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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesian VP denies cabinet reshuffle talks during presidential meeting with economic advisors

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Indonesian Vice House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed that National Economic Council (DEN) members met with President Prabowo Subianto.
  • The meeting aimed to provide input and strategies for boosting economic growth, not to discuss a cabinet reshuffle.
  • Despite rumors, officials deny any plans for a reshuffle, including replacing the Finance Minister.

Speculation about a potential cabinet reshuffle in Indonesia has been addressed by Vice House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who confirmed a meeting between National Economic Council (DEN) members and President Prabowo Subianto. However, Dasco clarified that the meeting's purpose was solely to discuss economic strategies, not to consider changes in ministerial appointments.

I have received government confirmation that the meeting was with Pak Luhut in his capacity as Chairman of DEN, and Pak Chatib Basri as its member.

— Sufmi Dasco AhmadClarifying the official capacity in which DEN members met with the President.

Dasco stated that he received confirmation from the government that the meeting involved Luhut Binsan Panjaitan in his capacity as DEN Chairman and Muhammad Chatib Basri as a member. Their presence at the Presidential Palace was to offer crucial input and strategic recommendations aimed at stimulating economic growth. "The input and strategies are needed so that the President can take the necessary steps," Dasco explained.

There was no discussion in that direction.

— Sufmi Dasco AhmadDenying that the meeting with DEN members was related to a cabinet reshuffle.

Recent discourse had linked Chatib Basri to a potential replacement for Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as the Finance Minister. Dasco, however, dismissed these rumors, stating that the information he received indicated no discussions of a reshuffle were taking place. This sentiment was echoed by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who reiterated on Monday that there were no plans for a cabinet reshuffle.

I don't know.

— Chatib BasriResponding to questions about rumors of him joining the cabinet.

Chatib Basri himself, when questioned about the possibility of joining the cabinet, responded with uncertainty, stating, "I don't know." He confirmed his attendance at the meeting with the President, alongside other DEN members like Septian Hario Seto, but declined to elaborate on the specific topics discussed. The rumors surrounding a reshuffle have coincided with a weakening of the Indonesian rupiah, prompting public speculation.

There are no plans for a change of Finance Minister. We have stated many times, there are no plans for a reshuffle.

— Prasetyo HadiDenying rumors about a potential replacement for the Finance Minister.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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