TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Muhaimin Iskandar, the chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB)-cum-Manpower and Transmigration Minister, said it was unnecessary for party officials to relinquish their posts at their parties prior to becoming ministers.

Muhaimin made this statement in light of a recent one by president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, which called on his would-be ministers to give up their structural positions at their parties.

Muhaimin, however, said he had yet to discuss the issue with Jokowi and admitted that Jokowi’s request was part of the latter’s absolute authority as the country’s next top man.

“That has not been discussed yet, but it is the president’s right to do so,” he said after opening a public discussion at the PKB central executive board (DPP) on Jl. Raden Saleh, Central Jakarta on Monday, August 24, 2014.

When asked about his odds of becoming a member of Jokowi’s cabinet, Muhaimin said he had not thought about it yet. “I haven’t given it a thought yet. I still don’t know yet if Jokowi think we are on the same wavelength,” he said.

Jokowi and Muhaimin held a closed meeting at the former’s Transition House on Jl. Situbondo, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 to discuss the progress of the transition team.

“Cak Imin [Muhaimin’s nickname] will give a written statement later on the policy that requires improvement, prioritized programs, and programs that need to be accelerated,” Jokowi said.

NURIMAN JAYABUANA