President Jokowi: Appointing Ministers is My Prerogative

President Jokowi attends Cabinet Plenary Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta a few months ago. Photo by: Cabinet Secretariat.

Cabinet formation is the President’s Prerogative and there is no specific cabinet slot for certain political parties, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“You may ask (the leaders of) political parties. We never talk about cabinet ministers,” the President said during a special interview with state news agency Antara at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/6).

President Jokowi went on to say that it is understandable that political parties securing more votes will be given more cabinet slot, adding that solidity among the coalition political parties has been maintained in the last five years.

“In the last five years, I have been maintaining good relationships with leaders and secretary generals of political parties,” the President said, adding that he also opens the door for other political parties (outside the coalition) to join the government coalition.

“The door is always open to anyone who wants to build this country. The most important thing is communication,” he added. (ANT/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Ersan Pamungkas