TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rumors have started to spread nearing the inauguration of President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, suggesting that his long-running political rival, Prabowo Subianto, will enter Jokowi’s second-term Cabinet as minister of defense.

Responding to this, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician and member of Jokowi’s main political party backer, Kapitra Ampera argued that it would be nearly impossible as he thinks Prabowo would not accept a position within the Cabinet from his former rival in the 2019 presidential run.

However, he said that there are possibilities of seeing Prabowo Subianto offered to be Jokowi’s advisor.

“[A position as a State Minister] is not possible. His level is [competing for] presidency, why would he demote himself,” said Kapitra regarding the Chairman of Gerindra Party in a public discussion forum on Tuesday, October 8.

From the many rumors of political rivals joining the Cabinet, Kapitra thinks that the most realistic one is seeing Gerindra’s Fadli Zon as a state minister. The PDIP politician said his beliefs are backed by Fadli’s recent comments of being “ordered to undergo another task.”

Kapitra said this term is a hint prior to someone joining President Jokowi’s Cabinet.

Gerindra central executive board Ahmad Riza Patria claims no meeting has happened between Prabowo Subianto and Jokowi regarding negotiations or offerings to become a State Minister.

DEWI NURITA l HALIDA BUNGA