Reshuffle, Bahlil: President Jokowilahlah Susah Ditebak, Kami Menteri Hanya Bantu

Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia in the State Palace area, Jakarta, Tuesday (31/1/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia said only President Joko Widodo could assess the performance of the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

Bahlil, who was met by reporters in the State Palace area, said he was not aware of President Jokowi's evaluation of his ministers amid widespread news about a cabinet reshuffle (reshuffle) on Wednesday, February 1.

"I don't know, because I happened to take care of the investment. I'm not the minister who oversees performance," said Bahlil.

According to him, President Jokowi must have an assessment or evaluation of each of his ministers. However, this is only known to President Jokowi.

"Mr. President is a commander. We ministers are assistants, whose names are assistants, there must be an assessment from the boss and who knows who is assessing who, what value, how much value, it's just the boss, Mr. President," he said.

Bahlil said that if President Jokowi was angry with the ministers, it would be difficult to predict. That is in accordance with the character of President Jokowi so far.

"For the Javanese, Solo is angry with not being just angry. So, it's hard for me to guess," he added.

A number of ministers who were summoned to the Palace this Tuesday admitted that they did not know about the cabinet reshuffle news on Wednesday, February 1.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said he came to the Palace only to discuss the price of rice, chili, eggs, and meat. "The reshuffle is your (President Jokowi) right," said Zulkifli.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto asked reporters to wait for news about politics on Wednesday January 1. "Regarding politics, wait for Wednesday," he said.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, according to the Java calendar, is Wednesday Pon and President Jokowi has a habit of announcing important decisions on Wednesday Pon.

President Jokowi also on the last few occasions gave a signal that there would be a cabinet reshuffle.

The news of the cabinet reshuffle first blew at the end of 2022 because there was pressure from the PDI-P politician. The reshuffle was mainly against ministers from the NasDem Party after one of the parties supporting the government declared carrying Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.

Photo: Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia in the State Palace area, Jakarta, Tuesday (31/1/2023). (ANTARA)