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Jokowi to play major role in cabinet setup
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (front, right) speaks to reporters on Feb. 28, 2024, after an executive meeting of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police at the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. At the event, President Jokowi granted Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, a former lieutenant general and the presumed winner of the 2024 presidential election, the rank of honorary general. (AFP/Bay Ismoyo)
T
he camp of presumptive president-elect Prabowo Subianto has said outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will play a “significant” role in shaping the next administration’s cabinet and policies but insists that Prabowo will have the final say.
Official election results are not due until mid-March, but with most signs indicating the Gerindra Party chairman has won the Feb. 14 presidential election, politicians and the public have turned their attention to the composition of a Prabowo cabinet and how large a part Jokowi, whose son Gibran Rakabuming Raka is set to be Prabowo’s vice president, will play.
“Jokowi will certainly be asked for his advice and input [in the formation of a cabinet]. That's why his role will be significant,” Drajad Wibowo, a senior member of Prabowo’s campaign team, told The Jakarta Post.
Drajad said that as Prabowo’s campaign had been built around the idea of continuing and expanding Jokowi’s policies, he would welcome the outgoing leader’s views not only on the formation of the incoming administration but also on future policies.
Jokowi is widely expected to play a major role in the selection of cabinet members in an effort maintain his political influence after leaving office and ensure that the next administration is well positioned to pursue his policy aims.
Sources familiar with post-election coalition-building talks say Jokowi has asked Prabowo to give him a say in up to four cabinet posts in the next administration, with some of the President’s close allies, including State Secretary Pratikno and Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, reportedly making the list of candidates.
Drajad, who is also a senior member of the National Mandate Party (PAN), declined to comment on how far Jokowi would seek to influence the cabinet lineup, saying that the final decision would rest with the incoming president.
