229: Divisions In A Party Which Stayed United
3rd March 2003:
The 2003 MPR General Session’s third day got underway and there were a lot of lobbying around the place. The PNI designated a special delegation headed by Laksamana Sukardi to go around to the other delegations to gather support for the Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President. The initial reactions was favorable with both the Regional Delegates and the Group Delegates responding positively.
The ABRI Delegation “noted” the PNI’s proposed amendment but said that it will move in concert with with the PKPI. The PPP on the other hand seemed divided with some delegates being more receptive of the proposed amendment than the others.
The meeting with the PKPI did not go well. PKPI MPR Delegate Bobby Suhardiman changed the focus of the meeting to whether or not the PKPI’s “acceptance, with reservations” of the President’s Accountability Address would translate to a vote. This change of topic was not received well by the PNI Delegation which treated it as an insult and said that “The Try Regime” was not all that enlightened when compared to the “Soeharto Regime”. The meeting ended without a result.
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In a television interview, PKPB MPR Delegate Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that while it is true that the Indonesian system of government is not a parliamentary system, a rejection of the President’s Accountability Address would show that a majority in the MPR does not approve of the President.
On the question of the PNI’s Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President, Yusril demurred. Saying that the matter is on the verge of being discussed.
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At the MPR Building, the PKPB’s offices were swarmed by journalists and cameras as Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri, accompanied by the Secretary of the PNI Sutjipto, arrived for a working lunch with Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto, who was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani.
“The proposed amendment the PNI is putting forward to the MPR General Session is an important one and I have decided to make the case for this personally to Mbak Tutut”, explained Megawati to the press.
Though both women were cordial with each other, the meeting ran into a stalemate. Once Megawati made the case for the PNI’s proposed amendment, Tutut replied that she was willing to throw the PKPB’s support behind the amendment if the PNI would vote to reject the President’s Accountability Address the next day. Almost immediately Megawati said that she could not agree to the offer. Tutut and Megawati remained cordial but knew that their meeting was finished.
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The PKPI MPR Delegation’s Co-Secretaries Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Siswono Yudohusodo met with Chairman of the PPP’s MPR Delegation Zarkasih Nur and Secretary of the PPP’s MPR Delegation Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto. The PKPI members in the meeting asked the PPP members if their vote could be relied on whether for the Accountability Address or, for that matter, the presidential vote.
Zarkasih said that the PPP can deliver most but not all of its votes for the President’s cause with Hamzah Haz supporters and Muhammadiyah members in the PPP still holding out. He said he needed more time to maximize the votes the PPP can mobilize. Sarwono replied that the problem was that the vote on the Accountability Address is scheduled for tomorrow morning and that the President was “increasingly upset” with Hamzah.
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Speaking on a television interview, Megawati expressed her disappointment that both the PKPI and the PKPB had not “Reacted positively” to the proposed amendment that had been offered. She realizes that both the PKPI and the PKPB has an interest in making sure that their respective presidential candidates are elected in the easiest manner but that this was very disappointing.
Though both the PKPI and the PKPB were quick to make their rebuttals, Megawati looked sympathetic in the news coverage of the MPR General Session that afternoon.
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As the third day of the MPR Session wrapped up and the delegates began returning to their respective hotels to have their respective Islamic New Year banquets, the Group Delegates commandeered a room in the MPR Building and stayed behind to have a meeting.
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Chairman of the MPR Matori Abdul Djalil returned to Mandarin Oriental where the PPP’s MPR Delegation was staying.
It was evening when Matori put on his Chairman of the PPP hat and retreated into a room in the hotel’s business center. He was joined by Day-to-Day Chairman of the PPP Hamzah Haz, Zarkasih Nur, and Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto. Not long after that Zarkasih and Yusuf left, having conveyed the results of their meeting that day with Sarwono and Siswono along with the comment that the President was “increasingly upset” with Hamzah.
Then loud angry voices emanated from the room and it was clear that Matori and Hamzah were having an argument. By and large the argument was inaudible but two sentences were said loud enough that it was audible for the PPP members trying to eavesdrop; “WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING THIS CONVERSATION? WE ALREADY AGREED TO SUPPORT HIS RE-ELECTION!” which sounded like something Matori would say and “HE NEEDS OUR VOTES, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND AND WE NEED TO START ACTING LIKE IT!” which sounded like what Hamzah would say.
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In a press conference held at the MPR Building, Chairman of the Group Delegates Nurcholish Madjid expressed his disappointment at the day’s developments where both the PKPB and the PKPI “have tended to reject” the PNI’s proposed amendment. Nurcholish said that given that the vote on this matter will be held tomorrow, it was the Group Delegates’ hope that the political parties, but most notably the PKPB and the PKPI, can state their stance on the issue. In the event that there is not enough votes to past the amendment due to lack of support from the political parties, the Group Delegates will vote with the PNI on its amendment.
When asked about whether the Group Delegates will also take part in the vote on the President’s Accountability Address, Nurcholish answered in the negative. He said that the Group Delegates have agreed that the vote on the Accountability Address is a partisan matter whereas the PNI’s proposed amendment seeks to “strengthen the existing political system”.
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“Are these guys serious?” asked President Try Sutrisno as he watched the television “They want to make a virtue out of sitting out on the important votes but intervening whenever they feel like it? And by the way, they want to claim to being non-partisan, it doesn’t get anymore partisan than a proposed amendment put forward the Partai Nasional Indonesia.”
“They’re supposed to be the non-partisans, the neutrals, the non-aligned”, said State Secretary Edi Sudrajat “Whatever they want to call themselves, they’re already doing things that are giving the PNI a lift. Let’s not provoke them and give them anymore reason to favor the PNI.”
4th March 2003:
In the morning, prior to the MPR Delegates’ departure to the MPR Building, the Chairman of the PKPI MPR Delegation Harsudiono Hartas and Edi Sudrajat arrived at the Shangrila Hotel where the Regional Delegates were staying. There they met with the Chairman of the Regional Delegates Ryaas Rasyid and Secretary of the Regional Delegates Manuel Kaisiepo.
“The Regional Delegates will vote unanimously in favor of the President’s Accountability Address”, said Ryaas “What the President has done for the regions in terms of giving it autonomy over the past 5 years is a significant step forward and even those inclined to vote towards Tutut among our delegates will show their support for the Accountability Address as a signal that they don’t want to see these policies reversed if Tutut were to win.”
“We’ll take whatever vote that comes our way for whatever reason”, replied Harsudiono.
“Oh don’t thank us just yet”, replied Ryaas “Our condition for this unanimous vote is simple: we want the PKPI, the PPP, and ABRI to support the PNI’s proposed amendment.”
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The television screen shows Harsudiono and Edi walking out of Shangrila and getting into a car to head to the Presidential Palace to consult the President.
Tutut watched all this with an amused look on her face while ZA Maulani and Prabowo laughed at what they were seeing on the screen, the one laughing the loudest being Vice Chairman of the MPR Hartono.
“I feel sorry for them”, said Hartono “You shouldn’t make them run around like that.”
“I guess we’ve already had enough fun”, replied Tutut “But it’s not like we haven’t achieved anything worthwhile.”
Tutut pointed to a pile of newspapers. Among the various MPR-related headlines on the front page there were invariably headlines about “Matori vs. Hamzah”, “Matori and Hamzah Allegedly Arguing Behind Closed Doors”, “Who’s Right: Matori Questioning Hamzah’s Commitment To Supporting President Try, Hamzah Telling Matori That President Try Shouldn’t Take The PPP For Granted” and “Tutut Push For Accountability Address Inevitably Exposes PPP Divisions”.
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“So the Regional Delegates will vote with us on the Accountability Address but they want us to support the PNI’s proposed amendment?” asked the President when he met with Harsudiono and Edi not long thereafter.
“That’s right, Mr. President”, said Harsudiono “That’s already more than enough to secure acceptance of the Accountability Address.”
The President was silent.
“Something wrong, Mr. President?” asked Harsudiono.
“It’s just this PNI amendment to the rules about electing the president and vice president…it might not be obvious yet what it is but there’ll be something in it that will benefit the Chairwoman of the PNI”, said the President.
“That goes without saying, Mr. President”, replied Edi “On the other hand, we don’t want the vote on the Accountability Address to fail. Whichever way this proposal benefits Megawati, we’ll have to take it as it comes. We need you on the starting line line if you’re to have any chance at being re-elected.”
“All right then, we’ll take what the Regional Delegates has offered”, said the President.
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The entire 1000 delegates of the MPR gathered once again for a plenary session. The PPP delegates looked sheepish as they arrived to the MPR Building to faced awkward questions from the press about whether Matori and Hamzah had been involved in a loud argument the previous night. Hamzah laughed it off while Matori said that his focus was on guiding the MPR through the two votes ahead.
The first item on the agenda, Matori declared, will be the vote on the Accountability Address. Before he could get very far however, Chairman of the PKPB’s MPR Delegation Prabowo Subianto interrupted proceedings.
“Mr. Chairman”, Prabowo said “We in the PKPB wish to withdraw our statement some 48 hours ago that the vote on the President’s Accountability Address will constitute either a vote of confidence or a vote of no confidence on the current government…”
There was applause from the PKPB delegates while the PKPI delegates did not know how to react.
“In fact, Mr. Chairman, we would like the question of the President’s Accountability Address be resolved through consensus; that this honorable assembly unanimously accepts the President’s Accountability Address.”
Matori went around the delegations and gave them time to speak in response to what was proposed. Bambang Wiyogo from the Group Delegates said that Group Delegates will join if the MPR reaches consensus on this while Prince Paku Alam IX from the Regional Delegates also expressed the Regional Delegates’ agreement. The PNI’s Laksamana Sukardi repeated the line that the PNI’s acceptance of the President’s Accountability Address is an acceptance with reservations.
For the PKPI, Sofyan Lubis strongly expressed approval while the PPP’s Bachtiar Chamsyah and ABRI’s Agustadi Sasongko joined the PPP and ABRI’s respective sentiments with that of the PKPI.
“What the hell’s their game?” asked Edi to Harsudiono as they glanced in the direction of Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto “Why make a big deal about Try’s speech being accepted or not being a vote of confidence and then they just back off like that?”
Tutut saw Edi and Harsudiono staring at her and gave a friendly nod and smile in the two’s direction. Edi and Harsudiono responded by continuing to glare. Tutut then turned away from Edi to the PPP delegates, to where Hamzah Haz was looking glumly at Matori presiding over proceedings. Harsudiono followed Tutut’s gaze to the PPP delegates and suddenly realized what was happening.
“Their game is to push us into counting votes before we’re ready”, Harsudiono replied “And in the process expose that all is not well with the PPP. Where Golkar broke into two, the PPP became united and that was due to Matori and Hamzah’s hard work. But now here we are, just a few days away before the Presidential Elections, with the PPP unable to hide its internal division.”
“And Hamzah being someone they are positively predisposed to in the PPP”, said Edi.
Edi was interrupted by Matori reading out the question.
“The question put to the assembly is whether or not the assembly accepts President’s Accountability Address which was delivered at the MPR’s Opening Session”, stated Matori “All those in favor?”
“SETUJUUU….!!!” replied the MPR Delegates.
“I declare the President’s Accountability Address to be unanimously accepted by the MPR”, said Matori as he banged the gavel and the MPR gave its applause.
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A short recess followed during which time Harsudiono, accompanied by Zarkasih Nur and Chairman of the ABRI Delegation Djamari Chaniago, took the opportunity to go up to the Chairman and Vice Chairmen’s table to talk about something.
Watching all this from her seat, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri tensed up. But her husband Taufiq Kiemas pointed to Vice Chairman of the MPR Alex Litaay who represented the PNI and was listening in to the conversation. Alex Litaay looked up at Megawati and Taufiq and winked.
When the short recess was over, Matori reopened the session and said that the next item on the agenda will be the Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President.
“This proposed amendment originated with the PNI and over the last few days, both the Regional Delegates and Group Delegates have expressed their support for it. Now the PKPI, the PPP, and the ABRI Delegations have also stated their support the PNI’s proposed amendment”, declared Matori “That leaves the PKPB Delegation. What will its stance be on this matter?”
All eyes now turned Tutut and she in turn looked to Prabowo and nodded for him to stand up.
“Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the PKPB, I would like announce our party’s support for the PNI’s proposed amendment to the resolution about nominating and electing the president and vice president and for this amendment to be agreed to by consensus”, announced Prabowo.
“So be it”, said Matori “Now that all the delegations have declared their support, the question I am now putting on the assembly is this: does it agree with the PNI’s Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President? All those in favor?”
“SETUJUUUU!!!” replied the MPR Delegates.
“I declare the proposed amendment to be unanimously accepted”, declared Matori as he banged the gavel.
Tutut joined the MPR in applauding the acceptance of the amendment but she was talking to Prabowo who was sitting beside her.
“There is something in this that will be advantageous to Mbak Mega”, said Tutut “It was her party that suggested it.”
“We’ll uncover how this will benefit her as we go along, Mbakyu”, replied Prabowo “For the moment, let’s just accept two things: first, that you were always going to have two opponents: President Try and Megawati and second, until the time comes to vote for your election to the presidency, we should not reveal how many votes we have.”
The PNI delegates celebrated the acceptance of their proposed amendment. Megawati looked emotional as her husband Taufiq Kiemas hugged her.
“Now the way is open for you”, Taufiq said to his wife “Now the way is open.”
By lunchtime the day’s agenda had been completed, including the signing of the First MPR Resolution of 2003 Regarding the President’s Accountability Address and the Second MPR Resolution of 2003 Regarding the Second Amendment to the Second MPR Resolution of 1971 Regarding the Processes for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President. The expectation would be that the two agendas would require a vote but this had not happened.
With all the day’s business done, Matori went on to the closing remarks.
“Honorable Delegates, I will now declare this session closed”, he said “We will meet again on the 7th March . The agenda for that session will be the Presidential Election. Please make sure that your candidates are ready and that everything is in order.”
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When the session broke up, the press went after Hamzah. He laughed off questions about whether he and Matori had an argument but confirmed that he had had a healthy exchange of opinions before he disappeared into the PPP Bus.
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As the MPR Delegates departed the MPR Building or are waiting for their bus to arrive or fill up or depart, Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung made his way to the PKPB’s office in the DPR/MPR Building. Aside from the cleaning service, Akbar found Tutut and Prabowo waiting for him. Tutut continued to be wary of what the MPR had agreed to by approving the PNI’s proposed amendment but was energized by the sight of the PPP’s internal divisions.
“I thought that they had put aside whatever differences they had so that they could keep the PPP together while Golkar split into two”, said Prabowo.
“It turns out there’s still cracks in the PPP, and by definition in President Try’s coalition. We have to take advantage of that”, said Tutut “I want you, Bang Akbar, to approach Hamzah Haz and bring him and his supporters over to us.”
“Very well, Madam Chairwoman”, replied Akbar.
Akbar got the sense that Tutut and Prabowo wanted to linger a little longer and wanting to get on with his job, he said his farewells. But as he turned around to open the door, the door opened and there was Governor of Lemhanas Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono looking shocked to see him there. Akbar turned to Tutut and Prabowo and they looked at Akbar as though he should not have seen Yudhoyono arrive.
“Bang Akbar, you know Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhyono, right?” asked Prabowo trying to act cool about it “Governor of Lemhanas though like everybody else it seems, an MPR Delegate for these few days.”
Akbar did not stick around for long, he noticed that Yudhoyono did not seem comfortable seeing him there.
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At a meeting room in Hotel Indonesia, a small meeting was held attended by Harsudiono Hartas, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Siswono Yudohusodo. Basofi Sudirman attended the meeting in both his capacities as Vice Chairman of the MPR and Chairman of the PKPI. Leader of the PKPI in the DPR Sofyan Lubis and Secretary of the PKPI Joyokusumo were there as well.
There were two folders on the table and Harsudiono lifted both. The first folder contained administrative documents for the President’s nomination and the second contained administrative documents for Vice President JB Sumarlin’s nomination. Harsudiono said that everything was in order administratively, now the question is how will the PKPI move ahead in the next few days.
“The PKPI has 215 votes”, Harsudiono said “ABRI has 113 votes…the PPP has 110. 438 votes.”
“Theoretically 438 votes…” Sarwono said “We don’t know how much the PPP can commit at this stage.”
“How is Matori handling this?” asked Siswono to Basofi.
“He’s stressed out that he might not deliver all of the PPP to the President though he’s trying to keep above the fray as best as possible as Chairman of the MPR”, replied Basofi “I feel sorry for the guy but I’ve got to keep the party line because we know what Hamzah Haz is after in exchange for his unconditional support for the President.”
“It’s just that the danger here with the PPP being exposed as divided in an MPR General Session…the PKPB’s probably has someone assigned to get Hamzah to bring his supporters over to Tutut”, said Sarwono.
“We’d best better get moving and get more votes for the President, then”, said Harsudiono.
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The chapter is a reference to how the PPP stayed united instead of breaking into two like Golkar ITTL
Matori and Hamzah has a bitter relationship that began in OTL and continued ITTL. At the 1994 PPP National Congress, Matori nominated for the chairmanship, thought he could count on Hamzah’s support but Hamzah did not support him. https://pcinu-mesir.tripod.com/ilmiah/pusaka/ispustaka/buku12/bab01_00.htm
ITTL, Matori and Hamzah contested the chairmanship at the 1999 PPP Congress and made peace with each other to keep the PPP united. But there continues to be tension between the two.
I made Matori into a Try ally ITTL because in OTL he was on the record as calling for Soeharto not to nominate for re-election in 1998 and allow Try to nominate as president https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...ori+try+sutrisno&pg=PA143&printsec=frontcover
The 2003 MPR General Session’s third day got underway and there were a lot of lobbying around the place. The PNI designated a special delegation headed by Laksamana Sukardi to go around to the other delegations to gather support for the Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President. The initial reactions was favorable with both the Regional Delegates and the Group Delegates responding positively.
The ABRI Delegation “noted” the PNI’s proposed amendment but said that it will move in concert with with the PKPI. The PPP on the other hand seemed divided with some delegates being more receptive of the proposed amendment than the others.
The meeting with the PKPI did not go well. PKPI MPR Delegate Bobby Suhardiman changed the focus of the meeting to whether or not the PKPI’s “acceptance, with reservations” of the President’s Accountability Address would translate to a vote. This change of topic was not received well by the PNI Delegation which treated it as an insult and said that “The Try Regime” was not all that enlightened when compared to the “Soeharto Regime”. The meeting ended without a result.
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In a television interview, PKPB MPR Delegate Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that while it is true that the Indonesian system of government is not a parliamentary system, a rejection of the President’s Accountability Address would show that a majority in the MPR does not approve of the President.
On the question of the PNI’s Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President, Yusril demurred. Saying that the matter is on the verge of being discussed.
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At the MPR Building, the PKPB’s offices were swarmed by journalists and cameras as Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri, accompanied by the Secretary of the PNI Sutjipto, arrived for a working lunch with Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto, who was accompanied by Secretary of the PKPB ZA Maulani.
“The proposed amendment the PNI is putting forward to the MPR General Session is an important one and I have decided to make the case for this personally to Mbak Tutut”, explained Megawati to the press.
Though both women were cordial with each other, the meeting ran into a stalemate. Once Megawati made the case for the PNI’s proposed amendment, Tutut replied that she was willing to throw the PKPB’s support behind the amendment if the PNI would vote to reject the President’s Accountability Address the next day. Almost immediately Megawati said that she could not agree to the offer. Tutut and Megawati remained cordial but knew that their meeting was finished.
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The PKPI MPR Delegation’s Co-Secretaries Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Siswono Yudohusodo met with Chairman of the PPP’s MPR Delegation Zarkasih Nur and Secretary of the PPP’s MPR Delegation Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto. The PKPI members in the meeting asked the PPP members if their vote could be relied on whether for the Accountability Address or, for that matter, the presidential vote.
Zarkasih said that the PPP can deliver most but not all of its votes for the President’s cause with Hamzah Haz supporters and Muhammadiyah members in the PPP still holding out. He said he needed more time to maximize the votes the PPP can mobilize. Sarwono replied that the problem was that the vote on the Accountability Address is scheduled for tomorrow morning and that the President was “increasingly upset” with Hamzah.
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Speaking on a television interview, Megawati expressed her disappointment that both the PKPI and the PKPB had not “Reacted positively” to the proposed amendment that had been offered. She realizes that both the PKPI and the PKPB has an interest in making sure that their respective presidential candidates are elected in the easiest manner but that this was very disappointing.
Though both the PKPI and the PKPB were quick to make their rebuttals, Megawati looked sympathetic in the news coverage of the MPR General Session that afternoon.
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As the third day of the MPR Session wrapped up and the delegates began returning to their respective hotels to have their respective Islamic New Year banquets, the Group Delegates commandeered a room in the MPR Building and stayed behind to have a meeting.
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Chairman of the MPR Matori Abdul Djalil returned to Mandarin Oriental where the PPP’s MPR Delegation was staying.
It was evening when Matori put on his Chairman of the PPP hat and retreated into a room in the hotel’s business center. He was joined by Day-to-Day Chairman of the PPP Hamzah Haz, Zarkasih Nur, and Yusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto. Not long after that Zarkasih and Yusuf left, having conveyed the results of their meeting that day with Sarwono and Siswono along with the comment that the President was “increasingly upset” with Hamzah.
Then loud angry voices emanated from the room and it was clear that Matori and Hamzah were having an argument. By and large the argument was inaudible but two sentences were said loud enough that it was audible for the PPP members trying to eavesdrop; “WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING THIS CONVERSATION? WE ALREADY AGREED TO SUPPORT HIS RE-ELECTION!” which sounded like something Matori would say and “HE NEEDS OUR VOTES, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND AND WE NEED TO START ACTING LIKE IT!” which sounded like what Hamzah would say.
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In a press conference held at the MPR Building, Chairman of the Group Delegates Nurcholish Madjid expressed his disappointment at the day’s developments where both the PKPB and the PKPI “have tended to reject” the PNI’s proposed amendment. Nurcholish said that given that the vote on this matter will be held tomorrow, it was the Group Delegates’ hope that the political parties, but most notably the PKPB and the PKPI, can state their stance on the issue. In the event that there is not enough votes to past the amendment due to lack of support from the political parties, the Group Delegates will vote with the PNI on its amendment.
When asked about whether the Group Delegates will also take part in the vote on the President’s Accountability Address, Nurcholish answered in the negative. He said that the Group Delegates have agreed that the vote on the Accountability Address is a partisan matter whereas the PNI’s proposed amendment seeks to “strengthen the existing political system”.
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“Are these guys serious?” asked President Try Sutrisno as he watched the television “They want to make a virtue out of sitting out on the important votes but intervening whenever they feel like it? And by the way, they want to claim to being non-partisan, it doesn’t get anymore partisan than a proposed amendment put forward the Partai Nasional Indonesia.”
“They’re supposed to be the non-partisans, the neutrals, the non-aligned”, said State Secretary Edi Sudrajat “Whatever they want to call themselves, they’re already doing things that are giving the PNI a lift. Let’s not provoke them and give them anymore reason to favor the PNI.”
4th March 2003:
In the morning, prior to the MPR Delegates’ departure to the MPR Building, the Chairman of the PKPI MPR Delegation Harsudiono Hartas and Edi Sudrajat arrived at the Shangrila Hotel where the Regional Delegates were staying. There they met with the Chairman of the Regional Delegates Ryaas Rasyid and Secretary of the Regional Delegates Manuel Kaisiepo.
“The Regional Delegates will vote unanimously in favor of the President’s Accountability Address”, said Ryaas “What the President has done for the regions in terms of giving it autonomy over the past 5 years is a significant step forward and even those inclined to vote towards Tutut among our delegates will show their support for the Accountability Address as a signal that they don’t want to see these policies reversed if Tutut were to win.”
“We’ll take whatever vote that comes our way for whatever reason”, replied Harsudiono.
“Oh don’t thank us just yet”, replied Ryaas “Our condition for this unanimous vote is simple: we want the PKPI, the PPP, and ABRI to support the PNI’s proposed amendment.”
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The television screen shows Harsudiono and Edi walking out of Shangrila and getting into a car to head to the Presidential Palace to consult the President.
Tutut watched all this with an amused look on her face while ZA Maulani and Prabowo laughed at what they were seeing on the screen, the one laughing the loudest being Vice Chairman of the MPR Hartono.
“I feel sorry for them”, said Hartono “You shouldn’t make them run around like that.”
“I guess we’ve already had enough fun”, replied Tutut “But it’s not like we haven’t achieved anything worthwhile.”
Tutut pointed to a pile of newspapers. Among the various MPR-related headlines on the front page there were invariably headlines about “Matori vs. Hamzah”, “Matori and Hamzah Allegedly Arguing Behind Closed Doors”, “Who’s Right: Matori Questioning Hamzah’s Commitment To Supporting President Try, Hamzah Telling Matori That President Try Shouldn’t Take The PPP For Granted” and “Tutut Push For Accountability Address Inevitably Exposes PPP Divisions”.
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“So the Regional Delegates will vote with us on the Accountability Address but they want us to support the PNI’s proposed amendment?” asked the President when he met with Harsudiono and Edi not long thereafter.
“That’s right, Mr. President”, said Harsudiono “That’s already more than enough to secure acceptance of the Accountability Address.”
The President was silent.
“Something wrong, Mr. President?” asked Harsudiono.
“It’s just this PNI amendment to the rules about electing the president and vice president…it might not be obvious yet what it is but there’ll be something in it that will benefit the Chairwoman of the PNI”, said the President.
“That goes without saying, Mr. President”, replied Edi “On the other hand, we don’t want the vote on the Accountability Address to fail. Whichever way this proposal benefits Megawati, we’ll have to take it as it comes. We need you on the starting line line if you’re to have any chance at being re-elected.”
“All right then, we’ll take what the Regional Delegates has offered”, said the President.
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The entire 1000 delegates of the MPR gathered once again for a plenary session. The PPP delegates looked sheepish as they arrived to the MPR Building to faced awkward questions from the press about whether Matori and Hamzah had been involved in a loud argument the previous night. Hamzah laughed it off while Matori said that his focus was on guiding the MPR through the two votes ahead.
The first item on the agenda, Matori declared, will be the vote on the Accountability Address. Before he could get very far however, Chairman of the PKPB’s MPR Delegation Prabowo Subianto interrupted proceedings.
“Mr. Chairman”, Prabowo said “We in the PKPB wish to withdraw our statement some 48 hours ago that the vote on the President’s Accountability Address will constitute either a vote of confidence or a vote of no confidence on the current government…”
There was applause from the PKPB delegates while the PKPI delegates did not know how to react.
“In fact, Mr. Chairman, we would like the question of the President’s Accountability Address be resolved through consensus; that this honorable assembly unanimously accepts the President’s Accountability Address.”
Matori went around the delegations and gave them time to speak in response to what was proposed. Bambang Wiyogo from the Group Delegates said that Group Delegates will join if the MPR reaches consensus on this while Prince Paku Alam IX from the Regional Delegates also expressed the Regional Delegates’ agreement. The PNI’s Laksamana Sukardi repeated the line that the PNI’s acceptance of the President’s Accountability Address is an acceptance with reservations.
For the PKPI, Sofyan Lubis strongly expressed approval while the PPP’s Bachtiar Chamsyah and ABRI’s Agustadi Sasongko joined the PPP and ABRI’s respective sentiments with that of the PKPI.
“What the hell’s their game?” asked Edi to Harsudiono as they glanced in the direction of Chairwoman of the PKPB Tutut Soeharto “Why make a big deal about Try’s speech being accepted or not being a vote of confidence and then they just back off like that?”
Tutut saw Edi and Harsudiono staring at her and gave a friendly nod and smile in the two’s direction. Edi and Harsudiono responded by continuing to glare. Tutut then turned away from Edi to the PPP delegates, to where Hamzah Haz was looking glumly at Matori presiding over proceedings. Harsudiono followed Tutut’s gaze to the PPP delegates and suddenly realized what was happening.
“Their game is to push us into counting votes before we’re ready”, Harsudiono replied “And in the process expose that all is not well with the PPP. Where Golkar broke into two, the PPP became united and that was due to Matori and Hamzah’s hard work. But now here we are, just a few days away before the Presidential Elections, with the PPP unable to hide its internal division.”
“And Hamzah being someone they are positively predisposed to in the PPP”, said Edi.
Edi was interrupted by Matori reading out the question.
“The question put to the assembly is whether or not the assembly accepts President’s Accountability Address which was delivered at the MPR’s Opening Session”, stated Matori “All those in favor?”
“SETUJUUU….!!!” replied the MPR Delegates.
“I declare the President’s Accountability Address to be unanimously accepted by the MPR”, said Matori as he banged the gavel and the MPR gave its applause.
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A short recess followed during which time Harsudiono, accompanied by Zarkasih Nur and Chairman of the ABRI Delegation Djamari Chaniago, took the opportunity to go up to the Chairman and Vice Chairmen’s table to talk about something.
Watching all this from her seat, Chairwoman of the PNI Megawati Soekarnoputri tensed up. But her husband Taufiq Kiemas pointed to Vice Chairman of the MPR Alex Litaay who represented the PNI and was listening in to the conversation. Alex Litaay looked up at Megawati and Taufiq and winked.
When the short recess was over, Matori reopened the session and said that the next item on the agenda will be the Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President.
“This proposed amendment originated with the PNI and over the last few days, both the Regional Delegates and Group Delegates have expressed their support for it. Now the PKPI, the PPP, and the ABRI Delegations have also stated their support the PNI’s proposed amendment”, declared Matori “That leaves the PKPB Delegation. What will its stance be on this matter?”
All eyes now turned Tutut and she in turn looked to Prabowo and nodded for him to stand up.
“Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the PKPB, I would like announce our party’s support for the PNI’s proposed amendment to the resolution about nominating and electing the president and vice president and for this amendment to be agreed to by consensus”, announced Prabowo.
“So be it”, said Matori “Now that all the delegations have declared their support, the question I am now putting on the assembly is this: does it agree with the PNI’s Proposed Amendment to the MPR Resolution Regarding Procedures for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President? All those in favor?”
“SETUJUUUU!!!” replied the MPR Delegates.
“I declare the proposed amendment to be unanimously accepted”, declared Matori as he banged the gavel.
Tutut joined the MPR in applauding the acceptance of the amendment but she was talking to Prabowo who was sitting beside her.
“There is something in this that will be advantageous to Mbak Mega”, said Tutut “It was her party that suggested it.”
“We’ll uncover how this will benefit her as we go along, Mbakyu”, replied Prabowo “For the moment, let’s just accept two things: first, that you were always going to have two opponents: President Try and Megawati and second, until the time comes to vote for your election to the presidency, we should not reveal how many votes we have.”
The PNI delegates celebrated the acceptance of their proposed amendment. Megawati looked emotional as her husband Taufiq Kiemas hugged her.
“Now the way is open for you”, Taufiq said to his wife “Now the way is open.”
By lunchtime the day’s agenda had been completed, including the signing of the First MPR Resolution of 2003 Regarding the President’s Accountability Address and the Second MPR Resolution of 2003 Regarding the Second Amendment to the Second MPR Resolution of 1971 Regarding the Processes for Nominating and Electing the President and Vice President. The expectation would be that the two agendas would require a vote but this had not happened.
With all the day’s business done, Matori went on to the closing remarks.
“Honorable Delegates, I will now declare this session closed”, he said “We will meet again on the 7th March . The agenda for that session will be the Presidential Election. Please make sure that your candidates are ready and that everything is in order.”
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When the session broke up, the press went after Hamzah. He laughed off questions about whether he and Matori had an argument but confirmed that he had had a healthy exchange of opinions before he disappeared into the PPP Bus.
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As the MPR Delegates departed the MPR Building or are waiting for their bus to arrive or fill up or depart, Treasurer of the PKPB Akbar Tandjung made his way to the PKPB’s office in the DPR/MPR Building. Aside from the cleaning service, Akbar found Tutut and Prabowo waiting for him. Tutut continued to be wary of what the MPR had agreed to by approving the PNI’s proposed amendment but was energized by the sight of the PPP’s internal divisions.
“I thought that they had put aside whatever differences they had so that they could keep the PPP together while Golkar split into two”, said Prabowo.
“It turns out there’s still cracks in the PPP, and by definition in President Try’s coalition. We have to take advantage of that”, said Tutut “I want you, Bang Akbar, to approach Hamzah Haz and bring him and his supporters over to us.”
“Very well, Madam Chairwoman”, replied Akbar.
Akbar got the sense that Tutut and Prabowo wanted to linger a little longer and wanting to get on with his job, he said his farewells. But as he turned around to open the door, the door opened and there was Governor of Lemhanas Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono looking shocked to see him there. Akbar turned to Tutut and Prabowo and they looked at Akbar as though he should not have seen Yudhoyono arrive.
“Bang Akbar, you know Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhyono, right?” asked Prabowo trying to act cool about it “Governor of Lemhanas though like everybody else it seems, an MPR Delegate for these few days.”
Akbar did not stick around for long, he noticed that Yudhoyono did not seem comfortable seeing him there.
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At a meeting room in Hotel Indonesia, a small meeting was held attended by Harsudiono Hartas, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Siswono Yudohusodo. Basofi Sudirman attended the meeting in both his capacities as Vice Chairman of the MPR and Chairman of the PKPI. Leader of the PKPI in the DPR Sofyan Lubis and Secretary of the PKPI Joyokusumo were there as well.
There were two folders on the table and Harsudiono lifted both. The first folder contained administrative documents for the President’s nomination and the second contained administrative documents for Vice President JB Sumarlin’s nomination. Harsudiono said that everything was in order administratively, now the question is how will the PKPI move ahead in the next few days.
“The PKPI has 215 votes”, Harsudiono said “ABRI has 113 votes…the PPP has 110. 438 votes.”
“Theoretically 438 votes…” Sarwono said “We don’t know how much the PPP can commit at this stage.”
“How is Matori handling this?” asked Siswono to Basofi.
“He’s stressed out that he might not deliver all of the PPP to the President though he’s trying to keep above the fray as best as possible as Chairman of the MPR”, replied Basofi “I feel sorry for the guy but I’ve got to keep the party line because we know what Hamzah Haz is after in exchange for his unconditional support for the President.”
“It’s just that the danger here with the PPP being exposed as divided in an MPR General Session…the PKPB’s probably has someone assigned to get Hamzah to bring his supporters over to Tutut”, said Sarwono.
“We’d best better get moving and get more votes for the President, then”, said Harsudiono.
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The chapter is a reference to how the PPP stayed united instead of breaking into two like Golkar ITTL
Matori and Hamzah has a bitter relationship that began in OTL and continued ITTL. At the 1994 PPP National Congress, Matori nominated for the chairmanship, thought he could count on Hamzah’s support but Hamzah did not support him. https://pcinu-mesir.tripod.com/ilmiah/pusaka/ispustaka/buku12/bab01_00.htm
ITTL, Matori and Hamzah contested the chairmanship at the 1999 PPP Congress and made peace with each other to keep the PPP united. But there continues to be tension between the two.
I made Matori into a Try ally ITTL because in OTL he was on the record as calling for Soeharto not to nominate for re-election in 1998 and allow Try to nominate as president https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...ori+try+sutrisno&pg=PA143&printsec=frontcover