Category: Politics

People never mentioned Jusman Syafei Djamal as a potential candidate to replace Hatta Radjasa as transportation minister until Saturday when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono summoned the former aircraft manufacturer CEO. Who is he? Who whispered SBY? Something to do with his current job?

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would likely appoint former ITS rector Mohammad Nuh as minister for information and communication replacing Sofyan Djalil (will replace Sugiharto as minister for state-owned enterprises). Who is Mr Nuh? What political backup he has?

In the last 48 hours, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have summoned ministers and candidates to fill cabinet posts in what some analysts called as the most interesting reshuffle in years. In the next 24 hours, the president is expected to announce the new lineup. Who’s in and out?

Several people summoned by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono this morning have sent clearer signs of the much awaited cabinet reshuffle. People close Sofyan Djalil claimed that the minister for communication and information would almost certain move to state-owned enterprises ministry. But it’s not clear yet who will take his job. The announcement itself is expected on Monday, May 7.

Sofyan A. Djalil, the minister for communication and information, has been tipped to replace Sugiharto as the minister for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) besides other names like Kemal Stamboel (chairman of expert council at Prosperous Justice Party/PKS), Agus Martowardojo (CEO of Bank Mandiri), Arwin Rasyid (former CEO of Telkom). President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono summoned Sofyan to the State Palace yesterday that sparked further speculation of his new job and movements to keep Sugiharto, especially by politicians from Islamic parties like PPP, PKS, and PKB. These politicians ‘politely’ argued that Sofyan is fit for the current job and having him as the SOE minister might risks opposition from parliament. Who is Mr Sofyan Djalil anyway?

It’s not just companies that regularly do the ‘window dressing’. Cabinet members are busy making statements about their performance ahead of reshuffle plan to be announced immediately. One minister placed 8-pages sponsored article, while others orchestrated events to attract the president’s attention and horse tradings with politicians. The president has ordered all ministers to stay in town in the next few days, a clear sign that the reshuffle will be announced as planned.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s declining popularity, including on corruption eradication that earned him landslide victory in 2004 election, increased quite significantly in the last few days, especially after series of “PR” campaigns from Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and National Police to prosecute fugitives hiding in Singapore, and confiscating their assets in the country.

Ending months of speculation, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono confirmed today his plan to reshuffle the cabinet and announce the changes by early May or two weeks from now. That would make some important decisions postponed, especially privatization plans.