Celebrity Raffi Ahmad and musician Yovie Widianto were noticeably absent from the ministerial briefing held at Prabowo Subianto’s residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
According to Bima Arya, a politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN), neither Raffi nor Yovie will hold the position of deputy minister as widely rumored earlier.
“I heard Raffi Ahmad is appointed as a special envoy, and Yovie Widianto as a special staff,” Bima told reporters after the briefing on Thursday.
Bima did not comment on the absence of Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, also known as Gus Miftah, a Muslim preacher who was also speculated to be a ministerial candidate.
The three public figures were speculated to be ministerial candidates after being summoned by Prabowo to his residence on Jalan Kertanegara in South Jakarta on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, where those invited were believed to be considered for deputy minister positions.
Raffi confirmed that during the meeting, he signed an integrity pact witnessed by Prabowo, and that he would assist Prabowo in areas related to youth and the arts.
“I will help in areas I’m familiar with, such as youth, the creative body, and the arts,” Raffi said, without specifying the position he would hold, on Tuesday.
He emphasized that it would be up to Prabowo to announce the official roles.
Similarly, Gus Miftah, who was also summoned by Prabowo on the same day, mentioned that while he would assist Prabowo, it would not be in the role of deputy minister.
“The president-elect has entrusted me with the task of focusing on issues of religious tolerance and moderation,” Gus Miftah said on Thursday.
