Jokowi Compacts With Luhut, Don't Bring Toxic People In Prabowo's Cabinet

President Joko Widodo with Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) responded to the statement by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who suggested that the president-elect in 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto, not bring a "toxic person" in his future government cabinet. Jokowi stated that the message conveyed by Luhut was correct.

"That's right. That's right, that's right," he said when inaugurating the Indonesia Digital Test House in Tapos, Depok, West Java, on Tuesday 7 May.

Jokowi refused to comment further and directed the public to ask Luhut directly about the intent and purpose of the message.

"Asked Pak Luhut," he replied.

In addition, Jokowi was also reluctant to give a response regarding Prabowo's plan to add a ministry post to the next government cabinet.

"The next cabinet will be asked to the elected president (Prabowo). Ask the elected president," he said.

Previously, the Spokesperson for the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Jodi Mahardi, explained that Luhut's statement was aimed at preventing the elected president Prabowo Subianto from bringing toxic people into the next government.

Jodi explained that the term "toksik" refers to those who can hinder the progress of cabinet programs.

"Pak Luhut uses the term toxic to refer to parties who tend to hinder the progress of the cabinet program because it is not in line with the vision and direction that has been determined," said Jodi.