TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto said that his party will leave it to President Jokowi to decide on cabinet reshuffle. Setya claimed that his party fully backs the government.
“It is entirely the President’s right. [Cabinet] reshuffle is a presidential prerogative. The most important thing is that we believe in him,” Setya said during Kosgoro 1957 Eid gathering in Kartika Chandra Hotel, Central Jakarta, Sunday, July 24, 2016.
Setya has dismissed the rumors that Golkar had asked for cabinet posts and had submitted the shortlist of its cadres to fill ‘working cabinet’ position. Golkar will patiently wait the president’s decision, he said. “I had already said that Golkar fully supports the government,” Setya said.
However, he said that some Golkar cadres, such as Idrus Marham, Airlangga Hartarto and Azis Syamsudin, are set to be nominated should the president offers cabinet position. Having said that, Setya asserted that Golkar would not submit the shortlist to Jokowi.
“Golkar will follow the rules, we will patiently wait for the president’s decision,” he said.
Golkar Party had made a U-turn and backed Jokowi administration after Setya Novanto’s election as chairman. In presidential election 2014, they contended against Jokowi, opting to endorse Prabowo for president.
EGI ADYATAMA