President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is reportedly planning another cabinet reshuffle in the near future, with four key ministers likely to be replaced as part of the measures aimed at enhancing the government’s performance during the final months of his administration.
The ministers likely to be reshuffled are Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar.
Sources told Katadata.co.id that Siti Nurbaya Bakar, a politician from the NasDem Party, will be replaced by Raja Juli Antoni, Secretary of the Board of Patrons of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). Yasonna Laoly is reported to be replaced by Supratman Andi Agtas, who serves as Head of Constitutional and Legislative Affairs at Gerindra Party’s Board of Executives.
Arifin Tasrif is reprted to be replaced by Bahlil Lahadalia, the current Minister of Investment. In turn, Bahlil’s position is likely to be filled in by Rosan P. Roeslani, the former head of the National Election Campaign Team (TKN) for Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Neither the Presidential Chief of Staff, Ari Dwipayana, nor the President’s Special Staff for Political Communication, Grace Natalie, have provided any comments on the rumored cabinet reshuffle.
Previously, President Jokowi acknowledged that a reshuffle could still happen within the remaining three months of his term.
“Yes, it could happen if necessary,” Jokowi said after delivering a speech at the opening of the Indonesia Digital Financial Economy Festival and Creative Works Indonesia at the Jakarta Convention Center on August 1, 2024.
Bahlil Lahadalia had hinted at his potential move to a different ministerial post during a press conference on the first semester’s investment realization late last month. He indicated that it might be his last press conference as the Minister of Investment.
Meanwhile, Arifin Tasrif responded to the reshuffle rumors involving his position without confirming or denying them.
“Just wait and see,” Arifin said when approached at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on July 30, 2024.
Spokesman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Chico Hakim, said that the party has not received any official information from Yasonna Laoly regarding changes in his duties or any official notification from the Palace.
“So far, we haven’t heard any definite news,” Chico said via WhatsApp voice message on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Chico expressed hope that the reshuffle would aim to improve government performance, especially considering the economic challenges faced by the public in recent months, such as the weakening of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar and the rising costs of education and basic necessities.
He also emphasized the need to evaluate the mechanisms for accelerating the development of the new capital city, Nusantara (IKN).
“We hope this reshuffle is not merely about dividing positions but focuses on aligning with the future government’s direction,” he said.
Dave Laksono, Head of Foreign Affairs Division at Golkar Party’s Executive Board, reiterated that cabinet reshuffle is entirely within the president’s prerogative. He declined to comment further on whether Golkar had been notified about the impending changes.
“That is the president’s full prerogative, and no one can dictate the president,” Dave said via a WhatsApp message on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
