Zulhas's Response After News Circulated That He Met Jokowi To Discuss The Entry Of PAN Into The Cabinet

President Joko Widodo and Chairman of the MPR Zulkifli Hasan October 2019 (Photo: BPMI Setpres)

JAKARTA - There was news that the General Chairman of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan or Zulhas, held a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Reportedly again, the meeting discussed the issue of a cabinet reshuffle.

The news circulating on social media is that in the near future, Jokowi may reshuffle his cabinet. Well, one of those who will officially enter the government is a representative from PAN. really?

Zulhas then opened his voice. He admitted that there was no meeting between him and President Jokowi.

"There was no meeting. I just returned from Central Java to consolidate for 6 days," Zulhas told reporters, Monday, March 7. It is known that PAN, which is closely associated with my brother, entered into a coalition of political parties supporting Jokowi in August last year. However, until now PAN has not been able to 'allocate' ministerial seats. PAN vice president Viva Yoga Mauladi has also denied that Zulhas met with Jokowi to discuss a cabinet reshuffle. "It's not true, in the past week the chairman of the road show for cadre consolidation and stabilization of election preparations in Central Java," said Viva. Viva ensured that PAN was committed to assisting the Jokowi government. "As a government coalition political party, PAN remains consistent and committed to helping the Jokowi government accelerate the national economic recovery," he said. Previously, it was reported that President Jokowi met with Zulhas to discuss the reshuffle. The meeting is rumored to be held around February 2022.

PAN chairman Zulkifli Hasan also denied discussing the reshuffle with Jokowi. The name of the Deputy Chair of the MPR was predicted to be a minister replacing the Minister of Transportation.

Zulkifli Hasan was also invited to the Jokowi coalition meeting at the State Palace, August 25, 2021. The meeting indicated that PAN had joined Jokowi's coalition.