'Contemuation' From The Two Leaders Meeting

JAKARTA - Pinched. One word that describes the condition of the former 7th President Joko Widodo came to the 8th President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, at his home in Kertanegara, South Jakarta, Saturday, October 4. The meeting was considered an effort to ask for Prabowo's protection amid the issue of fake diplomas and the pressure to impeach Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

However, the palace denied this, they said the meeting of the two leaders of the nation discussed the national issue for two hours. Political observer from the Citra Institute Yusak Farchan assessed that the recent political situation has put Jokowi in a difficult position.

"In the midst of growing public pressure related to cases of fake diplomas and Gibran impeachment, Jokowi needs political protection from Prabowo as the holder of power so that his position does not continue to be pinched," said Yusak through a written message received by VOI, Tuesday, October 14.

Not only that, Yusak added politically, Jokowi wanted to show himself not being influenced and still having good relations with Prabowo even though his closest people such as Budi Arie, Dito, Sri Mulyani, Abdul Karding and Hasan Nasbi were expelled from the Red and White Cabinet. Yusak emphasized that Prabowo also had an interest in the meeting, because it was not easy to displace Jokowi's strength by 100 percent.

"For Prabowo, as President, he has an interest in maintaining political balance with anyone including Jokowi. Meeting Jokowi does not mean pawning Prabowo's sovereignty as President. Although it is not easy to displace Jokowi's power one hundred percent, Prabowo is showing himself as a president who cannot be detected continuously with Jokowi's will," he said.

Saving Gibran

Political observer from the Trias of Strategic Politics, Agung Baskoro, assesses that Jokowi is working hard to save the first period of Prabowo-Gibran (2024-2029). He revealed that Jokowi's direction to volunteers about two terms aims to prevent controversy that surrounds his favorite eldest son, so that the public no longer focuses on negative narratives and switch to Gibran's performance alone.

Vice President (Vice President) of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming while attending the simultaneous planting activities in the Bantar Panjang Village area, Tigaraksa District, Tangerang Regency, Banten, on Wednesday. ANTARA/Azmi Samsul M

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

Jokowi's directive to support Prabowo-Gibran for these two periods is at least to secure the first period. That if there are negative issues that occur or arise, whether it is a matter of diploma, impeachment, or other legal cases, then these volunteers will be at the forefront to fend off it," he said.

"So to reverse the negative perceptions and public opinion, to focus on Mas Gibran's performance, focus on Pak Jokowi's legacy for two periods, focus on positive things like that," he continued.

Agung stated, if these negative issues are not quickly dismissed, it will destabilize Gibran's credibility in the first period. But, for example, negative issues continue to occur, rotate, then master public opinion and perception, let alone for two periods, one period can shake this, Mas Gibran," he added.

He emphasized that the directive to support Prabowo-Gibran for two terms was a logical step that Jokowi could take to anticipate the occurrence of political accidents, such as impeachment in the middle of the road against Gibran. In addition, this directive is also an effort to dispel the negative issues that hit Jokowi's family.

I think, to ensure that there are no opinions, negative perceptions that continue to be trending or viral related to the Solo family. With the presence of these volunteers, at least it can dismiss or reduce negative campaigns or black campaigns that have been attacking the Solo family. Because there are volunteers who continue to be on standby to fight negative narratives, so this is the most logical direction that can be done by Pak Jokowi in the midst of him no longer being president, "explained Agung.

Cabinet with Hundreds of Assistants

Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg), Prasetyo Hadi opened his voice about the news of the meeting of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto with the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo in Kertanegara on Saturday, October 4 yesterday. During the meeting, Prasetyo revealed, the two discussed many things related to national issues.

"Many. The first is indeed a gathering between the two 7th Presidential leaders and the 8th President. If Mr. Prabowo has the opportunity to go to Central Java, he is friendly or stop by. Incidentally, the 7th President, Mr. Jokowi is in Jakarta. I have, I made an appointment to meet lunch time," said Prasetyo Hadi after the celebration of the TNI's 80th Anniversary at Monas, Jakarta, Sunday, October 5.

The Red and White Cabinet still contains ministers of the Jokowi regime era. (Photo: Doc Kemenpan RB)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"Of course, there are many things that are being discussed about national issues. Including providing input in the future, what should be done for several things," he continued.

However, a source met by VOI, Monday, October 13, said that Jokowi had reminded Prabowo not to make the contents of the red and white cabinet swell in the midst of an economy that was difficult. It is feared that it will burden the state's finances.

This statement from a VOI source is in line with the statement by BRIN Political Expert Ikrar Nusa Bhakti who assessed that the composition of the red and white cabinet formed by Prabowo-Gibran was similar to the cabinet in the era of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno. The Dwikora II Cabinet which was formed on February 12, 1966 was also known as the cabinet of hundreds of ministers. This is because this cabinet has the highest number of ministerial and assistant presidential officials at the ministerial level in Indonesian history, which is 132 people.

Ikrar assessed that the appointment of deputy ministers and concurrent positions did not have an important role in the ministry's structure. "The main task minister is how he makes a policy in the ministry, which carries out its director-general. Why does he have a deputy minister?" Ikrar criticism to VOI in a written message, Tuesday, October 14.

Ikrar added that currently the total number of Prabowo-Gibran cabinets has almost reached 100 people. In addition, he also felt confused about the process of naming and breaking the ministry that had existed so far. This seems to suggest that Prabowo puts political interests forward rather than the real interests of the people.

"It (the breaking of a number of ministries) made me what for, right. It seems like sharing positions, without paying attention to our needs (people-ed)," said Ikrar.

However, Ikrar still hopes that Prabowo can still prove all his words so as not to be judged by omons. The hope of Ikrar is in line with the results of research on the level of public satisfaction in one year Prabowo's leadership which reached 87 percent.

"For example (with) how he puts the people first rather than officials, is it true that most young Indonesians find it difficult to find work? This must be handled first," he said.