The Provision Of Honorary Generals For Prabowo Subianto Is Like A 1998 Reform Injury

President Jokowi pinned the rank of Honorary General to Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 TNI-Polri Rapim at TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Wednesday (28/2/2024). (Between/Sigid Kurniawan/rwa)

President Joko Widodo again made a decision that was considered controversial after awarding the title of Honorary General (HOR) to Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The fact that Prabowo was dismissed and his career in the past caused a polemic over Jokowi's decision.

Prabowo received a special promotion from President Jokowi to become a TNI general at the TNI-Polri Leadership Meeting (Rapim) in Jakarta, Wednesday (28/2/2024).

Spokesman for Defense Minister Dahnil Ahzar Simanjuntak said the award was in the form of a special promotion to Prabowo because of his contribution to the progress of the TNI and Indonesia's defense.

The same thing was obtained by Pak General SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) then Pak Luhut (Binsar Pandjaitan), Pak Hendropriyono and several other figures. The full general giving to Pak Prabowo was based on Pak Prabowo's dedication and contribution so far in the military and defense world. Therefore, Pak Prabowo was decided, proposed by the TNI Headquarters to the President to be given a full general (ranking)," said Dahnil, quoting Antara.

Jokowi himself led the process of embedding the rank of military honor. He removed the rank of lieutenant general from Prabowo's shoulders, then pinned the rank sign of a four-star general.

"I congratulate Mr. General Prabowo Subianto," said Jokowi closing his speech.

However, what Jokowi did raises questions from the public. Prabowo is known to have a black record that until now cannot be forgotten. He is often associated with cases of alleged human rights violations. This issue has almost always been a weapon to bring down Prabowo, who has a great chance of becoming Jokowi's successor as the number one person in Indonesia.

Political observer Dedi Kurnia Syah assesses that Jokowi has damaged the value of military respect, including destroying the quality of the general's rank of honor with this decision.

This cannot be separated from Prabowo Subianto's image, which is considered to have a dark past, including being dismissed from ABRI in 1998.

Jokowi also respects the injuries of the victims of the missing activists where Prabowo was fired because he was proven to have made a forced disappearance. Of course Jokowi's decision is beyond the limit, almost difficult to accept," said Dedi to VOI.

He added that the retired generals in Jokowi's circle should reject this decision.

Jokowi's move to pin the title of honorary general to Prabowo also received a reaction from the Director of Imparsial Gufron Mabruri. He said Jokowi made an anomaly decision. Gufron questioned Jokowi's balance of making the decision which was considered to have a broad impact.

"Giving the title of honorary general to members or officers who have been dismissed from military service is an anomaly, not only in military history but also in Indonesian politics in general," said Gufron Mabruri, quoted by Kompas.

"Giving an honorary title clearly hurts the victims of human rights violations and annulls their alleged involvement in past gross human rights violations," said Gufron.

Prabowo was honorably dismissed from ABRI through Presidential Decree Number: 62/ABRI/1998 regarding the dismissal of Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto in November 1998. This sparked public debate after he received the title of honorary general.

Military expert Beni Sukadis also questioned Jokowi's benchmark for giving the title. He believes that during the time of some civilians in Indonesia, Prabowo is considered responsible for the alleged human rights violation case at the end of the New Order.

"Is it true or is it only part of Jokowi's efforts to continue to have an influence on Prabowo as president-elect," said Beni, who is also a researcher at the Indonesian Institute for Defense Studies and Strategic Studies.

Jokowi's decision to give Prabowo an honorary title cannot be separated from allegations of political origin. The former mayor of Solo is said to be involved in the formation of Prabowo's cabinet, Presidential Candidate number 2 which until now still leads the quick count of the 2024 presidential election.

Is a member of the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN) Expert Council, Dradjad Wibowo, who had mentioned Jokowi was involved in the formation of the next government cabinet.

"His (Jokowi) involvement will be very significant," said Dradjad.

According to Dradjad, Jokowi's involvement during the transition period was considered reasonable because the authority to compile the RAPBN in a state-organized manner was still in the hands of Jokowi's government. However, he denied Jokowi's involvement for reasons of political play.

"No, more to the reason for the continuation of development and the reasons for political stability," he said.