential Palace, after reporting to the President, a relieved looking Minister of Manpower and Small Business Fahmi Idris held a press conference while around Jakarta, the Department of Manpower and Small Business distributed booklets explaining the law which involved the following features:
Basic Rights:
*Equal opportunity to be given to those seeking employment.
*Equal treatment to be given to those in employment
Industrial Relations:
*Industrial relations to be conducted on the basis of mutual benefit and partnership between parties involved.
*The formation of unions and employers’ organizations are still permitted but the Government will prioritize bipartism and tripartism as the main institutions for industrial dispute resolutions.
*SPSI to be the sole recognized trade union in Indonesia.
Working Conditions:
*Contracts may be agreed to in writing or verbally with a responsibility for the employer to record basic information such as name and address of employee, starting date, job description, and wage.
*Probationary periods will be 3 months.
*The working week will comprise of 45 hours over 5 working days with 9 hours of work per day.
*Overtime to be paid on any extra work done on a weekday and extra work done on non-working days.
*Employees are entitled to a 1 hour break each day plus 10 minutes per each hour of overtime on a weekday.
*Employees are entitled to participate in social security and the national health insurance.
*Workplaces are obliged for providing “welfare facilities” for its employees. Though these facilities will be in accordance with the needs of the employees and the capacity of the workplace it will at a minimal comprise of toilets for both genders, a musalla or prayer room, and a room for breastfeeding in the event women are employed.
*Leave for women in the event of childbirth, miscarriages, or menstruation are guaranteed.
*Children under the age of 15 are not permitted to work. Any work done by children over the age of 15 must take into account certain safety conditions and must not clash with school hours.
*Interns will be entitled to pocket money to cover at least some of the transportation and food costs, a certificate at the completion of the internship, and not participating in overtime work.
Strikes and Lock-Outs:
*Strikes by workers and employees are only permitted as a last resort after all efforts at negotiation and mediation had broken down.
*Criminal and civil charges to apply in the event of strikes disturbing order or becoming anarchical.
*Strikes have to be authorized by the government for its participants to be eligible for pay during the duration of the strike.
*Strike participants have the right to be protected from reprisals at its workplace at the end of a strike.
*Lock-outs by employers are only permitted as a last resort after all efforts at negotiation and mediations have broken down.
*Criminal and civil charges to apply in the event of lock-outs in response to legitimate demands by workers.
Foreign Employees:
*Workplaces are required to obtain a permit and pay a foreign employees’ tax for the employment of a foreign employee.
*For foreigners already married to Indonesians for 3 years and residing in Indonesia, the foreign employees’ tax is not necessary.
Wages:
*A National Wages Council will be formed to give advice to the Government on wage-related issues including the determination of the minimum wage.
*The National Wages Council will consist of representatives of the Central Government, Businesses, Unions, and the Provincial Government.
*The Chairman of the National Wages Council is the Minister of Manpower
Severance and Long Service Payments:
*Severance is paid at the lowest rate of 0.5 months’ salary for those employed for less than a year and at a maximum rate of 3.5 months’ salary for those employed for more than 5 years.
*Long service payments is paid at the lowest rate of 3 months’ salary for those employed for 5 years and over.
The law to start taking effect one year after it is passed.
---
The thing about the MPR is that because in practice it rarely meets (The 1945 Constitution specifies that it should hold a session at least once in five years), to be an MPR Delegate is not a full-time job so they have their original role and to be an MPR Delegate is a happy addition. Rightly or wrongly, this creates the perception that Soeharto has packed the MPR with his supporters by having ministers, governors, ABRI officers sitting in the MPR and then have them elect him unanimously every 5 years.
To this day in OTL, the issuing of driver license and motor vehicle registrations is in the hands of the Police.
My standing assumption with regards to laws ITTL is that it’s the same as OTL laws but without all the references to democracy, regional autonomy, and any other Reformasi-specific terms. For the Manpower Law, I basically tried to go the other way as much as I can from the OTL version. It gets a lot of criticism from the business sector about the severance being too much so I made the severance lower than in OTL. Basically I made it more business friendly and whilst it’s lenient for individual workers, it tries to discourage unionism in favor of bipartism of tripartism.
That’s it from me in this year and see you in the next one!
Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri held a press conference at the PNI Headquarters at Sunday afternoon. Megawati said that she was making a personal appeal to the PKPB to delay the impending passing of the Manpower Bill into law so that the new DPR can further scrutinize it. She also said that as a party which will have seats in the new DPR, the PNI has the right to be involved in the legislative process and that as a party of the small people, the PNI has an interest in ensuring that the rights of the working people are secured.
16th September 2002:
At the ABRI Headquarters, ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Djamari Chaniago announced a command shuffle. The command shuffle saw officers from across the four branches of ABRI get new assignments, including Commander of the Navy Staff and Command College R. Adm. Djoko Agoes Hanoeng who received a promotion to vice admiral and appointed Commander of the ABRI Academy.
Another important appointment was that of Brig. Gen. Suroyo Gino’s who was promoted to major general and appointed as the inaugural commander of Kostrad’s 3rd Division.
The most notable shuffle was a collective one, the 75 officers from across ABRI’s four branches named to the DPR as members who will take their oaths on 1st October 2002.
At the Presidential Palace, President Try Sutrisno had lunch with Chairman of the DPR Harmoko. The latter came to inform the President that the DPR had ratified the list of the Group Delegates who will sit in the next MPR. Harmoko said that combined with the ABRI officers named today, all 1000 members of the next MPR are ready to be sworn in.
The President asked about the Manpower Bill’s progress. Harmoko says that it will pass before the term of the current DPR is over because all of the PKPI, the PPP, and ABRI support the bill and all it will take is a vote. The question is whether the PKPB will make it unanimous.
“It is important legislation”, the President said “I hope it would be unanimous”.
17th September 2002:
At the DPR Building, Megawati Soekarnoputri is seen visiting the PKPB’s offices where she met with Leader of the PKPB in the DPR Hartono. At the press conference after the meeting, Megawati said that she came to ask Hartono and the PKPB to block the passing of the Manpower Bill into law until the new DPR takes office. Hartono said that he neither accepts or reject Megawati’s suggestion but said that he will discuss the matter with Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto.
Elsewhere in the DPR, the DPR passed amendments to the Police Law abolishing articles which assigned responsibility for the registration of motor vehicles and the issuing of driver’s licenses for motor vehicles to the Police.
At the Presidential Palace, the President signed decrees transferring responsibility over the registration of motor vehicles from the Police to the Department of Transportation with a two-year transition period. Speaking to the press after their meeting with the President, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja said that the enforcement of traffic laws will still belong to the Police but said that this was a significant development in transportation policy in Indonesia which had occurred on National Transportation Day; while Chief of Police Ansyaad Mbai said that the Police needed to become more professional and more focused on security and that issuing drivers licenses and motor vehicle regirstration was beyond this scope.
18th September 2002:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, in a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs, the President has welcomed Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen’s decision to put talks about the resumption of AFTA on the agenda at the ASEAN Summit. When asked about Hun Sen’s decision to also hold an ASEAN+3 Summit, which means the presence of President of China Jiang Zemin, Ginandjar said that the President has acknowledged that that is the prerogative of the host.
Ginandjar was also asked about his appointment as an MPR Delegate representing the Group Delegates. Ginandjar said that there was nothing extraordinary about this saying that ministers, ABRI officers, and governors have also been appointed as MPR Delegates throughout the years. When it was pointed out that Ginandjar would not be part of the PKPI’s MPR Delegation, Ginandjar said that his schedule does not permit him time to engage in partisanship or party politics.
19th September 2002:
In a television interview Chairman of the PPP Matori Abdul Djalil has urged the PKPB to support the passing of the Manpower Bill into law and make it anonymous. Matori said that the PKPB’s “a priori obstructionism” is not helping and sarcastically asked whether the PKPB would start undoing the government’s foreign and defense policies if they could vote against it.
The President, accompanied by State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari and Chairman of the KONI IGK Manila, hosted and had a meet and greet session at the Presidential Palace with the Indonesian Contingent due to depart for the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.
20th September 2002:
Tutut Soeharto conducted a meeting attended by Vice Chairman of the DPR Theo Sambuaga, Leader of the PKPB in the DPR Hartono, the Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani, Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung, and Prabowo Subianto. The discussion was about the Manpower Bill and whether or not the PKPB should support its passing to make it unanimous or wait until the next DPR has been inaugurated as the PNI had requested.
Hartono spoke in favor of delaying passage of the law saying that the government should struggle a little bit more and to see how the PNI’s members would fare trying to pass legislation instead of “demonstrating on the streets”. Tutut murmured in agreement at this. Akbar however spoke out in favor of passing the bill. He pointed to Hartono’s candidacy as chairman of the DPR/MPR and that it would do damage to his candidacy’s credibility if he did not support the passing of this bill when Matori has declared his support and called for a unanimous passing of the bill.
“More importantly”, continued Akbar “We are 10 days away from becoming the party with the most seats in the DPR/MPR and we’re probably less than 6 months away from the Chairwoman becoming president, we need to start becoming more constructive.”
First Theo Sambuaga and then Prabowo fell in support at Akbar’s statement. Hartono resisted at first but the prospects of jeopardizing his chairmanship of the DPR/MPR candidacy call him to fall in line. More importantly Tutut also gave her approval.
Akbar breathed a sigh of relief when ZA Maulani said that one of the laws “the members” want to look at is the Banking Law and making amendments to it so that it acknowledges Sharia Banking, he made another mental note.
21st September 2002:
The Saturday morning saw the President and Vice President JB Sumarlin meet for morning tea. The President told Sumarlin about his trip to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia. Sumarlin listened intently and then gave his opinion from a more economic perspective.
“Right now, Mr. President you’re after the 28 F-16s”, began Sumarlin “From where I sit, what you should be after is making certain that the 10-year moratorium on debt repayment remain secure.”
“Go on”, replied the President munching a lemper.
“Canada’s Martin, Australia’s Costello talked about us further liberalizing the economy at Chirac’s funeral, then Britain’s Blair brought it up with you…odds are McCain will also bring it up with you when you’re at the White House next month”, explained Sumarlin “And the President of Russia is right, there’s bound to be pressure from APEC for us to start lowering tariffs as part of our commitments there as a reaction to us moving for AFTA to be resumed again.”
“And this is related to that 10-year moratorium on debt repayment?” asked the President “They, meaning the Consultative Group on Indonesia pushed by the United States, gave that to us because we showed them that we were more serious than the other Islamic nations about fighting terrorism.”
“Yes, but they feel that they, meaning Australia, and Canada are not getting the benefits of it while the United States and the United Kingdom think we’re getting too strong”, explained Sumarlin “Germany and France and even the Netherlands aren’t complaining because we’re buying their weapons.”
There was quiet as Sumarlin also went to eat a lemper.
“A moratorium on the payment of debt allows us to do more things, build more things, buy more things, Mr. President”, continued Sumarlin “We can afford to miss out on 28 F-16s but we can less afford it if we don’t have this moratorium.”
“Point made, point taken, Mr. Vice President”, said the President.
“The moratorium is not without pitfalls of course”, continued Sumarlin “We don’t have to pay debt for 10 years but we can still incur it and we have to prepare for the day when we have to start paying debt again so we still have to manage things and make sure things don’t get out of control and make sure that the other side doesn’t get their hands on it.”
“Another reason to want to stick around where we are for another 5 years, right?” prodded the President.
Sumarlin chuckled then looked like he was guilty about something.
“I just want to tell you something, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “If you’ve heard about the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Agriculture going around campaigning on my behalf…”
“The news has reached me, Mr. Vice President”, replied the President who noted that Sumarlin told him about this and was not keeping it a secret “I know that their agreement to go along with AFTA is in part, their expression of support for your re-election.”
“I gathered that, Mr. President”, said Sumarln “I just want to know that I haven’t authorized them to go and do that.”
“But you haven’t disapproved of them either…” countered the President mischievously.
23rd September 2002:
After years of delay and effort, the DPR today passed the Manpower Law unanimously by consensus. Hartono announced that as per the instruction of Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto, the PKPB will throw its support behind the government saying that it wants to play a constructive role as the winner of the elections though of course all laws are subject to amendments if they are proven to be faulty.
At the Presidential Palace, after reporting to the President, a relieved looking Minister of Manpower and Small Business Fahmi Idris held a press conference while around Jakarta, the Department of Manpower and Small Business distributed booklets explaining the law which involved the following features:
Basic Rights:
*Equal opportunity to be given to those seeking employment.
*Equal treatment to be given to those in employment
Industrial Relations:
*Industrial relations to be conducted on the basis of mutual benefit and partnership between parties involved.
*The formation of unions and employers’ organizations are still permitted but the Government will prioritize bipartism and tripartism as the main institutions for industrial dispute resolutions.
*SPSI to be the sole recognized trade union in Indonesia.
Working Conditions:
*Contracts may be agreed to in writing or verbally with a responsibility for the employer to record basic information such as name and address of employee, starting date, job description, and wage.
*Probationary periods will be 3 months.
*The working week will comprise of 45 hours over 5 working days with 9 hours of work per day.
*Overtime to be paid on any extra work done on a weekday and extra work done on non-working days.
*Employees are entitled to a 1 hour break each day plus 10 minutes per each hour of overtime on a weekday.
*Employees are entitled to participate in social security and the national health insurance.
*Workplaces are obliged for providing “welfare facilities” for its employees. Though these facilities will be in accordance with the needs of the employees and the capacity of the workplace it will at a minimal comprise of toilets for both genders, a musalla or prayer room, and a room for breastfeeding in the event women are employed.
*Leave for women in the event of childbirth, miscarriages, or menstruation are guaranteed.
*Children under the age of 15 are not permitted to work. Any work done by children over the age of 15 must take into account certain safety conditions and must not clash with school hours.
*Interns will be entitled to pocket money to cover at least some of the transportation and food costs, a certificate at the completion of the internship, and not participating in overtime work.
Strikes and Lock-Outs:
*Strikes by workers and employees are only permitted as a last resort after all efforts at negotiation and mediation had broken down.
*Criminal and civil charges to apply in the event of strikes disturbing order or becoming anarchical.
*Strikes have to be authorized by the government for its participants to be eligible for pay during the duration of the strike.
*Strike participants have the right to be protected from reprisals at its workplace at the end of a strike.
*Lock-outs by employers are only permitted as a last resort after all efforts at negotiation and mediations have broken down.
*Criminal and civil charges to apply in the event of lock-outs in response to legitimate demands by workers.
Foreign Employees:
*Workplaces are required to obtain a permit and pay a foreign employees’ tax for the employment of a foreign employee.
*For foreigners already married to Indonesians for 3 years and residing in Indonesia, the foreign employees’ tax is not necessary.
Wages:
*A National Wages Council will be formed to give advice to the Government on wage-related issues including the determination of the minimum wage.
*The National Wages Council will consist of representatives of the Central Government, Businesses, Unions, and the Provincial Government.
*The Chairman of the National Wages Council is the Minister of Manpower
Severance and Long Service Payments:
*Severance is paid at the lowest rate of 0.5 months’ salary for those employed for less than a year and at a maximum rate of 3.5 months’ salary for those employed for more than 5 years.
*Long service payments is paid at the lowest rate of 3 months’ salary for those employed for 5 years and over.
The law to start taking effect one year after it is passed.
---
The thing about the MPR is that because in practice it rarely meets (The 1945 Constitution specifies that it should hold a session at least once in five years), to be an MPR Delegate is not a full-time job so they have their original role and to be an MPR Delegate is a happy addition. Rightly or wrongly, this creates the perception that Soeharto has packed the MPR with his supporters by having ministers, governors, ABRI officers sitting in the MPR and then have them elect him unanimously every 5 years.
To this day in OTL, the issuing of driver license and motor vehicle registrations is in the hands of the Police.
My standing assumption with regards to laws ITTL is that it’s the same as OTL laws but without all the references to democracy, regional autonomy, and any other Reformasi-specific terms. For the Manpower Law, I basically tried to go the other way as much as I can from the OTL version. It gets a lot of criticism from the business sector about the severance being too much so I made the severance lower than in OTL. Basically I made it more business friendly and whilst it’s lenient for individual workers, it tries to discourage unionism in favor of bipartism of tripartism.
That’s it from me in this year and see you in the next one!
PKPB maybe majority but Tutut become president difficult. She maybe need major sacrifice on negotiation with another party sadly it means she still lost towards Pak Tri.
She doesn't even have a majority, idk why they are so confident considering PKPI, PPP, and ABRI alone have a simple majority iirc and we haven't even mention the "utusan daerah" that are no way are all in for Tutut
Remember there is Utusan Daerah (Regional Delegates) which represents the provinces and the Utusan Golongan (Group Delegates) which represents the non-partisans from various walks of lie. Basically ITTL, they are more independent rather than being automatically grouped with Golkar. And their elections are designed so that they are sending people who are deemed to be impartial to the MPR rather than those who will automatically vote for a certain candidate though some will obviously have their own leanings.
And this is when the relevant law is discussed though admittedly I have chopped, changed and edited some things.
And for all your reference here are the way the seats are divided:
DPR:
PKPB: 153 seats
PKPI: 143 seats
PPP: 73 seats
PNI: 56 seats
ABRI: 75 seats
MPR:
PKPB: 153 + 77= 230 seats
PKPI: 143 + 72= 215 seats
PPP: 73 + 37= 110 seats
PNI: 56 + 28= 84 seats
ABRI: 75 + 38 seats= 113 seats
Regional Delegates: 135 seats
Group Delegates: 113 seats
198: Legislature
24th September 2002:
In an at times emotional press conference, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri denounced the passing of the Manpower Law saying that it was a nightmare come true for workers in Indonesia. She condemned the PKPB for supporting the PKPI, the PPP, and ABRI passing the law and said that this was why there is no difference between the Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto and President Try Sutrisno and that there is no difference between the current regime and President Soeharto’s regime. Speaking to the PNI’s members and sympathizers, Megawati called for patience saying that in a week’s time they will take their seats in the DPR and MPR and make change from within.
The President accompanied by Vice President JB Sumarlin and Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti today received the participants of the Department of Economics and National Development Work Meeting at the Presidential Palace. The President in his speech said that the key area of national development remains economics and that if “we get the economics right”, this will give Indonesia more capacity to build its infrastructure, construct school buildings and increase the nation’s military strength. The President pointed that the policies enacted by the government are enacted to achieve those ends including the Manpower Law passed yesterday will encourage growth, productivity, employment opportunities, and increased living standards.
The President also acknowledged the work that has begun on the next Five-Year Economic Development Plan and highlighted its importance:
“If we conceive of Indonesia’s journey towards becoming a prosperous nation as comprising of 10 Five-Year Development Plans, then Repelita VIII, the Eighth of these 10 Five-Year Development Plans is the opportunity to make irreversible our journey towards becoming a prosperous nation.”
25th September 2002:
At the Presidential Palace, the President presided over the swearing in of the following:
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Sutiyoso as Governor of Jakarta (2nd term)
*Newly promoted Lt. Gen. (Pol.) Sutanto as Head of the BKNN.
*The 17 members of the Indonesian Medical Council (KKI) including its Chairman Prof. Dr. dr. Faried Anfasa Moeloek, sp.OG
There was also a promotion ceremony for Deputy Commander of ABRI Mshl. Chappy Hakim who will now be an air chief marshal, the Deputy Commander of ABRI slot having been elevated to a four-star position.
After the ceremony State Secretary Edi Sudrajat explained to the press that the change at the BKNN is long overdue. The outgoing Head of the BKNN Roesmahadi has had his term extended so the BKNN could be consolidated and regional branches set up. Edi conveyed the President’s hope that real progress will be made on anti-narcotics under Sutanto’s term.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Azrul Azwar said that with the establishment of the KKI, there will now be an agency in charge of overseeing the medical profession in Indonesia.
26th September 2002:
Emerging out of a meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace, Minister of Civil Service Reform Kuntoro Mangunsubroto announced that the President has approved of the Public Service Bill which the government will propose to the new DPR. Kuntoro said that this bill will make it mandatory for departments and agencies to establish service standards and provide services up to the standards that has been established. Pointing to improvements in certain parts of the bureaucracies over the last few years most notably in the Department of Finance and the BKPM, Kuntoro said that what the government wants is improvements across the bureaucracy; the most basic improvement being having service standards.
In an interview on television, the PKPB’s Prabowo Subianto said that the PKPB’s support for the passing of the Manpower Law is due to a desire to play a constructive role. “Being the party that has the most seats brings with it a set of responsibilities and the PKPB wants to reassure the people and the nation that where we believe the government is doing right, we have to give support.”
27th September 2002:
The President landed at Bandar Lampung, Lampung this morning. After being welcomed by Governor of Lampung Sofjan Jacoeb, the President and his entourage made a short trip to the entrance ramp of a toll road. There, accompanied by Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, Minister of Transmigration Indra Bambang Utoyo, the President inaugurated the following:
*The Bakaheuni-Terbanggi Besar Toll Road
*The Mesuji KTM
*The completed renovation of the Rajabasa Bus Terminal
In his speech, the President expressed his wish that Lampung and South Sumatra be the immediate beneficiaries of the economic growth in Java due to their proximity to Java. On the conclusion of the speech the President inspected the toll road.
Also in attendance and waiting for the President as he completed his inspection the toll road were the transmigrants who had been bussed from Mesuji to join the festivities. The President took time to shake hands with the transmigrants and have his picture taken with them.
Indra Bambang Utoyo took the opportunity to report to the President of an “interesting development” in his area; namely an increase of Acehnese transmigration to Irian Jaya.
“They’re transmigrating to Irian Jaya with the government’s transmigration program?” asked the President.
“They’re self-funded transmigrants, Mr. President”, replied Indra.
And then the President went on to discuss other things thinking nothing more of it.
28th September 2002:
The President had a morning meeting with Chairman of the PKPI Basofi Sudirman to discuss party matters on the eve of the DPR/MPR’s inauguration. First on the agenda was Minister of Social Affairs Meutia Hatta who the President said would not assume her seat in the DPR. The President said that Meutia acted with principle for refusing to make way to the PPP’s Hamzah Haz for the latter’s comments about women but she had inadvertently got in the way of his prerogative and needed to be brought back into line so she will continue as a minister.
Basofi said the jockeying is now for the Leader’s position in the DPR with Jakob Tobing thought to be the favorite for his role as Chairman of the Manpower Bill Special Committee. The President told Basofi that this position should go to a Harmoko supporter.
30th September 2002:
At a press conference at the Department of Home Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas said that everything has been prepared for the inauguration of the new DPR/MPR. Half-jokingly Harsudiono said that after making sure others are elected, he is now looking forward to focus on getting the President re-elected.
During the evening at Hotel Borobodur, a farewell function was held for the 1997-2002 DPR. The guests of honor sat at one table, the President and Chairman of the DPR Harmoko, Sumarlin together with Vice Chairmen of the DPR RS Museno, Theo Sambuaga, Ali Hardi Kiai Demak, and Hari Sabarno. The keynote speeches were made by the President and Harmoko.
1st October 2002:
The Crocodile Hole today was once again the scene of Might of Pancasila Day comemmorations. The President presided over it and Harmoko, in his final appearance as chairman of the DPR/MPR, read out Pancasila. But what the nation was more interested in that day was the green-domed DPR/MPR Building all bedecked and beautied up so that it can play host to the buses bringing those who will be inaugurated to the DPR and the MPR to the venue. By the time the ceremony was ready to begin, Harmoko had taken his place with Former Vice Presidents Umar Wirahadikusumah and Sudharmono and with Former Chairmen of the DPR/MPR Wahono and Kharis Suhud; his term having come to an end.
The President and Sumarlin were more like prominent attendants rather than participant as Chairman of the KPU HBL Mantiri took to the lectern to take care of some housekeeping. Having read the Presidential Decree ratifying the election of the DPR Members for the term 2002-2007 in front of him, Mantiri summoned the youngest and oldest members of this batch to act as the acting co-chairs of the DPR. These were 24 year old Meutya Hafid (PKPI) and 75 year old Vincentius Bata da Costa (PNI).
Meutya and da Costa banged the gavel to declare the DPR Session open and made a short speech stating the agenda for the morning was to inaugurate the DPR members. They invited Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan to administer the oath office before rejoining their fellow DPR members. With everyone in the room standing up, including the President and Sumarlin, Hasibuan began administering the oath of office as the TV cameras focused on various figures taking their oaths.
The oaths administered and more houskeeping on the way, Meutya and da Costa took the lead of the session again and after short remarks banged the gavel to declare the session closed.
Then Mantiri climbed up to the lectern again and having read the Presidential Decree ratifying the election and appointments of the MPR Delegates for 2002-2007, Mantiri summoned the youngest and oldest members to act as the acting co-chairs of the MPR. Meutya Hafid once again stepped forward while 78 year old M. Yasin Limpo (Regional Delegate- South Sulawesi) was her partner this time. The gavel was banged, remarks were made, and Hasibuan was once again invited to administer the oath of office to the MPR Delegates.
The President recalled a chill going down his spine as he watched the MPR Delegates repeat the words Hasibuan read out to them not only because there were 1000 voices saying the oath instead of 500 but because he realized all too well this was the 1000 people who will be constitutionally responsible for re-electing him to his current office. The cameras focused on Megawati Soekarnoputri and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto, both also taking their oaths and both will sit as MPR Delegates; all agreed that the two presidential daughters looked resolute and determined.
For the moment though, the three presidential aspirants had to wait. After declaring that the DPR and the MPR had been successfully inaugurated, M. Yasin Limpo closed the session for a recess with the President and Sumarlin making their way out of the venue followed by the newly sworn-in DPR/MPR.
The DPR/MPR was back in session after lunch time this time without the President and Vice President in attendance. It was a short session as after some perfunctory comments, the DPR/MPR unanimously agreed to regulations regarding the election of the Chairman of the DPR/MPR prepared in the last days of the previous DPR. Then came another recess with the DPR/MPR due to meet in the evening to elect the chairman and vice chairmen of the DPR/MPR.
---
Comandeering a boardroom in the hotel where the PKPI delegates were staying, Harsudiono Hartas gathered Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Siswono Yudohusodo (PKPI), Zarkasih Nur (PPP), and Djamari Chaniago (ABRI) to look at the lay of the land as they approached the election for the chairman of the DPR/MPR. Sarwono declared that the PKPI was ready to support the PPP’s Matori Abdul Djalil for chairman of the DPR/MPR. The surprise however, came when they got to Zarkasih.
“The PPP is not sure it can muster all its votes in support of Mas Matori”, admitted Zarkasih sheepishly.
“What do you mean? That’s your chairman out there running for the chairmanship of the DPR/MPR”, replied Sarwono.
“I’m saying that the developments last month that led to Mas Matori to declare his candidacy as chairman of the DPR/MPR and to have that candidacy supported by the party has caused more than a few bruised feelings and disillusionments especially among Hamzah Haz’s supporters and the Muhammadiyah members”, explained Zarkasih “This is all still too fresh, we need more time…I need more time to consolidate support.”
“What would be the best solution for the PPP?” asked Djamari.
“We need to avoid a vote and get Mas Matori elected by consensus and acclamation”, replied Zarkasih.
Djamari could only thank his three stars he did not have similar problems…
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“You’re telling me there are officers willing to consider voting against the President?” asked the Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto as her car travelled down Jalan Rasuna Said in Menteng’s direction.
“There are some who are not happy that they are not part of the President’s plans and have seen their careers stagnate as a result”, replied Prabowo Subianto.
“But why would Mas Try send people who are less than happy somewhere where they can do damage to him?” asked Tutut.
“For one he doesn’t know about it, Mbakyu”, explained Prabowo “These officers have hidden themselves quite well from Lt. Gen. Djamari. “
“I see”, said Tutut.
“The only catch is, from where I sit, these guys should be saved for the crucial moment…at the MPR Session when the presidential vote is taken”, persuaded Prabowo “It would be a waste to use them to get Gen. Hartono elected as chairman of the DPR/MPR. That would simply alert Gen. Wiranto and Lt. Gen. Djamari that there are mutineers in their ranks.”
“How should we proceed to secure Mas Hartono’s election if we can’t rely on these officers’ votes for the moment?” asked Tutut.
---
The DPR/MPR convened again in the evening. Meutya Hafid opened the session once again accompanied this time by da Costa, the DPR being the first to hold its session. Having announced the first item on the agenda will be the election of the chairman of the DPR, Meutya made a call for the parties to announce their candidates in the order of seats held.
Speaking on behalf of the PKPB was one of its strongest campaign performers Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin who made a speech nominating Hartono as the PKPB’s candidate for chairman of the DPR.
The PKPI appointed Tjahjo Kumolo as its spokesperson to nominate the PPP’s Matori Abdul Djalil as chairman of the DPR while the PPP, to show unity within itself and with the coalition, appointed Hamzah Haz to nominate Matori. Lt. Gen. Nyoman Suwisma spoke to express ABRI’s support for Matori.
Using his seat at the the table, da Costa conveyed a letter from the PNI’s DPR members saying that the PNI will not be nominating for the chairmanship of the DPR.
Meutya closed the nomination and had barely announced that there were two candidates for the chairmanship of the DPR when all of a sudden Hartono interrupted. To the surprise of all those present, Hartono began praising Matori and made particular mention of Matori acting as a spokesperson representing all four political parties on the eve of the election campaign and committing all four parties to a peaceful election campaign.
“He spoke eloquently on behalf of all those participating in the elections and I know that given the chance, he will speak eloquently on behalf of all those sitting here in the DPR”, said Hartono “Which is why I announce that I withdraw my nomination as chairman of the DPR.”
Hartono was cheered by his fellow PKPB members while the PKPI wanted to applaud but seemed revolted that a PKPB member had been the source of the feeling of good cheer. Matori was swamped by PPP members wanting to shake his hands and singing the sholawat badar. The gavel was banged calling for silence.
“There being only one candidate left for the office of chairman of the DPR, the candidate may be declared elected by acclamation”, announced Meutya “All those in favor.”
“Setujuuuuuu….”, thundered the DPR members.
“I declare Mr. Matori Abdul Djalil SH. of the Partai Persatuan Pembangunan elected as chairman of the DPR”, said Meutya before banging the gavel.
Once the applause died down, Meutya and da Costa announced that the next agenda will be the election of the vice chairmen of the DPR. In quick succession, the following were declared elected vice chairman of the DPR:
*Gen. (Ret.) Hartono (PKPB)
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Basofi Sudirman (PKPI)
*Lt. Gen. Nyoman Suwisma (ABRI)
*Alex Litaay (PNI)
The DPR session was then closed. It was then reopened as an MPR Session with the MPR Delegates who had sat silently in the DPR Session now turning into participants and the DPR members now participating in this capacity as MPR delegates.
In a parallel process, Meutya and M. Yasin Limpo presided over the election of Matori as chairman of the MPR (the PKPB having not even bothered nominating Hartono this time) and Hartono, Basofi Sudirman, Nyoman Suwisma, and Alex Litaay elected vice chairmen of the MPR. The election of vice chairmen of the MPR which are exclusive to the MPR are also elected in quick succession.
*Ir. Mario Carrascalao (Regional Delegate- East Timor)
*Edwin Soeryadjaya B.BA (Group Delegate- Businesses)
---
And thus, the new DPR/MPR has taken office.
In an at times emotional press conference, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri denounced the passing of the Manpower Law saying that it was a nightmare come true for workers in Indonesia. She condemned the PKPB for supporting the PKPI, the PPP, and ABRI passing the law and said that this was why there is no difference between the Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto and President Try Sutrisno and that there is no difference between the current regime and President Soeharto’s regime. Speaking to the PNI’s members and sympathizers, Megawati called for patience saying that in a week’s time they will take their seats in the DPR and MPR and make change from within.
The President accompanied by Vice President JB Sumarlin and Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti today received the participants of the Department of Economics and National Development Work Meeting at the Presidential Palace. The President in his speech said that the key area of national development remains economics and that if “we get the economics right”, this will give Indonesia more capacity to build its infrastructure, construct school buildings and increase the nation’s military strength. The President pointed that the policies enacted by the government are enacted to achieve those ends including the Manpower Law passed yesterday will encourage growth, productivity, employment opportunities, and increased living standards.
The President also acknowledged the work that has begun on the next Five-Year Economic Development Plan and highlighted its importance:
“If we conceive of Indonesia’s journey towards becoming a prosperous nation as comprising of 10 Five-Year Development Plans, then Repelita VIII, the Eighth of these 10 Five-Year Development Plans is the opportunity to make irreversible our journey towards becoming a prosperous nation.”
25th September 2002:
At the Presidential Palace, the President presided over the swearing in of the following:
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Sutiyoso as Governor of Jakarta (2nd term)
*Newly promoted Lt. Gen. (Pol.) Sutanto as Head of the BKNN.
*The 17 members of the Indonesian Medical Council (KKI) including its Chairman Prof. Dr. dr. Faried Anfasa Moeloek, sp.OG
There was also a promotion ceremony for Deputy Commander of ABRI Mshl. Chappy Hakim who will now be an air chief marshal, the Deputy Commander of ABRI slot having been elevated to a four-star position.
After the ceremony State Secretary Edi Sudrajat explained to the press that the change at the BKNN is long overdue. The outgoing Head of the BKNN Roesmahadi has had his term extended so the BKNN could be consolidated and regional branches set up. Edi conveyed the President’s hope that real progress will be made on anti-narcotics under Sutanto’s term.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Azrul Azwar said that with the establishment of the KKI, there will now be an agency in charge of overseeing the medical profession in Indonesia.
26th September 2002:
Emerging out of a meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace, Minister of Civil Service Reform Kuntoro Mangunsubroto announced that the President has approved of the Public Service Bill which the government will propose to the new DPR. Kuntoro said that this bill will make it mandatory for departments and agencies to establish service standards and provide services up to the standards that has been established. Pointing to improvements in certain parts of the bureaucracies over the last few years most notably in the Department of Finance and the BKPM, Kuntoro said that what the government wants is improvements across the bureaucracy; the most basic improvement being having service standards.
In an interview on television, the PKPB’s Prabowo Subianto said that the PKPB’s support for the passing of the Manpower Law is due to a desire to play a constructive role. “Being the party that has the most seats brings with it a set of responsibilities and the PKPB wants to reassure the people and the nation that where we believe the government is doing right, we have to give support.”
27th September 2002:
The President landed at Bandar Lampung, Lampung this morning. After being welcomed by Governor of Lampung Sofjan Jacoeb, the President and his entourage made a short trip to the entrance ramp of a toll road. There, accompanied by Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, Minister of Transmigration Indra Bambang Utoyo, the President inaugurated the following:
*The Bakaheuni-Terbanggi Besar Toll Road
*The Mesuji KTM
*The completed renovation of the Rajabasa Bus Terminal
In his speech, the President expressed his wish that Lampung and South Sumatra be the immediate beneficiaries of the economic growth in Java due to their proximity to Java. On the conclusion of the speech the President inspected the toll road.
Also in attendance and waiting for the President as he completed his inspection the toll road were the transmigrants who had been bussed from Mesuji to join the festivities. The President took time to shake hands with the transmigrants and have his picture taken with them.
Indra Bambang Utoyo took the opportunity to report to the President of an “interesting development” in his area; namely an increase of Acehnese transmigration to Irian Jaya.
“They’re transmigrating to Irian Jaya with the government’s transmigration program?” asked the President.
“They’re self-funded transmigrants, Mr. President”, replied Indra.
And then the President went on to discuss other things thinking nothing more of it.
28th September 2002:
The President had a morning meeting with Chairman of the PKPI Basofi Sudirman to discuss party matters on the eve of the DPR/MPR’s inauguration. First on the agenda was Minister of Social Affairs Meutia Hatta who the President said would not assume her seat in the DPR. The President said that Meutia acted with principle for refusing to make way to the PPP’s Hamzah Haz for the latter’s comments about women but she had inadvertently got in the way of his prerogative and needed to be brought back into line so she will continue as a minister.
Basofi said the jockeying is now for the Leader’s position in the DPR with Jakob Tobing thought to be the favorite for his role as Chairman of the Manpower Bill Special Committee. The President told Basofi that this position should go to a Harmoko supporter.
30th September 2002:
At a press conference at the Department of Home Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas said that everything has been prepared for the inauguration of the new DPR/MPR. Half-jokingly Harsudiono said that after making sure others are elected, he is now looking forward to focus on getting the President re-elected.
During the evening at Hotel Borobodur, a farewell function was held for the 1997-2002 DPR. The guests of honor sat at one table, the President and Chairman of the DPR Harmoko, Sumarlin together with Vice Chairmen of the DPR RS Museno, Theo Sambuaga, Ali Hardi Kiai Demak, and Hari Sabarno. The keynote speeches were made by the President and Harmoko.
1st October 2002:
The Crocodile Hole today was once again the scene of Might of Pancasila Day comemmorations. The President presided over it and Harmoko, in his final appearance as chairman of the DPR/MPR, read out Pancasila. But what the nation was more interested in that day was the green-domed DPR/MPR Building all bedecked and beautied up so that it can play host to the buses bringing those who will be inaugurated to the DPR and the MPR to the venue. By the time the ceremony was ready to begin, Harmoko had taken his place with Former Vice Presidents Umar Wirahadikusumah and Sudharmono and with Former Chairmen of the DPR/MPR Wahono and Kharis Suhud; his term having come to an end.
The President and Sumarlin were more like prominent attendants rather than participant as Chairman of the KPU HBL Mantiri took to the lectern to take care of some housekeeping. Having read the Presidential Decree ratifying the election of the DPR Members for the term 2002-2007 in front of him, Mantiri summoned the youngest and oldest members of this batch to act as the acting co-chairs of the DPR. These were 24 year old Meutya Hafid (PKPI) and 75 year old Vincentius Bata da Costa (PNI).
Meutya and da Costa banged the gavel to declare the DPR Session open and made a short speech stating the agenda for the morning was to inaugurate the DPR members. They invited Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan to administer the oath office before rejoining their fellow DPR members. With everyone in the room standing up, including the President and Sumarlin, Hasibuan began administering the oath of office as the TV cameras focused on various figures taking their oaths.
The oaths administered and more houskeeping on the way, Meutya and da Costa took the lead of the session again and after short remarks banged the gavel to declare the session closed.
Then Mantiri climbed up to the lectern again and having read the Presidential Decree ratifying the election and appointments of the MPR Delegates for 2002-2007, Mantiri summoned the youngest and oldest members to act as the acting co-chairs of the MPR. Meutya Hafid once again stepped forward while 78 year old M. Yasin Limpo (Regional Delegate- South Sulawesi) was her partner this time. The gavel was banged, remarks were made, and Hasibuan was once again invited to administer the oath of office to the MPR Delegates.
The President recalled a chill going down his spine as he watched the MPR Delegates repeat the words Hasibuan read out to them not only because there were 1000 voices saying the oath instead of 500 but because he realized all too well this was the 1000 people who will be constitutionally responsible for re-electing him to his current office. The cameras focused on Megawati Soekarnoputri and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto, both also taking their oaths and both will sit as MPR Delegates; all agreed that the two presidential daughters looked resolute and determined.
For the moment though, the three presidential aspirants had to wait. After declaring that the DPR and the MPR had been successfully inaugurated, M. Yasin Limpo closed the session for a recess with the President and Sumarlin making their way out of the venue followed by the newly sworn-in DPR/MPR.
The DPR/MPR was back in session after lunch time this time without the President and Vice President in attendance. It was a short session as after some perfunctory comments, the DPR/MPR unanimously agreed to regulations regarding the election of the Chairman of the DPR/MPR prepared in the last days of the previous DPR. Then came another recess with the DPR/MPR due to meet in the evening to elect the chairman and vice chairmen of the DPR/MPR.
---
Comandeering a boardroom in the hotel where the PKPI delegates were staying, Harsudiono Hartas gathered Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Siswono Yudohusodo (PKPI), Zarkasih Nur (PPP), and Djamari Chaniago (ABRI) to look at the lay of the land as they approached the election for the chairman of the DPR/MPR. Sarwono declared that the PKPI was ready to support the PPP’s Matori Abdul Djalil for chairman of the DPR/MPR. The surprise however, came when they got to Zarkasih.
“The PPP is not sure it can muster all its votes in support of Mas Matori”, admitted Zarkasih sheepishly.
“What do you mean? That’s your chairman out there running for the chairmanship of the DPR/MPR”, replied Sarwono.
“I’m saying that the developments last month that led to Mas Matori to declare his candidacy as chairman of the DPR/MPR and to have that candidacy supported by the party has caused more than a few bruised feelings and disillusionments especially among Hamzah Haz’s supporters and the Muhammadiyah members”, explained Zarkasih “This is all still too fresh, we need more time…I need more time to consolidate support.”
“What would be the best solution for the PPP?” asked Djamari.
“We need to avoid a vote and get Mas Matori elected by consensus and acclamation”, replied Zarkasih.
Djamari could only thank his three stars he did not have similar problems…
---
“You’re telling me there are officers willing to consider voting against the President?” asked the Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto as her car travelled down Jalan Rasuna Said in Menteng’s direction.
“There are some who are not happy that they are not part of the President’s plans and have seen their careers stagnate as a result”, replied Prabowo Subianto.
“But why would Mas Try send people who are less than happy somewhere where they can do damage to him?” asked Tutut.
“For one he doesn’t know about it, Mbakyu”, explained Prabowo “These officers have hidden themselves quite well from Lt. Gen. Djamari. “
“I see”, said Tutut.
“The only catch is, from where I sit, these guys should be saved for the crucial moment…at the MPR Session when the presidential vote is taken”, persuaded Prabowo “It would be a waste to use them to get Gen. Hartono elected as chairman of the DPR/MPR. That would simply alert Gen. Wiranto and Lt. Gen. Djamari that there are mutineers in their ranks.”
“How should we proceed to secure Mas Hartono’s election if we can’t rely on these officers’ votes for the moment?” asked Tutut.
---
The DPR/MPR convened again in the evening. Meutya Hafid opened the session once again accompanied this time by da Costa, the DPR being the first to hold its session. Having announced the first item on the agenda will be the election of the chairman of the DPR, Meutya made a call for the parties to announce their candidates in the order of seats held.
Speaking on behalf of the PKPB was one of its strongest campaign performers Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin who made a speech nominating Hartono as the PKPB’s candidate for chairman of the DPR.
The PKPI appointed Tjahjo Kumolo as its spokesperson to nominate the PPP’s Matori Abdul Djalil as chairman of the DPR while the PPP, to show unity within itself and with the coalition, appointed Hamzah Haz to nominate Matori. Lt. Gen. Nyoman Suwisma spoke to express ABRI’s support for Matori.
Using his seat at the the table, da Costa conveyed a letter from the PNI’s DPR members saying that the PNI will not be nominating for the chairmanship of the DPR.
Meutya closed the nomination and had barely announced that there were two candidates for the chairmanship of the DPR when all of a sudden Hartono interrupted. To the surprise of all those present, Hartono began praising Matori and made particular mention of Matori acting as a spokesperson representing all four political parties on the eve of the election campaign and committing all four parties to a peaceful election campaign.
“He spoke eloquently on behalf of all those participating in the elections and I know that given the chance, he will speak eloquently on behalf of all those sitting here in the DPR”, said Hartono “Which is why I announce that I withdraw my nomination as chairman of the DPR.”
Hartono was cheered by his fellow PKPB members while the PKPI wanted to applaud but seemed revolted that a PKPB member had been the source of the feeling of good cheer. Matori was swamped by PPP members wanting to shake his hands and singing the sholawat badar. The gavel was banged calling for silence.
“There being only one candidate left for the office of chairman of the DPR, the candidate may be declared elected by acclamation”, announced Meutya “All those in favor.”
“Setujuuuuuu….”, thundered the DPR members.
“I declare Mr. Matori Abdul Djalil SH. of the Partai Persatuan Pembangunan elected as chairman of the DPR”, said Meutya before banging the gavel.
Once the applause died down, Meutya and da Costa announced that the next agenda will be the election of the vice chairmen of the DPR. In quick succession, the following were declared elected vice chairman of the DPR:
*Gen. (Ret.) Hartono (PKPB)
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Basofi Sudirman (PKPI)
*Lt. Gen. Nyoman Suwisma (ABRI)
*Alex Litaay (PNI)
The DPR session was then closed. It was then reopened as an MPR Session with the MPR Delegates who had sat silently in the DPR Session now turning into participants and the DPR members now participating in this capacity as MPR delegates.
In a parallel process, Meutya and M. Yasin Limpo presided over the election of Matori as chairman of the MPR (the PKPB having not even bothered nominating Hartono this time) and Hartono, Basofi Sudirman, Nyoman Suwisma, and Alex Litaay elected vice chairmen of the MPR. The election of vice chairmen of the MPR which are exclusive to the MPR are also elected in quick succession.
*Ir. Mario Carrascalao (Regional Delegate- East Timor)
*Edwin Soeryadjaya B.BA (Group Delegate- Businesses)
---
And thus, the new DPR/MPR has taken office.
Great update. Looks like the parties had started their moves, although not 100% according to plan, I think...
Depends on the definition of self-funded. I wonder if some of the funding could (on top of the obligatory IMO complimentary Umrah for the some of the migrants, to show they are affluent enough to move to Irian Jaya) probably go to one party under a top secret agreement.😉😉 Surely the funder knows that an election is coming.
P/s: Some of migrants are really lucky to move out of Acheh, especially if they are from the coast.
Depends on the definition of self-funded. I wonder if some of the funding could (on top of the obligatory IMO complimentary Umrah for the some of the migrants, to show they are affluent enough to move to Irian Jaya) probably go to one party under a top secret agreement.😉😉 Surely the funder knows that an election is coming.P/s: Some of migrants are really lucky to move out of Acheh, especially if they are from the coast.
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Oh man, looks like my favourite story arc has ended its hiatus. Wonder if he knows about Try's attempts to leading the Islamic World to participate on the Global War on Terror, also would love to know about his stance on the Multipolar Moment.
Also looks like whatever he planned would happened coincidentally with whatever Prabowo and Tutut's plans are. If that's true, it would be a big surprise for the nation for sure.
Good entry as usual, dude.
I'm sure nothing bad will come out of this development at all. No relation to certain movements, no sir.
Huh, that event will happen soon. Fortunate indeed.
199: Next March
Of the three posts above, @Pilatypus is the one closest to the mark.
And here we go...
2nd October 2002:
There were cheers and applause as Chairman of the DPR/MPR Matori lifted his gavel. Together with the Vice Chairmen of the DPR/MPR, Matori had taken his oath of office which was administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan and the gavel was now passed from the provisional leadership of the DPR/MPR.
It was not only Matori and the vice chairmen of the DPR/MPR who assumed their positions in the DPR/MPR that day as the parties filled leadership positions in both the DPR and the MPR.
DPR:
PKPB:
Leader: Ir. Akbar Tandjung
Secretary: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Yunus Yosfiah
PKPI:
Leader: Sofyan Lubis
Secretary: Tjahjo Kumolo SH.
PPP:
Leader: Bachtiar Chamsyah SE
Secretary: Chozin Chumaidy
PNI:
Leader: Drs. Jacob Nuwawea
Secretary: Ir. Heri Akhmadi
ABRI:
Leader: Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo
Secretary: Brig. Gen. (Mar.) Safzen Noerdin
MPR:
PKPB:
Leader: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto
Secretary: Dr. Subijakto Tjakrawerdaya
PKPI:
Leader: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Harsudiono Hartas
Secretary: Jointly held by Ir. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Ir. Siswono Yudohusodo
PPP:
Leader: Zarkasih Nur
Secretary: Ir. Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto
PNI:
Leader: Ir. Sutjipto
Secretary: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) (Ret.) Sidarto Danusubroto
ABRI:
Leader: Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago
Secretary: Maj. Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo
Regional Delegates:
Leader: Prof. Dr. M. Ryaas Rasyid
Secretary: Manuel Kaisiepo S.IP MH
Group Delegates:
Leader: Prof. Dr. Nurcholish Madjid M.A
Secretary: Bomer Pasaribu SH.
With the offices filled, the MPR got down to business. Its first order of business was dispatched quickly enough. The 2003 MPR General Session will be held from 1st-11th March 2003, the last day to coincide as always with the inaugurations of the president and vice president. The 3rd March 2003 is actually the Islamic New Year but the holiday will be marked upon the conclusion of the MPR General Session.
The second order of business was trickier. Whilst acknowledging that the President’s request that the task of formulating the GBHN be fully in the hands in the MPR represented a desire to adhere more fully to the 1945 Constitution, the question that needed answering how this should work in practice since five months would not be enough to formulate, in very broad terms, what the nation ought to achieve over the next five years. The PKPB’s Yusril Ihza Mahendra tried to argue that a lack of time to formulate the GBHN is one reason why the President and the government, which has the time and the machinery to determine what the nation should be aiming to achieve in the next five years, should produce a Draft GBHN so that the MPR does not start with nothing.
The PNI’s Laksamana Sukardi, while agreeing that the MPR should be fully responsible for the GBHN, pointed to the current political dynamics where all signs point to multiple candidates contending for the presidency in front of the MPR. He said that it would be awkward if the MPR produced a GBHN which is at odds with a presidential candidate’s vision for the nation. It would be more awkward if the MPR produced a GBHN containing influences from a certain party and then ends up electing a president from another. Laksamana caused laughter when he said that he does not see a President from the PNI implementing a GBHN where the PKPI and the PKPB had a strong influence in producing.
Various opinions were exchanged on this matter and a deadlock was forming until the chairman and vice chairmen of the MPR together with the leaders of the various delegations met and came with a consensus: that the MPR delegates the task of formulating a draft GBHN to the political parties intending to nominate a presidential candidate and that the MPR will adopt the draft GBHN of the political parties whose presidential candidate had been elected.
3rd October 2002:
At the Presidential Palace, the President and Vice President JB Sumarlin welcomed Chairman of the MPR Matori Abdul Djalil and Vice Chairmen of the MPR Hartono, Basofi Sudirman, Alex Litaay, Nyoman Suwisma, Mario Carrascalao, and Edwin Soeryadjaya. The MPR delegation came to introduce themselves to the President as well as to convey what has been agreed to by the MPR over the last few days as well as to inform them that the MPR goes into recess until March with all prepatory work for the MPR Session to be entrusted to the MPR’s Standing Committee, headed by Mario Carrascalao.
In the joint press conference between himself and Matori, the President expressed his happiness at what the MPR had agreed to over the last couple of days. He also said that after the 2002 Election and the inauguration of the new DPR/MPR members, the nation only has one more major event left in the nation’s constitutional calendar: the 2003 MPR General Session in March and that he calls on the nation will make this event a success the way it did the two aforementioned events.
The question inevitably turned to the presidency and whether the President would put up his name for nomination.
“Next March is getting pretty close isn't it?” asked the President coyly as he ended the press conference.
5th October 2002:
At the Headquarters of the Eastern Fleet in Surabaya, martial military drum beats provided the background music as the President, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Commander of ABRI Wiranto, 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 saluted the troops as they marched past. Singled out as they marched past and saluted the President were men from the units constituting Kostrad’s 3rd Division.
Enjoying no less attention however was the 515th Battalion from Kostrad’s 2nd Division, riding VAB APCs and proudly displaying their designation as the first mechanized infantry unit in ABRI. Another unit marched past, its soldiers not looking like Indonesians but also the first of its kind. This was the 11th Myanmarian Auxiliary Light Infantry Battalion, the first unit to be formally established out of Lt. Gen. Shwe Mann’s men who had evacuated to Myanmar from Indonesia by way of India after the March 2002 Myanmarian coup. Speaking to the press, ABRI Chief of General Staff Djaja Suparman said that more mechanized infantry units and Myanmarian auxiliary units were in the pipeline.
The Air Force’s Sukhoi Squadron and BaE Hawk Squadrons did a flypass overhead while the Navy’s KRI Tanjung Kambani and the 3 Ahmad Yani Class Frigates responsible for helping evacuate Shwe Mann’s followers sailed pass in the waters. Brimob units involved in operations against the Jemaah Islamiyah in August also marched pass earning them a standing ovation led by the President himself.
In his keynote speech, the President spoke of his pride of ABRI’s increasing strength and announced that ABRI will be conducting a Joint Military Exercise in December, the first Joint Military Exercise to be conducted since 1996.
7th October 2002:
The President and Sumarlin met with Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Finance Mar’ie Muhammad, and Governor of BI Boediono.
* Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti reported that the inauguration of the new DPR/MPR with the PKPB having the most seats had not resulted in an adverse effect to the economy the way the election results did back in June. There was agreement in the room that from a political standpoint the Rupiah has strengthened because of the PKPB wanting to play at being sensible and helping to pass the Manpower Law and that from an economic policy standpoint, the passing of this law has helped further cement Indonesia’s place as an attractive place to invest “regardless of how things turn out in March”.
*The discussion moved on to AFTA and Dorodjatun reported that preparations continue to produce the proposal which the President wished to present to the ASEAN Summit.
“For the national’s economy’s sake, the resumption of AFTA cannot have an adverse effect otherwise this defeats the purpose of resuming AFTA; so any concerns by the departments and agencies must be taken on board and addressed as best as possible”, remarked the President “For our geopolitical position in the region, putting AFTA back on the agenda will be important. Economic leadership is just as and perhaps more important in this region than political leadership so if we want to play a prominent role, this is one agenda we should make a move on.”
*The President approved of Mar’ie’s proposal that the abolition of exit taxes for Indonesian departing overseas, previously extended to Indonesians departing to Jakarta Bloc countries, be extended to Indonesians departing for Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
8th October 2002:
Accompanied by Head of the BKPM Mari Pangestu, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, and Governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso, the President today inaugurated IKEA Jakarta situated at the end of Asia Afrika Street next to the golf course and across the road from Plaza Senayan. After cutting the ribbons and delivering a speech highlighting the trust investors have in Indonesia, the President and First Lady Tuti Setiawati walked around accompanied by a store employee to guide them in how to shop (“Oh, so you write what you want to buy down on the piece of paper and then you pick it up later? I see.”).
In a press conference at the Department of Education, Minister of Education Fakry Gaffar announced that the President has approved of a 5-yearly interval in changes between textbooks for primary and secondary level education. Fakry explained that the government’s principle is that anybody that wants to send their children to school should not be getting “extra financial burden”.
9th October 2002:
The President met with Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi, the latter reporting on various developments within his area.
The first thing Djiteng discussed was that Pertamina had signed the contract with Exxonmobile to develop the Cepu Block at the Central Java-East Java border. The President asked how long before production can begin. Djiteng said two years but that would only be through an early production facility rather through the full production facility. The President replied that he could live with that as long as something is being added to the national oil production.
Djiteng then spoke about coal. He said that coal prices have begun to rise because of the demand from the major emerging economies and says that this includes Indonesia’s economy which has steam electricity generators and certain segments of industry that needs to be fueled by coal. The President asked if he should be concerned. Djiteng said that everyone is still happy with the coal price at the moment and that the government is still far away from having to choose between export revenue and the demands of domestic industry.
When the meeting wrapped up, the President was somehow in a mood to reminisce and he began to talk to Djiteng about all that had gone on in the past few years in mining and energy policy. But things suddenly turned serious when the President asked about areas of disagreement between the two.
“Geopolitics is not my forte, Mr. President” replied Djiteng “But somehow I think you’re against China investing in our national resources; they’ve expressed interest in our LNG but we’ve just been ignoring them.”
“You’re not wrong. And I can see what probably looks like missed opportunities from where you sit but there are things that I have to consider from where I sit”, said the President “Other than cheap electronics and goods making it to Glodok or Chinese traditional medicine or Chinese tourists being curious about our country, I’m not really comfortable in them trying to invest in LNG or oil fields or mines or whatever…even if they said that they can get me from to another city in Indonesia 30 minutes by train, I still wouldn’t be interested.”
10th October 2002:
The President began his day by swearing in a batch of ambassadors which also included the following:
*Adm. (Ret.) Arief Koeshariadi as Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Kiki Syhanakri as Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam
*Mshl. Ian Santoso Perdanakusuma as Indonesian Ambassador to Australia
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Moetojib as Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia
*Lt. Gen. Sudrajat as Indonesian Ambassador to India
He then departed for Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, arriving at Iskandar Airport with Governor of Central Kalimantan Zainuri Hasyim greeting him when they stepped out of the airplane. They immediately went to the place they were looking to visit. With Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja beside him the President inaugurated the following:
*The Kumai Harbour in Kumai, Central Kalimantan
*The Kendal Harbour in Kendal, Central Java
*The Refurbishment of Cirebon Harbour in Cirebon, West Java
As the President toured the facilities and shook hands with the people working there, Soerjadi Soedirja got the task of speaking to the press. He said that regarding transportation the government’s intention is to put more emphasis on water transportation, ports and harbours in addition to the attention already being given to airports and railways. After sitting down and having lunch with the workers, the President departed for Bali where he will be spending the night at Tampaksiring Presidential Palace.
11th October 2002:
The President departed from the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace with his entourage and accompanied by Governor of Bali I Made Bandem. At Gianyar, the President was accompanied by Minister of Forestry and Environment Barnabas Suebu, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Tanto Kuswanto, Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, State Minister of Urban Development Ridwan Hisjam and State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari as he inaugurated the following projects situated in Bali:
*The Bali Safari and Marine Park
*The Telaga Tunjung Dam
*The Vannamei Shrimp Hatchery
*The Denpasar Sewerage Development Project
*The Lila Bhuana Sports Building
The President toured the Bali Safari and Marine Park which was in fact the third branch of the privately owned Taman Safari zoos. He and the First Lady were visibly accompanied by their children, children-in-law, and grandchildren.
“I'm going to be overseas for quite a while starting Monday so the First Lady and I just want to spend some time with the family”, he said to the press.
12th October 2002:
A pair of convenience store employees at Legian Street in Kuta got the surprise of their lives when none other than the President accompanied by Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards Nono Sampono appeared to buy some drinks and snacks. By the time the two were finished at the convenience store, news was spreading that the President was there. It was when he was chatting with a pair gobsmacked policemen that the President realized that people were calling out to him and taking pictures of him. Not wanting to disappoint, the President began waving while Nono and a squad of Presidential Bodyguards began to get nervous especially at the sight of inebriated foreigners.
The President began walking and waving and talking to the nightgoers who were there (“Just wanted to see what Bali at night is like.”). By the time the President was walking past Paddy’s Pub, it had become official news that the President was there. Those who were not too busy partying stuck their heads out and those who knew who he was raised a beer glass in his direction. From across the road at Sari Club, there were those who wanted to get a look as well. The two policemen who had talked to the President had called for assistance and the local police arrived on scene to provide extra security.
“It’s 11.05 PM and the night is still young as far as these guys are concerned”, muttered the President to his bodyguards “Guess I’d better get back.”
13th October 2002:
Speaking on a television interview on SCTV, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais discussed about the current political situation. Amien was asked how he felt about how his proposal for Harmoko to be re-elected chairman of the DPR/MPR with a Muhammadiyah member from the PPP as one of the vice chairmen of the DPR/MPR was “rejected”. Amien said that that’s just the realities of political life. He only smiled when the interviewer pointed out that Harmoko at least got Sofyan Lubis, a fellow reporter and follower, appointed as the Leader of the PKPI whereas Amien seemed to have been “left out”.
“Still plenty of time to regroup and figure out what our next move will be”, countered Amien.
“Will that next move involve making sure that this next 5 months would not be the President's final 5 months in office?” prodded the interviewer.
“Well I agreed to support him until his current term expires next March but I haven’t come to an agreement with him or with anyone about lies beyond that”, replied Amien.
---
Started off writing as a “Try gets to work” chapter but unintentionally ended up highlighting a few things that have been butterflied away in this case the Bali Bombings, any big OTL projects between Indonesia and China and even on a small scale, Sency getting butterflied away because IKEA Jakarta is there now.
And here we go...
2nd October 2002:
There were cheers and applause as Chairman of the DPR/MPR Matori lifted his gavel. Together with the Vice Chairmen of the DPR/MPR, Matori had taken his oath of office which was administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan and the gavel was now passed from the provisional leadership of the DPR/MPR.
It was not only Matori and the vice chairmen of the DPR/MPR who assumed their positions in the DPR/MPR that day as the parties filled leadership positions in both the DPR and the MPR.
DPR:
PKPB:
Leader: Ir. Akbar Tandjung
Secretary: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Yunus Yosfiah
PKPI:
Leader: Sofyan Lubis
Secretary: Tjahjo Kumolo SH.
PPP:
Leader: Bachtiar Chamsyah SE
Secretary: Chozin Chumaidy
PNI:
Leader: Drs. Jacob Nuwawea
Secretary: Ir. Heri Akhmadi
ABRI:
Leader: Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo
Secretary: Brig. Gen. (Mar.) Safzen Noerdin
MPR:
PKPB:
Leader: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto
Secretary: Dr. Subijakto Tjakrawerdaya
PKPI:
Leader: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Harsudiono Hartas
Secretary: Jointly held by Ir. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Ir. Siswono Yudohusodo
PPP:
Leader: Zarkasih Nur
Secretary: Ir. Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto
PNI:
Leader: Ir. Sutjipto
Secretary: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) (Ret.) Sidarto Danusubroto
ABRI:
Leader: Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago
Secretary: Maj. Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo
Regional Delegates:
Leader: Prof. Dr. M. Ryaas Rasyid
Secretary: Manuel Kaisiepo S.IP MH
Group Delegates:
Leader: Prof. Dr. Nurcholish Madjid M.A
Secretary: Bomer Pasaribu SH.
With the offices filled, the MPR got down to business. Its first order of business was dispatched quickly enough. The 2003 MPR General Session will be held from 1st-11th March 2003, the last day to coincide as always with the inaugurations of the president and vice president. The 3rd March 2003 is actually the Islamic New Year but the holiday will be marked upon the conclusion of the MPR General Session.
The second order of business was trickier. Whilst acknowledging that the President’s request that the task of formulating the GBHN be fully in the hands in the MPR represented a desire to adhere more fully to the 1945 Constitution, the question that needed answering how this should work in practice since five months would not be enough to formulate, in very broad terms, what the nation ought to achieve over the next five years. The PKPB’s Yusril Ihza Mahendra tried to argue that a lack of time to formulate the GBHN is one reason why the President and the government, which has the time and the machinery to determine what the nation should be aiming to achieve in the next five years, should produce a Draft GBHN so that the MPR does not start with nothing.
The PNI’s Laksamana Sukardi, while agreeing that the MPR should be fully responsible for the GBHN, pointed to the current political dynamics where all signs point to multiple candidates contending for the presidency in front of the MPR. He said that it would be awkward if the MPR produced a GBHN which is at odds with a presidential candidate’s vision for the nation. It would be more awkward if the MPR produced a GBHN containing influences from a certain party and then ends up electing a president from another. Laksamana caused laughter when he said that he does not see a President from the PNI implementing a GBHN where the PKPI and the PKPB had a strong influence in producing.
Various opinions were exchanged on this matter and a deadlock was forming until the chairman and vice chairmen of the MPR together with the leaders of the various delegations met and came with a consensus: that the MPR delegates the task of formulating a draft GBHN to the political parties intending to nominate a presidential candidate and that the MPR will adopt the draft GBHN of the political parties whose presidential candidate had been elected.
3rd October 2002:
At the Presidential Palace, the President and Vice President JB Sumarlin welcomed Chairman of the MPR Matori Abdul Djalil and Vice Chairmen of the MPR Hartono, Basofi Sudirman, Alex Litaay, Nyoman Suwisma, Mario Carrascalao, and Edwin Soeryadjaya. The MPR delegation came to introduce themselves to the President as well as to convey what has been agreed to by the MPR over the last few days as well as to inform them that the MPR goes into recess until March with all prepatory work for the MPR Session to be entrusted to the MPR’s Standing Committee, headed by Mario Carrascalao.
In the joint press conference between himself and Matori, the President expressed his happiness at what the MPR had agreed to over the last couple of days. He also said that after the 2002 Election and the inauguration of the new DPR/MPR members, the nation only has one more major event left in the nation’s constitutional calendar: the 2003 MPR General Session in March and that he calls on the nation will make this event a success the way it did the two aforementioned events.
The question inevitably turned to the presidency and whether the President would put up his name for nomination.
“Next March is getting pretty close isn't it?” asked the President coyly as he ended the press conference.
5th October 2002:
At the Headquarters of the Eastern Fleet in Surabaya, martial military drum beats provided the background music as the President, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Commander of ABRI Wiranto, 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 saluted the troops as they marched past. Singled out as they marched past and saluted the President were men from the units constituting Kostrad’s 3rd Division.
Enjoying no less attention however was the 515th Battalion from Kostrad’s 2nd Division, riding VAB APCs and proudly displaying their designation as the first mechanized infantry unit in ABRI. Another unit marched past, its soldiers not looking like Indonesians but also the first of its kind. This was the 11th Myanmarian Auxiliary Light Infantry Battalion, the first unit to be formally established out of Lt. Gen. Shwe Mann’s men who had evacuated to Myanmar from Indonesia by way of India after the March 2002 Myanmarian coup. Speaking to the press, ABRI Chief of General Staff Djaja Suparman said that more mechanized infantry units and Myanmarian auxiliary units were in the pipeline.
The Air Force’s Sukhoi Squadron and BaE Hawk Squadrons did a flypass overhead while the Navy’s KRI Tanjung Kambani and the 3 Ahmad Yani Class Frigates responsible for helping evacuate Shwe Mann’s followers sailed pass in the waters. Brimob units involved in operations against the Jemaah Islamiyah in August also marched pass earning them a standing ovation led by the President himself.
In his keynote speech, the President spoke of his pride of ABRI’s increasing strength and announced that ABRI will be conducting a Joint Military Exercise in December, the first Joint Military Exercise to be conducted since 1996.
7th October 2002:
The President and Sumarlin met with Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Finance Mar’ie Muhammad, and Governor of BI Boediono.
* Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti reported that the inauguration of the new DPR/MPR with the PKPB having the most seats had not resulted in an adverse effect to the economy the way the election results did back in June. There was agreement in the room that from a political standpoint the Rupiah has strengthened because of the PKPB wanting to play at being sensible and helping to pass the Manpower Law and that from an economic policy standpoint, the passing of this law has helped further cement Indonesia’s place as an attractive place to invest “regardless of how things turn out in March”.
*The discussion moved on to AFTA and Dorodjatun reported that preparations continue to produce the proposal which the President wished to present to the ASEAN Summit.
“For the national’s economy’s sake, the resumption of AFTA cannot have an adverse effect otherwise this defeats the purpose of resuming AFTA; so any concerns by the departments and agencies must be taken on board and addressed as best as possible”, remarked the President “For our geopolitical position in the region, putting AFTA back on the agenda will be important. Economic leadership is just as and perhaps more important in this region than political leadership so if we want to play a prominent role, this is one agenda we should make a move on.”
*The President approved of Mar’ie’s proposal that the abolition of exit taxes for Indonesian departing overseas, previously extended to Indonesians departing to Jakarta Bloc countries, be extended to Indonesians departing for Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
8th October 2002:
Accompanied by Head of the BKPM Mari Pangestu, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, and Governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso, the President today inaugurated IKEA Jakarta situated at the end of Asia Afrika Street next to the golf course and across the road from Plaza Senayan. After cutting the ribbons and delivering a speech highlighting the trust investors have in Indonesia, the President and First Lady Tuti Setiawati walked around accompanied by a store employee to guide them in how to shop (“Oh, so you write what you want to buy down on the piece of paper and then you pick it up later? I see.”).
In a press conference at the Department of Education, Minister of Education Fakry Gaffar announced that the President has approved of a 5-yearly interval in changes between textbooks for primary and secondary level education. Fakry explained that the government’s principle is that anybody that wants to send their children to school should not be getting “extra financial burden”.
9th October 2002:
The President met with Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi, the latter reporting on various developments within his area.
The first thing Djiteng discussed was that Pertamina had signed the contract with Exxonmobile to develop the Cepu Block at the Central Java-East Java border. The President asked how long before production can begin. Djiteng said two years but that would only be through an early production facility rather through the full production facility. The President replied that he could live with that as long as something is being added to the national oil production.
Djiteng then spoke about coal. He said that coal prices have begun to rise because of the demand from the major emerging economies and says that this includes Indonesia’s economy which has steam electricity generators and certain segments of industry that needs to be fueled by coal. The President asked if he should be concerned. Djiteng said that everyone is still happy with the coal price at the moment and that the government is still far away from having to choose between export revenue and the demands of domestic industry.
When the meeting wrapped up, the President was somehow in a mood to reminisce and he began to talk to Djiteng about all that had gone on in the past few years in mining and energy policy. But things suddenly turned serious when the President asked about areas of disagreement between the two.
“Geopolitics is not my forte, Mr. President” replied Djiteng “But somehow I think you’re against China investing in our national resources; they’ve expressed interest in our LNG but we’ve just been ignoring them.”
“You’re not wrong. And I can see what probably looks like missed opportunities from where you sit but there are things that I have to consider from where I sit”, said the President “Other than cheap electronics and goods making it to Glodok or Chinese traditional medicine or Chinese tourists being curious about our country, I’m not really comfortable in them trying to invest in LNG or oil fields or mines or whatever…even if they said that they can get me from to another city in Indonesia 30 minutes by train, I still wouldn’t be interested.”
10th October 2002:
The President began his day by swearing in a batch of ambassadors which also included the following:
*Adm. (Ret.) Arief Koeshariadi as Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Kiki Syhanakri as Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam
*Mshl. Ian Santoso Perdanakusuma as Indonesian Ambassador to Australia
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Moetojib as Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia
*Lt. Gen. Sudrajat as Indonesian Ambassador to India
He then departed for Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, arriving at Iskandar Airport with Governor of Central Kalimantan Zainuri Hasyim greeting him when they stepped out of the airplane. They immediately went to the place they were looking to visit. With Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja beside him the President inaugurated the following:
*The Kumai Harbour in Kumai, Central Kalimantan
*The Kendal Harbour in Kendal, Central Java
*The Refurbishment of Cirebon Harbour in Cirebon, West Java
As the President toured the facilities and shook hands with the people working there, Soerjadi Soedirja got the task of speaking to the press. He said that regarding transportation the government’s intention is to put more emphasis on water transportation, ports and harbours in addition to the attention already being given to airports and railways. After sitting down and having lunch with the workers, the President departed for Bali where he will be spending the night at Tampaksiring Presidential Palace.
11th October 2002:
The President departed from the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace with his entourage and accompanied by Governor of Bali I Made Bandem. At Gianyar, the President was accompanied by Minister of Forestry and Environment Barnabas Suebu, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Tanto Kuswanto, Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, State Minister of Urban Development Ridwan Hisjam and State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari as he inaugurated the following projects situated in Bali:
*The Bali Safari and Marine Park
*The Telaga Tunjung Dam
*The Vannamei Shrimp Hatchery
*The Denpasar Sewerage Development Project
*The Lila Bhuana Sports Building
The President toured the Bali Safari and Marine Park which was in fact the third branch of the privately owned Taman Safari zoos. He and the First Lady were visibly accompanied by their children, children-in-law, and grandchildren.
“I'm going to be overseas for quite a while starting Monday so the First Lady and I just want to spend some time with the family”, he said to the press.
12th October 2002:
A pair of convenience store employees at Legian Street in Kuta got the surprise of their lives when none other than the President accompanied by Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards Nono Sampono appeared to buy some drinks and snacks. By the time the two were finished at the convenience store, news was spreading that the President was there. It was when he was chatting with a pair gobsmacked policemen that the President realized that people were calling out to him and taking pictures of him. Not wanting to disappoint, the President began waving while Nono and a squad of Presidential Bodyguards began to get nervous especially at the sight of inebriated foreigners.
The President began walking and waving and talking to the nightgoers who were there (“Just wanted to see what Bali at night is like.”). By the time the President was walking past Paddy’s Pub, it had become official news that the President was there. Those who were not too busy partying stuck their heads out and those who knew who he was raised a beer glass in his direction. From across the road at Sari Club, there were those who wanted to get a look as well. The two policemen who had talked to the President had called for assistance and the local police arrived on scene to provide extra security.
“It’s 11.05 PM and the night is still young as far as these guys are concerned”, muttered the President to his bodyguards “Guess I’d better get back.”
13th October 2002:
Speaking on a television interview on SCTV, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais discussed about the current political situation. Amien was asked how he felt about how his proposal for Harmoko to be re-elected chairman of the DPR/MPR with a Muhammadiyah member from the PPP as one of the vice chairmen of the DPR/MPR was “rejected”. Amien said that that’s just the realities of political life. He only smiled when the interviewer pointed out that Harmoko at least got Sofyan Lubis, a fellow reporter and follower, appointed as the Leader of the PKPI whereas Amien seemed to have been “left out”.
“Still plenty of time to regroup and figure out what our next move will be”, countered Amien.
“Will that next move involve making sure that this next 5 months would not be the President's final 5 months in office?” prodded the interviewer.
“Well I agreed to support him until his current term expires next March but I haven’t come to an agreement with him or with anyone about lies beyond that”, replied Amien.
---
Started off writing as a “Try gets to work” chapter but unintentionally ended up highlighting a few things that have been butterflied away in this case the Bali Bombings, any big OTL projects between Indonesia and China and even on a small scale, Sency getting butterflied away because IKEA Jakarta is there now.
200: Summit Season 2002 Part I
14th October 2002:
President Try Sutrisno stepped out of the Presidential Airplane at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. He and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was welcomed with flowers and greeted by South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Han Seung-Soo. Immediately the presidential entourage departed the airport for the Blue House. There, Try shook hands and met with President of South Korea Kim Dae Jung. Try was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat as he joined Kim for initial talks. Kim being accompanied by Han.
Kim bemoaned the fact that international developments had derailed his efforts at thawing relations with North Korea saying that Chairman of National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il seemed to be more interested in standing beside Russia and China. Though acknowledging that there were similar dynamics with the old Cold War (North Korea being backed by Russia and China), Kim said that there were new dynamics at work. He pointed to Russia, and especially China, pushing North Korea to begin undertaking Chinese-style economic reforms saying that there is a non-ideological aspect to the current situation. Ginandjar guessed that this was so North Korea would be a lesser financial burden for both Russia and China, Han said that this was correct.
China was the one that got a lot of mention; Kim saying that with Russia being focused elsewhere, China was the one “directing traffic” in this part of the world. He felt that one of the benefits that China is seeking to enjoy with a Beijing-friendly government in Tokyo is a possible source of investment for North Korea and that China has been guiding Japan in that direction in the last 3 years, interrupted only briefly by Taro Aso. Kim said that China’s backing of North Korea and the presence of a Beijing-friendly government in Japan being guided by China towards the latter’s own ends is what concerns South Korea at the moment.
“What does Washington think of your current situation, Mr. President?” asked Try.
“Frankly we feel that we’ve been bumped down their priority list”, replied Kim “President McCain said that he wants to make us a priority because there are Beijing-friendly governments in Tokyo and Taipei when he took office. Then 9/11 and Operation Enduring Freedom happened and then there’s the current situation where he and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom are saying that they are interested in unseating the President of Yugoslavia.”
Try said that regarding China, while Indonesia does not want open military conflict with China, the strengthening of Indonesia’s military capability is in part to give China “some second thoughts”. Half-jokingly, Try said that what would give China some more second thoughts is if the United States would let Indonesia have the 28 F-16s and wondered whether South Korea could help in that.
Han responded for the Korean side of the table. The impression he got was that the White House was ambivalent about this; stuck between Indonesia’s usefulness in the War on Terror and whether it would mean Indonesia would start to be “too strong”. Try struggled to keep a poker face when Han said that “the Australians have been constantly whispering in their ear arguing against it” though he ignored it and moved on to other topics.
Not long after that the meeting ended with Try and Kim agreeing that China was of “common concern” to both countries.
Later in the day Try met with members of the Indonesian community living in Seoul at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul. Together they watched the closing ceremony of the Asian Games held in Busan.
15th October 2002:
Try was back again at the Blue House accompanied this time by Ginandjar, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Trade Anthony Salim, Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, Edi Sudrajat, and Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu. Kim was accompanied by Prime Minister Kim Suk-soo, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Economics and Finance Jeon Yun-churl, Han, Minister of National Defense Kim Dong-shin, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Han Duk-soo. Among others the following agreements were signed:
*Siswono and Han Duk-soo signed an agreement for the expansion of an integrated steel mill in Cilegon, West Java jointly owned by Indonesia’s state-owned steel company Krakatau Steel and South Korea’s POSCO and which was inaugurated in September 1999 during Kim’s visit to Indonesia.
*Wismoyo and Kim Dong-shin signed a purchase agreement making official the purchase of two Daesun landing platform docks (LPDs) and the licensing to produce said LPDs to Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilding company PT. PAL.
*Dorodjatun and Jeon Yun-churl signed an agreement for South Korean investment in a toll road project in Bali.
Though not in itself an agreement, the biggest takeaway from the meeting was the announcement that South Korea would not be attending the ASEAN+3 Summit in Cambodia. Kim delivered this news in a joint press conference he had with Try after the meeting. The question that immediately came from the press corps was whether this should be considered a snub of ASEAN.
“I don’t think so”, replied Try “I think it’s a mark of respect from South Korea for ASEAN, its member countries and its internal affairs. We should be appreciating President Kim for the decision which he has made.”
After a working lunch with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in which he touted Indonesia’s economic prospects, Try was given a tour of the Gyeongbok Palace and the National Palace Museum. Try ended the day changed into a suit and wearing a bow tie as he attended a State Dinner held in his honour at the Blue House.
16th October 2002:
Much as in Germany, South Korea was approaching an election though Try arrived with two months to spare rather than two weeks. He spent that morning meeting the two presidential candidates in separate meetings: Lee In-je from Kim’s Millenium Democratic Party and Lee Hoi Chang from the Grand National Party. Leaving both meetings Try would not be drawn on their presidential prospects nor on his.
Back at his suite, Try had a meet and greet session with the Indonesian athletes who participated in the Asian Games who were accompanied by Chairman of KONI IGK Manila.
Try made one last stop at the Blue House to say his farewells to Kim. Appearing together to talk the press after their meeting, Kim said that regardless of what happens next, regardless who might or might not be president of the respective countries, he believes that in the present term he and Try had laid the foundations of stronger South Korean-Indonesian relations. Try paid tribute to Kim saying that people who point out that Indonesia was the first to recover from the Asian Financial Crisis in Southeast Asia should not forget that South Korea was the first to recover from the Asian Financial Crisis in all of Asia.
Then it was back to Incheon Airport, the Presidential Airplane, and a flight to their next destination. Try found himself sitting down with Ginandjar and Wismoyo.
“Something of a parallel with India, don’t you think?” asked Try “India’s primary threat is Pakistan, South Korea’s is North Korea. China leans towards supporting Pakistan, China supports North Korea. We can come in by saying, you can use us to keep China distracted so you don’t feel as isolated in Northeast Asia.”
“India sees us more clearly in their calculations, Mr. President” said Ginandjar “They want China off their backs so they can focus on Pakistan and they want to use us and the ASEAN nations who are going along with us to keep China busy. South Korea probably doesn’t see us as clearly in their calculations.”
“That would be because they have American troops on their soil, they have a security blanket” said Wismoyo “Why rely on a bunch of nations who would get blown out of the water militarily with China when they have the Americans?”
“For the moment, let’s take their decision not to attend the ASEAN+3 as a first step” said Try.
17th October 2002:
The early hours saw the Presidential Airplane arrive at Portela Airport in Lisbon, Portugal. The task of welcoming Try on behalf of the Portuguese Government in the unfriendly hours fell to Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal/Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Barosso. The Indonesian entourage immediately went to the hotel when they rested.
It was mid-morning when Try departed from the hotel to Belem Palace where Try shook hands with President of Portugal Jorge Sampaio. Sampaio provided an official but rather stiff welcome.
The welcoming ceremony culminated with the reason Try had flown all this way to Portugal. Sitting together at a table with cameras snapping away at them, Try and Sampaio signed documents which officially restored diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Portugal after it was ceased in 1975. The applause was enthusiastic from the Indonesian delegation while the Portuguese were decidedly more muted with Sampaio only presenting a “polite smile” as he shook hands with Try and posed for pictures after signing the documents.
“The hell’s up their ass?” asked Edi as they left the Belem Palace.
“Let’s just try to be magnanimous”, said Try.
Having made a long trip, it was a relief for Try that there was not much activity for the rest of the day. He did however sit down with Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni. The Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency always went along on these trips not only to ensure a secure line if there was a need for Try to phone back to Jakarta but also because it provided an opportunity to meet directly with military attaches; military attaches being responsible to the ABRI Intelligence Agency.
Amirul said that though the embassy will be without an ambassador, it will already be staffed with personnel including military attaches. The task of the attaches in Lisbon will be to gather intelligence about the presence of Fretilin there and if they are planning anything against Indonesia. Try gave his approval.
18th October 2002:
With Ginandjar Kartasasmita by his side, Try began the day by inaugurating the building that was to function as the Indonesian Embassy in Portugal.
Next, Try, Ginandjar and Edi met with Prime Minister Antonio De Sousa Franco and Barosso. Being nations that just resumed diplomatic relations, Try and Franco identified potential areas of cooperation. The talks ended with Franco expressing his desire to Try that their respective countries to turn over a new page and that Portugal’s best interests are served by having a constructive relationship with Indonesia. For his part, Try acknowledged Franco and Barosso for their work in preparing Portugal for the restoration of diplomatic relations. He expressed happiness that Franco and Barosso, being in a grand coalition and thus originating from the two largest political parties in Portugal, will provide bipartisan support to the restoration of diplomatic relationships between the two countries.
“That there will be disgruntled voices in your country at what you have agreed to is only natural, great causes will always have its detractors”, Try said.
For Try, someone who seemed like a detractor to these developments was Sampaio himself. He was still very unfriendly when Try visited to say his farewells. Try kept his comments diplomatic and cautious but it did not stop Sampaio from expressing his mind.
“Should there be people in that province who wish to change their mind about the current arrangements, I believe that Portugal will be morally obliged to stand with them”, Sampaio said.
Try smiled it off but he had to admit, he was not sad that the visit to Portugal was any longer and breathed a sigh of relief when the Presidential Airplane took off. Not long after it landed at the Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, Algeria. He was welcomed as he got off the airplane by Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelazis Belkhadem.
At the El Mouradia Presidential Palace, the welcome from President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who embraced Try, could not have been more different than the welcome received at Portugal. Speaking to the cameras snapping away and recording the welcome being given by Bouteflika, Try thanked his host for hosting the G-15 Summit this year after Venezuela withdrew in the aftermath of Chavez’ unseating and that he was ready for the G-15.
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All right off we go on another trip. This one will be a longer one that the one to the UK, France, Germany, and Russia. It will have the G-15, APEC, and ASEAN Summits.
The background to South Korea (including North Korea being pushed to undertake economic reforms) and Portugal has been told in the past “Around The World” updates.
In OTL, Indonesia and Portugal’s re-establishment of diplomatic relations was more low-key. East Timor was no longer a factor because the referendum had been held and decided decisively in favor of independence. ITTL, Portugal is rather reluctant about it all.
In OTL, the G-15 was supposed to be held in Venezuela but it was cancelled due to the events of April 2002. In ITTL, it’s also cancelled but Algeria was keen to take up the mantle of host.
President Try Sutrisno stepped out of the Presidential Airplane at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. He and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was welcomed with flowers and greeted by South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Han Seung-Soo. Immediately the presidential entourage departed the airport for the Blue House. There, Try shook hands and met with President of South Korea Kim Dae Jung. Try was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat as he joined Kim for initial talks. Kim being accompanied by Han.
Kim bemoaned the fact that international developments had derailed his efforts at thawing relations with North Korea saying that Chairman of National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il seemed to be more interested in standing beside Russia and China. Though acknowledging that there were similar dynamics with the old Cold War (North Korea being backed by Russia and China), Kim said that there were new dynamics at work. He pointed to Russia, and especially China, pushing North Korea to begin undertaking Chinese-style economic reforms saying that there is a non-ideological aspect to the current situation. Ginandjar guessed that this was so North Korea would be a lesser financial burden for both Russia and China, Han said that this was correct.
China was the one that got a lot of mention; Kim saying that with Russia being focused elsewhere, China was the one “directing traffic” in this part of the world. He felt that one of the benefits that China is seeking to enjoy with a Beijing-friendly government in Tokyo is a possible source of investment for North Korea and that China has been guiding Japan in that direction in the last 3 years, interrupted only briefly by Taro Aso. Kim said that China’s backing of North Korea and the presence of a Beijing-friendly government in Japan being guided by China towards the latter’s own ends is what concerns South Korea at the moment.
“What does Washington think of your current situation, Mr. President?” asked Try.
“Frankly we feel that we’ve been bumped down their priority list”, replied Kim “President McCain said that he wants to make us a priority because there are Beijing-friendly governments in Tokyo and Taipei when he took office. Then 9/11 and Operation Enduring Freedom happened and then there’s the current situation where he and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom are saying that they are interested in unseating the President of Yugoslavia.”
Try said that regarding China, while Indonesia does not want open military conflict with China, the strengthening of Indonesia’s military capability is in part to give China “some second thoughts”. Half-jokingly, Try said that what would give China some more second thoughts is if the United States would let Indonesia have the 28 F-16s and wondered whether South Korea could help in that.
Han responded for the Korean side of the table. The impression he got was that the White House was ambivalent about this; stuck between Indonesia’s usefulness in the War on Terror and whether it would mean Indonesia would start to be “too strong”. Try struggled to keep a poker face when Han said that “the Australians have been constantly whispering in their ear arguing against it” though he ignored it and moved on to other topics.
Not long after that the meeting ended with Try and Kim agreeing that China was of “common concern” to both countries.
Later in the day Try met with members of the Indonesian community living in Seoul at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul. Together they watched the closing ceremony of the Asian Games held in Busan.
15th October 2002:
Try was back again at the Blue House accompanied this time by Ginandjar, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Trade Anthony Salim, Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, Edi Sudrajat, and Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu. Kim was accompanied by Prime Minister Kim Suk-soo, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Economics and Finance Jeon Yun-churl, Han, Minister of National Defense Kim Dong-shin, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Han Duk-soo. Among others the following agreements were signed:
*Siswono and Han Duk-soo signed an agreement for the expansion of an integrated steel mill in Cilegon, West Java jointly owned by Indonesia’s state-owned steel company Krakatau Steel and South Korea’s POSCO and which was inaugurated in September 1999 during Kim’s visit to Indonesia.
*Wismoyo and Kim Dong-shin signed a purchase agreement making official the purchase of two Daesun landing platform docks (LPDs) and the licensing to produce said LPDs to Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilding company PT. PAL.
*Dorodjatun and Jeon Yun-churl signed an agreement for South Korean investment in a toll road project in Bali.
Though not in itself an agreement, the biggest takeaway from the meeting was the announcement that South Korea would not be attending the ASEAN+3 Summit in Cambodia. Kim delivered this news in a joint press conference he had with Try after the meeting. The question that immediately came from the press corps was whether this should be considered a snub of ASEAN.
“I don’t think so”, replied Try “I think it’s a mark of respect from South Korea for ASEAN, its member countries and its internal affairs. We should be appreciating President Kim for the decision which he has made.”
After a working lunch with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in which he touted Indonesia’s economic prospects, Try was given a tour of the Gyeongbok Palace and the National Palace Museum. Try ended the day changed into a suit and wearing a bow tie as he attended a State Dinner held in his honour at the Blue House.
16th October 2002:
Much as in Germany, South Korea was approaching an election though Try arrived with two months to spare rather than two weeks. He spent that morning meeting the two presidential candidates in separate meetings: Lee In-je from Kim’s Millenium Democratic Party and Lee Hoi Chang from the Grand National Party. Leaving both meetings Try would not be drawn on their presidential prospects nor on his.
Back at his suite, Try had a meet and greet session with the Indonesian athletes who participated in the Asian Games who were accompanied by Chairman of KONI IGK Manila.
Try made one last stop at the Blue House to say his farewells to Kim. Appearing together to talk the press after their meeting, Kim said that regardless of what happens next, regardless who might or might not be president of the respective countries, he believes that in the present term he and Try had laid the foundations of stronger South Korean-Indonesian relations. Try paid tribute to Kim saying that people who point out that Indonesia was the first to recover from the Asian Financial Crisis in Southeast Asia should not forget that South Korea was the first to recover from the Asian Financial Crisis in all of Asia.
Then it was back to Incheon Airport, the Presidential Airplane, and a flight to their next destination. Try found himself sitting down with Ginandjar and Wismoyo.
“Something of a parallel with India, don’t you think?” asked Try “India’s primary threat is Pakistan, South Korea’s is North Korea. China leans towards supporting Pakistan, China supports North Korea. We can come in by saying, you can use us to keep China distracted so you don’t feel as isolated in Northeast Asia.”
“India sees us more clearly in their calculations, Mr. President” said Ginandjar “They want China off their backs so they can focus on Pakistan and they want to use us and the ASEAN nations who are going along with us to keep China busy. South Korea probably doesn’t see us as clearly in their calculations.”
“That would be because they have American troops on their soil, they have a security blanket” said Wismoyo “Why rely on a bunch of nations who would get blown out of the water militarily with China when they have the Americans?”
“For the moment, let’s take their decision not to attend the ASEAN+3 as a first step” said Try.
17th October 2002:
The early hours saw the Presidential Airplane arrive at Portela Airport in Lisbon, Portugal. The task of welcoming Try on behalf of the Portuguese Government in the unfriendly hours fell to Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal/Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Barosso. The Indonesian entourage immediately went to the hotel when they rested.
It was mid-morning when Try departed from the hotel to Belem Palace where Try shook hands with President of Portugal Jorge Sampaio. Sampaio provided an official but rather stiff welcome.
The welcoming ceremony culminated with the reason Try had flown all this way to Portugal. Sitting together at a table with cameras snapping away at them, Try and Sampaio signed documents which officially restored diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Portugal after it was ceased in 1975. The applause was enthusiastic from the Indonesian delegation while the Portuguese were decidedly more muted with Sampaio only presenting a “polite smile” as he shook hands with Try and posed for pictures after signing the documents.
“The hell’s up their ass?” asked Edi as they left the Belem Palace.
“Let’s just try to be magnanimous”, said Try.
Having made a long trip, it was a relief for Try that there was not much activity for the rest of the day. He did however sit down with Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni. The Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency always went along on these trips not only to ensure a secure line if there was a need for Try to phone back to Jakarta but also because it provided an opportunity to meet directly with military attaches; military attaches being responsible to the ABRI Intelligence Agency.
Amirul said that though the embassy will be without an ambassador, it will already be staffed with personnel including military attaches. The task of the attaches in Lisbon will be to gather intelligence about the presence of Fretilin there and if they are planning anything against Indonesia. Try gave his approval.
18th October 2002:
With Ginandjar Kartasasmita by his side, Try began the day by inaugurating the building that was to function as the Indonesian Embassy in Portugal.
Next, Try, Ginandjar and Edi met with Prime Minister Antonio De Sousa Franco and Barosso. Being nations that just resumed diplomatic relations, Try and Franco identified potential areas of cooperation. The talks ended with Franco expressing his desire to Try that their respective countries to turn over a new page and that Portugal’s best interests are served by having a constructive relationship with Indonesia. For his part, Try acknowledged Franco and Barosso for their work in preparing Portugal for the restoration of diplomatic relations. He expressed happiness that Franco and Barosso, being in a grand coalition and thus originating from the two largest political parties in Portugal, will provide bipartisan support to the restoration of diplomatic relationships between the two countries.
“That there will be disgruntled voices in your country at what you have agreed to is only natural, great causes will always have its detractors”, Try said.
For Try, someone who seemed like a detractor to these developments was Sampaio himself. He was still very unfriendly when Try visited to say his farewells. Try kept his comments diplomatic and cautious but it did not stop Sampaio from expressing his mind.
“Should there be people in that province who wish to change their mind about the current arrangements, I believe that Portugal will be morally obliged to stand with them”, Sampaio said.
Try smiled it off but he had to admit, he was not sad that the visit to Portugal was any longer and breathed a sigh of relief when the Presidential Airplane took off. Not long after it landed at the Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, Algeria. He was welcomed as he got off the airplane by Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelazis Belkhadem.
At the El Mouradia Presidential Palace, the welcome from President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who embraced Try, could not have been more different than the welcome received at Portugal. Speaking to the cameras snapping away and recording the welcome being given by Bouteflika, Try thanked his host for hosting the G-15 Summit this year after Venezuela withdrew in the aftermath of Chavez’ unseating and that he was ready for the G-15.
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All right off we go on another trip. This one will be a longer one that the one to the UK, France, Germany, and Russia. It will have the G-15, APEC, and ASEAN Summits.
The background to South Korea (including North Korea being pushed to undertake economic reforms) and Portugal has been told in the past “Around The World” updates.
In OTL, Indonesia and Portugal’s re-establishment of diplomatic relations was more low-key. East Timor was no longer a factor because the referendum had been held and decided decisively in favor of independence. ITTL, Portugal is rather reluctant about it all.
In OTL, the G-15 was supposed to be held in Venezuela but it was cancelled due to the events of April 2002. In ITTL, it’s also cancelled but Algeria was keen to take up the mantle of host.
Milosevic doesn’t hold the elections in 2000 claiming that the US is funding the opposition. He is backed by Primakov in this. Russia and China provides aid to Milosevic.
Calls for elections intensify when Milosevic’s term approaches and actually reaches expiry but he maintains that the US is still funding the opposition. 9/11 happens (and is bigger because Chicago gets attacked as well).
While the US is focused on subduing Afghanistan and the standoff between India/Pakistan occurs in early 2002, Milosevic calls a snap election. He emerges victorious in a February 2002 election widely seen by his opponents as fraudulent.
Yes, I wonder how will Indonesia and Australia’s relationship progress ITTL? Will there be plenty of “slaps” along the way?
One thing’s for sure. Indonesia’s just heard from the grapevine that the Aussies are lobbying Washington for Indonesia not to get the F-16s. Keep in mind ITTL Australia also lobbied, without success, for Indonesia to contribute troops to Afghanistan.