President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo appointed former Corruption Eradication Commission cadre Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo as his spokesman on Tuesday, citing Johan's vast experience as a vocal representative.

Johan, Jokowi said, would serve, as of Tuesday, as part of his special staff.

"I know Johan Budi is very experienced and he will help me to communicate the government's programs to the public. I'€™m delighted to have another competent person helping me here at the Palace," he told journalists at the State Palace as quoted by kompas.com.

The appointment was widely expected, with Johan having visited the Palace several times in recent weeks to meet the President and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki.

Johan, a former journalist at Tempo, spent most of his 10-year career at the KPK as a spokesman.

He also served as head of the prevention division at the commission for a year before Jokowi appointed him acting commissioner in February following the dismissal of then KPK chairman Abraham Samad and commissioner Bambang Widjojanto, who had been named suspects by the police.

Johan was one of 10 candidates who underwent screening at the House of Representatives ahead of elections to choose commissioners to serve between 2015 and 2020.

However, he failed to garner enough votes during the ballot at House Commission III, which oversees legal affairs. He then resigned from the KPK in December, stating that he felt 10 years at the institution was enough, a move praised by many.

Johan had previously said that he would accept an offer to become presidential spokesman.

"I am ready to help President Jokowi," he said. (rin)(+)

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