Cabinet Starts to Take Shape

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto along with Gerindra deputy chairman Edhy Prabowo are at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday (21/10/2019) on the invitation of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who was interviewing potential ministers for his new Cabinet.

The composition of the Jokowi-Amin Cabinet has started to take shape. In addition to expanding coalition members, the Cabinet will also be filled with a number of new faces known in the business and creative sectors.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A day after being inaugurated as president of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Monday (21/10/2019), at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, summoned a number of figures who seemingly will become ministers or other officials in his administration. Those figures indicate the composition of the next Cabinet, which will be officially announced on Wednesday (10/23/2019).

The addition of government coalition members is almost certain in the next administration. The Gerindra Party, which during the April election was outside the Joko Widodo-Ma\'ruf Amin coalition, would send two of its cadres for the Cabinet. They are Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, who will become the Minister of Defense, and deputy chairman Edhy Prabowo. The coalition still has the potential to be expanded further because on Tuesday, the President will also summon a number of figures.

On the one hand, the expansion of coalition members signals the strength of political compromise in the formation of the Cabinet. However, on the other hand, this was also seen as an effort by the government to win more support.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of former Gojek CEO Nadiem Makarim, Erick Thohir (founder of the Mahaka Group) and Wishnutama (president commissioner of Net Mediatama Television) indicates that a number of positions in the Cabinet will be filled by entrepreneurs or creative workers aged under 50 years.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Creative industry businessman Wishnutama waves his hand at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (21/10/2019). He came to the palace on the invitation of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who was interviewing prospective ministers.

The inclusion of those who have been known for their success in their respective fields but have not been much involved in this government bureaucracy are in line with President Jokowi\'s program to make economic transformations as one of the five government targets in the next five years. The transformation aims to change the economy from one that relies on natural resources into one with competitiveness in modern manufacturing and services.

In turn

The arrival of Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education (BPIP) steering committee member Mahfud MD at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the State Palace was the first, followed by a number of figures. The arrival of the figures all in white shirts, except for the National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, ended with the presence of Prabowo and Edhy Prabowo. The two Gerindra figures arrived at the State Palace at around 3:15 p.m.

He added that he was asked to help Jokowi in defense affairs.

When they left, Prabowo stated that he and Edhy were asked to help strengthen the Cabinet.

"I have conveyed our decision from the Gerindra Party, if [we were] asked, we are ready to help. Today, we’re officially requested and we are able to help," said Prabowo. He added that he was asked to help Jokowi in defense affairs.

Edhy said that Prabowo\'s position in the Cabinet would be defense minister. Meanwhile, the position for himself and the other figures being summoned will be announced by President Jokowi next Wednesday.

Not surprising

The indications of Gerindra joining the government coalition have been seen for some time, for example, when Jokowi and Prabowo met on Oct. 11. After the meeting, Prabowo met with a number of political party leaders from the Indonesia Working Coalition (KIK), which was a coalition of Jokowi-Amin supporters.

The indication was even stronger when during the Gerindra National Leadership Meeting, on Oct. 16, Prabowo asked his cadres for support if he decided to bring Gerindra into the government coalition.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) and Ma\'ruf Amin (second left, facing camera) prepare to sign the Minutes of Inauguration after being sworn in as President and Vice President for the 2019-2024 term at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on Sunday (20/10/2019). In his speech, President Jokowi disclosed a number of priority programs, such as human resource development, continued infrastructure projects and regulatory and bureaucratic reforms.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto expressed his respect for the prerogative of the President, who included Gerindra in the Cabinet. Nasdem secretary-general Johnny G Plate also did not see Gerindra joining the government coalition as a problem as long as the party did not disturb the solidity of the coalition.

Meanwhile, PKB deputy chairperson Jazilul Fawaid stated he accepted the entry of Gerindra in the Cabinet as long as it did not reduce the slot of government coalition members for ministerial posts in the cabinet.

Charta Politika executive director Yunarto Wijaya said that Gerindra\'s joining the coalition shows Jokowi’s politics, which is very accommodative. On the one hand, it shows that Jokowi seems to be held hostage by various political interests. However, on the other hand, it can also be seen as Jokowi\'s way of strengthening his bargaining power vis-a-vis the political parties in the coalition and part of his efforts to expand support.To ensure that the increasingly larger government coalition remains effective, according to Yunarto, Jokowi\'s courage is needed in three ways. First, to maintain the promise that Cabinet members from political parties remain only 45 percent. Second, that Cabinet members chosen must truly have the required competencies. Third, from the beginning, there must be a clear and open annual target for each ministry/agency.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Joko Widodo takes the oath of office as president for the 2019-2024 term at a general session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on Sunday (20/10/2019).

Deputy chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Sanny Iskandar, said the competencies needed by the economic team in the coming Cabinet were mainly in the real sector, technology and innovation. (INA/LAS/CAS/DVD/AGE)