TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician, Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus, claimed to have heard that five ministers in President Joko Widodo alias Jokowi's Onward Cabinet Volume II were planning to step down from their posts.

Deddy said the five ministers in question are Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki.

“These names have been rumored for a long time,” Deddy told Tempo on Thursday, January 18.

He assessed that the political landscape could change drastically if the resignations occurred as the five ministers are considered strong supporters of all Jokowi government policies. Moreover, it is not easy to find people to replace these credible ministers.

Deddy also said that their resignation could be seen as proof that there are serious problems in the country’s governance. “If this is true and really happened, I think it will be a big blow to Jokowi's government and his presidency,” he added.

Earlier today, Faisal Basri, a senior economist at the University of Indonesia (UI), stated that Sri Mulyani has been ready to leave Jokowi's cabinet. He suspected that Sri and other technocratic ministers have the potential to resign to uphold their values and ethics.

However, Ari Dwipayana, the Presidential Special Staff Coordinator, said on January 18, said that all ministers would remain solid to assist Jokowi in the cabinet until the end of his term.

AMELIA RAHIMA SARI | ANTARA

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