Wiranto Becomes Head Of Wantimpres, Jokowi: Qualified Track Record

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo appointed nine members of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) for the 2019-2014 period. Jokowi chose the former Menkopolhukam Wiranto to become chairman of the Wantimpres.

After the inauguration, Jokowi then explained the reasons for choosing Wiranto as chairman. According to him, the track record and experience of former Pangab in the era of President Soeharto is very capable, especially in the field of government.

"This is a matter of experience, track record, he has been in government for a long time, the TNI, has handled many problems, this gives consideration to the President," Jokowi told reporters after the inauguration at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, Friday, December 13.

Not only Wiranto, Jokowi said that those he selected as the Presidential Advisory Board were qualified in various fields such as economics, micro-economy, social and religion. "So his abilities are mixed," said Jokowi.

Apart from Wiranto, President Jokowi also selected eight other people, namely former East Java Governor Soekarwo, businessman Arifin Panigoro, senior PDIP politician Sidharto Danusubroto, businessman and PPP politician Mardiono Bakar, businessman Putri Kus Wisnu Wardani, businessman Dato Sri Tahir, Golkar politician Agung Laksono, and Habib Lutfi bin Yahya.

The inauguration was recorded in Presidential Decree Number 137 / P of 2019 concerning Appointment in the Membership of the Presidential Advisory Council and was stipulated by the President on Friday, December 12.

According to Law 19/2006, the Wantimpres has the duty to provide advice and considerations to the president.

Previously, former Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Wiranto admitted that he was ready to be appointed as one of President Joko Widodo's Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres). This was conveyed by him during a visit to the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta before he left for the Presidential Palace.

"Thanks to your blessings, I am healthy again, recovered. Ready to work, ready to work," said Wiranto to reporters, Friday, December 13, smiling and not answering his conveyed intentions for work ready.

He said that his condition is now healthy after the stabbing in October 2019 ago. "Now that I have found you, it means that I am healthy," he said before getting into a black Toyota Innova and closing the car door.