Posted on 09/05/2015 4:08:38 AM PDT by PotatoHeadMick
Jakarta. Indonesias parliamentary speaker and one of his deputies made a surprise appearance at a campaign event by US presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York on Thursday, in a stunt both the House and the Foreign Ministry said they were not aware of.
Both Setya Novanto, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and Fadli Zon, a deputy speaker, were seen standing in a group of people behind Trump as he spoke at the Trump Tower.
Business Insider reported that after he finished speaking, Trump walked away from the podium only to return with Setya, whom he introduced to the crowd.
The speaker of the house of Indonesia, hes here to see me. Setya Novanto, one of the most powerful men and a great man, Trump said as quoted by Business Insider.
And his whole group is here to see me today. And we will do great things for the United States is that correct?
Yes, Setya said.
Trump then asked Do they like me in Indonesia?, to which Setya responded, Yes, highly. Thank you Very much.
(Excerpt) Read more at jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com ...
There's a "Bali button" joke hiding in all this somewhere, but it's too early in the morning for that.
The 4th most populous nation on earth should be a good partner.
Hindus and Taos are great...Muslims not so much as we know.
Anyone know the breakdown of the three big religions in Indonesia?
he is a special consultant to the Trump campaign delivering the goods on the Riaddy scandal that will destroy hillary
Indonesia is @90% Muslim.
Not very devoted Muslims on the whole.
Friends say that the Muslim thing is pretty nominal.
Except for a few nuts. But they do have their mad mullahs.
And in places Christians have been persecuted.
One seriously expects a third world senior official to live within his salary ?
There may be such paragons, but its not normal.
East Timor? (Which was especially friendly to us during WW2).
I was thinking Celebes mainly, but I have heard elsewhere too.
Many islands in the eastern parts of the archipelagos are traditionally Christian, like Ambon, and others are very mixed. (Indonesia has a ridiculous number of islands and geographic complications that should drive their elementary school kids insane).
East Timor
Funny you should mention that....
as how strange that Obama’s mother just happened to be called away to East Timor
I still maintain that she was working in some way with intelligence
Before we let anyone get away with berating Trump for interfering in an area that is essentially the exclusive domain of the Executive Branch, let’s NEVER FORGET the following:
1) Both Obama and Clinton before him sent operatives to Israel to try to defeat Bibi in his own elections (Clinton was successful, but thankfully no Obama).
2) The Dems in CONGRESS actively helped Communists in Central and South America seize and hold power, directly UNDERCUTTING US foreign policy, in CLEAR acts of treason, but were never brought up on charges (big mistake).
Ha shows what I know! I thought it was appx 50/50 Muslim/Hindu with a bit of Tao.
I do know the non muzzies (Hindus) do not like what the muzzies do to the islands they take over.
I suppose Bush will now trot out some Mexican corruptocrat as evidence of his international support. Ha!
What this country & the world desperately needs is a straight talking, no nonsense President who puts America first, & therefore freedom & democracy first. Our friend & enemies alike will appreciate such candor.
The Indonesian representation at the Trump rally is but a small example of the positive influence Trump is already making in our global affairs. The world is tired of the weak liar Obama.
The only Indonesian island I know of that remains mostly Hindu is Bali. There are bits and pieces all over, and if I’m not mistaken, Hinduism is expanding somewhat, Islam being pretty notional in many parts.
Bali and the next island east-ish (lombakan?) are the only ones I’ve been to. They told me there much the same as what you’re telling me...that Islam is spreading despite the dislike of every non muzzie.
I guess he's "great" at taking bribes then.
East Timor ceased to be part of Indonesia 16 years ago and the oppression they suffered was as a result of the hyper-nationalism of the Indonesian army rather than as a result of Islamism (which the army also stamped hard on in Aceh).
Indeed many of the key Indonesian generals and officials behind the persecution were Christians themselves. The Indonesian government built a big statue of Christ the Redeemer in Dili and welcomed the pope, so whatever else was behind the problems of East Timor it wasn’t an Islamist thing.
About 90 percent Muslim, the remainder Christian, Hindu and Buddhist.
Indonesia under Suharto was a huge friend of the US, indeed if the US had been paying attention to how he successfully wiped out the Communist threat to Indonesia in 1965 they would never have gone on to get involved in Vietnam, as Indonesia, the largest of the dominoes, was now securely in the western camp and it really didn’t matter what happened to tiny Vietnam.
Today Indonesia is a very pro-western (in societal terms rather than political I hasten to add) with a young population that largely looks to the west and Japan and Korea rather than Arabia (although they remain attached to their religion obviously) or China for their inspiration.
If Trump is courting Indonesian political and business figures he is being very wise.
It did cross my mind that it was a way of Trump telling Hillary, hey I got my pet Indonesian too you know.
Yes, questioning how a mid-ranking civil servant in your neighbourhood owns three houses and four cars including a Mercedes on a salary of $1000 per month never got one very far in places like Indonesia.
I am not berating anyone.
If Trump is dealing with senior politicians from SE Asia’s largest economy, the fourth-largest nation in the world, third largest-democracy and largest Muslim-majority (mostly moderate) population then more power to his elbow I say.
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