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As Southeast Asia’s largest economy falters, President Joko Widodo has come under mounting pressure from his backing party and the public to reshuffle the cabinet over a perceived failure to manage the economic downturn.
Pandjaitan, 67, is one of Widodo’s most trusted advisers and takes over the chief security post in addition to his role as presidential chief of staff. The retired general used to be chief of the military’s special forces before serving as ambassador to Singapore and then minister for trade and industry.
Maritime affairs minister Indroyono Soesilo was replaced by Rizal Ramli, while national development planning minister Andrinof Chaniago was replaced by Sofyan Djalil, who moves from the post of chief economics minister.
Five of the six ministers appointed Wednesday were seen as technocrats as opposed to political appointees, following criticism that Widodo had been pressured into making previous appointments by his party’s chief, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri.
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Rumours of cabinet reshuffle have intensified after President summoned the embattled ministers for meeting yesterday night (11/8). Jokowi also replaced Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto with Pramono Anung. The Vice President himself hinted that reshuffle is imminent. He was telecommunication minister and state-owned enterprises minister during the first of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s two terms. “(Reshuffle for) Coordinating Ministers and Ministers, for exact names, just wait for the President tomorrow”, Mr. Kalla commented.
