Controversy Of Multiple Positions: Jokowi's Blessing Brings Erick Thohir To Become Minister Of SOEs And Chairman Of PSSI

JAKARTA - Controversy of government officials in the Joko Widodo (Jokowi) era is hoarding. Moreover, matters of concurrent positions. Jokowi's ministers held many positions. Something that incidentally violates the Law (UU).

It is surprising that Jokowi, who must take firm action, actually supports it. This condition occurred when Erick Thohir ran in the election of the Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). Instead of prohibiting it, Jokowi actually gave Erick's blessing to win. As long as it can be time, he said.

The condition of Indonesian politics for the second period (2019-2024) Jokowi's power is not doing well. Jokowi's ambition to eliminate opposition camps is still inherent in memory. Not to mention the insistence from cabinet members so that Jokowi takes three terms.

This condition made Jokowi's leadership questionable. Moreover, this condition is getting worse with the emergence of the issue of concurrent positions among his ministers. Take for example Erick Thohir. Erick, who has been given the mandate by Jokowi as Minister of SOEs, is eyeing the position of Chairman of PSSI.

Erick is known to be actively involved in the world of football. His track record is classy. He has even been the owner of the Italian giant football club, Inter Milan.

Erick's other footprint is that he was recorded by the Director of Finance of Persija Jakarta in 2000. He is also known to be the shareholder of the domestic football club, Persis Solo since 2021. Problems have emerged. Erick has now become a state official by serving as Minister of SOEs.

Erick's job is a lot. He must install ideas and tactics so that SOEs are profitable, not a loss. Not to mention Erick's potential to violate Law Number 39 of 2008 concerning the Ministry of State.

The regulation allows President Jokowi to remove Erick because of his dual position. However, Erick likes to step on the gas. He immediately registered. He did not want to leave his ministerial position.

He then officially held concurrent positions at the Extraordinary Congress (KLB) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta on February 16, 2023. Erick became Minister of SOEs as well as Chairman of PSSI.

"I think the love of officials for the world of sports is something that cannot be questioned. Pak Airlangga is happy that wushu is allowed, Pak Prabowo likes silat. If I suddenly become chairman of the archery, it's a bit strange."

"It's just basketball and football, my world. I don't like it when a position or when we love a sport is associated with politics. It will never end," said Erick as quoted by the COMPASS.com page, February 18, 2023.

Erick's recapitulation of positions has received criticism from everywhere. President Jokowi was also asked to act decisively. All because Erick had violated Law Number 39 of 2008 concerning the Ministry of State.

Those who criticized and criticized Erick's concurrent position finally bit their fingers. Jokowi in fact already knew about Erick's candidacy. In fact, Erick got Jokowi's blessing to come forward. However, Jokowi promised not to interfere with Erick's running as chairman of PSSI.

Instead of enforcing the rules, Jokowi actually considers that concurrent positions in the ranks of ministers are normal. He imitated the Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainuddin Amali, who is also the Deputy Chair of PSSI accompanying Erick, was not in question.

The two ministers are considered by Jokowi to follow in the footsteps of other ministers such as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Chairman of the Indonesian Athletics Association to Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto who is the Head of Pencak Silat and Chairman of the Gerindra Party.

Jokowi considers these names to be holding concurrent positions in the field of sports. They are considered by Jokowi to be able to divide the time between working as a minister and other positions. Jokowi also fully supports Erick as Minister of SOEs as well as Chairman of PSSI.

Jokowi advised Erick to reform the total PSSI. Even though Jokowi is being heavily criticized by all Indonesian people.

"First, I want to congratulate Mr. Erick Thohir as the new chairman of PSSI for 2023-2027. And also (Congratulations) to Mr. Zainudin Amali and Mrs. Ratu Thasha as Deputy General Chair. .

"As well as all the new Exco PSSI, I congratulate you. I know this is not an easy task if we want our football to be good. Because whatever the sport is, this is our favorite sport," said Jokowi as quoted by the COMPASS.com page, February 20, 2023.