Notes on Vice Ministers (1)
President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has sworn in 12 vice ministers. Looking at their profiles, we can expect a stronger cabinet, as long as they can maintain smooth communication with respective ministers. Wishnutama, minister of tourism and creative economy, for example, believes he can get positive support from vice minister Angela Tanoesoedibjo, who has strong media and finance background.
The New Cabinet & the Dynamics in the Ruling Coalition (2)
Major political parties in the ruling coalition seems to be relatively content with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet lineup. But still, there are some seeds of conflict.
Vice Minister Candidates (2)
Angela Tanoesoedibjo, daughter of Hary Tanoesoedibjo—-businesman and chairman of Perindo Party—-supporter of Jokowi-Ma’ruf campaign, is among names seen at the State Palace this morning. She will likely be appointed one of vice ministers, whose portfolio will be known shortly.
The New Cabinet & the Brokenhearted (2)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet choice has disappointed many, including some in the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), who protested the appointment of General (ret) Fachrul Razi as minister of religious affairs, a position traditionally given to the NU. There is also protest from the Muhammadiyah about the position of minister of education & culture. Both NU and Muhammadiyah are the largest Muslim organizations in Indonesia.
Vice Minister Candidates
Political accommodation continues with the appointment of vice ministers, scheduled today. Minister of state-owned enterprises Erick Thohir, for example, will likely be assisted by two vice ministers. Kartika Wiryoatmodjo, CEO of Bank Mandiri, and Budi Gunadi Sadikin, CEO of INALUM, are mong names tipped.
The New Cabinet & the Brokenhearted
As predicted, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and his Democratic Party has failed to join President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s new cabinet. SBY’s Democratic Party, therefore, has no option but to regroup with PKS and PAN. But will they take the opportunity to become the leader of the opposition? Can they play the role of the opposition effectively?
The New Cabinet & the Dynamics in the Ruling Coalition
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s new cabinet accommodates politicians from the six political parties of the ruling coalition. The coalition members should be happy and the President could expect a united group. But what about Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin and the small political parties in the coalition?
Notes on the New Cabinet (3)
Some love President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo’s unorthodox approach, especially in appointing ministers for education (Nadiem Makarim) and religious affairs (Fachrul Razi). But, Bahlil Lahadalia as investment minister and head of the Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM)?
Notes on The New Cabinet (2)
Then state-owned enterprises minister Rini M Soemarno played crucial role in shaping Indonesian economy and infrastructure development in the past five years. Rini implemented President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo’s infrastructure development program (toll roads, power generation, ports, airports, mass public transportation, sea toll, etc) by deploying SOEs resources. Assets and revenues have grown significantly, but so the liabilities, which sparked questions about financial health of SOEs.
Notes on The New Cabinet (1)
Nadiem Makarim, founder of GoJek, was in our list of Fantasy Cabinet as junior minister for education. Turned out that he is appointed full minister of education and culture. We thought Nadiem would be the right person to overhaul the country’s education sector. Still, it is a huge challenge for Nadiem, given huge organization and history of bureucracy of the ministry.