Rumors Circulated That Jokowi Reshuffled His Cabinet At The End Of March So That PAN Could Enter, PDI-P: Don't Share Power

President Joko Widodo at the 7th Anniversary of the Indonesian Solidarity Party, 22 December 2021 (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Rusman)

JAKARTA - There are rumors that President Joko Widodo will again carry out a cabinet reshuffle in the last week of this month. It coincides with Wednesday Pon - the day that Jokowi often chooses.

This reshuffle is called to accommodate the National Mandate Party (PAN) to fill ministerial seats in the cabinet. It is known that PAN has been a member of a coalition of political parties (parties) supporting the government since August 2021. In response, senior PDI-P politician Hendrawan Supratikno appealed to the public to wait for President Joko Widodo's official decision. Because, he said, the appointment and dismissal of cabinet ministers is the prerogative of the president. Moreover, a cabinet reshuffle is rumored to accommodate PAN to get ministerial quotas.

"We should just wait patiently, because the reshuffle is entirely the prerogative of the President," said Hendrawan when contacted, Wednesday, March 9.

According to Hendrawan, all parties, especially the government, should focus on steps to find solutions to the recent spike in the prices of basic necessities. Instead of being busy responding to the news of the reshuffle.

"We think that what is more important is how the government can be more alert and effective in dealing with the spike in prices of basic necessities ahead of fasting and Eid. Remember, inflation undermines people's purchasing power and people's welfare," he said.

Hendrawan also asked elements of the nation not to spend energy on unimportant things, including the matter of sharing power. Moreover, he said, the discourse on the reshuffle has been conveyed or reported many times.

"Our focus is not to share power, but to share prosperity," he said.