Diplomatic Answer Minister's Quotation In The Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, PAN: Jokowi's Prerogative

Illustration-Meeting of coalition parties with President Joko Widodo at the State Palace (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the National Mandate Party (PAN) DPP, Viva Yoga Mauladi, emphasized that his party has fully surrendered to President Joko Widodo regarding PAN's position in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. "Regarding the composition and position of the PAN in the cabinet, it is the President's authority and prerogative, as stated in Article 17 of the 1945 Constitution," Viva told VOI, Thursday, September 2. Regarding the General Chair of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan, who stated that he was ready to be assigned anywhere, whether there was a hint of an allotted ministerial seat, Viva was reluctant to comment further. However, as a political party, the PAN coalition respects the president's rights. "PAN respects the authority of the president," he said. Meanwhile, a political observer from Indonesia's Al Azhar University Andriadi Achmad said the ministerial position had become a 'barter' when he declared himself a supporter of the government. "Zulhas and PAN will join the government coalition if they are given a ministerial seat, that's compensation. I think it has become PAN's gaining position," Andriadi told VOI, Thursday, September 2.

Previously, Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan revealed that his party did not talk about cabinet seat allocations with President Joko Widodo or Jokowi during the last coalition political party meeting.

This is because PAN is rumored to be getting a share in the cabinet for the position of Coordinating Minister for PMK or Menhub. Zulhas said PAN is ready to be placed in any position.

"Wow, we didn't discuss that at all. Wherever PAN is assigned, if it's assigned, it's not ready either," he said on the sidelines of the PAN National Working Meeting, Tuesday, August 31.