Indonesian President Jokowi Appoints Six New Ministers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has appointed six new ministers to his cabinet. 

Mayor of Surabaya Tri Rismaharini has been appointed as Minister of Social Affairs.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) stalwart will replace her disgraced predecessor Juliari Batubara, who was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK earlier this month for allegedly embezzling social aid for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

PDI-P Party head Djarot Saiful Hidayat hailed Risma's appointment. "Risma has an excellent, proven track record in serving Surabaya’s people as their mayor, as well as developing an e-government services [for Surabaya].” 

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“Her experiences as Mayor of Indonesia’s second-largest city will serve her in good stead in running the Ministry of Social Affairs.”

Jokowi also appointed his former rival in the 2019 presidential race Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno as Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy in place of incumbent and former media mogul Wishnutama Kusubandio.

Prior to running against Jokowi and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin as presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto’s running mate in 2019, the Gerindra Party politician was Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s deputy.

Jokowi also appointed nuclear physicist Budi Gunadi Sadikin as Minister of Health, in place of his embattled predecessor Terawan Agus Putranto.

The president also appointed Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization stalwart Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as Religious Affairs Minister in place of former General Fachrul Razi.

DOK. MUCHLIS JR/BIRO PRES SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN President Joko Widodo delivers his speech during the opening of 2020 Innovation Indonesia Expo on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

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Parliament Commission 8 on Religion, Social Affairs, and Women’s Empowerment Deputy Head Ace Hasan Syadzily hailed Yaqut’s appointment because of his proven track record as a moderate Muslim as head of Ansor, NU’s youth wing.

“[Yaqut] is well suited to be [Religious Affairs Minister] due to his moderate views,” he said. “I hope that he can take the ministry towards a more moderate direction.”

Jokowi also appointed former Deputy Minister of Defense Wahyu Sakti Trenggono as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. He will replace Edhy Prabowo, who was arrested by the KPK at the end of November for allegedly taking kickbacks on lobster seeds.

Last but not least, Jokowi appointed Indonesian Ambassador to the United States M. Lutfi as Minister of Trade to replace Agus Suparmanto.