Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 51122 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 10JAKARTA141, NEW POLITICAL GROUP SINGS OLD SONG

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #10JAKARTA141.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
10JAKARTA141 2010-02-02 07:44 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Jakarta
VZCZCXRO3744
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #0141 0330744
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 020744Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4406
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS JAKARTA 000141 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP 
NSC FOR D. WALTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ID
SUBJECT: NEW POLITICAL GROUP SINGS OLD SONG 
 
REF: A. JAKARTA 1699 
     B. JAKARTA 2052 AND PREVIOUS 
 
1.  (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please 
handle accordingly. 
 
 
2.  (U) While some pundits see new "mass organization" 
National Democrat (ND) as a challenge to President Yudhoyono, 
his Partai Demokrat members (PD) are saying its establishment 
is good for Indonesia's democracy.  Media magnate and Golkar 
member Surya Paloh launched the political group February 1. 
Leaders of the group included Jogjakarta Governor Sultan 
Hamengkubuwono X, rector of Paramadina University Anies 
Baswedan, and former chair of Muhammadiyah Syafii Maarif. 
Approximately 12,000 people (many of whom were paid) attended 
the launch, including prominent political, academic and 
religious leaders such as Partai Demokrat's Deputy Chair, 
Ahmad Mubarok.  The group's stated purpose was to establish a 
"mature" democracy that is focused on improving the people's 
welfare. 
 
CHALLENGE TO SBY OR SIGN OF A FLOURISHING DEMOCRACY? 
 
3.  (SBU) Some commentators see ND as a sign that the 
Indonesian elite are dissatisfied with Yudhoyono's reform 
record to date.  ND takes a page from President Yudhoyono's 
play book by imitating the colors, theme song and rhetoric of 
his successful Partai Demokrat.  PD members do not see the 
new group as criticism, however-- its Deputy Chair remarked 
that ND has "a similar vision for the nation" and that 
competition is good for its democracy. 
 
4. (SBU) Although ND is apolitical, many pundits are 
speculating that Paloh (defeated in his October bid for 
Golkar chair) is testing the waters for a 2014 presidential 
election run.  Parliamentarian and PD member Ramadan Pohan 
told Poloff that the new movement is a good thing for 
Indonesia, and that even if the movement turns into a 
political party down the road, it will not challenge PD: 
"This group is too focused on the elite.  To win the 
elections you have to win the hearts of the people in the 
villages, not Jakarta."  PD, he said, is focused now on its 
upcoming leadership contest in May, which will determine the 
future of the party. 
HUME