Indonesian President Joko Widodo finally announced his cabinet on October 26 after delaying it for nearly a week due to the Corruption Eradication Commission’s disapproval of several candidates on corruption allegations.
Notably, the former ambassador to the Netherlands, Retno Lestary Priansari Marsudi, was appointed as foreign minister, the country’s first female holding the position.
Bambang Brodjonegoro and Sofyan Djalil, who were considered as top experts capable of stimulating the economy after a recent slowdown, are in charge of the ministry of finance and the coordinating ministry of economics, respectively.
There was, however, concern about the appointment of close allies from the previous administrative to the line-up.
Puan Maharani, the daughter of former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, is now the coordinating human development and culture minister, one of the four powerful coordinating ministers.
Former army chief of staff Ryamizard Ryacudu was named defence minister, whilst Rini Soemarno was selected as state-owned enterprises minister. Both are Puan Maharani’s political allies.
The cabinet announcement was scheduled on October 21, a day after the inauguration ceremony of Joko Widodo. It was, however, postponed as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) rejected 8 out of 43 candidates over related-corruption.-VNA
