Political Observer Deems Jokowi's Cabinet Reshuffle May Be Pointless

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The cabinet reshuffle which will reportedly be announced by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo today afternoon, June 15, 2022, met with criticism. Socio-political analyst at Jakarta State University, Ubedilah Badrun, assessed that it would be pointless if it is only transactional.

Badrun claimed he had heard of a number of names that the President would shift and replace. He argued that the reshuffle of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet would not solve issues being faced by the government. Moreover, reports said it was only to accommodate the entry of the National Mandate Party (PAN) into the cabinet.

“For example, LBP (Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan), Erick Thohir, Bahlil are shifted, then replaced by M. Luthfi, Yasin Limpo. This no-strategic substitution, let alone given to new coalition parties whose figures are less credible or just transactional is concerning,” said Badrun in a written statement received by Tempo, Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

He stated that if it is true, the President would increasingly show the public his inability to recruit quality ministers. “Especially if the ministers who cause problems, such as wanting [presidential term to be extended to] three terms, the high price of cooking oil, busy campaigning for the presidential candidates, could not manage fuel, gas, and electricity issues, are not replaced, or only be shifted.”

Badrun also lamented if Jokowi decided to only shift a number of ministers and include non-credible people. According to him, this would not raise national and international public confidence in the current government.

FEBRIYAN

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