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.