Is there any ideological difference on these two parties (for ex. economic policies)? Or it is just two Golkars?
Indonesia ATL: The Presidency of Try Sutrisno (1997-)
- Thread starter GSD310
- Start date
On the basics there’s no difference because they both come from the New Order (ie. that the events of 1965 was a foiled communist coup, that economic development only began with Soeharto etc.)
The difference lie in the fact that the PKPB (Tutut and her supporters) believe that the course Soeharto had set out is the correct one and that it shouldn’t be chopped and changed. It’s why they make such a big deal about why Try does not mention food self-sufficiency when he outlined his agricultural policy. More cynically, Tutut and her supporters just want to retain the political status quo that had allowed them to get rich.
The PKPI (Try and his supporters) believe that there are plenty to be improved with what Soeharto had done otherwise economic development will stagnate. Though not favoring large scale political changes, Try and his supporters operate on the basis that the status quo just would not do.
99: The Other Presidential Daughter
2nd October 2000:
DPR Member Hartono, acting on behalf of Tutut Soeharto, submits the PKPB’s registration form to the Department of Home Affairs.
Chairman of DPR Harmoko says that the PKPI and PKPB’s emergence is just the next natural step in Indonesian politics so there was nothing to worry about.
3rd October 2000:
At Bandung, West Java today and accompanied by Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, and Governor of West Java Muzani Syukur among others, President Try Sutrisno inaugurated the Bandung Inner Ring Toll Road. In his speech, the President said that there isn’t “any doubt” about the Government’s commitment to economic development and its commitment to infrastructure is the proof of that commitment.
After inaugurating the Bandung Inner Ring Toll Road, the President accompanied by Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi inaugurated the Bandung Geology Museum.
4th October 2000:
State Secretary Edi Sudrajat paid a visit to the ABRI Day Dress Rehearsals at Senayan to see how preparations were going. He was pleased with what he saw and attributed it to the man organizing the parade, ABRI Chief of General Staff Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono saw Edi and the latter decided to come along to say hi. It did not take Edi long to realize that Yudhoyono was still grim about something.
“You’re still not happy that the President did not appoint you Army Chief of Staff”, said Edi flatly.
“It’s only natural for a soldier is it not, Mr. State Secretary?” asked Yudhoyono.
“Of course it is”, said Edi “I just think that offering the President’s son-in-law the Deputy Army Chief of Staff’s position to bargain yourself into the Army Chief of Staff's position is not one of your best moves, Bambang. And I say that knowing how smart you are.”
Yudhoyono looked to the ground.
“Army Chief of Staff or not, you’re a gifted man”, said Edi “You’ll make a contribution wherever you’re posted.”
5th October 2000:
The President, standing with Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Commander of ABRI Wiranto, Army Chief of Staff Luhut Panjaitan, Navy Chief of Staff Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force Chief of Staff Hanafie Asnan, and Chief of Police Yun Mulyana at the Honor Stand was all smiles as he saluted the parade that crossed in front of him. Hawk Jets, Scorpio Tanks, and new recruits for the Police all served as testament to the improvements he had made to ABRi during his presidency. Try smiled the biggest and the crowd cheered the loudest for the Kopassus men who extracted the hostages at Sipadan.
Megawati Soekarnoputri watched the pomp and pageantry of ABRI Day celebrations from her seat with some enjoyment though she was not under any illusion as to why she was there. Wandering close to the seats allotted to the ministers with Taufiq Kiemas, she met Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono. It wasn’t along before she got the smalltalk out of the way.
“We’ve decided to make an appeal to the Government so that the PDI can hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Megawati “Waiting until June 2001 would be too long.”
“We want to ask your help, Mas Hendro, to intervene on our behalf” added Taufiq “To speak to the President and the Minister of Home Affairs.”
Hendropriyono looked at Megawati and realized that she was not joking.
6th October 2000:
In a press conference, Minister of Civil Service Reform Kuntoro Mangkusubroto announced that the DPR has passed amendments to the Civil Service Law. The amendments will explicitly require civil servants to become neutral in elections and for civil servants to retire from their position if they wanted to join political parties. Kuntoro said that the purpose of the amendments is to bring the Civil Service Law in line with all the electoral laws. Kuntoro also added that the Republic of Indonesia Civil Servant Corps (KORPRI) and the Dharma Wanita, the civil servants and civil servants’ wife associations respectively, would be neutral in the next election.
7th October 2000:
Flanked by State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari and Chairman of KONI IGK Manila, the President welcomed Indonesia’s Sydney 2000 Olympics contingent. Try congratulated the 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze Winners and said that the athletes have made the nation proud.
9th October 2000:
Arriving at Semarang, Central Java today, the President accompanied by Chairman of PPP Matori Abdul Djalil opened the PPP 2000 National Work Meeting. The President publicly hailed the PPP for being a dependable partner to the Government.
From Semarang, it was off to Solo where accompanied by Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, the President inaugurated the expansion of the Adisumarno Airport. After checking the facilities, the President headed to Jakarta.
10th October 2000:
At the Jakarta Stock Exchange and in the presence of State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Bacelius Ruru, PT Jasa Marga is now officially part of the stock market. Bacelius encourages the Indonesian people to buy into Jasa Marga and invest in Indonesia’s toll roads.
The President met with Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro who brought along the directors general from the Department of Education. Wardiman reported the following:
*Junior Secondary School remains the emphasis of education policy as part of the Government’s Compulsory 9 Year Education. The attendance rates are as follows:
-1997/1998: 72.5%
-1998/1999: 70.1%
-1999/2000: 75.7%
-2000/2001: 80.1%
The President responded by saying that construction of junior secondary school buildings in transmigration and isolated areas must be increased. He said that they lost time because of the Asian Financial Crisis but it doesn’t mean they should not go after the compulsory 9 year education target by the end of Repelita VII.
*The meeting got tense when the President, accompanied by Edi Sudrajat and OCDS Sugeng Subroto, produced data showing that since 1999, 80% of the nation’s 751 vocational schools have been refurbished but that no new vocational schools have been completed yet. (“I thought this was a priority program for you. Get on it and get rid of the contractors if they’re going to waste the people’s money.”)
11th October 2000:
The PPP 2000 National Work Meeting ended with Matori Abdul Djalil saying that Golkar’s dissolving into the PKPI and PKPB provides the PPP with its best chance; if not to win the next Election at the very least to increase their seats. As a gesture of unity, Matori named DPR Member Hamzah Haz as Chairman of the PPP’s Election Campaign Team. The two shook hands as the National Work Meeting came to a close, their unity a contrast to Golkar’s.
12th October 2000:
The President met with Minister of Employment and Small Business Fahmi Idris. Fahmi reported that employment prospects are very strong at the current rate of economic growth and that this year’s university graduates have not had to worry about their employment prospects. Fahmi also added that this year’s economic growth is enough to absorb university graduates of 1998 and 1999 as well as re-absorb most of the workers laid off during the worst parts of the crisis.
The day ended with an urgent meeting with Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo. Ari Sudewo reported that USS Cole, as US Naval Ship refueling in Yemen had been hit by a suicide bomber riding on a boat. The President asked Ari Sudewo if this was Al Qaeda's work. Ari said that there has been no statement as yet but the signs point to Al Qaeda. Try told Ari to "keep me posted" on Al Qaeda.
13th October 2000:
The President had lunch with Vice President JB Sumarlin. The two went over the latest situation in the world economy. Sumarlin reported that the United States’ economy, through its interest rates rises, is set to slow down. The Rupiah has risen to around the Rp. 4,490-Rp. 4,500 range. It means that the currency has strengthened but that Indonesian exports have become slightly more expensive.
“What’s the expected economic growth for this year, Mr. Vice President?” asked Try.
“There’s a good chance that we could get double digit, Mr. President”, said Sumarlin “People are purchasing and replacing goods that had become damaged during the Asian Financial Crisis, our textile and handicraft exports are doing great, and our tourism is great.”
“But…” began Try.
“We can’t rely on the US Economy”, said Sumarlin “If it slows down, we have to look for other sources of investments and other markets where our exports can go to.”
14th October 2000:
The Four Horsemen assembled at BAKIN Headquarters. The host had called them for a seemingly urgent meeting. Edi Sudrajat was the last to arrive finding Ari Sudewo, OCDS Sugeng Subroto, and Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas already there. The three asked Ari what was the meeting about.
Ari told them the story about how Hendropriyono brought a message from Megawati Soekarnoputri asking for the President or the Minister of Home Affairs’ intervention so that a PDI Extraordinary National Congress could be held. There was silence in the room as the men contemplated Megawati’s request.
“Without intervention, when would the PDI National Congress be held?” asked Sugeng Subroto.
“June 2001. Five years after the congress which removed Megawati as Chairwoman”, said Ari “But that’s not the point. The point here is how do we respond to this request?”
“Megawati’s harmless, right?”, asked Sugeng.
“When Soeharto still reigned supreme, when Harmoko had just been imposed as Chairman of Golkar on us, and when Habibie and ICMI were hostile towards us, sure Megawati’s harmless”, replied Harsudiono “We probably enjoyed it when she ran for the Chairwoman of PDI and caused some worry for Soeharto, but things are different now.”
“Now she’s a threat, plain and simple”, said Ari Sudewo “She was a threat to Soeharto; that was why he removed her as Chairwoman of PDI. She stood a good chance of launching a challenge in 1998 had she not been removed as Chairwoman.”
“But at the same time, once we got Try re-elected in 1998, we couldn’t just leave someone whose followers show their loyalty by drawing up thumb prints with their blood outside of the political system”, said Harsudiono.
“This is why you convinced the President to recruit Sutjipto, one of her guys, to become a minister”, said Edi.
“That’s right”, replied Ari Sudewo “We thought we could coopt her that way.”
“But it was not to be”, said Harsudiono “She always had her own mind of what she wanted to do. Within 3 months she was asking to be allowed to form her political party; within a year she withdrew Sutjipto from the cabinet and that made the President go sour on her.”
“Then what are we going to do now?” asked Edi “Let’s say that she’s gathered enough support in the PDI to bring about this Extraordinary National Congress, then she becomes Chairwoman and then she gets some seats in the next DPR and MPR, she’s not going to stop there would she?”
Harsudiono went silent.
“When Harsudiono and I sat down after Try got re-elected in 1998 and tried to anticipate what might happen until 2003, we knew it was going to be difficult to stop her”, said Ari Sudewo “Megawati was always going to be a threat. Tutut was the one we never anticipated.”
“That’s not what I asked”, said Edi impatiently “I’m asking if Megawati manages to get some seats in the DPR and MPR from the next election, what is she going to do with it?”
Harsudiono lifted up his head trying to find the words of reply.
“It’s very likely that with enough seats she will take a shot at Try”, said Harsudiono finally “Whatever happens, she will take her shot. That’s where her trajectory’s headed since 1993 when she first ran for the PDI’s chairmanship.”
“I thought so”, muttered Edi as he nodded his head gravely.
“This is what it’s going to come down to?” asked Sugeng Subroto “Try’s going to be challenged by both the daughter of Soekarno and the daughter of Soeharto?”
“Correct”, replied Ari Sudewo.
“Then we best start looking for a way to make sure he wins”, said Edi.
---
The 751 vocational schools and the 72.1% attendance rate for primary school in 1997/1998 is based on OTL, which can be found at https://www.bappenas.go.id/index.php/download_file/view/9718/1794/
The PPP is divided into a pro-Try faction led by Matori Abdul Djalil and pro-Tutut faction led by Hamzah Haz. But I wanted to show here that it turns out they love the PPP enough to recognize that there’s an opportunity for the PPP after Golkar had been dissolved but before the PKPI and PKPB gets set up to try to improve PPP’s electoral position. Matori, Hamzah, and their factions will continue to support Try and Tutut respectively but will come together as far as the 2002 Elections are concerned.
OTL Yudhoyono was Edi Sudrajat’s speechwriter then the latter was Army Chief of Staff and that’s how they have their relationship. ITTL Yudhoyono’s not happy about missing out on being Army Chief of Staff.
Things will start to happen for Megawati though things have been building up for her if you’ve been following the updates.
DPR Member Hartono, acting on behalf of Tutut Soeharto, submits the PKPB’s registration form to the Department of Home Affairs.
Chairman of DPR Harmoko says that the PKPI and PKPB’s emergence is just the next natural step in Indonesian politics so there was nothing to worry about.
3rd October 2000:
At Bandung, West Java today and accompanied by Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, and Governor of West Java Muzani Syukur among others, President Try Sutrisno inaugurated the Bandung Inner Ring Toll Road. In his speech, the President said that there isn’t “any doubt” about the Government’s commitment to economic development and its commitment to infrastructure is the proof of that commitment.
After inaugurating the Bandung Inner Ring Toll Road, the President accompanied by Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi inaugurated the Bandung Geology Museum.
4th October 2000:
State Secretary Edi Sudrajat paid a visit to the ABRI Day Dress Rehearsals at Senayan to see how preparations were going. He was pleased with what he saw and attributed it to the man organizing the parade, ABRI Chief of General Staff Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono saw Edi and the latter decided to come along to say hi. It did not take Edi long to realize that Yudhoyono was still grim about something.
“You’re still not happy that the President did not appoint you Army Chief of Staff”, said Edi flatly.
“It’s only natural for a soldier is it not, Mr. State Secretary?” asked Yudhoyono.
“Of course it is”, said Edi “I just think that offering the President’s son-in-law the Deputy Army Chief of Staff’s position to bargain yourself into the Army Chief of Staff's position is not one of your best moves, Bambang. And I say that knowing how smart you are.”
Yudhoyono looked to the ground.
“Army Chief of Staff or not, you’re a gifted man”, said Edi “You’ll make a contribution wherever you’re posted.”
5th October 2000:
The President, standing with Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Commander of ABRI Wiranto, Army Chief of Staff Luhut Panjaitan, Navy Chief of Staff Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force Chief of Staff Hanafie Asnan, and Chief of Police Yun Mulyana at the Honor Stand was all smiles as he saluted the parade that crossed in front of him. Hawk Jets, Scorpio Tanks, and new recruits for the Police all served as testament to the improvements he had made to ABRi during his presidency. Try smiled the biggest and the crowd cheered the loudest for the Kopassus men who extracted the hostages at Sipadan.
Megawati Soekarnoputri watched the pomp and pageantry of ABRI Day celebrations from her seat with some enjoyment though she was not under any illusion as to why she was there. Wandering close to the seats allotted to the ministers with Taufiq Kiemas, she met Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono. It wasn’t along before she got the smalltalk out of the way.
“We’ve decided to make an appeal to the Government so that the PDI can hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Megawati “Waiting until June 2001 would be too long.”
“We want to ask your help, Mas Hendro, to intervene on our behalf” added Taufiq “To speak to the President and the Minister of Home Affairs.”
Hendropriyono looked at Megawati and realized that she was not joking.
6th October 2000:
In a press conference, Minister of Civil Service Reform Kuntoro Mangkusubroto announced that the DPR has passed amendments to the Civil Service Law. The amendments will explicitly require civil servants to become neutral in elections and for civil servants to retire from their position if they wanted to join political parties. Kuntoro said that the purpose of the amendments is to bring the Civil Service Law in line with all the electoral laws. Kuntoro also added that the Republic of Indonesia Civil Servant Corps (KORPRI) and the Dharma Wanita, the civil servants and civil servants’ wife associations respectively, would be neutral in the next election.
7th October 2000:
Flanked by State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari and Chairman of KONI IGK Manila, the President welcomed Indonesia’s Sydney 2000 Olympics contingent. Try congratulated the 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze Winners and said that the athletes have made the nation proud.
9th October 2000:
Arriving at Semarang, Central Java today, the President accompanied by Chairman of PPP Matori Abdul Djalil opened the PPP 2000 National Work Meeting. The President publicly hailed the PPP for being a dependable partner to the Government.
From Semarang, it was off to Solo where accompanied by Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, the President inaugurated the expansion of the Adisumarno Airport. After checking the facilities, the President headed to Jakarta.
10th October 2000:
At the Jakarta Stock Exchange and in the presence of State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Bacelius Ruru, PT Jasa Marga is now officially part of the stock market. Bacelius encourages the Indonesian people to buy into Jasa Marga and invest in Indonesia’s toll roads.
The President met with Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro who brought along the directors general from the Department of Education. Wardiman reported the following:
*Junior Secondary School remains the emphasis of education policy as part of the Government’s Compulsory 9 Year Education. The attendance rates are as follows:
-1997/1998: 72.5%
-1998/1999: 70.1%
-1999/2000: 75.7%
-2000/2001: 80.1%
The President responded by saying that construction of junior secondary school buildings in transmigration and isolated areas must be increased. He said that they lost time because of the Asian Financial Crisis but it doesn’t mean they should not go after the compulsory 9 year education target by the end of Repelita VII.
*The meeting got tense when the President, accompanied by Edi Sudrajat and OCDS Sugeng Subroto, produced data showing that since 1999, 80% of the nation’s 751 vocational schools have been refurbished but that no new vocational schools have been completed yet. (“I thought this was a priority program for you. Get on it and get rid of the contractors if they’re going to waste the people’s money.”)
11th October 2000:
The PPP 2000 National Work Meeting ended with Matori Abdul Djalil saying that Golkar’s dissolving into the PKPI and PKPB provides the PPP with its best chance; if not to win the next Election at the very least to increase their seats. As a gesture of unity, Matori named DPR Member Hamzah Haz as Chairman of the PPP’s Election Campaign Team. The two shook hands as the National Work Meeting came to a close, their unity a contrast to Golkar’s.
12th October 2000:
The President met with Minister of Employment and Small Business Fahmi Idris. Fahmi reported that employment prospects are very strong at the current rate of economic growth and that this year’s university graduates have not had to worry about their employment prospects. Fahmi also added that this year’s economic growth is enough to absorb university graduates of 1998 and 1999 as well as re-absorb most of the workers laid off during the worst parts of the crisis.
The day ended with an urgent meeting with Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo. Ari Sudewo reported that USS Cole, as US Naval Ship refueling in Yemen had been hit by a suicide bomber riding on a boat. The President asked Ari Sudewo if this was Al Qaeda's work. Ari said that there has been no statement as yet but the signs point to Al Qaeda. Try told Ari to "keep me posted" on Al Qaeda.
13th October 2000:
The President had lunch with Vice President JB Sumarlin. The two went over the latest situation in the world economy. Sumarlin reported that the United States’ economy, through its interest rates rises, is set to slow down. The Rupiah has risen to around the Rp. 4,490-Rp. 4,500 range. It means that the currency has strengthened but that Indonesian exports have become slightly more expensive.
“What’s the expected economic growth for this year, Mr. Vice President?” asked Try.
“There’s a good chance that we could get double digit, Mr. President”, said Sumarlin “People are purchasing and replacing goods that had become damaged during the Asian Financial Crisis, our textile and handicraft exports are doing great, and our tourism is great.”
“But…” began Try.
“We can’t rely on the US Economy”, said Sumarlin “If it slows down, we have to look for other sources of investments and other markets where our exports can go to.”
14th October 2000:
The Four Horsemen assembled at BAKIN Headquarters. The host had called them for a seemingly urgent meeting. Edi Sudrajat was the last to arrive finding Ari Sudewo, OCDS Sugeng Subroto, and Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas already there. The three asked Ari what was the meeting about.
Ari told them the story about how Hendropriyono brought a message from Megawati Soekarnoputri asking for the President or the Minister of Home Affairs’ intervention so that a PDI Extraordinary National Congress could be held. There was silence in the room as the men contemplated Megawati’s request.
“Without intervention, when would the PDI National Congress be held?” asked Sugeng Subroto.
“June 2001. Five years after the congress which removed Megawati as Chairwoman”, said Ari “But that’s not the point. The point here is how do we respond to this request?”
“Megawati’s harmless, right?”, asked Sugeng.
“When Soeharto still reigned supreme, when Harmoko had just been imposed as Chairman of Golkar on us, and when Habibie and ICMI were hostile towards us, sure Megawati’s harmless”, replied Harsudiono “We probably enjoyed it when she ran for the Chairwoman of PDI and caused some worry for Soeharto, but things are different now.”
“Now she’s a threat, plain and simple”, said Ari Sudewo “She was a threat to Soeharto; that was why he removed her as Chairwoman of PDI. She stood a good chance of launching a challenge in 1998 had she not been removed as Chairwoman.”
“But at the same time, once we got Try re-elected in 1998, we couldn’t just leave someone whose followers show their loyalty by drawing up thumb prints with their blood outside of the political system”, said Harsudiono.
“This is why you convinced the President to recruit Sutjipto, one of her guys, to become a minister”, said Edi.
“That’s right”, replied Ari Sudewo “We thought we could coopt her that way.”
“But it was not to be”, said Harsudiono “She always had her own mind of what she wanted to do. Within 3 months she was asking to be allowed to form her political party; within a year she withdrew Sutjipto from the cabinet and that made the President go sour on her.”
“Then what are we going to do now?” asked Edi “Let’s say that she’s gathered enough support in the PDI to bring about this Extraordinary National Congress, then she becomes Chairwoman and then she gets some seats in the next DPR and MPR, she’s not going to stop there would she?”
Harsudiono went silent.
“When Harsudiono and I sat down after Try got re-elected in 1998 and tried to anticipate what might happen until 2003, we knew it was going to be difficult to stop her”, said Ari Sudewo “Megawati was always going to be a threat. Tutut was the one we never anticipated.”
“That’s not what I asked”, said Edi impatiently “I’m asking if Megawati manages to get some seats in the DPR and MPR from the next election, what is she going to do with it?”
Harsudiono lifted up his head trying to find the words of reply.
“It’s very likely that with enough seats she will take a shot at Try”, said Harsudiono finally “Whatever happens, she will take her shot. That’s where her trajectory’s headed since 1993 when she first ran for the PDI’s chairmanship.”
“I thought so”, muttered Edi as he nodded his head gravely.
“This is what it’s going to come down to?” asked Sugeng Subroto “Try’s going to be challenged by both the daughter of Soekarno and the daughter of Soeharto?”
“Correct”, replied Ari Sudewo.
“Then we best start looking for a way to make sure he wins”, said Edi.
---
The 751 vocational schools and the 72.1% attendance rate for primary school in 1997/1998 is based on OTL, which can be found at https://www.bappenas.go.id/index.php/download_file/view/9718/1794/
The PPP is divided into a pro-Try faction led by Matori Abdul Djalil and pro-Tutut faction led by Hamzah Haz. But I wanted to show here that it turns out they love the PPP enough to recognize that there’s an opportunity for the PPP after Golkar had been dissolved but before the PKPI and PKPB gets set up to try to improve PPP’s electoral position. Matori, Hamzah, and their factions will continue to support Try and Tutut respectively but will come together as far as the 2002 Elections are concerned.
OTL Yudhoyono was Edi Sudrajat’s speechwriter then the latter was Army Chief of Staff and that’s how they have their relationship. ITTL Yudhoyono’s not happy about missing out on being Army Chief of Staff.
Things will start to happen for Megawati though things have been building up for her if you’ve been following the updates.
Last edited:
100: Summit Season Part I
16th October 2000:
At the Presidential Palace today, President Try Sutrisno welcomed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria. After a welcome ceremony, the President accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat held private talks with Bouteflika, who was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelazis Belkhadem.
Bouteflika said that he is keen for closer economic cooperation with Indonesia, offering access to Algeria’s market for textile fibre and coffee. Try welcomed the closer economic cooperation and said he will ask his Government to work towards that goal. Try and Bouteflika talked about international developments and agreed that if the world was going to revert to a “New Cold War”, non-aligned nations such as Indonesia and Algeria have got to look after their own interests. Try was most interested in Bouteflika’s recent attendance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and how China was seeking to intensify cooperation and its influence in Africa. Try’s activities with Bouteflika ended with a press conference and a State Dinner at the Presidential Palace.
17th October 2000:
After Bouteflika paid his farewell call and went on to other items on his agenda, it was the President’s own turn to depart overseas this time for South Korea. In the flight, Try held a meeting with Ginandjar Kartasasmita to discuss what they’d heard about China from Bouteflika specifically China’s effort to begin extending its influence in Africa.
“If they want to extend their influence in Africa be my guest, it might divert a few of their resources from Southeast Asia”, argued Try.
After the meeting with Ginandjar was over, it was Edi’s turn to meet with Try. After going through the agenda for the next few days, Edi told Try about Megawati’s request which had been conveyed through Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo. Try tensed up and his expression darkened.
“If Megawati manages to become Chairwoman of the PDI and increases the PDI’s seats at the next election, what is she going to do with those seats?” asked Try.
“Most likely she will use those extra seats at the MPR to take a shot at the office you’re occupying now”, replied Edi.
Try was silent.
“Let’s just focus on this trip first”, said Try.
It was mid-afternoon when the President and his delegation landed at Gimpo International Airport. The President was welcomed by Prime Minister of South Korea Lee Han Dong on behalf of the South Korean Government.
Afer the courtesies had been observed the President met with the Indonesian community living in South Korea at Indonesia’s Seoul Embassy. With Head of BNP2TKI Tosari Widjaya next to him, Try spoke to the Indonesian migrant workers. He hailed them for being part of Indonesia’s economic march forward.
18th October 2000:
The President began the day at the Blue House where he met with President of South Korea Kim Dae Jung. After a photo-op, Try and Kim sat on either side of a table accompanied by their delegations; Try accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, Edi Sudrajat, and Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu.
From the meeting, the two delegations went to a signing ceremony. With Try and Kim smiling in the background, Indonesian and Korean ministers took turns signing the following agreements:
*Wismoyo Arismunandar and Minister of National Defense Cho Song Tae committing both nation’s Navies to joint exercises between the Indonesian Marine Corps and the South Korean Marine Corps as well as educational exchanges.
*Soeyono and Minister of Tourism and Culture Sin Nak Kyun signed a hefty agreement agreeing to visa leniency for Indonesian and South Korean tourists as well as setting up Korean language and Indonesian language schools in each other’s countries.
*Mari Pangestu and Minister of Trade Han Duk Soo signed an agreement committing to expansion of existing South Korean investments in Indonesia most notably a Samsung Mobile Phone factory.
In a joint press conference, Try and Kim were asked if Indonesia and South Korea’s cooperation was a way to counterweigh China’s influence. Try smiled and said that he didn’t really think about it like that and saw the agreements as in both Indonesia and South Korea’s best interests.
19th October 2000:
The President met with Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono who joined the delegation from Tokyo after the CGI Meeting there. Soedradjad reported that New Zealand’s aid came with human rights conditionalities especially regarding East Timor and Irian Jaya.
The President’s schedule today took him to the Demilitarized Zone where he got to have a look a North Korean soldiers guarding the border. From the Demilitarized Zone, the President attended a luncheon hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He made a good speech and met with prominent South Korean businessmen though he was advised by Dorodjatun that the South Koreans, most notably Lotte, wanted to get into retail in Indonesia.
The day ended with a meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who came to attend the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit. Holding a one on one meeting, Badawi candidly admitted that he faced a challenge from inside his government specifically from Minister of International Trade and Industry Najib Razak were he to try to force the issue of Malaysia acting as part of one bloc with Indonesia. Try understood but told Badawi that he needs something concrete that he can bring back home to his own Cabinet. Try and Badawi agreed to mobilize their government towards closer cooperation across various fields which was to be consolidated in a treaty.
In a joint press conference afterwards, the President said he would like the best relationship possible with Malaysia and that Indonesia’s freeing of the Sipadan Hostages was for the sake of regional security. A question was asked about New Zealand’s seeking to put human rights conditionalities on aid which caused Try to bristle.
“What’s the definition of human rights? Some people’s definition of human rights seem to mean that Indonesia has to let go of its provinces”, said Try.
20th October 2000:
The 3rd ASEM Summit got underway at Seoul on 20th October with Kim Dae Jung acting as the host and chair. As Kim made his speech calling for closer relations between Asia and Europe in politics, economics, and culture, Try looked around at the 25 participants from all across the world. In his own speech, Try called upon cooperation between ASEM Countries to be based on mutual respect. He also called for enlargement of ASEM to include Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
The real work for Try over the two days was done at the sidelines of the summit in various bilateral. Try caught up with some of the old faces from Europe most of whom were still keen to invest in Indonesia though they had their problems. Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt forwarded complains from Belgian chocolate investors encountering problems dealing with the bureaucracy in Central Sulawesi. Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar once again made an appeal for the retail sector in Indonesia to be opened up.
Other meetings attended by members of Try’s delegation netted unexpected surprises. Edi Sudrajat, Soedradjad Djiwandono, and Mari Pangestu met with Prime Minister of Finland Paavo Lipponen. In between talking about various areas of cooperation, Lipponen said that Nokia would like to open a mobile phone factory in Indonesia. Mari Pangestu got Try’s immediate permission to go to Finland at the end of the Summit.
The President also had some heavyduty political meetings. On the 20th, he ended the day in a four-way dinner with Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surakiart Satirathai of Thailand. They spoke at length about various issues in Southeast Asia, with Thaksin saying he doesn’t understand why Malaysia is reluctant to acknowledge Indonesia’s contribution at Sipadan.
Try then decided to tell Thaksin about what he told Badawi; namely that if the world’s going to get into blocs again with the US Bloc one the one hand a China-Russia Bloc on the other, Southeast Asia has got to be its own bloc otherwise it’s going to get taken advantage of. ASEAN is good but it’s mostly an economic cooperation organization; what Try is talking about is a political bloc. Thaksin nodded gravely, asking for time to think. “By all means, Mr. Prime Minister”, said Try.
21st October 2000:
After a morning meeting with Prime Minister of Netherlands Wim Kok and attending the morning sessions of the summit, Try found himself accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Edi Sudrajat having lunch with Premier of China Zhu Rongji, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan, and Chairman of the State Development Planning Commission Zeng Peiyan.
Zhu said it’s unfortunate that much is made about how Indonesia and China are rivals for influence and that the only one who believe this to be the case are those who benefit from peddling such rumors. Try said that it’s a misperception because Indonesia merely wants to build closer relations with its neighbors in Southeast Asia. In the economic field, Zhu hailed Try for guiding Indonesia through the Asian Financial Crisis while Try said that Indonesia has much to learn from China in various fields. The meeting ended with Zhu expressing China’s interest in investing in Indonesia’s LNG fields in Irian Jaya.
No less of an important meeting was with Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio De Sousa Franco and Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Antonio Barosso. Having read his brief that the two were leaders of Portugal’s two biggest political parties, Try made his pitch saying that there was nothing he would like more than to establish diplomatic relations with Portugal and that there was much to gain from the two nations having a diplomatic relationship. Try also asked what could be done to overcome the Portuguese populace’s psychological hurdle on East Timor.
Franco said that he and Barosso formed their government wishing to take the issue of East Timor “as it comes” but admits that they are interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Indonesia though they’re not sure how to go about things. Ginandjar suggested that perhaps East Timor could send a trade delegation to Portugal and then Franco could come to visit Indonesia. There was widespread agreement in the room for this idea.
The ASEM Summit ended on the evening of the 21st. No sooner had the Presidential Airplane took off than Try disappeared inside his office to have a meeting with Edi Sudrajat.
“I think that was a good week. Got a good deal with the South Koreans and got some productive meetings with the Malaysians, Thai, and Portuguese at the Summit”, said Try.
“I agree, Mr. President”, replied Edi “And it’s good to knock one of these bad boys out of the way considering you’ve got another 3 summits to attend next month.”
“What’s the schedule like again?” asked Try massaging his head.
“The OIC and APEC literally within days of each other then ASEAN at the end of the month”, said Edi before pausing and adding “Are you sure you don’t want delegate any of those, Mr. President? Maybe not ASEAN but either one of OIC or APEC?”
“If we can get some positive developments like we just achieved in Seoul, we can lay the groundwork for a good 2001 economically and otherwise”, said Try “Also those 3 summits are after the US Presidential Elections, it’ll be a good chance to take the world’s temperature after the dust has settled.”
“It’s just that you still have the issue with Megawati and then ICMI Congress around the horizon to take care of as well at home, Mr. President”, reminded Edi.
“Well, we’re going to be home for the next 2-3 weeks”, said Try “Let’s make the best of it.”
---
The Summit Try attends is the 3rd ASEM Summit which is as OTL https://www.aseminfoboard.org/events/3rd-asem-summit-asem3
Just a note here about ITTL’s South Korea and Kim Dae Jung.Kim Dae Jung failed to have the 2000 Inter-Korean Summit which netted him the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_inter-Korean_summit. The failure is due to the election of Primakov, who was friendly towards Pyongyang, in Russia. This failure along with things going China’s way in 2000 (A friendly government in Taiwan and a friendly Prime Minister emerging in Japan) has caused South Korea and Indonesia make common cause with each other.
Try’s Summit Schedule for the next month is as follows (Dates following OTL):
12th-13th November: OIC Summit at Doha, Qatar
15th-16th November: APEC Summit at Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei
22nd-25th November: ASEAN Unofficial Summit at Singapore
At the Presidential Palace today, President Try Sutrisno welcomed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria. After a welcome ceremony, the President accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat held private talks with Bouteflika, who was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelazis Belkhadem.
Bouteflika said that he is keen for closer economic cooperation with Indonesia, offering access to Algeria’s market for textile fibre and coffee. Try welcomed the closer economic cooperation and said he will ask his Government to work towards that goal. Try and Bouteflika talked about international developments and agreed that if the world was going to revert to a “New Cold War”, non-aligned nations such as Indonesia and Algeria have got to look after their own interests. Try was most interested in Bouteflika’s recent attendance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and how China was seeking to intensify cooperation and its influence in Africa. Try’s activities with Bouteflika ended with a press conference and a State Dinner at the Presidential Palace.
17th October 2000:
After Bouteflika paid his farewell call and went on to other items on his agenda, it was the President’s own turn to depart overseas this time for South Korea. In the flight, Try held a meeting with Ginandjar Kartasasmita to discuss what they’d heard about China from Bouteflika specifically China’s effort to begin extending its influence in Africa.
“If they want to extend their influence in Africa be my guest, it might divert a few of their resources from Southeast Asia”, argued Try.
After the meeting with Ginandjar was over, it was Edi’s turn to meet with Try. After going through the agenda for the next few days, Edi told Try about Megawati’s request which had been conveyed through Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo. Try tensed up and his expression darkened.
“If Megawati manages to become Chairwoman of the PDI and increases the PDI’s seats at the next election, what is she going to do with those seats?” asked Try.
“Most likely she will use those extra seats at the MPR to take a shot at the office you’re occupying now”, replied Edi.
Try was silent.
“Let’s just focus on this trip first”, said Try.
It was mid-afternoon when the President and his delegation landed at Gimpo International Airport. The President was welcomed by Prime Minister of South Korea Lee Han Dong on behalf of the South Korean Government.
Afer the courtesies had been observed the President met with the Indonesian community living in South Korea at Indonesia’s Seoul Embassy. With Head of BNP2TKI Tosari Widjaya next to him, Try spoke to the Indonesian migrant workers. He hailed them for being part of Indonesia’s economic march forward.
18th October 2000:
The President began the day at the Blue House where he met with President of South Korea Kim Dae Jung. After a photo-op, Try and Kim sat on either side of a table accompanied by their delegations; Try accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar, Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, Edi Sudrajat, and Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu.
From the meeting, the two delegations went to a signing ceremony. With Try and Kim smiling in the background, Indonesian and Korean ministers took turns signing the following agreements:
*Wismoyo Arismunandar and Minister of National Defense Cho Song Tae committing both nation’s Navies to joint exercises between the Indonesian Marine Corps and the South Korean Marine Corps as well as educational exchanges.
*Soeyono and Minister of Tourism and Culture Sin Nak Kyun signed a hefty agreement agreeing to visa leniency for Indonesian and South Korean tourists as well as setting up Korean language and Indonesian language schools in each other’s countries.
*Mari Pangestu and Minister of Trade Han Duk Soo signed an agreement committing to expansion of existing South Korean investments in Indonesia most notably a Samsung Mobile Phone factory.
In a joint press conference, Try and Kim were asked if Indonesia and South Korea’s cooperation was a way to counterweigh China’s influence. Try smiled and said that he didn’t really think about it like that and saw the agreements as in both Indonesia and South Korea’s best interests.
19th October 2000:
The President met with Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono who joined the delegation from Tokyo after the CGI Meeting there. Soedradjad reported that New Zealand’s aid came with human rights conditionalities especially regarding East Timor and Irian Jaya.
The President’s schedule today took him to the Demilitarized Zone where he got to have a look a North Korean soldiers guarding the border. From the Demilitarized Zone, the President attended a luncheon hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He made a good speech and met with prominent South Korean businessmen though he was advised by Dorodjatun that the South Koreans, most notably Lotte, wanted to get into retail in Indonesia.
The day ended with a meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who came to attend the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit. Holding a one on one meeting, Badawi candidly admitted that he faced a challenge from inside his government specifically from Minister of International Trade and Industry Najib Razak were he to try to force the issue of Malaysia acting as part of one bloc with Indonesia. Try understood but told Badawi that he needs something concrete that he can bring back home to his own Cabinet. Try and Badawi agreed to mobilize their government towards closer cooperation across various fields which was to be consolidated in a treaty.
In a joint press conference afterwards, the President said he would like the best relationship possible with Malaysia and that Indonesia’s freeing of the Sipadan Hostages was for the sake of regional security. A question was asked about New Zealand’s seeking to put human rights conditionalities on aid which caused Try to bristle.
“What’s the definition of human rights? Some people’s definition of human rights seem to mean that Indonesia has to let go of its provinces”, said Try.
20th October 2000:
The 3rd ASEM Summit got underway at Seoul on 20th October with Kim Dae Jung acting as the host and chair. As Kim made his speech calling for closer relations between Asia and Europe in politics, economics, and culture, Try looked around at the 25 participants from all across the world. In his own speech, Try called upon cooperation between ASEM Countries to be based on mutual respect. He also called for enlargement of ASEM to include Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
The real work for Try over the two days was done at the sidelines of the summit in various bilateral. Try caught up with some of the old faces from Europe most of whom were still keen to invest in Indonesia though they had their problems. Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt forwarded complains from Belgian chocolate investors encountering problems dealing with the bureaucracy in Central Sulawesi. Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar once again made an appeal for the retail sector in Indonesia to be opened up.
Other meetings attended by members of Try’s delegation netted unexpected surprises. Edi Sudrajat, Soedradjad Djiwandono, and Mari Pangestu met with Prime Minister of Finland Paavo Lipponen. In between talking about various areas of cooperation, Lipponen said that Nokia would like to open a mobile phone factory in Indonesia. Mari Pangestu got Try’s immediate permission to go to Finland at the end of the Summit.
The President also had some heavyduty political meetings. On the 20th, he ended the day in a four-way dinner with Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surakiart Satirathai of Thailand. They spoke at length about various issues in Southeast Asia, with Thaksin saying he doesn’t understand why Malaysia is reluctant to acknowledge Indonesia’s contribution at Sipadan.
Try then decided to tell Thaksin about what he told Badawi; namely that if the world’s going to get into blocs again with the US Bloc one the one hand a China-Russia Bloc on the other, Southeast Asia has got to be its own bloc otherwise it’s going to get taken advantage of. ASEAN is good but it’s mostly an economic cooperation organization; what Try is talking about is a political bloc. Thaksin nodded gravely, asking for time to think. “By all means, Mr. Prime Minister”, said Try.
21st October 2000:
After a morning meeting with Prime Minister of Netherlands Wim Kok and attending the morning sessions of the summit, Try found himself accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Edi Sudrajat having lunch with Premier of China Zhu Rongji, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan, and Chairman of the State Development Planning Commission Zeng Peiyan.
Zhu said it’s unfortunate that much is made about how Indonesia and China are rivals for influence and that the only one who believe this to be the case are those who benefit from peddling such rumors. Try said that it’s a misperception because Indonesia merely wants to build closer relations with its neighbors in Southeast Asia. In the economic field, Zhu hailed Try for guiding Indonesia through the Asian Financial Crisis while Try said that Indonesia has much to learn from China in various fields. The meeting ended with Zhu expressing China’s interest in investing in Indonesia’s LNG fields in Irian Jaya.
No less of an important meeting was with Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio De Sousa Franco and Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Antonio Barosso. Having read his brief that the two were leaders of Portugal’s two biggest political parties, Try made his pitch saying that there was nothing he would like more than to establish diplomatic relations with Portugal and that there was much to gain from the two nations having a diplomatic relationship. Try also asked what could be done to overcome the Portuguese populace’s psychological hurdle on East Timor.
Franco said that he and Barosso formed their government wishing to take the issue of East Timor “as it comes” but admits that they are interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Indonesia though they’re not sure how to go about things. Ginandjar suggested that perhaps East Timor could send a trade delegation to Portugal and then Franco could come to visit Indonesia. There was widespread agreement in the room for this idea.
The ASEM Summit ended on the evening of the 21st. No sooner had the Presidential Airplane took off than Try disappeared inside his office to have a meeting with Edi Sudrajat.
“I think that was a good week. Got a good deal with the South Koreans and got some productive meetings with the Malaysians, Thai, and Portuguese at the Summit”, said Try.
“I agree, Mr. President”, replied Edi “And it’s good to knock one of these bad boys out of the way considering you’ve got another 3 summits to attend next month.”
“What’s the schedule like again?” asked Try massaging his head.
“The OIC and APEC literally within days of each other then ASEAN at the end of the month”, said Edi before pausing and adding “Are you sure you don’t want delegate any of those, Mr. President? Maybe not ASEAN but either one of OIC or APEC?”
“If we can get some positive developments like we just achieved in Seoul, we can lay the groundwork for a good 2001 economically and otherwise”, said Try “Also those 3 summits are after the US Presidential Elections, it’ll be a good chance to take the world’s temperature after the dust has settled.”
“It’s just that you still have the issue with Megawati and then ICMI Congress around the horizon to take care of as well at home, Mr. President”, reminded Edi.
“Well, we’re going to be home for the next 2-3 weeks”, said Try “Let’s make the best of it.”
---
The Summit Try attends is the 3rd ASEM Summit which is as OTL https://www.aseminfoboard.org/events/3rd-asem-summit-asem3
Just a note here about ITTL’s South Korea and Kim Dae Jung.Kim Dae Jung failed to have the 2000 Inter-Korean Summit which netted him the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_inter-Korean_summit. The failure is due to the election of Primakov, who was friendly towards Pyongyang, in Russia. This failure along with things going China’s way in 2000 (A friendly government in Taiwan and a friendly Prime Minister emerging in Japan) has caused South Korea and Indonesia make common cause with each other.
Try’s Summit Schedule for the next month is as follows (Dates following OTL):
12th-13th November: OIC Summit at Doha, Qatar
15th-16th November: APEC Summit at Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei
22nd-25th November: ASEAN Unofficial Summit at Singapore
Welcome to a new week. My work will keep me busy so just to wet your appetites (and keep me interested in what's coming as well), here's a preview of the next 4 updates:
101: Domestic Distractions
Try returns back to Indonesia. He tries to get as much work done as possible before he has to leave overseas again but is distracted by matters with various political matters which require his immediate attention. (90% finished)
102: Summit Season Part II
The President heads off to the OIC in Qatar and then the 2000 APEC Summit where he gets to pick the brains of some of the world's leaders in the aftermath of the 2000 US Presidential Elections.
103: ICMI Is The Battlefield
As the race for Chairmanship of ICMI heats up, a new piece of information from the day Soeharto dies comes to light.
104: Summit Season Part III
It's a short flight to Singapore but an important meeting awaits Try at the 2000 ASEAN Unofficial Summit.
Yeah, November 2000 will be a hectic month in ITTL Indonesia.
101: Domestic Distractions
Try returns back to Indonesia. He tries to get as much work done as possible before he has to leave overseas again but is distracted by matters with various political matters which require his immediate attention. (90% finished)
102: Summit Season Part II
The President heads off to the OIC in Qatar and then the 2000 APEC Summit where he gets to pick the brains of some of the world's leaders in the aftermath of the 2000 US Presidential Elections.
103: ICMI Is The Battlefield
As the race for Chairmanship of ICMI heats up, a new piece of information from the day Soeharto dies comes to light.
104: Summit Season Part III
It's a short flight to Singapore but an important meeting awaits Try at the 2000 ASEAN Unofficial Summit.
Yeah, November 2000 will be a hectic month in ITTL Indonesia.
101: Domestic Distractions
22nd October 2000:
The people of Biak Island received a surprise when the Presidential Airplane landed at Frans Kaisiepo International Airport. President Try Sutrisno emerged out of the airplane with the delegation that joined him from South Korea and those which joined him in Biak which also included Governor of Irian Jaya Jacob Pattipi.
Biak was part of an Integrated Economic Development Zone designated by Soeharto in 1996 and it was noted for its fisheries potential so Try was flanked by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Tanto Kuswanto and State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia and Special Development Zones Jusuf Kalla in the Presidential vehicle as it wheezed around Biak. The President paid particular attention to infrastructure such as harbours for fishing boats to settle in and the fish quarantine center as he inspected Biak, instructing Tanto to have a “proper” fish market constructed there. The President also paid a visit to a tuna canning factory with a capacity of 300,000 tonnes of fish per year.
On Biak’s status as a special development zone, Kalla advised the President that Biak’s Integrated Economic Development Zone was too large with some of its territory on mainland Irian Jaya. The President agreed with this and said that Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones should have a more manageable size.
The President ended his day at Biak looking at the construction of the to-be created 4th National Air Defense Sector Command’s Headquarters. He reminded Air Force Chief of Staff Hanafie Asnan to apply for as much funding as possible in next year’s budget so that this unit could be completed as quickly as possible.
23rd October 2000:
The President landed in Jayapura this morning where there was some ceremony to attend to. At the Irian Jaya DPRD Building, the President and Jacob Pattipi sat down as Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas administered the oath to 25 extra DPRD members as per the provisions of Irian Jaya’s becoming a Special Region. Once this was done, it was the President’s turn to swear in the 51 members of the Irian Jaya People’s Assembly (MRIJ).
The President spent the day meeting with Jacob Pattipi and provincial officials who reported on progress in the Province. Pattipi said that he’s using the extra proceeds from natural resources to build a paved road from Jayapura to the border of Papua New Guinea which the President approved of. Try then spent the day on a walkabout around Jayapura, shaking hands with the locals and visiting the Hamadi Market.
The President flew from Jayapura to Jakarta in the afternoon. Taking it easy without paperwork, Try was nevertheless reminded of another issue he would need to work on soon while the plane flew over Irian Jaya. Something caught Try’s eyes and he asked Edi what it was. Edi looked down and turned serious. Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi had talked to him about what Try was seeing though Edi had told that there were other priorities on the President’s table.
“Those are mines, Mr. President”, said Edi “One big copper mine, one big gold mine.”
“Where in Irian Jaya are we?” asked Try.
“Timika, Mr. President”, explained Edi “Those mines belong to Freeport.”
24th October 2000:
The President accompanied by State Secretary Edi Sudrajat met with Harsudiono Hartas and Minister of Legal Affairs Marzuki Darusman. The two ministers reported on two organizations which had applied to have its existence recognized by the Government. The two ministers had formed an interdepartmental team which have travelled around the country to verify that these two would-be organizations has representatives in all the provinces and in most regencies and municipalities.
“The existence of the two applicants has been successfully verified in accordance with the Political Parties Law. We therefore recommend that the two applicants be allowed to exist as Political Parties”, said Marzuki Darusman.
“Alrighty then”, said Try as he went on to sign two Presidential Decisions. One approving the existence of the PKPI and the other approving the existence of the PKPB.
After Marzuki Darusman left to announce the President’s approval of PKPI and PKPB, Harsudiono stuck around as the President invited Commander of ABRI Wiranto, Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, and ABRI Chief of Social-Political Affairs Staff Agus Wirahadikusumah. In front of those present, the President said that he would allow Megawati Soekarnoputri to try to bring about an PDI Extraordinary National Congress. The President asks Harsudiono to convey a request that Megawati will begin her effort in December after the ICMI National Congress.
The discussion then went on to the technicalities. Harsudiono explained that if Megawati can claim to have the support of most of the PDI’s branches in the regions for an Extraordinary National Congress, then Chairman of PDI Soerjadi would have to hold this Extraordinary National Congress.
“In 1996, Megawati was toppled using exactly this mechanism though back then, Soerjadi also had the help of the then Commander of ABRI and the ABRI Chief of Social-Political Affairs”, said Harsudiono.
“This is where the two of you come in; don’t get in her way but don’t help her either. Just stay neutral”, said Try to Wiranto and Agus before he turned to Harsudiono “The same goes with the regional governments. Stay neutral.”
26th October 2000:
The President, Vice President JB Sumarlin, and the Seventh Development Cabinet held a full meeting today though the President did most of the talking:
*The President determined that whatever decline in exports to the United States as result of its desire to gain a “soft-landing” in its economy must be offset by an increase in investment from other countries. Increasing investment’s share in Indonesia’s economic growth will be Indonesia’s economic strategy for 2001.
*The President forwarded Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt’s complain that Belgium businessmen were being hindered when trying to invest in Sulawesi. He asked that all Departments, Agencies, and Regional Governments do their outmost to facilitate investment both domestic and foreign and that there would be consequences for not complying with this.
*On Malaysia, the Cabinet was pleased when the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita reported that Indonesia and Malaysia would work towards an agreement across various areas in the coming months.
27th October 2000:
After Friday prayers at his house at Kuningan, Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie announced that he will be running for re-election as Chairman of ICMI at ICMI’s National Congress in December.
The President ended the day meeting with Wiranto and ABRI Chief of General Staff Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono reported that ABRI Headquarters have been swamped by a mass request for early retirement from officers, all of whom wishing to do so because they would like to join the PKPB. Among those wishing to retire early were the following:
*Gen. (Police) Dibyo Widodo- former Chief of Police
*Lt. Gen. (Marines) Suharto- former Commander of the Marine Corps and Head of Basarnas
*Lt. Gen. Soegiono- currently Secretary of the Minister of Defense and Security also has asked to resign from his post. Former Aide de Camp to Soeharo
*Maj. Gen. Muchdi PR- former Commander of the Kalimantan Regional Military Command
*Maj. Gen. Kivlan Zen- former Chief of Staff to the Sulawesi Regional Military Command
*Maj. Gen. Izmed Yuzairi Chaniago- former Kostrad Chief of Staff
*Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin- former Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command
*Col. Chairawan- former Commander of Kopassus’ Group IV
*Col. Issantoso- former Aide de Camp to Soeharto
“This is like a who’s who list of those who are either Prabowo allies or those who are still loyal to Soeharto”, said Edi Sudrajat when he read the list.
28th October 2000:
President Try marked Youth Oath Day 2000 by attending a ceremony at Senayan Stadium. But the day became marred by Prabowo Subianto’s verbal brawl with Wiranto. Speaking on RCTI in the morning, Prabowo said that it’s just as well that those officers asked for early retirement because they have all gone to waste under the “present regime” because most have been without an assignment since 1998 so they might as well join the PKPB and do something useful.
Speaking on TVRI in the afternoon, Wiranto said that he hopes that all those who are ABRI members will continue to be loyal because he doesn’t want those “who are loyal to those hostile towards the Constitutional Government”.
30th October 2000:
In a joint press conference, Edi Sudrajat and Military Secretary Sudrajat announced that the President has signed off on the early retirements of the officers who have asked for it a few days ago. Edi said that the President respects these officers’ political aspirations but at the same time echoed Wiranto’s comments that those who are sympathetic towards those hostile towards the Government should no longer serve in ABRI.
President Try and Chairman of DPR Harmoko agree to declare null and void the 1997 Manpower Law owing to the controversy that DPR members were bribed during the process of its legislation in the final weeks of Soeharto’s presidency and also because the President felt there was a need to rewrite the law as a whole.
As the meeting finished, the President walked with Harmoko as the latter was about to depart.
“If I could ask you about your decision to allow Megawati Soekarnoputri to bring about a PDI Extraordinary National Congress, Mr. President”, said Harmoko “If she becomes Chairwoman of PDI again…well, let’s just say that when I was Chairman of Golkar, I was quite intimidated by the idea of taking her on in a Legislative Election campaign. If she leads the PDI into the 2002 Election, they’re going to get a lot more than the pathetic 11 seats they have now.”
“Someone like Megawati is too charismatic to ignore, as much as that charisma is because she’s riding on President Soekarno’s coattails, Mr. Chairman”, replied Try “If she somehow becomes Chairwoman of PDI then she will compete in the 2002 Elections and if that happens, well let’s give her a fight instead of maneuvering to remove her…the same goes with our old friend Mrs. Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.”
31st October 2000:
The DPR had a productive day and passed 2 laws:
*The Construction Services Law which regulates construction work using contractors and mandates the use of contracts for such work. A key provision which Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar was able to secure was a provision that any contract work to be funded by Government money must be subjected to a tender process. Only in special cases is a direct appointment be allowed.
*The Medicinal Practice Law which regulates medicinal practice for doctors and dentist. The highlight of the law was the formation of Medicinal Council to protect patients and improve the quality of medicinal practice. It also mandates doctors and dentists to have a Registration License Letter and a Practice License in order to practice. Minister of Health Azrul Azwar looked on and clapped with glee when the law was passed.
Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi came out of a meeting with the President to announce that the Government would not be increasing the price of fuel for the remainder of the year despite world oil prices reaching above $30 per barrel. Some of the consideration for this is that the state of Government finances is strong and that the President does not want to slow down Indonesian economic growth just as US economic growth is slowing down.
1st November 2000:
The President arrived at Merak Harbour at Cilegon, West Java today. Accompanied among others by Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, Rachmat Witoelar, Governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso, Governor of West Java Muzani Syukur, and Governor of Lampung Sofjan Jacoeb the President inaugurated the following:
*Expansion of the Jakarta-Merak Toll Road
*Phase II of the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road
*New trains for the Jakarta-Merak Railway Link
*Completion of new piers at Merak Harbour and Bakaheuni Harbour in Lampung.
Back in Jakarta, DPR member Hartono was ambiguous when asked if he would run for the chairmanship of ICMI or not. He only smiled and said that he was an ICMI member.
2nd November 2000:
Harsudiono Hartas received a hostile welcome as he opened the PKPB’s first National Leadership Meeting on behalf of the President. Jeers greeted him when he said that the President “Sends his regards”. Tutut tried to calm her supporters down though it was clear that she too enjoyed what was happening.
The President accompanied State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari and Chairman of KONI IGK Manila has a meet and greet with the Indonesian National Football Team which finished 4th at the Asian Football Confederation Cup held at Lebanon, losing to China in the 3rd Place Playoff. Try congratulated Manager Glenn Hoddle and the players on their efforts. He said that he hopes Indonesia can make it to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
3rd November 2000:
The President and Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti met with a delegation from the Indonesian Retail Businessmen Association (Aprindo). Chairman of Aprindo Steve Sondakh only said that they talked about the state of the retail sector.
Having lunch together, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Taufiq Kiemas discussed the President’s request that they make their move to bring a PDI Extraordinary National Congress after the ICMI National Congress has finished. Megawati said that “the boys” can’t wait to get started. Taufiq however disagreed. He told Megawati to leave the “blatant disobedience and respect” to Tutut and respect this request.
4th November 2000:
The PKPB’s National Leadership Meeting ended with its delegates passing a motion “To name Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana Chairwoman of PKPB and authorize her to name the PKPB’s National Leadership Council”. With hand on heart, Tutut Soeharto accepted this unanimous appointment and bowed at the PKPB delegates.
At the press conference afterwards, Tutut announced that ZA Maulani and Akbar Tandjung will respectively become the Secretary and Treasurer of PKPB; thus continuing the partnership they had forged at Golkar since 1998.
6th November 2000:
In a signing ceremony also attended by Minister of Information, Post, and Telecommunications Oka Mahendra and Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, CEO of Nokia Jorma Olilla signed an MOU with Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu committing Nokia to constructing a factory in Indonesia. Olilla said that in 1999, Indonesia’s market of mobile phone users was 5.2 million and rapidly growing so Nokia wants to be part of that.
DPR Member Hartono officially announced that he will be a candidate for the ICMI Chairmanship at the ICMI National Congress next month. Hartono vowed that if elected chairman, he would restore Islamic intellectuals to their rightful place instead of merely being lackeys of the Government.
7th November 2000:
Edi Sudrajat and Ginandjar Kartasasmita hold a joint press conference to go over the President’s itinerary as he heads off to the OIC and APEC Summits. Edi announced that BJ Habibie will be part of the President’s delegation to the two summits.
After Ginandjar had answered a question about the 2000 Presidential Elections (“The Government will work with whichever incoming administration, Gore or McCain”), Edi was asked about the President’s stance on the ICMI National Congress. Edi said that the President wishes the best for the ICMI National Congress but does not agree with the characterization that Islamic intellectuals are lackeys.
At Cendana Street, Tutut watched the press conference with Prabowo by her side.
“I told you that’s what the President’s going to do, Mbak, he’s done it with the PPP and the Muhammadiyah National Congresses and now he’s doing it with ICMI”, said Prabowo “Only this time he’s walking into a trap.”
---
Gasp…gasp
OK that one was pretty jam-packed with political events: the PKPI and PKPB officially existing, Megawati being given permission to try bringing about a PDI Extraordinary National Congress, pro-Soeharto and pro-Prabowo officers asking for early retirement, and the road to the ICMI National Congress officially under way.
According to Wikipedia, there were 3.6 million mobile phone users in Indonesia in 1999 OTL. The 5.2 million is with the assumption of people buying mobile phones in a recovering economy ITTL rather than a still struggling economy OTL.
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telek...lekomunikasi_seluler_pada_masa_krisis_moneter
The people of Biak Island received a surprise when the Presidential Airplane landed at Frans Kaisiepo International Airport. President Try Sutrisno emerged out of the airplane with the delegation that joined him from South Korea and those which joined him in Biak which also included Governor of Irian Jaya Jacob Pattipi.
Biak was part of an Integrated Economic Development Zone designated by Soeharto in 1996 and it was noted for its fisheries potential so Try was flanked by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Tanto Kuswanto and State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia and Special Development Zones Jusuf Kalla in the Presidential vehicle as it wheezed around Biak. The President paid particular attention to infrastructure such as harbours for fishing boats to settle in and the fish quarantine center as he inspected Biak, instructing Tanto to have a “proper” fish market constructed there. The President also paid a visit to a tuna canning factory with a capacity of 300,000 tonnes of fish per year.
On Biak’s status as a special development zone, Kalla advised the President that Biak’s Integrated Economic Development Zone was too large with some of its territory on mainland Irian Jaya. The President agreed with this and said that Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones should have a more manageable size.
The President ended his day at Biak looking at the construction of the to-be created 4th National Air Defense Sector Command’s Headquarters. He reminded Air Force Chief of Staff Hanafie Asnan to apply for as much funding as possible in next year’s budget so that this unit could be completed as quickly as possible.
23rd October 2000:
The President landed in Jayapura this morning where there was some ceremony to attend to. At the Irian Jaya DPRD Building, the President and Jacob Pattipi sat down as Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas administered the oath to 25 extra DPRD members as per the provisions of Irian Jaya’s becoming a Special Region. Once this was done, it was the President’s turn to swear in the 51 members of the Irian Jaya People’s Assembly (MRIJ).
The President spent the day meeting with Jacob Pattipi and provincial officials who reported on progress in the Province. Pattipi said that he’s using the extra proceeds from natural resources to build a paved road from Jayapura to the border of Papua New Guinea which the President approved of. Try then spent the day on a walkabout around Jayapura, shaking hands with the locals and visiting the Hamadi Market.
The President flew from Jayapura to Jakarta in the afternoon. Taking it easy without paperwork, Try was nevertheless reminded of another issue he would need to work on soon while the plane flew over Irian Jaya. Something caught Try’s eyes and he asked Edi what it was. Edi looked down and turned serious. Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi had talked to him about what Try was seeing though Edi had told that there were other priorities on the President’s table.
“Those are mines, Mr. President”, said Edi “One big copper mine, one big gold mine.”
“Where in Irian Jaya are we?” asked Try.
“Timika, Mr. President”, explained Edi “Those mines belong to Freeport.”
24th October 2000:
The President accompanied by State Secretary Edi Sudrajat met with Harsudiono Hartas and Minister of Legal Affairs Marzuki Darusman. The two ministers reported on two organizations which had applied to have its existence recognized by the Government. The two ministers had formed an interdepartmental team which have travelled around the country to verify that these two would-be organizations has representatives in all the provinces and in most regencies and municipalities.
“The existence of the two applicants has been successfully verified in accordance with the Political Parties Law. We therefore recommend that the two applicants be allowed to exist as Political Parties”, said Marzuki Darusman.
“Alrighty then”, said Try as he went on to sign two Presidential Decisions. One approving the existence of the PKPI and the other approving the existence of the PKPB.
After Marzuki Darusman left to announce the President’s approval of PKPI and PKPB, Harsudiono stuck around as the President invited Commander of ABRI Wiranto, Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, and ABRI Chief of Social-Political Affairs Staff Agus Wirahadikusumah. In front of those present, the President said that he would allow Megawati Soekarnoputri to try to bring about an PDI Extraordinary National Congress. The President asks Harsudiono to convey a request that Megawati will begin her effort in December after the ICMI National Congress.
The discussion then went on to the technicalities. Harsudiono explained that if Megawati can claim to have the support of most of the PDI’s branches in the regions for an Extraordinary National Congress, then Chairman of PDI Soerjadi would have to hold this Extraordinary National Congress.
“In 1996, Megawati was toppled using exactly this mechanism though back then, Soerjadi also had the help of the then Commander of ABRI and the ABRI Chief of Social-Political Affairs”, said Harsudiono.
“This is where the two of you come in; don’t get in her way but don’t help her either. Just stay neutral”, said Try to Wiranto and Agus before he turned to Harsudiono “The same goes with the regional governments. Stay neutral.”
26th October 2000:
The President, Vice President JB Sumarlin, and the Seventh Development Cabinet held a full meeting today though the President did most of the talking:
*The President determined that whatever decline in exports to the United States as result of its desire to gain a “soft-landing” in its economy must be offset by an increase in investment from other countries. Increasing investment’s share in Indonesia’s economic growth will be Indonesia’s economic strategy for 2001.
*The President forwarded Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt’s complain that Belgium businessmen were being hindered when trying to invest in Sulawesi. He asked that all Departments, Agencies, and Regional Governments do their outmost to facilitate investment both domestic and foreign and that there would be consequences for not complying with this.
*On Malaysia, the Cabinet was pleased when the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita reported that Indonesia and Malaysia would work towards an agreement across various areas in the coming months.
27th October 2000:
After Friday prayers at his house at Kuningan, Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie announced that he will be running for re-election as Chairman of ICMI at ICMI’s National Congress in December.
The President ended the day meeting with Wiranto and ABRI Chief of General Staff Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Yudhoyono reported that ABRI Headquarters have been swamped by a mass request for early retirement from officers, all of whom wishing to do so because they would like to join the PKPB. Among those wishing to retire early were the following:
*Gen. (Police) Dibyo Widodo- former Chief of Police
*Lt. Gen. (Marines) Suharto- former Commander of the Marine Corps and Head of Basarnas
*Lt. Gen. Soegiono- currently Secretary of the Minister of Defense and Security also has asked to resign from his post. Former Aide de Camp to Soeharo
*Maj. Gen. Muchdi PR- former Commander of the Kalimantan Regional Military Command
*Maj. Gen. Kivlan Zen- former Chief of Staff to the Sulawesi Regional Military Command
*Maj. Gen. Izmed Yuzairi Chaniago- former Kostrad Chief of Staff
*Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin- former Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command
*Col. Chairawan- former Commander of Kopassus’ Group IV
*Col. Issantoso- former Aide de Camp to Soeharto
“This is like a who’s who list of those who are either Prabowo allies or those who are still loyal to Soeharto”, said Edi Sudrajat when he read the list.
28th October 2000:
President Try marked Youth Oath Day 2000 by attending a ceremony at Senayan Stadium. But the day became marred by Prabowo Subianto’s verbal brawl with Wiranto. Speaking on RCTI in the morning, Prabowo said that it’s just as well that those officers asked for early retirement because they have all gone to waste under the “present regime” because most have been without an assignment since 1998 so they might as well join the PKPB and do something useful.
Speaking on TVRI in the afternoon, Wiranto said that he hopes that all those who are ABRI members will continue to be loyal because he doesn’t want those “who are loyal to those hostile towards the Constitutional Government”.
30th October 2000:
In a joint press conference, Edi Sudrajat and Military Secretary Sudrajat announced that the President has signed off on the early retirements of the officers who have asked for it a few days ago. Edi said that the President respects these officers’ political aspirations but at the same time echoed Wiranto’s comments that those who are sympathetic towards those hostile towards the Government should no longer serve in ABRI.
President Try and Chairman of DPR Harmoko agree to declare null and void the 1997 Manpower Law owing to the controversy that DPR members were bribed during the process of its legislation in the final weeks of Soeharto’s presidency and also because the President felt there was a need to rewrite the law as a whole.
As the meeting finished, the President walked with Harmoko as the latter was about to depart.
“If I could ask you about your decision to allow Megawati Soekarnoputri to bring about a PDI Extraordinary National Congress, Mr. President”, said Harmoko “If she becomes Chairwoman of PDI again…well, let’s just say that when I was Chairman of Golkar, I was quite intimidated by the idea of taking her on in a Legislative Election campaign. If she leads the PDI into the 2002 Election, they’re going to get a lot more than the pathetic 11 seats they have now.”
“Someone like Megawati is too charismatic to ignore, as much as that charisma is because she’s riding on President Soekarno’s coattails, Mr. Chairman”, replied Try “If she somehow becomes Chairwoman of PDI then she will compete in the 2002 Elections and if that happens, well let’s give her a fight instead of maneuvering to remove her…the same goes with our old friend Mrs. Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.”
31st October 2000:
The DPR had a productive day and passed 2 laws:
*The Construction Services Law which regulates construction work using contractors and mandates the use of contracts for such work. A key provision which Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar was able to secure was a provision that any contract work to be funded by Government money must be subjected to a tender process. Only in special cases is a direct appointment be allowed.
*The Medicinal Practice Law which regulates medicinal practice for doctors and dentist. The highlight of the law was the formation of Medicinal Council to protect patients and improve the quality of medicinal practice. It also mandates doctors and dentists to have a Registration License Letter and a Practice License in order to practice. Minister of Health Azrul Azwar looked on and clapped with glee when the law was passed.
Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi came out of a meeting with the President to announce that the Government would not be increasing the price of fuel for the remainder of the year despite world oil prices reaching above $30 per barrel. Some of the consideration for this is that the state of Government finances is strong and that the President does not want to slow down Indonesian economic growth just as US economic growth is slowing down.
1st November 2000:
The President arrived at Merak Harbour at Cilegon, West Java today. Accompanied among others by Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, Rachmat Witoelar, Governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso, Governor of West Java Muzani Syukur, and Governor of Lampung Sofjan Jacoeb the President inaugurated the following:
*Expansion of the Jakarta-Merak Toll Road
*Phase II of the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road
*New trains for the Jakarta-Merak Railway Link
*Completion of new piers at Merak Harbour and Bakaheuni Harbour in Lampung.
Back in Jakarta, DPR member Hartono was ambiguous when asked if he would run for the chairmanship of ICMI or not. He only smiled and said that he was an ICMI member.
2nd November 2000:
Harsudiono Hartas received a hostile welcome as he opened the PKPB’s first National Leadership Meeting on behalf of the President. Jeers greeted him when he said that the President “Sends his regards”. Tutut tried to calm her supporters down though it was clear that she too enjoyed what was happening.
The President accompanied State Minister of Youth and Sports Hajriyanto Thohari and Chairman of KONI IGK Manila has a meet and greet with the Indonesian National Football Team which finished 4th at the Asian Football Confederation Cup held at Lebanon, losing to China in the 3rd Place Playoff. Try congratulated Manager Glenn Hoddle and the players on their efforts. He said that he hopes Indonesia can make it to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
3rd November 2000:
The President and Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti met with a delegation from the Indonesian Retail Businessmen Association (Aprindo). Chairman of Aprindo Steve Sondakh only said that they talked about the state of the retail sector.
Having lunch together, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Taufiq Kiemas discussed the President’s request that they make their move to bring a PDI Extraordinary National Congress after the ICMI National Congress has finished. Megawati said that “the boys” can’t wait to get started. Taufiq however disagreed. He told Megawati to leave the “blatant disobedience and respect” to Tutut and respect this request.
4th November 2000:
The PKPB’s National Leadership Meeting ended with its delegates passing a motion “To name Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana Chairwoman of PKPB and authorize her to name the PKPB’s National Leadership Council”. With hand on heart, Tutut Soeharto accepted this unanimous appointment and bowed at the PKPB delegates.
At the press conference afterwards, Tutut announced that ZA Maulani and Akbar Tandjung will respectively become the Secretary and Treasurer of PKPB; thus continuing the partnership they had forged at Golkar since 1998.
6th November 2000:
In a signing ceremony also attended by Minister of Information, Post, and Telecommunications Oka Mahendra and Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, CEO of Nokia Jorma Olilla signed an MOU with Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu committing Nokia to constructing a factory in Indonesia. Olilla said that in 1999, Indonesia’s market of mobile phone users was 5.2 million and rapidly growing so Nokia wants to be part of that.
DPR Member Hartono officially announced that he will be a candidate for the ICMI Chairmanship at the ICMI National Congress next month. Hartono vowed that if elected chairman, he would restore Islamic intellectuals to their rightful place instead of merely being lackeys of the Government.
7th November 2000:
Edi Sudrajat and Ginandjar Kartasasmita hold a joint press conference to go over the President’s itinerary as he heads off to the OIC and APEC Summits. Edi announced that BJ Habibie will be part of the President’s delegation to the two summits.
After Ginandjar had answered a question about the 2000 Presidential Elections (“The Government will work with whichever incoming administration, Gore or McCain”), Edi was asked about the President’s stance on the ICMI National Congress. Edi said that the President wishes the best for the ICMI National Congress but does not agree with the characterization that Islamic intellectuals are lackeys.
At Cendana Street, Tutut watched the press conference with Prabowo by her side.
“I told you that’s what the President’s going to do, Mbak, he’s done it with the PPP and the Muhammadiyah National Congresses and now he’s doing it with ICMI”, said Prabowo “Only this time he’s walking into a trap.”
---
Gasp…gasp
OK that one was pretty jam-packed with political events: the PKPI and PKPB officially existing, Megawati being given permission to try bringing about a PDI Extraordinary National Congress, pro-Soeharto and pro-Prabowo officers asking for early retirement, and the road to the ICMI National Congress officially under way.
According to Wikipedia, there were 3.6 million mobile phone users in Indonesia in 1999 OTL. The 5.2 million is with the assumption of people buying mobile phones in a recovering economy ITTL rather than a still struggling economy OTL.
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telek...lekomunikasi_seluler_pada_masa_krisis_moneter
102: Summit Season Part II
8th November 2000:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita announced that President Try Sutrisno has spoken on the phone with Senator John McCain to congratulate the latter on his election as President of the Unied States. When asked what does this mean for Indonesia, Ginandjar said Indonesia has to co-exist and cooperate with a McCain Administration.
In a lunch with the nation’s newspaper editors Vice President JB Sumarlin called on newspapers to prioritize job advertisements from within their province before jobs in othe provinces and even other islands. Sumarlin said that the Government is pursuing a twofold strategy of concentrating more resources on urban development of major cities in Indonesia to build alternative "growth centers" but that at the same time it would like to prevent people from flooding esablished cities like Jakarta and Surabaya to prevent it from becoming overpopulated.
9th November 2000:
The President presided over a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, awarding the title of National Hero to former Vice President Adam Malik. Accepting the award on Adam Malik’s behalf was former Second Lady Mrs. Nelly Adam Malik.
10th November 2000:
After leading a commemoration ceremony at Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery for Indonesia’s heroes on the occasion of Heroes’ Day at midnight, the President and his delegation departed early in the morning. By mid-morning, President Try touched down at Bahrain International Airport where he was welcomed on the tarmac by Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Al Khalifah. The real and lavish welcome was provided at the Al Sakhir Palace in Minama by Emir of Bahrain Hamad Al Khalifah.
In their talks, President Try expressed his gratitude for Bahrain’s support as a non-permanent UN Security Council Member in ratifying the Singapore Settlement. The Emir responded that Indonesia’s investment prospects has “resounded” throughout the Middle East. At the end of the meeting, the President and Hamad signed an agreement making official investments Hamad had agreed to make in Indonesia, most notably in toll roads and the construction of factories.
The President ended the day at a lavish banquet given by Hamad for the Indonesian delegation.
11th November 2000:
The President spent the morning at the University of Bahrain, listening to Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie, who was part of the delegation for the current trip, give an address on “Islamic Intellectuals in the 21st Century”.
After farewelling Hamad, the President and his delegation took the short flight from Bahrain to Doha, Qatar. He was welcomed by Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamad Al Thani. The real welcome was at the Emir’s Palace in Doha where Try shook hands with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Al Thani (Writer’s note: Why are they all called Hamad).
The Emir’s Palace was bustling with activity as leaders from OIC countries began flying into Doha for the OIC Summit. The person who came not long before Try was none other than Chief Executive of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. Taking the opportunity to meet, Try (accompanied by State Secretary Edi Sudrajat) hopes Musharraf would contribute towards peace in the region. Musharraf countered that it was India that was adding to tensions by trying to set up world opinion against Pakistan. Despite their disagreements, Try and Musharraf found common ground from the fact the were both military men.
Dinner was also at the Emir’s Palace where Try found himself sitting next to President of Iran Mohammad Khatami. Khatami said that he was thankful for Indonesia’s friendship and the relationship the two nations had built but turned grim when the conversation turned to world affairs.
“After Primakov was sworn in, Clinton’s been sending feelers at Undersecretary level”, Khatami explained “Alas, his time has run out. I worry what will happen with McCain.”
12th November 2000:
The OIC Summit was opened today by Sheikh Hamad. All of the member nations’ heads of states and governments got their speech. Try delivered a speech which condemned the Intifada happening against Palestine. He called upon the OIC to stop supporting separatists and watched as the Mindanao National Liberation Front (MNLF) delegates who were there as partners and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi walks out. Then he said something which observers years later agreed was said about 10 months too early.
“I believe that as Muslims it is not enough to say that ours is a good religion but to show that our is a good religion in our actions. In the face of terrorism trying to use religion as a shield, we must be firm and resolute.”
In between summit sessions, the President finally got some time with Sheikh Hamad. The host said that in the current international environment “one must look after ther own national interests” pointing to the fact that Qatar has close relations with Iran whilst having a US Military base in Qatar.
Try also met with Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Ecevit. Ecevit said that his country was going through an economic crisis and that he’s gone to the IMF for assistance. With Try and Ecevit watching on, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem signed an MOU to facilitate a visit to Turkey by batches of P4 Trainers so that they could learn Kemalism and for political science faculty members from Turkey to come to Indonesia to learn about Pancasila.
At the end of the day, the President met with Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono, Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Religion Quraish Shihab, State Minister of National Security Soerjadi, and Edi Sudrajat as the ministers who joined him for this trip. He asked them how Indonesia was doing at the summit.
“The Gulf States want to invest in us and the African countries want closer cooperation with us, I’d say we’re doing good”, said Soedradjad, summing up the summit.
13th November 2000:
Morning saw Dorodjatun sign a trade deal to export palm oil, furniture and coffee to Algeria while Algeria gets to export fruits and nuts to Indonesia as well as investing in Acehnese coffee. Try shook hands warmly with President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The Summit drew to a close with a communiqué condemning the Al Aqsa Intifada but which chose to retain the MNLF as observers. At the closing session and photographs, Try fidgeted of some news he’s heard.
From Brunei where the APEC Ministerial Summit was held, news came that Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Finance Mar’ie Muhammad, and Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo had been involved in tense negotiations with their Malaysian counterparts. The Malaysian Minister of Industry and Trade Najib Razak had said that Indonesia should focus on implementing the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) before getting Malaysia to commit to anything else. Siswono had trouble controlling himself and was kept back by Ginandjar and Mar’ie Muhammad.
Back at Doha, some approaches were made and soon Try accompanied by Edi and Soerjadi found himself meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Malaysia Minister of Foreign Affairs Razidah Azis. Badawi looked stressed and then opened up saying that he was under pressure at home that a faction led by Razak was positioning themselves to block him if he got too close with Indonesia. That if he was not careful, Razak was preparing to challenge him for the leadership of UMNO and the prime ministership.
“I understand, Mr. Prime Minister”, said Try with a flat expressionless tone “There are internal affairs you have to take care of first.”
14th November 2000:
After a farewell call to Sheikh Hamad, the President and his delegation departed for Brunei and the APEC Summit. The President sat with Edi and Soerjadi to discuss Badawi’s response. Soerjadi said that the President’s vision of a Southeast Asian Bloc must go around Malaysia and that he should work on building closer relations with other Southeast Asian nations which are already predisposed well towards Indonesia. Edi added that it would be a waste of time “working on Malaysia”.
It was afternoon when the President landed at Brunei International Airport. He was welcomed directly on the tarmac by Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah. The President and the First Lady rode with the Sultan and the Queen to Nurul Iman Palace where Bolkiah guided the President as he shook hands with the Royal Family.
In their one on one talk, Bolkiah said that he would like suspend free trade talks with New Zealand given the latters’ sympathies for East Timor “secession”. The President said Brunei needs to take care of its own interests but added that even so, he believes Brunei should find its security in Southeast Asia.
15th November 2000:
The APEC Summit got underway with Bolkiah in the Chairman’s seat and Try looking around at leaders of some of the world’s most prosperous economies. He sat next to Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin at the opening session. At the APEC Photo Op in which all the leaders wore a Bruneian blue shirt, Try stood next to an effusive President of Philippines Joseph Estrada who thanked him for asking for the MNLF’s exclusion as an observer. Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand was there though she and Try awkwardly avoided each other.
At the APEC CEO Summit, attended by businessmen and executives from APEC members the President got his audience not to mention other countries perking up with his address.
“Indonesia’s economic recovery was unique. We didn’t take a road to recovery that was self-reliant the way Malaysia’s is and we didn’t wholly prescribe to the road laid down by the IMF. But the road we did take is neither more nor less legitimate than what other nations have taken. A road to recovery that is right for us doesn’t mean that others have to take the same way if it isn’t suitable for them.
The same can be said to be true of political systems; whatever political system nations have chosen is neither more nor less legitimate than what other nations have chosen. A political system suitable in one nation is not necessarily suitable with others.
On the sidelines of the summit, Try, accompanied by Ginandjar, Soedradjad, and Edi met with President of Russia Yevgeny Primakov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov, and Russian Minister of Economics and Trade Herman Gref. The two were filled with flatteries with each other; Try thanking Primakov for adopting a non-violent approach to Chechnya and Primakov saying that Try’s guidance of Indonesia to economic recovery. The two groups of officials discussed potential areas of cooperation between Indonesia and Russia, Primakov reminding Try that Russia still has on hold the 12 Sukhoi fighter jets Soeharto wanted to purchase in 1997.
For Try, the real talk came as the meeting wrapped up. He asked Primakov if he truly wanted a New Cold War. Primakov laughed when he heard that.
“I just want to put a check on American power, Mr. President”, said Primakov “You can’t tell me the idea doesn’t have any appeal to you.”
16th November 2000:
The APEC Summit comes to a close with a communiqué by the leaders committing themselves to more open markets. The highlight of the day however was the sight of President of China Jiang Zemin accompanied by Chief Executive of Hong Kong Tung Chee Hwa engaging in “informal talks” with President of Taiwan James Soong. Soong’s policy of engagement with the mainland had reaped its rewards for Jiang had expressed no problem to Soong’s attendance at the Summit.
For the Indonesian delegation, the big meeting today was with President of the United States Bill Clinton today. Ginandjar, Soedradjad, and Edi once again accompanied Try to meet with Clinton. The latter was accompanied by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers, and White House Chief of Staff John Podesta.
Among the talk of trade and various other issues, the conversation got heated about the President’s speech the previous day. Summers reminded Try that Malaysia hasn’t recovered from the economic crisis yet and that Thailand only did because it listened to the IMF. Try restrained his side of the table from trying to get the “final say” out of respect of the fact that this was probably the last time he was going to see Clinton as president.
As the President and his delegation left the meeting room with Clinton, he breathed a sigh of relief that the week was over though he was full of thoughts about Indonesia’s place in the world.
“We’re in a better place than most but we can only dream about being as strong as the likes of China, Japan or Germany, much less the United States”, Try reflected to Edi “Domestically, we still have to develop the economy and increase living standards so we’ll be stronger. Internationally, we’re the first nation out the crisis in our region and we’re the largest Muslim country but our power’s limited. That’s why we could have more of an influence if the other nations in our region act as one bloc.”
---
The ASEM, OIC, and APEC Summit down, the ASEAN Unofficial Summit to go in this summit season.
This update provides a bit of a peak into things that are happening internationally which can be divided as follows:
Still as OTL:
-Ariel Sharon still visits the Temple Mount and provokes the Al Aqsa Intifada
-Turkey is going through a bad economic situation
Things happening ITTL as a result of butterflies:
-Malaysia not yet out of the crisis, politically unstable, and in a way in Indonesia's OTL spot (OTL: Malaysia's already out of the crisis)
-China responding well enough to the more friendly stance of the Taiwanese Government to allow the President of Taiwan to attend the APEC Summit and have “informal talks” (OTL: Taiwan only allowed to send an “Economic Representative” to APEC)
-Prime Minister Paul Martin in Canada (OTL: Chretien still Prime Minister)
And of course the big one, John McCain and George W. Bush of the Republican Party overcomes Al Gore and Evan Bayh (Gore/Bayh already a deviation from OTL’s Gore/Liebermann).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita announced that President Try Sutrisno has spoken on the phone with Senator John McCain to congratulate the latter on his election as President of the Unied States. When asked what does this mean for Indonesia, Ginandjar said Indonesia has to co-exist and cooperate with a McCain Administration.
In a lunch with the nation’s newspaper editors Vice President JB Sumarlin called on newspapers to prioritize job advertisements from within their province before jobs in othe provinces and even other islands. Sumarlin said that the Government is pursuing a twofold strategy of concentrating more resources on urban development of major cities in Indonesia to build alternative "growth centers" but that at the same time it would like to prevent people from flooding esablished cities like Jakarta and Surabaya to prevent it from becoming overpopulated.
9th November 2000:
The President presided over a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, awarding the title of National Hero to former Vice President Adam Malik. Accepting the award on Adam Malik’s behalf was former Second Lady Mrs. Nelly Adam Malik.
10th November 2000:
After leading a commemoration ceremony at Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery for Indonesia’s heroes on the occasion of Heroes’ Day at midnight, the President and his delegation departed early in the morning. By mid-morning, President Try touched down at Bahrain International Airport where he was welcomed on the tarmac by Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Al Khalifah. The real and lavish welcome was provided at the Al Sakhir Palace in Minama by Emir of Bahrain Hamad Al Khalifah.
In their talks, President Try expressed his gratitude for Bahrain’s support as a non-permanent UN Security Council Member in ratifying the Singapore Settlement. The Emir responded that Indonesia’s investment prospects has “resounded” throughout the Middle East. At the end of the meeting, the President and Hamad signed an agreement making official investments Hamad had agreed to make in Indonesia, most notably in toll roads and the construction of factories.
The President ended the day at a lavish banquet given by Hamad for the Indonesian delegation.
11th November 2000:
The President spent the morning at the University of Bahrain, listening to Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie, who was part of the delegation for the current trip, give an address on “Islamic Intellectuals in the 21st Century”.
After farewelling Hamad, the President and his delegation took the short flight from Bahrain to Doha, Qatar. He was welcomed by Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamad Al Thani. The real welcome was at the Emir’s Palace in Doha where Try shook hands with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Al Thani (Writer’s note: Why are they all called Hamad).
The Emir’s Palace was bustling with activity as leaders from OIC countries began flying into Doha for the OIC Summit. The person who came not long before Try was none other than Chief Executive of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. Taking the opportunity to meet, Try (accompanied by State Secretary Edi Sudrajat) hopes Musharraf would contribute towards peace in the region. Musharraf countered that it was India that was adding to tensions by trying to set up world opinion against Pakistan. Despite their disagreements, Try and Musharraf found common ground from the fact the were both military men.
Dinner was also at the Emir’s Palace where Try found himself sitting next to President of Iran Mohammad Khatami. Khatami said that he was thankful for Indonesia’s friendship and the relationship the two nations had built but turned grim when the conversation turned to world affairs.
“After Primakov was sworn in, Clinton’s been sending feelers at Undersecretary level”, Khatami explained “Alas, his time has run out. I worry what will happen with McCain.”
12th November 2000:
The OIC Summit was opened today by Sheikh Hamad. All of the member nations’ heads of states and governments got their speech. Try delivered a speech which condemned the Intifada happening against Palestine. He called upon the OIC to stop supporting separatists and watched as the Mindanao National Liberation Front (MNLF) delegates who were there as partners and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi walks out. Then he said something which observers years later agreed was said about 10 months too early.
“I believe that as Muslims it is not enough to say that ours is a good religion but to show that our is a good religion in our actions. In the face of terrorism trying to use religion as a shield, we must be firm and resolute.”
In between summit sessions, the President finally got some time with Sheikh Hamad. The host said that in the current international environment “one must look after ther own national interests” pointing to the fact that Qatar has close relations with Iran whilst having a US Military base in Qatar.
Try also met with Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Ecevit. Ecevit said that his country was going through an economic crisis and that he’s gone to the IMF for assistance. With Try and Ecevit watching on, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem signed an MOU to facilitate a visit to Turkey by batches of P4 Trainers so that they could learn Kemalism and for political science faculty members from Turkey to come to Indonesia to learn about Pancasila.
At the end of the day, the President met with Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono, Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Religion Quraish Shihab, State Minister of National Security Soerjadi, and Edi Sudrajat as the ministers who joined him for this trip. He asked them how Indonesia was doing at the summit.
“The Gulf States want to invest in us and the African countries want closer cooperation with us, I’d say we’re doing good”, said Soedradjad, summing up the summit.
13th November 2000:
Morning saw Dorodjatun sign a trade deal to export palm oil, furniture and coffee to Algeria while Algeria gets to export fruits and nuts to Indonesia as well as investing in Acehnese coffee. Try shook hands warmly with President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The Summit drew to a close with a communiqué condemning the Al Aqsa Intifada but which chose to retain the MNLF as observers. At the closing session and photographs, Try fidgeted of some news he’s heard.
From Brunei where the APEC Ministerial Summit was held, news came that Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Finance Mar’ie Muhammad, and Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo had been involved in tense negotiations with their Malaysian counterparts. The Malaysian Minister of Industry and Trade Najib Razak had said that Indonesia should focus on implementing the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) before getting Malaysia to commit to anything else. Siswono had trouble controlling himself and was kept back by Ginandjar and Mar’ie Muhammad.
Back at Doha, some approaches were made and soon Try accompanied by Edi and Soerjadi found himself meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Malaysia Minister of Foreign Affairs Razidah Azis. Badawi looked stressed and then opened up saying that he was under pressure at home that a faction led by Razak was positioning themselves to block him if he got too close with Indonesia. That if he was not careful, Razak was preparing to challenge him for the leadership of UMNO and the prime ministership.
“I understand, Mr. Prime Minister”, said Try with a flat expressionless tone “There are internal affairs you have to take care of first.”
14th November 2000:
After a farewell call to Sheikh Hamad, the President and his delegation departed for Brunei and the APEC Summit. The President sat with Edi and Soerjadi to discuss Badawi’s response. Soerjadi said that the President’s vision of a Southeast Asian Bloc must go around Malaysia and that he should work on building closer relations with other Southeast Asian nations which are already predisposed well towards Indonesia. Edi added that it would be a waste of time “working on Malaysia”.
It was afternoon when the President landed at Brunei International Airport. He was welcomed directly on the tarmac by Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah. The President and the First Lady rode with the Sultan and the Queen to Nurul Iman Palace where Bolkiah guided the President as he shook hands with the Royal Family.
In their one on one talk, Bolkiah said that he would like suspend free trade talks with New Zealand given the latters’ sympathies for East Timor “secession”. The President said Brunei needs to take care of its own interests but added that even so, he believes Brunei should find its security in Southeast Asia.
15th November 2000:
The APEC Summit got underway with Bolkiah in the Chairman’s seat and Try looking around at leaders of some of the world’s most prosperous economies. He sat next to Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin at the opening session. At the APEC Photo Op in which all the leaders wore a Bruneian blue shirt, Try stood next to an effusive President of Philippines Joseph Estrada who thanked him for asking for the MNLF’s exclusion as an observer. Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand was there though she and Try awkwardly avoided each other.
At the APEC CEO Summit, attended by businessmen and executives from APEC members the President got his audience not to mention other countries perking up with his address.
“Indonesia’s economic recovery was unique. We didn’t take a road to recovery that was self-reliant the way Malaysia’s is and we didn’t wholly prescribe to the road laid down by the IMF. But the road we did take is neither more nor less legitimate than what other nations have taken. A road to recovery that is right for us doesn’t mean that others have to take the same way if it isn’t suitable for them.
The same can be said to be true of political systems; whatever political system nations have chosen is neither more nor less legitimate than what other nations have chosen. A political system suitable in one nation is not necessarily suitable with others.
On the sidelines of the summit, Try, accompanied by Ginandjar, Soedradjad, and Edi met with President of Russia Yevgeny Primakov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov, and Russian Minister of Economics and Trade Herman Gref. The two were filled with flatteries with each other; Try thanking Primakov for adopting a non-violent approach to Chechnya and Primakov saying that Try’s guidance of Indonesia to economic recovery. The two groups of officials discussed potential areas of cooperation between Indonesia and Russia, Primakov reminding Try that Russia still has on hold the 12 Sukhoi fighter jets Soeharto wanted to purchase in 1997.
For Try, the real talk came as the meeting wrapped up. He asked Primakov if he truly wanted a New Cold War. Primakov laughed when he heard that.
“I just want to put a check on American power, Mr. President”, said Primakov “You can’t tell me the idea doesn’t have any appeal to you.”
16th November 2000:
The APEC Summit comes to a close with a communiqué by the leaders committing themselves to more open markets. The highlight of the day however was the sight of President of China Jiang Zemin accompanied by Chief Executive of Hong Kong Tung Chee Hwa engaging in “informal talks” with President of Taiwan James Soong. Soong’s policy of engagement with the mainland had reaped its rewards for Jiang had expressed no problem to Soong’s attendance at the Summit.
For the Indonesian delegation, the big meeting today was with President of the United States Bill Clinton today. Ginandjar, Soedradjad, and Edi once again accompanied Try to meet with Clinton. The latter was accompanied by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers, and White House Chief of Staff John Podesta.
Among the talk of trade and various other issues, the conversation got heated about the President’s speech the previous day. Summers reminded Try that Malaysia hasn’t recovered from the economic crisis yet and that Thailand only did because it listened to the IMF. Try restrained his side of the table from trying to get the “final say” out of respect of the fact that this was probably the last time he was going to see Clinton as president.
As the President and his delegation left the meeting room with Clinton, he breathed a sigh of relief that the week was over though he was full of thoughts about Indonesia’s place in the world.
“We’re in a better place than most but we can only dream about being as strong as the likes of China, Japan or Germany, much less the United States”, Try reflected to Edi “Domestically, we still have to develop the economy and increase living standards so we’ll be stronger. Internationally, we’re the first nation out the crisis in our region and we’re the largest Muslim country but our power’s limited. That’s why we could have more of an influence if the other nations in our region act as one bloc.”
---
The ASEM, OIC, and APEC Summit down, the ASEAN Unofficial Summit to go in this summit season.
This update provides a bit of a peak into things that are happening internationally which can be divided as follows:
Still as OTL:
-Ariel Sharon still visits the Temple Mount and provokes the Al Aqsa Intifada
-Turkey is going through a bad economic situation
Things happening ITTL as a result of butterflies:
-Malaysia not yet out of the crisis, politically unstable, and in a way in Indonesia's OTL spot (OTL: Malaysia's already out of the crisis)
-China responding well enough to the more friendly stance of the Taiwanese Government to allow the President of Taiwan to attend the APEC Summit and have “informal talks” (OTL: Taiwan only allowed to send an “Economic Representative” to APEC)
-Prime Minister Paul Martin in Canada (OTL: Chretien still Prime Minister)
And of course the big one, John McCain and George W. Bush of the Republican Party overcomes Al Gore and Evan Bayh (Gore/Bayh already a deviation from OTL’s Gore/Liebermann).
103: Feisal Tanjung's Revelations
16th November 2000:
At 9 PM Indonesian time, President Try Sutrisno and his delegation touched down at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Jakarta after attending the OIC and APEC Summits. After the President disappeared into his vehicles, the reporters crowded around Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie. They asked Habibie about the lecture he gave in Bahrain and how while the President met with world leaders at the OIC and the APEC Summits, Habibie too was given the opportunity to meet these very same leaders. This despite the fact that he was officially not a state official.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to join the President’s delegation on this trip”, said Habibie “I think his Government is doing a lot of worthwhile things for the nation and I’m happy to be associated with it.”
“Does this have anything to do with the President wanting to display his support for your re-election a the upcoming ICMI National Congress?” came the question from a reporter.
“As I said I’m just happy to be associated with the Government”, replied Habibie before disappearing inside his car.
17th November 2000:
In a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the President promoted Mshl. Ali Munsiri Rappe to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and swore him in as the new Air Force Chief of Staff.
At ICMI’s Head Office, ICMI Secretary Adi Sasono announced that he will be a candidate for the chairmanship of ICMI at the ICMI National Congress. Adi said that he wants ICMI to be an independent organization and in an apparent shot at Habibie said that ICMI has ceased to be a neutral since the President included more of its cadres during the 1999 Cabinet Reshuffle, becoming more and more overt in its support to the government.
18th November 2000:
Commander of ABRI Wiranto emerged out of a meeting with the President this Saturday morning to announce a series of command shuffles. The highlights of which were the following:
*ABRI Chief of General Staff Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gained an ally in Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, who he knew from previous assignments, as Assistant of Personnel. The same went with ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Agus Wirahadikusumah who gained two allies in Maj. Gen. Romulo Simbolon as Assistant of Socio-Political Affairs and Maj. Gen. Saurip Kadi as Assistant of Functional Affairs.
*The President’s former aide-de-camp V.Mshl. Iwan Sidi became ABRI’s Assistant of Intelligence. The appointment strengthens the President’s position not to mention the Air Force’s grip on the intelligence community, the Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency being Ian Santoso Perdanakusuma, increasingly a favorite with the President and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo.
*The Navy gets a three-star ABRI position in the shape of V. Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh who gets appointed Commander of ABRI Academy.
20th November 2000:
The President met with Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Head of Bulog Adang Ruchiatna, and Head of Setdal Bimas Usman Hasan. With the minister and the two officials, the President went through the agriculture statistics looking at various crops where production could be increased.
“Three priorities: first is rice which is always a priority; second is animal produce namely meat, egg, and milk; and third…”, Try said looking at the papers in front of him “Is soybean. Make sure there’s enough tofu and tempeh for 200 million people.”
21st November 2000:
It seemed like a routine day for the President with paperworks to sign and policy documents to read. The evening was spent with State Secretary Edi Sudrajat and Deputy State Secretary Soedibyo Rahardjo going over the talking points for the ASEAN Unofficial Summit which will be held in Singapore the next day.
Then OCDS Sugeng Subroto barged in. Try joked about getting a headache but saw that the latter’s face was serious.
“You need to check RCTI, Mr. President”, he said.
Edi Sudrajat turned on the television in the President’s office and all eyes turned to it, seeing former Commander of ABRI Feisal Tanjung being interviewed by someone off-screen.
“Before the break, you said that one of the things you don’t understand about current political affairs is the President’s support for the Chairman of ICMI and that that lack of understanding is because of something which happened on the day President Soeharto died, could you explain what this something was?” asked the interviewer.
“Well what I’m about to tell you, only three people know about: BJ Habibie, Prabowo Subianto, and myself”, began Feisal.
“What the hell is he doing?” asked Edi.
“…so there we were at Halim Perdanakusuma. President Soeharto has just been declared dead. Everyone’s said their prayers and the family’s been summoned though they were not there yet. State Secretary Moerdiono told me that he was going to tell Vice President Try that constitutionally he’s the next President, Army Chief of Staff Wiranto went with him. I was going to with him but there was a hand on my shoulder, it was Mr. Habibie who was then the Minister of Research and Technology and Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, Commander of the Kopassus.
“What are they doing?” asked Habibie.
“They’re off to tell the Vice President about what just happened”, I said “And making sure the succession is conducted.”
Habibie paused. He looked at Prabowo and then to me.
“General Feisal”, he began “If the succession could be settled now, would you be on my side?”
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“We have the Commander of Kopassus here and he has Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on his side and we have you…the Commander of ABRI without no one to answer to until the new President is sworn in”, said Habibie.
“Minister, there’s no one I would rather see succeed President Soeharto than you”, I said “But not like this….””
“Pardon me for interrupting”, said the interviewer “but you’re implying here that Mr. Habibie…”
“I’m not implying anything, this was something that actually was happening. There was a power vacuum after President Soeharto had died but before Vice President Try was sworn in…a power vacuum that could’ve been filled by anyone whether that be the Commander of ABRI or as is the case may be, the Minister of Research and Technology.
I told Mr. Habibie that it doesn’t have to be this way since the 1998 MPR Session was just 100 or so days away. The Vice President will assume power as the President tonight but he’s only completing President Soeharto’s term. After 100 or so days, who knows if he’ll even hold on.
“Must it be settled tonight or can you wait another 100 days?” I asked him.
“I can wait. I’ll give him his reprieve, I’m confident that I can be the president at the 1998 MPR Session”, said Habibie after some thought…”
Edi’s eyes narrowed and he was enraged that Habibie had, whether he realized it or not, contemplated a coup to fill in the power vacuum left behind by Soeharto.
“That’s why I don’t understand Mr. Habibie being part of the President’s coalition, having ICMI cadres as Government ministers, and having a generally close relationship with the Government when he saw himself as having precedent to the presidential succession”, concluded Feisal.
As angry as Edi was, he saw Try looking white with rage and realized that he had to be the calm one in the room.
“Don’t feel guilty, it had nothing to do with you but you should leave now”, Edi told Soedibyo Rahardjo whose daughter was married to Habibie’s son.
---
Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas watched the interview in his office. He chuckled himself in the process.
Tutut had risen to be Chairwoman of Golkar because the President had been slow to show his open support for his favored candidate, in this case Harmoko. Ever since, the President had not wasted any time showing his support for favored candidates; openly supporting Matori Abdul Djalil in the PPP’s National Congress and Amien Rais a Muhammadiyah’s National Congress.
But Harsudiono wondered about President’s inclusion of Habibie in the official delegation. It seemed that the President was happy for Habibie to campaign for re-election until Hartono declared he will be a candidate. At that point, in a seemingly kneejerk reaction, the President included Habibie in his delegation to the OIC and APEC.
Harsudiono had thought that this inclusion was overboard but became positively worried at the coverage given to Habibie during the President’s trips to the OIC and APEC. The TVRI coverage had made sure that the first thing shown after the President’s activities was that of Habibie’s. Harsudiono had called CEO of TVRI Roni Sikap Sinuraya to “ease up” but the latter had said that this was “The State Secretariat’s request”.
And now this interview…this can’t be a coincidence…the “other side” used Hartono as a bait to get the President to think that he has to show the full extent of his support to Habibie or risk ICMI falling into Tutut’s camp.
“They tricked Try into showing full support for someone who’s been revealed to think he had a better claim to the presidency than Try did”, muttered Harsudiono “The President’s been made to look like a fool.”
---
It was Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo’s luck that he was having dinner with Benny Moerdani when the interview came on. Benny looked at Feisal Tanjung on the screen and scowled.
“You need to go to the President”, growled Benny.
“What should I tell him?” asked Ari.
Benny looked at the screen.
“If he thinks he can solve this by not going to the ASEAN Summit, he’s wrong”, said Benny “If he shows that he’s affected by this, it’ll weaken his claim for leadership in ASEAN. No doubt the timing of this interview is not coincidental. The President MUST go to Singapore tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Sir”, said Ari as he stood up.
“One more thing”, said Benny causing Ari to stop at the doorway.
“Yes, Pak Benny?” asked Ari.
“Tutut and Megawati have already made up their minds what they want to try to do in the next few years”, said Benny “I suggest that Try start thinking in the same direction as those 2 ladies are.”
---
This is one of those things I’d always envisioned when I began thinking of this TL. I’d always known that Habibie was tempted to seize power (with the backing of at least Prabowo) during the short time between Soeharto’s death and Try’s swearing in and when Try succeeded in drawing Habibie to his coalition, I knew that this revelation was just waiting for the right time to be revealed.
At 9 PM Indonesian time, President Try Sutrisno and his delegation touched down at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Jakarta after attending the OIC and APEC Summits. After the President disappeared into his vehicles, the reporters crowded around Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie. They asked Habibie about the lecture he gave in Bahrain and how while the President met with world leaders at the OIC and the APEC Summits, Habibie too was given the opportunity to meet these very same leaders. This despite the fact that he was officially not a state official.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to join the President’s delegation on this trip”, said Habibie “I think his Government is doing a lot of worthwhile things for the nation and I’m happy to be associated with it.”
“Does this have anything to do with the President wanting to display his support for your re-election a the upcoming ICMI National Congress?” came the question from a reporter.
“As I said I’m just happy to be associated with the Government”, replied Habibie before disappearing inside his car.
17th November 2000:
In a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the President promoted Mshl. Ali Munsiri Rappe to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and swore him in as the new Air Force Chief of Staff.
At ICMI’s Head Office, ICMI Secretary Adi Sasono announced that he will be a candidate for the chairmanship of ICMI at the ICMI National Congress. Adi said that he wants ICMI to be an independent organization and in an apparent shot at Habibie said that ICMI has ceased to be a neutral since the President included more of its cadres during the 1999 Cabinet Reshuffle, becoming more and more overt in its support to the government.
18th November 2000:
Commander of ABRI Wiranto emerged out of a meeting with the President this Saturday morning to announce a series of command shuffles. The highlights of which were the following:
*ABRI Chief of General Staff Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gained an ally in Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, who he knew from previous assignments, as Assistant of Personnel. The same went with ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Agus Wirahadikusumah who gained two allies in Maj. Gen. Romulo Simbolon as Assistant of Socio-Political Affairs and Maj. Gen. Saurip Kadi as Assistant of Functional Affairs.
*The President’s former aide-de-camp V.Mshl. Iwan Sidi became ABRI’s Assistant of Intelligence. The appointment strengthens the President’s position not to mention the Air Force’s grip on the intelligence community, the Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency being Ian Santoso Perdanakusuma, increasingly a favorite with the President and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo.
*The Navy gets a three-star ABRI position in the shape of V. Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh who gets appointed Commander of ABRI Academy.
20th November 2000:
The President met with Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Head of Bulog Adang Ruchiatna, and Head of Setdal Bimas Usman Hasan. With the minister and the two officials, the President went through the agriculture statistics looking at various crops where production could be increased.
“Three priorities: first is rice which is always a priority; second is animal produce namely meat, egg, and milk; and third…”, Try said looking at the papers in front of him “Is soybean. Make sure there’s enough tofu and tempeh for 200 million people.”
21st November 2000:
It seemed like a routine day for the President with paperworks to sign and policy documents to read. The evening was spent with State Secretary Edi Sudrajat and Deputy State Secretary Soedibyo Rahardjo going over the talking points for the ASEAN Unofficial Summit which will be held in Singapore the next day.
Then OCDS Sugeng Subroto barged in. Try joked about getting a headache but saw that the latter’s face was serious.
“You need to check RCTI, Mr. President”, he said.
Edi Sudrajat turned on the television in the President’s office and all eyes turned to it, seeing former Commander of ABRI Feisal Tanjung being interviewed by someone off-screen.
“Before the break, you said that one of the things you don’t understand about current political affairs is the President’s support for the Chairman of ICMI and that that lack of understanding is because of something which happened on the day President Soeharto died, could you explain what this something was?” asked the interviewer.
“Well what I’m about to tell you, only three people know about: BJ Habibie, Prabowo Subianto, and myself”, began Feisal.
“What the hell is he doing?” asked Edi.
“…so there we were at Halim Perdanakusuma. President Soeharto has just been declared dead. Everyone’s said their prayers and the family’s been summoned though they were not there yet. State Secretary Moerdiono told me that he was going to tell Vice President Try that constitutionally he’s the next President, Army Chief of Staff Wiranto went with him. I was going to with him but there was a hand on my shoulder, it was Mr. Habibie who was then the Minister of Research and Technology and Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, Commander of the Kopassus.
“What are they doing?” asked Habibie.
“They’re off to tell the Vice President about what just happened”, I said “And making sure the succession is conducted.”
Habibie paused. He looked at Prabowo and then to me.
“General Feisal”, he began “If the succession could be settled now, would you be on my side?”
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“We have the Commander of Kopassus here and he has Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on his side and we have you…the Commander of ABRI without no one to answer to until the new President is sworn in”, said Habibie.
“Minister, there’s no one I would rather see succeed President Soeharto than you”, I said “But not like this….””
“Pardon me for interrupting”, said the interviewer “but you’re implying here that Mr. Habibie…”
“I’m not implying anything, this was something that actually was happening. There was a power vacuum after President Soeharto had died but before Vice President Try was sworn in…a power vacuum that could’ve been filled by anyone whether that be the Commander of ABRI or as is the case may be, the Minister of Research and Technology.
I told Mr. Habibie that it doesn’t have to be this way since the 1998 MPR Session was just 100 or so days away. The Vice President will assume power as the President tonight but he’s only completing President Soeharto’s term. After 100 or so days, who knows if he’ll even hold on.
“Must it be settled tonight or can you wait another 100 days?” I asked him.
“I can wait. I’ll give him his reprieve, I’m confident that I can be the president at the 1998 MPR Session”, said Habibie after some thought…”
Edi’s eyes narrowed and he was enraged that Habibie had, whether he realized it or not, contemplated a coup to fill in the power vacuum left behind by Soeharto.
“That’s why I don’t understand Mr. Habibie being part of the President’s coalition, having ICMI cadres as Government ministers, and having a generally close relationship with the Government when he saw himself as having precedent to the presidential succession”, concluded Feisal.
As angry as Edi was, he saw Try looking white with rage and realized that he had to be the calm one in the room.
“Don’t feel guilty, it had nothing to do with you but you should leave now”, Edi told Soedibyo Rahardjo whose daughter was married to Habibie’s son.
---
Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas watched the interview in his office. He chuckled himself in the process.
Tutut had risen to be Chairwoman of Golkar because the President had been slow to show his open support for his favored candidate, in this case Harmoko. Ever since, the President had not wasted any time showing his support for favored candidates; openly supporting Matori Abdul Djalil in the PPP’s National Congress and Amien Rais a Muhammadiyah’s National Congress.
But Harsudiono wondered about President’s inclusion of Habibie in the official delegation. It seemed that the President was happy for Habibie to campaign for re-election until Hartono declared he will be a candidate. At that point, in a seemingly kneejerk reaction, the President included Habibie in his delegation to the OIC and APEC.
Harsudiono had thought that this inclusion was overboard but became positively worried at the coverage given to Habibie during the President’s trips to the OIC and APEC. The TVRI coverage had made sure that the first thing shown after the President’s activities was that of Habibie’s. Harsudiono had called CEO of TVRI Roni Sikap Sinuraya to “ease up” but the latter had said that this was “The State Secretariat’s request”.
And now this interview…this can’t be a coincidence…the “other side” used Hartono as a bait to get the President to think that he has to show the full extent of his support to Habibie or risk ICMI falling into Tutut’s camp.
“They tricked Try into showing full support for someone who’s been revealed to think he had a better claim to the presidency than Try did”, muttered Harsudiono “The President’s been made to look like a fool.”
---
It was Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo’s luck that he was having dinner with Benny Moerdani when the interview came on. Benny looked at Feisal Tanjung on the screen and scowled.
“You need to go to the President”, growled Benny.
“What should I tell him?” asked Ari.
Benny looked at the screen.
“If he thinks he can solve this by not going to the ASEAN Summit, he’s wrong”, said Benny “If he shows that he’s affected by this, it’ll weaken his claim for leadership in ASEAN. No doubt the timing of this interview is not coincidental. The President MUST go to Singapore tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Sir”, said Ari as he stood up.
“One more thing”, said Benny causing Ari to stop at the doorway.
“Yes, Pak Benny?” asked Ari.
“Tutut and Megawati have already made up their minds what they want to try to do in the next few years”, said Benny “I suggest that Try start thinking in the same direction as those 2 ladies are.”
---
This is one of those things I’d always envisioned when I began thinking of this TL. I’d always known that Habibie was tempted to seize power (with the backing of at least Prabowo) during the short time between Soeharto’s death and Try’s swearing in and when Try succeeded in drawing Habibie to his coalition, I knew that this revelation was just waiting for the right time to be revealed.
The First Family
The First Family
Nearly three years ago, they had thought that the head of their family would be returning to them to enjoy retirement after he had completed his term as vice president. But the massive stroke suffered by President Soeharto on 29th November 1997 changed all that. The head of the family succeeded to the presidency before being elected to a full 5 year term in his own right and they moved to the Presidential Palace with the nation fervently praying that they would not be “as bad” the previous First Family. We present to you now, a quick snapshot of President Try Sutrisno’s First Family
Tuti Setiawati:
The First Lady shares something in common with her husband: both are younger than they look, providing the Try Presidency with a sense of youth and freshness. Since her husband’s rise to the presidency, the First Lady can almost always being seen accompanying the President on events and visits both domestic and foreign though the First Lady’s own schedule is something that could not be underestimated. Being the daughter of a teacher and a board member of a family foundation which owns a boarding school (she resigned this board membership upon becoming First Lady), the First Lady’s interest lies in education. In the years since she took on this role, the First Lady has become an advocate of private education calling on the private sector to participate in the nation’s education sector.
The First Lady’s most significant contribution to her office thus far has been the creation of a staff headed by a Secretary to the First Lady. There were eyebrows raised when she made the request after the President was elected to his first full term in 1998 but State Secretary Edi Sudrajat was ready to oblige. Mirroring her husband’s desire to make the Vice Presidency stronger, the First Lady has also requested that a staff be set up to assist the Second Lady led by a Secretary to the Second Lady.
The moment where she truly came into her own was when she attended the 25th Anniversary of the Civil Servants’ Wife Association (Dharma Wanita) in 1999. Unaccompanied by the President and delivering a speech written by her own staff rather than the President’s, the First Lady showed confidence telling the Dharma Wanita members that “for better or for worse, we have an influence over our husbands. And if that is the case, let our influence be for the better”.
To close friends, the First Lady had expressed regret and even sadness that the President’s relationship with the Soeharto family, especially with Tutut Soeharto, has “come to this”. It is thought that the President shares this sentiment though sentiments towards the Soeharto family are not something he could no longer afford.
Drg. Nora Trystiana:
Much as his predecessor, the President’s eldest child is a daughter. Though a dentist, Nora has lived all around Indonesia as she followed her husband on his assignments. Since 1999, however, Nora has lived in Jakarta where she currently works as a dentist at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital. Those who work there can verify that the stories about her being down-to-earth to the point of being approachable are true. Outside of her work, Nora campaigns to build tooth brushing awareness for children.
Nora is married to ABRI Assistant of Planning Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu. Given his status as the President’s son-in-law and the way the previous presidential son-in-law had become a powerful player in his own right, there was always a suspicion or expectation that Ryamizard would leverage his status to advance his career. Ryamizard and Nora were not unaware of these sentiments and agreed that they would not “ask the President” for anything in terms of Ryamizard’s career prospects but would not reject it either.
The cynics will argue that the President is afraid of upsetting the officer corps if he was to advance Ryamizard’s career though supporters will argue that the President simply thinks it’s inappropriate to advance his own son-in-law. Either way, it is still a mystery how the President will deal with his son-in-law’s military career for while he had not shown overt favoritism to Ryamizard, the President had not totally sidelined Ryamizard yet.
Nora’s brother-in-law and brother to Ryamizard is Syamsurya Ryacudu. A political scientist lecturer at the University of Bandar Lampung, Syamsurya was active in the Lampung Provincial Branch of Operation Lifeboat which has now turned into the Lampung Provincial Branch of the PKPI. It is almost certain that Syamsurya will run for a DPR seat at the 2002 Legislative Elections.
Ir. Taufik Dwi Cahyono:
Taufik Dwi Cahyono was a boy when a firecracker exploded left him nearly blind and his father was then the aide-de-camp to President Soeharto. While Try mentally prepared his son to accept blindness, news of this accident got to Soeharto. Soeharto intervened to send Taufik to Boston, United States and paid for his eye surgery.
Those close to the First Family said when asked what he thought of Soeharto, the President would fall silent and sink deep in thought before saying “He has been good to me and I only have to look at Cheppy [Taufik’s nickname] to see that.” Family members said that since he became embroiled in his rivalry with Tutut Soeharto, the President is developing a habit of cryptically patting Taufik on the shoulder with a sad expression on his face.
Taufik himself is an Aviation Engineer, gaining his degree at the Delft University at the Netherlands, and presently works as a manager at the IPTN, the state-owned enterprise which builds aircrafts originally established by BJ Habibie in 1976.
Maj. (Police) Firman Santyabudi:
The first of two sons in the family to take the military route though in Firman’s case he chose the Police rather than the Army. Recently promoted to the rank of major in the most recent ABRI command shuffle, Firman is assigned as an officer at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Division where he stays out of the limelight.
Firman’s father-in-law is DPR Member Soedardjat Nataatmadja. Soedardjat is a retired Army Major General best known for being the Regent of Bogor and the Lieutenant Governor of Irian Jaya. The President has been known to use Soedardjat as his “unofficial spy” at the DPR to give him updates on developments there. Soedardjat has joined the PKPI.
Nori Chandrawati SH:
The middle child of the First Family is a law graduate from the University of Indonesia though her day-to-day occupation is managing the foundation her mother resigned from when she became the First Lady. Nori shares her mother’s interest in promoting education and is married to Irwan Edi Ekoputro, an economics lecturer at the University of Indonesia.
Isfan Fajar Satryo, MBA.:
Out of all the President’s children, the one considered “most like” the Soeharto children would be his fifth child, Isfan Fajar Satryo. Isfan entered the business world when his father became vice president and quickly came to accumulate business interests in oil and gas, coal, property development and cement by the time his father ascended to the presidency. Upon his election to a full 5 year term, the President was said to instruct his son to “maintain and expand” what he has now.
Such instructions were not enough to keep Isfan out of potential trouble. When the Government was allowing the price of cement to be determined by the market, the Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) ,of which Isfan was a member, sent Isfan to lobby Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo to reverse the decision. The President and the Minister of Industry stood firm. At home, the President berated his son for getting involved.
Isfan is also becoming involved in politics. He had already become a Golkar member and had been chosen to an MPR Delegate; in the latter capacity, Isfan voted for his father en route to his first full 5 year term. With Golkar dissolved, Isfan has also registered himself to become a PKPI member the only one of his siblings to have done so.
Isfan is married to model Sarah Dharmawan.
Capt. Kunto Arief Wibowo:
The second of Try Sutrisno’s children to enter military life is his sixth child, Kunto Arief Wibowo. To the delight of his father, Kunto joined the Army where he is now presently working his way up the ranks in Kostrad. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1999.
Much as his brother, Firman, Kunto kept his head down and focused on his work. The President’s fortune with his two sons was that they were too far down the ranks for him to be concerned about their promotions, the President’s jurisdiction being limited to the promotions of those wishing get above the rank of colonel. The President used this distance to remark that he “did not want to know” about how his sons were doing instructing only that the usual rotations and tours of duties be applied to his sons unconditionally.
Natalia Indrasari:
Much as Soeharto’s children, the youngest of the President’s children is also a daughter. Natalia is the only one of the President’s children still completing her education, presently pursuing her Masters Degree in Psychology at the University of Indonesia. She confesses that she does not keep up with Indonesian politics and “neither does Dad whenever he’s around at home.”
---
Just wanted a break from all the politics so we take a look now at the First Lady, the Presidential children, other members of the Presidential family.
Difficult to find detailed information about Try’s children seems they’re just trying get by in their lives. Most of the stuff here are things that happened to them ITTL.
Taufik Dwi Cahyono’s near blindness is something that happened OTL.( https://soeharto.co/try-sutrisno-perjalanan-rahasia/ 2nd from last paragraph).
104: Summit Season Part III
22nd November 2000:
President Try Sutrisno departed Jakarta for the ASEAN Unofficial Summit early enough that he was welcomed in a ceremony and had breakfast with President of Singapore SR Nathan before, being accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, having a quick meeting with Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong, Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Lee Hsien Loong, and Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Goh said that looking at Indonesia’s activities over the past few months ie. the Sipadan Hostage extraction, he supported Indonesia in principle if it wants to play a leadership role in ASEAN but said that if Malaysia doesn’t support Indonesia’s leadership, that puts Singapore in a difficult situation since it still relies on its water with Malaysia. Lee said that Singapore would like some more time to consider its options. Try respected this. Ginandjar noted however that the two Lees were not exactly pleased by this.
All 10 heads of states and government from the ASEAN gathered for the unofficial summit. All made their opening speeches including Try, who commanded the entire Summit’s attention with his speech, which included the following:
“The results of the US Presidential Elections as well as the outgoing Clinton Administration and the Primakov’s stances of supporting different sides in a conflict in Serbia and the Presidential Elections in Romania all point to the world falling back into two blocs. Southeast Asia should prevent itself from falling into one of these two blocs as it did in the Cold War nor should it be in a position where it comes into a position where it is reliant on a major power. Instead Southeast Asia should form its own bloc so that it can find its security from it and act in its own interests.”
The Indonesian delegation loved the speech. While the other speeches were relatively dull, it was the speech of Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in which he said:
“ASEAN already has the Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality Declaration signed in Malaysia 1971. We have that to fall back on if the world were to fall into two blocs. Let us work together through institutions which we already have and which we have already spent so much time working on painstakingly rather then commit ourselves to uncertain ventures.”
“Is this guy really under that much pressure at home that he’s at the point of reading speeches that doesn’t represent his point of view?” muttered State Secretary Edi Sudrajat.
Try evidently heard Edi’s muttering because he too asked about how things were going back in Indonesia though Edi would not allow him to watch television so that he could remain focused on the Summit.
It was just as well that Edi didn’t allow Try to get news from Indonesia. Appearing on TVRI was Prabowo Subianto, confirming Feisal Tanjung’s story and repeating the question over and over again about whether or not the President “can trust Habibie now”.
23rd November 2000:
The key meeting of the day was between President Try (accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Edi Sudrajat, and Ambassador to ASEAN I Gede Awet Sara) with Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra (with Minister of Foreign Afairs Surakiart Sathirathai and Minister to the Office of Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang). In among various matters, they talked about the situation in Southeast Asia.
Thaksin said that it will be hard for Try to build his bloc without Malaysia onboard. In addition to being a big nation, Malaysia controls Singapore’s water supply and envelopes Brunei on all sides. Get Malaysia on board and it would probably be easier to get Singapore and Brunei on board. And if Singapore and Brunei is on board, then Indonesia has Southeast Asia’s two richest countries supporting him. Over in Thailand’s part of Southeast Asia, Thaksin said that Laos is struggling economically this year but this is being cushioned somewhat by Thai and Indonesian investments in the country. Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen is a very high risk of falling into Chinese orbit and bringing his country along with him. But Thaksin said he has good relations with Hun Sen and will do his best to neutralize it.
After Thaksin left, Try asked those in the room what to make of the meetng with Thaksin, all agreed that Thaksin was offering Thailand for the role of Indonesia’s lieutenant in Southeast Asia.
Back in Jakarta, Chairman of ICMI Habibie had avoided taking questions for 2 days on Feisal Tanjung’s revelations. This was affecting his campaign for re-election as PKPI members were no longer attending his events. Both DPR Member Hartono and ICMI Secretary Adi Sasono campaigned around the country for the ICMI Chairmanship, the former in events attended by PKPB members and the latter attended by Islamist groups on campus.
24th November 2000:
The Summit’s Sessions today got heated when Malaysia and Cambodia today asked that the suspension of ASEAN Free Trade Area implementation preparations agreed to at the 1998 ASEAN Summit be lifted. At that 2 summit 2 years ago, all 10 ASEAN Members had agreed to delay the coming into effect of the ASEAN Free Trade Area to allow all 10 economies to recover and provide a level playing field. No consensus was reached on what step to take but even Philippines, despite being sympathetic to Indonesia, was interested.
Try was sufficiently upset at Malaysia’s conduct that he got up to speak to Badawi when the session was over in a corner of the convention room. Badawi said that his instincts was for better relations with Indonesia and for Malaysia to be in Indonesia’s bloc but that the pressure was overwhelming him from inside the Malaysian Government not to do so.
“Whatever happens to him in his country’s politics, let’s just leave him be and look for another country in the region to work closely with”, said Try.
Today was the day the ASEAN Summit became ASEAN+3 with the Presidents of China and Korea as well as the Prime Minister of Japan flying in.
Accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Edi Sudrajat, Try got to sit down with Prime Minister of Japan Koichi Kato, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Hiroyuki Hosoda, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshiro Mori. Try congratulated Kato on his re-election the previous month. Kato thanked him for it. But to Try’s frustration, Kato maintained that he will set Japan for a “middle way” that Japan has good relations with both the United States and China. Try was not impressed with this even as Indonesia and Japan agreed for cooperation in railways.
“In Malaysia, internal politics is keeping Badawi from joining our bloc. In Japan, the Prime Minister is not all-powerful and has to deal with factions, their internal politics is probably what’s keeping Japan from falling into China’s camp”, said Ginandjar after the meeting.
25th November 2000:
It was the first meeting of the day. Try as always took Ginandjar and Edi with him. Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan was appreciative at seeing the trio again after meeting them at the ASEM Summit. Try was most interested in President of China Jiang Zemin.
Jiang gave a survey of world affairs saying that it was a regret tha he would “lose Clinton soon”. He all but bragged about China’s power in the world stage how it will overtake Germany and Japan and how China is growing its influence in Africa. Try sat calmly. Then Jiang moved on to Indonesia saying that he would like China to have a great bilateral relationship with Indonesia because a great relationship with Indonesia could influence China’s relationship with the entire region.
“You are after all the leader in Southeast Asia”, said Jiang with a sly smile that said that he knew about what Try was doing and his struggles in it.
It was not the first time Try had met Jiang. But it was the first time Try had met Jiang after he had become increasingly active in foreign affairs and Jiang did everything in the meeting to indirectly lay down the law that Indonesia does not have the ability to challenge China. Try bit his tongue through what became a one-sided conversation. He wanted Jiang to think that his message was getting through. At the end of it all, he just said “China truly is a great nation and we have much to learn.”
The Summit drew to a close. While a communiqué was issued hailing close cooperation across various fields in Southeast Asia, Try held another meeting with Thaksin. The two agreed to form 2 teams headed respectively by Vice President JB Sumarlin and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Barnharn Silpa-Archa to negotiate a cooperation treaty. After this was agreed to, Try flew back to Jakarta.
26th November 2000:
Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie spent most of the Sunday afternoon at the Presidential Palace in a private meeting with the President. When he came out, Habibie told the reporters that he had explained ‘everything’ to the President and admitted bluntly that what Feisal Tanjung had said a few days ago was correct. Habibie added that he “wasn’t the only one who wanted to be president after President Soeharto had died, just the only one brave enough to express his ambitions openly”. He ended by saying that the President will be emerging soon to also make some comments before leaving.
Sure enough the President emerged some minutes after Habibie had departed with Edi Sudrajat by his side. He was immediately flooded with questions about what was his reaction to Feisal Tanjung’s revelations.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t angry when I first heard these revelations”, Try began “But it’s been a few days and I’ve thought things through. Mr. Habibie’s personal explanation to me also helped. I think Mr. Habibie did not attempt to avoid responsibility and he took ownership about what he said.”
A reporter asked if the President would consider removing ministers who are ICMI members or who are close to Habibie in the cabinet as speculated by the “rumor mill”. Try laughed at this.
“I’ve been at the ASEAN Unofficial Summit at Singapore for the last few days where the State Secretary has shielded me from following the news back home in Indonesia so I’ve been completely in the dark about news much less rumors”, Try replied while nodding and smiling at Edi “But I’ll tell you what I told Mr. Habibie in there that he’s still part of the Pancasila Coalition and ICMI members are still a part of the cabinet.”
27th November 2000:
At the Presidential Palace and in the presence of teachers, university lecturers, the President signed the Teachers and Lecturers’ Bill passed by the DPR while he was away on the ASEAN Unofficial Summit into law. The law guarantees the various rights and responsibilities of teachers and lecturers including the right to receive a salary above the minimum wage and various allowances and families as suits their rank. At the same time the law sets the qualification standards to become teachers and lecturers. Namely a bachelor’s degree or a diploma four for teachers and at least a masters’ degree to become a lecturer.
Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro said that teachers will cease to be “awardless heroes” because the nation will give them an award in the form of their rights to be paid a salary that will allow them to have a living.
28th November 2000:
The President met with Minister of Religion Quraish Shihab. The latter reported that he met with Confucianists who spoke of their plight of not being able to register their marriages at the civil registry and the administrative consequences as a result of that because their religion was not recognized by the Government. Quraish explained that most Confucianists claim that they were of other religions on the ID cards but not all. Try handed Quraish’s report over to Edi and instructed that a study be conducted on it.
At a fast breaking ceremony at his official residence, Chairman of DPR Harmoko had Habibie as his guest of honor. Speaking to reporters after his event was over, Harmoko said that the “revelations” last week was nothing but an attempt by those “hostile towards the President and Habibie” to break apart the Pancasila Coalition. Chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais who attended the ceremony agreed with this and said that the Pancasila Coalition and ICMI must not lose out to the “other side”.
29th November 2000:
It was a lunchtime conference, though this being the fasting month there were no food served. The President met with Vice President JB Sumarlin, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, State Minister of National Security Soerjadi, Edi Sudrajat, and I Gede Awet Sara. On Southeast Asia, the group agreed to consolidate Indonesia’s relationship with Thailand and Try officially appointed Sumarlin as head of a delegation to negotiate a treaty of cooperation with Thailand across various areas.
Try broke his fast that day with the State Secretariat and those who work there. There was a congratulatory mood for this was the 3rd anniversary of his rise to the presidency. When asked to make some comments, Try said the following:
“I’ve interacted with a lot of world leaders lately, got to learn about how their nations are doing, and ended up with the conclusion that we as a nation have a lot of catching up to do. However long I will be in this office, I hope that by the time I leave it, Indonesia would have given a good chase.”
---
So thus far we have the Philippines firmly in the Indonesian camp for the support Indonesia gave in the Philippines’ campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Malaysia proving resistant, Singapore being cautious, and Thailand wanting to be Indonesia’s right hand in mainland Southeast Asia. This will be a long project for Try.
The Teacher and Lecturers’ Law is one of those things that happened a lot earlier ITTL than in OTL. But it’s also something that OTL Wardiman is concerned about as can be seen in his autobiography https://books.google.co.id/books?id...AA#v=onepage&q=wardiman uu guru dosen&f=false
The problems with Confucianist weddings not being recorded because it was not acknowledged as a religion is based on OTL https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/119151/pernikahan-pasangan-konghucu-disahkan-catatan-sipil
Habibie’s ITTL attitude of really wanting the presidency to the point of wanting to ignore Try’s claim of succession and then changing to an attitude of accepting that Try is the President to the point of becoming an ally is a replication of Habibie’s OTL attitude to the presidency of really wanting it to the point of being aggressive when he has a shot at it and being accepting when the presidency was no longer his to hold.
OTL, in the days leading to Soeharto’s fall from power, Soeharto tried to keep power by (publicly) saying on television his resignation won’t solve the crisis because he didn’t think “my successor” would be able to take care of the issue. Habibie, who was Vice President and realizing that he was first in line if Soeharto resigned, could not be more obvious that he wanted to become president was unhappy that this was the way Soeharto felt and told him so. This despite the fact that Soeharto had expected Habibie to resign along with him.
Habibie became president for 17 months and when it became obvious that his presidency was drawing to a close and that he was not enjoying the support required at the 1999 MPR General Session, Habibie without much fuss announced that he was no longer willing to be nominated and threw his weight behind eventual successor Abdurrahman Wahid.
President Try Sutrisno departed Jakarta for the ASEAN Unofficial Summit early enough that he was welcomed in a ceremony and had breakfast with President of Singapore SR Nathan before, being accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, having a quick meeting with Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong, Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Lee Hsien Loong, and Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Goh said that looking at Indonesia’s activities over the past few months ie. the Sipadan Hostage extraction, he supported Indonesia in principle if it wants to play a leadership role in ASEAN but said that if Malaysia doesn’t support Indonesia’s leadership, that puts Singapore in a difficult situation since it still relies on its water with Malaysia. Lee said that Singapore would like some more time to consider its options. Try respected this. Ginandjar noted however that the two Lees were not exactly pleased by this.
All 10 heads of states and government from the ASEAN gathered for the unofficial summit. All made their opening speeches including Try, who commanded the entire Summit’s attention with his speech, which included the following:
“The results of the US Presidential Elections as well as the outgoing Clinton Administration and the Primakov’s stances of supporting different sides in a conflict in Serbia and the Presidential Elections in Romania all point to the world falling back into two blocs. Southeast Asia should prevent itself from falling into one of these two blocs as it did in the Cold War nor should it be in a position where it comes into a position where it is reliant on a major power. Instead Southeast Asia should form its own bloc so that it can find its security from it and act in its own interests.”
The Indonesian delegation loved the speech. While the other speeches were relatively dull, it was the speech of Prime Minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in which he said:
“ASEAN already has the Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality Declaration signed in Malaysia 1971. We have that to fall back on if the world were to fall into two blocs. Let us work together through institutions which we already have and which we have already spent so much time working on painstakingly rather then commit ourselves to uncertain ventures.”
“Is this guy really under that much pressure at home that he’s at the point of reading speeches that doesn’t represent his point of view?” muttered State Secretary Edi Sudrajat.
Try evidently heard Edi’s muttering because he too asked about how things were going back in Indonesia though Edi would not allow him to watch television so that he could remain focused on the Summit.
It was just as well that Edi didn’t allow Try to get news from Indonesia. Appearing on TVRI was Prabowo Subianto, confirming Feisal Tanjung’s story and repeating the question over and over again about whether or not the President “can trust Habibie now”.
23rd November 2000:
The key meeting of the day was between President Try (accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Edi Sudrajat, and Ambassador to ASEAN I Gede Awet Sara) with Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra (with Minister of Foreign Afairs Surakiart Sathirathai and Minister to the Office of Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang). In among various matters, they talked about the situation in Southeast Asia.
Thaksin said that it will be hard for Try to build his bloc without Malaysia onboard. In addition to being a big nation, Malaysia controls Singapore’s water supply and envelopes Brunei on all sides. Get Malaysia on board and it would probably be easier to get Singapore and Brunei on board. And if Singapore and Brunei is on board, then Indonesia has Southeast Asia’s two richest countries supporting him. Over in Thailand’s part of Southeast Asia, Thaksin said that Laos is struggling economically this year but this is being cushioned somewhat by Thai and Indonesian investments in the country. Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen is a very high risk of falling into Chinese orbit and bringing his country along with him. But Thaksin said he has good relations with Hun Sen and will do his best to neutralize it.
After Thaksin left, Try asked those in the room what to make of the meetng with Thaksin, all agreed that Thaksin was offering Thailand for the role of Indonesia’s lieutenant in Southeast Asia.
Back in Jakarta, Chairman of ICMI Habibie had avoided taking questions for 2 days on Feisal Tanjung’s revelations. This was affecting his campaign for re-election as PKPI members were no longer attending his events. Both DPR Member Hartono and ICMI Secretary Adi Sasono campaigned around the country for the ICMI Chairmanship, the former in events attended by PKPB members and the latter attended by Islamist groups on campus.
24th November 2000:
The Summit’s Sessions today got heated when Malaysia and Cambodia today asked that the suspension of ASEAN Free Trade Area implementation preparations agreed to at the 1998 ASEAN Summit be lifted. At that 2 summit 2 years ago, all 10 ASEAN Members had agreed to delay the coming into effect of the ASEAN Free Trade Area to allow all 10 economies to recover and provide a level playing field. No consensus was reached on what step to take but even Philippines, despite being sympathetic to Indonesia, was interested.
Try was sufficiently upset at Malaysia’s conduct that he got up to speak to Badawi when the session was over in a corner of the convention room. Badawi said that his instincts was for better relations with Indonesia and for Malaysia to be in Indonesia’s bloc but that the pressure was overwhelming him from inside the Malaysian Government not to do so.
“Whatever happens to him in his country’s politics, let’s just leave him be and look for another country in the region to work closely with”, said Try.
Today was the day the ASEAN Summit became ASEAN+3 with the Presidents of China and Korea as well as the Prime Minister of Japan flying in.
Accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Edi Sudrajat, Try got to sit down with Prime Minister of Japan Koichi Kato, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Hiroyuki Hosoda, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshiro Mori. Try congratulated Kato on his re-election the previous month. Kato thanked him for it. But to Try’s frustration, Kato maintained that he will set Japan for a “middle way” that Japan has good relations with both the United States and China. Try was not impressed with this even as Indonesia and Japan agreed for cooperation in railways.
“In Malaysia, internal politics is keeping Badawi from joining our bloc. In Japan, the Prime Minister is not all-powerful and has to deal with factions, their internal politics is probably what’s keeping Japan from falling into China’s camp”, said Ginandjar after the meeting.
25th November 2000:
It was the first meeting of the day. Try as always took Ginandjar and Edi with him. Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan was appreciative at seeing the trio again after meeting them at the ASEM Summit. Try was most interested in President of China Jiang Zemin.
Jiang gave a survey of world affairs saying that it was a regret tha he would “lose Clinton soon”. He all but bragged about China’s power in the world stage how it will overtake Germany and Japan and how China is growing its influence in Africa. Try sat calmly. Then Jiang moved on to Indonesia saying that he would like China to have a great bilateral relationship with Indonesia because a great relationship with Indonesia could influence China’s relationship with the entire region.
“You are after all the leader in Southeast Asia”, said Jiang with a sly smile that said that he knew about what Try was doing and his struggles in it.
It was not the first time Try had met Jiang. But it was the first time Try had met Jiang after he had become increasingly active in foreign affairs and Jiang did everything in the meeting to indirectly lay down the law that Indonesia does not have the ability to challenge China. Try bit his tongue through what became a one-sided conversation. He wanted Jiang to think that his message was getting through. At the end of it all, he just said “China truly is a great nation and we have much to learn.”
The Summit drew to a close. While a communiqué was issued hailing close cooperation across various fields in Southeast Asia, Try held another meeting with Thaksin. The two agreed to form 2 teams headed respectively by Vice President JB Sumarlin and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Barnharn Silpa-Archa to negotiate a cooperation treaty. After this was agreed to, Try flew back to Jakarta.
26th November 2000:
Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie spent most of the Sunday afternoon at the Presidential Palace in a private meeting with the President. When he came out, Habibie told the reporters that he had explained ‘everything’ to the President and admitted bluntly that what Feisal Tanjung had said a few days ago was correct. Habibie added that he “wasn’t the only one who wanted to be president after President Soeharto had died, just the only one brave enough to express his ambitions openly”. He ended by saying that the President will be emerging soon to also make some comments before leaving.
Sure enough the President emerged some minutes after Habibie had departed with Edi Sudrajat by his side. He was immediately flooded with questions about what was his reaction to Feisal Tanjung’s revelations.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t angry when I first heard these revelations”, Try began “But it’s been a few days and I’ve thought things through. Mr. Habibie’s personal explanation to me also helped. I think Mr. Habibie did not attempt to avoid responsibility and he took ownership about what he said.”
A reporter asked if the President would consider removing ministers who are ICMI members or who are close to Habibie in the cabinet as speculated by the “rumor mill”. Try laughed at this.
“I’ve been at the ASEAN Unofficial Summit at Singapore for the last few days where the State Secretary has shielded me from following the news back home in Indonesia so I’ve been completely in the dark about news much less rumors”, Try replied while nodding and smiling at Edi “But I’ll tell you what I told Mr. Habibie in there that he’s still part of the Pancasila Coalition and ICMI members are still a part of the cabinet.”
27th November 2000:
At the Presidential Palace and in the presence of teachers, university lecturers, the President signed the Teachers and Lecturers’ Bill passed by the DPR while he was away on the ASEAN Unofficial Summit into law. The law guarantees the various rights and responsibilities of teachers and lecturers including the right to receive a salary above the minimum wage and various allowances and families as suits their rank. At the same time the law sets the qualification standards to become teachers and lecturers. Namely a bachelor’s degree or a diploma four for teachers and at least a masters’ degree to become a lecturer.
Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro said that teachers will cease to be “awardless heroes” because the nation will give them an award in the form of their rights to be paid a salary that will allow them to have a living.
28th November 2000:
The President met with Minister of Religion Quraish Shihab. The latter reported that he met with Confucianists who spoke of their plight of not being able to register their marriages at the civil registry and the administrative consequences as a result of that because their religion was not recognized by the Government. Quraish explained that most Confucianists claim that they were of other religions on the ID cards but not all. Try handed Quraish’s report over to Edi and instructed that a study be conducted on it.
At a fast breaking ceremony at his official residence, Chairman of DPR Harmoko had Habibie as his guest of honor. Speaking to reporters after his event was over, Harmoko said that the “revelations” last week was nothing but an attempt by those “hostile towards the President and Habibie” to break apart the Pancasila Coalition. Chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais who attended the ceremony agreed with this and said that the Pancasila Coalition and ICMI must not lose out to the “other side”.
29th November 2000:
It was a lunchtime conference, though this being the fasting month there were no food served. The President met with Vice President JB Sumarlin, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, State Minister of National Security Soerjadi, Edi Sudrajat, and I Gede Awet Sara. On Southeast Asia, the group agreed to consolidate Indonesia’s relationship with Thailand and Try officially appointed Sumarlin as head of a delegation to negotiate a treaty of cooperation with Thailand across various areas.
Try broke his fast that day with the State Secretariat and those who work there. There was a congratulatory mood for this was the 3rd anniversary of his rise to the presidency. When asked to make some comments, Try said the following:
“I’ve interacted with a lot of world leaders lately, got to learn about how their nations are doing, and ended up with the conclusion that we as a nation have a lot of catching up to do. However long I will be in this office, I hope that by the time I leave it, Indonesia would have given a good chase.”
---
So thus far we have the Philippines firmly in the Indonesian camp for the support Indonesia gave in the Philippines’ campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Malaysia proving resistant, Singapore being cautious, and Thailand wanting to be Indonesia’s right hand in mainland Southeast Asia. This will be a long project for Try.
The Teacher and Lecturers’ Law is one of those things that happened a lot earlier ITTL than in OTL. But it’s also something that OTL Wardiman is concerned about as can be seen in his autobiography https://books.google.co.id/books?id...AA#v=onepage&q=wardiman uu guru dosen&f=false
The problems with Confucianist weddings not being recorded because it was not acknowledged as a religion is based on OTL https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/119151/pernikahan-pasangan-konghucu-disahkan-catatan-sipil
Habibie’s ITTL attitude of really wanting the presidency to the point of wanting to ignore Try’s claim of succession and then changing to an attitude of accepting that Try is the President to the point of becoming an ally is a replication of Habibie’s OTL attitude to the presidency of really wanting it to the point of being aggressive when he has a shot at it and being accepting when the presidency was no longer his to hold.
OTL, in the days leading to Soeharto’s fall from power, Soeharto tried to keep power by (publicly) saying on television his resignation won’t solve the crisis because he didn’t think “my successor” would be able to take care of the issue. Habibie, who was Vice President and realizing that he was first in line if Soeharto resigned, could not be more obvious that he wanted to become president was unhappy that this was the way Soeharto felt and told him so. This despite the fact that Soeharto had expected Habibie to resign along with him.
Habibie became president for 17 months and when it became obvious that his presidency was drawing to a close and that he was not enjoying the support required at the 1999 MPR General Session, Habibie without much fuss announced that he was no longer willing to be nominated and threw his weight behind eventual successor Abdurrahman Wahid.
105: The Intellectuals' Rebellion
30th November 2000:
Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas, to great applause, opened the PKPI’s inaugural National Leadership meeting in Jakarta.
State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia and Special Development Zones Jusuf Kalla announced in a press conference that Indonesia’s special development zones would now be consolidated into Special Economic Zones (SEZ). Kalla said that investors to these SEZs will be given tax incentives, simplified export and import procedures, as well as simplified investment procedures. Kalla added that SEZs will be managed directly by his ministry with coordination and delegation to the respective provincial governments as necessary. Kalla also announced additional regions that will be designated as SEZs.
The SEZs are to comprise of the following:
Previous special development zones that are being consolidated into an SEZ:
*Batam, Riau
*Bintan, Riau
*Sabang, Aceh
*Biak, Irian Jaya
*Natuna, Riau
New SEZs:
*Tanjung Api-Api, South Sumatra
*Bima, West Nusa Tenggara
*Mbay, East Nusa Tenggara
*Batulicin, South Kalimantan
*Bitung, North Sulawesi
*Palu, Central Sulawesi
*Morotai, Maluku
*Baucau, East Timor
1st December 2000:
Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie was seen campaigning for the ICMI Chairmanship in Yogyakarta with Chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais. DPR Member and ICMI Chairman candidate Hartono campaigned in West Sumatra today while ICMI Secretary and ICMI Chairman candidate Adi Sasono campaigned at West Nusa Tenggara. Habibie is still the favorite though the other two candidates is not to be underestimated.
President Try Sutrisno broke his fast at Bimasena Mining Club at Dharmawangsa, Jakarta. The club was opened in late November 1997 and was supposed to have been inaugurated by President Soeharto though he passed away before he had the chance to. Try sat a table with former Minister of Mining and Energy Subroto, who was the Chairman of the club, as well as Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi.
On his way out, the President shook hands with various owners and executives of the mining industry. There was one who shook his hand very effusively and asked someone with the camera to take his picture with the President shaking hands. Djiteng did not like this and was not included in the photo. He farewelled the President, still ignoring Djiteng.
“Who was that?” asked Try.
“Adrianto Machrabie, Mr. President, CEO of PT Freeport Indonesia”, said Djiteng “Our dealings with Freeport will arrive soon on your desk.”
2nd December 2000:
The President received a delegation from the PKPI National Leadership Meeting which finished this morning. It reported that the PKPI National Leadership Council has been formulated and included the following:
Chairman: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Basofi Sudirman
Secretary: Prince Joyokusumo of Yogyakarta
Treasurer: Rambe Kamarulzaman SH
Joyokusumo, a brother of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, was in charge of the membership database back when the PKPI was still Operation Lifeboat. Rambe was an ex-Golkar National Leadership Council member and an ally of Harmoko. Basofi said that he intends to make a selection of who will chair the PKPI’s campaign team.
4th December 2000:
The President met with Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo. He asked him how the leads were in Central Sulawesi. Ari Sudewo said that he’s nearly done and that when he gets done the Government should consider taking “decisive action”. The President nodded in agreement.
Ari Sudewo said that when investigating the USS Cole Bombings in Yemen, one name stuck out: Khalid al-Midhar. Khalid attended the Al Qaeda Summit in Kuala Lumpur in January which was also attended by Hambali. The President asked if Khalid was planning anything in Indonesia. Ari said no because Khalid’s known to be in the United States “taking aircraft flying lessons”.
5th December 2000:
In the morning, the President landed in West Nusa Tenggara where he was welcomed with Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Burhan Magenda and Nusa Tenggara Regional Military Commander I Made Yasa. Immediately upon landing, accompanied by Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja and Minister of Tourism Soeyono, the President inaugurated the Lombok International Airport. From there, the President went to Lembar Harbour to inaugurate the renovation of the piers there.
“The inauguration of these two different but equally important projects represents this province’s desire to develop itself and make no mistake, I think West Nusa Tenggara should not lose out to the island next door”, Try said.
The President and his entourage toured Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara’s capital. As he talked to tourists and hotel owners alike, Soeyono and Magenda reported that one effect of the arrival of foreign tourists since 1998 was that people wanting a “less mainstream experience” are increasingly coming to Lombok. Try told the two of them to facilitate the tourism industry in the province and remove all bureaucratic obstacles. Try broke his fast by meeting provincial and regency officials of West Nusa Tenggara where he urged them to work hard to develop the province and to facilitate the development of the Bima SEZ.
6th December 2000:
After spending the morning at Cakranegara Traditional Market, the President and his entourage flew from Mataram to Surabaya, East Java. After shaking hands with Governor of East Java Haris Sudarno and East Java Regional Military Commander Albert Inkiriwang, he headed for Gresik. At this industrial city he inaugurated the Gresik-Tuban and Surabaya-Gresik toll roads with Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar by his side. In his speech the President said that the nation’s economy relies on East Java and that infrastructure in this province, such as toll roads, are important for East Java’s fulfilling of that function.
Returning to Surabaya, he visited Atom Traditional Market and Tunjungan Mall. After seeing people buying goods at both places, Try gave the thumbs up to Surabaya’s economy saying that the East Javanese only need to go to Surabaya for opportunity. At the mall, he surprised more than a few people by showing up at the prayer room for maghrib prayer before breaking his fast at Tunjungan food court's Hoka Hoka Bento outlet, shaking hands with as many people as he can and as many as his bodyguards allowed him.
7th December 2000:
The President travelled to Malang for his main engagement of the day in the morning. This was the opening of ICMI’s 3rd National Congress doubling as the 10th anniversary of the founding of ICMI which occurred in Malang on the grounds of Brawijaya University. Accompanied by BJ Habibie, the President entered the hall to take his seat to polite, rather than overwhelming applause. After he hit the gong to open the congress, the President departed both the Congress and Malang. He was in Jakarta, by afternoon.
Back at the congress, Habibie was heckled as he delivered his accountability address. Nurmahmudi Ismail questioned Habibie’s stance of support to the government only for Amien Rais to respond in defense of Habibie. The congress hall got tense as those who were for and against the Government battled chants with one another with the interference of Achmad Tirtosudiro as the congress’s chairman calmed things down.
“I can’t believe it”, said Syafii Maarif who was also a Muhammadiyah member “The PPP National Congress, the Muhammadiyah National Congress, and now the ICMI National Congress; must everything in Indonesian politics be about who is for and against President Try Sutrisno or Siti Hardijanti Rukmana?”
8th December 2000:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita issued an official statement directed to the New Zealand Government expressing regret that the latter has now chosen to take in Jose Ramos Horta, the Chairman of the Timor Leste Government-in-Exile.
Back at Malang, the ICMI National Congress took a turn for the worst for Habibie when Adi Sasono announced a press conference saying that he was withdrawing his ICMI Chairmanship candidacy and that he was throwing his support behind Hartono. Hartono who was at the press conference smiled broadly at this and the two shook hands.
“I’m leaking votes left and right, Mr. President, at this stage, I’m not sure if I will be re-elected”, said Habibie over the phone to Try that evening “Though I wait further instructions from you.”
The President facepalmed. Next to him Chairman of DPR Harmoko looked worried while State of Secretary Edi Sudrajat paced back and forth. Chairman of NU Abdurrahman Wahid, who was not a member of ICMI, twitched his nose nervously.
“It’s not only a matter of Habibie not being re-elected”, said Harmoko “It’s a matter of ICMI falling into Tutut’s hands and ICMI joining Tutut’s coalition.”
Presidential Secretary Ismet Hardi knocked on the door and told the President that the Minister of Home Affairs was on the phone. Try put the phone on loud speaker and asked the Minister of Home Affairs if he was still at Malang observing the ICMI National Congress.
“I am, Mr. President”, came Harsudiono Hartas’ voice “It’s rather a fluid situation over here, Habibie’s odds of being re-elected are getting smaller every minute…”
“We know that”, replied Try.
“…but so are Hartono’s odds of being elected”, continued Harsudiono “Another candidate is joining the race.”
Before he had the chance to be surprised, the President was tapped on the shoulder by Edi. Edi pointed in the direction of the television and turned up the volume. Harmoko raised his eyebrow in surprise.
“What’s going on?” asked Wahid, not being able to see.
“It’s Cak Nur, Gus”, said Edi.
On the television, Cak Nur, who was none other than the Rector of Paramadina University and Member of ICMI’s Council of Experts Nurcholish Madjid sat a table flanked by intellectuals of various persuasions including Dawam Rahardjo and Syafii Ma’arif. After hoping that the reporters had broken their fast, Nurcholish began to speak about what has happened in the lead up to and the ICMI National Congress itself.
“It is apparent to me that rather than a contest of ideas about the direction in which this organization is going, how it can best serve Islamic intellectuals, and the place of Islamic intellectuals within Indonesian society, this congress has become yet another battlefield between the two major political forces in Indonesian politics, fighting each other through the respective Chairman of ICMI candidates which they have chosen to support.
I am not one for ambition and office-seeking but with the realization I described to you above and with the support of my fellow ICMI members, I hereby announce that I will be a candidate for the Chairman of ICMI.”
“What do we do now?” asked Try to Harsudiono over the phone.
“Nothing, Mr. President”, said Harsudiono “Just make sure Habibie’s still in the race so the other side can’t say that we’ve switched candidates from Habibie to Nurcholish because we knew Habibie was losing.”
“I mean the congress, not Habibie’s candidacy”, clarified the President.
“Like I said; nothing”, said Harsudiono “We’re not going to get our candidate as the Chairman of ICMI but they’re not going to get Hartono either.”
The phonecall ended. There was silence in the room as everyone in the room contemplated the political consequences.
“What else do you expect, Mr. President?” asked Wahid “These are intellectuals, smart people with independent minds. They probably won’t take it well to be reduced to nothing more than proxies in your battle with Tutut.”
9th December 2000:
It was a surreal day as the ICMI National Congress took a turn no one expected. All throughout the day Nurcholish Madjid was seen meeting and presenting his ideas to various ICMI members and delegations pledging their support. Then, in a voting and vote counting process that began in the afternoon and ended as prime time entertainment, Nurcholish Madjid overcame Hartono and Habibie to become the new Chairman of ICMI.
Watching all this with Taufiq Kiemas in their living room, Megawati Soekarnoputri thought deeply about what was happening. She wondered whether she too could pull off something similar. The President and Tutut Soeharto will be fighting over the presidency and then she could…oh but there’s still so many things to do before she's in a position to make that happen.
10th December 2000:
The ICMI National Congress was closed by Harmoko. The closing session saw the inauguration of new Chairman of ICMI Nurcholish Madjid. Habibie had a big smile on his face as he handed over ICMI’s banner to Nurcholish.
11th December 2000:
The President, accompanied by Harsudiono Hartas and Edi Sudrajat, received an ICMI delegation led by Nurcholish Madjid. The meeting was cordial with the President genuinely pleased that Nurcholish had become chairman of ICMI. There was however some political business to attend.
Not long thereafter, Nurcholish and his delegation emerged out of their meeting with the President. With a big smile, Nurcholish said that the President was “big-hearted” enough to allow ICMI to withdraw from his coalition. Nurcholish was immediately asked whether this meant that ministers who were members of ICMI would be withdrawn from the cabinet.
“That’s for the President to decide”, said Nurcholish “Right now, as Chairman of ICMI, I’m only concerned about working constructively with the Government. If there are ICMI members in the cabinet or anywhere in the Government, that’s fine by me but they’re only there in their individual capacities but not as an official representative of the organization. The same goes if there’s ICMI members wanting to criticize or to provide opposition, that’s also fine but they do so in their individual capacities not as representatives of the organization. Our only concern as an organization is to work constructively with the Government.”
---
The new SEZs are a combination of development zones Soeharto set up OTL and ones Jokowi picked in recent times.
I made mention of Hokben not as product placement but as a sample of where Indonesia's economy is at and the opportunities available to businesses ITTL. OTL Hokben first had outlets in East Java in 2005 but ITTL, it already has outlets there in 2000.
The Indonesian Islamic Intellectuals Association (ICMI) was formed by Soeharto as a check on the Army’s power and to provide Habibie with a power base. It’s a complex creature. It enjoyed its proximity to power under Soeharto even as it debated whether or not they should be an independent organization. I put a lot of emphasis on its 2000 congress because ITTL, this congress and Nurcholish's formulation in the last paragraph will be quite important in ITTL's political developments.
OTL Nurcholish Madjid was an Islamic intellectual famous for being favor of Islam but not in favor of Islamic political parties (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_Yes,_Islamic_Party_No). OTL, he also tried to negotiate a 2 year transition period to be led by Soeharto but with Soeharto no longer running for president at the end of that period.
Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas, to great applause, opened the PKPI’s inaugural National Leadership meeting in Jakarta.
State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia and Special Development Zones Jusuf Kalla announced in a press conference that Indonesia’s special development zones would now be consolidated into Special Economic Zones (SEZ). Kalla said that investors to these SEZs will be given tax incentives, simplified export and import procedures, as well as simplified investment procedures. Kalla added that SEZs will be managed directly by his ministry with coordination and delegation to the respective provincial governments as necessary. Kalla also announced additional regions that will be designated as SEZs.
The SEZs are to comprise of the following:
Previous special development zones that are being consolidated into an SEZ:
*Batam, Riau
*Bintan, Riau
*Sabang, Aceh
*Biak, Irian Jaya
*Natuna, Riau
New SEZs:
*Tanjung Api-Api, South Sumatra
*Bima, West Nusa Tenggara
*Mbay, East Nusa Tenggara
*Batulicin, South Kalimantan
*Bitung, North Sulawesi
*Palu, Central Sulawesi
*Morotai, Maluku
*Baucau, East Timor
1st December 2000:
Chairman of ICMI BJ Habibie was seen campaigning for the ICMI Chairmanship in Yogyakarta with Chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais. DPR Member and ICMI Chairman candidate Hartono campaigned in West Sumatra today while ICMI Secretary and ICMI Chairman candidate Adi Sasono campaigned at West Nusa Tenggara. Habibie is still the favorite though the other two candidates is not to be underestimated.
President Try Sutrisno broke his fast at Bimasena Mining Club at Dharmawangsa, Jakarta. The club was opened in late November 1997 and was supposed to have been inaugurated by President Soeharto though he passed away before he had the chance to. Try sat a table with former Minister of Mining and Energy Subroto, who was the Chairman of the club, as well as Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi.
On his way out, the President shook hands with various owners and executives of the mining industry. There was one who shook his hand very effusively and asked someone with the camera to take his picture with the President shaking hands. Djiteng did not like this and was not included in the photo. He farewelled the President, still ignoring Djiteng.
“Who was that?” asked Try.
“Adrianto Machrabie, Mr. President, CEO of PT Freeport Indonesia”, said Djiteng “Our dealings with Freeport will arrive soon on your desk.”
2nd December 2000:
The President received a delegation from the PKPI National Leadership Meeting which finished this morning. It reported that the PKPI National Leadership Council has been formulated and included the following:
Chairman: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Basofi Sudirman
Secretary: Prince Joyokusumo of Yogyakarta
Treasurer: Rambe Kamarulzaman SH
Joyokusumo, a brother of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, was in charge of the membership database back when the PKPI was still Operation Lifeboat. Rambe was an ex-Golkar National Leadership Council member and an ally of Harmoko. Basofi said that he intends to make a selection of who will chair the PKPI’s campaign team.
4th December 2000:
The President met with Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo. He asked him how the leads were in Central Sulawesi. Ari Sudewo said that he’s nearly done and that when he gets done the Government should consider taking “decisive action”. The President nodded in agreement.
Ari Sudewo said that when investigating the USS Cole Bombings in Yemen, one name stuck out: Khalid al-Midhar. Khalid attended the Al Qaeda Summit in Kuala Lumpur in January which was also attended by Hambali. The President asked if Khalid was planning anything in Indonesia. Ari said no because Khalid’s known to be in the United States “taking aircraft flying lessons”.
5th December 2000:
In the morning, the President landed in West Nusa Tenggara where he was welcomed with Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Burhan Magenda and Nusa Tenggara Regional Military Commander I Made Yasa. Immediately upon landing, accompanied by Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja and Minister of Tourism Soeyono, the President inaugurated the Lombok International Airport. From there, the President went to Lembar Harbour to inaugurate the renovation of the piers there.
“The inauguration of these two different but equally important projects represents this province’s desire to develop itself and make no mistake, I think West Nusa Tenggara should not lose out to the island next door”, Try said.
The President and his entourage toured Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara’s capital. As he talked to tourists and hotel owners alike, Soeyono and Magenda reported that one effect of the arrival of foreign tourists since 1998 was that people wanting a “less mainstream experience” are increasingly coming to Lombok. Try told the two of them to facilitate the tourism industry in the province and remove all bureaucratic obstacles. Try broke his fast by meeting provincial and regency officials of West Nusa Tenggara where he urged them to work hard to develop the province and to facilitate the development of the Bima SEZ.
6th December 2000:
After spending the morning at Cakranegara Traditional Market, the President and his entourage flew from Mataram to Surabaya, East Java. After shaking hands with Governor of East Java Haris Sudarno and East Java Regional Military Commander Albert Inkiriwang, he headed for Gresik. At this industrial city he inaugurated the Gresik-Tuban and Surabaya-Gresik toll roads with Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar by his side. In his speech the President said that the nation’s economy relies on East Java and that infrastructure in this province, such as toll roads, are important for East Java’s fulfilling of that function.
Returning to Surabaya, he visited Atom Traditional Market and Tunjungan Mall. After seeing people buying goods at both places, Try gave the thumbs up to Surabaya’s economy saying that the East Javanese only need to go to Surabaya for opportunity. At the mall, he surprised more than a few people by showing up at the prayer room for maghrib prayer before breaking his fast at Tunjungan food court's Hoka Hoka Bento outlet, shaking hands with as many people as he can and as many as his bodyguards allowed him.
7th December 2000:
The President travelled to Malang for his main engagement of the day in the morning. This was the opening of ICMI’s 3rd National Congress doubling as the 10th anniversary of the founding of ICMI which occurred in Malang on the grounds of Brawijaya University. Accompanied by BJ Habibie, the President entered the hall to take his seat to polite, rather than overwhelming applause. After he hit the gong to open the congress, the President departed both the Congress and Malang. He was in Jakarta, by afternoon.
Back at the congress, Habibie was heckled as he delivered his accountability address. Nurmahmudi Ismail questioned Habibie’s stance of support to the government only for Amien Rais to respond in defense of Habibie. The congress hall got tense as those who were for and against the Government battled chants with one another with the interference of Achmad Tirtosudiro as the congress’s chairman calmed things down.
“I can’t believe it”, said Syafii Maarif who was also a Muhammadiyah member “The PPP National Congress, the Muhammadiyah National Congress, and now the ICMI National Congress; must everything in Indonesian politics be about who is for and against President Try Sutrisno or Siti Hardijanti Rukmana?”
8th December 2000:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita issued an official statement directed to the New Zealand Government expressing regret that the latter has now chosen to take in Jose Ramos Horta, the Chairman of the Timor Leste Government-in-Exile.
Back at Malang, the ICMI National Congress took a turn for the worst for Habibie when Adi Sasono announced a press conference saying that he was withdrawing his ICMI Chairmanship candidacy and that he was throwing his support behind Hartono. Hartono who was at the press conference smiled broadly at this and the two shook hands.
“I’m leaking votes left and right, Mr. President, at this stage, I’m not sure if I will be re-elected”, said Habibie over the phone to Try that evening “Though I wait further instructions from you.”
The President facepalmed. Next to him Chairman of DPR Harmoko looked worried while State of Secretary Edi Sudrajat paced back and forth. Chairman of NU Abdurrahman Wahid, who was not a member of ICMI, twitched his nose nervously.
“It’s not only a matter of Habibie not being re-elected”, said Harmoko “It’s a matter of ICMI falling into Tutut’s hands and ICMI joining Tutut’s coalition.”
Presidential Secretary Ismet Hardi knocked on the door and told the President that the Minister of Home Affairs was on the phone. Try put the phone on loud speaker and asked the Minister of Home Affairs if he was still at Malang observing the ICMI National Congress.
“I am, Mr. President”, came Harsudiono Hartas’ voice “It’s rather a fluid situation over here, Habibie’s odds of being re-elected are getting smaller every minute…”
“We know that”, replied Try.
“…but so are Hartono’s odds of being elected”, continued Harsudiono “Another candidate is joining the race.”
Before he had the chance to be surprised, the President was tapped on the shoulder by Edi. Edi pointed in the direction of the television and turned up the volume. Harmoko raised his eyebrow in surprise.
“What’s going on?” asked Wahid, not being able to see.
“It’s Cak Nur, Gus”, said Edi.
On the television, Cak Nur, who was none other than the Rector of Paramadina University and Member of ICMI’s Council of Experts Nurcholish Madjid sat a table flanked by intellectuals of various persuasions including Dawam Rahardjo and Syafii Ma’arif. After hoping that the reporters had broken their fast, Nurcholish began to speak about what has happened in the lead up to and the ICMI National Congress itself.
“It is apparent to me that rather than a contest of ideas about the direction in which this organization is going, how it can best serve Islamic intellectuals, and the place of Islamic intellectuals within Indonesian society, this congress has become yet another battlefield between the two major political forces in Indonesian politics, fighting each other through the respective Chairman of ICMI candidates which they have chosen to support.
I am not one for ambition and office-seeking but with the realization I described to you above and with the support of my fellow ICMI members, I hereby announce that I will be a candidate for the Chairman of ICMI.”
“What do we do now?” asked Try to Harsudiono over the phone.
“Nothing, Mr. President”, said Harsudiono “Just make sure Habibie’s still in the race so the other side can’t say that we’ve switched candidates from Habibie to Nurcholish because we knew Habibie was losing.”
“I mean the congress, not Habibie’s candidacy”, clarified the President.
“Like I said; nothing”, said Harsudiono “We’re not going to get our candidate as the Chairman of ICMI but they’re not going to get Hartono either.”
The phonecall ended. There was silence in the room as everyone in the room contemplated the political consequences.
“What else do you expect, Mr. President?” asked Wahid “These are intellectuals, smart people with independent minds. They probably won’t take it well to be reduced to nothing more than proxies in your battle with Tutut.”
9th December 2000:
It was a surreal day as the ICMI National Congress took a turn no one expected. All throughout the day Nurcholish Madjid was seen meeting and presenting his ideas to various ICMI members and delegations pledging their support. Then, in a voting and vote counting process that began in the afternoon and ended as prime time entertainment, Nurcholish Madjid overcame Hartono and Habibie to become the new Chairman of ICMI.
Watching all this with Taufiq Kiemas in their living room, Megawati Soekarnoputri thought deeply about what was happening. She wondered whether she too could pull off something similar. The President and Tutut Soeharto will be fighting over the presidency and then she could…oh but there’s still so many things to do before she's in a position to make that happen.
10th December 2000:
The ICMI National Congress was closed by Harmoko. The closing session saw the inauguration of new Chairman of ICMI Nurcholish Madjid. Habibie had a big smile on his face as he handed over ICMI’s banner to Nurcholish.
11th December 2000:
The President, accompanied by Harsudiono Hartas and Edi Sudrajat, received an ICMI delegation led by Nurcholish Madjid. The meeting was cordial with the President genuinely pleased that Nurcholish had become chairman of ICMI. There was however some political business to attend.
Not long thereafter, Nurcholish and his delegation emerged out of their meeting with the President. With a big smile, Nurcholish said that the President was “big-hearted” enough to allow ICMI to withdraw from his coalition. Nurcholish was immediately asked whether this meant that ministers who were members of ICMI would be withdrawn from the cabinet.
“That’s for the President to decide”, said Nurcholish “Right now, as Chairman of ICMI, I’m only concerned about working constructively with the Government. If there are ICMI members in the cabinet or anywhere in the Government, that’s fine by me but they’re only there in their individual capacities but not as an official representative of the organization. The same goes if there’s ICMI members wanting to criticize or to provide opposition, that’s also fine but they do so in their individual capacities not as representatives of the organization. Our only concern as an organization is to work constructively with the Government.”
---
The new SEZs are a combination of development zones Soeharto set up OTL and ones Jokowi picked in recent times.
I made mention of Hokben not as product placement but as a sample of where Indonesia's economy is at and the opportunities available to businesses ITTL. OTL Hokben first had outlets in East Java in 2005 but ITTL, it already has outlets there in 2000.
The Indonesian Islamic Intellectuals Association (ICMI) was formed by Soeharto as a check on the Army’s power and to provide Habibie with a power base. It’s a complex creature. It enjoyed its proximity to power under Soeharto even as it debated whether or not they should be an independent organization. I put a lot of emphasis on its 2000 congress because ITTL, this congress and Nurcholish's formulation in the last paragraph will be quite important in ITTL's political developments.
OTL Nurcholish Madjid was an Islamic intellectual famous for being favor of Islam but not in favor of Islamic political parties (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_Yes,_Islamic_Party_No). OTL, he also tried to negotiate a 2 year transition period to be led by Soeharto but with Soeharto no longer running for president at the end of that period.
106: Wrapping Up 2000
12th December 2000:
President Try Sutrisno visited Gambir Station with Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, Governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso and CEO of PT Kai Anwar Supriyadi to inspect the station’s readiness for the upcoming Eid’l Fitr and end of year holidays season. Satisfied with what he saw, the President went on to Tanah Abang markets where he marveled at the large crowds buying clothing.
Through it all he was followed by reporters who asked him what would happen to ministers who were ICMI members in the cabinet now that ICMI has withdrawn from the Pancasila Coalition. The President smiled and said for the moment they’re still ministers.
13th December 2000:
The President met with Vice President JB Sumarlin, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono, Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi, Soerjadi Soedirja, Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Manpower and Small Business Fahmi Idris, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, and Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu. The following were discussed:
*Dorodjatun reported that the other side of this year’s strong economic gowth is the strong demand for goods which has caused imports to rise. Raw materials for industry as well as food imports have risen this year. The President instructed Dorodjatun, Siswono, and Sarwono to look for cheap sources of imports in their respective fields while boosting production of raw materials. Sarwono reported that he had just signed an agreement with the Argentinian government to import cattle and soybean from there. Argentina’s currency in freefall has made their items cheaper.
*Sumarlin cautioned that so long that Indonesia’s exports could pay for its imports it’s ok but if it can’t, it could cause inflation. He said that one way to offset this is to decrease costs. That was cue for Rachmat Witoelar and Soerjadi Soedirja to report that there’s still plenty of toll roads, irrigation projects, airports, ports, rails etc. in the pipeline for 2001.
*Fahmi Idris reported that what’s required now with investments from abroad coming are skilled workers to operate machineries in factory. He said that the capacity of technical schools have got to be improved so that more people could graduate out of that. The President took note of that.
14th December 2000:
In a ceremony attended by Chairman of DPR Harmoko and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan, the President signed the Amendments to the Judicial Authority Law. The amendments sets the Government on the road of handing over its authority over the General Courts, Commercial Courts, Religious Courts, and Military Courts to the Supreme Court. Minister of Legal Affairs Marzuki Darusman said that this means that after a transition period, the judicial branch of government will be independent from the executive branch.
At a fast-breaking ceremony at Cendana Street, Chairwoman of PKPB Tutut Soeharto names Prabowo Subianto as Chairman of the PKPB’s Election Campaign Team.
15th December 2000:
Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar reported to the President about his recent trip to Moscow, Russia where he finalized the purchase of 12 units of Sukhoi jets which Soeharto had intended to purchase in 1997. Wismoyo also said that South Korea has completed conversion of an Indonesian ferry ship into a Naval Personnel Carrier.
Try asked Wismoyo what he thought of Russia. Wismoyo said that President Yevgeny Primakov’s focus on putting a check on US dominance means he’s adopted a foreign policy oriented stance when in fact Russia’s got a lot of problems internally and economically. Primakov’s conscious of this, that’s why he’s appointed Vladimir Putin as prime minister. Wismoyo concluded that China would carry more of the weight as far as checking US dominance goes.
16th December 2000:
Putting in a few hours’ work on a Saturday, the President sat down with Edi Sudrajat and OCDS Sugeng Subroto. Sugeng showed a letter from the World Bank complaining about a corruptiont worth $15 million within the Department of Education relating to the procurement of books for junior high schools and that it has been occuring for about 4 years. Try asked if this was true and Sugeng handed in an investigation report he’s been working on for the last year. The President read the executive summary and then massaged his palm.
“Just one week after Habibie lost the Chairmanship of ICMI and now his close friend the Minister of Education has something like this going on in his department”, said Try.
“Putting aside Habibie’s friendship with Wardiman and the politics behind it, Mr. President”, began Edi “There’s the fact that this is the first big corruption case within your government and everybody will look to see if you’re strong enough to resolve this.”
18th December 2000:
The World Bank’s offices in Jakarta held a press conference announcing that they have written a complaint to the Indonesian government about a book procurement corruption.
Emerging out of a meeting at the PKPB National Headquarters, Tutut looked solemn as she said that the Government should take care of this case as soon as possible because the World Bank has been a partner to Indonesian since the Soeharto Presidency. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja countered on behalf of the Government saying that certain people “shouldn’t even be speaking about how they’re above embezzlement.”
19th December 2000:
The President and Head of Bulog Adang Ruchiatna toured Bulog warehouses in Jakarta. While Adang guaranteed that Indonesia’s rice stock was secure, the President handled questions about Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro’s place in the Cabinet. The President says he’s looking into the matter.
Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas met with Chairman of PDI Soerjadi and Secretary of PDI Buttu Hutapea. The two complained that Megawati Soekarnoputri’s supporters are beginning to ask PDI branches to agree to have a PDI Extraordinary National Congress where the chairmanship will be at stake. They also asked if the Government had anything to do with this.
“We don’t support it but we’re not going to get in the way”, said Harsudiono “Only that if Megawati proves she has enough support within the PDI to bring about an Extraordinary National Congress, we’re bound to allow it to happen.”
Soerjadi and Buttu Hutapea left the meeting dejected.
“You know why our votes dropped really low in 1997, right? It’s because Megawati and her supporters didn’t direct their votes to us”, said Soerjadi “She has what it takes to bring about an Extraordinary National Congress and then beat me for the Chairwomanship. I hate to say it but it’s true.”
20th December 2000:
Junior Minister of Arts and Culture Subrata announced that the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) will be held in a few months time in March. This marks that the first time the FFI will be held since 1993.
For the 3rd year running, trucks arrive at Bank Indonesia’s building to bring BLBI repayments.
21st December 2000:
The President met with Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro to discuss the situation at the Department of Education. Wardiman was cooperative, admitting that it was his lapse that he did not know what went on in his department and offering his resignation. The President accepted it on the condition that it would take effect when he named the new Minister of Education. Wardiman agreed.
Next he met with Minister of Civil Service Reform Kuntoro Mangunsubroto and Attorney General Soedjono C. Atmonegoro. He ordered that the Department of Education civil servants involved be dishonorably discharged and for them to be prosecuted.
22nd December 2000:
Soedradjad Djiwandono and Head of BPS Gunawan Sumodiningrat held a joint press conference. Gunawan began by announcing the results of the 2000 Census saying that Indonesia has 202,3 million inhabitants. Thanking all citizens for their participation, Gunawan said that this data will be used as the basis for policymaking and calculations by the Government for the future.
Soedradjad Djiwandono spoke next. Rather theatrically he asked Gunawan Sumodiningrat to speak of individual sectors of the economy first before going to the major figures. The following were reported by the two officials:
-Tourism and exports are still Indonesia’s main earners of foreign currency. The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia and demand for Indonesian exports are still strong though there is a slight drop-off in the last quarter owing to the slowdown in the American economy. This means that Indonesia has got to diversify its markets.
-In terms of industries, there is strong demand in 2000 for consumer goods and electronics owing to people wanting to purchase new household products for their homes after holding on to their money. Growth rates in production for these goods have picked up and the phenomenon of factories looking for employees they have fired when the crisis was at their worst.
-In agriculture, Indonesia has produced more rice in 2000 than in 1999 but the two main agricultural commodities that is struggling to keep up with domestic consumption, and ones which the Government want to focus on, is meat and soybeans.
-Generally however, all sectors of the economy are now functioning as normal again.
The important statistics were announced by Soedradjad himself.
“Unemployment is set to be 5.8%, this is a 2% decrease in unemployment from last year as a result of increased demand for goods and services in turn leading to demand for workers and employees.
Inflation is at 7%. We have strong demand in the economy but the Government is working hard to moderate this by building infrastructure and taking steps to reduce costs. On the side of the, private sector are also playing their part by increasing their production and expanding its activities.
Economic growth for the year 2000 will be 11.4%...”
The President and Edi Sudrajat watched this on a television in the President’s office. Cheers could be heard outside of the office as those working in the State Secretariat hailed the good news.
“He looks good announcing that news out there, Mr. President”, said Edi of Soedradjad “I suppose anyone looks good announcing good news.”
“Maybe”, said Try before pulling a letter out of his drawer “But it could also be because he’s going to wrap up his work soon.”
“You’re kidding”, said Edi as took the letter and took its contents.
“When I offered him the position, he told me that he accepted on the condition that he would be in the position only until the economy’s back in full recovery and now it has”, replied Try “And in recent times, he’s said that it’s become more difficult at home with him being on my side and his wife being on the “other side”.”
Edi nodded in understanding. Everybody remembers that Wismoyo was Soeharto’s brother-in-law but not many remember that Soedradjad is Prabowo Subianto’s brother-in-law.
“Anyways, I’m going to be needing as many CVs as possible as well as the ministers’ performance reviews for this year”, continued Try “We’re going to work on a cabinet reshuffle over the holidays.”
---
The Department of Education textbook corruption is based on OTL: http://arsip.gatra.com/1998-11-16/majalah/artikel.php?pil=23&id=74617 one difference here is that in OTL, Wardiman’s successor as Minister of Education caught on to what was going on in 1998 while in ITTL, the corruption went on unnoticed until it was discovered by the Operational Control of Development Secretary. Another difference is that ITTL, the amount of money embezzled is $15 million instead of OTL’s $10 million because it’s gone on for longer. OTL it was 1996-1998. ITTL it went on until the end of 2000. The Minister’s not in the wrong here. It’s just that he’s just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
OTL Indonesian economy actually did pretty well in 2000. It had economic growth of 5% even with the economy still not recovering fully and with the political instability at the time. I think ITTL Indonesian economy which has recovered fully and with a politically stable environment would be in a position to do even better.
Soedradjad Djiwandono’s wife is Prabowo Subianto’s younger sister.
President Try Sutrisno visited Gambir Station with Minister of Transportation Soerjadi Soedirja, Governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso and CEO of PT Kai Anwar Supriyadi to inspect the station’s readiness for the upcoming Eid’l Fitr and end of year holidays season. Satisfied with what he saw, the President went on to Tanah Abang markets where he marveled at the large crowds buying clothing.
Through it all he was followed by reporters who asked him what would happen to ministers who were ICMI members in the cabinet now that ICMI has withdrawn from the Pancasila Coalition. The President smiled and said for the moment they’re still ministers.
13th December 2000:
The President met with Vice President JB Sumarlin, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono, Minister of Trade Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi, Soerjadi Soedirja, Minister of Public Works Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Manpower and Small Business Fahmi Idris, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, and Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu. The following were discussed:
*Dorodjatun reported that the other side of this year’s strong economic gowth is the strong demand for goods which has caused imports to rise. Raw materials for industry as well as food imports have risen this year. The President instructed Dorodjatun, Siswono, and Sarwono to look for cheap sources of imports in their respective fields while boosting production of raw materials. Sarwono reported that he had just signed an agreement with the Argentinian government to import cattle and soybean from there. Argentina’s currency in freefall has made their items cheaper.
*Sumarlin cautioned that so long that Indonesia’s exports could pay for its imports it’s ok but if it can’t, it could cause inflation. He said that one way to offset this is to decrease costs. That was cue for Rachmat Witoelar and Soerjadi Soedirja to report that there’s still plenty of toll roads, irrigation projects, airports, ports, rails etc. in the pipeline for 2001.
*Fahmi Idris reported that what’s required now with investments from abroad coming are skilled workers to operate machineries in factory. He said that the capacity of technical schools have got to be improved so that more people could graduate out of that. The President took note of that.
14th December 2000:
In a ceremony attended by Chairman of DPR Harmoko and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan, the President signed the Amendments to the Judicial Authority Law. The amendments sets the Government on the road of handing over its authority over the General Courts, Commercial Courts, Religious Courts, and Military Courts to the Supreme Court. Minister of Legal Affairs Marzuki Darusman said that this means that after a transition period, the judicial branch of government will be independent from the executive branch.
At a fast-breaking ceremony at Cendana Street, Chairwoman of PKPB Tutut Soeharto names Prabowo Subianto as Chairman of the PKPB’s Election Campaign Team.
15th December 2000:
Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar reported to the President about his recent trip to Moscow, Russia where he finalized the purchase of 12 units of Sukhoi jets which Soeharto had intended to purchase in 1997. Wismoyo also said that South Korea has completed conversion of an Indonesian ferry ship into a Naval Personnel Carrier.
Try asked Wismoyo what he thought of Russia. Wismoyo said that President Yevgeny Primakov’s focus on putting a check on US dominance means he’s adopted a foreign policy oriented stance when in fact Russia’s got a lot of problems internally and economically. Primakov’s conscious of this, that’s why he’s appointed Vladimir Putin as prime minister. Wismoyo concluded that China would carry more of the weight as far as checking US dominance goes.
16th December 2000:
Putting in a few hours’ work on a Saturday, the President sat down with Edi Sudrajat and OCDS Sugeng Subroto. Sugeng showed a letter from the World Bank complaining about a corruptiont worth $15 million within the Department of Education relating to the procurement of books for junior high schools and that it has been occuring for about 4 years. Try asked if this was true and Sugeng handed in an investigation report he’s been working on for the last year. The President read the executive summary and then massaged his palm.
“Just one week after Habibie lost the Chairmanship of ICMI and now his close friend the Minister of Education has something like this going on in his department”, said Try.
“Putting aside Habibie’s friendship with Wardiman and the politics behind it, Mr. President”, began Edi “There’s the fact that this is the first big corruption case within your government and everybody will look to see if you’re strong enough to resolve this.”
18th December 2000:
The World Bank’s offices in Jakarta held a press conference announcing that they have written a complaint to the Indonesian government about a book procurement corruption.
Emerging out of a meeting at the PKPB National Headquarters, Tutut looked solemn as she said that the Government should take care of this case as soon as possible because the World Bank has been a partner to Indonesian since the Soeharto Presidency. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja countered on behalf of the Government saying that certain people “shouldn’t even be speaking about how they’re above embezzlement.”
19th December 2000:
The President and Head of Bulog Adang Ruchiatna toured Bulog warehouses in Jakarta. While Adang guaranteed that Indonesia’s rice stock was secure, the President handled questions about Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro’s place in the Cabinet. The President says he’s looking into the matter.
Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas met with Chairman of PDI Soerjadi and Secretary of PDI Buttu Hutapea. The two complained that Megawati Soekarnoputri’s supporters are beginning to ask PDI branches to agree to have a PDI Extraordinary National Congress where the chairmanship will be at stake. They also asked if the Government had anything to do with this.
“We don’t support it but we’re not going to get in the way”, said Harsudiono “Only that if Megawati proves she has enough support within the PDI to bring about an Extraordinary National Congress, we’re bound to allow it to happen.”
Soerjadi and Buttu Hutapea left the meeting dejected.
“You know why our votes dropped really low in 1997, right? It’s because Megawati and her supporters didn’t direct their votes to us”, said Soerjadi “She has what it takes to bring about an Extraordinary National Congress and then beat me for the Chairwomanship. I hate to say it but it’s true.”
20th December 2000:
Junior Minister of Arts and Culture Subrata announced that the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) will be held in a few months time in March. This marks that the first time the FFI will be held since 1993.
For the 3rd year running, trucks arrive at Bank Indonesia’s building to bring BLBI repayments.
21st December 2000:
The President met with Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro to discuss the situation at the Department of Education. Wardiman was cooperative, admitting that it was his lapse that he did not know what went on in his department and offering his resignation. The President accepted it on the condition that it would take effect when he named the new Minister of Education. Wardiman agreed.
Next he met with Minister of Civil Service Reform Kuntoro Mangunsubroto and Attorney General Soedjono C. Atmonegoro. He ordered that the Department of Education civil servants involved be dishonorably discharged and for them to be prosecuted.
22nd December 2000:
Soedradjad Djiwandono and Head of BPS Gunawan Sumodiningrat held a joint press conference. Gunawan began by announcing the results of the 2000 Census saying that Indonesia has 202,3 million inhabitants. Thanking all citizens for their participation, Gunawan said that this data will be used as the basis for policymaking and calculations by the Government for the future.
Soedradjad Djiwandono spoke next. Rather theatrically he asked Gunawan Sumodiningrat to speak of individual sectors of the economy first before going to the major figures. The following were reported by the two officials:
-Tourism and exports are still Indonesia’s main earners of foreign currency. The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia and demand for Indonesian exports are still strong though there is a slight drop-off in the last quarter owing to the slowdown in the American economy. This means that Indonesia has got to diversify its markets.
-In terms of industries, there is strong demand in 2000 for consumer goods and electronics owing to people wanting to purchase new household products for their homes after holding on to their money. Growth rates in production for these goods have picked up and the phenomenon of factories looking for employees they have fired when the crisis was at their worst.
-In agriculture, Indonesia has produced more rice in 2000 than in 1999 but the two main agricultural commodities that is struggling to keep up with domestic consumption, and ones which the Government want to focus on, is meat and soybeans.
-Generally however, all sectors of the economy are now functioning as normal again.
The important statistics were announced by Soedradjad himself.
“Unemployment is set to be 5.8%, this is a 2% decrease in unemployment from last year as a result of increased demand for goods and services in turn leading to demand for workers and employees.
Inflation is at 7%. We have strong demand in the economy but the Government is working hard to moderate this by building infrastructure and taking steps to reduce costs. On the side of the, private sector are also playing their part by increasing their production and expanding its activities.
Economic growth for the year 2000 will be 11.4%...”
The President and Edi Sudrajat watched this on a television in the President’s office. Cheers could be heard outside of the office as those working in the State Secretariat hailed the good news.
“He looks good announcing that news out there, Mr. President”, said Edi of Soedradjad “I suppose anyone looks good announcing good news.”
“Maybe”, said Try before pulling a letter out of his drawer “But it could also be because he’s going to wrap up his work soon.”
“You’re kidding”, said Edi as took the letter and took its contents.
“When I offered him the position, he told me that he accepted on the condition that he would be in the position only until the economy’s back in full recovery and now it has”, replied Try “And in recent times, he’s said that it’s become more difficult at home with him being on my side and his wife being on the “other side”.”
Edi nodded in understanding. Everybody remembers that Wismoyo was Soeharto’s brother-in-law but not many remember that Soedradjad is Prabowo Subianto’s brother-in-law.
“Anyways, I’m going to be needing as many CVs as possible as well as the ministers’ performance reviews for this year”, continued Try “We’re going to work on a cabinet reshuffle over the holidays.”
---
The Department of Education textbook corruption is based on OTL: http://arsip.gatra.com/1998-11-16/majalah/artikel.php?pil=23&id=74617 one difference here is that in OTL, Wardiman’s successor as Minister of Education caught on to what was going on in 1998 while in ITTL, the corruption went on unnoticed until it was discovered by the Operational Control of Development Secretary. Another difference is that ITTL, the amount of money embezzled is $15 million instead of OTL’s $10 million because it’s gone on for longer. OTL it was 1996-1998. ITTL it went on until the end of 2000. The Minister’s not in the wrong here. It’s just that he’s just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
OTL Indonesian economy actually did pretty well in 2000. It had economic growth of 5% even with the economy still not recovering fully and with the political instability at the time. I think ITTL Indonesian economy which has recovered fully and with a politically stable environment would be in a position to do even better.
Soedradjad Djiwandono’s wife is Prabowo Subianto’s younger sister.
Last edited:
107: In 2001, Prepare for 2002
23rd December 2000:
President Try Sutrisno and Vice President JB Sumarlin had a meeting in the afternoon to discuss the latter’s recent visit to Bangkok, Thailand. Sumarlin said that he had had productive meetings with Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Barnharn Silpa-Archa and that Thailand is serious about a treaty with Indonesia.
The conversation then went to the upcoming cabinet reshuffle. Sumarlin’s input concerned the Minister of Economics and National Development Planning position which he said should represent the economic direction the President wants to take for the nation.
27th December 2000:
It was the second day of Eid and the President held an open house at the Presidential Palace. The cameras snapped as the President wished the Vice President Merry Christmas and the Vice President wished the President a happy Eid’l Fitr. Speaking at the event, Minister of Religion Quraish Shihab said that the nation has just shown the strength of its religious harmony by celebrating Christmas and Eid’l Fitr all within days of each other without any security concerns.
28th December 2000:
The mountain air at Cipanas Presidential Palace provided a cool background as the President met with his Four Horsemen: State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas, Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, and OCDS Sugeng Subroto. Sugeng was the last to arrive, braving the traffic of holidaymakers from Jakarta to Puncak.
“Not everybody’s holidaying domestically, though”, said Ari Sudewo “Tutut Soeharto’s on holiday in Europe, including Switzerland and Austria.”
“No doubt making sure all of her money is in order for the PKPB’s Election Campaign”, muttered Edi.
“That’s probably not too far off the truth”, added Sugeng.
“What do you think, Mr. President?” asked Harsudiono as he looked at Try listening quietly “I think this is the kind of preparation you should be looking into.”
“Is it too early for this kind of thing, isn’t it?” asked Try.
“Under ordinary circumstances it’s not and it’s even more so under these extraordinary circumstances, Mr. President”, said Ari Sudewo “The side effect of the PKPI and PKPB being new is that they only have 2001 to consolidate themselves because 2002 they’ve got an Election to participate in, ready or not. By definition that means we have to move fast.”
“We’ve got to start thinking about fundraising”, said Harsudiono “Tutut’s going to throw every Rupiah she has at this and you being a clean guy, Mr. President, don’t exactly have a lot of money to your name so we should start thinking about that.”
“It’s not too early at all to start thinking about the 2002 Legislative Elections, Mr. President”, added Edi “And beyond…”
Try nodded almost absentmindedly. The discussions were interrupted by lunch and the 5 men talked about lighter matters because their wives were present. The discussions started again after lunch.
“The PPP’s been quite enthusiastic about their campaign preparations”, began Try.
“Yes, Mr. President”, said Ari Sudewo “The want to take advantage of the fact that they’re not a new political party like the PKPI and the PKPB.”
“I’m surprised Matori appointed Hamzah Haz to head the PPP’s Election Campaign”, added Sugeng “What’s the logic behind that? Hamzah’s a rival of his.”
“It’s a smart move”, said Harsudiono “He’s putting pressure on Hamzah to perform. Either Hamzah gets a good result for the PPP which is good for Matori or Hamzah gets a bad result for the PPP which is good for Matori as well because he gets to portray Hamzah as undermining the PPP.”
“What about the PDI?” asked Edi.
“We’ll talk about them when they get their internal situation sorted out”, replied Harsudiono.
Try listened in as his 4 friends talked about other matters. He made a count in his head and realized that there were now 4 political parties running which will compete at the 2002 Elections.
29th December 2000:
In a meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace, Chairman of PKPI Basofi Sudirman submits the names of Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono and Army Chief of Staff Luhut Panjaitan as candidates for the PKPI’s Chairman of the Election Campaign to the President. Basofi said that these are the only two people with the capacity to take on the PKPB’s Prabowo Subianto.
The PDI Headquarters were a bustle of activity. No official announcement about what the meeting about was issued other than the fact that Chairman of PDI Soerjadi had called it at short notice.
30th December 2000:
Tutut Soeharto attends a gathering at the house of former Vice President Sudharmono where she finds herself sitting in the same table as Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita. Ginandjar tried to play down the encounter though Tutut said that she was glad to meet with Sudharmono and Ginandjar who she had great respect for.
At a similar gathering at the house of BJ Habibie, the now former Chairman of ICMI received the news from Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro that the latter’s time as minister was coming to end. Habibie only commented that that’s the President’s prerogative.
2nd January 2001:
The President began the first day back at work in 2001 with Edi Sudrajat, Cabinet Secretary Hayono Isman, Deputy State Secretary Soedibyo Rahardjo, Deputy Cabinet Secretary Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Military Secretary Sudrajat, and Presidential Secretary Ismet Herdi. Try confirmed to the meeting that a cabinet reshuffle was being formulated but that he would like deliver the Draft Budget, scheduled for 9th January 2001 first and then work on the reshuffle.
Not far from the Presidential Palace a crowd gathered in front of the Department of Home Affairs. They were led by none other than Megawati Soekarnoputri. With the attention of the media on her, Megawati announced that she had collected signatures from 2/3 of PDI’s provincial, regency, and municipal branches all of which had agreed with her that there should be a PDI Extraordinary National Congress in which the chairmanship should be put on the line.
“I’ve submitted my request for such a congress to the PDI Headquarters but this request has been ignored and as such, I am now submitting my request to the Department of Home Affairs”, she announced.
Megawati had scarcely finished when the cameras picked up Soerjadi and Secretary of PDI Buttu Hutapea coming out of the building to join a crowd of their own supporters. Soerjadi announced that he had just submitted a request to the Department of Home Affairs to merge the PDI into the PKPB. Soerjadi said that he has taken this decision in the interest of the PDI’s survival and its viability in the future. He also claimed to be acting with the “Grassroots support” of the PDI.
The shock on the part of Megawati’s supporters was quickly turned to anger. There was shouting between Megawati and Soerjadi’s supporters and rocks were beginning to be thrown when Presidential Bodyguards units arrive from the Presidential Palace (which was nearby) to keep the two mobs apart. Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command TB Hasanuddin sent extra security to manage the security.
3rd January 2001:
At the Presidential Palace, the President warmly welcomed President of Philippines Joseph Estrada. After a warm handshake and hug, the President and Estrada saluted as the national anthems played. There was an intial meeting between the President and Estrada’s two delegations to discuss various areas of cooperations between the two countries. The photo opportunity came after this meeting where with Try and Estrada watching in the background, Governor of Aceh Syamsuddin Mahmud and Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Nur Misuari signed an agreement for closer cooperation between the Special Province of Aceh and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
There were big smiles on Try and Estrada’s faces as they held a joint press conference. They jointly announced that they would like to hold a Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) summit sometime during the year but that they had to consult with Malaysia and Brunei. Asked about his thoughts on Try, Estrada said that Indonesia, the Philippines, and indeed the region of Southeast Asia are lucky to have “President Try Sutrisno at the helm of Indonesia’s leadership”.
Try had a trickier time at the press conference with questions about the potentially riotous situation at the Department of Home Affairs between the Megawati and Soerjadi supporters and the fact that he had not dismissed Wardiman Djonegoro as Minister of Education despite the corruption case in his department. Try said that all will be settled “in due time”.
That night, while the President hosted Estrada at an official dinner at the Presidential Palace, Commander of ABRI Wiranto and Harsudiono Hartas fronted the press. Wiranto said that he had ordered the Army’s Regional Military Commands and the Regional Police to keep the calm and not take sides. Harsudiono Hartas said that the Government’s stance is not to take any sides and that he is looking into the matter with “a lot of thought”.
4th January 2001:
The President accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Edi Sudrajat had a breakfast meeting with Estrada, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon, and Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara. The meeting listened to Siazon tell the story of his December trip to Washington DC where he got to meet Vice President-Elect George W. Bush. Bush was brusque and among other things expected Southeast Asia “to fall in line” behind the United States of America and not go “banding together like it did when it tried to influence the results of the IMF Managing Director’s selection”.
Edi and Ginandjar bristled at that. Try however asked why Siazon did not manage to get a meeting with President-elect John McCain considering the US and the Philippines’ close relationship. Siazon explained that McCain spent December flying to the UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Israel among others so he was not in Washington when Siazon came. Ginandjar then asked why didn’t McCain drop by the Philippines.
“McCain’s priority is on containing Russia and China’s challenge on US authority”, said Estrada expressing open displeasure that his Secretary of Foreign Affairs had not gained access to McCain “Southeast Asia is probably lower on the priority list for him that’s why we got delegated to Bush.”
At lunchtime, Megawati Soekarnoputri held a press conference calling on her supporters not to “provoke or to be provoked” and calling on the Government to respect “the opinion of the majority of the PDI’s branches in the regions.” Holding a similar press conference not long thereafter, Tutut called upon the Government to side with the “legitimate leadership of the PDI”.
While Estrada dined with the KADIN and made his pitch for Indonesian investment in the Philippines, the President met with Harsudiono Hartas to discuss the PDI situation. Try asked if it was possible to maintain a neutral stance.
“The situation is a bit tricky”, said Harsudiono “Soerjadi submitted his request first and since he’s at the front of the line so to speak, we’ve got to address his concerns first. On the other hand, Megawati does legitimately enjoy the support in most of the PDI branches to demand an Extraordinary National Congress.”
Try massaged his forehead.
“I want you to get Soerjadi and Megawati to sit down at a table”, said Try “Don’t take sides, mediate, and see what the three of you come up with.”
5th January 2001:
As Estrada made his farewells and Try escorted Estrada to his car, the two men talked about their two nations’ situation. Estrada said that if the US’s priorities in this “new Cold War” is elsewhere, he will operate on the basis that the Philippines’ best interests if it “Tagged along” with Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Try agreed and thanked Estrada for such comments.
After Estrada departed, the President had a meeting with Harsudiono Hartas with Edi Sudrajat as well. Harsudiono reported to the President the results of his meeting with Soerjadi and Megawati and what the two had agreed to.
“And both have agreed to this?” asked Try “That’s awfully quick.”
“Well, Mr. President”, replied Harsudiono “It seemed to me that this solution was always what Megawati preferred but was impossible until after Golkar broke into two and the new Political Parties Law was passed. That and because she too feels that there’s no time to waste preparing for the 2002 Election Campaigns. After all, with the road she has chosen, she’s already 3 months behind the PKPI and PKPB as far as election preparations were concerned.”
“So be it then”, said Try without much further thought “I approve. You can announce it, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
Harsudiono departed as Edi looked at the President.
“Are you sure this is the way you want to go with Megawati and the PDI, Mr. President?” asked Edi “Are you sure you’re not the one that’s being awfully quick.”
“What option do I have? She was always going to take a shot at me sooner or later”, said Try “No point wasting another 20 months maneuvering and jockeying against one another the way I did with Tutut.”
Edi excused himself and went to his office where his staff watched Harsudiono’s announcement.
“…the President has acted quickly and has approved of a proposed settlement which Chairman Soerjadi, Mrs. Megawati, and myself formulated earlier today. The settlement as regards the PDI situation will be as follows:
-Based on the request of Mr. Soerjadi, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the PDI and acting on behalf of what he claims to be the grassroots support of the PDI, the Government has resolved to grant his request that the PDI be allowed to merge with the PKPB.
-At the same time, with consideration to Mrs. Megawati’s request and the sign of support from PDI branches in the regions which she can produce, the Government has resolved that it will allow Mrs. Megawati to take advantage of provisions regarding the formation of a new political party in the Political Parties Law. Subject to her fulfilling the required criterion for a new political party, the Government will have no problems whatsoever with the formation of a political party.”
---
Lots of political things happening in the aftermath of Golkar’s “death”. The PKPI and PKPB forming and then rushing to form a national leadership council and appointing people to chair their respective election campaigns, the PPP trying to take advantage that it has not broken into two and now the situation regarding the PDI…
I’ve foreshadowed that Megawati’s preference regarding her political future being through a new political party rather than re-taking the PDI in June 1998 ITTL when Try visited Soekarno’s tomb. At the time though, her request for a new political party was rejected by Try and Harsudiono.
Now in January 2001 ITTL, Megawati’s on stronger ground making her request to create a new political party. Try can’t exactly reject the formation of a new political party when he’s approved the creation of a new political party to support a new government. That and the fact that Try knew it was impossible keeping Megawati away from taking a shot at the presidency forever.
President Try Sutrisno and Vice President JB Sumarlin had a meeting in the afternoon to discuss the latter’s recent visit to Bangkok, Thailand. Sumarlin said that he had had productive meetings with Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Barnharn Silpa-Archa and that Thailand is serious about a treaty with Indonesia.
The conversation then went to the upcoming cabinet reshuffle. Sumarlin’s input concerned the Minister of Economics and National Development Planning position which he said should represent the economic direction the President wants to take for the nation.
27th December 2000:
It was the second day of Eid and the President held an open house at the Presidential Palace. The cameras snapped as the President wished the Vice President Merry Christmas and the Vice President wished the President a happy Eid’l Fitr. Speaking at the event, Minister of Religion Quraish Shihab said that the nation has just shown the strength of its religious harmony by celebrating Christmas and Eid’l Fitr all within days of each other without any security concerns.
28th December 2000:
The mountain air at Cipanas Presidential Palace provided a cool background as the President met with his Four Horsemen: State Secretary Edi Sudrajat, Minister of Home Affairs Harsudiono Hartas, Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, and OCDS Sugeng Subroto. Sugeng was the last to arrive, braving the traffic of holidaymakers from Jakarta to Puncak.
“Not everybody’s holidaying domestically, though”, said Ari Sudewo “Tutut Soeharto’s on holiday in Europe, including Switzerland and Austria.”
“No doubt making sure all of her money is in order for the PKPB’s Election Campaign”, muttered Edi.
“That’s probably not too far off the truth”, added Sugeng.
“What do you think, Mr. President?” asked Harsudiono as he looked at Try listening quietly “I think this is the kind of preparation you should be looking into.”
“Is it too early for this kind of thing, isn’t it?” asked Try.
“Under ordinary circumstances it’s not and it’s even more so under these extraordinary circumstances, Mr. President”, said Ari Sudewo “The side effect of the PKPI and PKPB being new is that they only have 2001 to consolidate themselves because 2002 they’ve got an Election to participate in, ready or not. By definition that means we have to move fast.”
“We’ve got to start thinking about fundraising”, said Harsudiono “Tutut’s going to throw every Rupiah she has at this and you being a clean guy, Mr. President, don’t exactly have a lot of money to your name so we should start thinking about that.”
“It’s not too early at all to start thinking about the 2002 Legislative Elections, Mr. President”, added Edi “And beyond…”
Try nodded almost absentmindedly. The discussions were interrupted by lunch and the 5 men talked about lighter matters because their wives were present. The discussions started again after lunch.
“The PPP’s been quite enthusiastic about their campaign preparations”, began Try.
“Yes, Mr. President”, said Ari Sudewo “The want to take advantage of the fact that they’re not a new political party like the PKPI and the PKPB.”
“I’m surprised Matori appointed Hamzah Haz to head the PPP’s Election Campaign”, added Sugeng “What’s the logic behind that? Hamzah’s a rival of his.”
“It’s a smart move”, said Harsudiono “He’s putting pressure on Hamzah to perform. Either Hamzah gets a good result for the PPP which is good for Matori or Hamzah gets a bad result for the PPP which is good for Matori as well because he gets to portray Hamzah as undermining the PPP.”
“What about the PDI?” asked Edi.
“We’ll talk about them when they get their internal situation sorted out”, replied Harsudiono.
Try listened in as his 4 friends talked about other matters. He made a count in his head and realized that there were now 4 political parties running which will compete at the 2002 Elections.
29th December 2000:
In a meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace, Chairman of PKPI Basofi Sudirman submits the names of Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono and Army Chief of Staff Luhut Panjaitan as candidates for the PKPI’s Chairman of the Election Campaign to the President. Basofi said that these are the only two people with the capacity to take on the PKPB’s Prabowo Subianto.
The PDI Headquarters were a bustle of activity. No official announcement about what the meeting about was issued other than the fact that Chairman of PDI Soerjadi had called it at short notice.
30th December 2000:
Tutut Soeharto attends a gathering at the house of former Vice President Sudharmono where she finds herself sitting in the same table as Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita. Ginandjar tried to play down the encounter though Tutut said that she was glad to meet with Sudharmono and Ginandjar who she had great respect for.
At a similar gathering at the house of BJ Habibie, the now former Chairman of ICMI received the news from Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro that the latter’s time as minister was coming to end. Habibie only commented that that’s the President’s prerogative.
2nd January 2001:
The President began the first day back at work in 2001 with Edi Sudrajat, Cabinet Secretary Hayono Isman, Deputy State Secretary Soedibyo Rahardjo, Deputy Cabinet Secretary Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Military Secretary Sudrajat, and Presidential Secretary Ismet Herdi. Try confirmed to the meeting that a cabinet reshuffle was being formulated but that he would like deliver the Draft Budget, scheduled for 9th January 2001 first and then work on the reshuffle.
Not far from the Presidential Palace a crowd gathered in front of the Department of Home Affairs. They were led by none other than Megawati Soekarnoputri. With the attention of the media on her, Megawati announced that she had collected signatures from 2/3 of PDI’s provincial, regency, and municipal branches all of which had agreed with her that there should be a PDI Extraordinary National Congress in which the chairmanship should be put on the line.
“I’ve submitted my request for such a congress to the PDI Headquarters but this request has been ignored and as such, I am now submitting my request to the Department of Home Affairs”, she announced.
Megawati had scarcely finished when the cameras picked up Soerjadi and Secretary of PDI Buttu Hutapea coming out of the building to join a crowd of their own supporters. Soerjadi announced that he had just submitted a request to the Department of Home Affairs to merge the PDI into the PKPB. Soerjadi said that he has taken this decision in the interest of the PDI’s survival and its viability in the future. He also claimed to be acting with the “Grassroots support” of the PDI.
The shock on the part of Megawati’s supporters was quickly turned to anger. There was shouting between Megawati and Soerjadi’s supporters and rocks were beginning to be thrown when Presidential Bodyguards units arrive from the Presidential Palace (which was nearby) to keep the two mobs apart. Commander of the Jakarta Regional Military Command TB Hasanuddin sent extra security to manage the security.
3rd January 2001:
At the Presidential Palace, the President warmly welcomed President of Philippines Joseph Estrada. After a warm handshake and hug, the President and Estrada saluted as the national anthems played. There was an intial meeting between the President and Estrada’s two delegations to discuss various areas of cooperations between the two countries. The photo opportunity came after this meeting where with Try and Estrada watching in the background, Governor of Aceh Syamsuddin Mahmud and Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Nur Misuari signed an agreement for closer cooperation between the Special Province of Aceh and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
There were big smiles on Try and Estrada’s faces as they held a joint press conference. They jointly announced that they would like to hold a Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) summit sometime during the year but that they had to consult with Malaysia and Brunei. Asked about his thoughts on Try, Estrada said that Indonesia, the Philippines, and indeed the region of Southeast Asia are lucky to have “President Try Sutrisno at the helm of Indonesia’s leadership”.
Try had a trickier time at the press conference with questions about the potentially riotous situation at the Department of Home Affairs between the Megawati and Soerjadi supporters and the fact that he had not dismissed Wardiman Djonegoro as Minister of Education despite the corruption case in his department. Try said that all will be settled “in due time”.
That night, while the President hosted Estrada at an official dinner at the Presidential Palace, Commander of ABRI Wiranto and Harsudiono Hartas fronted the press. Wiranto said that he had ordered the Army’s Regional Military Commands and the Regional Police to keep the calm and not take sides. Harsudiono Hartas said that the Government’s stance is not to take any sides and that he is looking into the matter with “a lot of thought”.
4th January 2001:
The President accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Edi Sudrajat had a breakfast meeting with Estrada, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon, and Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara. The meeting listened to Siazon tell the story of his December trip to Washington DC where he got to meet Vice President-Elect George W. Bush. Bush was brusque and among other things expected Southeast Asia “to fall in line” behind the United States of America and not go “banding together like it did when it tried to influence the results of the IMF Managing Director’s selection”.
Edi and Ginandjar bristled at that. Try however asked why Siazon did not manage to get a meeting with President-elect John McCain considering the US and the Philippines’ close relationship. Siazon explained that McCain spent December flying to the UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Israel among others so he was not in Washington when Siazon came. Ginandjar then asked why didn’t McCain drop by the Philippines.
“McCain’s priority is on containing Russia and China’s challenge on US authority”, said Estrada expressing open displeasure that his Secretary of Foreign Affairs had not gained access to McCain “Southeast Asia is probably lower on the priority list for him that’s why we got delegated to Bush.”
At lunchtime, Megawati Soekarnoputri held a press conference calling on her supporters not to “provoke or to be provoked” and calling on the Government to respect “the opinion of the majority of the PDI’s branches in the regions.” Holding a similar press conference not long thereafter, Tutut called upon the Government to side with the “legitimate leadership of the PDI”.
While Estrada dined with the KADIN and made his pitch for Indonesian investment in the Philippines, the President met with Harsudiono Hartas to discuss the PDI situation. Try asked if it was possible to maintain a neutral stance.
“The situation is a bit tricky”, said Harsudiono “Soerjadi submitted his request first and since he’s at the front of the line so to speak, we’ve got to address his concerns first. On the other hand, Megawati does legitimately enjoy the support in most of the PDI branches to demand an Extraordinary National Congress.”
Try massaged his forehead.
“I want you to get Soerjadi and Megawati to sit down at a table”, said Try “Don’t take sides, mediate, and see what the three of you come up with.”
5th January 2001:
As Estrada made his farewells and Try escorted Estrada to his car, the two men talked about their two nations’ situation. Estrada said that if the US’s priorities in this “new Cold War” is elsewhere, he will operate on the basis that the Philippines’ best interests if it “Tagged along” with Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Try agreed and thanked Estrada for such comments.
After Estrada departed, the President had a meeting with Harsudiono Hartas with Edi Sudrajat as well. Harsudiono reported to the President the results of his meeting with Soerjadi and Megawati and what the two had agreed to.
“And both have agreed to this?” asked Try “That’s awfully quick.”
“Well, Mr. President”, replied Harsudiono “It seemed to me that this solution was always what Megawati preferred but was impossible until after Golkar broke into two and the new Political Parties Law was passed. That and because she too feels that there’s no time to waste preparing for the 2002 Election Campaigns. After all, with the road she has chosen, she’s already 3 months behind the PKPI and PKPB as far as election preparations were concerned.”
“So be it then”, said Try without much further thought “I approve. You can announce it, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
Harsudiono departed as Edi looked at the President.
“Are you sure this is the way you want to go with Megawati and the PDI, Mr. President?” asked Edi “Are you sure you’re not the one that’s being awfully quick.”
“What option do I have? She was always going to take a shot at me sooner or later”, said Try “No point wasting another 20 months maneuvering and jockeying against one another the way I did with Tutut.”
Edi excused himself and went to his office where his staff watched Harsudiono’s announcement.
“…the President has acted quickly and has approved of a proposed settlement which Chairman Soerjadi, Mrs. Megawati, and myself formulated earlier today. The settlement as regards the PDI situation will be as follows:
-Based on the request of Mr. Soerjadi, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the PDI and acting on behalf of what he claims to be the grassroots support of the PDI, the Government has resolved to grant his request that the PDI be allowed to merge with the PKPB.
-At the same time, with consideration to Mrs. Megawati’s request and the sign of support from PDI branches in the regions which she can produce, the Government has resolved that it will allow Mrs. Megawati to take advantage of provisions regarding the formation of a new political party in the Political Parties Law. Subject to her fulfilling the required criterion for a new political party, the Government will have no problems whatsoever with the formation of a political party.”
---
Lots of political things happening in the aftermath of Golkar’s “death”. The PKPI and PKPB forming and then rushing to form a national leadership council and appointing people to chair their respective election campaigns, the PPP trying to take advantage that it has not broken into two and now the situation regarding the PDI…
I’ve foreshadowed that Megawati’s preference regarding her political future being through a new political party rather than re-taking the PDI in June 1998 ITTL when Try visited Soekarno’s tomb. At the time though, her request for a new political party was rejected by Try and Harsudiono.
Now in January 2001 ITTL, Megawati’s on stronger ground making her request to create a new political party. Try can’t exactly reject the formation of a new political party when he’s approved the creation of a new political party to support a new government. That and the fact that Try knew it was impossible keeping Megawati away from taking a shot at the presidency forever.
Just as an additional note, one OTL event that has been butterflied away is the Christmas Eve 2000 bombings. I factored in two things that happened in the TL to butterfly this away:
-The first was the assassination of Chairman of BP-7 Soegiarto by Amrozi in February 2000, which got the Government's attention on Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda and which caused Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda to think twice about conducting an attack on Indonesia.
-The ability of BAKIN to set up regional office in the provinces so that there's more surveillance on activities by radicals.
the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve_2000_Indonesia_bombings
-The first was the assassination of Chairman of BP-7 Soegiarto by Amrozi in February 2000, which got the Government's attention on Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda and which caused Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda to think twice about conducting an attack on Indonesia.
-The ability of BAKIN to set up regional office in the provinces so that there's more surveillance on activities by radicals.
the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve_2000_Indonesia_bombings
108: Proceeding With Plans
7th January 2001:
“...we will take the fight to those who would give up our sovereignty in political affairs, our self-sufficiency in economic affairs and our personality in cultural affairs. We will take part on behalf of the Marhaen and the wong cilik.
We will take part in this fight called the 2002 Elections and the means with which we will take up this fight is true a new political party. Let those who wish to merge themselves with the forces of the New Order can do so. The rest of us will carry on the fight under a banner that best represents our spirit.
The rest of us will carry on the fight under the banner of the Partai Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian National Party-PNI)!
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.”
Transcript of Megawati Soekarnoputri’s special press conference to announce the formation of the PNI.
8th January 2001:
President Try Sutrisno, Vice President JB Sumarlin, and ministers of the Seventh Development Cabinet took part in a cabinet meeting in which Minister of Finance Mar’ie Muhammad outlined the Draft Budget which the President will read to the DPR the next day. The President, Vice President, and the cabinet ministers did not waste time approving and ratifying the Draft Budget.
After the budget, Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi reported to the Cabinet bringing it to the attention of the cabinet that as per the Government’s contract of work with Freeport in 1991, Freeport is due to begin divesting its shares in its Grassberg mine in Irian Jaya at a rate of 2% annually to the Indonesian Government. However, Djiteng reported, Freeport has not shown any inclination to divest these shares. In front of all the other ministers, the President instructed Djiteng to begin negotiations with Freeport so that the American mining company can begin divesting its shares and asked all ministers to render any assistance to the Minister of Mining and Energy if he requires it.
“This year, what’s important will be implementation. There’s no use of me approving things, budgeting for things, and generally doing everything to lay the groundwork for good policies if it’s not implemented”, said the President as the Cabinet Meeting closed.
9th January 2001:
With Chairman of the DPR Harmoko leading proceedings, the President delivered the 2001/2002 Draft Budget which included the following:
“The Draft Budget I am delivering to you today seeks to build upon our nation’s very successful year in 2000. It seeks to move us from surviving and then exiting the Asian Financial Crisis towards a direction where we are starting to take steps forward.”
Budget Measures:
Revenue:
-Reorganization and modernization of the Directorate General of Taxation’s tax office structure. Over the coming 2 years, the Department of Finance will be introducing large tax offices to better serve wealthy individuals and large companies and their tax-paying requirements, medium tax offices to better serve businesses with their tax-paying requirements and small tax offices to serve individuals with their tax-paying requirements.
-The Government’s aim is to increase tax ratio to at least 9% before the term was over. In 1997 the tax ratio was 8.03%, in 1998 it was 7.5% and in 1999, it was 7.9%.
-30% increase in cigarette excise. The cigarette industry has been spared increases in excise throughout the crisis because it has helped cushion the nation against unemployment but its special privilege comes to an end. Revenue collected from the excise to go into spending on health.
-The Government has decided to abolish the requirement that State-Owned Enterprises donate 2% of its profits to Damandiri Foundation. It has also decided to end the Government’s cooperation with Damandiri Foundation on the Left Behind Villages Program starting on 1st April 2001.
Spending:
-Most of the funding for the preparations and holding of the 2002 Legislative Elections will be disbursed in the 2001/2002 Financial Year. This will cover the costs for such things as ballot boxes and ballot papers as well as voter registration.
-Funding for rural development to be prioritized for the acceleration of the electrification of villages.
-In agriculture, spending has been set aside for among other things the establishment of a Rice Research Institute, construction of irrigations and dams including construction of Ponre-Ponre Dam in South Sulawesi and completion of Batubulan Dam in West Nusa Tenggara, and training of agricultural extension officials to encourage agribusiness.
-An export promotion budget to be allocated to trade attaches in Indonesian Embassies around the world to promote Indonesian exports through advertising and attendance in expos.
-Defense and security budget has been increased with the ratio of operational expenses (salaries etc.) to capital expenses (new weaponry, facilities etc.) being reduced from 80:20 to 67:33.
10th January 2001:
In an extensive morning interview on RCTI, Chairwoman of PKPB Tutut Soeharto said that the Draft Budget was disappointing. Tutut said that there’s nothing about rice self-sufficiency and she’s disappointed that the Government will be cutting ties with the Damandiri Foundation as regards the Left Behind Villages Program. Tutut says that this shows the Government’s intention to depart from President Soeharto’s policies.
At a special lunch with industry stakeholders, Minister of Information, Post, and Telecommunications Oka Mahendra greeted the Telecommunications’ Law’s into effect. Oka Mahendra said that Telkom and Indosat had signed agreements to end its cross-ownership in each other and reported on investors seeking to establish telecommunication service providers or expand existing telecommunications operations.
Megawati Soekarnoputri submits the PNI’s registration form to the Department of Home Affairs to be verified.
11th January 2001:
The President and his delegation landed at Palembang, South Sumatra. Welcomed by Governor of South Sumatra Bimo Prakoso and Commander of the South Sumatra Regional Military Command Syamsul Ma’arif, the President proceeded to go to Ogan Komeering Ilir Regency. There with Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono standing next to him, the President inaugurated the Parit Rambutan, Telang, and Belitang Independent Integrated Cities (KTM) which was to function as a transmigration settlement and which were noted for its agricultural potential. Hendropriyono looked happy, joking that this shows that he hasn’t only been concerned with population control in Jakarta in his time as Minister of Transmigration.
After the ceremony and the tour of the KTM, the President returned to Palembang. There he inaugurated the expansion of the 6th State Vocational School in Palembang. Try smiled when he was asked why the Minister of Education was not with him saying that the latter was in Jakarta. The President spent the afternoon touring Palembang noting how bustling it was over some pempek.
Over in Jakarta, Vice President JB Sumarlin and Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro welcomed Deputy Prime Minister of Australia John Anderson and Australian Minister for Education where together they inaugurated Australian National University-Indonesia, the ANU’s campus in Jakarta and the first time a foreign university has opened its doors in Indonesia. Though it was no mean achievement, Wardiman was bombarded instead with questions about the textbook procurement corruption case in his department. Asked whether he was on his way out, Wardiman said that it was the President’s prerogative whether he stays in the cabinet or not.
The President and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat had a dinner meeting with Bimo Prakoso and the top provincial officials of South Sumatra. Bimo reported that the city was flourishing. The effect of deregulating the airline industry has been more traffic by air from Jakarta and more businesses in Jakarta expanding in Palembang’s direction so Palembang is flourishing. He also reported that after the Eid’, South Sumatra is getting more people from Lampung than in the previous years to which the President nodded his approval, commenting that better they end up in Palembang than crowding Jakarta.
12th January 2001:
The President cut short his visit to Palembang in the morning with news from Jakarta that former CEO Pertamina Ibnu Sutowo had passed away and returned to the capital city. From Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Try, now in a black shirt, rushed to Ibnu Sutowo’s residence with the First Lady to pay their respects. Try shook hands with Pontjo Sutowo, the owner of Hiton Hotel among many others and Ibnu Sutowo’s son. He also met and had a chat with CEO of Pertamina M. Arifin who will preside over the funeral later in the day.
After the President had left, the spotlight fell on Tutut Soeharto who came with her husband and siblings to give Pontjo and his family the Soeharto’s family condolences. As it were, just as Tutut was about leave, Megawati Soekarnoputri arrived to pay her respects saying to the press that she feels obliged given that she owns several gas stations. The two hugged each other and chatted with each other in the presence of the nation’s cameras. When asked about the PNI and the PKPB, Tutut said that she’s not here to talk about politics but to pay respects to Ibnu Sutowo and that she was glad to meet her “friend” Megawati.
The President watched this as he had lunch with a frown on his face.
“It’s nothing, Mr. President”, said Edi “It’s just a show for the cameras”.
“I know”, replied Try, still not happy “But all the more reason to proceed with our plan.”
The day ended at the PKPI Headquarters in Jakarta where Chairman of PKPI Basofi Sudirman formally introduced Hendropriyono as Chairman of the PKPI’s Election Campaign. When asked what this meant for his status as Minister of Transmigration, Hendropriyono lid the spark on reshuffle speculation by saying that he had just completed his last tasks as Minister and that it was up to President to name his successor.
The reshuffle speculation was well under way when Edi Sudrajat and Cabinet Secretary Hayono Isman held a joint press conference. They announced that the State Secretariat has received the resignations of Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono, and finally this evening from Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono.
“On the question of who will replace these ministers, that will be a matter for the President to decide and for him alone”, said Edi Sudrajat.
---
A hectic week politically in ITTL’s Indonesia but we’ve got the ground continuing to shift on the political parties. There's the PKPI, PKPB and now the PNI.
Freeport is officially on the agenda. OTL, for whatever reason, Freeport never began its divestment process in 2001 (which was 10 years after the contract it signed with the Indonesian Government in 1991).
Tax office reorganization based on OTL’s which can be found https://www.online-pajak.com/kpp
Tax ratio numbers for 1997 comes from https://ekonomi.kompas.com/read/201...-orde-baru-hingga-16-persen-benarkah?page=all. Tax ratio from 1998 onwards are adjusted to ITTL’s economic conditions.
“...we will take the fight to those who would give up our sovereignty in political affairs, our self-sufficiency in economic affairs and our personality in cultural affairs. We will take part on behalf of the Marhaen and the wong cilik.
We will take part in this fight called the 2002 Elections and the means with which we will take up this fight is true a new political party. Let those who wish to merge themselves with the forces of the New Order can do so. The rest of us will carry on the fight under a banner that best represents our spirit.
The rest of us will carry on the fight under the banner of the Partai Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian National Party-PNI)!
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.”
Transcript of Megawati Soekarnoputri’s special press conference to announce the formation of the PNI.
8th January 2001:
President Try Sutrisno, Vice President JB Sumarlin, and ministers of the Seventh Development Cabinet took part in a cabinet meeting in which Minister of Finance Mar’ie Muhammad outlined the Draft Budget which the President will read to the DPR the next day. The President, Vice President, and the cabinet ministers did not waste time approving and ratifying the Draft Budget.
After the budget, Minister of Mining and Energy Djiteng Marsudi reported to the Cabinet bringing it to the attention of the cabinet that as per the Government’s contract of work with Freeport in 1991, Freeport is due to begin divesting its shares in its Grassberg mine in Irian Jaya at a rate of 2% annually to the Indonesian Government. However, Djiteng reported, Freeport has not shown any inclination to divest these shares. In front of all the other ministers, the President instructed Djiteng to begin negotiations with Freeport so that the American mining company can begin divesting its shares and asked all ministers to render any assistance to the Minister of Mining and Energy if he requires it.
“This year, what’s important will be implementation. There’s no use of me approving things, budgeting for things, and generally doing everything to lay the groundwork for good policies if it’s not implemented”, said the President as the Cabinet Meeting closed.
9th January 2001:
With Chairman of the DPR Harmoko leading proceedings, the President delivered the 2001/2002 Draft Budget which included the following:
“The Draft Budget I am delivering to you today seeks to build upon our nation’s very successful year in 2000. It seeks to move us from surviving and then exiting the Asian Financial Crisis towards a direction where we are starting to take steps forward.”
Budget Measures:
Revenue:
-Reorganization and modernization of the Directorate General of Taxation’s tax office structure. Over the coming 2 years, the Department of Finance will be introducing large tax offices to better serve wealthy individuals and large companies and their tax-paying requirements, medium tax offices to better serve businesses with their tax-paying requirements and small tax offices to serve individuals with their tax-paying requirements.
-The Government’s aim is to increase tax ratio to at least 9% before the term was over. In 1997 the tax ratio was 8.03%, in 1998 it was 7.5% and in 1999, it was 7.9%.
-30% increase in cigarette excise. The cigarette industry has been spared increases in excise throughout the crisis because it has helped cushion the nation against unemployment but its special privilege comes to an end. Revenue collected from the excise to go into spending on health.
-The Government has decided to abolish the requirement that State-Owned Enterprises donate 2% of its profits to Damandiri Foundation. It has also decided to end the Government’s cooperation with Damandiri Foundation on the Left Behind Villages Program starting on 1st April 2001.
Spending:
-Most of the funding for the preparations and holding of the 2002 Legislative Elections will be disbursed in the 2001/2002 Financial Year. This will cover the costs for such things as ballot boxes and ballot papers as well as voter registration.
-Funding for rural development to be prioritized for the acceleration of the electrification of villages.
-In agriculture, spending has been set aside for among other things the establishment of a Rice Research Institute, construction of irrigations and dams including construction of Ponre-Ponre Dam in South Sulawesi and completion of Batubulan Dam in West Nusa Tenggara, and training of agricultural extension officials to encourage agribusiness.
-An export promotion budget to be allocated to trade attaches in Indonesian Embassies around the world to promote Indonesian exports through advertising and attendance in expos.
-Defense and security budget has been increased with the ratio of operational expenses (salaries etc.) to capital expenses (new weaponry, facilities etc.) being reduced from 80:20 to 67:33.
10th January 2001:
In an extensive morning interview on RCTI, Chairwoman of PKPB Tutut Soeharto said that the Draft Budget was disappointing. Tutut said that there’s nothing about rice self-sufficiency and she’s disappointed that the Government will be cutting ties with the Damandiri Foundation as regards the Left Behind Villages Program. Tutut says that this shows the Government’s intention to depart from President Soeharto’s policies.
At a special lunch with industry stakeholders, Minister of Information, Post, and Telecommunications Oka Mahendra greeted the Telecommunications’ Law’s into effect. Oka Mahendra said that Telkom and Indosat had signed agreements to end its cross-ownership in each other and reported on investors seeking to establish telecommunication service providers or expand existing telecommunications operations.
Megawati Soekarnoputri submits the PNI’s registration form to the Department of Home Affairs to be verified.
11th January 2001:
The President and his delegation landed at Palembang, South Sumatra. Welcomed by Governor of South Sumatra Bimo Prakoso and Commander of the South Sumatra Regional Military Command Syamsul Ma’arif, the President proceeded to go to Ogan Komeering Ilir Regency. There with Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono standing next to him, the President inaugurated the Parit Rambutan, Telang, and Belitang Independent Integrated Cities (KTM) which was to function as a transmigration settlement and which were noted for its agricultural potential. Hendropriyono looked happy, joking that this shows that he hasn’t only been concerned with population control in Jakarta in his time as Minister of Transmigration.
After the ceremony and the tour of the KTM, the President returned to Palembang. There he inaugurated the expansion of the 6th State Vocational School in Palembang. Try smiled when he was asked why the Minister of Education was not with him saying that the latter was in Jakarta. The President spent the afternoon touring Palembang noting how bustling it was over some pempek.
Over in Jakarta, Vice President JB Sumarlin and Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro welcomed Deputy Prime Minister of Australia John Anderson and Australian Minister for Education where together they inaugurated Australian National University-Indonesia, the ANU’s campus in Jakarta and the first time a foreign university has opened its doors in Indonesia. Though it was no mean achievement, Wardiman was bombarded instead with questions about the textbook procurement corruption case in his department. Asked whether he was on his way out, Wardiman said that it was the President’s prerogative whether he stays in the cabinet or not.
The President and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat had a dinner meeting with Bimo Prakoso and the top provincial officials of South Sumatra. Bimo reported that the city was flourishing. The effect of deregulating the airline industry has been more traffic by air from Jakarta and more businesses in Jakarta expanding in Palembang’s direction so Palembang is flourishing. He also reported that after the Eid’, South Sumatra is getting more people from Lampung than in the previous years to which the President nodded his approval, commenting that better they end up in Palembang than crowding Jakarta.
12th January 2001:
The President cut short his visit to Palembang in the morning with news from Jakarta that former CEO Pertamina Ibnu Sutowo had passed away and returned to the capital city. From Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Try, now in a black shirt, rushed to Ibnu Sutowo’s residence with the First Lady to pay their respects. Try shook hands with Pontjo Sutowo, the owner of Hiton Hotel among many others and Ibnu Sutowo’s son. He also met and had a chat with CEO of Pertamina M. Arifin who will preside over the funeral later in the day.
After the President had left, the spotlight fell on Tutut Soeharto who came with her husband and siblings to give Pontjo and his family the Soeharto’s family condolences. As it were, just as Tutut was about leave, Megawati Soekarnoputri arrived to pay her respects saying to the press that she feels obliged given that she owns several gas stations. The two hugged each other and chatted with each other in the presence of the nation’s cameras. When asked about the PNI and the PKPB, Tutut said that she’s not here to talk about politics but to pay respects to Ibnu Sutowo and that she was glad to meet her “friend” Megawati.
The President watched this as he had lunch with a frown on his face.
“It’s nothing, Mr. President”, said Edi “It’s just a show for the cameras”.
“I know”, replied Try, still not happy “But all the more reason to proceed with our plan.”
The day ended at the PKPI Headquarters in Jakarta where Chairman of PKPI Basofi Sudirman formally introduced Hendropriyono as Chairman of the PKPI’s Election Campaign. When asked what this meant for his status as Minister of Transmigration, Hendropriyono lid the spark on reshuffle speculation by saying that he had just completed his last tasks as Minister and that it was up to President to name his successor.
The reshuffle speculation was well under way when Edi Sudrajat and Cabinet Secretary Hayono Isman held a joint press conference. They announced that the State Secretariat has received the resignations of Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro, Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Soedradjad Djiwandono, and finally this evening from Minister of Transmigration Hendropriyono.
“On the question of who will replace these ministers, that will be a matter for the President to decide and for him alone”, said Edi Sudrajat.
---
A hectic week politically in ITTL’s Indonesia but we’ve got the ground continuing to shift on the political parties. There's the PKPI, PKPB and now the PNI.
Freeport is officially on the agenda. OTL, for whatever reason, Freeport never began its divestment process in 2001 (which was 10 years after the contract it signed with the Indonesian Government in 1991).
Tax office reorganization based on OTL’s which can be found https://www.online-pajak.com/kpp
Tax ratio numbers for 1997 comes from https://ekonomi.kompas.com/read/201...-orde-baru-hingga-16-persen-benarkah?page=all. Tax ratio from 1998 onwards are adjusted to ITTL’s economic conditions.
Wasn’t the name PDI(the -P, IIRC was added after Reformasi) pre-PoD? I guess PNI would appeal more on brand recognition though.
The -P was added after Reformasi. After Soeharto had fallen from power, Megawati and her followers, who still considered themselves the real PDI, went ahead to hold a PDI National Congress in October 1998 where Megawati became elected Chairwoman. Habibie refused to recognize Megawati as the Chairwoman of the PDI so Megawati renamed the party PDI-P so that they could participate in the 1999 Elections.
Source: https://www.news.beritabali.com/rea...a-pdip-bagian-2-habis-lahirnya-pdi-perjuangan
ITTL, the logic behind PNI was not only brand recognition but also because it's a chance to get away from the PDI's legacy. At this stage ITTL, the PDI only has 11 seats in the DPR, it's led by someone associated with the Soeharto regime, and it's now decided that it wants to dissolve itself.