Jokowi Gets to Business With Plenary Cabinet Meeting Following Reshuffle
Jakarta. Following Wednesday's (27/07) cabinet reshuffle, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo today held a plenary cabinet meeting with both new and old ministers at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
Jokowi welcomed the new ministers and went directly to discuss pressing issues to be prioritized.
“First one is food, in relation to food prices. Secondly is reducing the economic gap between the rich and the poor, as well as regional developments. These are crucial for us to resolve,” Jokowi said.
He added that the ministers should maintain with his fast pace and remain solid.
“I would like all ministers and institutional leaders to work faster, more effectively and create a solid team … There should be no blaming [between ministries and institutions]. If one is lacking, it is our weakness as we are in a work team,” Jokowi said.
No ministerial vision or mission
Jokowi reiterated that ministers should follow the goals outlined by himself and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
“I need to say there is no such thing as ministerial vision and mission, as there is only the president and vice president’s vision and mission. All ministries and institutions should be unified in the entire policies we have taken, both in plenary or limited meetings,” Jokowi said.
“In policy making that influences greatly on the people, it should be taken in cabinet meetings, preceded by meetings in respective coordinating ministries. No such policies should be directly made into Ministerial Regulations.”
The president, with Jusuf at his side, got to business with the six crucial policies to be discussed.
Firstly, the government's work plan and state budget for 2017 is highly prioritized, with Jokowi assigning the head of National Development Planning to finalize both drafts before they are deliberated in another meeting with the president.
Jokowi then instructed the Coordinating Economy Minister, Trade Minister, Agriculture Minister, State-Owned Enterprises Minister and chairman of the State Procurement Agency (Bulog) to coordinate further on food issues, such as ensuring sufficient supply and maintaining low prices.
“According to previous meetings, the [food] prices should be observed on daily basis,” Jokowi said.
The matter of law reforms is given to the new Chief Security Minister, Wiranto - who was a former general and chief justice minister during Abourahman Wahid's presidency - as Jokowi demanded total law certainties and enforcements in the country.
“It should be formulated to allow us in applying actions on the field, to clarify law certainties and enforcements in this nation. I think Mr. Luhut had initiated it, as it can be followed through,” Jokowi said.
The president also said he keenly observed the developments of the pursuit of Santoso’s terrorist group in Poso, Central Sulawesi, as well as the hostage situations involving Indonesian nationals in the Philippines.
Jokowi instructed a continuous follow up from related ministries, including those related to drug abuse and distributions.
Tax amnesty application and integrated system
The tax amnesty program roll-out remains the highest priority for the president and his new cabinet.
“I remind the tax directorate general and finance minister that there are many complaints on the services at the current desks … I hope for immediate improvements. This must work out, the tax amnesty must be successful,” he said.
Following the plenary meeting, Jokowi instructed the ministers to use joint communications and technology between ministries to create a centered and unified cabinet.
"Everything should be integrated between the ministries and institutions, as well as regional and central government, by early next year," he said.
Currently, e-government budgets are separated among ministries and regions.
“The ministries and regions purchased their own systems. Much money has been spent, but it is not integrated until now. We must improve this,” he said.
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