Get some rest if you can! Hope you get better soon!Just been very busy right now and a bit of food poisoning to boot so no update this week.
A politician being bullied is never going to be not funny, especially Hamzah who is a tiiiny bit didn't deserve it because of Akbar's shenanigans....22nd April 2003:
The DPR today passed amendments to the National Audit Agency Law and the Supreme Court Law, amending the retirement ages for the BPK’s auditors, including its chairman, and the Supreme Court Judges with said amended retirement ages to take into effect with new BPK auditors and Supreme Court Judges. The PKPI, PPP, and ABRI combined to pass the law while the PNI rejected the passing because “there was no clear reason for the rush”. The PKPB also rejected the passing of the law with DPR Member Yusril Ihza Mahendra calling the amendments the “Hamzah Haz amendments”, saying that “We now know the price for Hamzah’s support for the President”.
And PKPB being PKPB again.Later in the day in the DPR, Minister of Defense and Security Wiranto was facing questioning from a work meeting with DPR members about what precisely the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting had agreed to regarding personnel recruitment. Wiranto pointed out that recruitment are still going on for all four branches of ABRI though at a “reduced rate” and that the goal was to strengthen ABRI’s military capability by integrating Myanmarian personnel into ABRI. DPR PKPB Member Syarwan Hamid was merciless however. He asked Wiranto whether the latter’s friendship with Chairman of the Overseas Myanmarians’ League Shwe Mann had effected defence policy, something which Wiranto denied.
Under constant pressure and try as he might, Wiranto said that the reduced personnel recruitment for ABRI this financial year was because the funds are being used to integrate Myanmarian military personnel. Wiranto looked upset when, from that point on, Syarwan pointed to what he had just acknowledged as a “concession”.
He pushed himself too hard.23rd April 2003:
President Try Sutrisno, accompanied by Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo, paid his respects to former Chief of BAKIN Yoga Sugama, who passed away that morning, at the latter’s private residence. Among Yoga’s family members and looking busy helping to coordinate funeral arrangements despite looking very pale-faced was Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni.
“Amirul doesn’t look well”, the President said to Ari as he got ready to depart Yoga’s residence.
“That’s because he isn’t and hasn’t been well, Mr. President” Ari said “He’s supposed to get a liver transplant in Singapore but he’s delayed that because the ABRI Leadership Meeting was on and now after the ABRI Leadership Meeting this happens and he feels obliged to get involved because he was Pak Yoga’s aide-de-camp for a year.”
Hamzah would be a formidable auditor this time.In a press conference at the BPK Building this afternoon, Chairman of the BPK Marzuki Usman announced his resignation after serving 15 months in the position. Marzuki has said that the President has accepted this resignation.
24th April 2003:
In a raucous atmosphere, the DPR held a vote to determine whose name it will submit to the President for the now vacant office of chairman of the BPK. The DPR members voted along party lines and when all the votes were counted PPP DPR Member Hamzah Haz (nominated by the PKPI, PPP, and ABRI) overcame former Commander of ABRI Feisal Tanjung (nominated by the PKPB) and PNI DPR Member Laksamana Sukardi (nominated by the PNI).
Don't make it hard on yourselves, Prajogo and co.Minister of Forestry Sapta Nirwandar came out of a meeting with the President. Sapta said he reported to the President that the Legal Timber Certification Scheme has been in effect since 1st April. This will be the important document to have to export timber overseas without which there is no guarantee of the legality. Sapta said that the President has instructed him to encourage forest concessionaires still in the process of bringing themselves into compliance with existing regulations to do so promptly so that they can obtain this certificate and so that they can export timber.
Soehartoists at heart, not surprised at all.25th April 2003:
There was a demonstration at the Department of Defense and Security this morning. Though still far from a crowd, it was nevertheless still large enough for some units the Jakarta Regional Military Command to be ordered on standby. The demonstrators were aspiring Army recruits who protested that the government “favored foreigners over Indonesians” when it comes to defense.
The demonstration got some press coverage but this was when things got awry for some of its participants. Interviewed by a reporter, one of the demonstrators let slip that he was disappointed not to be able to be recruited this year because he had spent “considerable money” and could not get it back. Another demonstrator revealed that he was not even an aspiring soldier but someone “who helped others” with their application and looked offended when the reporter asked if that made him a “calo ”.
After Friday Prayer and lunch, the demonstrators were seen at the DPR Building in the offices of Vice Chairman of the DPR Hartono. With the press and cameras invited into his office, Hartono expressed his sympathies to those in the room as well as those around Indonesia who has been “disadvantaged” by the government’s policies. Hartono says that the PKPB promises to hold the government to account for all its mistakes during this term because the government holds a majority of seats in the DPR by a virtue of a coalition whereas on a party-to-party basis, it’s the PKPB that holds the the most seat and that this “will and must count for something”.
Well, the Aussies certainly not mind if PNG imports stuff from the KL Bloc.26th April 2003:
The President spent Saturday morning meeting with Vice President JB Sumarlin over some tea and cakes. Sumarlin reported to the President of his visit to Papua New Guinea over the past few days saying that Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Mekere Morauta hopes that the President’s re-election will positively impact the economy in Papua New Guinea. Sumarlin also reported that Indonesia’s road aid program for Papua New Guinea has begun to flow in, with construction to begin in a few months’ time.
“I think Prime Minister Morauta’s stance can be summarized in the fact that he wants closer economic relations with us”, Sumarlin said.
“That’s what I want too, Mr. Vice President ”, the President replied “But is that what Australia wants?”
“I asked Prime Minister Morauta about Australia and whether it would approve of such a thing, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “Prime Minister Morauta told us not to take the Australians seriously because Australia has nothing to fear. It is Australia after all, who will soon be completing an oil refinery in Papua New Guinea.”
The President nodded at Sumarlin’s point.
“That said, Prime Minister Morauta acknowledges that Australia seems to have something against Indonesia. It said nothing when Papua New Guinea recently signed an agreement to import crude oil from Malaysia”, continued Sumarlin.
The President changed topics after this though Sumarlin thought no one could have missed anger flashing through the President’s face at the knowledge that Australia did not mind other countries deepening its economic relationship with Papua New Guinea.
Railroads this time? I do hope they would expand it this time since people has more job opportunities than ever and unemployment rate are steadily decreasing.Sumarlin said that he fully supported what the President wanted to do to improve ABRI, including integrating Myanmarian personnel into ABRI and abolishing “excess territorial commands” if it meant slowing down recruitment into ABRI saying that he personally “preferred” Indonesians in factories or starting a business rather than becoming soldiers.
That said, Sumarlin said that looking into the numbers, there are cost-savings less funding was required for integrating Myanmarian personnel when compared to recruiting and training of new personnel (the Myanmarians are most definitely not starting from zero when it comes to training and no recruitment was necessary. Sumarlin also said that there will be cost savings from territorial sub-commands being abolished.
“I think these extra funds could be used elsewhere in defense, Mr. President”, Sumarlin said “But I’ll leave it to you to make the call.”
The President chuckled, his mind already thinking about how he was going to use the extra savings.
Too bad Try is not that left-inclined, else maybe Indonesia has sending feelers to both countries and nudge them to properly develop their economics.“I have a couple of big summits to attend next month, Mr. Vice President”, the President said “The informal summit with the the other BRICI nations at Rio de Janeiro, then I’m going to spend Ascension Day in Rio and then I’m heading to Paris for the G-8 Summit. Two summits, one with the current economic powers of the world, one with our fellow aspiring economic powers. What should be my gameplan?”
“As always, I’ll leave the geopolitics to you”, Sumarlin replied “But from an economic standpoint, we’re in a unique position. Yes, we’re a major emerging economy and yet I don’t think we’re as far along the other four BRICI economies as far as wanting to the world to be multipolar or even aspiring to be another “pole” is concerned. At the same time, the IMF and the US Treasury still look warily at us for managing to get leniencies for this and leeways for that when we faced the Asian Financial Crisis but they can’t do anything to us. We’re managing our economy well, our budget’s not out of control…”
“We’re not like Morales in Bolivia or Castro in Cuba”, the President said.
“That’s correct, Mr. President”, Sumarlin replied “We should try to take advantage of this unique position and make further gains from it.”
Whelp, that was quick.28th April 2003:
In a press conference at the Department of Health, Minister of Health Azrul Azwar announced that the WHO has declared Indonesia to be SARS-free after 20 days without any addition to the 7 cases which has been recorded, Indonesia being the second country in Southeast Asia after Vietnam to receive this declaration from the WHO. When asked whether the government was going to “loosen up” its policies to handle SARS, Azrul said that the President’s instruction is to keep watch of developments in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and base Indonesia’s next step on developments there.
Edi Sudrajat always proved himself as the perfect opponent for Hartono, awokawokawokElsewhere, the President hosted lunch with Wiranto and Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin at the Presidential Palace though the photo-op element of it was strong with cameras and the press being allowed in to see the President, Wiranto, and TB chatting happily together. After they got their share of pictures, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat ordered the the doors closed to the press though this meant that the press began asking questions at him.
Asked about what the lunchtime photo-op meant, Edi said it meant that the decision made to integrate Myanmarian personnel into ABRI was a decision that the President, the Minister of Defense and Security, and the Commander of ABRI stands behind. When asked about Hartono’s comment that the PKPB will continue to hold the government to account, Edi could not hide his annoyance.
“I appreciate the sentiment but obviously the Vice Chairman Hartono did not get the memo about the results of the MPR General Session”, Edi said “I think given the President’s renewed mandate, any outstanding legislation from the previous term should be passed on account of the President now having that renewed mandate, otherwise it’ll be be a long 5 years for everybody if we want to continue to play this game of getting in the way for the sake of getting in the way.”
Niceeee....29th April 2003:
The President today met with Governor of BI Bambang Subianto, Head of IBRA Herdiwiyatmo, and Head of the BPKP Sjahruddin Rasul. Bambang reported that as of that date, all of the private owned banks which still has outstanding BLBI debts has collectively and immediately repaid their BLBI debts immediately as opposed to waiting until the end of the year as has been the case in the last few years. The President replied by instructing the BPKP to conduct an audit so that these banks can be declared to have settled their payments and so that the Bank Indonesia can issue a notification of payment completion.
Really hope that this time, the law would encourage religious justice and mutual understanding between the 6 different communities. Especially after Folk Religion is acknowledged as the 7th religion.Also meeting with the President today were Minister of Religion Slamet Effendy Yusuf and Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah. The two came out saying that they reported their consolidation at the Department of Religion over the last month and a half. Slamet said he reported to the President about preparations for a Construction of Places of Worship Bill which is a “homework” he had inherited from his predecessor. The President approved of the steps taken thus far and said that the general goal of the bill is so that “religious majorities and minorities” alike can easily construct places of worship. Amin meanwhile reported that the BAZNAS and the BWI are now headed by civil servants instead of political appointees.
Well, well, look who's back?30th April 2003:
At the Presidential Palace today, the President acted as a witness as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Albert Hasibuan administered oaths to the following:
*Hamzah Haz as the Chairman of the BPK
This was then followed by the administering of the oaths for the members of Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) which included the following leadership team:
*Harmoko as the Chairman of the DPA
*Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Harsudiono Hartas as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Marzuki Usman MA as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Jakob Tobing, MPR as Vice Chairman of the DPA
*Drs. Zarkasih Nur as Vice Chairman of the DPA
The President then presided over a ceremony in which he swore in the following:
*Gen. (Ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar as Ambassador to the United Nations
*Dr. Feisal Tamin SSEP as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea
*Lt. Gen. Prijanto as Ambassador to Japan
*Dr. Dono Iskandar Djojosubroto as Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia
*Lt. Gen. (Mar.) Yusuf Solichien Martadiningrat as Secretary of the DKN, promoted to lieutenant general prior to ceremony
*Dr. Drs. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang as Head of the BKEK
*Lt. Gen. (Hon.) Haris Sudarno as Operational Control of Development Secretary, promoted to honorary lieutenant general prior to ceremony
There were a lot of satisfied faces as the President shook hands with those who were sworn in. Harmoko said to all who would listen that his faith in and continuing support of the President had been rewarded. Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPR Matori Abdul Djalil hugged Hamzah Haz, their rivalry forgotten as the PPP was united once more.
Real good.1st May 2003:
An early morning flight took the President to Merauke, Irian Jaya. Upon landing at Merauke Airport, the President toured the new airport building before standing with Minister of Transportation Chappy Hakim, Budi Soesilo Soepandji, Junior Minister of Economic and National Development Planning Iwan Jaya Azis, and Governor of Irian Jaya Freddy Numberi as he inaugurated the following:
*New Terminal Building at Mopah Airport, Merauke
*The Waropko-Tanah Merah-Merauke Road
*The Merauke-Sota Road
*The Merauke Town Square Shopping Center
The President pointed out that the ambition of the government is to conduct national development so that the promise of independence can be realized all across the archipelago from Sabang to “right here in Merauke”.
Awokawokawokawok......The President then travelled from Merauke to the Sota Village close to the Indonesian-Papua New Guinean. This time accompanied by Minister Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, the President conducted a surprise inspection at the village office. The locals thought the President was some important official from Jakarta until someone pointed out that he looked awfully similar to the official photograph stuck on the office. When the locals began complaining that they were being charged “a lot of money” to make identification cards, family cards, birth certificates and other basic documents, the President began accompanying applicants to the counter and guiding them through the process. Meanwhile Sintong berated officials behind the counter, getting visibly annoyed and impatient at the pace of work.
Not all sunshines for Try Sutrisno and Indonesia, but he really does the job better than Soeharto.After Friday Prayer and lunch, the President was flanked by State Minister of Rural Development Cahyana Ahmajayadi and State Minister of the Development of Eastern Indonesia Maria Fernanda Lay as he took questions and comments from locals about government policies under tent in a field. One particular question was about electricity saying that while they now have access to electricity over there, the electricity does not last for 24 hours. The President explained that the target of Repelita VII is for 100% rural electrification, which looks set to be fulfilled, but that 24 hours electricity supply will be the target of Repelita VIII.
The President was enjoying himself but the question and answer session needed to be cut short because the dark clouds coming from the direction of east turned into a downpour and he was forced back inside his car.
Well, this kinda gives me a not-so-good vibes. Any chances of the fake ids being produced ...not-locally?State Minister of Transmigration Rusnain Yahya also emerged from a meeting with the President today. Rusnain said that the President has approved of his decision to suspend all transmigration out of Aceh. Rusnain said that in the past 8-10 months there has been a lot of self-funded transmigrants out of Aceh. This in itself not wrong, but what has emerged in the last few months is that these transmigrants are using fake ID cards and that they have “disappeared” instead of reporting their arrival to the local authorities upon arrival. Rusnain said that the State Ministry of Transmigration is working with the Department of Home Affairs in particular to investigate this matter.
At this point Tutut would just advocating for an isolationist policy, in other words, handing over ASEAN to Luo Gan.2nd May 2003:
After spending the night at Merauke, President Try Sutrisno flew with his entourage, landing at Surabaya, East Java. The Presidential motorcade was seen heading to Gresik to Petrokimia Gresik’s new Phosphate Acid Factory. [snip]
As he toured the facilities, the President and his entourage’s mood was somewhat spoiled by questions about an article Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto penned that morning in the Kompas Newspaper. The article focused on the President’s ASEAN policy saying that the President is “sacrificing Indonesian farmers” for the sake of making Indonesia the leader of ASEAN. Tutut argued that fruit and vegetable farmers will be swamped by imports of fruits and vegetables from ASEAN becoming cheaper.
And Sumarlin is right, less soldiers and more enterpreneurs, especially for downstreaming our agricultural products and making Indonesian farmers keep happy. Can Tutut do the same?4th May 2003:
Over some chicken porridge on a Sunday morning, the President met with Chairman of the Overseas Myanmarians League (OML) Shwe Mann. Shwe Mann expressed his thanks for the President for allowing the integration of his followers into ABRI despite this being unpopular in some circles in Indonesia. The President told him that the Myanmarians will “make themselves proud” and will make ABRI strong.
Ah yesh, as challenges abound for Indonesia from both China, ISA, and the most important one, Tutut Soeharto.5th May 2003:
In a press conference, State Secretary Edi Sudrajat announced that the President has approved of the formation of the DKN as the forum for discussing, formulating, coordinating policy regarding national security.
Lol, picked my mind, eh?The press was keen to know what the government thought about Tutut’s article the previous Saturday. Edi said that the government would take it seriously if there is something coherent to Tutut’s criticism beyond disagreeing for disagreeing’s sake. He jokes that at this stage, if the government was to turn right, Tutut would turn left because that was the opposite of right.
This one is huge. So far only a select few of cities in Java which has implemented "Wajib Belajar 12 Tahun", namely Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bandung. 10 years target is still obtainable and even if it failed, it's still already better than OTL Indonesia. Pak Juwono FTW!6th May 2003:
The President met with Minister of Education Juwono Sudarsono today. Juwono brought numbers regarding Junior High School enrollment rates which were as follows throughout the course of the President’s presidency.
-1997/1998: 72.5%
-1998/1999: 70.1%
-1999/2000: 75.7%
-2000/2001: 80.1%
-2001/2002: 87.4%
-2002/2003: 93.3%
After recommitting themselves that the target was 100% Junior High School enrollment prior to the end of Repelita VII, the President and Juwono discussed the main goal for Repelita VIII for education which will be Compulsory 12 Years’ Education and how to best achieve that. By the end of the meeting, the President and Juwono had agreed on the following basic principles:
*Much as the Compulsory 6 Years’ Education and Compulsory 9 Years’ Education, the government will give itself 10 years to achieve Compulsory 12 Years’ Education.
*By the end of these 10 years, the goal is for all those aged 16-18 to either be in High School or a Vocational School.
*The Central Government will focus on constructing High Schools and its accompanying infrastructure. The role of building vocational schools will be deconcentrated to provincial as well as municipal/regency governments as they will better know what vocations are required and needed in their respective regions.
*The government will also be continuing its policy of constructing extra classrooms in existing state primary schools to accommodate kindergarten-aged children. The government is setting a target of 5 years for all kindergarten-aged children to be enrolled in a kindergarten.
Dark clouds approaching.7th May 2003:
The President today chaired the first meeting of the DKN. The topic of discussion was the most recent development in the United States and its coalition’s humanitarian intervention in Yugoslavia: namely that Montenegro had been declared liberated after the last of the Yugoslav Army had retreated back into Serbia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman told the President to expect to see Milo Djukanovic installed as the new President of Montenegro soon.
[snip]
“That part I understand”, the President “I mean, will Montenegro continue to remain a part of Yugoslavia?”
“Djukanovic ran for election promising to hold an independence referendum for Montenegro, I think this will be an eventuality though it will wait until after Milosevic’s overthrow and the installment of a pro-West President of Yugoslavia”, Marzuki replied.
The President thought about it.
“As long as the United States and the United Kingdom keep sending weapons our way, I’ll keep my mouth shut”, the President said “But they still can’t answer whether this “humanitarian intervention” is a precedent.”
Oh f-8th May 2003:
[snip]
State Minister of Transmigration Rusnain Yahya also emerged from a meeting with the President today. Rusnain said that the President has approved of his decision to suspend all transmigration out of Aceh. Rusnain said that in the past 8-10 months there has been a lot of self-funded transmigrants out of Aceh. This in itself not wrong, but what has emerged in the last few months is that these transmigrants are using fake ID cards and that they have “disappeared” instead of reporting their arrival to the local authorities upon arrival. Rusnain said that the State Ministry of Transmigration is working with the Department of Home Affairs in particular to investigate this matter.
Can they just build something else? Like that Jakarta Tower. Build something like that in Medan, Makassar, or Balikpapan if they so choose.9th May 2003:
At the PKPB National Headquarters, Tutut accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and held a coffee morning with a delegation of contractors who came to express their grievance that the government’s moratorium on the construction of new government buildings was and will be “bad for their business”. Tutut listened sympathetically, commenting that this was a government willing to pick a fight and sacrifice anybody and everybody.
Serves the Aussies right. Leopard MBTs les gooo!!!Meanwhile, the President had a meeting with Wiranto. Wiranto talked about his recent trip to Afghanistan and his enquiries about the possibility of purchasing surplus T-54/T-55 Tanks there to the “major participants” of Operation Enduring Freedom. No one had a problem with it, but once Australia “raised a concern” about why Indonesia would want to buy 100+ T-54/T-55 Tanks, the United States also began to cool off despite being initially having no problem with the idea. Wiranto once again repeated the point he made in the DKN Meeting that Australia has “a lot of influence with the United States and in their coalition”.
“The only upside of this, Mr. President”, said Wiranto “Is that because we have been transparent in communicating our interests to the major participants of Operation Enduring Freedom, those who are both more friendly to us and have a defense industry are now very much aware that Indonesia is in the hunt for more equipment and are now enquiring about whether we would interested in their “products” instead.”
I can feel both Edi's glare and Try's anger building up.10th May 2003:
The President spent his Saturday heading by land to Cilegon, West Java. [snip]
As the President toured the KHI’s facilities and looking at samples of the products that are manufactured there, the President faced questions about Tutut sitting with contractors who feel disadvantaged by the government’s moratorium on the construction of new government buildings. At first the President tried to distract the press by pointing at how wonderful the facilities are but despite Edi’s glares, the questions were relentless; the moratorium on the construction of new government buildigns, the claim that the President was sacrificing farmers so that Indonesia can become the leader of ASEAN, the integration of Myanmarians into the ABRI, the refusal to support the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law…
There it is, he said the words. One can hold it for so long.....“In the last week or so, I have been inaugurating projects”, the President said “Both at the most isolated place in this archipelago and in the centers of industry, both government projects and non-government, both private and state. I inaugurated airports, roads, electricity generators. There are facilities which will help breed chicken for our food industry, produce phosphate for our fertilizers, more cement for our construction industry, more steel and more aluminium, space fo assemble military vehicles…the way I see it this nation is moving forward on all fronts.
If this is still to be and can be perfected, then I’m all for working constructively and for the benefit of the nation. But I do regret if the only contribution others can make is to get in the way for the sake of getting in the way… I hope they would have the decency to get out of the way before they are pushed out of the way. (Saya berharap mereka masih punya rasa malu dan menyingkir dulu sebelum mereka disingkirkan.)”
“Mr. President, what do you mean pushed out of the way?” asked a member of the press.
“All right, that’s enough questions for now”, said Edi stepping in while gently pushing the President to begin walking away from the press.
Well, i mean, the way it is now, by 2007 PNI would surely get the votes from those who wanted to constructively oppose Try but didn't choose PKPB because of Tutut being unconstructive, so i can see why Bu Mega didn't want that to be happened lol.At her private residence, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri watched this unfold on television so seriously that her husband Taufiq Kiemas took notice of it.
“Something wrong, Dear?” asked Taufiq.
“This will be interesting”, Megawati said as she gestured towards the image of the President looking angry on television “If he’s saying what I think he’s saying, he’s going to do to Tutut what Soeharto did to me.”
“What? Take over the PKPB’s National Headquarters by force?” asked Taufiq.
“Well, I hope it doesn’t get to that”, replied Megawati.
Lol yeah.[Tutut disliked this]
This one will be ITTL’s “religious place of worship” policy and will butterfly away OTL’a SKB 2 Menteri.Really hope that this time, the law would encourage religious justice and mutual understanding between the 6 different communities. Especially after Folk Religion is acknowledged as the 7th religion.
The internal communal violence has been butterflied away largely because ITTL Indonesia is more stable. But I do have Muddafar Sjah listed as a Regional Delegate in my very incomplete list of MPR Delegates and DPR Members notes. He became a non-partisan after Golkar broke into two. He’s most likely a Tutut voter in the MPR.Something that i just got recently interested.
How are Indonesian monarchies (other than Jogjakarta and Pakualaman) doing ITTL? Would they stayed under radar like OTL or doing a Simeon by becoming regional delegates, regents, or mayors in their respective homelands?
I can see Ternate's Muddafar Sjah helping Try to calm down the sentiments in North Mollucas during ITTL's version of Early 2000s Indonesian Inter-Communal Violence and afterwards becoming a regional delegate like OTL in 2002 and pledged his allegiance to Try in the 2003 MPR Session.
The Pakubuwono Succession Crisis is brewing as Pakubuwono XII has just recently celebrated his 78th birthday and still has not designated the crown prince.
Keep tuning in. But for the moment, this explains the situation a while back of people from Aceh transmigrating to Irian Jaya but the Irian Jaya government failing to record arrivals.Well, this kinda gives me a not-so-good vibes. Any chances of the fake ids being produced ...not-locally?
[Tutut disliked this]
Yeah, i know, but i think he would also deploy his bodyguards there just to be safe, especially when Laskar Jihad made their announcements.The internal communal violence has been butterflied away largely because ITTL Indonesia is more stable.
NiceBut I do have Muddafar Sjah listed as a Regional Delegate in my very incomplete list of MPR Delegates and DPR Members notes.
Ah well, what a pity since he's actually a cool one.... I reckon he's on Akbar's faction rather than Tutut-Hartono's when the time comes.He became a non-partisan after Golkar broke into two. He’s most likely a Tutut voter in the MPR.
Let's hope it would only bothered the mayor of Surakarta and not becoming a national issue like OTL.The Solo succession crisis will occur. It’s just a matter of who will be in charge of the mediation.
Yeah. Also with more money to throw around means that Festival Adat Budaya Nusantara can be organized sooner than OTL.But zero clue about the others. Probably will see them all in the same room sometime in the future because there’s a Menbud now.
Well things are cooking for sure....Tutut leadership days will be different... while BJP could perhaps win the 2004 election...12th May 2003:
The President chaired a DKN Meeting. At its conclusion, Minister of Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo had the duty of doing the press conference accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Srijanto, Chief of Police I Made Mangku Pastika ABRI Chief of General Staff Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno, and ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Saurip Kadi who had been invited along for the meeting.
TB Hasanuddin said that the DKN meeting decided on the follow up to the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting; namely how the former roles of the abolished territorial commands will be fulfilled by various departments and agencies which, among others, will be as follows:
*The territorial functions of ABRI will be concentrated at the Army’s Resort Military Command level.
*The Regional Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the provincial level, the Resort Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the regency/municipal level, liaison officers will be appointed for lower levels of government.
*Any intelligence and surveillance functions, excepting those of a strategic nature, will be taken over by BAKIN’s regional offices.
*Functions related to public order and security will be taken over by the Police or, at the more grassroots level, the Department of Home Affairs’ Civil Defence and Municipal Police (Satpol PP).
*Training will be provided to BAKIN’s regional offices, the Police, the Civil Defence, and the Satpol PP as they take on these functons.
*Trial run for the abolition of territorial commands will be conducted in Jakarta and Surabaya before the year is out because the two cities are considered secure enough for the experiment.
TB and Saurip Kadi underlined once again that these changes will not effect the Dual Function. ABRI will continue to conduct its socio-political functions by taking part in the executive, legislative, the civil service, the regions and whereever ABRI is needed. Meanwhile its defence and security function will be bolstered because the personnel from the abolished territorial commands will be converted into combat units. Meanwhile Srijanto said that the territorial commands had 140,000 personnel and said that this personnel could be better used elsewhere such as strengthening ABRI’s military capacity.
13th May 2003:
The President, in his capacity as the Leader of the PKPI, met with Chairman of the PKPI/Vice Chairman of the DPR Basofi Sudirman. Basofi had just returned from India while the rest of the PKPI Delegation, including Day-to-Day Chairman of the PKPI Soeyono, had stayed behind for longer. Basofi reported that the PKPI Delegation are getting along well with their counterparts from BJP, the latter being very keen to learn why the PKPI, despite supporting a competent government, did not get the most seats the 2002 Elections. Basofi also said that Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee conveys his greetings and that he could not wait to see the President soon at BRICI.
They then discussed the situation in the DPR. Basofi said that defeat at the MPR General Session has made the PKPB “all the more” stubborn and all the more likely to be uncooperative for its own sake. As an example, Basofi said that in the aftermath of the MPR General Session, the PNI has expressed agreement to the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law on the grounds that it provides a more sound legal basis for taking action against terrorists and suspected terrorists. The PKPB’s official stance, on the other hand, is that it is against the passing of the law and does not show any inclination of wanting to change its stance. This despite the President’s request that the bill be passed unanimously into law in the DPR because of its importance.
“What will it take for the PKPB to change their stance?” the President asked.
Basofi thought things through.
“Frankly speaking, Mr. President, it will take change to a party leadership more willing to be constructive for the PKPB to stop its current actions”, said Basofi.
15th May 2003:
The President today chaired a cabinet meeting attended by Vice President JB Sumarlin and the entire cabinet. Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti gave a report on the present economic conditions to the meeting, saying that for the first half of 2003, Indonesia’s economy will be bolstered by three long weekends; the Easter Long Weekend in April, the Vesak Long Weekend tomorrow, and the Ascension Day Long Weekend in two weeks’ time. Dorodjatun said that there will be extra economic activity, in particular regards to consumer spending, during these three long weekends with Minister of Tourism Sutiyoso confirming that hotel bookings are receiving spikes during these periods. The President happily noted this saying that these long weekends will make itself known in Indonesia’s economic growth figures, instructing only to make sure that the transport of basic commodities will not be obstructed during this period so that there will not be spikes in prices.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman then reported on the President’s upcoming trip, saying that it will be an “around the world” trip and went through the itinerary, the highlight of which will be attendance at the BRICI Unofficial Summit in Brazil and at the G-8 Summit as an invitee in France. The President commented that he wanted to bring Indonesia to the world on this trip, raise its profile, and most importantly, advance its interests.
17th May 2003:
There were a lot of smiles and flashbulbs as Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto posed for pictures before they had lunch together, Ginandjar accompanied by former minister Kuntoro Mangunsubroto while Tutut was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung.
Inside, Tutut bemoaned that over the last two months a lot of talent had left the government; pointing to Ginandjar and Kuntoro as the two main examples. Ginandjar said that this was true, that his supporters in the government had been targeted and removed, Jusuf Kalla no longer being Ambassador to Japan being a case in point. ZA Maulani pointed out that Muhammadiyah representation is being cut down to a minimum, especially if said representation was associated with Amien Rais though Kuntoro said that there was one Muhammadiyah member left standing in Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah.
Tutut went at length about how she was “nowhere near finished” with the President and repeated her claim that the PKPB will use its weight in the DPR to continue to have a say in the government and that the government must take into account the PKPB’s stance on various issues if it wants to move forward.
“Well it’s not that I disagree with you and what you’re doing now”, Ginandjar said “It’s just that while it is true the PKPB is the party that has the most seats in the DPR, it’s the government that controls the majority through its PKPI-PPP-ABRI Coalition so it does not have to take the PKPB into account. And on the matter of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the government has asked for unanimous support because it’s an important bill and with the PNI having declared support, is it not poor form for the PKPB to not declare its support and to openly get in the way of this and various government policies just for the hell of it?”
“You’re sounding like you’re still a government official”, Akbar joked, getting a laugh from Tutut in the process.
“It’s not that there isn’t a time and a place to take on the government” said Ginandjar “It’s just that there is 4 years and 10 months left of this, this is always going to be a marathon.”
“What do you think of the President’s comments a few days ago at Cilegon?” asked Akbar.
“I think whatever intentions we in this room have towards him, the one thing we should never do is underestimate Try Sutrisno”, Ginandjar replied “He creates the false impression that he’s an easy target or that he will just sit there and take the bad treatment being dished out to him or that he will just get out of the way…but I say this having been his partner in making foreign policy and not expecting that he would actually dare to remove me in the middle of the MPR General Sesson…if you’re thinking those kinds of thoughts about him, you do it at your own peril.”
Ginandjar would later say that despite the fact that he was the one to make the joke about Ginandjar sounding like a government official, it was Akbar who took Ginandjar’s comments about the President most seriously.
18th May 2003:
The Presidential Palace was a lot of hustle and bustle. Edi was seen going over some things with his staff and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was playing with her grandchildren even as she was overseeing her staff packing her clothes. At the President’s office, the President received Sintong Panjaitan, the latter had a concerned look on his face.
“This arrived Friday afternoon”, Sintong said as he handed the President an envelope “Normally I would wait until tomorrow Monday but you will be gone for a bit, so I wanted to bring the matter to your attention.”
The President opened it and read it carefully.
“It is a letter from Akbar Tandjung asking the Department of Home Affairs whether it has the same understanding of the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws about the requirements to hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Sintong as the President looked up at him “I’m assuming the reason Akbar is sending me this letter is because he is preparing an Extraordinary PKPB National Congress.”
The President finished reading the letter and handed it back to Sintong.
“Usually party national congresses that are held under extraordinary circumstances…the aim is to forcefully change leadership…” Sintong said “I wonder what the government’s stance on this should be.”
Realizing that Sintong had not been part of the politicking at the MPR General Session, the President decided to tell the story of how Akbar Tandjung and his supporters had helped the President secure his re-election but that Akbar had also asked for the President’s support to challenge Tutut for the chairmanship of the PKPB at the next PKPB National Congress.
Sintong looked seriously at the President.
“And right now, Mr. President, you’re inclined to support what Akbar is doing and have a PKPB Extraordinary National Congress where Tutut will be overthrown?” asked Sintong.
“You’re not wrong”, the President replied “And it’s not only because I had cut a deal with Akbar, it’s also because the way the Chairwoman of the PKPB has acted in the last few weeks…there is still a long way to go in this term and for her to just continue getting in the way on top of the last 5 years…my patience is at an end, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
There was silence in the room.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your position, Mr. President”, Sintong advised “It’s just that I hope you will not act rashly.”
The President listened.
“10 years ago, your predecessor tried to prevent the election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairwoman of the PDI but she got elected in defiance of government intervention, became popular and that’s the reason why she became the third name, other than yourself and the Chairwoman of the PKPB, intending to contest the presidency”, Sintong continued “If you wish to intervene in this and you fail, she will be another “Megawati”, she will continue to be a thorn in your side.”
“Then we have to make sure that Akbar wins”, the President said.
“That won’t be enough, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If he wins but Tutut still has a sizeable chunk of support of influence, she will be doing to Akbar what she was doing to you in Golkar. There will be two PKPBs vying for existence.”
There was silence between the two.
“So what you’re saying is, it’s not enough that Akbar wins, Tutut has to lose as well”, the President said “And decisively lose.”
“That’s right, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If you want to strike at her now, make sure it’s nothing less than a knockout blow.”
There was another silence and then the President stood up signalling that the meeting was over.
“I have to go to Halim soon”, the President “I’m not going throw the government’s support behind him but for the moment, by all means confirm to Akbar that if he fulfills the requirements set out in the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws, he can apply for the government’s approval for an Extraordinary National Congress. But pleasewait until I’m back here before you give that approval, would you? I think I want to be around for that moment.”
---
Chapter title spells Munaslub, the Indonesian acronym for Musyawarah Nasional Luar Biasa or in English, Extraordinary National Congress
In OTL, the territorial commands circa 1999 has 140,000 personnel
TNI : Reformasi TNI dan Sulitnya Mengatur Bisnis Tentara
BINTANG Mayjen TNI Agus Wirahadikusumah ternyata tak memudar walaupun ia tengah “dibuang” ke ujung timur. Saat restrukturisasi TNI awal November lalu, perwira tinggi kelahiran Bandung, 17 Oktober 1951, seorang mayor jenderal senior, akhirnya malah “dilempar” ke pos Panglima Komando Daerah...www.google.co.id
The significance of Basofi offering this advice is that he had been a part of interfering in another party’s internal affairs. In OTL, Basofi adopted a hardline approach as Governor of East Java against Megawati’s supporters in East Java. When Megawati’s supporters took control of the PDI’s East Java Provincial Branch, Basofi continued to support pro-government PDI members in the East Java Provincial Branch https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...i+megawati+latief&pg=PA83&printsec=frontcover
Credit to @Rajveer Naha on the BJP wanting to learn from the PKPI's experiences
OkAnd this is a random question I forgot to ask in the previous chapter:
When you are a higher up political person of Serbia...When is it Yugoslavia?
When you are a higher up political person in a country outside of Serbia...When is it Serbia?
But your local layman doesn't give a damn about terms....Or are the two interchangeable?
Those army wannabe protesters would be livid lol12th May 2003:
The President chaired a DKN Meeting. At its conclusion, Minister of Home Affairs Sintong Panjaitan, Commander of ABRI TB Hasanuddin and Chief of BAKIN Ari Sudewo had the duty of doing the press conference accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Srijanto, Chief of Police I Made Mangku Pastika ABRI Chief of General Staff Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno, and ABRI Chief of Socio-Political Affairs Staff Saurip Kadi who had been invited along for the meeting.
TB Hasanuddin said that the DKN meeting decided on the follow up to the 2003 ABRI Leadership Meeting; namely how the former roles of the abolished territorial commands will be fulfilled by various departments and agencies which, among others, will be as follows:
*The territorial functions of ABRI will be concentrated at the Army’s Resort Military Command level.
*The Regional Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the provincial level, the Resort Military Commander will represent the Army in Regional Leadership Consultations at the regency/municipal level, liaison officers will be appointed for lower levels of government.
*Any intelligence and surveillance functions, excepting those of a strategic nature, will be taken over by BAKIN’s regional offices.
*Functions related to public order and security will be taken over by the Police or, at the more grassroots level, the Department of Home Affairs’ Civil Defence and Municipal Police (Satpol PP).
*Training will be provided to BAKIN’s regional offices, the Police, the Civil Defence, and the Satpol PP as they take on these functons.
*Trial run for the abolition of territorial commands will be conducted in Jakarta and Surabaya before the year is out because the two cities are considered secure enough for the experiment.
TB and Saurip Kadi underlined once again that these changes will not effect the Dual Function. ABRI will continue to conduct its socio-political functions by taking part in the executive, legislative, the civil service, the regions and whereever ABRI is needed. Meanwhile its defence and security function will be bolstered because the personnel from the abolished territorial commands will be converted into combat units. Meanwhile Srijanto said that the territorial commands had 140,000 personnel and said that this personnel could be better used elsewhere such as strengthening ABRI’s military capacity.
Oh, this would be an important one. I do hope that BJP would not radicalize as Try has shown example as the leader of the most populous Muslim nation in the world. A saner world, i hope.13th May 2003:
The President, in his capacity as the Leader of the PKPI, met with Chairman of the PKPI/Vice Chairman of the DPR Basofi Sudirman. Basofi had just returned from India while the rest of the PKPI Delegation, including Day-to-Day Chairman of the PKPI Soeyono, had stayed behind for longer. Basofi reported that the PKPI Delegation are getting along well with their counterparts from BJP, the latter being very keen to learn why the PKPI, despite supporting a competent government, did not get the most seats the 2002 Elections. Basofi also said that Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee conveys his greetings and that he could not wait to see the President soon at BRICI.
And kicking the "greenies" too, more importantly. Let's see if Akbar's HMI's connections are willing to expel them like Abikoesno did with Kartosoewirjo in 1937.They then discussed the situation in the DPR. Basofi said that defeat at the MPR General Session has made the PKPB “all the more” stubborn and all the more likely to be uncooperative for its own sake. As an example, Basofi said that in the aftermath of the MPR General Session, the PNI has expressed agreement to the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill into Law on the grounds that it provides a more sound legal basis for taking action against terrorists and suspected terrorists. The PKPB’s official stance, on the other hand, is that it is against the passing of the law and does not show any inclination of wanting to change its stance. This despite the President’s request that the bill be passed unanimously into law in the DPR because of its importance.
“What will it take for the PKPB to change their stance?” the President asked.
Basofi thought things through.
“Frankly speaking, Mr. President, it will take change to a party leadership more willing to be constructive for the PKPB to stop its current actions”, said Basofi.
Good then15th May 2003:
The President today chaired a cabinet meeting attended by Vice President JB Sumarlin and the entire cabinet. Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti gave a report on the present economic conditions to the meeting, saying that for the first half of 2003, Indonesia’s economy will be bolstered by three long weekends; the Easter Long Weekend in April, the Vesak Long Weekend tomorrow, and the Ascension Day Long Weekend in two weeks’ time. Dorodjatun said that there will be extra economic activity, in particular regards to consumer spending, during these three long weekends with Minister of Tourism Sutiyoso confirming that hotel bookings are receiving spikes during these periods. The President happily noted this saying that these long weekends will make itself known in Indonesia’s economic growth figures, instructing only to make sure that the transport of basic commodities will not be obstructed during this period so that there will not be spikes in prices.
Ah, that reminds me.... Mind for another "Around the World" update?Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzuki Darusman then reported on the President’s upcoming trip, saying that it will be an “around the world” trip and went through the itinerary, the highlight of which will be attendance at the BRICI Unofficial Summit in Brazil and at the G-8 Summit as an invitee in France. The President commented that he wanted to bring Indonesia to the world on this trip, raise its profile, and most importantly, advance its interests.
Keep being a pain in the arse, eh?17th May 2003:
There were a lot of smiles and flashbulbs as Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto posed for pictures before they had lunch together, Ginandjar accompanied by former minister Kuntoro Mangunsubroto while Tutut was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani and Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung.
Inside, Tutut bemoaned that over the last two months a lot of talent had left the government; pointing to Ginandjar and Kuntoro as the two main examples. Ginandjar said that this was true, that his supporters in the government had been targeted and removed, Jusuf Kalla no longer being Ambassador to Japan being a case in point. ZA Maulani pointed out that Muhammadiyah representation is being cut down to a minimum, especially if said representation was associated with Amien Rais though Kuntoro said that there was one Muhammadiyah member left standing in Junior Minister of Religion M. Amin Abdullah.
Tutut went at length about how she was “nowhere near finished” with the President and repeated her claim that the PKPB will use its weight in the DPR to continue to have a say in the government and that the government must take into account the PKPB’s stance on various issues if it wants to move forward.
*wryly smiles“Well it’s not that I disagree with you and what you’re doing now”, Ginandjar said “It’s just that while it is true the PKPB is the party that has the most seats in the DPR, it’s the government that controls the majority through its PKPI-PPP-ABRI Coalition so it does not have to take the PKPB into account. And on the matter of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the government has asked for unanimous support because it’s an important bill and with the PNI having declared support, is it not poor form for the PKPB to not declare its support and to openly get in the way of this and various government policies just for the hell of it?”
“You’re sounding like you’re still a government official”, Akbar joked, getting a laugh from Tutut in the process.
Akbar is definitely a cunning one, Ginandjar....“It’s not that there isn’t a time and a place to take on the government” said Ginandjar “It’s just that there is 4 years and 10 months left of this, this is always going to be a marathon.”
“What do you think of the President’s comments a few days ago at Cilegon?” asked Akbar.
“I think whatever intentions we in this room have towards him, the one thing we should never do is underestimate Try Sutrisno”, Ginandjar replied “He creates the false impression that he’s an easy target or that he will just sit there and take the bad treatment being dished out to him or that he will just get out of the way…but I say this having been his partner in making foreign policy and not expecting that he would actually dare to remove me in the middle of the MPR General Sesson… if you’re thinking those kinds of thoughts about him, you do it at your own peril.”
Ginandjar would later say that despite the fact that he was the one to make the joke about Ginandjar sounding like a government official, it was Akbar who took Ginandjar’s comments about the President most seriously.
Wait, already?18th May 2003:
The Presidential Palace was a lot of hustle and bustle. Edi was seen going over some things with his staff and First Lady Tuti Setiawati was playing with her grandchildren even as she was overseeing her staff packing her clothes. At the President’s office, the President received Sintong Panjaitan, the latter had a concerned look on his face.
“This arrived Friday afternoon”, Sintong said as he handed the President an envelope “Normally I would wait until tomorrow Monday but you will be gone for a bit, so I wanted to bring the matter to your attention.”
The President opened it and read it carefully.
“It is a letter from Akbar Tandjung asking the Department of Home Affairs whether it has the same understanding of the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws about the requirements to hold an Extraordinary National Congress”, said Sintong as the President looked up at him “I’m assuming the reason Akbar is sending me this letter is because he is preparing an Extraordinary PKPB National Congress.”
The President finished reading the letter and handed it back to Sintong.
Yeah, it's too fast for me. But then again, this would present an opportunity for the "collision course" moment to be happened.“Usually party national congresses that are held under extraordinary circumstances…the aim is to forcefully change leadership…” Sintong said “I wonder what the government’s stance on this should be.”
Realizing that Sintong had not been part of the politicking at the MPR General Session, the President decided to tell the story of how Akbar Tandjung and his supporters had helped the President secure his re-election but that Akbar had also asked for the President’s support to challenge Tutut for the chairmanship of the PKPB at the next PKPB National Congress.
Sintong looked seriously at the President.
“And right now, Mr. President, you’re inclined to support what Akbar is doing and have a PKPB Extraordinary National Congress where Tutut will be overthrown?” asked Sintong.
“You’re not wrong”, the President replied “And it’s not only because I had cut a deal with Akbar, it’s also because the way the Chairwoman of the PKPB has acted in the last few weeks…there is still a long way to go in this term and for her to just continue getting in the way on top of the last 5 years…my patience is at an end, Mr. Minister of Home Affairs.”
There was silence in the room.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your position, Mr. President”, Sintong advised “It’s just that I hope you will not act rashly.”
The President listened.
Yeah, last time he was away from Indonesia in such moment, Golkar is dying the next day.“10 years ago, your predecessor tried to prevent the election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairwoman of the PDI but she got elected in defiance of government intervention, became popular and that’s the reason why she became the third name, other than yourself and the Chairwoman of the PKPB, intending to contest the presidency”, Sintong continued “If you wish to intervene in this and you fail, she will be another “Megawati”, she will continue to be a thorn in your side.”
“Then we have to make sure that Akbar wins”, the President said.
“That won’t be enough, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If he wins but Tutut still has a sizeable chunk of support of influence, she will be doing to Akbar what she was doing to you in Golkar. There will be two PKPBs vying for existence.”
There was silence between the two.
“So what you’re saying is, it’s not enough that Akbar wins, Tutut has to lose as well”, the President said “And decisively lose.”
“That’s right, Mr. President”, Sintong said “If you want to strike at her now, make sure it’s nothing less than a knockout blow.”
There was another silence and then the President stood up signalling that the meeting was over.
“I have to go to Halim soon”, the President “I’m not going throw the government’s support behind him but for the moment, by all means confirm to Akbar that if he fulfills the requirements set out in the PKPB’s Constitution and By-Laws, he can apply for the government’s approval for an Extraordinary National Congress. But please wait until I’m back here before you give that approval, would you? I think I want to be around for that moment.”
Oh well...---
The significance of Basofi offering this advice is that he had been a part of interfering in another party’s internal affairs. In OTL, Basofi adopted a hardline approach as Governor of East Java against Megawati’s supporters in East Java. When Megawati’s supporters took control of the PDI’s East Java Provincial Branch, Basofi continued to support pro-government PDI members in the East Java Provincial Branch https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...i+megawati+latief&pg=PA83&printsec=frontcover
Hmm, for the post-Yugoslav Breakup and especially after Montenegro was occupied by the West, there would be the ones who think that now these two are interchangeable, despite de jure Yugoslavia is still there and comprised of Serbia, Kosovo, and Vojvodina. For myself, until Yugoslavia only has Serbia and Vojvodina left, "Yugoslavia" and "Serbia" are ITTL not interchangeable since Kosovo is still there.Credit to @Rajveer Naha on the BJP wanting to learn from the PKPI's experiences
And this is a random question I forgot to ask in the previous chapter: When is it Yugoslavia? When is it Serbia? Or are the two interchangeable?
Oooh...don't tempt me. Last time I did this, we got halfway around the world and we didn't see Try in the TL for a while and it effectively becomes another TL.Ah, that reminds me.... Mind for another "Around the World" update?
Yeah awokawokawok, and last time it's only Western Hemisphere and Africa. So maybe going the reverse (Asia, Oceania, and Europe) would be appropriate.Oooh...don't tempt me. Last time I did this, we got halfway around the world and we didn't see Try in the TL for a while and it effectively becomes another TL.
The Butterfly goes hard, indeedThere's a lot of stuff floating around in my head like the PAS no longer being part of Barisan Alternatif because Anwar Ibrahim's post 9/11 stance was too close to Try's for their liking, Arroyo in the Philippines getting ready for a shot at the presidency, Ukraine's Kuchma gaining something of a prominence promoting his "multi-vector" foreign policy in a multipolar world ("It's only multipolar for those aspiring to be "poles", the rest of us has to make do with multi-vectorism") despite Kuchmagate still happening, some of the observers in NAM being interested in joining NAM for real...
Would be nice, though.The best compromise I can come up with is that things get mentioned in the background or is talked about when Try has an interaction with someone from a certain country. And in the event that I finish this TL, I am interested in doing a spin-off TL which is basically what things look like from the world's POV.
What was Bergamini better at?I hope this alternate history different from cannon
Prabowo choose Bergamini Class variant of FREMM with little Air Defence capability unlike French variant Aquitaine Class