Jokowi's Influence In The Red And White Cabinet

Photo Illustration By Andry Winarko VOI

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto and his deputy Gibran Rakabuming Raka, were sworn in on Monday 20, October 2024, marking the start of the new Prabowo-Gibran government. The inauguration also marks the end of Jokowi's reign, which has been in power for 10 years.

However, people believe that the change of power from Jokowi to Prabowo does not fully transfer to Prabowo-Gibran, the public believes that even though physically he is no longer involved in power, Jokowi's influence and shadow still accompanies the new government.

Keep in mind that Jokowi is a kingmaker even though he is not a party leader and even currently does not have a certain party. However, the supporters behind him are still large enough or the public support is still held. So that his influence cannot be considered a joke. It is proven that the ability to embrace a number of parties to form the idea of sustainability with Prabowo's main motorbike, has received many party welcomes. So that the relationship between Jokowi and Prabowo is predicted to color politics for the next few months.

Jokowi's influence can be indicated, with the presence of a number of former Jokowi's assistants who returned to the Prabowo-Gibran cabinet. In fact, the number of incumbent ministers reached 17 people, 2 deputy ministers, 7 officials. So that public suspicion arose, the entry of a number of former Jokowi ministers into Prabowo's cabinet. There was various speculations, not just reasons for sustainability. But it can also be considered, Jokowi wants to maintain his influence. Not to mention some of his loyalists, still in the position, for example the National Police Chief Listyo Sigit, the Attorney General and the TNI Commander who incidentally chose Jokowi.

A number of names of Minister Jokowi, who continues to stay in Prabowo's Red and White cabinet, such as Sri Mulyani, former Minister of Finance, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, Former Minister of Communication and Information Budi Ari, Zulkifli Hasan (Minister of Trade), Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita (Minister of Industry), Pratikno (Minister of State Secretary), Andi Amran Sulaiman (Minister of Agriculture), Dito Ariotedjo (Menpora) who was re-installed as a form of accommodating or marking Jokowi's presence.

Even though some of the ministers received a minus assessment and had previous problems. such as Budi Arie, who was deemed to have failed to secure the National Data Center, or Bahlil's name in the investment case of Pulau Rempang. It is said that Jokowi entrusted him to protect Gibran.

Prabowo admitted that his government was the continuation and program of the previous government. So that several names of Jokowi's cabinet were brought in his cabinet which was named 'Red and White Cabinet'.

Regarding the view that Jokowi still thought there was an influence in the formation of his cabinet. The head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Hasbi, denied that there were Jokowi's jokes in the preparation of the Red and White cabinet, Prabowo-Gibran. "I'm a bit disturbed, with the labeling. Jokowi is the one who knows the ministers best. So Prabowo needs to discuss with Jokowi in choosing his cabinet. So people want to ask questions, discussion of the period is called chaos," said Hasbi.

People also question whether Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) influence is still significant, in the Prabowo government? several factors show that Jokowi seems to be trying to maintain an important role, even though he is no longer in formal office. Political maneuvers and the placement of nearby figures in this new government are still considered to have influence.

Jokowi gave a signal of support to the Prabowo - Gibran Government. This indicates that Jokowi wants to ensure that the transition to government does not shake the stability of the policies he has made. Especially big projects such as the capital city of the archipelago (IKN) and infrastructure development.

Not only, several important policies such as the Omnibus Law and IKN which are its legacy so as not to be canceled by the next government. By placing strategic figures in the cabinet and providing political support to Prabowo, Jokowi hopes that the new government will continue to continue the direction of the policy.

Jokowi's influence can actually be determined by the emergence of PDIP positions in the Prabowo government. However, the fight for influence between PDIP and Jokowi seems to have been won by Jokowi.

In fact, as expressed by Political Observers, Ray Rangkuti met Megawati and Prabowo. According to him, PDIP can be used to justify or show that the ones who have roles are Prabowo and Megawati, not Prabowo and Jokowi anymore because Jokowi will end his power period. However, the meeting did not occur. So the role is still in Jokowi.

Manuver In Final Seconds

The cancellation of communication between Prabowo and Megawati, who were already meeting before the inauguration, did not materialize. This also confirmed that Jokowi's dominance of influence was stronger than the PDIP appeal.

However, the plan was immediately arranged with the meeting of Prabowo and Jokowi in Solo ahead of the inauguration, which resulted in the absence of the name of the PDIP cadre who was summoned to Kertanegara, Prabowo's residence. Only one PDIP name entered Prabowo's cabinet, namely the former Head of BIN, Budi Gunawan. This seems to mark Jokowi's superiority over Megawati.

According to political activists and observers Ray Rangkuti, the failure of the meeting between Prabowo and Megawati was due to the influence factor from Jokowi who first interpreted before Megawati and Prabowo held a meeting. "What needs to be questioned is what Jokowi whispered until finally Prabowo changed course in the final seconds," Ray told VOI, October 21.

Ray gave a clue that the meeting that became Prabowo's beginning to change course was during a dinner between Jokowi and Prabowo in one place, the day before Prabowo left for Solo to meet Jokowi, before the inauguration, on October 20. Since they have intensively communicated, the plan for the Prabowo-Megawati meeting which has been widely reported to be canceled.

Responding to the formation of a cabinet that was too fat and accommodated many interests, Roy considered it a reflection of Prabowo's weak leadership so far. "So people say that Prabowo is strong and firm, not proven by the formation of such a cabinet," Ray said.

Seeing Prabowo's weak leadership, Ray is worried about Prabowo's future. It could be that Prabowo has the potential to dictate Jokowi and other political parties that are currently carrying him.