Mahfud MD: Prabowo, Tito, and Yasonna Ready to Build Teamwork

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said that Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, and Legal and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly were ready to work together under his coordination.

“We have agreed [to do so]. I have talked with Pak Tito on the coordination, and with Pak Prabowo, too,” said Mahfud in Presidential State Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, October 24.

Mahfud even shared jokes with Prabowo during the cabinet plenary meeting at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, this morning. 

“I told Pak Prabowo that I would visit his office if there is something as I could just cross there. But Pak Prabowo said: ‘you should not come to my office. I will come to you’. He said so,” Mahfud added.

Even though it was only a joke, Mahfud deemed the ministers had good intentions to build teamwork. Moreover, President Joko Widodo or Jokowi during the meeting touched on ministers of his first-term cabinet who did not make into meetings initiated by coordinating minister.

Jokowi hoped his ministers of Indonesia Onward Cabinet (Kabinet Indonesia Maju) did not behave like so since their jobs required teamwork.

“The President made the order that ministers should not part ways from the coordinating ministries. If so, they will be unbounded to coordinating ministerial policy, while coordinating ministers are the ones who carry out the President’s vision. So, according to President [Jokowi], coordinating ministers can veto what the ministers do, including drafting regulations,” said Mahfud MD.

FRISKI RIANA