#prabowosubianto — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

Stories From Indonesia @[email protected] · 2026-09-25 · 09:29 UTC

From the Archives: Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: “I’m Not the Godfather,” Tempo.co

Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: “I’m not the Godfather” (1999)

By Setiyardi, Wicaksono and Hermien Y. Kleden, Tempo Magazine, April 5, 1999, Page 30

Time seems powerless against Sumitro Djojohadikusumo (1917-2001)—or against his memory. His face is deeply lined, his shoulders no longer upright, and he needs to grip a cane with his right hand when he walks. Yet his memory quickly makes one forget his age: He will turn 82 on May 29, 1999. He can explain events from the past in minute detail connecting them to more recent developments whenever necessary.

Occasionally, he waves a hand in the air to emphasize an important point then lowers it to touch the cuff of the distinctive Burberry-patterned jacket he was wearing that afternoon. Time, it seems, has been unable to overcome his taste for elegance: a white cotton button-down shirt with gold cuff links and a burgundy tie patterned with fine stripes.

Sumitro was born into a prominent family that raised him in a Western tradition without losing its Javanese touch. He says he is very proud to be from Banyumas, a former administrative residency on the border of the provinces of Central Java and West Java. Following in the footsteps of his father, Margono Djojohadikusumo (1894-1978)—a member of nationalist cultural organization Boedi Oetomo and a founder of the country’s first central bank, Bank Negara Indonesia, or BNI 1946—he pursued his education in Europe.

People arrive for the opening of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) in Yogyakarta, August 17, 1946. ANTARA FOTO/IPPHOS/Rei/Koz/1946. Local Caption: Opening of BNI in Yogyakarta, August 17, 1946.

At 21, Sumitro earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy and literature from the Sorbonne in Paris. He then moved to the Netherlands to study economics at the Rotterdam School of Economics, earning his doctorate in 1942.

After leaving the university, he embarked on a long career that appears far from over. He has devoted considerable attention to the foundations of Indonesia’s economy, held several senior government positions and has worked as an economic consultant both at home and abroad.

He also experienced a period of “darkness”, when he was hunted by the government of the country’s first president President Sukarno, which accused him of conspiring with the break-away Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia, or PRRI, in the 1950s. The movement was once accused of separatism, although its supporters described it as an effort to develop the regions and save the nation from the influence of the Indonesian Communist Party.

Sumitro was condemned by members of his own party, the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI) of Indonesia’s first prime minister Sutan Sjahrir (1909-1966). His association with the PRRI, meanwhile, was brief.

Cornered, he fled abroad. It was not until 10 years later, in July 1967, that Sumitro returned to Indonesia. He served as a minister in cabinets of President Suharto for two terms, from 1968 to 1978. After retiring from government, he worked as a consultant and lecturer and wrote numerous scholarly works.

His marriage to Dora Sigar produced four children who were intelligent—and controversial. One of them, Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, was a brilliant military officer who married Siti Hediyati, the daughter of former President Suharto. His career abruptly ended soon after Suharto’s fall.

His eldest daughter, Biantiningsih Miderawati, married Soedradjad Djiwandono, the governor of Bank Indonesia who was dismissed in February of the previous year, 10 days before his term was due to end. His youngest son, Hashim, the head of Semen Cibinong, Petrokimia and several banks, is now facing serious difficulties in his businesses.

People have begun to wonder: Is this the end of the Djojohadikusumo family’s glory?

“I’ve been through the worst. And this is not the first time,” he said calmly to Tempo magazine reporters Setiyardi, Wicaksono and Hermien Y. Kleden, who interviewed him last week.

The conversation took place over two meetings—one at his office at 4 Kertanegara Street in Central Jakarta and the other at the Dharmawangsa Hotel in South Jakarta’s Kebayoran Baru district. Excerpts follow.

How are relations between you and Mr. Suharto now?

Two days after Mr. Suharto fell, I tried to contact him. I always do that when a relative or acquaintance is going through difficulties.

May we know what you discussed?

We did not meet. Through his aide, I said I wanted to see him. I would usually receive a response within two days. A week later, I was told, “The president is still busy.”

Two weeks later, I called again. There was still no response. After that, I no longer wanted to meet him.

Has being related by marriage to Mr. Suharto been a burden?

The first few years were good, but things gradually deteriorated. There was never a confrontation. I deliberately kept my distance. So the relationship was ordinary—not distant, but not close, either.

How do you feel seeing your in-law being condemned from all sides?

Not only as his in-law but as a human being, of course I feel sad. How can someone be condemned continuously?

Mr. Suharto’s mistake was that he placed too much trust in his children and in his business cronies. He was weak when it came to his children, especially after the death of Mrs. Tien. And all of his children resented Bowo [Prabowo], except Sigit, who was somewhat neutral.

It has been reported that you once said Prabowo’s marriage to Titiek Suharto was the greatest “historical mistake” of your life.

Oh, no. At the most …

This post is based on “Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: Saya Bukan Godfather”, Edisi: 04/28/ Tanggal: 1999-04-05 / Halaman: 30 / Rubrik: WAW / Penulis: Setiyardi, Wicaksono, Kleden, Hermien Y. https://data.tempo.co/MajalahTeks/detail/ARM20180612128791/sumitro-djojohadikusumo-saya-bukan-godfather. Featured image credit: Potret Lawas

https://twitter.com/potretlawas/status/1745080744370659483?s=20

#AmerikaSerikat #Decolonization #Democracy #History #Indonesia #NewOrder #OrdeBaru #PoliticalFamilies #Politics #PolitikDinasti #PrabowoGibran #PrabowoSubianto #RegionalIndonesia #UnitedStates

#amerikaserikat #decolonization #democracy #history #indonesia #neworder

Italy @[email protected] · 2026-09-24 · 08:09 UTC

Indonesia reflags a former Italian warship as its first aircraft carrier

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s navy commissioned its first aircraft carrier Thursday after acquiring the former Italian vessel…
#Italy #Europe #Europa #EU #GiuseppeGaribaldi #Indonesia #IndonesiaItalyaircraftcarrierKRISrwijaya #package100024APOnline #package100373MCComplete-State&National #PrabowoSubianto #product30598APNationalNewsReport(AWire) #product31997APOnlineAsiaNews
https://www.europesays.com/italy/50640/

#product31997aponlineasianews #product30598apnationalnewsreport #prabowosubianto #package100373mccomplete #package100024aponline #indonesiaitalyaircraftcarrierkrisrwijaya

Italy @[email protected] · 2026-09-24 · 08:09 UTC

Indonesia reflags a former Italian warship as its first aircraft carrier

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s navy commissioned its first aircraft carrier Thursday after acquiring the former Italian vessel…
#Italy #Europe #Europa #EU #GiuseppeGaribaldi #Indonesia #IndonesiaItalyaircraftcarrierKRISrwijaya #package100024APOnline #package100373MCComplete-State&National #PrabowoSubianto #product30598APNationalNewsReport(AWire) #product31997APOnlineAsiaNews
https://www.europesays.com/italy/50637/

#product31997aponlineasianews #product30598apnationalnewsreport #prabowosubianto #package100373mccomplete #package100024aponline #indonesiaitalyaircraftcarrierkrisrwijaya

Stories From Indonesia @[email protected] · 2026-09-19 · 23:00 UTC

Op-Ed: Does Indonesia’s Largest Religious Organization Nahdlatul Ulama Need An Anti-Corruption Body?

Gus Yahya and Gus Kikin

By Muhammad Hanifuddin for Islami.co, Sept 13, 2026

Both of the newly inaugurated leaders of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) are true “NU blue blood.” The villages of Leteh in Rembang district and Tebuireng in Jombang district are villages that have been inextricably linked with Nahdlatul Ulama for generations. The Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in villages of Leteh and Tebuireng are custodians of the scholarly lineages (sanad) of the archipelago’s Islamic scholars (ulama).

So it is no surprise that these two figures possess abundant social capital. Both well deserve to be referred to using the respectful title of endearment “Gus,” even today, even though both should by now be addressed using the more formal title “Kiai” as senior religious teachers. In addition, neither man’s personal abilities are in doubt. There is consequently no reason to frame them as being in competition with each other—except in the eyes of political brokers.

Both also have impressive ideas and records of service. Over the past five years, Gus Yahya (Kyai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf) has fulfilled his mandate as the chair of NU’s national leadership council (PBNU). His annual “state of the association” address, or accountability report, was accepted by acclamation at NU’s national congress at Tambak Beras held from August 27 to 31, 2026.

Likewise, Gus Kikin (Kiai Haji Abdul Hakim Mahfudz) has demonstrated a calm leadership style as chair of NU’s East Java provincial leadership council (PWNU). At the same time, he has continued to lead the Tebuireng pesantren, a role for which he was prepared even before the passing of the previous leader Kiai Haji Sholahuddin Wahid (1942-2020). Gus Kikin has continued and developed Gus Sholah’s legacy, and Tebuireng has continued to prosper. His managerial experience in the oil industry has meant that Gus Kikin has not faced any significant difficulties in leading Tebuireng.

At NU’s 34th Congress in Lampung, Gus Yahya published a book titled “PBNU: The Great Struggle of Nahdlatul Ulama” (PBNU: Perjuangan Besar Nahdlatul Ulama). The book presents Gus Yahya’s ideas, particularly his vision, mission and aspirations for his time serving on NU’s national leadership council (PBNU).

His dream is ambitious and global: to lead NU in building world civilization—not merely at the local level, much less only at the national level. I have read the book numerous times. Over the past five years, Gus Yahya’s leadership has largely followed the ideas he set out in it. Much has already been achieved, including the establishment of a system of governance, digitization and the strategic positioning of NU.

If we examine the matter closely, we can understand—though we are of course free to disagree—why Gus Yahya has appeared “close” to government programs, both during the government of former president Joko Widodo and under Indonesia’s current president Prabowo Subianto. All of this can be seen as part of an effort to place NU within a broader sphere of service.

Similarly, at this year’s 35th Congress in Tambak Beras in NU’s East Java heartland city of Jombang, Gus Kikin published a book titled “An Exposition of the Fundamental Laws” (Syarah Qanun Asasi). The book elaborates on NU’s fundamental values. On many occasions, Gus Kikin has emphasized that, if entrusted with the position of chair of the PBNU, he would revive the organization’s fundamental laws (Qanun Asasi).

Previously, at the Lampung Congress, Gus Yahya also sought to revive the ideas of former NU leader and Indonesia’s fourth president Gus Dur (1940-2009). Both aspirations are laudable. They arise from roughly the same concern: how NU can remain firmly grounded in the legacy of its predecessors while also responding to the challenges of present times.

In the introduction to Syarah Qanun Asasi, Gus Kikin states that the book is written to reintroduce the thought of NU’s founding spiritual anti-colonial nationalist founder, Hadlaratussyaikh Hasyim Asy’ari (1875–1947), in a complete, profound and contextualized form. The book is intended to guide NU as it enters its second century, ensuring that its path of service follows the vision of its founders.

Gus Yahya often expresses a similar spirit: Let us practice NU according to the madhhab (school of interpretation within Islamic jurisprudence) of its founders—and no other.

After the 35th Congress, Gus Kikin was inaugurated as the chair of NU’s national leadership council (PBNU). He is continuing much of the legacy left by Gus Yahya’s leadership.

Given these similarities, we should show both men our deepest respect. Gus Yahya’s leadership has given NU a distinct character and genuine renewed fervor. Likewise, we should give Gus Kikin the time and opportunity to serve and to reintroduce the values of the fundamental laws (Qanun Asasi) as NU enters its second century.

What, then, should be made of the allegations of bribery and manipulation of the Congress? Does NU need an institution responsible for law enforcement and prevention? Is there an urgent need for NU to establish an anti-bribery institution modeled on the national anti-corruption commission (KPK)?

These questions cannot be left unresolved. NU needs a dignified and clear solution consistent with the values passed down by its founders. May a path to a resolution ultimately be found.

Muhammad Hanifuddin is a professor at Darus-Sunnah International Institute for Hadith Sciences and the Political Literacy Institute Ciputat activist. This post is based on https://islami.co/gus-yahya-dan-gus-kikin/. Photo via Islami.co.

Rate this:

#Corruption #Election #ElectionCampaign #Islam #KPK #NahdlatulUlama #NU #OpEd #Pemilu #Pemilu2029 #PKB #Politics #Politik #PrabowoGibran #PrabowoSubianto #Religion

#corruption #election #electioncampaign #islam #kpk #nahdlatululama