Ma'ruf Amin to Critics: We Cannot Have Two Suns

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said he doesn't want "two suns" in the government, which is the Indonesian way of saying that a ship should not have two captains, illustrating how the administration should not have two prominent leaders. Amin made the statement in response to criticism about how he has not played significant roles in the government after serving 100 days in office.

Amin said that as, as Vice President, he has no need to perform his duties more prominently than President Joko Widodo.

“The president should stand out more. If the vice president also stands out, that is like having twin suns," Ma'ruf told reporters at the Vice President's Office here on Wednesday, January 29.

Ma'ruf said he is carrying out his duties as Jokowi's wingman, including coordinating ministers in overcoming radicalism and developing the sharia economy. “I am also representing the President during cabinet meetings; expressing opinions at cabinet meetings."  

Adi Prayitno, executive director of the Indonesian Political Parameters, had criticized Ma'ruf Amin's role in the government.

“Kiai Ma'ruf has not been of any significance as a vice president," Adi told Tempo on Tuesday, January 28.

According to Adi, Ma'ruf has been rather silent on major issues that caught public attention, among them the alleged efforts to weaken the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) authority.

Adi, a lecturer in political communication at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, also said that Ma'ruf has not even played a significant role in his field of expertise.

"We must not get the impression that the Vice President is merely acting as a political bumper in facing anti-Islamic accusations directed at Jokowi during the presidential election," Adi remarked.

 ANTARA | DIO SUHENDA (Intern Translator)