Kabar Risma Offered To Become Social Minister, PDIP Surabaya: We Are Still Focusing On Pilkada

Headquarters of DPP PDI Perjuangan (Angga Nugraha)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has stated that the news that the Mayor of Surabaya, Tri Rismaharini, is the authority of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and the Chairperson of PDIP Megawati.

PDIP Surabaya DPC Chairman Adi Sutarwijono said that his party did not want to comment further on the news. Because, his party is still concentrating on the Surabaya Pilkada stage which is currently still in the recapitulation stage at the city level.

"We are still focused on the Surabaya Pilkada Pilkada," Adi said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 15.

When asked further about the opportunity for Mayor Risma to become Social Minister based on his experience and performance so far, Adi also did not want to comment too far.

According to him, this decision was fully under the full authority of President Joko Widodo and PDI-P Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"All of that is the central authority. We cannot mix it up," he said.

The news originated from the statement of the Executive Task Force (Plt) Chairman of the Surabaya Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Yusuf Lakaseng, who said that his party received news that the Mayor of Risma had received an offer to replace Juliari P. Batubara who was involved in the COVID-19 Social Assistance (Bansos) corruption case.

"I got news, if President Joko Widodo appoints Mrs. Risma to become social minister in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet," he said.

Mayor Risma stated that regarding the news that he was offered the position of Minister of Social Affairs, the decision was entirely up to the Chairperson of PDIP, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"We'll see, I'll just follow Mega," said Mayor Risma.

However, he continued, until now he has not received an offer from anyone including President Jokowi regarding this matter.