Sjafrie Sjamsuddin Urged Not to Use Security Issues as a 2029 Political Tool

JAKARTA - Public policy and good governance researcher Gian Kasogi assessed that Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin was beginning to be perceived as a "minister of many affairs" in the era of President Prabowo Subianto. He reminded that national security issues should not be turned into a political instrument ahead of the 2029 political contest.

According to Gian, the scope of the Ministry of Defense has recently been seen to be expanding to touch various agendas outside the defense sector. This condition is considered to have the potential to raise public questions about the limits of the ministry's authority in the government system.

"If the Ministry of Defense starts to go too far into the economic, business, and even political maneuvering areas, there is a risk of unhealthy power expansion in government governance," said Gian in a public discussion held by the Indonesia Youth Congress in East Jakarta, Wednesday, March 11.

He assessed that in recent times, public attention has actually been more focused on domestic issues, such as regulations on child protection in the digital space, discussions on the increase in subsidized fuel prices, the surge in gold prices, to preparations for the Lebaran homecoming.

However, in the midst of these various issues, according to Gian, the discourse on the threat to national security suddenly emerged and dominated public conversations.

According to him, the security narrative is often an effective instrument in modern political practice. The issue of threats can be used to build legitimacy of power, strengthen the image of a firm leadership, as well as consolidate political support.

Therefore, Gian did not rule out the possibility that the strengthening of security issues in public spaces was also related to the dynamics of medium-term politics, including the contestation leading up to the 2029 Presidential Election.

"The Minister of Defense should focus on handling national security and defense issues, not getting too far into the economic and business political arena. If the security issue continues to be played in the logic of electoral politics, the one who is harmed is not only the quality of democracy, but also the design of national security itself," he said.

The discussion also featured a number of academics and researchers, including international relations expert Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, Professor of the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia Heru Susetyo, lecturer in international relations at the National University of Robi Nurhadi, and geoeconomic researcher from Monash University Malaysia Hizkia Yosias Polimpung.

Participants in the discussion came from various elements, ranging from youth and student organizations, researchers, academics, to the general public who attended the event in a hybrid manner.