resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has appointed Golkar Party politician Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita as the new social affairs minister, replacing fellow Golkar politician Idrus Marham, who resigned after being named a graft suspect.
Agus, the son of senior politician Ginandjar Kartasasmita, was inaugurated at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday afternoon, just hours after Idrus' resignation.
“The Social Affairs Ministry has an urgent task of handling the [post-disaster management] in West Nusa Tenggara. So we decided to immediately name [Idrus’] successor,” the President said after the inauguration.
Agus has served as a Golkar lawmaker since 2004 and is currently sitting as the secretary of the Golkar faction at the House of Representatives.
He is also listed as a member of Jokowi’s campaign team.
Idrus submitted his resignation letter to Jokowi on Friday afternoon, citing his ethical and moral obligation to step down.
The Golkar politician, who was named a suspect in a case of alleged embezzlement surrounding the development of a coal-powered power plant in Riau, said he had been notified by the Corruption Eradication Commission about his suspect status in the case. (sau/ahw)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.