Watchdog Says All Ministers Of Economic Affairs In Jokowi's Cabinet Deserve Reshuffle, But Don't Call Luhut

President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is rumored to be doing a reshuffle or cabinet reshuffle in the near future. The issue of reshuffle came up after the House of Representatives approved the merger of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) with the Ministry of Research and Technology (Kemenristek).

So, who are the ministers who deserve to be removed or shifted their positions by Jokowi? Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Bhima Yudhistira said that all ministers of economic affairs who currently serve deserve to be reshuffled by Jokowi.

First, Employment Minister Ida Fauziyah. According to Bhima, Ida looks less siding with workers or workers. One of them, about the formulation of wages for workers or workers.

Second, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo and Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi. Bhima said both deserve to be removed because of the polemic of rice import plans some time ago.

Third, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. Fourth, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani. Fifth, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang.

"The whole economic team. Minister of Finance, Minister of Economy, Menaker, Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. Performance is nothing special, many policies are short-lived. For example, the polemic of rice imports, poor communication, also coordination such as the road itself," he told VOI, Wednesday, April 14.

However, Bhima suggested that the government should not be original in conducting a reshuffle. According to Bhima, Jokowi should include a new face in the cabinet, not just shift the position of minister.

"The hope of a reshuffle needs to encourage a professional figure whose short-term political interests are small. So that it can focus on managing the economy. Almost the entire economic team deserves a reshuffle," he explained.

Similarly, Research Director of The Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia Piter Abdullah said the performance of Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi has not been prominent enough so far. predicted Lutfi to be hit by a cabinet reshuffle this time.

Not only Lutfi, said Piter, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita is also likely to be removed by Jokowi. The reason, Piter sees Agus's performance is also not prominent during this pandemic.

"I don't think their performance is bad. But the problem is we need ministers who have breakthroughs. We need ones that perform not just better but better," he said.