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Golkar chairman surprised at reshuffle results
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Upbeat -- Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto (right) talks to journalists, accompanied by the party's advisory board chief Aburizal Bakrie (left) and honorary board chief BJ Habibie (center) during the opening of Golkar's national leaders meeting (rapimnas) in Jakarta on Wednesday. (Antara Foto/M Agung Rajasa)
G
olkar Party chairman Setya Novanto said he was surprised about the appointment of party member Airlangga Hartarto as industry minister in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second Cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday.
"We're surprised Jokowi announced that one of his new Cabinet ministers was from the Golkar Party. The [industry minister] post is considered fitting for Pak Airlangga," Setya told journalists during Golkar's national leaders meeting (rapimnas) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Setya said he was grateful for Golkar's position in the Cabinet. Airlangga's appointment would enable the party to contribute more, he said. Setya further said that Golkar did not nominate any of its members.
Airlangga, a Golkar lawmaker on House of Representatives Commission XI overseeing finance and banking, was selected as the new industry minister, replacing Hanura Party politician Saleh Husin.
Airlangga, the son of former industry minister Hartarto Sastrosoenarto under president Soeharto, has been a lawmaker since 2004. In 2009-2014, he led the House's Commission VI overseeing state-owned enterprises, trade, industrial, investment, cooperatives and small and medium enterprise affairs.
The former Golkar chairman candidate later served as a member of the House's Commission VII overseeing energy, mineral resources, research and technology and environmental affairs.
Golkar, which pledged allegiance to Jokowi's administration during its rapimnas in January, hopes the new Cabinet composition results in positive team work for the next three years. (ebf)
