Focus on Performance Not Rumors, Jokowi Told Ahead of Reshuffle
Jakarta. Several experts have urged President Joko Widodo to focus on his ministers’ performance instead of making rash decisions based on unconfirmed rumors, as reports of a minister mocking the president in public circulates.
The said minister was reportedly commenting on the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle during which the minister supposedly said: “If I must be removed, go ahead. What matters is that the president can show me my mistake and whether such mistake warrants my removal. The president doesn’t necessarily understand what my jobs are. The president in fact, doesn’t understand anything.”
The accusation came from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) legislator Masinton Pasaribu, who alleged that “a female minister in the financial sector” had insulted Joko by calling him an indecisive president.
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, also from the PDI-P, has made similar claims, saying that a cabinet minister had made unfavorable remarks about Joko during a church event. However, he stopped short of identifying the official.
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, the only female minister in the financial sector, has denied claims that she insulted President Joko Widodo in public.
“As an aide to the president, of course I respect him,” Rini told reporters late on Monday.
Rini challenged her accusers to provide proof of their allegations.
“Where did [the accusation] come from? Ask him: Where is his proof?” she said.
State Secretary Pratikno confirmed rumors of a minister allegedly badmouthing the president had reached Joko, but said the reports had not affected him in any way.
Pratikno said Joko had decided to ignore the reports and focus on his work.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla said whoever aired such remarks deserves to be replaced.
“It is inappropriate. A subordinate must not make fun of a superior. I don’t know who the said minister is. But there must be repercussions,” Kalla said. “I’m sure the president knows.”
But Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, a senior political researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said Joko must disregard the report altogether, suspecting that it may be spread by people inside the president’s circle to get rid off political opponents.
“The president must not be affected,” he told news portal Kompas.com. “A reshuffle must be based on performance and not political rumors blown out of proportion. The spreading of this rumor may have a hidden agenda.”
Prior to her appointment as SOE minister, Rini was known to be a close friend and aide to PDI-P chairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
However, their relationship reportedly soured because of Rini’s important role in advising Joko in making strategic decisions that are seen to go against the PDI-P’s political agenda.
Hasan Nasbi, of political think tank Cyrus Network, said the president’s ability to put performance over politics will determine the credibility of his administration.
Hasan noted that over recent days, Joko has been evaluating and soliciting expert opinions on his cabinet’s performance. “Whether this evaluation leads to a reshuffle is the president’s prerogative. But more importantly [the reshuffle] must not be based on political pressure or intervention,” he said as quoted by Kompas.com.
The president on Monday met with economists to discuss performance of his economic team.
Gadjah Mada University economist Tony Prasetyantono, who was among those invited to the State Palace, said the president is looking for people who are not only technically competent but can lead.
The president “likened his team as a football squad. A lot of great players but no playmaker,” he said as quoted by Tempo.co. In football a playmaker is a player who can organize the offensive and direct the attack.
“We need an economic minister who can calm the market. I think a reshuffle is urgently needed.”
Tony said he only had one person in mind up for the task.
“I managed to ask him what he thinks about Sri Mulyani and he only smiled,” Tony said referring to World Bank director and former Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
However, Sri has said on a number of occasions that she is not interested in returning as minister.
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