Joshua Lesmondo
| Joshua Lesmondo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Internal Affairs Minister | |
| Assumed office May 18th, 2024 | |
| Member of the Slokasian Parliament | |
| Assumed office January 15th, 2017 | |
| Constituency | Puerto Vesas |
| Head of the Slokasian Department of Astronomical and Space Affairs (DASA) | |
| In office January 2nd 2005 – January 8, 2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 12, 1960 Juraya Township, Puerto Vesas, Slokais Islands |
| Spouse(s) | Yulia Saraan Lesmondo |
| Children | Abram Lesmondo, Jude Lesmondo, Lily Lesmondo |
| Mother | Winotoro Lumbagol Lesmondo |
| Father | Omar Lesmondo |
| Alma mater | Western Valleres Polytechnic University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Slokais Islands |
| Service/branch | Air Force |
| Years of service | 1983-2005 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Unit | Space and High Altitude Unit |
Joshua Lesmondo is a Slokasian politician, member of the Slokaisian Legislature representing Puerto Vesas and current Minister of Internal Affairs. Lesmondo served in the air force as a rocket technician before rising to lead to the Space and High Altitude Unit of the Slokasian Air Force. In 2005, he was appointed as the first head of Slokasian Department of Astronomical and Space Affairs (DASA). During his time as the head of the organization he completed construction on Space and Air Base Palmerias (SAB-PAL) in his home province and helped launch several satellite and research missions. In 2016, he ran on the Green Party PV party-list in Puerto Vesas, being elected as the 1st representative. Since 2017, Lesmondo has served in the Slokasian Legislature being assigned to the Committee of National Security and the Committee on Strategic Assets. In 2024, he was chosen to replace Sean Khan as Minister of Internal Affairs.
Early Life[edit | edit source]
Joshua Lumbagol Victoriano Lesmondo was born September 12th, 1960 in Juraya Township, Puerto Vesas, Slokais Islands. The third child of Omar Lesmondo and Winotoro Lumagol Lesmondo, Joshua is of Arabic, Mezito and Indigenous background. However Lesmondo identifies himself as Indigenous and belonging to the Timori-Dayak native group. In his childhood, Lesmondo moved to Aceh Krah, joining the Esei Aceh Krah Catholic Church. In 1978, Lesmondo began his studies as Western Valleres Polytechnic University as part of the Junior Officer program studying aerospace engineering.
Military Career[edit | edit source]
Upon his graduation in 1983 he joined the Slokasian Air Force as a Technical Officer, working on developing rocket and missile technology as part of Operation Guardian Spear. Serving primarily out of Santa Fe Air Force Base, Lesmondo was eventually moved to the Space and High Altitude Office in Rio Bravos, South San Fernando to help set up the new divisions operations. The SHAO primarily researched and developed rocket technology for both military and scientific usage. Lesmondo himself believed space-flight technology was meant to be for the general public and scientific innovation beyond just military usage. In 1996, the Federation Sprit was launched into orbit, completing a successful re-entry. In it's mission it recorded weather and scientific data as well as satellite pictures of Slokais Islands. This was a moment of national pride, which gave Lesmondo some fame. From 1998, a series of satellites where launched on behalf of the Ministry of Defense and lead to the creation of there own internal high-resolution monitoring system known as Birdeye Global Strageic Monitoring System (BGSMS). In 2002, Lesmondo began a campaign for basic BGSMS data to be provided to Slokasian science and industry for a limited price. It was this advocacy which led to the creation of DASA in 2004, and for Lesmondo to retire from military service.
Political Career[edit | edit source]
Head of DASA[edit | edit source]
Sean Khan in conversations with Lesmondo, established DASA via the passage of the DASA Creation Act of 2004. The agency would operate separately from the Air Force with the position being appointed by the President directly with the approval of the Committee on Strategic Assets. DASA had there initial headquarters in the East Bank Ward of New Liverpool, before moving to Palmerias, Puerto Vesas in 2007. Starting in 2008, the first class of DASA astronauts began training at Palmerias. Meanwhile, BGSMS-1 was made public as BGSMS-2 was launched in 2010. BGSMS-2 would be developed jointly with the Ministry of Defense and the Slokasian National Metrological Agency (SNMA) for the exclusive usage of the network by both groups. In 2013, the Federation-1 was launched which orbited the Earth twice before landing in the ocean, where physical data was successfully collected. In 2015, Federation-3, with a crew of 3 astronauts was launched carrying the first Slokasians into space. After a 6-hour trip, it returned with the astronauts and Lesmondo being hailed as national heroes. After the mission, Lesmondo expressed a desire to enter politics stating in a interview in 2016 "I've lead DASA to the stars, yet I can't sit by as Slokasians struggle here on Earth". On June 1st, Lesmondo announced he would step-down in 2017 regardless if he was elected as a MSL on behalf of the Green Party. Joshua Lesmondo campaigned along with the Green PV party-list, promising a focus on renewable energy jobs, fixing corruption and bringing more jobs to Puerto Vesas. The Green PV would achieve 18.5% of the vote, meaning Lesmondo and two other list members would be elected.
Member of the Slokasian Legislature[edit | edit source]
Due to his status within the military and history as DASA head, Lesmondo would be appointed to two committee's, a unique honor for a freshmen MSL. He would serve on the Committee on Strategic Assets and the Committee of National Security as a member until 2021, when he became the Chairman of the Strategic Assets Committee. Lesmondo would be influential in passing the 2022 Clean Energy and Jobs Act, securing the development of the Morales Cove Thermal Energy Plant, the first of it's kind in Slokais. On social issues and national security issues, Lesmondo has taken a more conservative approach, with him signaling support for miltary operations in Kaijan being handled by the national government. However in 2023, he stated the "current operations in Kaijan have fallen into mismanagement" and was part of a group of MSL's who began an official Parliamentary Inquiry into peacekeeping operations within Kaijan.
Minister of Internal Affairs[edit | edit source]
Lesmondo stated he was made aware of Sean Khan's retirement in early 2024, before Khan officially resigned in April. Lesmondo was then approved by a 578-56 vote of Parliament and assumed the second-highest office within the Chavez III cabinet.