President Jokowi Still Weighing Options Following Sports Minister Resignation

President Jokowi announces the resignation of Imam Nahrawi as Minister of Sports and Youth at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, (19/9). (Photo by: Jay/Public Relations Division)

Following the resignation of Minster of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi from his position, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has stated he is still weighing the options of finding a replacement or appointing an acting minister.

“I have not made a decision yet. It was only an hour ago the Minister submitted his resignation letter to me. We will consider this matter in a day,” the President told reporters at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (19/9).

Asked whether the one replacing Imam Nahrawi is also from the National Awakening Party (PKB) or from other political parties, President Jokowi said he has not made a decision yet as well.

Commenting on the announcement of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that named the Minister as a suspect in a bribery case, the President said that he respected the KPK’s decision, adding that he has also ordered his Cabinet to always be careful in managing and using budget.

“I order the Cabinet to always be careful in using the budget, in using the State Budget because everything will be examined by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in terms of compliance to the laws and regulations. Once there are irregularities, you will deal with law enforcer apparatus,” he said.

The KPK on Wednesday (18/9) named Imam Nahrawi a suspect in a bribery case related to the grant from Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KONI) in fiscal year 2019.

Imam allegedly received Rp26.5 billion (US$1.9 million) in bribes from KONI and head of Satlak Prima (Gold Program), a national sporting program for elite athletes that was dissolved in 2018. (FID/JAY/ES)

Translated by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas