Prabowo, who had competed against Jokowi for a second time, declared victory on election day, despite pollsters’ early counts that predicted the incumbent had secured reelection.

The former Army general’s conviction that he had won had driven thousands of his supporters to take to the streets when the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced the official results, confirming Jokowi’s victory with 55.5 percent of the vote, 85 million ballots.

After the KPU announcement, the National Police took strong measures against protesters and rioters, arresting more than 400 people who allegedly instigated or participated in the two days of unrest. Many of them were Prabowo supporters. It looked surreal when on July 13, Jokowi met Prabowo at an MRT station in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, in a landmark gesture of reconciliation.

For the meeting, both camps praised the role of State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan, who established communications between the two camps in May when police began detaining a number of Prabowo supporters for allegedly instigating a “People Power” movement, a series of protests planned by the opposition camp to anticipate the KPU announcing Jokowi’s victory.

Budi was Jokowi’s only aide who could break the communication barrier that shielded Prabowo since his victory declaration.

Gerindra executives said Prabowo finally decided to meet Jokowi since Budi, a police general, had promised to release the Prabowo supporters who had been detained and charged because of the People Power campaign. Those whose detentions were suspended after contact was made between Budi and Gerindra include National Mandate Party (PAN) politician Eggi Sudjana and activist Lieus Sungkharisma.

Gerindra deputy chairman Arif Poyuono said Budi was a “high-class political communicator” who could establish dialogue between national leaders with different political directions.

“Budi is truly an oasis in the desert of Indonesian politics. He cools down the tension between the two rival camps,” he said.

An adjutant to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri when she was the country’s vice president and later was president in the early 2000s, Budi is not an ordinary government official. Along with other police and military figures who are known to be Megawati loyalists, including retired Army general and former BIN chief AM Hendropriyono, Budi had taken on a significant role throughout the first term of the Jokowi administration.

Budi made his mark on the country’s political scene with a failed bid to become National Police chairman in 2015. Jokowi, a PDI-P member, had nominated the 59-year-old for the position, but the nomination was canceled after the Corruption Eradication Commission named him a suspect in a corruption case. A pretrial verdict later cleared him of the graft charges.

In 2016, after months of uncertainty caused by an apparent political struggle between Jokowi and Megawati, Jokowi finally approved Budi to become the spy chief. With his numerous connections in government and politics, critics have compared his influence with Hendropriyono’s, who was known as a strong spy chief during Megawati’s administration.

Budi was also seen to be involved when Prabowo visited Megawati last week. Speculation is rife that Budi is not only helping Prabowo by releasing his supporters, but also by helping to secure ministerial posts for Gerindra should the opposition leader join the government.

Gerindra is said to be proposing it control the ministries related to food and energy as a condition for joining the government.

Rini Soemarno, a professional with close ties to Megawati, is currently the head of the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry, while businessman Amran Sulaiman is the agriculture minister.

BIN spokesman Wawan Purwanto said what Budi did was still within the agency’s jurisdiction. He also said he believed Budi’s actions were not motivated by personal gain.

“We have to maintain the country’s unity. The country’s situation was a bit shaken and heated up after the election. People were polarized into the two camps. Foreigners and businesspeople were worried. Therefore, [Budi] took that step,” Wawan said.

Muhammad Qodari, a political observer from a Jakarta-based pollster, Indo Barometer, said Budi might take a more prominent position in Jokowi’s second term.

He said Budi might be an alternative to “the Luhut door”, referring to Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, who has become a prominent aide and political operative for Jokowi.

A Golkar Party politician and retired army general, Luhut has occupied various prominent Cabinet posts in the Jokowi administration. He was first appointed to be the presidential chief of staff before taking over the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister and afterward his current post.

“Megawati’s influence can be seen in Budi. Just like her presence is felt in [Cabinet Secretary] Pramono Anung and her daughter [Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister] Puan Maharani,” Qodari said, referring to two other PDI-P politicians in the Cabinet.

With Budi’s achievements, PDI-P officials say it is open to the possibility of recommending him for Jokowi’s next Cabinet.

PDI-P executive Hendrawan Supratikno said it is Jokowi’s prerogative to determine those who would be in the next Cabinet, but Budi had already proven his ability.

“He made it through his network and ability to offer a solution to Prabowo. He has very good experience and networks,” he said.

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