Megawati And Jokowi Have Discussed The Figure Of A Replacement Candidate For Tjahjo Kumolo, Hasto: Not Me

PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto

JAKARTA - The seat of the Minister for Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform (Minister of PAN-RB) is still vacant since the death of Tjahjo Kumolo on July 1, 2022.

The replacement of the late Tjahjo Kumolo has already begun to be discussed by the General Chair of the PDI-P Megawati Soekarnoputri as the general chairman of the party that brought Tjahjo Kumolo as minister. But still respecting the prerogative of President Jokowi in choosing the name of the minister.

Secretary General of the PDI-P Hasto Kristiyanto said that the question of filling the position of Minister of PAN-RB should not be discussed now. Because the important thing is that the government (Ministry of PAN-RB) continues to run well.

"There is already an ad interim minister, Mr. Tito Karnavian (Minister of Home Affairs, ed)," said Hasto, Jakarta, Thursday, July 28.

He also asked that for now all parties should not discuss at length about the PAN-RB ministerial seat, as a gesture to respect the figure of Tjahjo Kumolo.

"Whatever, Mr. Tjahjo, the senior secretary general (PDIP), he is a very good person. When he died, we knew how much grief was expressed. Please understand that the mourning period is 40 days," explained Hasto.

Nevertheless, Hasto acknowledged that the names of the candidates for the Minister of PAN-RB had been discussed. However, the politician from Yogyakarta confirmed that this figure was not him.

"The names have been discussed. Who is it? Not me, because I prefer to help Mrs. Megawati manage the party. Later, Mrs. Megawati will hand it over (name of the new PAN-RB minister, ed) to Mr. Jokowi," said Hasto.

He said PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri must have communicated with President Jokowi. Moreover, Mrs. Megawati and President Jokowi often communicate directly, and also often meet.

So, what if Hasto is proposed to be the Minister of PAN-RB? He emphasized that the PDI-P has a large stock of qualified figures.

"Our party (PDIP, ed) has a large stock of leaders. Even if I was offered a permit, I would take care of the party. I take care of the party at this time. I'm not an official," said Hasto.

"That (the ministerial position, ed) will later be assigned by Mrs. Megawati. But for me, being able to become Secretary General is an honor. And we still have a lot of homework," Hasto finished.