Yesterday (Sept. 27) was a busy day for the Commander of the Military (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo. First, Gatot gave a speech in a focus group discussion (FGD) organized by the Islamic opposition party the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in the Parliament compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta. And then, he headed to the State Palace to meet with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, after which he went back to the TNI’s headquarters in Cilangkap to give another speech in the commemoration of the Islamic New Year.

Gatot Nurmantyo arrived in the House of Representatives (DPR) at around 1:50 PM Jakarta time. He was there to give a speech in the FGD on the G30S/PKI organized by PKS. Other contributors in the FGD were Mahfud MD (former chief justice of the Constitutional Court/MK), Taufik Ismail (a poet and anti-PKI figure), Jazuli Juwaini (the head of the PKS faction in the DPR), Hidayat Nur Wahid (the deputy chairman of PKS’ Supreme Council), and Mustafa Kamal (the secretary general of PKS). Gatot did not stay for long. After giving a speech for 40 minutes, he made way to the State Palace to meet with President Jokowi. Before departing, however, Gatot took some time to address the Press.

Gatot dismissed the suggestion that he’s politicking when he made the statement on the supposed procurement of 5,000 firearms. Gatot said that he was ready to explain to President Jokowi and/or the DPR Commission I (the Commission that supervising the TNI) when asked. Gatot, moreover, revealed that he had already met with President Jokowi at the Halim Perdanakusuma military Air Force base on Tuesday (Sept. 26) evening to talk about the statement he gave. Gatot, however, was reluctant to discuss their conversation.

Separately, President Jokowi confirmed that he and Gatot had met at the Halim Perdanakusuma military Air Force base on Tuesday evening. But Jokowi too was reluctant to reveal their conversation. Jokowi only said that the statement of the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law & Security Affairs Wiranto was already clear.

As we’ve reported before, Wiranto immediately stepped up to clear the mess after Gatot’s controversial statement. Wiranto said Gatot’s statement was incorrect and there was a miscommunication between Gatot, Police General Budi Gunawan (the Head of the State Intelligence Agency/BIN), and Police General Tito Karnavian (the Chief of the National Police/POLRI) on the matter. According Wiranto, there was indeed a purchase of weapons, but the number isn’t 5,000 but rather 500, and that it is being procured from PT Pindad by BIN for training purposes using the fund allocated in the State budget (APBN). He also said that the weapons procured was not of the standard specification used by the military, and so the TNI’s approval was not required. The only approval required was that of POLRI. Wiranto, however, asked the public not to take this matter further since the problem had been resolved. Jokowi basically said that Wiranto was correct and Gatot was incorrect.

It’s interesting that Gatot was summoned to the State Palace for a second meeting with Jokowi. Some believe that Jokowi was really angry, and hence the need to summon the Commander. After all, Jokowi has repeatedly warned his cabinet members against creating unnecessary controversy and political ruckus. The Spokesperson of President Jokowi Johan Budi SP also said that Wiranto’s explanation was enough and he asked the public not to take this matter further. Gatot, according Johan, according to Johan was summoned by the President to talk about the preparation for the commemoration of the TNI’s anniversary on October 5.

It’s clear that Gatot is getting closer to the opposition group and Islam politics after his controversial statement. His presence at the PKS’ FGD event tell us that much. Gatot seems keen on playing identity politics by using Islamic jargons and attaching himself with Islamic group. As we’ve noted in the opening paragraph, Gatot also gave a speech in the commemoration of the Islamic New Year after he met with the President. You can read his speech here.

PKS is not the only Islamic party interested in Gatot. PAN also considered Gatot for the 2019 presidential race. A coalition of PKS and PAN, however, won’t be enough to give Gatot a ticket even. Combined, both parties would only control 15.7% of the seats in the DPR, which is not enough to pass the 20% presidential threshold.

That Gatot is getting closer to PKS and PAN could be bad news for Prabowo Subianto and Gerindra. As we all know, Prabowo and Gerindra needs additional support from either PKS or PAN to give Prabowo the ticket. This is perhaps why Prabowo has not made any statement in favor of Gatot. 

In the meantime, it is also interesting to see Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s (SBY) Democratic Party criticizing Gatot. the Deputy Secretary General of Democratic Party Rachland Nashidik, for example, said that Gatot’s controversial statement was an example of him politicking. Some read this as a message that the Democratic Party does not supporting Gatot. This shouldn’t be a surprise given that SBY is very eager to bring his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to prominence. The rise of Gatot’s popularity and his ongoing relationship with PKS and PAN could be a threat for Agus. SBY and his Democratic Party needs additional support from either PKS or PAN to give Agus a ticket.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla seems to steer away from commenting on Gatot’s antics. It looks like Kalla doesn’t want to join the chorus on pressuring Gatot. Kalla, as we all know, previously said that he wouldn’t enter the 2019 race. But considering he still has a chance at becoming a king maker, he may try to nominate someone. Is Gatot that someone?

By Haryanto Suharman

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