TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - University of Jember political observer Hermanto Rohman argues that some of the current state ministers with great track records must be retained for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s future cabinet.

“Not every position as minister of state must be replaced by new members,” he said on Sunday.

He further argues that exceptional candidates that should not be sacked in the upcoming government include Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.

Not only the preservation of quality human resources, but he also noted that a number of positions in the cabinet must be filled by people with backgrounds as professionals. Hermanto said that professionals are better equipped in ministries such as the foreign affairs ministry, finance ministry, and coordinating ministry of economic affairs.

The political science major academic acknowledges that political parties indeed have the bargaining power to obtain a slot in Jokowi’s cabinet but reminded that the parties must be able to provide the president with fresh figures that bear the abilities Jokowi expects.

Hermanto reminds political parties that choosing state ministers is one of the president’s prerogative rights and that political parties will not be able to conduct further intervention other than proposing a candidate to the president.

ANTARA