NOBARTV NEWS – The name Permadi Arya, or better known as Abu Janda, is back in the public spotlight after the issue of him being mentioned as being included in the Prabowo-Gibran Red and White Cabinet for the 2024-2029 period. However, until the official announcement was made, Abu Janda's name was not listed as a minister or deputy minister. This has also given rise to various speculations about Abu Janda's role behind the scenes of Indonesian politics today.
The issue regarding Abu Janda's inclusion in the cabinet began with his upload on social media, where he posted a photo of his meeting with Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. In the upload, Abu Janda explicitly stated that he was specifically summoned by Prabowo through the "back door", arousing the curiosity of many people regarding what position he might be given.
Abu Janda, Called Through the "Back Door"
Permadi Arya, better known as Abu Janda, is a figure who has long been involved in the world of political influencers and buzzers. He is known as a loyal supporter of President Joko Widodo in the 2019 presidential election and is active in creating content that supports the government on social media. With a controversial background as a "buzzer", news about the possibility of him joining the Prabowo-Gibran cabinet has become a hot topic of discussion.
Through his personal Instagram account, @permadiaktivis2, Abu Janda revealed that he was invited by Prabowo Subianto to his house in Kertanegara. He said, "Called by Mr. @prabowo to Kertanegara but told to enter through the back door through the kitchen so that reporters wouldn't see him." This immediately gave rise to speculation that Abu Janda would be given an important role in the cabinet, especially regarding the issue of intolerance, which is often the main topic in his content.
However, even though Abu Janda seemed optimistic in his upload, the reality said otherwise. When the official announcement of the Red and White Cabinet was made on October 20, 2024, Permadi Arya's name did not appear on the list of ministers or deputy ministers.
Prabowo Rejects Abu Janda for Deputy Minister Position
Speculation about the position that might be given to Abu Janda grew stronger after a video of his meeting with Prabowo circulated widely on social media. In the video, Abu Janda was seen wearing red batik and a blangkon, listening seriously to the instructions given by Prabowo. However, the news that Abu Janda would occupy the deputy ministerial seat did not materialize.
According to Abu Janda, Prabowo refused to give him the position. This was conveyed through a post that stated that Prabowo asked Abu Janda to remain focused on the issue of intolerance. "Mr. Permadi, just stay focused on dealing with the INTOLERANCE issue. If you become Deputy Minister, who will help the congregation whose services were broken up?" wrote Abu Janda, quoting Prabowo.
This confirms that despite Abu Janda's close ties to Prabowo, he was not allowed to fill an official position in the government. To date, neither Prabowo nor the government have provided official clarification regarding the reasons behind the decision.
Abu Janda's Background and Career
Permadi Arya, or Abu Janda, has a rather unique background. Born on December 14, 1973 in Cianjur, West Java, Abu Janda is the son of HM Sudjatna and Lina Herlin. He completed his education in Computer Science in Singapore and earned a Bachelor's degree in Business & Finance in England in 1999.
Before becoming a buzzer, Abu Janda had a career in various private companies, ranging from securities companies to coal mines. However, in 2017, he decided to focus on becoming a buzzer and political influencer. In the 2019 election, he joined Joko Widodo's successful team and often became a controversial figure in cyberspace.
Abu Janda is also known as a history buff and a reenactor, who enjoys re-enacting soldier figures from various eras and countries. One of his most controversial acts was when he was photographed doing a Nazi salute in front of a wax statue of Adolf Hitler, which drew heavy criticism on social media.
Controversy and Criticism of Abu Janda
Abu Janda's career as a political influencer is not free from controversy. He is often criticized for spreading hate speech, especially related to religious and racial issues. Some of his provocative content has landed him in trouble with the authorities and received reports from various community groups.
However, Abu Janda persisted and continued to voice his support for the government, especially regarding the issue of intolerance. He often responded to criticism by saying that what he did was to defend diversity and fight extremism.
Abu Janda's Future in Politics
With Abu Janda being rejected for the deputy ministerial position, many are wondering about his political future. Will he continue to be behind the scenes as an influencer, or is there another role in store for him?
Despite not being appointed as a deputy minister, Abu Janda's ties with Prabowo and the government appear to remain strong. He will likely continue to play a role in the campaign against intolerance and other social issues, as he has done so far.
