Regarding Replacement For Tjahjo Kumolo, This Is What PDIP Said

Djarot Saiful Hidayat/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The chairman of the PDI-P DPP Djarot Saiful Hidayat emphasized the process of replacing the Minister for the Utilization of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform (MenPAN RB) Tjahjo Kumolo was completely left to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

This was conveyed in response to the vacancy of the MenPAN RB seat after Tjahjo died of illness on Friday, July 1 last at Abdi Waluyo Hospital, Jakarta.

"Of course we are aware, we understand that (the change of ministers, ed) is a directive from Mr. Jokowi," Djarot told reporters in Jakarta, quoted on Monday, July 4.

PDIP, continued Djarot, also has not submitted the option of a replacement name for Tjahjo to President Jokowi. The reason is that the party bearing the symbol of the bull is still grieving.

"We are still in a state of mourning. Mr. Tjahjo is a figure whose life is full of dedication to the nation and state and a senior party member who really helped Mrs. Megawati and raised the PDI-P," he said.

Not only that, but Djarot also emphasized that his party had never asked for ministerial positions or quotas. All decisions regarding the cabinet are left to Jokowi.

Djarot said PDIP continues to support Jokowi's government. Moreover, the former governor of DKI Jakarta is a cadre of his party.

"We support Mr. Jokowi, never building cooperation with options like that (asking for a position, ed)," he said.

"So we give it up completely. We cooperate, not pragmatically, yes. We support Mr. Jokowi, he really supports the total," continued Djarot.

As previously reported, Minister for Administrative Reform and Public Reform (MenPAN RB) Tjahjo Kumolo passed away at Abdi Waluyo Hospital, Central Jakarta on Friday, July 1 at around 11.10 western Indonesia time.

According to the family, Tjahjo had an infection in his stomach which then spread to other organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver.

He died after being in intensive care for 13 days. The doctors who treated him also came from three hospitals, namely Abdi Waluyo Hospital, Harapan Kita Hospital, and Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD).