Twin Sun, Issues Or Reality

JAKARTA - The issue of "Twin sun" in Indonesian politics has resurfaced after Prabowo Subianto's inauguration as the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia. This phenomenon refers to concerns that the government will be colored by leadership dualism, where Prabowo must share influence with the former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). His main concern with conditions is that the government will not run effectively if Prabowo constantly has to accommodate Jokowi's interests and shadow.

The beginning of the Matahari Kembar issue emerged after a number of Cabinet ministers, Prabowo, who is also a former subordinate of Jokowi, visited Jokowi's residence in Sumber, Solo in early Syawal 2025. Although it is claimed to be a visit to the regular Eid gathering, the public and political observers suspect that the group's arrival has a covert political agenda, including policy consultations with Jokowi.

Some of their comments when interviewed by journalists ended up being a prolonged blunder. Several ministers had mentioned Jokowi as "a former boss and even still his boss", which sparked speculation that they still considered Jokowi an influential figure. So that a number of speculations developed and their allegations still have loyalty to Jokowi. Loyalty is not only to Prabowo as his superior or they seem to play twice.

The strengthening of the twin solar issue first surfaced, the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, once warned that Indonesia should not have "two suns" because it would create confusion in the direction of government. Two centers of power will only divide national cohesivity and weaken political stability, in fact SBY's statement that he spoke about the position of the internal chairman of the Democratic Party between SBY and AHY who reminded Democratic cadres about the position of Chairman of the Democratic Party.

However, a number of politicians see this as a satire to Prabowo and his government, who at that time still often met and invited discussions of his former boss, this was considered a step that resulted in the formation of twin sun terms because they were fighting for influence.

Although Jokowi himself always emphasized that there is no twin sun, "What's wrong with the Gathering person can be with anyone", he said. "He insists there is no twin sun, only one sun, namely President Prabowo Subianto, already," he said, fending off reporters' questions at the time.

The issue, this twin sun blew after a number of former ministers of Jokowi's subordinates, who are currently Prabowo's red and white cabinet, flocked to Jokowi's residence, for the Eid al-Fitr gathering. Then a statement emerged from the minister, such as Wahyu Trenggono, the minister of the KKP and Health Minister Budi Sadikin who answered after meeting his former superiors, and even still his superiors. The statement gave rise to various interpretations, including interpretations of the loyalty of the ministers. Between President Prabowo or still loyal to Jokowi. This statement became a polemic and was made by many parties so that the term twin sun appeared.

The visit of a number of Prabowo ministers to Jokowi's residence was also reminded by a politician from PKS, Mardani Ali Sera, who reminded that even though Prabowo did not feel offended by the meeting, it could be the assumption of the emergence of the Twin Sun.

Former vice president Ma'ruf Amin commented on the issue of 'twin sun' (Diah Ayu/VOI)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

Although recently the Public Relations of the PKS DPP, Mabruri stated that the statement was Mardani's personal expression and was not related to PKS institutionally, because Mardani is no longer in the PKS DPP, currently Mardani is only the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency in the DPR commission.

The visit of several former ministers who are now continuing in the red and white Cabinet under the government of President Prabowo, to Jokowi's residence there, comments and statements emerged which then made a lot of confusion, as if there were two, Trenggono, the Minister of KKP who was present at Jokowi's residence confirmed meeting his former boss and still his boss, to stay in touch with Eid, the statement was loved by many. As if the two Ministers still have loyalty to Prabowo and Jokowi, even though Jokowi no longer has any influence. Apart from going to Jokowi by a number of Ministers.

The visit of Sespimmen students (Sekorah Staf and Pimpinan Menengah Polri) also visited Jokowi's house, This raises questions from many parties, Military Political Expert Slamet Ginting assessed that the arrival of a number of Sespimmen Students was impossible without permission from the National Police Chief, especially now that Jokowi is facing the Ijazah questioned by a number of people, so the presence of a number of police officers at that moment caused a lot of interpretation in the public.

A number of Ministers who were caught meeting Jokowi said it was just a normal gathering visit. According to the Secretary General of the PAN Party, Eko Hendro Purnomo (alias Eko Patrio) "In my opinion, this is a very reasonable moment. Moreover, the atmosphere after Ramadan, the nuances are still in the spirit of halalbihalal. So, I see this meeting as a form of ordinary friendship, there is no need to be perceived in all kinds of ways," Eko told reporters at the DPR last Sunday.

Eko said the meeting in Solo was a gathering between ministers who today served President Prabowo Subianto and Jokowi. According to Eko, friendship has a positive side and maintains good relations between national figures. According to Eko, "The term of the Twin Sun is excessive"

The emergence of the issue of the Sun Kembar will have implications for various things, among others, some people see it can lead to the escape of leadership authorities. In the presidential system, the president is the sole mandate holder of the people. If the minister is still seeking directions from the former president, this could obscure the government's hierarchy and weaken Prabowo's authority as the supreme leader.

It can also create potential policy conflicts. If Jokowi remains active in providing input outside the official structure, Prabowo's government policies are at risk of being diluted by the old political interests. Political observer Hendri Satrio (Hensa) considers that this issue can trigger instability if it is not managed properly.

In fact, it could be a threat to political stability, Prabowo himself once stated that he was "not president by begging", asserting that his leadership should be respected. However, if the twin solar issue continues to develop, this could trigger internal friction among government-supporting elites.

Efforts To Dismiss Twin Sun Issues

Jokowi has repeatedly denied this issue, asserting that there are "no twin suns" and that the only legitimate leader is Prabowo 110. One of the strategic steps to reduce this issue is Jokowi's decision as an Indonesian representative at Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican. PAN considers that this step shows Prabowo's trust in Jokowi and at the same time confirms that governance runs constitutionally.

However, some observers such as Pangi Syarwi Chaniago reminded that although Prabowo does not appear to be disturbed, "dark passengers" (political actors who take advantage of the situation) can manipulate this dynamic for their benefit.

In order for the government to run effectively, Prabowo must assert his authority firmly. Slamet Ginting saw the emergence of a petition from the Soldier Purnawirawan Forum containing 8 statements of their stance signed around 300 generals, dozens of marketing and could be ammunition for Prabowo to release his ties with Jokowi so far.

Furthermore, the issue of the twin sun spread with the emergence of Attitudes of a number of retired TNI soldiers, apart from being a support for Prabowo to separate from Jokowi's shadow and appear as president completely. In addition to conveying the unrest with the submission of 8 statements of their attitude, statements signed by around 300 generals, dozens of Marshals were also dozens of Lt. Col. in addition to calling for the return of the original 45 Constitution also calling for the impeachment of Vice President Gibran Rakabumingraka on the grounds that the process violated the constitution.

Meanwhile, a number of figures suggest maintaining good relations with Jokowi is important for stability, the boundaries between friendship and political intervention must be clear. Otherwise, the issue of twin suns will continue to be a shadow that disrupts the consolidation of power and the focus of national development.