JP/Jerry Adiguna

Vice President Jusuf Kalla has rebuffed allegations that Indonesian Democratic of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Puan Maharani was appointed as a coordinating minister solely to please her mother, Megawati Soekarnoputri, the party'€™s chief patron.

Kalla insisted that Puan was given the job of coordinating human development and culture minister because she was considered to be adept at managing bureaucracy.

'€œ[The Cabinet] needs a coordinating minister and Puan is considered appropriate for the role,'€ Kalla told reporters at the Vice Presidential Office on Monday.

The week taken by President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo and Kalla to form their Cabinet was seen as evidence of a struggle between the pair and their supporting political parties, as well as business lobbyists, to place their favored candidates. The PDI-P, the leader of Jokowi'€™s coalition, has secured five ministerial posts, including Puan'€™s coordinating position.

Kalla said that although Puan has never worked in bureaucracy, she understood how an administration works, having been a PDI-P lawmaker for the last five years.

'€œNo one is born with skill and knowledge. Everything has a beginning, and Puan is already on the right track,'€ said Kalla.

Megawati embraced his daughter Puan after the new Cabinet'€™s inauguration at the State Palace on Monday.

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