TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The cabinet reshuffle topic has resurfaced as a State Palace official confirmed that Jokowi will replace some of his ministers in the near future. According to the official, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla to discuss the reshuffle plan.
“The first meeting took place before the Eid al-Fitr, and the last one was held on Tuesday last week,” the official said as quoted by Koran Tempo on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.
The source said that three female ministers will be replaced, including State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno.
Read: No Cabinet Reshuffle in the Near Future: Presidential Staff Chief
The reason behind the reshuffle plan is Supreme Audit Agency’s (BPK) audit related to cooperation between Pelindo II and Hutchison Port Holdings. The audit revealed that the cooperation agreement, which was signed by Rini on behalf of Pelindo II shareholders, caused Rp4.08 trillion in state losses.
Rini has not yet responded to messages sent by Tempo. Earlier on Thursday last week, Rini claimed that she had not read BPK’s audit results.
Other ministers reportedly to be replaced include Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Asman Abnur and Cooperative, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Puspayoga.
President Jokowi reportedly will ask Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to take the role of the Cooperative, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister. In addition, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani could be assigned as the Coordinating Economic Minister.
“Every year there are individuals who want me to be replaced,” Susi said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Sri Mulyani shrugged when she was asked about the reshuffle plan.
HUSSEIN ABRI DONGORAN | SUNUDYANTORO | ISTMAN M.P. | DIKO OKTARA | AGUNGS
