Yesterday's Politics: Prabowo Invites Former Presidents and 100% THR for the TNI-Polri

Amid concerns about Indonesia joining the Board of Peace (BoP), the issue at stake is interests. What interests? As a country that maintains diplomatic ties with many nations, Indonesia must be careful not to become involved in conflicts of interest or in the internal politics of other states.

Jakarta — ANTARA reports a range of political events yesterday that drew public attention, including President Prabowo Subianto inviting a number of former presidents to discuss various issues, and the THR for the TNI and Polri to be disbursed at 100 percent.

Here is ANTARA’s summary of yesterday’s political news that is worth rereading:

Prabowo invites former presidents to the Istana tonight, Jokowi to attend. President Prabowo Subianto invited former presidents to attend a meeting scheduled to be held at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, on Tuesday evening. The 7th President Joko Widodo confirmed he would attend. ‘Yes, indeed (he will attend), this evening at 19:30 (WIB),’ said Syarif Muhammad Fitriansyah, Jokowi’s aide, in a text message to journalists.

Expert warns RI to beware of conflicting interests in the ‘Board of Peace’. International Relations expert Hendra Maulana Saragih of Universitas Nasional said Indonesia, as part of the Board of Peace, needs to be vigilant against conflicts of interest between states amid global conflict. He said that Indonesia’s free and active policy must safeguard sovereignty in the face of interfering interests because the country maintains diplomatic relations with many other states. ‘Among the concerns about Indonesia joining BoP is firstly, interests; what interests? As a country with diplomatic ties to many nations, Indonesia must be careful not to become involved in conflicts of interest or the internal politics of any country,’ he said.

Academician: Sjafrie could be a ‘new sun’ in the 2029 presidential election. Academician Firdaus Syam of Universitas Nasional (UNAS) Jakarta assessed Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin could become a ‘new sun’ in the 2029 presidential election. In a public discussion in Jakarta, Monday (2/3), he said Sjafrie holds a strategic position and has a fighter’s character because he hails from Eastern Indonesia. ‘Culturally political-wise, Minister Sjafrie has potential as a ’new sun’ in the 2029 presidential election,’ Firdaus said, as quoted in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Prabowo calls for strengthening national identity at Indonesia’s National Museum. President Prabowo Subianto urged the public to keep studying artefacts of history and cultural heritage as part of strengthening the nation’s identity. In a post on his personal social media account in Jakarta on Tuesday, the president said that great civilizations are born from knowledge and appreciation of the past. ‘Studying historic artefacts and the nation’s cultural heritage reminds us that great civilisations are born from knowledge and appreciation of our people’s past,’ he said.

THR update: 100% for ASN and the TNI-Polri. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the THR for civil servants (ASN), the TNI-Polri, and retirees would be disbursed at 100 percent. The budget totals Rp55 trillion or a 10 percent increase from last year, benefiting 10.5 million recipients. Specifically: 2.4 million central-government ASN, TNI/Polri (Rp2.2 trillion), 4.3 million regional ASN (Rp20.2 trillion), and 3.8 million retirees (Rp12.7 trillion). ‘The THR has begun to be disbursed in stages since 26 February 2026. The THR is different from the gaji ke-13, which will be paid as early as June,’ he said in a Jakarta statement.