Jokowi Denies Cak Imin On The Defense Minister's Regulation: No, It's The President's Prerogative Right

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi denied the statement by the General Chair of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin, about being promised as Minister of Defense (Menhan) in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

According to him, the election of a ministerial figure is a prerogative. Thus, there is no promise or quota for anyone to fill the position.

"Ministry, ministers are the prerogative of the president. There are no such quotas, no," said Jokowi at the State Palace, Monday, December 4.

Regarding the minister's quota, it began when Cak Imin responded to PAN Deputy Yandri Susanto who questioned his attitude in echoing the narrative of change. In fact, Cak Imin is still in Jokowi's government.

At that time, Cak Imin alluded to PAN, which was a party outside Jokowi's government and instead supported Prabowo Subianto.

"Yandri is PAN, saying I am inconsistent because of the Jokowi coalition but the idea was a change. PAN has two elections to support Prabowo. 2014 supports Prabowo, 2019 supports Prabowo, I support Jokowi in 2014, support Jokowi, 2019 support Jokowi," said Cak Imin at the Indonesia Millennial and Gen-Z Summit 2023 event, Sunday, November 26.

In contrast, PKB under its leadership consistently supports President Jokowi in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. Then, Cak Imin alluded to PAN who received ministerial allocations after joining Jokowi's government.

"Yes, I was actually Jokowi's bodyguard from the start. Suddenly he entered Jokowi's coalition, got one minister, that's okay, there's no wind," he said.

At that moment, Cak Imin said he was offered to serve as Minister of Defense. However, finally moved to Prabowo Subianto.

"I just want to convey, including Pak Prabowo, suddenly becoming a minister, originally the Minister of Defense, I actually promised that," said Cak Imin.

"So suddenly Pak Prabowo entered, so this coalition is a coalition that cannot be called in government or outside the government, this coalition is a coalition that develops, flexible, very fluid," he continued.