Yesterday: Full Cabinet Meeting and Rismon Acknowledges Jokowi's Diploma as Authentic
Jakarta – Various political developments were reported on Friday 13 March, ranging from President Prabowo Subianto convening a full Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta to digital forensics expert Rismon Sianipar acknowledging the authenticity of the diploma of Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo.
The following is a summary of yesterday’s political news.
- Prabowo: We hope the worst-case scenario in the Middle East does not occur
President Prabowo Subianto expressed his hope that the worst-case scenario being contemplated by various parties in the Middle East does not materialise, particularly following the conflict between Iran and the United States and Zionist Israel, which has lasted approximately two weeks.
Before ministers and state officials at the full Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday 13 March, the President emphasised that the government has taken several steps to anticipate the impact of the conflict in the West Asia region, whilst also examining several cost-saving options.
- Government ensures the public can travel safely during Lebaran
The government has mobilised Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri) personnel to ensure the public can travel safely and comfortably during the Lebaran Eid al-Fitr holidays this year.
“I wish to reiterate that the forces currently displayed are those directly involved in the field, whilst the forces providing indirect support are even greater in number,” said Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Djamari Chaniago in a press statement received in Jakarta on Friday 13 March.
- JK discusses Middle East conflict with ICWA and promotes peace efforts
Former Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla, who served as the 10th and 12th vice president of Indonesia, together with several former ambassadors united in the Indonesia Council on World Affairs (ICWA), discussed the latest developments in the Middle East conflict and called on Indonesia to pursue peace initiatives.
JK, in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday 13 March, stated that Indonesia’s involvement in international forums such as the Board of Peace (BoP) should help promote peace in the geopolitical conflict occurring in Iran.
- House Commission I: TNI alert level 3 is sufficient to ensure public security
Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission I, Dave Laksono, stated that alert status level 3 is sufficient to ensure public security whilst maintaining efficient use of Indonesian National Military (TNI) resources.
He said the TNI’s adjustment of alert status from level 1 to level 3 is an appropriate and proportional step. Readiness, he said, must be adjusted to the dynamics of threats and actual needs in the field.
“We emphasise that readiness is not merely about numerical levels, but rather how the TNI is able to respond to every potential threat swiftly, measurably and effectively,” said Dave in Jakarta on Friday 13 March.
- Rismon acknowledges Jokowi and Gibran’s diplomas as authentic, will release counter-thesis book
Researcher and digital forensics expert Rismon Sianipar has affirmed the authenticity of the diplomas of Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, through a counter-thesis book currently being written and scheduled for publication.
The diploma controversy involving Jokowi and Gibran, which was previously alleged to be forged through two of Rismon’s books titled “Jokowi’s White Paper” and “Gibran End Game,” is now being refuted by Rismon following further and thorough examination.
This statement was made after Rismon met Vice President Gibran at the Vice President’s Office in Jakarta on Friday 13 March and directly offered an apology.