Manpower Minister to Double Up as Sports Minister, Following Incumbent's Premature Departure
Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has appointed Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri to act as youth and sports minister, following the resignation of Imam Nahrawi, who was named a bribery suspect, the State Palace announced on Friday.
Cabinet Secretary Pratikno said the president had accepted Imam's resignation.
"The president signed a decree to dismiss Imam Nahrawi as youth and sports minister, and appoint Hanif Dhakiri in an acting capacity. He retains his post as manpower minister, so yes he serves in two posts," Pratikno said at a press conference.
Hanif and Imam are both members of the National Awakening Party (PKB).
Hanif was appointed because the president had limited choices, as several ministers in his cabinet are preparing to leave their posts next month to take up seats in the House of Representatives.
"We did not have many options, as several ministers will be sworn in as House members on Oct. 1. The president finally decided to appoint Hanif as acting youth and sports minister," Pratikno said.
The president also will appoint two acting ministers to fill the posts vacated by Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani and Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly, both of whom won House seats in the April legislative election, he said.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has accused Imam and his aide, Miftahul Ulum, of having accepted bribes of Rp 26.5 billion ($1.88 million) in total to approve a grant proposal submitted by the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI).
Imam is the second minister in Jokowi's cabinet to be implicated in corruption after Idrus Marham was forced to step down as social affairs minister earlier. However, the case against Idrus, who has already been convicted, was unrelated to his job as minister.
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