Santer Isu Olly Dondokambey Becomes MenPAN-RB, Ali Ngabalin: It Could Be, But The President Has The Authority

PDIP politician Olly Dondokambey. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin opened his voice regarding the vacant seats of the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (MenPAN-RB) since Tjahjo Kumolo passed away.

It is said that in the near future President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will reshuffle his cabinet, including filling the position of MenPAN-RB.

"Yes, don't forget, there is an empty seat. That's because he was left by the late Mas Tjahjo (Tjahjo Kumolo)," said Ngabalin, Monday, August 29.

Ngabalin emphasized that the cabinet reshuffle is President Jokowi's prerogative. However, regarding the possibility of beating the cabinet in the near future, it could happen according to the needs of the Head of State. "I have confidence that it will be filled in the not too distant future," said Ali.

Meanwhile, regarding the news that the name of the PDI-P politician (PDIP) Olly Dondokambey was predicted to be the replacement for the late Tjahjo Kumolo, Ngabalin said it could happen. Because Olly and Tjahjo are both from PDIP.

"Yes, it could be. However, what is certain is that the president has the authority to appoint anyone. Why do people talk about Mr. Olly, because Mr. Tjahjo is from PDIP," said Ngabalin.

It is known that the position of MenPAN-RB was still vacant since the death of the late Tjahjo Kumolo. So far, the position has been held by the Acting Minister. Meanwhile, the name of the Governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey, is rumored to be sitting on the MenPAN-RB chair starting from the words of the Secretary General of PDIP Hasto Kristiyanto.

Hasto said that PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri had met with President Jokowi. During the meeting, he said, Megawati handed over the name of the MenPAN-RB replacement Tjahjo Kumolo.

"Yes, the names of Mrs. Ketum (Megawati Soekarnoputri) have met Mr. Jokowi, they have held a long dialogue, the names have been submitted and in the dialogue other things have also been discussed," said Hasto, Sunday, August 28.

Besides Olly, there were also a number of PDIP cadres who entered the MenPAN-RB exchange to replace Tjahjo Kumolo. From the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto, to MPR Deputy Chair Ahmad Basarah.