The face of Hutomo Mandala Putra or Tommy Soeharto looks as glamorous. Chairman of the Working Party continued to spread a smile to his cadres in a thanksgiving event after the General Elections Commission (KPU) declared the political party got the number 7 in the 2019 election.
"Hopefully a good sign this party will be big in 2019," said Tommy in the Granadi building, Jalan Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, Monday 19 February 2018.
By bearing the name as a member of the Cendana Family, the son of the New Order ruler, Tommy had a reasonable expectation for the voice of the owner. However, as the founder of the new party, he also had another ammunition, which is a row of retired generals who have a name and occupy a strategic position.
See, there is a former Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Admiral Tedjo Edhy who was lined up as Chairman of the Advisory Council. There are also former Danjen Kopassus Major General TNI (Ret.) Muchdi Purwoprandjono in the position of Chairman of the Honorary Board. While former And Puspom TNI Major General (Ret.) Syamsu Djalal occupies the position of Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Working Party.
Until now, not yet known what the positive impact will be obtained Party Work with the entry of the names of the former general in the list of stewardship. Instead of being able to capture the votes of voters, it is not impossible that the former generals were presented only for dashing. However, the assumption was denied Muchdi. According to him, he and the retired is not just "accessories" alone.
"If I can not decide in the party, why do I join? Why I enter the party without being able to do something for the party," Muchdi PR told the team Liputan6.com and Merdeka.com, Saturday, April 14, 2018.
He said the public could not see the inclusion of former generals into political parties only from its military origins. Because, they enter the political world with the ability.
"I see the competence of each person only, not seeing the generals, but how their track record, especially now nowadays, see someone's track record is easy," said Muchdi.
In addition, former politicians Gerindra Party and United Development Party (PPP) is admitted not only participate, but also gave birth to the Party of Work.
"I was not offered Mas Tommy (Tommy Soeharto), yes it has little contribution (to set up), not participate, if I look for it, my name does not exist, but participate in giving and coloring this party," said Muchdi.
Nevertheless, the man who was born 15 April 1949 is not yet know the true position in the Party Work, because the new stewardship structure under the Chairman Tommy Suharto has not been formed.
"Now I do not know what I want to be, but as a Board of Trustees yesterday I gave motivation to the officials, gave advice and guidance on how this party can be big," explained Muchdi.
Former Danjen Kopassus asserted that, despite having a row of classy positions while still in the TNI, now he no longer has the desire to gain office or power, both in the executive and legislative.
"I'm old enough I do not want to be in the executive or be a member of the Parliament Even though I'm in the party, I do not want to leave anymore, I just want to give inputs, give directions, advice, motivation, however I will experience and see the first election in 1955, the time of the Old Order, the New Order and the reforms I watched, "concluded Muchdi.
Not because Kenal Prabowo
If seen the composition of the former general in the management of political parties, the Party Work is actually nothing compared to other parties. For example, Gerindra Party. In addition to being established by the former general, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto, this party is also driven by dozens of retired TNI.
Some prominent names are former Army Chief of Staff General (Ret.) Djoko Santoso and Lt. Gen. (Ret) Muhammad Yunus Yosfiah. Then there was Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Haryadi Darmawan who held the position of Chairman of the Advisory Board.
While in the ranks of the central board of Gerindra there is the name of Daily Chairman Laksdya (Ret.) Moekhlas Sidik, Deputy General Chairman of the Foreign Affair Maj. Gen. Yogi Magyo Yusuf and Deputy Chairman of Defense and Security Major (Ret.) Chaerawan Musyirawan.
There is also Air Marshal Defense Chief (Ret.) Suwitno Adi and Chairman of National Defense Section Major General (Ret.) Soenarko.
In fact, this party has a retired wing organization retired Indonesia Raya, which contains retired TNI retirees who want to politics. However, Djoko Santoso denied that Gerindra Party is said to be the party of former generals.
"The retired soldier is an ordinary citizen, he is not included in the structure or political system, he wants to go to Gerindra, Democrat or PAN, that is individual rights as people who have political rights," said Djoko at his residence Jalan Bambu Apus Raya, East Jakarta , Sunday April 15, 2018.
The man born in Surakarta 65 years ago said the decision to join Gerindra because it has a common view. In addition to knowing Prabowo, the party's determination to maintain the sovereignty of the country, the integrity of the country and maintain the safety of the nation made him fall in love.
"I go to Gerindra baseball persuaded (Prabowo), on the understanding of nationalism and populistity, I join Gerindra Party, and I know Prabowo because they are educated at the Military Academy," explained Djoko.
KSAD 2005-2007 period is told, Prabowo is a senior while still undergoing education in Akmil. At that time he knew Prabowo as a cadet who had advanced thinking. When Prabowo was Commander of the Airborne Infantry Battalion 328 Kostrad, he became Prabowo's deputy. But, he denied the proximity that made him join Gerindra.
"It's not because I know (Prabowo), if I only know it but I think it will not support me because it's the same thinking and calling, I said that the soldier has no pension, unless it goes to the grave," said Djoko.
Because of the similarity of thinking that he also admitted to not picky positions or duties in Gerindra. What is clear, as the Board of Trustees of the Party he has a duty to hold meetings to formulate party policies that will be implemented chairman and secretary general of the party.
"The position of baseball is important, I'm a messenger is also no problem.We have no negotiation whatsoever, we also never ask what we want to do what is important what we can do We are only a collection of old people," said Djoko .
However, he refused to respond to the allegation that former generals who enter political parties are often used to set up a winning strategy not far from military strategy.
"If you talk the strategy is a secret," concluded Djoko.