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Sri Mulyani working as usual, presidential office official says
President Jokowi earlier said his cabinet was working as usual and it was normal to have differences of opinion.
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Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani (left) and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati (right) share a light moment before their meeting on Jan. 25, 2024. (The Jakarta Post/Instagram)
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inance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati is working as usual, the presidential palace official Ari Dwipayana, said on Friday, when asked about the speculation that she planned to resign.
President Jokowi earlier said his cabinet was working as usual and it was normal to have differences of opinion.
Reports of unease in the cabinet have been swirling as public criticism mounts against Jokowi, as the popular president is known, over his perceived political interference and bias ahead of a Feb. 14 election.
"The cabinet has no problem," Jokowi told reporters when asked about discontent among ministers, adding it was normal and democratic to have differences of opinion.
Jokowi is nearing the end of his second term, which is the maximum allowed for an Indonesian president.
He has not explicitly endorsed any of the three presidential candidates but has made highly publicised appearances with Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, his rival in the past two elections.
But his tacit backing of Prabowo, particularly at government functions, has led to criticism he has flouted election rules, which he rejects.
The incumbent president is barred from a third term but remains hugely popular, with observers saying he is using his influence to install his sons into prominent political positions, moves that have raised eyebrows in the archipelago nation.
His eldest son was named Indonesia's youngest-ever vice presidential candidate last year to run with frontrunner and Defence Minister Prabowo.
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 36-year-old mayor of Surakarta city, became Prabowo's running mate after Widodo's brother-in-law and chief justice Anwar Usman issued a controversial ruling in October lowering the minimum age for candidates.
