Not understanding toxic issues, JK says ministers must clearly work for the people

The proposal not to include toxic figures as ministers sparked discussion. What should the minister's criteria be?

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Jusuf Kalla has conveyed the most important criteria in selecting ministers. This was conveyed after a Halalbihalal event of the Indonesian Ulama Council in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla assessed that the formation of the cabinet must be in accordance with the work program of the elected president and vice president. The criteria for a figure who becomes a minister is that he must clearly work in the interests of the people in accordance with the mandate of the constitution, especially Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.

Jusuf Kalla admitted to not understanding the proposal put forward by a politician from the Golkar Party, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, that the President-elect for 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto, should form a cabinet with non-toxic individuals. Instead of discussing toxicity, Jusuf Kalla firmly emphasized the importance of the readiness of individuals to work for the interests of the people, as a parameter for those who will fill the future cabinet.

"Firstly, I do not understand the issue of toxics. (What) I understand is that anyone who does not implement Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution (to work) for the benefit of the people, should not be allowed to join the cabinet. (So) it is stricter. That is more unacceptable than toxics," he said to reporters after attending the Halalbihalal event of the Indonesian Ulama Council in Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/7/2024).

Also read: President Supports Luhut's Proposal for Prabowo-Gibran Not to Bring "Toxic People" to the Cabinet

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin hopes that the upcoming cabinet will be filled with professional figures. He conveyed this after the Halalbihalal event of the Indonesian Ulama Council in Jakarta, Tuesday (7/5/2024).

I don't understand about toxicity. What I understand is that anyone who doesn't implement Article 33 of the Constitution for the people's interests is not allowed to enter.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin also expressed the same hope after the event, namely that the upcoming cabinet can be filled with professionals. "Only professionals can represent political parties, or others, it depends on the negotiations," he said.

Ministerial professionalism is important. "Professionals, yes, professional politicians, professional non-politicians. Whether from the party, or from pure professionals, like that. "This is in carrying out the duties of ministers professionally," said Vice President Amin.

Also read: Prabowo's Cabinet is Expected to Be Filled with Professionals

Previously, when asked by journalists regarding this matter in Depok, West Java, Tuesday (7/5/2024) morning, President Joko Widodo laughed while expressing support for not including toxic people in the cabinet. "It's true, dong, it's true, it's true," he said.

KOMPAS/MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN

President Joko Widodo gave a press statement after inaugurating the Indonesia Digital Test House (IDTH) at the Telecommunications Device Testing Center in Depok, West Java, on Tuesday (7/5/2024).

President Jokowi said that he did not provide inputs in the formation of the cabinet of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. He considers it the right of the elected president.

Also read: Prabowo-Gibran Cabinet Arrangement, Jokowi: Don't Get involved if Not Asked

Gitadi Tegas Supramudyo, a Public Policy lecturer at Airlangga University in Surabaya, also considers toxicity as an unclear parameter. "The toxic parameter can vary, depending on who is defining it," he said.

According to Gitadi, cabinet recruitment needs to prioritize competence and expertise in specific fields or sectors. The second criterion is the role or contribution to the victory in the previous presidential election. Thirdly, the elected president can also consider the aspirations of the people and the track record of the ministerial candidate.