Jokowi Shuffles Cabinet Today, Observer: Ineffective and Waste of State Budget
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11 September 2024 12:11 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi conducts another cabinet reshuffle at the tail-end of his term today, Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Jokowi appoints Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul as Minister of Social Affairs, replacing Tri Rismaharini. Gus Ipul also holds the position of the Secretary General of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) and the Mayor of Pasuruan.
An economist and public policy observer from UPN Veteran Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, believed there’s no urgency to shuffle the cabinet with the two months remaining before Jokowi completed his term.
"In my opinion, this reshuffle is ineffective and a waste of the state budget," Achmad told Tempo on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Achmad said the newly appointed ministers would find it difficult to make significant contributions with such a short time in office. "It would be wiser if the President appointed an Acting Minister from within the ministry, rather than reshuffles the cabinet,” said Achmad.
According to him, an Acting Minister would be more effective as they understand the ins and outs of the ministry. Thus, there would be no need for a long adjustment process and the policies could run smoothly without being disrupted by a transition period.
"It could also spare the State Budget from being spent on inaugurations, staff changes, and other bureaucratic adjustments," he said.
Previously, the cabinet reshuffle was confirmed by the Coordinator of the Presidential Special Staff, Ari Dwipayana. "The President will inaugurate Mr. Saifullah Yusuf as Minister of Social Affairs for the remainder of the 2019-2024 term," he told Tempo in a brief text message.
Gus Ipul replaces Risma who resigned to run in the 2024 East Java Gubernatorial Election. Jokowi signed Risma’s resignation letter on September 6, and the position was held temporarily by Acting Minister Muhadjir Effendy.
RIRI RAHAYU | DANIEL A. FAJRI
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