Gerindra Objects to Minister Prabowo-Gibran's Allotment Based on Political Party Vote Contribution

The names of ministerial candidates recommended by political party leaders will be taken into greater consideration by Prabowo-Gibran.

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

Illustration. The selected Cabinet members of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla. President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla are seen taking a photo together in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace on Sunday (10/26/2014).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — In the midst of disagreements between political parties belonging to the Advanced Indonesia Coalition, the Gerindra Party emphasized that the 2024-2029 cabinet should be filled with figures who understand and agree with Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. It is considered that the contribution in the vote acquisition of the pair cannot be used as a benchmark in determining the allocation of the number of ministers that will be obtained by the supporting party.

Secretary-General of the Gerindra Party, Ahmad Muzani, stated that as the dispute process of the 2024 Presidential Election results at the Constitutional Court (MK) approaches its end, discussions to formulate the cabinet composition are becoming more intensive. Although he did not specify in detail, ministerial seats will be filled by several figures, both from the political parties supporting Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as well as figures from various professions, expertise, and regional figures. However, according to him, the chosen ministers must align with Prabowo-Gibran's vision and mission, both conveyed during the campaign period and presidential debates.

"He will implement the work program based on the President's policy, not the Minister's policy. Therefore, as a requirement, the President's assistant must approve the President's program, which is a necessity," said Muzani when met at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Thursday (18/4/2024).

Also read: Cabinet Formulation, Gerindra: Prabowo Will Not Disappoint the Coalition Party

He added that there is no final composition in the cabinet formulation, either in terms of the number of seats each political party will get or the names of figures who will be appointed as ministers. Prabowo is still mapping out a number of names and ensuring the accuracy of their placement in certain positions. "There are no definite numbers yet, there is no definite position, because this is all still being exercised, yes, we are still continuing to (try out) whether it is right or not," said Muzani.

He will carry out the work program of the president's policy, not the minister's policy. Therefore, as a requirement, the president's assistant agreeing to the president's program is a necessity.

KOMPAS/SATRIO PANGARSO WISANGGENI

Deputy Chair of the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team who is also Secretary General of the Gerindra Party Ahmad Muzani when interviewed by the Kompas team on Friday (19/1/2024) afternoon at the Prabowo-Gibran Media Center, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta.

Previously, amid the incomplete allocation of ministerial seats, there was a disagreement among political parties in the Indonesia Maju Coalition (KIM). For example, the Golkar Party proposed that the determination of the number of ministers to be obtained should be based on their contribution to the Prabowo-Gibran vote acquisition. Golkar had initially suggested asking for five ministers since it won the vote in 15 provinces out of a total of 38 provinces. Meanwhile, other KIM member parties, such as the National Mandate Party (PAN), believed that Prabowo's strategic considerations were more crucial to be taken into account.

According to Muzani, the coalition political parties' contribution to Prabowo-Gibran's vote acquisition cannot be used as a basis to determine the number of ministers. The role of each political party in that matter cannot be accurately measured. Instead of calculating their contributions, recommendations for names from party leaders will be more considered because the indicators for approving or rejecting them will be clearer.

"We will take into account those who receive recommendations and those who are considered to have expertise in the field to be held or proposed," he said.

Single considerations can be troublesome

The Chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) Yusril Ihza Mahendra, another KIM member, sees that all factors need to be proportionally considered in determining the allocation of ministerial seats. The formulation of cabinet composition cannot be based solely on political strength in the DPR. Instead of facilitating, single considerations according to vote acquisition are also considered to be potentially troublesome in the future.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, General Chair of the Crescent Star Party

Furthermore, according to him, there are always specific considerations taken by the president in determining a minister. For example, regarding someone's competence and professionalism in a particular field. In the era of President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration, for example, Yusril was appointed as a minister despite coming from a political party with the smallest vote count.

"So, in fact, it is not only the party that is considered, but also the personal abilities of the people," said Yusril.

He also believes that Prabowo will use such considerations, so even if he appoints certain political party figures, it will be accompanied by an assessment of their competence. According to Yusril, by doing so, the formed cabinet will truly reflect national unity.

Meeting Megawati is still being sought

Apart from still taking into account the names recommended by political party leaders, the party elites led by Prabowo are also continuing to try to reach out to their political opponents in the 2024 presidential election to enter the government coalition. Gerindra continues to try to bring Prabowo together with the General Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri. PDI-P is the political party supporting Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD in the 2024 presidential election and won the most votes in the 2024 election.

Based on the recent intensive communication between the two parties in early April, said Muzani, there has been no conclusion to hold a meeting between Prabowo and Megawati. However, he denied the circulating rumor that Gerindra and PDI-P did not reach an agreement because PDI-P asked for too many ministerial seats. It is hoped that the meeting between the two figures can take place after the MK's decision regarding the dispute over the presidential election results.

No (PDI-P is asking for many ministerial seats). The conversation was intensive, productive.

"No (PDI-P is asking for many ministerial seats). "The discussions were intensive, productive," he said.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The Chairman of Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, extended greetings to the Chairman of the PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri, as Prabowo was leaving Megawati's residence on Jalan Teuku Umar, Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.

In addition, Gerindra is also exploring communication with the National Awakening Party (PKB), one of the supporters of Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar. Similar to PDI-P, according to Muzani, a good relationship with PKB has also been established and the possibility of embracing the party into the government coalition remains open.

Mitigation of the problem

Also read: TKN Prabowo-Gibran Ensures Cabinet Composition Has Not Been Completely Discussed

When asked separately, PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto stated that they are still monitoring the lawsuit against the presidential election results at the Constitutional Court. PDI-P will wait for the outcome of the process because the party's steps should be influenced by fundamental factors.

"So, what is important is not who meets whom, but how we can mitigate the problems we face," he said.

Apart from the process at the Constitutional Court, according to Hasto, Indonesia also faces a major problem related to poorly managed geopolitical battles. Domestically, there are also acute issues of nepotism and a lack of the rule of law in national life.

"Mega's mother will meet with parties who truly consider the nation and country so that we can overcome various issues that haunt us, such as economic problems, the absence of legal supremacy, and the absence of meritocracy in the placement of strategic positions," he said.