Added Deputy Minister, Jokowi Called Must Consultation With DPR Before Changing Ministry Structure

President Jokowi/PHOTO of BPMI Setpres via ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has again added the position of deputy minister in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. Most recently, Jokowi issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) 114/2021 concerning the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri).

In Article 2 paragraph (1) of this policy, the Head of State states to add one seat in the structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Article 2 paragraph (1) of Presidential Regulation 114/2021 reads, "In leading the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Minister may be assisted by a Deputy Minister in accordance with the appointment of the President".

Jokowi's decision was criticized by Commission II of the DPR. The partner of the Ministry of Home Affairs and KemenPAN RB assessed that the president should consult with the DPR before taking policies to change the organizational structure of ministries and institutions.

"Although it is not explicitly regulated by law, plans to change the organizational structure of ministries or institutions need to be consulted with the public and the DPR," Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR Luqman Hakim told reporters, Thursday, January 6.

The DPR member from the PKB faction said the Council would provide space for public participation and involvement to develop a more ideal organizational structure for each ministry. Of course based on the main tasks, functions and workload of each ministry.

Thus, said Luqman, any presidential decision to change the ministry's organizational structure will gain strong legitimacy from the community.

"So it is not considered just an elitist decision from the president," explained Luqman.

Only organizationally, Luqman added, the consultation will not reduce the president's prerogative in choosing the name that will fill the cabinet seat.

"As for the filling of ministers and deputy ministers, of course it remains the prerogative of the president," he concluded.

It is known, in mid-December last year, Jokowi had also issued Presidential Decree 110/2021 regarding the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), adding the position of Wamensos to accompany Social Minister Tri Rismaharini.

But to this day, Jokowi has not filled the two deputy minister seats in these two institutions. In total, the number of empty Wamen seats is 10, out of a total of 17 available seats.

The following is a list of 17 deputy ministerial seats in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet:

1. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

2. Deputy Minister of Religion

3. Deputy Minister of Finance

4. Deputy Minister of Commerce

5. Deputy Minister of Public Works and Public Housing

6. Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry

7. Deputy Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration

8. Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Deputy Head of the National Land Agency

9. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy

10. Deputy Minister of SOEs

11. Deputy Minister of SOEs

12. Deputy Minister of Defense

13. Deputy Minister of Health

14. Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights

15. Deputy Minister of Agriculture

16. Deputy Minister of Social Affairs

17. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs