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Cracks in cabinet raise governance concerns
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (fourth right), accompanied by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin (third right), leads a limited cabinet meeting at Merdeka Palace on Sept. 27, 2023. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
Signs of fractures within President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration over electoral politics have cast doubt on the effectiveness of the government in the President’s last year in office, amid accusations that top officials are covertly backing certain candidates.
Speculation about mass cabinet resignations and fresh admissions of growing unease among ministers in the lead up to the February poll have cast a shadow over Jokowi’s final months in office.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD claimed in a YouTube interview on Thursday that interactions among ministers at cabinet meetings were not as warm as before.
“In meetings, usually, in the past, there was a lot of joking around before they started. Once [the meeting] began, it turned serious. When the meeting finished, we joked around again,” Mahfud told interviewer and economist Rhenald Kasali. “But now when we enter, there are no more jokes.”
Mahfud, who is also running for vice president on presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo’s ticket, said on Tuesday that he had been planning to quit the cabinet in protest against unnamed ministers who, he claimed, had been quietly backing certain candidates.
His statement followed a call from his running mate Ganjar for all candidates and campaigners to resign from their government posts to prevent the abuse of state power.
Read also: President Jokowi says Mahfud free to leave the cabinet
