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Rumors of a cabinet reshuffle have resurfaced. When inaugurating the kick-off of the 2023 ASEAN Indonesia chairmanship in Jakarta on Sunday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo did not give a clear answer when asked by journalists whether there would be a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, Feb 1.
“Really? Wednesday Pon, right? Just wait,” he said, flashing a mysterious smile. He also gave the same answer when asked a similar question on Jan 24. Jokowi indeed often makes important decisions on Wednesday, the day he was born.
The issue of a reshuffle intensified after the Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto admitted that his party had put forward several names as ministerial candidates for the upcoming reshuffle. However, he was reluctant to reveal who the proposed party cadres were, including when and where PDI-P proposed the names of the ministerial candidates to Jokowi.
Meanwhile, another member of the government coalition, the United Development Party (PPP), also admitted that their chairman had met Jokowi. Chairman of the Central Leadership Council of PPP Achmad Baidowi said the Acting Chairman of PPP Muhamad Mardiono had been summoned by the president several times. “If our party is entrusted, Insha Allah, we will be ready,” said Baidowi.
