Jokowi's Out and Out Inner and Outer Circles, What and Who Are They?

Jokowi and Megawati's unharmonious relationship has an impact on who is in the inner and outer circles of government.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The atmosphere before President Joko Widodo arrived to lead a limited meeting on handling the refugee eruption from Mount Ruang, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (3/5/2024). The meeting was attended by, among others, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Public Works and Housing, Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara, the Chief of the Indonesian National Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Chief of Air Staff (KSAU) Marshal Tonny Harjono.

The increasingly strained relationship between President Joko Widodo and PDI-Perjuangan Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri has now become one of the factors that is changing the composition of those closest and closest, both in the inner circle and the outer circle with President Jokowi. at the Palace. It is not only the inner circle who are very close in and out with the President, but also the President's outer circle such as special staff and cabinet ministers.

Let's say in the Indonesia Maju Cabinet, the appointment of the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono or AHY, who is also the eldest son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY, occurred recently. AHY was appointed as the Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency, replacing Hadi Tjahjanto who became the Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, replacing Mahfud MD.

Also included are the appointment of the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Grace Natalie, and former Deputy IV of the Presidential Staff Office in the field of information and political communication, Juri Ardiantoro, as special staff to the president. Previously, both were recorded as Deputy Chairmen of the National Campaign Team that won the Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka presidential and vice-presidential elections in 2024.

Also read: Jokowi's Accommodative Politics

If AHY is immediately appointed and inaugurated by President Jokowi as a minister on the seventh day after the 2024 presidential election on February 14, then Grace and Juri were called to the Presidential Palace in Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, on Wednesday (May 15, 2024). After leaving the Presidential Palace, both of them declared to the press that they were assigned to become special staff of the President starting from that Wednesday. However, they did not specify which field they would be in as special staff to the President. As of Friday (May 17, 2024), there is no official source from the Palace that can detail their duties as special staff to the President.

"If AHY is immediately appointed and inaugurated by President Jokowi as a minister on the seventh day after the presidential election on February 14, 2024, then Grace and Juri were summoned by the President to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta last Wednesday."

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordination, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (right), Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Head of the National Intelligence Agency, Budi Gunawan, joke around before the inauguration ceremony of the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), and the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) by President Joko Widodo at the State Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday (21/2/2024). AHY replaces the position of Hadi Tjahjanto who was appointed as Menko Polhukam temporarily occupied by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian. Kompas/Hendra A Setyawan.

Implications of estrangement

Of course, if the relationship between President Jokowi and Megawati is still like before, it may not be certain that AHY will become Minister of ATR/Head of BPN. Likewise Grace and Juri. At least, before Megawati appointed Mahfud MD as vice presidential candidate to accompany presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo on October 18 2023. Also the advancement of President Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as Prabowo's vice presidential candidate, and the election results confirmed the victory of the Prabowo-Gibran pair. The reason is because apart from President Jokowi's decision he must consider the input of the General Chair of the PDI-Perjuangan as the main supporter and supporter, also the relations and problems that still exist between Megawati and SBY after the 2004 elections.

The Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia, Adi Prayitno, confirmed on Friday (17/5/2024) that there has been a change in the composition of people considered close and closest to President Jokowi, both in the inner and outer circles at the Palace, due to the increasing distance between President Jokowi and Megawati in their relationship.

"I think that's the effect of the 2024 Presidential Election. It's very clear that the non-harmonious relationship between Jokowi and PDI-Perjuangan has an impact on who should be in Jokowi's inner circle. Slowly but surely, PDI-Perjuangan cadres who have been in Jokowi's inner circle are starting to be excluded and their roles are very minimal," said Adi Prayitno, Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia, on Friday (May 17, 2024).

"Now it is replaced with new figures such as Grace and Juri, known as Jokowi's man. Of course, this is the effect of the Presidential Election. Jokowi seems to want to ensure that the people closest to him are Jokowi's people and eliminate those outside of it."

He mentioned the name of Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, who he said was rarely and no longer close to President Jokowi in his daily life, even though information obtained by Kompas stated that Pramono was currently abroad on an assignment and had received permission from President Jokowi. “(They) have now been replaced by new figures such as Grace and Juri who are known as 'Jokowi's men'. Of course that is the effect of the presidential election. "Jokowi seems to want to ensure that the closest people around him are Jokowi people and eliminate (people) outside of that," added Adi.

The issue of air pollution is not new. The community has long been threatened by it, and there is no shortage of research evidence indicating the threats posed by its impact. However, it is clear that these aspects have not yet prompted significant efforts to control air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering from living amidst pollution. The current president appears to be close to several ministers, such as Trade Minister Zulkfili Hasan, Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Coordinator of the Economic Affairs Ministry Airlangga Hartato, and AHY, as well as State Secretary Minister Pratikno. However, Presiden Jokowi's old friends like Pramono Anung, who are close to him on a daily basis, or Teten Masduki, are rarely seen with him anymore.

Senior Expert of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin added that after the appointment of Grace and Juri, there may still be a chance to add new people to President Jokowi's inner circle. However, he did not specify in detail who would later join the Indonesia Maju Cabinet, which only has about five months left before the inauguration of Prabowo-Gibran in October.

KOMPAS/MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN

Principal Expert of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Ali Mochtar Ngabalin, gave a press statement at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday (17/5/2024).

According to Ngabalin, the appointment of Grace and Juri as special staff members is within President Jokowi's right. The appointment is adjusted to the President's needs and there is no excessively large outer circle. "No (large circle). Even there are still a few more possibilities... Because it concerns the President's needs, it is inherent to the President. The President feels that there is a need. Regardless of other interests," said Ngabalin.

“TKN has nothing to do with this position. So it has to be more positive. Special staff related to the President's needs"

When asked if the appointment of Grace and Juri was related to their support for the victory of Prabowo-Gibran, Ngabalin firmly stated that there is no correlation between their positions as Vice Chairman of the National Campaign Team (TKN) and the President's appointment. "What does TKN have to do with this position? It's not relevant, so we should be more positive. They are special staff members related to the President's needs," he said.

Meanwhile, Political Observer Agung Baskoro added that the dynamics of coalitions after the Presidential Election are highly likely to occur. Especially if the supporting parties of the elected President increase and are in the same camp as the current government. "Therefore, it is inevitable that the rationale of accommodating the political interests of coalition partners will emerge," he said.

According to Agung, accommodating political interests by bringing new figures into President Jokowi's inner circle is at least aimed at preventing the elected government from being burdened by partner interests. This way, they will be embraced in power starting now.

On the other hand, for those who are not part of the winning coalition in the 2024 presidential election, they must prepare to "move" as this is a political consequence that must be accepted. "To maintain political balance in the current government coalition and to ensure a harmonious and synergistic approach to the sustainability narrative," he explained.

"To achieve a political balance within the current government coalition and those elected in a harmonious and synergistic manner with the narrative of sustainability."

KOMPAS/SUHARTONO

The issue of air pollution is not new. The community has long been threatened by the condition of air pollution. There is plenty of research evidence indicating the threats of air pollution's impact. However, this has not yet led to significant efforts in controlling air pollution. Residents are increasingly suffering, living in the midst of air pollution. Minister of Public Works and People's Housing Basuki Hadimuljono witnessed the marriage of Ade Mulya's family. Meanwhile, the President's Private Secretary (Sespri) Anggit Nugroho (facing away from the camera) witnessed the marriage of Tia Narang's family. The wedding ceremony of Tia and Ade took place on Sunday (28/4/2019) at Bukit Damai Golf BSD Serpong, Tangsel, Banten. Tia Narang is one of the staff of the President's Private Secretary.

Then, who are the people who have been referred to as close associates, both in the inner circle and outer circle of President Jokowi? The inner circle signifies individuals who are very close and have a special relationship with President Jokowi because they have known him for a long time. On the other hand, the outer circle represents people who are also close to the President but do not have a long-standing relationship with him.

"Anggit is a person who is highly trusted by President Jokowi. He is the last person to be consulted when a decision made by the President is rejected or opposed by several ministers."

Those referred to as the inner circle of the President since 2014 include Anggit Noegroho, the President's Private Secretary; Devid Agus Yunanto, Assistant to the President's Private Secretary; and Pradista Machdala Putra, Assistant to the Assistant of the President's Private Secretary, as well as Isnaeni, all of whom have been with Jokowi since he was the Mayor of Solo. Meanwhile, Muhammad Haris Perdana, Assistant to the President's Private Secretary, who met Jokowi when he was Governor of DKI Jakarta, remains in the position to this day.

The issue of air pollution is not new. The community has long been threatened by air pollution, and there is no shortage of research evidence demonstrating the dangers posed by air pollution. Despite this, there have been insufficient efforts to control air pollution. Residents continue to suffer from the effects of air pollution. Anggit is a person who is highly trusted by President Jokowi. He is the last person consulted when the President faces opposition or disagreement from certain ministers regarding decisions to be made. One example is during the peaceful protest on November 4, 2016, when the President wanted to meet with the protesters and pray together in Istiqlal Mosque. However, the request was not approved by some ministers. This was because, from a security standpoint, it was not feasible. From the Chief of the Indonesian National Police to several ministers, they rejected the President's desire to pray in the midst of the thousands of protesters at Silang Monas, Jakarta, who were protesting against the statement of the Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahja Purnama, which was deemed to have insulted Islam.

"If Pak Jokowi's face is like that (hard and serious), I know it very well, his will cannot be rejected. So, I just said, yes sir. "Later security will be prepared," said Anggit. (Kompas, 3/12/2016)

"If President Jokowi's face looks like that (firm and serious), I remember it very well, his desires cannot be refused. So, I just said, yes sir. Later, security will be prepared."

However, Anggit Nugroho, who accompanied Jokowi since he was the Mayor of Solo, Governor of DKI, until he became President for two periods, is no longer a part of the team since after the 2024 presidential election. His replacement now is Devid, who has officially served as the President's aide for three weeks. If Anggit was said to have supported Ganjar during the previous election, then Devid is known for supporting Prabowo. Devid was once nominated to become the Mayor of Bojolali, Central Java, but did not take the position because he was asked to replace Anggit.

Anggit, who recently met with Kompas, confirmed that she has now chosen to return to Solo, and her duties have been replaced by Devid. "Now I mostly spend time in Solo or Yogya meeting with friends," said Anggit, after the last presidential election.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO (WAK)

President Joko Widodo introduced seven new special staff members from the millennial generation on the balcony of the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (21/11/2019). They are (from left to right) Andi Taufan Garuda, Ayu Kartika Dewi, Adamas Belva Syah Devara, Gracia Billy Yosaphat Membrasar, Putri Indahsari Tanjung, Angkie Yudistia, and Aminuddin Ma'ruf. On that occasion, the President also stated that he will maintain the old special staff. Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo.

Meanwhile, President Jokowi's outer circle now consists of 11 people comprising of the President's special staff. They are Ari Dwipayana as the coordinator of the President's special staff, and Sukardi Rinakit, both in charge of writing the President's speeches for both the State Address on every August 16 and speeches during events, cabinet meetings, and limited meetings. Apart from Ari and Sukardi, Diaz Hendropriyono, the son of former Head of the Intelligence Agency Hendroprijono, is also noted to be a part of the team.

Also read: Meeting with Surya Paloh Indicates Jokowi Prepares Accommodation Policy

Jokowi once appointed Fadjroel Rachman as Special Staff for Communication/Presidential Spokesperson, who is now the Ambassador to Kazakhstan. In addition to Fadjroel, President Jokowi appointed PDI-Perjuangan politician Arief Budimanta and Indonesian Solidarity Party politician Dini Shani Purwono as Special Staff for the President in the field of Economy and Special Staff for the President in the field of Law.

Apart from them, the President also introduced seven new faces from the younger generation, aged between 20-30 years old. Among them are Putri Indahsari Tanjung, Adamas Belva Syah Devara, Ayu Kartika Dewi, Angkie Yudistia, Gracia Billy Yosaphat Membrasar, Aminuddin Ma'ruf, and Andri Taufan Garuda Putra. Of the seven millennial staff, two have resigned without replacement, namely Adamas Belva Syah Devara and Andi Taufan. (WKM)