Reshuffle Issue, PAN General Chair Zulhas And Former TNI Commander Hadi Tjahjanto Reportedly Enter The Cabinet

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is rumored to be replacing and adding to the ranks of his ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet today, Wednesday, June 15.

Based on information circulating, there are names of the General Chairperson of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan and former TNI Commander Hadi Tjahjanto who will serve as ministers.

President Jokowi is also rumored to be inaugurating the two at around 13.30 WIB at the State Palace, Jakarta.

The issue of a cabinet reshuffle grew stronger after President Jokowi summoned a number of his ministers on Tuesday, June 14 yesterday. Hadi was one of the names called at the time, although he did not elaborate on the contents of his meeting with President Jokowi.

In addition, Jokowi also summoned his ministers, namely Minister of Trade M. Lutfi, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and Minister of ATR/BPN Sofyan Djalil. However, these three figures did not say much.

Syahrul, who was rumored to be removed from his position, also admitted that he did not know about the reshuffle issue.

"I don't know. I just work. I started from the bottom of the job, just working, as much as I can and as hard as I can," Syahrul told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 14.

He admitted that he only had a meeting with President Jokowi and was asked to prepare rice stocks.

Previously, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung believed that President Jokowi would know his needs before reshuffling his cabinet. Moreover, the former governor of DKI Jakarta has served for eight years.

"The cabinet is the full authority of the president. The president has the prerogative. The president wants to change at any time, it's up to the president, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, the authority is entirely with the president," said Pramono at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday 14 June.

"The president has been in this government for eight years, and he really knows what the needs of this cabinet are, so he knows very well," he continued.