By: Abdul Rahim )*
Do you know who Budi Gunawan is? Maybe you have heard it on TV or in the mass media. But clearly the figure is not an arbitrary figure, Budi Gunawan or who is familiarly called BG is the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
The name Budi Gunawan first emerged when Jokowi served as President in 2014 replacing Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). A few months after serving as president, Jokowi proposed BG as a candidate for the national police chief to replace General Sutarman.
At that time BG was the sole candidate for the National Police Chief. But there were problems that arose when the KPK, which was then led by Abraham Samad, set BG as a corruption suspect. Although at that time held the status of a suspect, Budi passed the due diligence in the DPR and was elected as National Police Chief. However, Jokowi did not dare to appoint BG as National Police Chief.
Until finally the former DKI Jakarta Governor chose Badrodin Haiti as the National Police Chief, while Budi Gunawan as his deputy. Until finally the position was relayed to General Tito Karnavian.
So what is the role of Budi Gunawan at this time? Do you still remember the reconciliation process between Jokowi and Prabowo on the MRT Carriage? If you still remember, Budi Gunawan is a key figure in the reconciliation process.
Even BG’s presence when Prabowo met with Megawati was quite prominent. This certainly shows that BG has a special position. A number of figures who understand the story behind the success of reconciliation also agree on the importance of the role of the BIN leadership in realizing everything.
Pramono Anung said that BG works without a sound, and what was done can be achieved. It is also known that Budi carried out all these roles on the instructions of President Jokowi.
Certainly not surprising that not a few people who appreciate the success of the man who was born in Surakarta in carrying out its mission. Even Aboe Bakar Al – Habsyi as a PKS politician was also one of those who admired the strategy carried out by the BG.
The media certainly has recorded how critical and harsh Prabowo was in political contestation, of course he still remembers when Prabowo asked his sympathizers to stay overnight at the polling station to guard the ballot box.
On that basis, it seems rather difficult to imagine Prabowo’s figure would be willing to meet Jokowi and even sit at a table in the atmosphere of lunch. Given that throughout the 2019 presidential election the rivalry was quite fierce.
During the meeting, what happened was not only meeting each other, even Prabowo showed a smile and laughter like Jokowi’s best friend.
After that when Prabowo visited Megawati’s residence, Prabowo seemed to be very friendly with the PDI-P leader, especially after enjoying megawati’s fried rice.
The meeting between the two camps which was originally impossible, everything could be realized thanks to the role of a main actor named Budi Gunawan, who is a figure who has authority, network strength, credibility, resources and most importantly trusted. Both by Jokowi’s camp and Prabowo’s camp.
Through various diplomatic strategies, he was able to reach deep into political parties. With his efforts he was able to make the two 2019 presidential candidates declare themselves publicly, that from that moment on there was also no such thing as cebong and kampret.
It is by this role, we need not be surprised if in the next few years the former Jambi Regional Police Chief will hold an important position in playing a greater role in the government cabinet which is being formulated by President Joko Widodo.
Budi Gunawan had close relations with PDI-P, this was evidenced that BG had served as an aide to President Megawati Soekarno Putri of his time. This certainly makes BG have access and a special role in politics.
The emergence of Budi Gunawan at a political moment could certainly be the initial stage of its introduction to the people of Indonesia. In the realm of political marketing known as the standard formula: Popularity, likeness and electability. If you want to be elected, you have to be popular first and then get public sympathy.
)* The author is a sociopolitical observer