Expert: Statement On Reshuffle Shows President Prabowo's Frustration

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Professor of Political Communication at the Indonesian University of Education (UPI) Prof. Karim Suryadi assessed that the statement regarding cabinet reshuffle or reshuffle showed President Prabowo Subianto's anxiety.

"Although the President has never once blamed his ministers in public, he is so anxious," said Prof. Karim, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 8.

He explained that the President's anxiety was based on a number of his minister's performance which was considered not good, so that the noise due to policy was stronger than the benefits for the people.

"For example, the case of protracted sea fencing, even the ministers and related ranks seemed afraid. Then, the shooting of Indonesian citizens in Malaysia, to the misery of the people getting melon gas because they had to fight to buy at the base," he said.

Therefore, he views that a cabinet reshuffle is a must as a consequence of the evaluation of the performance of the ministers.

He also considers that reshuffles are necessary to maintain public trust in President Prabowo Subianto, so that the "our honeymoon" period does not end quickly.

"This point is what I call chasing time. If the government is late in realizing hopes, or promises that have been made, then trust will be eroded, and not good news if the government loses trust," he said.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto warned ministers and heads of government institutions that they would be replaced if they did not work properly.

"The people demand a clean and correct government, who works properly. So, I want to enforce it. The interest is only for the nation, the people, there is no other interest, who do not want to work really for the people, so I will get rid of it," said President Prabowo in response to reporters' questions regarding the Red and White Cabinet reshuffle after the peak of NU's 102nd Harlah commemoration in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 5.

However, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that there were no plans for a cabinet reshuffle.

"Hah? What reshuffle? No reshuffle, no," said Prasetyo when asked about the issue of a cabinet reshuffle at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, January 23.