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Prabowo tight-lipped on first day
In contrast to his outspoken position on the presidential election campaign trail when Prabowo vehemently lambasted the weakness of the Indonesian defense sector, the newly minted minister was much more reticent, saying he had to study all matters first before laying out his plans.
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Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto waves toward journalists as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (unseen) unveils his new Cabinet on the steps of the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
G
erindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto cut a somewhat more reserved figure than usual on Thursday when he took over the Defense Ministry from his predecessor Ryamizard Ryacudu.
In contrast to his outspoken position on the presidential election campaign trail when Prabowo vehemently lambasted the weakness of the Indonesian defense sector, the newly minted minister was much more reticent, saying he had to study all matters first before laying out his plans.
“I will continue the steps that [Ryamizard] has started. I will try to do my best,” Prabowo said at a press conference after the official handover ceremony at the Defense Ministry office in Central Jakarta.
When asked about the defense sector concepts that the former Army general had previously communicated to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo before he got the job, Prabowo only said that “defense matters should not be spoken about in public too much.”
