Kaesang Pangarep Responds to Call for Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s Replacement
Surabaya, Indonesia—Kaesang Pangarep, chairperson of the political party PSI, has addressed the recent demands from a forum of retired Indonesian national Armed Forces (TNI) personnel calling for the replacement of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Kaesang’s Stance
Mr. Pangarep emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Rakabuming Raka were directly elected by the Indonesian people.
In the constitution of the President and Vice President, it has been directly elected by the people.
Speaking at the official residence of the Mayor of Surabaya on Friday, Mr. Pangarep declined to comment further on the demands, stating that everything is based on the constitution.
The TNI Retirees’ Demands
A forum of retired TNI soldiers has openly issued eight demands, one of which proposes that the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR) replace Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The retirees allege that the election process was unlawful [[3]].
This forum reportedly includes hundreds of retired TNI personnel, ranging from generals, admirals, and marshals to colonels [[3]]. Signatories to the proposal include former Vice President Try sutrisno, and also Fachrul Razi, Tyasno Soedarto, Slamet Soebijanto, and Hanafie Asnan [[3]].
Presidential Response
Wiranto, Special Advisor to the President for Politics and Security, stated that President Prabowo Subianto respects the eight demands put forth by the TNI Retired Forum.Mr. Wiranto conveyed this after meeting with President Prabowo at the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Thursday, April 24.
According to Mr. Wiranto, discussions included requests to revert to the original 1945 Constitution, reshuffle the cabinet to remove ministers suspected of corruption, and propose the replacement of Vice president Gibran Rakabuming to the MPR [[2]].
Indeed, the suggestion was conveyed by the TNI Retired Forum, the generals, the colonel, yes signed, delivered openly, right? Open, widespread, yes. Well here, of course the President really respects and understands those thoughts.
Wiranto, Special Advisor to the president for politics and Security
Mr. Wiranto clarified that President Prabowo, as head of state and government, could not promptly respond to the proposal and needed to carefully study each point, given the essential nature of the issues raised.
The President as Head of State, Head of Government, the Supreme Commander of the TNI cannot immediately answer that. Spontaneously answered could not. Because of what? First, he needs to first learn the contents of the statement.
Wiranto, Special Advisor to the president for Politics and Security
Further Developments
The situation remains fluid as various political figures and entities weigh in on the demands and their potential implications. The coming weeks may prove critical in determining the trajectory of this issue.
FAQ
- Who is calling for the replacement of the vice president?
- A forum of retired TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) personnel.
- What reasons are thay giving?
- They allege that the election process was unlawful.
- What has been the response of President Prabowo?
- President Prabowo has stated he respects their concerns and will study the proposal carefully.