S

span class="caption">Signs of insecurity?: President Joko Widodo (second right) leads a meeting with his top aides to review stability and security policies at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday. On hand were (left to right) chief of the Presidential Office Luhut Panjaitan, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Indonesian Military chief Gen. Moeldoko. Antara/Yudhi Mahatma

President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo met with top officials from the Indonesian Military (TNI) over lunch on Tuesday amid uncertainty about the fate of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, the sole nominee for National Police chief who is suspected of graft. Jokowi may soon announce his decision on the matter.

TNI chief Gen. Moeldoko, Army chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, newly inaugurated Air Force chief Vice Marshal Agus Supriatna and Navy chief Admiral Ade Supandi, as well as several other high-ranking military officials attended the lunch at Merdeka Palace.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Marciano Norman were also spotted during the gathering. Jokowi was accompanied by presidential chief of staff Luhut Binsar Panjaitan and Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, who is also the head of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), which cleared all allegations on Budi'€™s fishy bank accounts, however, was not seen at the lunch.

Ryamizard said the ongoing rift between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the police was not discussed. They merely talked about the TNI, which remained solid and unaffected by the issue.

'€œ[It was] just a lunch together to strengthen [communication and ties] between the President and his subordinates. [Because] the President is the supreme commander [of the military],'€ Ryamizard, who was also a former Army chief of staff, said after the lunch on Tuesday.

'€œMoreover, he was already pleased that we [the military] are united [and] remain solid. Thus, our solid [position] should not be damaged. So [the military] is not affected by the current political situation,'€ he added.

According to Ryamizard, Jokowi'€™s invitation to lunch was made following input from Luhut and others that such a gathering should be held twice a year to boost communication and relations between the President and the military.

Ryamizard, however, denied speculation that the meeting was held to discuss Jokowi'€™s decisions on Budi, particularly if the President decided not to install the graft suspect as the next police chief.

'€œNo. No such discussions were held. It was merely a lunch and the President was happy because the TNI is solid,'€ he said, adding that Jokowi perceived the current situation as still conducive.

The Defense Minister also said there was no request from the President for security measures to guard against potential situations that might arise after Jokowi gives his final say on Budi.

The military, Ryamizard said, would remain loyal to the President as he is the military supreme commander.

When asked whether the military would remain loyal to Jokowi if any political turmoil occurred, Ryami-
zard said, it would, as the President is the military supreme commander.

Ryamizard added there was no reason why Tedjo was not spotted during the lunch with Jokowi. '€œHe deals with political issues and other matters.'€ The Defense Minister '€œdeals directly with the policy-making of TNI'€.

Moeldoko said the President did not give any directives during the lunch, but merely discussed small matters.

'€œThe situation is safe and under control. Security is stable and well maintained, I told the President. The public should remain calm and not make noise,'€ he added.

Earlier, before the lunch meeting, AM Hendropriyono, former advisor to Jokowi'€™s transition team and former BIN chief, came to the Palace. Hendropriyono merely confirmed that he was summoned by Jokowi, but refused to say anything further about his visit.

Speculation that Jokowi might soon announce his decision on Budi, particularly a decision not to install him, was rife over the past couple of days.

State Secretary Pratikno said on Tuesday morning that '€œit would be beautiful if Budi stepped down [from his position]'€.

'€œSuch [a retreat] would end [the problem immediately]. If [he] does not step down, it means that [the President] should find a solution to the dilemma,'€ he added.