TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand President Joko Widodo's thinking when it comes to filling strategic posts in his administration. As president, he has prerogatives. During his campaign, he always said that no deals would be made in choosing his aides. He also promised he would give precedence to professionals over party members.

The reality has been quite different. Many politicians have been appointed as cabinet ministers, as attorney general, the national police chief and now as members of the Presidential Advisory Board. In fact, the police chief, whose nomination has been approved by the House of Representatives (DPR), continues to be plagued by problems, creating political turmoil in the process.

According to law, the president has three months to select the nine members of the Presidential Advisory Board. Joko Widodo made the announcement at the last minute, giving the impression of being overly cautious, and of accepting suggestions from various parties. However, it came as a shock to many that six of the nine members appointed to the board were from political parties.

The three non-politicians are: Sri Adiningsih, an economist from the University of Gadjah Mada; Hasyim Muzadi, deputy chairman of the Rais Aam of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) executive board; and Abdul Malik Fadjar, a Muhammadiyah chairman who was once minister of religious affairs and minister of education. Sri Adiningsih, formerly in PDI-P's economic team, was suggested by Megawati Soekarnoputri, while Hasyim Muzadi was a member of Joko Widodo's presidential campaign team. This means that only Malik Fajar was not a contributor at the last presidential election. So, in all, seven members were appointed on account of their political affiliations, one as a reward, and one to even things out (if an NU member is there, then a Muhammadiyah member should be there as well).

President Jokowi is seemingly unable or unwilling to scrutinize the candidates suggested by the parties which support him. He has accepted them without reservations. This could be seen in the appointment of Jan Darmadi, chairman of the National Democrat (NasDem) Party Council. Jan Darmadi is better known as having limited success in the property business. However, he was once a major success as the 'Gambling King' during Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin's days.

The way in which Jokowi selected the members of the Presidential Advisory Board predictably led to protests. Even though the duty of the board is to give advice whether asked or not and its status is lower than that of the president, he should make use of any assistance to improve his own performance. This board created under an amendment to the Constitution should not merely be for show. Jokowi should make it strong, filled with intellectual patriots.

Jokowi should have asked for the advice of the parties so that he could have found highly competent people who can give him the proper information in conducting his presidential duties. They should not have been randomly selected to please political parties. The president should have appointed experts in the legal and governance systems. The presence of experts from those two fields is very important, as they are the weakness in the president's Working Cabinet.

It is quite difficult to comprehend why President Jokowi has so easily forgotten his campaign promise to accept aides 'unconditionally' and not to 'give out favors'. Is the pressure he is facing from the supporting parties really that strong? Must their contribution be repaid by handing out appointments? Jokowi has repeatedly made some 'bad choices'. Unfortunately, he has also given the impression whether in person or through his aides of being very defensive about them. (*)