Indonesia ATL: The Presidency of Try Sutrisno (1997-)
- Thread starter GSD310
- Start date
248: Getting On With Work In The Second Term
22nd April 2003:
The DPR today passed amendments to the National Audit Agency Law and the Supreme Court Law, amending the retirement ages for the BPK’s auditors, including its chairman, and the Supreme Court Judges with said amended retirement ages to take into effect with new BPK auditors and Supreme Court Judges. The PKPI, PPP, and ABRI combined to pass the law while the PNI rejected the passing because “there was no clear reason for the rush”. The PKPB also rejected the passing of the law with DPR Member Yusril Ihza Mahendra calling the amendments the “Hamzah Haz amendments”, saying that “We now know the price for Hamzah’s support for the President”.
Later in the day in the DPR, Minister of Defense and Security Wiranto was facing questioning from a work meeting with DPR members about what precisely the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting had agreed to regarding personnel recruitment. Wiranto pointed out that recruitment are still going on for all four branches of ABRI though at a “reduced rate” and that the goal was to strengthen ABRI’s military capability by integrating Myanmarian personnel into ABRI. DPR PKPB Member Syarwan Hamid was merciless however. He asked Wiranto whether the latter’s friendship with Chairman of the Overseas Myanmarians’ League Shwe Mann had effected defence policy, something which Wiranto denied.
Under constant pressure and try as he might, Wiranto said that the reduced personnel recruitment for ABRI this financial year was because the funds are being used to integrate Myanmarian military personnel. Wiranto looked upset when, from that point on, Syarwan pointed to what he had just acknowledged as a “concession”.
23rd April 2003:
President Try Sutrisno, accompanied by Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, paid his respects to former Chief of BAKIN Yoga Sugama, who passed away that morning, at the latter’s private residence. Among Yoga’s family members and looking busy helping to coordinate funeral arrangements despite looking very pale-faced was Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni.
“Amirul doesn’t look well”, the President said to Ari as he got ready to depart Yoga’s residence.
“That’s because he isn’t and hasn’t been well, Mr. President” Ari said “He’s supposed to get a liver transplant in Singapore but he’s delayed that because the ABRI Leadership Meeting was on and now after the ABRI Leadership Meeting this happens and he feels obliged to get involved because he was Pak Yoga’s aide-de-camp for a year.”
In a press conference at the BPK Building this afternoon, Chairman of the BPK Marzuki Usman announced his resignation after serving 15 months in the position. Marzuki has said that the President has accepted this resignation.
24th April 2003:
In a raucous atmosphere, the DPR held a vote to determine whose name it will submit to the President for the now vacant office of chairman of the BPK. The DPR members voted along party lines and when all the votes were counted PPP DPR Member Hamzah Haz (nominated by the PKPI, PPP, and ABRI) overcame former Commander of ABRI Feisal Tanjung (nominated by the PKPB) and PNI DPR Member Laksamana Sukardi (nominated by the PNI).
Minister of Forestry Sapta Nirwandar came out of a meeting with the President. Sapta said he reported to the President that the Legal Timber Certification Scheme has been in effect since 1st April. This will be the important document to have to export timber overseas without which there is no guarantee of the legality. Sapta said that the President has instructed him to encourage forest concessionaires still in the process of bringing themselves into compliance with existing regulations to do so promptly so that they can obtain this certificate and so that they can export timber.
25th April 2003:
There was a demonstration at the Department of Defense and Security this morning. Though still far from a crowd, it was nevertheless still large enough for some units the Jakarta Regional Military Command to be ordered on standby. The demonstrators were aspiring Army recruits who protested that the government “favored foreigners over Indonesians” when it comes to defense.
The demonstration got some press coverage but this was when things got awry for some of its participants. Interviewed by a reporter, one of the demonstrators let slip that he was disappointed not to be able to be recruited this year because he had spent “considerable money” and could not get it back. Another demonstrator revealed that he was not even an aspiring soldier but someone “who helped others” with their application and looked offended when the reporter asked if that made him a “calo ”.
After Friday Prayer and lunch, the demonstrators were seen at the DPR Building in the offices of Vice Chairman of the DPR Hartono. With the press and cameras invited into his office, Hartono expressed his sympathies to those in the room as well as those around Indonesia who has been “disadvantaged” by the government’s policies. Hartono says that the PKPB promises to hold the government to account for all its mistakes during this term because the government holds a majority of seats in the DPR by a virtue of a coalition whereas on a party-to-party basis, it’s the PKPB that holds the the most seat and that this “will and must count for something”.
26th April 2003:
The President spent Saturday morning meeting with Vice President JB Sumarlin over some tea and cakes. Sumarlin reported to the President of his visit to Papua New Guinea over the past few days saying that Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Mekere Morauta hopes that the President’s re-election will positively impact the economy in Papua New Guinea. Sumarlin also reported that Indonesia’s road aid program for Papua New Guinea has begun to flow in, with construction to begin in a few months’ time.
“I think Prime Minister Morauta’s stance can be summarized in the fact that he wants closer economic relations with us”, Sumarlin said.
“That’s what I want too, Mr. Vice President ”, the President replied “But is that what Australia wants?”
“I asked Prime Minister Morauta about Australia and whether it would approve of such a thing, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “Prime Minister Morauta told us not to take the Australians seriously because Australia has nothing to fear. It is Australia after all, who will soon be completing an oil refinery in Papua New Guinea.”
The President nodded at Sumarlin’s point.
“That said, Prime Minister Morauta acknowledges that Australia seems to have something against Indonesia. It said nothing when Papua New Guinea recently signed an agreement to import crude oil from Malaysia”, continued Sumarlin.
The President changed topics after this though Sumarlin thought no one could have missed anger flashing through the President’s face at the knowledge that Australia did not mind other countries deepening its economic relationship with Papua New Guinea.
Sumarlin said that he fully supported what the President wanted to do to improve ABRI, including integrating Myanmarian personnel into ABRI and abolishing “excess territorial commands” if it meant slowing down recruitment into ABRI saying that he personally “preferred” Indonesians in factories or starting a business rather than becoming soldiers.
That said, Sumarlin said that looking into the numbers, there are cost-savings less funding was required for integrating Myanmarian personnel when compared to recruiting and training of new personnel (the Myanmarians are most definitely not starting from zero when it comes to training and no recruitment was necessary. Sumarlin also said that there will be cost savings from territorial sub-commands being abolished.
“I think these extra funds could be used elsewhere in defense, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “But I’ll leave it to you to make the call.”
The President chuckled, his mind already thinking about how he was going to use the extra savings.
“I have a couple of big summits to attend next month, Mr. Vice President”, the President said “The informal summit with the the other BRICI nations at Rio de Janeiro, then I’m going to spend Ascension Day in Rio and then I’m heading to Paris for the G-8 Summit. Two summits, one with the current economic powers of the world, one with our fellow aspiring economic powers. What should be my gameplan?”
“As always, I’ll leave the geopolitics to you”, Sumarlin replied “But from an economic standpoint, we’re in a unique position. Yes, we’re a major emerging economy and yet I don’t think we’re as far along the other four BRICI economies as far as wanting to the world to be multipolar or even aspiring to be another “pole” is concerned. At the same time, the IMF and the US Treasury still look warily at us for managing to get leniencies for this and leeways for that when we faced the Asian Financial Crisis but they can’t do anything to us. We’re managing our economy well, our budget’s not out of control…”
“We’re not like Morales in Bolivia or Castro in Cuba”, the President said.
“That’s correct, Mr. President”, Sumarlin replied “We should try to take advantage of this unique position and make further gains from it.”
28th April 2003:
In a press conference at the Department of Health, Minister of Health Azrul Azwar announced that the WHO has declared Indonesia to be SARS-free after 20 days without any addition to the 7 cases which has been recorded, Indonesia being the second country in Southeast Asia after Vietnam to receive this declaration from the WHO. When asked whether the government was going to “loosen up” its policies to handle SARS, Azrul said that the President’s instruction is to keep watch of developments in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and base Indonesia’s next step on developments there.
Elsewhere, the President hosted lunch with Wiranto and Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin at the Presidential Palace though the photo-op element of it was strong with cameras and the press being allowed in to see the President, Wiranto, and TB chatting happily together. After they got their share of pictures, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat ordered the the doors closed to the press though this meant that the press began asking questions at him.
Asked about what the lunchtime photo-op meant, Edi said it meant that the decision made to integrate Myanmarian personnel into ABRI was a decision that the President, the Minister of Defense and Security, and the Commander of ABRI stands behind. When asked about Hartono’s comment that the PKPB will continue to hold the government to account, Edi could not hide his annoyance.
“I appreciate the sentiment but obviously the Vice Chairman Hartono did not get the memo about the results of the MPR General Session”, Edi said “I think given the President’s renewed mandate, any outstanding legislation from the previous term should be passed on account of the President now having that renewed mandate, otherwise it’ll be be a long 5 years for everybody if we want to continue to play this game of getting in the way for the sake of getting in the way.”
29th April 2003:
The President today met with Governor of BI Bambang Subianto, Head of IBRA Herdiwiyatmo, and Head of the BPKP Sjahruddin Rasul. Bambang reported that as of that date, all of the private owned banks which still has outstanding BLBI debts has collectively and immediately repaid their BLBI debts immediately as opposed to waiting until the end of the year as has been the case in the last few years. The President replied by instructing the BPKP to conduct an audit so that these banks can be declared to have settled their payments and so that the Bank Indonesia can issue a notification of payment completion.
Also meeting with the President today were Minister of Religion Slamet Effendy Yusuf and Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah. The two came out saying that they reported their consolidation at the Department of Religion over the last month and a half. Slamet said he reported to the President about preparations for a Construction of Places of Worship Bill which is a “homework” he had inherited from his predecessor. The President approved of the steps taken thus far and said that the general goal of the bill is so that “religious majorities and minorities” alike can easily construct places of worship. Amin meanwhile reported that the BAZNAS and the BWI are now headed by civil servants instead of political appointees.
30th April 2003:
At the Presidential Palace today, the President acted as a witness as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan administered oaths to the following:
*Hamzah Haz as the Chairman of the BPK
This was then followed by the administering of the oaths for the members of Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) which included the following leadership team:
*Harmoko as the Chairman of the DPA
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Harsudiono Hartas as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Marzuki Usman MA as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Jakob Tobing, MPR as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Zarkasih Nur as Vice Chairman of the DPA
The President then presided over a ceremony in which he swore in the following:
*Gen. (Ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar as Ambassador to the United Nations
*Dr. Feisal Tamin SSEP as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea
*Lt. Gen. Prijanto as Ambassador to Japan
*Dr. Dono Iskandar Djojosubroto as Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia
*Lt. Gen. (Mar.) Yusuf Solichien Martadiningrat as Secretary of the DKN, promoted to lieutenant general prior to ceremony
*Dr. Drs. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang as Head of the BKEK
*Lt. Gen. (Hon.) Haris Sudarno as Operational Control of Development Secretary, promoted to honorary lieutenant general prior to ceremony
There were a lot of satisfied faces as the President shook hands with those who were sworn in. Harmoko said to all who would listen that his faith in and continuing support of the President had been rewarded. Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPR Matori Abdul Djalil hugged Hamzah Haz, their rivalry forgotten as the PPP was united once more.
1st May 2003:
An early morning flight took the President to Merauke, Irian Jaya. Upon landing at Merauke Airport, the President toured the new airport building before standing with Minister of Transportation Chappy Hakim, Budi Soesilo Soepandji, Junior Minister of Economic and National Development Planning Iwan Jaya Azis, and Governor of Irian Jaya Freddy Numberi as he inaugurated the following:
*New Terminal Building at Mopah Airport, Merauke
*The Waropko-Tanah Merah-Merauke Road
*The Merauke-Sota Road
*The Merauke Town Square Shopping Center
The President pointed out that the ambition of the government is to conduct national development so that the promise of independence can be realized all across the archipelago from Sabang to “right here in Merauke”.
The President then travelled from Merauke to the Sota Village close to the Indonesian-Papua New Guinean. This time accompanied by Minister Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, the President conducted a surprise inspection at the village office. The locals thought the President was some important official from Jakarta until someone pointed out that he looked awfully similar to the official photograph stuck on the office. When the locals began complaining that they were being charged “a lot of money” to make identification cards, family cards, birth certificates and other basic documents, the President began accompanying applicants to the counter and guiding them through the process. Meanwhile Sintong berated officials behind the counter, getting visibly annoyed and impatient at the pace of work.
After Friday Prayer and lunch, the President was flanked by State Minister of Rural Development Cahyana Ahmajayadi and State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia Maria Fernanda Lay as he took questions and comments from locals about government policies under tent in a field. One particular question was about electricity saying that while they now have access to electricity over there, the electricity does not last for 24 hours. The President explained that the target of Repelita VII is for 100% rural electrification, which looks set to be fulfilled, but that 24 hours electricity supply will be the target of Repelita VIII.
The President was enjoying himself but the question and answer session needed to be cut short because the dark clouds coming from the direction of east turned into a downpour and he was forced back inside his car.
---
A comment was made about paying to join the military and this is referred to in 25th April’s small demonstrations with aspiring recruits saying they’ve already “paid money”. Also getting some spotlight another part of the way military recruitment works here in Indonesia, namely the involvement of middlemen. Basically these are the two groups that take a hit because recruitment is cut down because the Myanmarians are being integrated into ABRI.
Australia constructing an oil refinery in PNG and PNG importing crude oil from Malaysia is as OTL https://aperc.or.jp/file/2018/3/19/4-11_PNG_2018_OGSN_FORUM_ON_OIL_GAS_SUPPLY_DEMAND.pdf
20 days without a SARS case gets you declared SARS-free https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/06/world/sars-declared-contained-with-no-cases-in-past-20-days.html
Lots of posts being distributed here. Hamzah Haz gets his reward for switching back to Try, Harmoko gets his reward for not nominating for a second term as chairman of the DPR/MPR.
In keeping with my "OTL PKPI people will do well" principle, Yussuf Solichien and Haris Sudarno, both of whom were Chairman of the PKPI at different points in OTL, are appointed to posts that gives them proximity to Try.
For the non-Indonesians, the significance of Merauke is that it is the symbolic easternmost point of Indonesia.
Don't forget to vote for me in this poll, folks (https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...temporary-timeline-poll.551067/#post-24890964)
The DPR today passed amendments to the National Audit Agency Law and the Supreme Court Law, amending the retirement ages for the BPK’s auditors, including its chairman, and the Supreme Court Judges with said amended retirement ages to take into effect with new BPK auditors and Supreme Court Judges. The PKPI, PPP, and ABRI combined to pass the law while the PNI rejected the passing because “there was no clear reason for the rush”. The PKPB also rejected the passing of the law with DPR Member Yusril Ihza Mahendra calling the amendments the “Hamzah Haz amendments”, saying that “We now know the price for Hamzah’s support for the President”.
Later in the day in the DPR, Minister of Defense and Security Wiranto was facing questioning from a work meeting with DPR members about what precisely the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting had agreed to regarding personnel recruitment. Wiranto pointed out that recruitment are still going on for all four branches of ABRI though at a “reduced rate” and that the goal was to strengthen ABRI’s military capability by integrating Myanmarian personnel into ABRI. DPR PKPB Member Syarwan Hamid was merciless however. He asked Wiranto whether the latter’s friendship with Chairman of the Overseas Myanmarians’ League Shwe Mann had effected defence policy, something which Wiranto denied.
Under constant pressure and try as he might, Wiranto said that the reduced personnel recruitment for ABRI this financial year was because the funds are being used to integrate Myanmarian military personnel. Wiranto looked upset when, from that point on, Syarwan pointed to what he had just acknowledged as a “concession”.
23rd April 2003:
President Try Sutrisno, accompanied by Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, paid his respects to former Chief of BAKIN Yoga Sugama, who passed away that morning, at the latter’s private residence. Among Yoga’s family members and looking busy helping to coordinate funeral arrangements despite looking very pale-faced was Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni.
“Amirul doesn’t look well”, the President said to Ari as he got ready to depart Yoga’s residence.
“That’s because he isn’t and hasn’t been well, Mr. President” Ari said “He’s supposed to get a liver transplant in Singapore but he’s delayed that because the ABRI Leadership Meeting was on and now after the ABRI Leadership Meeting this happens and he feels obliged to get involved because he was Pak Yoga’s aide-de-camp for a year.”
In a press conference at the BPK Building this afternoon, Chairman of the BPK Marzuki Usman announced his resignation after serving 15 months in the position. Marzuki has said that the President has accepted this resignation.
24th April 2003:
In a raucous atmosphere, the DPR held a vote to determine whose name it will submit to the President for the now vacant office of chairman of the BPK. The DPR members voted along party lines and when all the votes were counted PPP DPR Member Hamzah Haz (nominated by the PKPI, PPP, and ABRI) overcame former Commander of ABRI Feisal Tanjung (nominated by the PKPB) and PNI DPR Member Laksamana Sukardi (nominated by the PNI).
Minister of Forestry Sapta Nirwandar came out of a meeting with the President. Sapta said he reported to the President that the Legal Timber Certification Scheme has been in effect since 1st April. This will be the important document to have to export timber overseas without which there is no guarantee of the legality. Sapta said that the President has instructed him to encourage forest concessionaires still in the process of bringing themselves into compliance with existing regulations to do so promptly so that they can obtain this certificate and so that they can export timber.
25th April 2003:
There was a demonstration at the Department of Defense and Security this morning. Though still far from a crowd, it was nevertheless still large enough for some units the Jakarta Regional Military Command to be ordered on standby. The demonstrators were aspiring Army recruits who protested that the government “favored foreigners over Indonesians” when it comes to defense.
The demonstration got some press coverage but this was when things got awry for some of its participants. Interviewed by a reporter, one of the demonstrators let slip that he was disappointed not to be able to be recruited this year because he had spent “considerable money” and could not get it back. Another demonstrator revealed that he was not even an aspiring soldier but someone “who helped others” with their application and looked offended when the reporter asked if that made him a “calo ”.
After Friday Prayer and lunch, the demonstrators were seen at the DPR Building in the offices of Vice Chairman of the DPR Hartono. With the press and cameras invited into his office, Hartono expressed his sympathies to those in the room as well as those around Indonesia who has been “disadvantaged” by the government’s policies. Hartono says that the PKPB promises to hold the government to account for all its mistakes during this term because the government holds a majority of seats in the DPR by a virtue of a coalition whereas on a party-to-party basis, it’s the PKPB that holds the the most seat and that this “will and must count for something”.
26th April 2003:
The President spent Saturday morning meeting with Vice President JB Sumarlin over some tea and cakes. Sumarlin reported to the President of his visit to Papua New Guinea over the past few days saying that Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Mekere Morauta hopes that the President’s re-election will positively impact the economy in Papua New Guinea. Sumarlin also reported that Indonesia’s road aid program for Papua New Guinea has begun to flow in, with construction to begin in a few months’ time.
“I think Prime Minister Morauta’s stance can be summarized in the fact that he wants closer economic relations with us”, Sumarlin said.
“That’s what I want too, Mr. Vice President ”, the President replied “But is that what Australia wants?”
“I asked Prime Minister Morauta about Australia and whether it would approve of such a thing, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “Prime Minister Morauta told us not to take the Australians seriously because Australia has nothing to fear. It is Australia after all, who will soon be completing an oil refinery in Papua New Guinea.”
The President nodded at Sumarlin’s point.
“That said, Prime Minister Morauta acknowledges that Australia seems to have something against Indonesia. It said nothing when Papua New Guinea recently signed an agreement to import crude oil from Malaysia”, continued Sumarlin.
The President changed topics after this though Sumarlin thought no one could have missed anger flashing through the President’s face at the knowledge that Australia did not mind other countries deepening its economic relationship with Papua New Guinea.
Sumarlin said that he fully supported what the President wanted to do to improve ABRI, including integrating Myanmarian personnel into ABRI and abolishing “excess territorial commands” if it meant slowing down recruitment into ABRI saying that he personally “preferred” Indonesians in factories or starting a business rather than becoming soldiers.
That said, Sumarlin said that looking into the numbers, there are cost-savings less funding was required for integrating Myanmarian personnel when compared to recruiting and training of new personnel (the Myanmarians are most definitely not starting from zero when it comes to training and no recruitment was necessary. Sumarlin also said that there will be cost savings from territorial sub-commands being abolished.
“I think these extra funds could be used elsewhere in defense, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “But I’ll leave it to you to make the call.”
The President chuckled, his mind already thinking about how he was going to use the extra savings.
“I have a couple of big summits to attend next month, Mr. Vice President”, the President said “The informal summit with the the other BRICI nations at Rio de Janeiro, then I’m going to spend Ascension Day in Rio and then I’m heading to Paris for the G-8 Summit. Two summits, one with the current economic powers of the world, one with our fellow aspiring economic powers. What should be my gameplan?”
“As always, I’ll leave the geopolitics to you”, Sumarlin replied “But from an economic standpoint, we’re in a unique position. Yes, we’re a major emerging economy and yet I don’t think we’re as far along the other four BRICI economies as far as wanting to the world to be multipolar or even aspiring to be another “pole” is concerned. At the same time, the IMF and the US Treasury still look warily at us for managing to get leniencies for this and leeways for that when we faced the Asian Financial Crisis but they can’t do anything to us. We’re managing our economy well, our budget’s not out of control…”
“We’re not like Morales in Bolivia or Castro in Cuba”, the President said.
“That’s correct, Mr. President”, Sumarlin replied “We should try to take advantage of this unique position and make further gains from it.”
28th April 2003:
In a press conference at the Department of Health, Minister of Health Azrul Azwar announced that the WHO has declared Indonesia to be SARS-free after 20 days without any addition to the 7 cases which has been recorded, Indonesia being the second country in Southeast Asia after Vietnam to receive this declaration from the WHO. When asked whether the government was going to “loosen up” its policies to handle SARS, Azrul said that the President’s instruction is to keep watch of developments in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and base Indonesia’s next step on developments there.
Elsewhere, the President hosted lunch with Wiranto and Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin at the Presidential Palace though the photo-op element of it was strong with cameras and the press being allowed in to see the President, Wiranto, and TB chatting happily together. After they got their share of pictures, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat ordered the the doors closed to the press though this meant that the press began asking questions at him.
Asked about what the lunchtime photo-op meant, Edi said it meant that the decision made to integrate Myanmarian personnel into ABRI was a decision that the President, the Minister of Defense and Security, and the Commander of ABRI stands behind. When asked about Hartono’s comment that the PKPB will continue to hold the government to account, Edi could not hide his annoyance.
“I appreciate the sentiment but obviously the Vice Chairman Hartono did not get the memo about the results of the MPR General Session”, Edi said “I think given the President’s renewed mandate, any outstanding legislation from the previous term should be passed on account of the President now having that renewed mandate, otherwise it’ll be be a long 5 years for everybody if we want to continue to play this game of getting in the way for the sake of getting in the way.”
29th April 2003:
The President today met with Governor of BI Bambang Subianto, Head of IBRA Herdiwiyatmo, and Head of the BPKP Sjahruddin Rasul. Bambang reported that as of that date, all of the private owned banks which still has outstanding BLBI debts has collectively and immediately repaid their BLBI debts immediately as opposed to waiting until the end of the year as has been the case in the last few years. The President replied by instructing the BPKP to conduct an audit so that these banks can be declared to have settled their payments and so that the Bank Indonesia can issue a notification of payment completion.
Also meeting with the President today were Minister of Religion Slamet Effendy Yusuf and Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah. The two came out saying that they reported their consolidation at the Department of Religion over the last month and a half. Slamet said he reported to the President about preparations for a Construction of Places of Worship Bill which is a “homework” he had inherited from his predecessor. The President approved of the steps taken thus far and said that the general goal of the bill is so that “religious majorities and minorities” alike can easily construct places of worship. Amin meanwhile reported that the BAZNAS and the BWI are now headed by civil servants instead of political appointees.
30th April 2003:
At the Presidential Palace today, the President acted as a witness as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan administered oaths to the following:
*Hamzah Haz as the Chairman of the BPK
This was then followed by the administering of the oaths for the members of Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) which included the following leadership team:
*Harmoko as the Chairman of the DPA
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Harsudiono Hartas as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Marzuki Usman MA as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Jakob Tobing, MPR as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Zarkasih Nur as Vice Chairman of the DPA
The President then presided over a ceremony in which he swore in the following:
*Gen. (Ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar as Ambassador to the United Nations
*Dr. Feisal Tamin SSEP as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea
*Lt. Gen. Prijanto as Ambassador to Japan
*Dr. Dono Iskandar Djojosubroto as Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia
*Lt. Gen. (Mar.) Yusuf Solichien Martadiningrat as Secretary of the DKN, promoted to lieutenant general prior to ceremony
*Dr. Drs. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang as Head of the BKEK
*Lt. Gen. (Hon.) Haris Sudarno as Operational Control of Development Secretary, promoted to honorary lieutenant general prior to ceremony
There were a lot of satisfied faces as the President shook hands with those who were sworn in. Harmoko said to all who would listen that his faith in and continuing support of the President had been rewarded. Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPR Matori Abdul Djalil hugged Hamzah Haz, their rivalry forgotten as the PPP was united once more.
1st May 2003:
An early morning flight took the President to Merauke, Irian Jaya. Upon landing at Merauke Airport, the President toured the new airport building before standing with Minister of Transportation Chappy Hakim, Budi Soesilo Soepandji, Junior Minister of Economic and National Development Planning Iwan Jaya Azis, and Governor of Irian Jaya Freddy Numberi as he inaugurated the following:
*New Terminal Building at Mopah Airport, Merauke
*The Waropko-Tanah Merah-Merauke Road
*The Merauke-Sota Road
*The Merauke Town Square Shopping Center
The President pointed out that the ambition of the government is to conduct national development so that the promise of independence can be realized all across the archipelago from Sabang to “right here in Merauke”.
The President then travelled from Merauke to the Sota Village close to the Indonesian-Papua New Guinean. This time accompanied by Minister Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, the President conducted a surprise inspection at the village office. The locals thought the President was some important official from Jakarta until someone pointed out that he looked awfully similar to the official photograph stuck on the office. When the locals began complaining that they were being charged “a lot of money” to make identification cards, family cards, birth certificates and other basic documents, the President began accompanying applicants to the counter and guiding them through the process. Meanwhile Sintong berated officials behind the counter, getting visibly annoyed and impatient at the pace of work.
After Friday Prayer and lunch, the President was flanked by State Minister of Rural Development Cahyana Ahmajayadi and State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia Maria Fernanda Lay as he took questions and comments from locals about government policies under tent in a field. One particular question was about electricity saying that while they now have access to electricity over there, the electricity does not last for 24 hours. The President explained that the target of Repelita VII is for 100% rural electrification, which looks set to be fulfilled, but that 24 hours electricity supply will be the target of Repelita VIII.
The President was enjoying himself but the question and answer session needed to be cut short because the dark clouds coming from the direction of east turned into a downpour and he was forced back inside his car.
---
A comment was made about paying to join the military and this is referred to in 25th April’s small demonstrations with aspiring recruits saying they’ve already “paid money”. Also getting some spotlight another part of the way military recruitment works here in Indonesia, namely the involvement of middlemen. Basically these are the two groups that take a hit because recruitment is cut down because the Myanmarians are being integrated into ABRI.
Australia constructing an oil refinery in PNG and PNG importing crude oil from Malaysia is as OTL https://aperc.or.jp/file/2018/3/19/4-11_PNG_2018_OGSN_FORUM_ON_OIL_GAS_SUPPLY_DEMAND.pdf
20 days without a SARS case gets you declared SARS-free https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/06/world/sars-declared-contained-with-no-cases-in-past-20-days.html
Lots of posts being distributed here. Hamzah Haz gets his reward for switching back to Try, Harmoko gets his reward for not nominating for a second term as chairman of the DPR/MPR.
In keeping with my "OTL PKPI people will do well" principle, Yussuf Solichien and Haris Sudarno, both of whom were Chairman of the PKPI at different points in OTL, are appointed to posts that gives them proximity to Try.
For the non-Indonesians, the significance of Merauke is that it is the symbolic easternmost point of Indonesia.
Don't forget to vote for me in this poll, folks (https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...temporary-timeline-poll.551067/#post-24890964)
A politician being bullied is never going to be not funny, especially Hamzah who is a tiiiny bit didn't deserve it because of Akbar's shenanigans....
And PKPB being PKPB again.
He pushed himself too hard.
Hamzah would be a formidable auditor this time.
Don't make it hard on yourselves, Prajogo and co.
Soehartoists at heart, not surprised at all.
Well, the Aussies certainly not mind if PNG imports stuff from the KL Bloc.
Railroads this time? I do hope they would expand it this time since people has more job opportunities than ever and unemployment rate are steadily decreasing.
Too bad Try is not that left-inclined, else maybe Indonesia has sending feelers to both countries and nudge them to properly develop their economics.
Whelp, that was quick.
Edi Sudrajat always proved himself as the perfect opponent for Hartono, awokawokawok
Niceeee....
Really hope that this time, the law would encourage religious justice and mutual understanding between the 6 different communities. Especially after Folk Religion is acknowledged as the 7th religion.
Well, well, look who's back?
Real good.
Awokawokawokawok......
Not all sunshines for Try Sutrisno and Indonesia, but he really does the job better than Soeharto.
ABRI Command Shuffle Circa May 2003
ABRI after May 2003 Command Shuffle:
Bold indicates newly appointed to the position
ABRI Headquarters:
*Commander of ABRI: Gen. TB Hasanuddin
*Deputy Commander of ABRI: Adm. Djoko Sumaryono
*ABRI Chief of the General Staff: V. Adm. Tedjo Edhy
*ABRI Chief of the Socio-Political Affairs Staff: Lt. Gen. Saurip Kadi
*Inspector General of ABRI: Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu (Try’s son-in-law)
*Assistant of Intelligence: Maj. Gen. Nurdin Zainal
*Assistant of Operations: Maj. Gen. George Toisutta
*Assistant of Personnel: R. Adm. Sumardjono
*Assistant of Logistics: V. Mshl. Subandrio
*Assistant of Planning: Maj. Gen. Noer Muis
*Assistant of Social Order: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Jusuf Manggabarani
*Assistant of Socio-Political Affairs: V. Mshl. Iwan Sidi (Try’s aide-de-camp as VP)
*Assistant of Territorial Affairs: Maj. Gen. Liliek Sumayo
*Assistant of Functional Affairs: Maj. Gen. Darpito Pudyastungkuro
*Assistant of Communication and Electronic: Maj. Gen. Amir Tohar
*Commander of the ABRI Staff and Command College: Lt. Gen. Syarifuddin Tippe
*Deputy Commander of the ABRI Staff and Command College: R. Adm. Agus Suhartono
*Commander of the ABRI Academy: Mshl. Edy Harjoko
*Deputy Commander of the ABRI Academy: Maj. Gen. Tono Suratman
*Chief of the ABRI Intelligence Agency: Lt. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni (is ill)
*Deputy Chief of the ABRI Intelligence Agency: Maj. Gen. Rachmat Budiyanto
Department of Defense and Security:
*Minister of Defense and Security: Gen. (Ret.) Wiranto
*Secretary of the Department of Defense and Security: Lt. Gen. Romulo Simbolon
*Inspector General of the Department of Defense and Security: Lt. Gen. Djaja Suparman
*Director General of Planning: Maj. Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo
*Director General of Personnel, Human Resources, and Veterans’ Affairs: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Kadaryanto
*Director General of Materiel, Facilities, and Services: R. Adm. Slamet Soebijanto
*Governor of Lemhanas: Lt. Gen. Albert Inkiriwang
*Lieutenant Governor of Lemhanas: V. Mshl. Djoko Suyanto
Palace:
*Military Secretary: Maj. Gen. Junianto Haroen
*Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Gories Mere
*Deputy Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards: Brig. Gen. Erwin Hudawi Lubis
Army:
*Army Chief of Staff: Gen. Srijanto Muntasram
*Deputy Army Chief of Staff: Lt. Gen. Erwin Sudjono
*Inspector General of the Army: Maj. Gen. Bambang Darmono
*Intelligence Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Anshory Tadjuddin
*Operations Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Hotmangaradja Panjaitan
*Personnel Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Bambang Suranto
*Logistics Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Osaka Meilala
*Planning Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Suroyo Gino
*Territorial Assisant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Jul Effendi Sjarief
*Commander of the Army Education and Training Command: Lt. Gen. Syaiful Rizal
*Commander of Kostrad: Lt. Gen. Djoko Santoso
*Chief of Staff of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Rasyid Qurnuen Aquary
*Commander of the 1st Infantry Division of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Agung Revulton
*Chief of Staff of the 1st Infantry Division of Kostrad: Brig. Gen. Adi Mulyono
*Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Azmyn Nasution
*Chief of Staff of the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Brig. Gen. Geerhan Lentara
*Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Tan Aspan
*Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Brig. Gen. Tisna Komara
*Commander of the Army Staff and Command College: Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon
*Commander of the Aceh Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Hendra Rizal
*Chief of Staff of the Aceh Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Moeldoko
*Commander of the Northern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Amril Amir
*Chief of Staff of the Northern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Erfi Triassunu
*Commander of the Southern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Suwarno
*Chief of Staff of the Southern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Edhy Riyanto
*Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Suharsono
*Chief of Staff of the Jakarta Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Budiman (Presidential Aide-De-Camp in the previous term)
*Commander of the West Java Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Hariyadi Soetanto
*Chief of Staff of the West Java Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Kitaran Sihotang
*Commander of the Central Java Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Marciano Norman
*Chief of Staff of the Central Java Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Puguh Santoso
*Commander of the East Java Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Agus Gunaedi Pribadi
*Chief of Staff of the Central Java Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo
*Commander of the Western Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Sugeng Budi Harsono
*Chief of Staff of the Western Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Hari Krisnomo
*Commander of the Eastern Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Nana Djuana Priadi
*Chief of Staff of the Eastern Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Muktianto
*Commander of the Northern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. LP Siegers
*Chief of Staff of the Northern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Thomas Edy Widagdo
*Commander of the Southern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Mulhim Asyrof
*Chief of Staff of the Southern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Burhanuddin Siagian
*Commander of the Nusa Tenggara Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Gede Suardhana
*Chief of Staff of the Nusa Tenggara Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Lodewijk Friedrich Paulus
*Commander of the East Timor Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Amiruddin Usman
*Chief of Staff of the East Timor Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Nizam
*Commander of the Maluku Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Siswondo
*Chief of Staff of the Maluku Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Waris
*Commander of the Irian Jaya Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Burhanuddin Amin
*Chief of Staff of the Irian Jaya Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Murdjito
*Commander of the Kopassus: Maj. Gen. Soenarko
*Deputy Commander of the Kopassus: Brig. Gen. Hotma Marbun
Navy:
*Navy Chief of Staff: Adm. Djoko Agoes Hanoeng
*Deputy Navy Chief of Staff: V. Adm. Bambang Supeno
*Commander of the Navy Education and Training Command: V. Adm. Waldi Murad
*Commander of the 1st Fleet: R. Adm. Adi Prabawa
*Commander of the 2nd Fleet: R. Adm. Moekhlas Sidik
*Commander of the 3rd Fleet: R. Adm. Jurianto
*Commander of the Marine Corps: Maj. Gen. (Mar.) Nono Sampono
*Commander of the Sealift Command (Kolinlamil): R. Adm. Maryono
Air Force:
*Air Force Chief of Staff: ACM. Teddy Sumarno
*Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff: Mshl. I Gusti Made Oka
*Commander of the Air Force Education and Training Command: Mshl. Mardjono SW
*Commander of the Air Force 1st Operation Command: V. Mshl. Pandji Utama Iskaq
*Commander of the Air Force 2nd Operation Command: V. Mshl. Erry Biatmoko
*Commander of the Air Force 3rd Operation Command: V. Mshl. Ganjar Wiranegara
*Commander of the Air Defense Command: V. Mshl. Ida Bagus Sanubari
*Commander of the Air Force Special Forces (Korpaskhas): Cdre. I Putu Sulastra
Police:
*Chief of Police: Police (Gen.) I Made Mangku Pastika
*Deputy Chief of Police: Lt. Gen. (Pol.) Firman Gani
*Commander of the Mobile Brigade: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Indradi Thanos
Analysis:
-Command shuffle triggered by outgoing Deputy Army Chief of Staff Prijanto's appointment as Ambassador to Japan. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono brother-in-law Erwin Sudjono promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed as the new Deputy Army Chief of Staff. Though considered a Yudhoyono-ite, Erwin has developed a relationship with TB Hasanuddin. When TB was Commander of Kostrad, Erwin was a Kostrad Division Commander; when TB was Army Chief of Staff, Erwin was Inspector General of the Army. Erwin functions unofficially as the intermediary between TB Hasanuddin and Yudhoyono.
-Wiranto consolidates control of the Department of Defense and Security by securing the appointment of his close ally Djaja Suparman as Inspector General of the Department of Defense and Security.
-Some rumors that Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni might be discharged on health grounds but this had not been the case.
---
Basically this chart will make appearance each time there's an ABRI Command Shuffle.
Bold indicates newly appointed to the position
ABRI Headquarters:
*Commander of ABRI: Gen. TB Hasanuddin
*Deputy Commander of ABRI: Adm. Djoko Sumaryono
*ABRI Chief of the General Staff: V. Adm. Tedjo Edhy
*ABRI Chief of the Socio-Political Affairs Staff: Lt. Gen. Saurip Kadi
*Inspector General of ABRI: Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu (Try’s son-in-law)
*Assistant of Intelligence: Maj. Gen. Nurdin Zainal
*Assistant of Operations: Maj. Gen. George Toisutta
*Assistant of Personnel: R. Adm. Sumardjono
*Assistant of Logistics: V. Mshl. Subandrio
*Assistant of Planning: Maj. Gen. Noer Muis
*Assistant of Social Order: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Jusuf Manggabarani
*Assistant of Socio-Political Affairs: V. Mshl. Iwan Sidi (Try’s aide-de-camp as VP)
*Assistant of Territorial Affairs: Maj. Gen. Liliek Sumayo
*Assistant of Functional Affairs: Maj. Gen. Darpito Pudyastungkuro
*Assistant of Communication and Electronic: Maj. Gen. Amir Tohar
*Commander of the ABRI Staff and Command College: Lt. Gen. Syarifuddin Tippe
*Deputy Commander of the ABRI Staff and Command College: R. Adm. Agus Suhartono
*Commander of the ABRI Academy: Mshl. Edy Harjoko
*Deputy Commander of the ABRI Academy: Maj. Gen. Tono Suratman
*Chief of the ABRI Intelligence Agency: Lt. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni (is ill)
*Deputy Chief of the ABRI Intelligence Agency: Maj. Gen. Rachmat Budiyanto
Department of Defense and Security:
*Minister of Defense and Security: Gen. (Ret.) Wiranto
*Secretary of the Department of Defense and Security: Lt. Gen. Romulo Simbolon
*Inspector General of the Department of Defense and Security: Lt. Gen. Djaja Suparman
*Director General of Planning: Maj. Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo
*Director General of Personnel, Human Resources, and Veterans’ Affairs: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Kadaryanto
*Director General of Materiel, Facilities, and Services: R. Adm. Slamet Soebijanto
*Governor of Lemhanas: Lt. Gen. Albert Inkiriwang
*Lieutenant Governor of Lemhanas: V. Mshl. Djoko Suyanto
Palace:
*Military Secretary: Maj. Gen. Junianto Haroen
*Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Gories Mere
*Deputy Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards: Brig. Gen. Erwin Hudawi Lubis
Army:
*Army Chief of Staff: Gen. Srijanto Muntasram
*Deputy Army Chief of Staff: Lt. Gen. Erwin Sudjono
*Inspector General of the Army: Maj. Gen. Bambang Darmono
*Intelligence Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Anshory Tadjuddin
*Operations Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Hotmangaradja Panjaitan
*Personnel Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Bambang Suranto
*Logistics Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Osaka Meilala
*Planning Assistant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Suroyo Gino
*Territorial Assisant of the Army: Maj. Gen. Jul Effendi Sjarief
*Commander of the Army Education and Training Command: Lt. Gen. Syaiful Rizal
*Commander of Kostrad: Lt. Gen. Djoko Santoso
*Chief of Staff of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Rasyid Qurnuen Aquary
*Commander of the 1st Infantry Division of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Agung Revulton
*Chief of Staff of the 1st Infantry Division of Kostrad: Brig. Gen. Adi Mulyono
*Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Azmyn Nasution
*Chief of Staff of the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Brig. Gen. Geerhan Lentara
*Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Maj. Gen. Tan Aspan
*Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division of Kostrad: Brig. Gen. Tisna Komara
*Commander of the Army Staff and Command College: Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon
*Commander of the Aceh Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Hendra Rizal
*Chief of Staff of the Aceh Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Moeldoko
*Commander of the Northern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Amril Amir
*Chief of Staff of the Northern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Erfi Triassunu
*Commander of the Southern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Suwarno
*Chief of Staff of the Southern Sumatra Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Edhy Riyanto
*Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Suharsono
*Chief of Staff of the Jakarta Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Budiman (Presidential Aide-De-Camp in the previous term)
*Commander of the West Java Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Hariyadi Soetanto
*Chief of Staff of the West Java Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Kitaran Sihotang
*Commander of the Central Java Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Marciano Norman
*Chief of Staff of the Central Java Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Puguh Santoso
*Commander of the East Java Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Agus Gunaedi Pribadi
*Chief of Staff of the Central Java Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo
*Commander of the Western Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Sugeng Budi Harsono
*Chief of Staff of the Western Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Hari Krisnomo
*Commander of the Eastern Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Nana Djuana Priadi
*Chief of Staff of the Eastern Kalimantan Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Muktianto
*Commander of the Northern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. LP Siegers
*Chief of Staff of the Northern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Thomas Edy Widagdo
*Commander of the Southern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Mulhim Asyrof
*Chief of Staff of the Southern Sulawesi Regional Military Command: Burhanuddin Siagian
*Commander of the Nusa Tenggara Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Gede Suardhana
*Chief of Staff of the Nusa Tenggara Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Lodewijk Friedrich Paulus
*Commander of the East Timor Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Amiruddin Usman
*Chief of Staff of the East Timor Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Nizam
*Commander of the Maluku Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Siswondo
*Chief of Staff of the Maluku Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Waris
*Commander of the Irian Jaya Regional Military Command: Maj. Gen. Burhanuddin Amin
*Chief of Staff of the Irian Jaya Regional Military Command: Brig. Gen. Murdjito
*Commander of the Kopassus: Maj. Gen. Soenarko
*Deputy Commander of the Kopassus: Brig. Gen. Hotma Marbun
Navy:
*Navy Chief of Staff: Adm. Djoko Agoes Hanoeng
*Deputy Navy Chief of Staff: V. Adm. Bambang Supeno
*Commander of the Navy Education and Training Command: V. Adm. Waldi Murad
*Commander of the 1st Fleet: R. Adm. Adi Prabawa
*Commander of the 2nd Fleet: R. Adm. Moekhlas Sidik
*Commander of the 3rd Fleet: R. Adm. Jurianto
*Commander of the Marine Corps: Maj. Gen. (Mar.) Nono Sampono
*Commander of the Sealift Command (Kolinlamil): R. Adm. Maryono
Air Force:
*Air Force Chief of Staff: ACM. Teddy Sumarno
*Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff: Mshl. I Gusti Made Oka
*Commander of the Air Force Education and Training Command: Mshl. Mardjono SW
*Commander of the Air Force 1st Operation Command: V. Mshl. Pandji Utama Iskaq
*Commander of the Air Force 2nd Operation Command: V. Mshl. Erry Biatmoko
*Commander of the Air Force 3rd Operation Command: V. Mshl. Ganjar Wiranegara
*Commander of the Air Defense Command: V. Mshl. Ida Bagus Sanubari
*Commander of the Air Force Special Forces (Korpaskhas): Cdre. I Putu Sulastra
Police:
*Chief of Police: Police (Gen.) I Made Mangku Pastika
*Deputy Chief of Police: Lt. Gen. (Pol.) Firman Gani
*Commander of the Mobile Brigade: Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Indradi Thanos
Analysis:
-Command shuffle triggered by outgoing Deputy Army Chief of Staff Prijanto's appointment as Ambassador to Japan. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono brother-in-law Erwin Sudjono promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed as the new Deputy Army Chief of Staff. Though considered a Yudhoyono-ite, Erwin has developed a relationship with TB Hasanuddin. When TB was Commander of Kostrad, Erwin was a Kostrad Division Commander; when TB was Army Chief of Staff, Erwin was Inspector General of the Army. Erwin functions unofficially as the intermediary between TB Hasanuddin and Yudhoyono.
-Wiranto consolidates control of the Department of Defense and Security by securing the appointment of his close ally Djaja Suparman as Inspector General of the Department of Defense and Security.
-Some rumors that Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni might be discharged on health grounds but this had not been the case.
---
Basically this chart will make appearance each time there's an ABRI Command Shuffle.
Something that i just got recently interested.
How are Indonesian monarchies (other than Jogjakarta and Pakualaman) doing ITTL? Would they stayed under radar like OTL or doing a Simeon by becoming regional delegates, regents, or mayors in their respective homelands?
I can see Ternate's Muddafar Sjah helping Try to calm down the sentiments in North Mollucas during ITTL's version of Early 2000s Indonesian Inter-Communal Violence and afterwards becoming a regional delegate like OTL in 2002 and pledged his allegiance to Try in the 2003 MPR Session.
The Pakubuwono Succession Crisis is brewing as Pakubuwono XII has just recently celebrated his 78th birthday and still has not designated the crown prince.
How are Indonesian monarchies (other than Jogjakarta and Pakualaman) doing ITTL? Would they stayed under radar like OTL or doing a Simeon by becoming regional delegates, regents, or mayors in their respective homelands?
I can see Ternate's Muddafar Sjah helping Try to calm down the sentiments in North Mollucas during ITTL's version of Early 2000s Indonesian Inter-Communal Violence and afterwards becoming a regional delegate like OTL in 2002 and pledged his allegiance to Try in the 2003 MPR Session.
The Pakubuwono Succession Crisis is brewing as Pakubuwono XII has just recently celebrated his 78th birthday and still has not designated the crown prince.
249: Moving Forward On All Fronts
2nd May 2003:
After spending the night at Merauke, President Try Sutrisno flew with his entourage, landing at Surabaya, East Java. The Presidential motorcade was seen heading to Gresik to Petrokimia Gresik’s new Phosphate Acid Factory. It was here, accompanied by Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, and for the last time as Governor of East Java Haris Sudarno, the President inaugurated the following:
*Petrokimia Gresik Phosphate Acid Factory in Gresik, East Java
*Unit 4 of Semen Gresik’s Cement Factory in Tuban, East Java
*Expansion of Almi Aluminium Factory in Sidoarjo, East Java
*Japfa Comfeed Chicken Breeding Facilities in Grati, East Java and Pontianak, West Kalimantan
*Charon Pokphand Mojokerto Chicken Processing Factory in Mojokerto, East Java
*Sari Roti Bread Factory in Pasuruan, East Java
*Dumas Tanjung Perak Shipyard Shipbuilding Facilities in Sampang, Madura
As he toured the facilities, the President and his entourage’s mood was somewhat spoiled by questions about an article Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto penned that morning in the Kompas Newspaper. The article focused on the President’s ASEAN policy saying that the President is “sacrificing Indonesian farmers” for the sake of making Indonesia the leader of ASEAN. Tutut argued that fruit and vegetable farmers will be swamped by imports of fruits and vegetables from ASEAN becoming cheaper.
4th May 2003:
Over some chicken porridge on a Sunday morning, the President met with Chairman of the Overseas Myanmarians League (OML) Shwe Mann. Shwe Mann expressed his thanks for the President for allowing the integration of his followers into ABRI despite this being unpopular in some circles in Indonesia. The President told him that the Myanmarians will “make themselves proud” and will make ABRI strong.
5th May 2003:
In a press conference, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat announced that the President has approved of the formation of the DKN as the forum for discussing, formulating, coordinating policy regarding national security. The composition of the DKN are as follows:
*The President will act as the Chairman of the DKN
*The Vice President, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense and Security, the Minister of Economics and National Development Planning, the Minister of Finance, the Commander of ABRI, the Chief of BAKIN, and the State Secretary with other ministers and officials to attend as necessary.
*The Secretary of the DKN to act as the administrator of the DKN
The press was keen to know what the government thought about Tutut’s article the previous Saturday. Edi said that the government would take it seriously if there is something coherent to Tutut’s criticism beyond disagreeing for disagreeing’s sake. He jokes that at this stage, if the government was to turn right, Tutut would turn left because that was the opposite of right.
6th May 2003:
The President met with Minister of Education Juwono Sudarsono today. Juwono brought numbers regarding Junior High School enrollment rates which were as follows throughout the course of the President’s presidency.
-1997/1998: 72.5%
-1998/1999: 70.1%
-1999/2000: 75.7%
-2000/2001: 80.1%
-2001/2002: 87.4%
-2002/2003: 93.3%
After recommitting themselves that the target was 100% Junior High School enrollment prior to the end of Repelita VII, the President and Juwono discussed the main goal for Repelita VIII for education which will be Compulsory 12 Years’ Education and how to best achieve that. By the end of the meeting, the President and Juwono had agreed on the following basic principles:
*Much as the Compulsory 6 Years’ Education and Compulsory 9 Years’ Education, the government will give itself 10 years to achieve Compulsory 12 Years’ Education.
*By the end of these 10 years, the goal is for all those aged 16-18 to either be in High School or a Vocational School.
*The Central Government will focus on constructing High Schools and its accompanying infrastructure. The role of building vocational schools will be deconcentrated to provincial as well as municipal/regency governments as they will better know what vocations are required and needed in their respective regions.
*The government will also be continuing its policy of constructing extra classrooms in existing state primary schools to accommodate kindergarten-aged children. The government is setting a target of 5 years for all kindergarten-aged children to be enrolled in a kindergarten.
7th May 2003:
The President today chaired the first meeting of the DKN. The topic of discussion was the most recent development in the United States and its coalition’s humanitarian intervention in Yugoslavia: namely that Montenegro had been declared liberated after the last of the Yugoslav Army had retreated back into Serbia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman told the President to expect to see Milo Djukanovic installed as the new President of Montenegro soon.
When the President asked what is Moscow’s reaction. Marzuki said that Russia, along with the Belarus, will continue to provide military aid without sending personnel to get involved and that this was the most they could do without escalating the situation. Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin asked whether China is also sending military aid. Marzuki shook his head, saying that China is “judiciously” limiting its assistance to non-military aid. The President laughed cynically at this.
“Well, first and foremost, China’s primary interests were never in the Balkans, it’s always been here in Asia”, the President said “Luo Gan wants to keep China’s hands free.”
“Free to do what?” asked Vice President JB Sumarlin.
“To pursue their interests in Asia while the United States’ focus is fixed on Yugoslavia”, the President explained “And that’s just one reason why they want to keep their involvement limited to non-military aid.”
The President then went on to speak about the meeting he had with President of Vietnam Tran Duc Luong when the latter visited Indonesia in January 2003, that another reason why China wanted to keep their involvement limited was because the agreement it signed with Australia to import coal. At this, Minister of Defense and Security Wiranto scoffed.
“Well, that answers why Australia seems to have such great influence in that coalition”, Wiranto said “As of the end of April, they’re already sending more personnel in Yugoslavia’s direction because the United Kingdom is not taking part in this conflict and because they’re seen to have played a part in keeping China’s role very limited in it.”
“Wait, if that’s the case then Australia is indirectly helping position China to, as you say… keep its hands free”, Sumarlin said to the President “And the United States is all right with this?”
“From the United States and its allies’ point of view, it’s one less providing military aid to the enemy in the battlefield, Mr. Vice President”, explained Wiranto.
“The liberation of Montenegro will not be the end will it” the President asked Marzuki.
“Preparations are already under way for the United States and its allies to launch an offensive into Serbia”, replied Marzuki “The United States’ aim has always been to remove President Milosevic from power and to show the world, most notably Russia, that it cannot be challenged.”
“That part I understand”, the President “I mean, will Montenegro continue to remain a part of Yugoslavia?”
“Djukanovic ran for election promising to hold an independence referendum for Montenegro, I think this will be an eventuality though it will wait until after Milosevic’s overthrow and the installment of a pro-West President of Yugoslavia”, Marzuki replied.
The President thought about it.
“As long as the United States and the United Kingdom keep sending weapons our way, I’ll keep my mouth shut”, the President said “But they still can’t answer whether this “humanitarian intervention” is a precedent.”
8th May 2003:
Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and State Minister of Housing Bobby Suhardiman emerged out of a meeting with the President at the Presdential Palace. Dorodjatun said that they had come to report on the construction sector where the rate of inflation in the sector had decreased because the moratorium on the construction of new government buildings has taken effect. Dorodjatun said that this was precisely the goal of the policy and meant that more building material can become available and become cheaper. Bobby said that the President has instructed him to look into simplifying procedures for the construction of houses so developers can take advantage of this program and get to building more houses.
State Minister of Transmigration Rusnain Yahya also emerged from a meeting with the President today. Rusnain said that the President has approved of his decision to suspend all transmigration out of Aceh. Rusnain said that in the past 8-10 months there has been a lot of self-funded transmigrants out of Aceh. This in itself not wrong, but what has emerged in the last few months is that these transmigrants are using fake ID cards and that they have “disappeared” instead of reporting their arrival to the local authorities upon arrival. Rusnain said that the State Ministry of Transmigration is working with the Department of Home Affairs in particular to investigate this matter.
9th May 2003:
At the PKPB National Headquarters, Tutut accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and held a coffee morning with a delegation of contractors who came to express their grievance that the government’s moratorium on the construction of new government buildings was and will be “bad for their business”. Tutut listened sympathetically, commenting that this was a government willing to pick a fight and sacrifice anybody and everybody.
Meanwhile, the President had a meeting with Wiranto. Wiranto talked about his recent trip to Afghanistan and his enquiries about the possibility of purchasing surplus T-54/T-55 Tanks there to the “major participants” of Operation Enduring Freedom. No one had a problem with it, but once Australia “raised a concern” about why Indonesia would want to buy 100+ T-54/T-55 Tanks, the United States also began to cool off despite being initially having no problem with the idea. Wiranto once again repeated the point he made in the DKN Meeting that Australia has “a lot of influence with the United States and in their coalition”.
“The only upside of this, Mr. President”, said Wiranto “Is that because we have been transparent in communicating our interests to the major participants of Operation Enduring Freedom, those who are both more friendly to us and have a defense industry are now very much aware that Indonesia is in the hunt for more equipment and are now enquiring about whether we would interested in their “products” instead.”
10th May 2003:
The President spent his Saturday heading by land to Cilegon, West Java. At the new pipe production facilities of PT. KHI Industries, a subsidiary of PT. Krakatau Steel and accompanied by Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Mining and Energy Awang Faroek Ishak, State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Cacuk Sudarijanto, Junior Minister of Defense and Security Adwin Suryohadiprodjo, and Governor of West Java Muzani Syukur the President inaugurated the following:
*Unit 2 of PT. KHI Industries Pipe Production Facilities at Cilegon, West Java
*Units 8 and 9 of the Suralayu Steampowered Electricity Generator at Cilegon, West Java
*Units 2 and 3 of Darajat Geothermal Electricity Generator at Darajat, West Java
*PT. Pindad Military Vehicle Assembly Plant at Bandung, West Java
As the President toured the KHI’s facilities and looking at samples of the products that are manufactured there, the President faced questions about Tutut sitting with contractors who feel disadvantaged by the government’s moratorium on the construction of new government buildings. At first the President tried to distract the press by pointing at how wonderful the facilities are but despite Edi’s glares, the questions were relentless; the moratorium on the construction of new government buildigns, the claim that the President was sacrificing farmers so that Indonesia can become the leader of ASEAN, the integration of Myanmarians into the ABRI, the refusal to support the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law…
“In the last week or so, I have been inaugurating projects”, the President said “Both at the most isolated place in this archipelago and in the centers of industry, both government projects and non-government, both private and state. I inaugurated airports, roads, electricity generators. There are facilities which will help breed chicken for our food industry, produce phosphate for our fertilizers, more cement for our construction industry, more steel and more aluminium, space fo assemble military vehicles…the way I see it this nation is moving forward on all fronts.
If this is still to be and can be perfected, then I’m all for working constructively and for the benefit of the nation. But I do regret if the only contribution others can make is to get in the way for the sake of getting in the way…I hope they would have the decency to get out of the way before they are pushed out of the way.”
“Mr. President, what do you mean pushed out of the way?” asked a member of the press.
“All right, that’s enough questions for now”, said Edi stepping in while gently pushing the President to begin walking away from the press.
---
At her private residence, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri watched this unfold on television so seriously that her husband Taufiq Kiemas took notice of it.
“Something wrong, Dear?” asked Taufiq.
“This will be interesting”, Megawati said as she gestured towards the image of the President looking angry on television “If he’s saying what I think he’s saying, he’s going to do to Tutut what Soeharto did to me.”
“What? Take over the PKPB’s National Headquarters by force?” asked Taufiq.
“Well, I hope it doesn’t get to that”, replied Megawati.
---
Much as the government projects, various private sector projects are undertaken and completed ahead of OTL schedule due to more favorable economic conditions.
Some of the geopolitical calculations about China here mirror the calculations about OTL US’ involvement in Iraq and how OTL China benefitted from it https://sldinfo.com/2012/06/china-and-iraq-the-return/
Check out 211 for Try's conversation with Tran Duc Luong about Australia's maneuverings.
I’m sorry if I’m like a broken record but it’s going to be repeated ad nauseaum. Indonesia considers China the main threat but can’t turn its back on the Aussies.
After spending the night at Merauke, President Try Sutrisno flew with his entourage, landing at Surabaya, East Java. The Presidential motorcade was seen heading to Gresik to Petrokimia Gresik’s new Phosphate Acid Factory. It was here, accompanied by Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, and for the last time as Governor of East Java Haris Sudarno, the President inaugurated the following:
*Petrokimia Gresik Phosphate Acid Factory in Gresik, East Java
*Unit 4 of Semen Gresik’s Cement Factory in Tuban, East Java
*Expansion of Almi Aluminium Factory in Sidoarjo, East Java
*Japfa Comfeed Chicken Breeding Facilities in Grati, East Java and Pontianak, West Kalimantan
*Charon Pokphand Mojokerto Chicken Processing Factory in Mojokerto, East Java
*Sari Roti Bread Factory in Pasuruan, East Java
*Dumas Tanjung Perak Shipyard Shipbuilding Facilities in Sampang, Madura
As he toured the facilities, the President and his entourage’s mood was somewhat spoiled by questions about an article Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto penned that morning in the Kompas Newspaper. The article focused on the President’s ASEAN policy saying that the President is “sacrificing Indonesian farmers” for the sake of making Indonesia the leader of ASEAN. Tutut argued that fruit and vegetable farmers will be swamped by imports of fruits and vegetables from ASEAN becoming cheaper.
4th May 2003:
Over some chicken porridge on a Sunday morning, the President met with Chairman of the Overseas Myanmarians League (OML) Shwe Mann. Shwe Mann expressed his thanks for the President for allowing the integration of his followers into ABRI despite this being unpopular in some circles in Indonesia. The President told him that the Myanmarians will “make themselves proud” and will make ABRI strong.
5th May 2003:
In a press conference, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat announced that the President has approved of the formation of the DKN as the forum for discussing, formulating, coordinating policy regarding national security. The composition of the DKN are as follows:
*The President will act as the Chairman of the DKN
*The Vice President, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense and Security, the Minister of Economics and National Development Planning, the Minister of Finance, the Commander of ABRI, the Chief of BAKIN, and the State Secretary with other ministers and officials to attend as necessary.
*The Secretary of the DKN to act as the administrator of the DKN
The press was keen to know what the government thought about Tutut’s article the previous Saturday. Edi said that the government would take it seriously if there is something coherent to Tutut’s criticism beyond disagreeing for disagreeing’s sake. He jokes that at this stage, if the government was to turn right, Tutut would turn left because that was the opposite of right.
6th May 2003:
The President met with Minister of Education Juwono Sudarsono today. Juwono brought numbers regarding Junior High School enrollment rates which were as follows throughout the course of the President’s presidency.
-1997/1998: 72.5%
-1998/1999: 70.1%
-1999/2000: 75.7%
-2000/2001: 80.1%
-2001/2002: 87.4%
-2002/2003: 93.3%
After recommitting themselves that the target was 100% Junior High School enrollment prior to the end of Repelita VII, the President and Juwono discussed the main goal for Repelita VIII for education which will be Compulsory 12 Years’ Education and how to best achieve that. By the end of the meeting, the President and Juwono had agreed on the following basic principles:
*Much as the Compulsory 6 Years’ Education and Compulsory 9 Years’ Education, the government will give itself 10 years to achieve Compulsory 12 Years’ Education.
*By the end of these 10 years, the goal is for all those aged 16-18 to either be in High School or a Vocational School.
*The Central Government will focus on constructing High Schools and its accompanying infrastructure. The role of building vocational schools will be deconcentrated to provincial as well as municipal/regency governments as they will better know what vocations are required and needed in their respective regions.
*The government will also be continuing its policy of constructing extra classrooms in existing state primary schools to accommodate kindergarten-aged children. The government is setting a target of 5 years for all kindergarten-aged children to be enrolled in a kindergarten.
7th May 2003:
The President today chaired the first meeting of the DKN. The topic of discussion was the most recent development in the United States and its coalition’s humanitarian intervention in Yugoslavia: namely that Montenegro had been declared liberated after the last of the Yugoslav Army had retreated back into Serbia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman told the President to expect to see Milo Djukanovic installed as the new President of Montenegro soon.
When the President asked what is Moscow’s reaction. Marzuki said that Russia, along with the Belarus, will continue to provide military aid without sending personnel to get involved and that this was the most they could do without escalating the situation. Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin asked whether China is also sending military aid. Marzuki shook his head, saying that China is “judiciously” limiting its assistance to non-military aid. The President laughed cynically at this.
“Well, first and foremost, China’s primary interests were never in the Balkans, it’s always been here in Asia”, the President said “Luo Gan wants to keep China’s hands free.”
“Free to do what?” asked Vice President JB Sumarlin.
“To pursue their interests in Asia while the United States’ focus is fixed on Yugoslavia”, the President explained “And that’s just one reason why they want to keep their involvement limited to non-military aid.”
The President then went on to speak about the meeting he had with President of Vietnam Tran Duc Luong when the latter visited Indonesia in January 2003, that another reason why China wanted to keep their involvement limited was because the agreement it signed with Australia to import coal. At this, Minister of Defense and Security Wiranto scoffed.
“Well, that answers why Australia seems to have such great influence in that coalition”, Wiranto said “As of the end of April, they’re already sending more personnel in Yugoslavia’s direction because the United Kingdom is not taking part in this conflict and because they’re seen to have played a part in keeping China’s role very limited in it.”
“Wait, if that’s the case then Australia is indirectly helping position China to, as you say… keep its hands free”, Sumarlin said to the President “And the United States is all right with this?”
“From the United States and its allies’ point of view, it’s one less providing military aid to the enemy in the battlefield, Mr. Vice President”, explained Wiranto.
“The liberation of Montenegro will not be the end will it” the President asked Marzuki.
“Preparations are already under way for the United States and its allies to launch an offensive into Serbia”, replied Marzuki “The United States’ aim has always been to remove President Milosevic from power and to show the world, most notably Russia, that it cannot be challenged.”
“That part I understand”, the President “I mean, will Montenegro continue to remain a part of Yugoslavia?”
“Djukanovic ran for election promising to hold an independence referendum for Montenegro, I think this will be an eventuality though it will wait until after Milosevic’s overthrow and the installment of a pro-West President of Yugoslavia”, Marzuki replied.
The President thought about it.
“As long as the United States and the United Kingdom keep sending weapons our way, I’ll keep my mouth shut”, the President said “But they still can’t answer whether this “humanitarian intervention” is a precedent.”
8th May 2003:
Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and State Minister of Housing Bobby Suhardiman emerged out of a meeting with the President at the Presdential Palace. Dorodjatun said that they had come to report on the construction sector where the rate of inflation in the sector had decreased because the moratorium on the construction of new government buildings has taken effect. Dorodjatun said that this was precisely the goal of the policy and meant that more building material can become available and become cheaper. Bobby said that the President has instructed him to look into simplifying procedures for the construction of houses so developers can take advantage of this program and get to building more houses.
State Minister of Transmigration Rusnain Yahya also emerged from a meeting with the President today. Rusnain said that the President has approved of his decision to suspend all transmigration out of Aceh. Rusnain said that in the past 8-10 months there has been a lot of self-funded transmigrants out of Aceh. This in itself not wrong, but what has emerged in the last few months is that these transmigrants are using fake ID cards and that they have “disappeared” instead of reporting their arrival to the local authorities upon arrival. Rusnain said that the State Ministry of Transmigration is working with the Department of Home Affairs in particular to investigate this matter.
9th May 2003:
At the PKPB National Headquarters, Tutut accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and held a coffee morning with a delegation of contractors who came to express their grievance that the government’s moratorium on the construction of new government buildings was and will be “bad for their business”. Tutut listened sympathetically, commenting that this was a government willing to pick a fight and sacrifice anybody and everybody.
Meanwhile, the President had a meeting with Wiranto. Wiranto talked about his recent trip to Afghanistan and his enquiries about the possibility of purchasing surplus T-54/T-55 Tanks there to the “major participants” of Operation Enduring Freedom. No one had a problem with it, but once Australia “raised a concern” about why Indonesia would want to buy 100+ T-54/T-55 Tanks, the United States also began to cool off despite being initially having no problem with the idea. Wiranto once again repeated the point he made in the DKN Meeting that Australia has “a lot of influence with the United States and in their coalition”.
“The only upside of this, Mr. President”, said Wiranto “Is that because we have been transparent in communicating our interests to the major participants of Operation Enduring Freedom, those who are both more friendly to us and have a defense industry are now very much aware that Indonesia is in the hunt for more equipment and are now enquiring about whether we would interested in their “products” instead.”
10th May 2003:
The President spent his Saturday heading by land to Cilegon, West Java. At the new pipe production facilities of PT. KHI Industries, a subsidiary of PT. Krakatau Steel and accompanied by Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Mining and Energy Awang Faroek Ishak, State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Cacuk Sudarijanto, Junior Minister of Defense and Security Adwin Suryohadiprodjo, and Governor of West Java Muzani Syukur the President inaugurated the following:
*Unit 2 of PT. KHI Industries Pipe Production Facilities at Cilegon, West Java
*Units 8 and 9 of the Suralayu Steampowered Electricity Generator at Cilegon, West Java
*Units 2 and 3 of Darajat Geothermal Electricity Generator at Darajat, West Java
*PT. Pindad Military Vehicle Assembly Plant at Bandung, West Java
As the President toured the KHI’s facilities and looking at samples of the products that are manufactured there, the President faced questions about Tutut sitting with contractors who feel disadvantaged by the government’s moratorium on the construction of new government buildings. At first the President tried to distract the press by pointing at how wonderful the facilities are but despite Edi’s glares, the questions were relentless; the moratorium on the construction of new government buildigns, the claim that the President was sacrificing farmers so that Indonesia can become the leader of ASEAN, the integration of Myanmarians into the ABRI, the refusal to support the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law…
“In the last week or so, I have been inaugurating projects”, the President said “Both at the most isolated place in this archipelago and in the centers of industry, both government projects and non-government, both private and state. I inaugurated airports, roads, electricity generators. There are facilities which will help breed chicken for our food industry, produce phosphate for our fertilizers, more cement for our construction industry, more steel and more aluminium, space fo assemble military vehicles…the way I see it this nation is moving forward on all fronts.
If this is still to be and can be perfected, then I’m all for working constructively and for the benefit of the nation. But I do regret if the only contribution others can make is to get in the way for the sake of getting in the way…I hope they would have the decency to get out of the way before they are pushed out of the way.”
“Mr. President, what do you mean pushed out of the way?” asked a member of the press.
“All right, that’s enough questions for now”, said Edi stepping in while gently pushing the President to begin walking away from the press.
---
At her private residence, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri watched this unfold on television so seriously that her husband Taufiq Kiemas took notice of it.
“Something wrong, Dear?” asked Taufiq.
“This will be interesting”, Megawati said as she gestured towards the image of the President looking angry on television “If he’s saying what I think he’s saying, he’s going to do to Tutut what Soeharto did to me.”
“What? Take over the PKPB’s National Headquarters by force?” asked Taufiq.
“Well, I hope it doesn’t get to that”, replied Megawati.
---
Much as the government projects, various private sector projects are undertaken and completed ahead of OTL schedule due to more favorable economic conditions.
Some of the geopolitical calculations about China here mirror the calculations about OTL US’ involvement in Iraq and how OTL China benefitted from it https://sldinfo.com/2012/06/china-and-iraq-the-return/
Check out 211 for Try's conversation with Tran Duc Luong about Australia's maneuverings.
I’m sorry if I’m like a broken record but it’s going to be repeated ad nauseaum. Indonesia considers China the main threat but can’t turn its back on the Aussies.
Well, this kinda gives me a not-so-good vibes. Any chances of the fake ids being produced ...not-locally?
At this point Tutut would just advocating for an isolationist policy, in other words, handing over ASEAN to Luo Gan.
And Sumarlin is right, less soldiers and more enterpreneurs, especially for downstreaming our agricultural products and making Indonesian farmers keep happy. Can Tutut do the same?
Ah yesh, as challenges abound for Indonesia from both China, ISA, and the most important one, Tutut Soeharto.
Lol, picked my mind, eh?
This one is huge. So far only a select few of cities in Java which has implemented "Wajib Belajar 12 Tahun", namely Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bandung. 10 years target is still obtainable and even if it failed, it's still already better than OTL Indonesia. Pak Juwono FTW!
Dark clouds approaching.
Oh f-
Can they just build something else? Like that Jakarta Tower. Build something like that in Medan, Makassar, or Balikpapan if they so choose.
Serves the Aussies right. Leopard MBTs les gooo!!!
I can feel both Edi's glare and Try's anger building up.
There it is, he said the words. One can hold it for so long.....
Well, i mean, the way it is now, by 2007 PNI would surely get the votes from those who wanted to constructively oppose Try but didn't choose PKPB because of Tutut being unconstructive, so i can see why Bu Mega didn't want that to be happened lol.
Lol yeah.
This one will be ITTL’s “religious place of worship” policy and will butterfly away OTL’a SKB 2 Menteri.
The internal communal violence has been butterflied away largely because ITTL Indonesia is more stable. But I do have Muddafar Sjah listed as a Regional Delegate in my very incomplete list of MPR Delegates and DPR Members notes. He became a non-partisan after Golkar broke into two. He’s most likely a Tutut voter in the MPR.
The Solo succession crisis will occur. It’s just a matter of who will be in charge of the mediation.
The thing about the Indonesian royal houses is that, I’m never entirely sure which of them are the more prominent. The Yogyakarta Sultanate gets a lot of spotlight as do the Surakarta Susuhunate as well as the Paku Alam and Mangkunegoro principalities. But zero clue about the others. Probably will see them all in the same room sometime in the future because there’s a Menbud now.
Keep tuning in. But for the moment, this explains the situation a while back of people from Aceh transmigrating to Irian Jaya but the Irian Jaya government failing to record arrivals.
“Don’t mind me, I’m just in the background making my preparations”.
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Yeah, i know, but i think he would also deploy his bodyguards there just to be safe, especially when Laskar Jihad made their announcements.
Nice
Ah well, what a pity since he's actually a cool one.... I reckon he's on Akbar's faction rather than Tutut-Hartono's when the time comes.
Let's hope it would only bothered the mayor of Surakarta and not becoming a national issue like OTL.
Yeah. Also with more money to throw around means that Festival Adat Budaya Nusantara can be organized sooner than OTL.
I hope this alternate history different from cannon
Prabowo choose Bergamini Class variant of FREMM with little Air Defence capability unlike French variant Aquitaine Class
Prabowo choose Bergamini Class variant of FREMM with little Air Defence capability unlike French variant Aquitaine Class
250: M-U-N-A-S-L-U-B
12th May 2003:
The President chaired a DKN Meeting. At its conclusion, Minister of Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo had the duty of doing the press conference accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Srijanto, Chief of Police I Made Mangku Pastika ABRI Chief of General Staff Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno, and ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Saurip Kadi who had been invited along for the meeting.
TB Hasanuddin said that the DKN meeting decided on the follow up to the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting; namely how the former roles of the abolished territorial commands will be fulfilled by various departments and agencies which, among others, will be as follows:
*The territorial functions of ABRI will be concentrated at the Army’s Resort Military Command level.
*The Regional Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the provincial level, the Resort Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the regency/municipal level, liaison officers will be appointed for lower levels of government.
*Any intelligence and surveillance functions, excepting those of a strategic nature, will be taken over by BAKIN’s regional offices.
*Functions related to public order and security will be taken over by the Police or, at the more grassroots level, the Department of Home Affairs’ Civil Defence and Municipal Police (Satpol PP).
*Training will be provided to BAKIN’s regional offices, the Police, the Civil Defence, and the Satpol PP as they take on these functons.
*Trial run for the abolition of territorial commands will be conducted in Jakarta and Surabaya before the year is out because the two cities are considered secure enough for the experiment.
TB and Saurip Kadi underlined once again that these changes will not effect the Dual Function. ABRI will continue to conduct its socio-political functions by taking part in the executive, legislative, the civil service, the regions and whereever ABRI is needed. Meanwhile its defence and security function will be bolstered because the personnel from the abolished territorial commands will be converted into combat units. Meanwhile Srijanto said that the territorial commands had 140,000 personnel and said that this personnel could be better used elsewhere such as strengthening ABRI’s military capacity.
13th May 2003:
The President, in his capacity as the Leader of the PKPI, met with Chairman of the PKPI/Vice Chairman of the DPR Basofi Sudirman. Basofi had just returned from India while the rest of the PKPI Delegation, including Day-to-Day Chairman of the PKPI Soeyono, had stayed behind for longer. Basofi reported that the PKPI Delegation are getting along well with their counterparts from BJP, the latter being very keen to learn why the PKPI, despite supporting a competent government, did not get the most seats the 2002 Elections. Basofi also said that Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee conveys his greetings and that he could not wait to see the President soon at BRICI.
They then discussed the situation in the DPR. Basofi said that defeat at the MPR General Session has made the PKPB “all the more” stubborn and all the more likely to be uncooperative for its own sake. As an example, Basofi said that in the aftermath of the MPR General Session, the PNI has expressed agreement to the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law on the grounds that it provides a more sound legal basis for taking action against terrorists and suspected terrorists. The PKPB’s official stance, on the other hand, is that it is against the passing of the law and does not show any inclination of wanting to change its stance. This despite the President’s request that the bill be passed unanimously into law in the DPR because of its importance.
“What will it take for the PKPB to change their stance?” the President asked.
Basofi thought things through.
“Frankly speaking, Mr. President, it will take change to a party leadership more willing to be constructive for the PKPB to stop its current actions”, said Basofi.
15th May 2003:
The President today chaired a cabinet meeting attended by Vice President JB Sumarlin and the entire cabinet. Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti gave a report on the present economic conditions to the meeting, saying that for the first half of 2003, Indonesia’s economy will be bolstered by three long weekends; the Easter Long Weekend in April, the Vesak Long Weekend tomorrow, and the Ascension Day Long Weekend in two weeks’ time. Dorodjatun said that there will be extra economic activity, in particular regards to consumer spending, during these three long weekends with Minister of Tourism Sutiyoso confirming that hotel bookings are receiving spikes during these periods. The President happily noted this saying that these long weekends will make itself known in Indonesia’s economic growth figures, instructing only to make sure that the transport of basic commodities will not be obstructed during this period so that there will not be spikes in prices.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman then reported on the President’s upcoming trip, saying that it will be an “around the world” trip and went through the itinerary, the highlight of which will be attendance at the BRICI Unofficial Summit in Brazil and at the G-8 Summit as an invitee in France. The President commented that he wanted to bring Indonesia to the world on this trip, raise its profile, and most importantly, advance its interests.
17th May 2003:
There were a lot of smiles and flashbulbs as Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto posed for pictures before they had lunch together, Ginandjar accompanied by former minister Kuntoro Mangunsubroto while Tutut was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung.
Inside, Tutut bemoaned that over the last two months a lot of talent had left the government; pointing to Ginandjar and Kuntoro as the two main examples. Ginandjar said that this was true, that his supporters in the government had been targeted and removed, Jusuf Kalla no longer being Ambassador to Japan being a case in point. ZA Maulani pointed out that Muhammadiyah representation is being cut down to a minimum, especially if said representation was associated with Amien Rais though Kuntoro said that there was one Muhammadiyah member left standing in Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah.
Tutut went at length about how she was “nowhere near finished” with the President and repeated her claim that the PKPB will use its weight in the DPR to continue to have a say in the government and that the government must take into account the PKPB’s stance on various issues if it wants to move forward.
“Well it’s not that I disagree with you and what you’re doing now”, Ginandjar said “It’s just that while it is true the PKPB is the party that has the most seats in the DPR, it’s the government that controls the majority through its PKPI-PPP-ABRI Coalition so it does not have to take the PKPB into account. And on the matter of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the government has asked for unanimous support because it’s an important bill and with the PNI having declared support, is it not poor form for the PKPB to not declare its support and to openly get in the way of this and various government policies just for the hell of it?”
“You’re sounding like you’re still a government official”, Akbar joked, getting a laugh from Tutut in the process.
“It’s not that there isn’t a time and a place to take on the government” said Ginandjar “It’s just that there is 4 years and 10 months left of this, this is always going to be a marathon.”
“What do you think of the President’s comments a few days ago at Cilegon?” asked Akbar.
“I think whatever intentions we in this room have towards him, the one thing we should never do is underestimate Try Sutrisno”, Ginandjar replied “He creates the false impression that he’s an easy target or that he will just sit there and take the bad treatment being dished out to him or that he will just get out of the way…but I say this having been his partner in making foreign policy and not expecting that he would actually dare to remove me in the middle of the MPR General Sesson…if you’re thinking those kinds of thoughts about him, you do it at your own peril.”
Ginandjar would later say that despite the fact that he was the one to make the joke about Ginandjar sounding like a government official, it was Akbar who took Ginandjar’s comments about the President most seriously.
18th May 2003:
The Presidential Palace was a lot of hustle and bustle. Edi was seen going over some things with his staff and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was playing with her grandchildren even as she was overseeing her staff packing her clothes. At the President’s office, the President received Sintong Panjaitan, the latter had a concerned look on his face.
“This arrived Friday afternoon”, Sintong said as he handed the President an envelope “Normally I would wait until tomorrow Monday but you will be gone for a bit, so I wanted to bring the matter to your attention.”
The President opened it and read it carefully.
“It is a letter from Akbar Tandjung asking the Department of Home Affairs whether it has the same understanding of the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws about the requirements to hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Sintong as the President looked up at him “I’m assuming the reason Akbar is sending me this letter is because he is preparing an Extraordinary PKPB National Congress.”
The President finished reading the letter and handed it back to Sintong.
“Usually party national congresses that are held under extraordinary circumstances…the aim is to forcefully change leadership…” Sintong said “I wonder what the government’s stance on this should be.”
Realizing that Sintong had not been part of the politicking at the MPR General Session, the President decided to tell the story of how Akbar Tandjung and his supporters had helped the President secure his re-election but that Akbar had also asked for the President’s support to challenge Tutut for the chairmanship of the PKPB at the next PKPB National Congress.
Sintong looked seriously at the President.
“And right now, Mr. President, you’re inclined to support what Akbar is doing and have a PKPB Extraordinary National Congress where Tutut will be overthrown?” asked Sintong.
“You’re not wrong”, the President replied “And it’s not only because I had cut a deal with Akbar, it’s also because the way the Chairwoman of the PKPB has acted in the last few weeks…there is still a long way to go in this term and for her to just continue getting in the way on top of the last 5 years…my patience is at an end, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
There was silence in the room.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your position, Mr. President”, Sintong advised “It’s just that I hope you will not act rashly.”
The President listened.
“10 years ago, your predecessor tried to prevent the election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairwoman of the PDI but she got elected in defiance of government intervention, became popular and that’s the reason why she became the third name, other than yourself and the Chairwoman of the PKPB, intending to contest the presidency”, Sintong continued “If you wish to intervene in this and you fail, she will be another “Megawati”, she will continue to be a thorn in your side.”
“Then we have to make sure that Akbar wins”, the President said.
“That won’t be enough, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If he wins but Tutut still has a sizeable chunk of support of influence, she will be doing to Akbar what she was doing to you in Golkar. There will be two PKPBs vying for existence.”
There was silence between the two.
“So what you’re saying is, it’s not enough that Akbar wins, Tutut has to lose as well”, the President said “And decisively lose.”
“That’s right, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If you want to strike at her now, make sure it’s nothing less than a knockout blow.”
There was another silence and then the President stood up signalling that the meeting was over.
“I have to go to Halim soon”, the President “I’m not going throw the government’s support behind him but for the moment, by all means confirm to Akbar that if he fulfills the requirements set out in the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws, he can apply for the government’s approval for an Extraordinary National Congress. But pleasewait until I’m back here before you give that approval, would you? I think I want to be around for that moment.”
---
Chapter title spells Munaslub, the Indonesian acronym for Musyawarah Nasional Luar Biasa or in English, Extraordinary National Congress
In OTL, the territorial commands circa 1999 has 140,000 personnel
The significance of Basofi offering this advice is that he had been a part of interfering in another party’s internal affairs. In OTL, Basofi adopted a hardline approach as Governor of East Java against Megawati’s supporters in East Java. When Megawati’s supporters took control of the PDI’s East Java Provincial Branch, Basofi continued to support pro-government PDI members in the East Java Provincial Branch https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...i+megawati+latief&pg=PA83&printsec=frontcover
Credit to @Rajveer Naha on the BJP wanting to learn from the PKPI's experiences
And this is a random question I forgot to ask in the previous chapter: When is it Yugoslavia? When is it Serbia? Or are the two interchangeable?
The President chaired a DKN Meeting. At its conclusion, Minister of Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo had the duty of doing the press conference accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Srijanto, Chief of Police I Made Mangku Pastika ABRI Chief of General Staff Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno, and ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Saurip Kadi who had been invited along for the meeting.
TB Hasanuddin said that the DKN meeting decided on the follow up to the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting; namely how the former roles of the abolished territorial commands will be fulfilled by various departments and agencies which, among others, will be as follows:
*The territorial functions of ABRI will be concentrated at the Army’s Resort Military Command level.
*The Regional Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the provincial level, the Resort Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the regency/municipal level, liaison officers will be appointed for lower levels of government.
*Any intelligence and surveillance functions, excepting those of a strategic nature, will be taken over by BAKIN’s regional offices.
*Functions related to public order and security will be taken over by the Police or, at the more grassroots level, the Department of Home Affairs’ Civil Defence and Municipal Police (Satpol PP).
*Training will be provided to BAKIN’s regional offices, the Police, the Civil Defence, and the Satpol PP as they take on these functons.
*Trial run for the abolition of territorial commands will be conducted in Jakarta and Surabaya before the year is out because the two cities are considered secure enough for the experiment.
TB and Saurip Kadi underlined once again that these changes will not effect the Dual Function. ABRI will continue to conduct its socio-political functions by taking part in the executive, legislative, the civil service, the regions and whereever ABRI is needed. Meanwhile its defence and security function will be bolstered because the personnel from the abolished territorial commands will be converted into combat units. Meanwhile Srijanto said that the territorial commands had 140,000 personnel and said that this personnel could be better used elsewhere such as strengthening ABRI’s military capacity.
13th May 2003:
The President, in his capacity as the Leader of the PKPI, met with Chairman of the PKPI/Vice Chairman of the DPR Basofi Sudirman. Basofi had just returned from India while the rest of the PKPI Delegation, including Day-to-Day Chairman of the PKPI Soeyono, had stayed behind for longer. Basofi reported that the PKPI Delegation are getting along well with their counterparts from BJP, the latter being very keen to learn why the PKPI, despite supporting a competent government, did not get the most seats the 2002 Elections. Basofi also said that Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee conveys his greetings and that he could not wait to see the President soon at BRICI.
They then discussed the situation in the DPR. Basofi said that defeat at the MPR General Session has made the PKPB “all the more” stubborn and all the more likely to be uncooperative for its own sake. As an example, Basofi said that in the aftermath of the MPR General Session, the PNI has expressed agreement to the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law on the grounds that it provides a more sound legal basis for taking action against terrorists and suspected terrorists. The PKPB’s official stance, on the other hand, is that it is against the passing of the law and does not show any inclination of wanting to change its stance. This despite the President’s request that the bill be passed unanimously into law in the DPR because of its importance.
“What will it take for the PKPB to change their stance?” the President asked.
Basofi thought things through.
“Frankly speaking, Mr. President, it will take change to a party leadership more willing to be constructive for the PKPB to stop its current actions”, said Basofi.
15th May 2003:
The President today chaired a cabinet meeting attended by Vice President JB Sumarlin and the entire cabinet. Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti gave a report on the present economic conditions to the meeting, saying that for the first half of 2003, Indonesia’s economy will be bolstered by three long weekends; the Easter Long Weekend in April, the Vesak Long Weekend tomorrow, and the Ascension Day Long Weekend in two weeks’ time. Dorodjatun said that there will be extra economic activity, in particular regards to consumer spending, during these three long weekends with Minister of Tourism Sutiyoso confirming that hotel bookings are receiving spikes during these periods. The President happily noted this saying that these long weekends will make itself known in Indonesia’s economic growth figures, instructing only to make sure that the transport of basic commodities will not be obstructed during this period so that there will not be spikes in prices.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman then reported on the President’s upcoming trip, saying that it will be an “around the world” trip and went through the itinerary, the highlight of which will be attendance at the BRICI Unofficial Summit in Brazil and at the G-8 Summit as an invitee in France. The President commented that he wanted to bring Indonesia to the world on this trip, raise its profile, and most importantly, advance its interests.
17th May 2003:
There were a lot of smiles and flashbulbs as Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto posed for pictures before they had lunch together, Ginandjar accompanied by former minister Kuntoro Mangunsubroto while Tutut was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung.
Inside, Tutut bemoaned that over the last two months a lot of talent had left the government; pointing to Ginandjar and Kuntoro as the two main examples. Ginandjar said that this was true, that his supporters in the government had been targeted and removed, Jusuf Kalla no longer being Ambassador to Japan being a case in point. ZA Maulani pointed out that Muhammadiyah representation is being cut down to a minimum, especially if said representation was associated with Amien Rais though Kuntoro said that there was one Muhammadiyah member left standing in Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah.
Tutut went at length about how she was “nowhere near finished” with the President and repeated her claim that the PKPB will use its weight in the DPR to continue to have a say in the government and that the government must take into account the PKPB’s stance on various issues if it wants to move forward.
“Well it’s not that I disagree with you and what you’re doing now”, Ginandjar said “It’s just that while it is true the PKPB is the party that has the most seats in the DPR, it’s the government that controls the majority through its PKPI-PPP-ABRI Coalition so it does not have to take the PKPB into account. And on the matter of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the government has asked for unanimous support because it’s an important bill and with the PNI having declared support, is it not poor form for the PKPB to not declare its support and to openly get in the way of this and various government policies just for the hell of it?”
“You’re sounding like you’re still a government official”, Akbar joked, getting a laugh from Tutut in the process.
“It’s not that there isn’t a time and a place to take on the government” said Ginandjar “It’s just that there is 4 years and 10 months left of this, this is always going to be a marathon.”
“What do you think of the President’s comments a few days ago at Cilegon?” asked Akbar.
“I think whatever intentions we in this room have towards him, the one thing we should never do is underestimate Try Sutrisno”, Ginandjar replied “He creates the false impression that he’s an easy target or that he will just sit there and take the bad treatment being dished out to him or that he will just get out of the way…but I say this having been his partner in making foreign policy and not expecting that he would actually dare to remove me in the middle of the MPR General Sesson…if you’re thinking those kinds of thoughts about him, you do it at your own peril.”
Ginandjar would later say that despite the fact that he was the one to make the joke about Ginandjar sounding like a government official, it was Akbar who took Ginandjar’s comments about the President most seriously.
18th May 2003:
The Presidential Palace was a lot of hustle and bustle. Edi was seen going over some things with his staff and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was playing with her grandchildren even as she was overseeing her staff packing her clothes. At the President’s office, the President received Sintong Panjaitan, the latter had a concerned look on his face.
“This arrived Friday afternoon”, Sintong said as he handed the President an envelope “Normally I would wait until tomorrow Monday but you will be gone for a bit, so I wanted to bring the matter to your attention.”
The President opened it and read it carefully.
“It is a letter from Akbar Tandjung asking the Department of Home Affairs whether it has the same understanding of the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws about the requirements to hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Sintong as the President looked up at him “I’m assuming the reason Akbar is sending me this letter is because he is preparing an Extraordinary PKPB National Congress.”
The President finished reading the letter and handed it back to Sintong.
“Usually party national congresses that are held under extraordinary circumstances…the aim is to forcefully change leadership…” Sintong said “I wonder what the government’s stance on this should be.”
Realizing that Sintong had not been part of the politicking at the MPR General Session, the President decided to tell the story of how Akbar Tandjung and his supporters had helped the President secure his re-election but that Akbar had also asked for the President’s support to challenge Tutut for the chairmanship of the PKPB at the next PKPB National Congress.
Sintong looked seriously at the President.
“And right now, Mr. President, you’re inclined to support what Akbar is doing and have a PKPB Extraordinary National Congress where Tutut will be overthrown?” asked Sintong.
“You’re not wrong”, the President replied “And it’s not only because I had cut a deal with Akbar, it’s also because the way the Chairwoman of the PKPB has acted in the last few weeks…there is still a long way to go in this term and for her to just continue getting in the way on top of the last 5 years…my patience is at an end, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
There was silence in the room.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your position, Mr. President”, Sintong advised “It’s just that I hope you will not act rashly.”
The President listened.
“10 years ago, your predecessor tried to prevent the election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairwoman of the PDI but she got elected in defiance of government intervention, became popular and that’s the reason why she became the third name, other than yourself and the Chairwoman of the PKPB, intending to contest the presidency”, Sintong continued “If you wish to intervene in this and you fail, she will be another “Megawati”, she will continue to be a thorn in your side.”
“Then we have to make sure that Akbar wins”, the President said.
“That won’t be enough, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If he wins but Tutut still has a sizeable chunk of support of influence, she will be doing to Akbar what she was doing to you in Golkar. There will be two PKPBs vying for existence.”
There was silence between the two.
“So what you’re saying is, it’s not enough that Akbar wins, Tutut has to lose as well”, the President said “And decisively lose.”
“That’s right, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If you want to strike at her now, make sure it’s nothing less than a knockout blow.”
There was another silence and then the President stood up signalling that the meeting was over.
“I have to go to Halim soon”, the President “I’m not going throw the government’s support behind him but for the moment, by all means confirm to Akbar that if he fulfills the requirements set out in the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws, he can apply for the government’s approval for an Extraordinary National Congress. But pleasewait until I’m back here before you give that approval, would you? I think I want to be around for that moment.”
---
Chapter title spells Munaslub, the Indonesian acronym for Musyawarah Nasional Luar Biasa or in English, Extraordinary National Congress
In OTL, the territorial commands circa 1999 has 140,000 personnel
TNI : Reformasi TNI dan Sulitnya Mengatur Bisnis Tentara
BINTANG Mayjen TNI Agus Wirahadikusumah ternyata tak memudar walaupun ia tengah “dibuang” ke ujung timur. Saat restrukturisasi TNI awal November lalu, perwira tinggi kelahiran Bandung, 17 Oktober 1951, seorang mayor jenderal senior, akhirnya malah “dilempar” ke pos Panglima Komando Daerah...
www.google.co.id
The significance of Basofi offering this advice is that he had been a part of interfering in another party’s internal affairs. In OTL, Basofi adopted a hardline approach as Governor of East Java against Megawati’s supporters in East Java. When Megawati’s supporters took control of the PDI’s East Java Provincial Branch, Basofi continued to support pro-government PDI members in the East Java Provincial Branch https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...i+megawati+latief&pg=PA83&printsec=frontcover
Credit to @Rajveer Naha on the BJP wanting to learn from the PKPI's experiences
And this is a random question I forgot to ask in the previous chapter: When is it Yugoslavia? When is it Serbia? Or are the two interchangeable?
Well things are cooking for sure....Tutut leadership days will be different... while BJP could perhaps win the 2004 election...12th May 2003:
The President chaired a DKN Meeting. At its conclusion, Minister of Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo had the duty of doing the press conference accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Srijanto, Chief of Police I Made Mangku Pastika ABRI Chief of General Staff Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno, and ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Saurip Kadi who had been invited along for the meeting.
TB Hasanuddin said that the DKN meeting decided on the follow up to the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting; namely how the former roles of the abolished territorial commands will be fulfilled by various departments and agencies which, among others, will be as follows:
*The territorial functions of ABRI will be concentrated at the Army’s Resort Military Command level.
*The Regional Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the provincial level, the Resort Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the regency/municipal level, liaison officers will be appointed for lower levels of government.
*Any intelligence and surveillance functions, excepting those of a strategic nature, will be taken over by BAKIN’s regional offices.
*Functions related to public order and security will be taken over by the Police or, at the more grassroots level, the Department of Home Affairs’ Civil Defence and Municipal Police (Satpol PP).
*Training will be provided to BAKIN’s regional offices, the Police, the Civil Defence, and the Satpol PP as they take on these functons.
*Trial run for the abolition of territorial commands will be conducted in Jakarta and Surabaya before the year is out because the two cities are considered secure enough for the experiment.
TB and Saurip Kadi underlined once again that these changes will not effect the Dual Function. ABRI will continue to conduct its socio-political functions by taking part in the executive, legislative, the civil service, the regions and whereever ABRI is needed. Meanwhile its defence and security function will be bolstered because the personnel from the abolished territorial commands will be converted into combat units. Meanwhile Srijanto said that the territorial commands had 140,000 personnel and said that this personnel could be better used elsewhere such as strengthening ABRI’s military capacity.
13th May 2003:
The President, in his capacity as the Leader of the PKPI, met with Chairman of the PKPI/Vice Chairman of the DPR Basofi Sudirman. Basofi had just returned from India while the rest of the PKPI Delegation, including Day-to-Day Chairman of the PKPI Soeyono, had stayed behind for longer. Basofi reported that the PKPI Delegation are getting along well with their counterparts from BJP, the latter being very keen to learn why the PKPI, despite supporting a competent government, did not get the most seats the 2002 Elections. Basofi also said that Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee conveys his greetings and that he could not wait to see the President soon at BRICI.
They then discussed the situation in the DPR. Basofi said that defeat at the MPR General Session has made the PKPB “all the more” stubborn and all the more likely to be uncooperative for its own sake. As an example, Basofi said that in the aftermath of the MPR General Session, the PNI has expressed agreement to the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law on the grounds that it provides a more sound legal basis for taking action against terrorists and suspected terrorists. The PKPB’s official stance, on the other hand, is that it is against the passing of the law and does not show any inclination of wanting to change its stance. This despite the President’s request that the bill be passed unanimously into law in the DPR because of its importance.
“What will it take for the PKPB to change their stance?” the President asked.
Basofi thought things through.
“Frankly speaking, Mr. President, it will take change to a party leadership more willing to be constructive for the PKPB to stop its current actions”, said Basofi.
15th May 2003:
The President today chaired a cabinet meeting attended by Vice President JB Sumarlin and the entire cabinet. Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti gave a report on the present economic conditions to the meeting, saying that for the first half of 2003, Indonesia’s economy will be bolstered by three long weekends; the Easter Long Weekend in April, the Vesak Long Weekend tomorrow, and the Ascension Day Long Weekend in two weeks’ time. Dorodjatun said that there will be extra economic activity, in particular regards to consumer spending, during these three long weekends with Minister of Tourism Sutiyoso confirming that hotel bookings are receiving spikes during these periods. The President happily noted this saying that these long weekends will make itself known in Indonesia’s economic growth figures, instructing only to make sure that the transport of basic commodities will not be obstructed during this period so that there will not be spikes in prices.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman then reported on the President’s upcoming trip, saying that it will be an “around the world” trip and went through the itinerary, the highlight of which will be attendance at the BRICI Unofficial Summit in Brazil and at the G-8 Summit as an invitee in France. The President commented that he wanted to bring Indonesia to the world on this trip, raise its profile, and most importantly, advance its interests.
17th May 2003:
There were a lot of smiles and flashbulbs as Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto posed for pictures before they had lunch together, Ginandjar accompanied by former minister Kuntoro Mangunsubroto while Tutut was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung.
Inside, Tutut bemoaned that over the last two months a lot of talent had left the government; pointing to Ginandjar and Kuntoro as the two main examples. Ginandjar said that this was true, that his supporters in the government had been targeted and removed, Jusuf Kalla no longer being Ambassador to Japan being a case in point. ZA Maulani pointed out that Muhammadiyah representation is being cut down to a minimum, especially if said representation was associated with Amien Rais though Kuntoro said that there was one Muhammadiyah member left standing in Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah.
Tutut went at length about how she was “nowhere near finished” with the President and repeated her claim that the PKPB will use its weight in the DPR to continue to have a say in the government and that the government must take into account the PKPB’s stance on various issues if it wants to move forward.
“Well it’s not that I disagree with you and what you’re doing now”, Ginandjar said “It’s just that while it is true the PKPB is the party that has the most seats in the DPR, it’s the government that controls the majority through its PKPI-PPP-ABRI Coalition so it does not have to take the PKPB into account. And on the matter of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the government has asked for unanimous support because it’s an important bill and with the PNI having declared support, is it not poor form for the PKPB to not declare its support and to openly get in the way of this and various government policies just for the hell of it?”
“You’re sounding like you’re still a government official”, Akbar joked, getting a laugh from Tutut in the process.
“It’s not that there isn’t a time and a place to take on the government” said Ginandjar “It’s just that there is 4 years and 10 months left of this, this is always going to be a marathon.”
“What do you think of the President’s comments a few days ago at Cilegon?” asked Akbar.
“I think whatever intentions we in this room have towards him, the one thing we should never do is underestimate Try Sutrisno”, Ginandjar replied “He creates the false impression that he’s an easy target or that he will just sit there and take the bad treatment being dished out to him or that he will just get out of the way…but I say this having been his partner in making foreign policy and not expecting that he would actually dare to remove me in the middle of the MPR General Sesson…if you’re thinking those kinds of thoughts about him, you do it at your own peril.”
Ginandjar would later say that despite the fact that he was the one to make the joke about Ginandjar sounding like a government official, it was Akbar who took Ginandjar’s comments about the President most seriously.
18th May 2003:
The Presidential Palace was a lot of hustle and bustle. Edi was seen going over some things with his staff and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was playing with her grandchildren even as she was overseeing her staff packing her clothes. At the President’s office, the President received Sintong Panjaitan, the latter had a concerned look on his face.
“This arrived Friday afternoon”, Sintong said as he handed the President an envelope “Normally I would wait until tomorrow Monday but you will be gone for a bit, so I wanted to bring the matter to your attention.”
The President opened it and read it carefully.
“It is a letter from Akbar Tandjung asking the Department of Home Affairs whether it has the same understanding of the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws about the requirements to hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Sintong as the President looked up at him “I’m assuming the reason Akbar is sending me this letter is because he is preparing an Extraordinary PKPB National Congress.”
The President finished reading the letter and handed it back to Sintong.
“Usually party national congresses that are held under extraordinary circumstances…the aim is to forcefully change leadership…” Sintong said “I wonder what the government’s stance on this should be.”
Realizing that Sintong had not been part of the politicking at the MPR General Session, the President decided to tell the story of how Akbar Tandjung and his supporters had helped the President secure his re-election but that Akbar had also asked for the President’s support to challenge Tutut for the chairmanship of the PKPB at the next PKPB National Congress.
Sintong looked seriously at the President.
“And right now, Mr. President, you’re inclined to support what Akbar is doing and have a PKPB Extraordinary National Congress where Tutut will be overthrown?” asked Sintong.
“You’re not wrong”, the President replied “And it’s not only because I had cut a deal with Akbar, it’s also because the way the Chairwoman of the PKPB has acted in the last few weeks…there is still a long way to go in this term and for her to just continue getting in the way on top of the last 5 years…my patience is at an end, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
There was silence in the room.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your position, Mr. President”, Sintong advised “It’s just that I hope you will not act rashly.”
The President listened.
“10 years ago, your predecessor tried to prevent the election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairwoman of the PDI but she got elected in defiance of government intervention, became popular and that’s the reason why she became the third name, other than yourself and the Chairwoman of the PKPB, intending to contest the presidency”, Sintong continued “If you wish to intervene in this and you fail, she will be another “Megawati”, she will continue to be a thorn in your side.”
“Then we have to make sure that Akbar wins”, the President said.
“That won’t be enough, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If he wins but Tutut still has a sizeable chunk of support of influence, she will be doing to Akbar what she was doing to you in Golkar. There will be two PKPBs vying for existence.”
There was silence between the two.
“So what you’re saying is, it’s not enough that Akbar wins, Tutut has to lose as well”, the President said “And decisively lose.”
“That’s right, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If you want to strike at her now, make sure it’s nothing less than a knockout blow.”
There was another silence and then the President stood up signalling that the meeting was over.
“I have to go to Halim soon”, the President “I’m not going throw the government’s support behind him but for the moment, by all means confirm to Akbar that if he fulfills the requirements set out in the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws, he can apply for the government’s approval for an Extraordinary National Congress. But pleasewait until I’m back here before you give that approval, would you? I think I want to be around for that moment.”
---
Chapter title spells Munaslub, the Indonesian acronym for Musyawarah Nasional Luar Biasa or in English, Extraordinary National Congress
In OTL, the territorial commands circa 1999 has 140,000 personnel
TNI : Reformasi TNI dan Sulitnya Mengatur Bisnis Tentara
BINTANG Mayjen TNI Agus Wirahadikusumah ternyata tak memudar walaupun ia tengah “dibuang” ke ujung timur. Saat restrukturisasi TNI awal November lalu, perwira tinggi kelahiran Bandung, 17 Oktober 1951, seorang mayor jenderal senior, akhirnya malah “dilempar” ke pos Panglima Komando Daerah...www.google.co.id
The significance of Basofi offering this advice is that he had been a part of interfering in another party’s internal affairs. In OTL, Basofi adopted a hardline approach as Governor of East Java against Megawati’s supporters in East Java. When Megawati’s supporters took control of the PDI’s East Java Provincial Branch, Basofi continued to support pro-government PDI members in the East Java Provincial Branch https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...i+megawati+latief&pg=PA83&printsec=frontcover
Credit to @Rajveer Naha on the BJP wanting to learn from the PKPI's experiences
Ok
When you are a higher up political person of Serbia...
When you are a higher up political person in a country outside of Serbia...
But your local layman doesn't give a damn about terms....
Those army wannabe protesters would be livid lol
Oh, this would be an important one. I do hope that BJP would not radicalize as Try has shown example as the leader of the most populous Muslim nation in the world. A saner world, i hope.
And kicking the "greenies" too, more importantly. Let's see if Akbar's HMI's connections are willing to expel them like Abikoesno did with Kartosoewirjo in 1937.
Good then
Ah, that reminds me.... Mind for another "Around the World" update?
Keep being a pain in the arse, eh?
*wryly smiles
Akbar is definitely a cunning one, Ginandjar....
Wait, already?
Yeah, it's too fast for me. But then again, this would present an opportunity for the "collision course" moment to be happened.
Yeah, last time he was away from Indonesia in such moment, Golkar is dying the next day.
Oh well...
Hmm, for the post-Yugoslav Breakup and especially after Montenegro was occupied by the West, there would be the ones who think that now these two are interchangeable, despite de jure Yugoslavia is still there and comprised of Serbia, Kosovo, and Vojvodina. For myself, until Yugoslavia only has Serbia and Vojvodina left, "Yugoslavia" and "Serbia" are ITTL not interchangeable since Kosovo is still there.
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Oooh...don't tempt me. Last time I did this, we got halfway around the world and we didn't see Try in the TL for a while and it effectively becomes another TL.
There's a lot of stuff floating around in my head like the PAS no longer being part of Barisan Alternatif because Anwar Ibrahim's post 9/11 stance was too close to Try's for their liking, Arroyo in the Philippines getting ready for a shot at the presidency, Ukraine's Kuchma gaining something of a prominence promoting his "multi-vector" foreign policy in a multipolar world ("It's only multipolar for those aspiring to be "poles", the rest of us has to make do with multi-vectorism") despite Kuchmagate still happening, some of the observers in NAM being interested in joining NAM for real...
The best compromise I can come up with is that things get mentioned in the background or is talked about when Try has an interaction with someone from a certain country. And in the event that I finish this TL, I am interested in doing a spin-off TL which is basically what things look like from the world's POV.
Yeah awokawokawok, and last time it's only Western Hemisphere and Africa. So maybe going the reverse (Asia, Oceania, and Europe) would be appropriate.
The Butterfly goes hard, indeed
Would be nice, though.
Oh, definitely something important i'm asking right now.
Approaching the "May 2002 Around the World update" on my 5th rereading (yes, i'm either forgetful or just that engrossed in your TL) and just realized that with the TL has already on May 2003, is the March 2003 coup of President Patassé of the Central African Republic still succeeded like OTL because Gaddafi already prepared the ISA on their journey home, or Patassé is actually saved again?
Approaching the "May 2002 Around the World update" on my 5th rereading (yes, i'm either forgetful or just that engrossed in your TL) and just realized that with the TL has already on May 2003, is the March 2003 coup of President Patassé of the Central African Republic still succeeded like OTL because Gaddafi already prepared the ISA on their journey home, or Patassé is actually saved again?