Appointed By Prabowo To Be Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Ad Interim, Defense Minister Sjafrie Admits He Has Not Had A Chance To Talk With Budi Gunawan

Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Ad interim Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin held his inaugural meeting after serving as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) ad interim.

Since being appointed as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs by President Prabowo Subianto as of Monday, September 8, Sjafri admitted that he had not established any communication with the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Prabowo yesterday.

"This is my first day entering the office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. This is also the first day I gave directions that I had previously received an assignment letter as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. So, I have not communicated anything," said Sjafrie at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, September 9.

Sjafrie replaces former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan who was reshuffled by Prabowo on Monday, September 8. Sjafrie is grateful for Budi's performance over the past few months.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the Police General Purnawirawan Budi Gunawan who has carried out his duties well as the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs," said Sjafrie.

In addition, Sjafrie thanked the Special Staff of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, who according to him had contributed his energy, thoughts, and time to help the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

On that occasion, Sjafri emphasized that he would increase the role, duties, and functions of the deputies of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. Thus, it is the deputies who will carry out the task of coordinating and synchronizing with the relevant ministries and institutions.

"I prioritize that matters relating to the problems of ministries and institutions should be resolved within ministries and institutions," said Sjafrie.

"However, if there are things that require a coordination bridge, synchronization between ministries and institutions, the Polkam Coordinating Ministry will carry out its duties while following the applicable developments," he added.

In this regard, the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi previously denied the assumption that Budi Gunawan was removed as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs because of a series of riots on August 28'30 in Jakarta and several areas.

Pras, as Prasetyo is called, explained that President Prabowo Subianto dismissed Budi Gunawan as the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, not for specific reasons, for example such as riots between the masses and officers in several areas, some of which were colored by arson and looting.

"Nothing then because of something very specific. This is all part of a thorough evaluation (from the President, ed.)," said Pras, Monday, September 8.