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Tito Karnavian takes over Mahfud’s ministerial post
The home minister was appointed to the new position because he is one of the senior ministers in President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's cabinet.
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Home Minister Tito Karnavian speaks at a press conference related to the government's preparation for the 2020 simultaneous regional elections in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on July 17, 2020. (Antara/Mohamad Hamzah)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has appointed Home Minister Tito Karnavian as acting coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister to replace Mahfud MD, who has resigned to focus on his vice presidential campaign.
"The appointment of Bapak Tito Karnavian as acting coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet for the 2019-2024 period [will continue] until there is a definitive coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister," said Jokowi’s special aide coordinator Ari Dwipayana on Friday, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
According to Ari, Tito was appointed to the new position because he was one of the senior ministers in Jokowi's cabinet. Tito’s appointment as interim minister did not involve an inauguration ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta.
Ari added that the former National Police chief would begin his work after receiving a copy of the presidential decree regarding his appointment.
Mahfud submitted his resignation letter to Jokowi on Thursday at a meeting with Jokowi at the State Palace.
Currently, Mahfud is running alongside presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo on a ticket backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). He acknowledged that one of the reasons he resigned from the ministerial position was to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
Rival vice presidential candidate Muhaimin Iskandar commented on Tito’s appointment, saying that it was Jokowi’s prerogative as head of the government.
"But what is important is that we trust Pak Tito. This nation is waiting for statesmen and government leaders. Don't let us be disappointed by [poor] political work that can destroy us all," said Muhaimin, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
Jokowi said that he was preparing a definitive position for the coordinating security affairs minister. However, he did not want to make a rush announcement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the cabinet’s stability.
"We will see, the important thing for us is that the organization [cabinet] runs well. That is the most crucial thing," said Jokowi on Saturday in Bandung, West Java.
